PART 1: REASONS TO SPEND MORE TIME IN PLAYA GRANDE, COSTA RICA WITH YOUR FAMILY

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If Playa Grande was going to wear a banner, it would read, “Playa Grande, a Tight-Knit Community of Families and Surfers.” Deciding where to visit or relocate with your family is a big decision, especially if your family includes young children or teenagers. While there is a community of families who already reside here full-time, there are also families who come to live in Playa Grande for part of the year, others who have decided to try out a year here, or those who are wrapping up the final arrangements to make the grand move and join the full timers. There are so many inspiring reasons why Playa Grande is an ideal beach town for families, which is why this topic will be broken up into two parts.

BE PART OF A TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY OF FAMILIES

Playa Grande is the type of place where everyone knows your name; or will learn it. This small town on Guanacaste’s Gold Coast is incredibly welcoming to newcomers. Once you have spent a little bit of time here, you will realize that you have become part of the community. Everyone here looks out for one another. Playa Grande is like one big extended family. While smaller friend and family groups do form within the community, those circles are never closed, but rather link up to other circles, which just form a long beautiful chain.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER…

They say that like attracts like and that ideology seems to be in play here. The community of Playa Grande is made up of individuals who desired a simpler way of life. A life where you spend more time outdoors, in nature, and with friends and family than you do dedicating your time to the acquisition of materials things and superficial titles, reputations, rewards, and relationships. Spending time in Playa Grande, even if just briefly, will remind you of what’s really important in life; time spent in the present moment, quality relationships, a deep connection with yourself and nature; and pursuing your best life now and not continually pushing it back until the procrastinateable tomorrow and tomorrow’s tomorrow, and so forth on.

Playa Grande, Costa Rica

YOUR VIBE ATTRACTS YOUR TRIBE | RIPJACK INN

SAFE PLACE TO LIVE AND PLAY

Playa Grande is very safe. It should however be noted that no matter where you are in Costa Rica, or in the world for that matter, you must always be vigilant and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your belongings. However, compared to other beach towns in Costa Rica and big cities and neighborhoods in North America, there is very little crime here. Playa Grande is a place where you can feel safe about letting your kids play outside and on the beach without your undivided supervision. It is a place where kids can actually be kids and parents don’t have to be in a sustained state of worry.

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LOCAL KID CREW IN PLAYA GRANDE | RIPJACK INN

PLENTY OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY ESTABLISHMENTS

There are multiple extraordinary pizza spots, as well as restaurants that serve up delicious pastas, burritos, tacos, hamburgers, and even a variety of more locally-inspired dishes that are sure to become family favorites, such as patacones, gallo pinto, and casados. There aren’t any fast food restaurants in or anywhere near Playa Grande, so you can rest assure that your family will be enjoying locally-sourced and inspired, fresh, and healthier meals when you decide to dine out. All the restaurants in Playa Grande are family-friendly, and dog-friendly too.

Family-friendly food in Costa Rica

FAMILY-FRIENDLY MEALS ALL OVER TOWN | RIPJACK INN

Need more inspiration? Stay tuned for part two!

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About the Author
GRE_TEAM-Dave

A dynamic leader with a proven track record of success in real estate, hotel, restaurant, and sales businesses. Effective leadership style that inspires trust and confidence in team members and clients. Relationship-based sales approach that yields many repeat clients and referrals. Experience in sales for over 20 years. Well over $100,000,000 in career real estate sales. Proud husband of Annie Corredor and father of Maggie Corredor.

COSTA RICA EXPERIENCE

Grande Real Estate
CO-FOUNDER and CO-OWNER
2016 - Now

After years of experience in the Playa Grande market, Dave and Annie started this small real estate brokerage and consultancy with the intent of using their best skills in sales and capitalizing on the plethora of qualified prospects generated by both RipJack Inn and their plentiful relationships in the area.

