Private Loan Options in Costa Rica

Property owners in Costa Rica may consider a private property-backed loan request when they have suitable real estate available as collateral and a defined purpose for the funds.

GAP Equity Loans helps qualified borrowers submit property-backed loan requests for private-lender review. Requests start at US$50,000 and up, terms generally range from six months to three years, and GAP Equity Loans does not ask for a credit score.

GAP Equity Loans works with first-lien property security only. GAP Equity Loans is not a bank and is not the direct lender. Each request is reviewed individually, and approval or funding is never guaranteed.

What Is a Private Property-Backed Loan Request?

A private property-backed loan request uses Costa Rica real estate as collateral for a defined financing purpose. The request includes a proposed loan amount, use of funds, repayment plan, and exit strategy.

A private lender may consider the collateral property along with its title, ownership, existing obligations, location, condition, marketability, available documentation, and the borrower’s proposed repayment plan.

The property is important, but it is not the only part of the review. Suitable collateral does not automatically mean that a particular request will move forward.

GAP Equity Loans at a Glance

• Property-backed loan requests start at US$50,000 and up
• Terms generally range from six months to three years
• No credit score is requested
• First-lien property security only
• Costa Rica real estate is required as collateral
• Each request receives individual private-lender review

What Private Lenders May Review

Every property-backed request is different. A private lender may review:

• Property location, access, type, condition, and marketability
• Ownership, title, and signing authority
• Existing mortgages, liens, annotations, taxes, or legal claims
• Estimated property value and available support for that estimate
• Requested amount and exact purpose of the funds
• Property documents and available registry information
• Repayment plan and exit strategy
• Permits, construction details, utilities, or other property-specific information when relevant

A clear, realistic, and complete file gives the lender the information needed to understand the request. It does not create an approval, funding commitment, rate, or closing date.

First-Lien Property Security Only

GAP Equity Loans works with first-lien property security only. Before a request can be reviewed fully, the ownership, title position, existing debt, liens, annotations, taxes, and other registered issues must be understood.

An existing mortgage or lien does not automatically prevent a review. It must be disclosed early so the property and possible structure can be evaluated accurately.

If a corporation owns the property, available corporate documents and signing authority may also be required.

No Credit Score Is Requested

GAP Equity Loans does not ask borrowers for a credit score. The review focuses on the Costa Rica real estate offered as collateral and the complete property-backed request.

Borrowers should still provide complete and accurate information about the property, ownership, existing obligations, requested amount, purpose of funds, repayment plan, and exit strategy.

Loan Amounts and Terms

Property-backed loan requests through GAP Equity Loans start at US$50,000 and up. Terms generally range from six months to three years.

The final structure depends on the individual request and private-lender review. A request does not guarantee a specific amount, term, rate, payment structure, or future renewal.

Rates for Expats and Foreign Borrowers

Rates for property-backed requests are similar to Costa Rica bank rates available to expats and foreign borrowers. Costa Rican citizens may qualify for better bank rates.

Final rates depend on the individual request and private-lender review. No rate is promised before the property and complete file have been considered.

Documents That Help Start the Review

You do not need every document before making initial contact. The following information helps create a productive first review:

• A Google Maps, Waze, or WhatsApp location pin
• Current photos of the property, access, buildings, and surrounding area
• Available ownership and registry information
• Plano Catastro or survey-plan information, if available
• Estimated value and support for that estimate
• Requested loan amount and exact use of funds
• Details of existing mortgages, liens, annotations, taxes, or legal concerns
• A practical repayment plan and exit strategy
• Corporate records and signing authority when applicable

Additional information may be requested depending on the individual property and financing purpose.

Why the Repayment Plan Matters

The property is security for the request. It is not the repayment plan. A private lender also needs to understand how the loan will be repaid.

A repayment plan may include a planned sale, refinance, business income, rental income, sale of another asset, or another documented source. The plan should be specific and realistic for the individual request.

A future sale, refinance, or renewal should never be assumed. Read why your repayment plan matters for a private loan.

Start a Property-Backed Loan Request

Start by sharing the property location, estimated value, requested amount, ownership details, existing obligations, purpose of funds, and repayment plan. GAP Equity Loans can then determine whether further information may be appropriate for private-lender review.

Submit a property loan request

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum request amount?

Property-backed loan requests through GAP Equity Loans start at US$50,000 and up.

How long are the terms?

Terms generally range from six months to three years. Final terms depend on the individual request and private-lender review.

Do you ask for a credit score?

No. GAP Equity Loans does not ask borrowers for a credit score.

What security is required?

GAP Equity Loans works with first-lien property security only. The collateral must be Costa Rica real estate, and its title, ownership, existing obligations, and supporting information must be reviewed.

What rates apply to expats and foreign borrowers?

Rates are similar to Costa Rica bank rates available to expats and foreign borrowers. Costa Rican citizens may qualify for better bank rates. Final rates depend on the individual request and private-lender review.

Does a valuable property guarantee financing?

No. A private lender reviews the complete request, including the property, title, existing obligations, documentation, requested amount, purpose of funds, repayment plan, and exit strategy.

This article is for general information only. It is not a loan offer, legal advice, tax advice, financial advice, or a promise of financing. Loan availability and final terms depend on the individual request, property, documentation, private-lender review, due diligence, and signed documents.

Article by Glenn Tellier (Founder of CRIE and Grupo Gap)