FSBO in Costa Rica: selling your house without an agent

It's legal, plenty of people do it, and the commission you save is 5 to 6% plus IVA. Here's what an agent does for you and how to replace each part. Updated 2026-11-04.

Is it legal to sell without an agent?

Yes, completely. No agent is required to sell property in Costa Rica: the only professional the law demands is the notary public, who executes the public deed and registers it at the Registro Nacional. In fact the industry is unregulated: as of 2026 there's no agent license at all, only SUGEF registration under anti-money-laundering rules. The 5 to 6% commission plus IVA is market custom, nothing more. Selling on your own breaks no rule. What you do need is a good notary, and in most sales a SUGEF-registered escrow provider to hold the funds.

What does an agent do, and how do you replace it?

An agent does three things: prices the home, finds buyers and shepherds the paperwork. All three can be replaced. For pricing, use data instead of instinct: the CostaRicaRealtor.com Price Index computes your canton's median asking price from 78,784 live for-sale listings. For exposure, list where buyers already search: create your listing here at no cost and it appears right beside every home for sale in the country. For negotiation and paperwork, your notary drafts the deed, checks the documents and registers the transfer. That part was never the agent's job anyway: it was always the notary's.

What are the honest trade-offs?

Be realistic about the work you're taking on. You handle the showings and filter the curious from the serious. You keep pricing discipline: with no closing comps, the classic FSBO mistake is anchoring high and letting the listing go stale. Some buyer's agents won't bring clients when there's no commission split on offer. And while the notary covers the closing paperwork, the pre-sale due diligence (plano catastrado, uso de suelo, water letter) is yours to chase. None of this is a dealbreaker. It's time and judgment, which is also why our 3% middle option exists if you'd rather have help with buyers.

How do you price it with no MLS and no appraisal?

Start from what the market asks today. Costa Rica has no MLS, so closing prices aren't public, but asking prices can be measured: the index shows each canton's median and price per m², based on 78,784 live for-sale listings. Look up your canton, compare homes like yours and position your price inside the typical range, not above it. Remember these are asking prices, not closing prices: the final number almost always negotiates down. A listing priced right on day one sells better than one that cuts its price three times.

Look up your canton's median → Full price index →

List your home today, at no cost

Your listing goes in front of buyers searching the whole Costa Rica market. You pay 3% only if we bring the buyer. Find your own buyer and you owe us nothing.

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General information, not legal or tax advice. For taxes, costs and the full process, see the complete selling guide. Confirm every figure with your notary. Figures verified August 2026.