  • With Dave acting as lead agent/broker and Annie as GM, Grande Real Estate has grown to a level of over 50 transactions and $15,000,000 per year in sales volume.
  • Dave and GRE have been the exclusive agent for several gated communities/major developments in the area. In this role, Dave is counted on to help guide the decisions about what and when to build for the current market conditions. With this expert guidance, Dave has led multiple projects to their best performance in a variety of market conditions.
  • Grande Real Estate has had the majority of transactions and significant listings in the Playa Grande market during since inception. The vast majority of Dave’s clientele comes from existing relationships, repeat clients, and referrals. Dave’s greatest strength has always been developing and maintaining relationships through a commitment to the highest level of service.

Local Real Estate Investments/Projects
INVESTOR/MANAGING PARTNER
2004 - Now

As opportunities arise, we invest in and develop real estate projects in the local area. We currently own several properties in various stages of development, including the construction of fine custom and spec homes. We intend to emphasize this more as we move forward and do multiple projects per year beginning in 2021. As always, our focus will be on high quality end products and true, long-lasting value for our partners and clients, our most important relationships.

Premier American Escrow, LLC
ESCROW SERVICES FOR COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE
2017 - Now

In response to a clear need for streamlined escrow services in Costa Rica, Dave, Annie and 2 partners opened a Florida LLC to do escrow services for transactions, mostly involving Grande Real Estate. To-date, Premier American Escrow has done over 10 escrows very successfully. Customer satisfaction has been high and we expect the company to expand in the coming year.

RipJack Inn, Playa Grande
CO-FOUNDER and PRESIDENT
2004 - Now

Re-developed an older hotel property in a great location into the largest and most successful business in town. RipJack Inn has become the leading hotel and restaurant/bar in town and generates an average of $1,100,000 per year in sales. RipJack Inn is also the original and most successful yoga studio and retreat location in Playa Grande. Revenue streams also include group events/weddings, catering, tours/activities, and some retail. Also acquired expansion land permitted and executed new construction in the most difficult place to build in Costa Rica. The hotel has grown from 8 to 21 rooms over the last 17 years.

RipJack Inn currently provides solid employment to over 30 Costa Ricans and has employed over 150 people in its history. Dave and Annie have become experts in the navigation of the legal systems, employment, accounting, taxation, and culture of Costa Rica. RipJack Inn is an employer, taxpayer, and corporate entity in good standing in both the United States and Costa Rica.

UNITED STATES EXPERIENCE
Cornish and Carey Commercial, Palo Alto, California
LEASING AGENT
1998 - 2002

  • Primary focus was tenant and landlord representation in lease transactions for the dominant brokerage house in Silicon Valley. Client list included PayPal/Ebay, Advocco, TellMe Networks (acquired by Microsoft), Adecco, PricewaterhouseCoopers. Held State of California Real Estate Salesperson’s License.
  • Won prestigious Rookie of the Year Award in 1999, first full year. Set record for most commissions earned in an agent’s rookie year.
  • Year 2000, reached elite Super Bonus level with over $600,000 in earnings. Set standard for any agent in second year in history of company. Over $20,000,000 in total consideration in transactions for year.
  • Discovered and worked from start to finish on two office-building/redevelopment projects in Mountain View, California as agent and investor. Created two Class A office building in the heart of the Silicon Valley from scratch and saw them through lease-up and sell-out. Project included the first world headquarters for PayPal (then acquired by Ebay) and over $75MM in total consideration to the investment group.

PERSONAL

Married for 18 years and helping my wife Annie raise our daughter Maggie, my #1 focus. Interests include surfing, cycling, reading, personal growth, dogs, and travel. Fully fluent in Spanish, inclusive of speaking, reading, and writing to contract level. Permanent legal resident of Costa Rica.

Additional Leadership Activities

Vice-president, Board of Directors, Association AyA, Playa Grande, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste. My primary community service role is to help guide the board in the management of the town’s water system. We focus on sustainable practices to ensure the long-term health of the town’s water supply and system. A crucial role in a place where development and water usage are highly politicized and controversial. Over 10 years on this board to-date.