Meet The KRAIN Costa Rica Team

Sarah Breitlander, Krain Costa Rica

SARAH BREITLANDER | Owner | Broker | Attorney

Areas Serviced : Tamarindo | Flamingo |  Reserva Conchal | Potrero 

Email Sarah
Office Phone : 011 (506) 2654-4010
KRAIN's US Toll Free: 1-866-994-9163
Cell Phone : 011 (506) 6086-8319
Skype Name : sarahbreitlander

Meet Sarah Breitlander Hide Sarah's Profile

Meet Sarah | BREITLANDER TEAM

Sarah Breitlander is Co-Owner and Co-Broker of KRAIN Luxury Real Estate. Before moving to Costa Rica, Sarah spent a decade as a successful commercial litigation attorney at one of the top law firms in Chicago, Illinois.  Among her achievements was being named one of Chicago’s top “40 Under 40” Illinois attorneys to watch in 2012; working for both a Federal District Judge and an Illinois Supreme Court Justice; and being named, for five consecutive years, an Illinois “Rising Star” by her peers in Super Lawyers Magazine, a distinction reserved for the top 2.5% of Illinois lawyers who are under 40.

 

Despite all of her professional success, Sarah felt that something was missing.  The work load, long hours, and stress of her career had negatively affected her quality of life.   In 2013, her husband, Peter, convinced her that she should take the chance—just one chance—to move out of her comfort zone and see if she could find success in having a business of her own along the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica.  

 

In Costa Rica, Sarah found the perfect place to enjoy her life, raise a family, and appreciate every day.   Her career as an owner/broker of KRAIN gives her extreme satisfaction because she has the privilege of helping others find their place in paradise.  As Sarah says, “My new job allows me to help others add to their quality of life, and add to the quality of life of their loved ones.  What can be better than that?”  

 

Shortly after founding KRAIN Luxury Real Estate in 2013, Sarah co-founded KRAIN Property Management and Vacation Rentals, which has quickly become one of the premier property management and vacation rental companies in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica.  

 

Sarah and her team not only assist clients in purchasing homes in Costa Rica, but they also help with anything clients need in order to ensure a peaceful transition into Costa Rica life.  She and her team support clients by counseling on any new laws that affect clients; helping clients open Costa Rican bank accounts; introducing clients to all of the appropriate legal, accounting, and tax professionals; and assisting (if needed) in the management of the home and the paying of property taxes and utility bills. 

 

Sarah and Peter live on Potrero Beach with their two young daughters.  As Sarah states, “We are truly blessed to raise a family here in paradise.” They are passionate about their community and give back to the through the Kaiser Breitlander Memorial Fund, which sponsors local under privileged kids, providing them with a bilingual education at the Paz Community School.  Click here for help support their cause:  https://lapazschool.org/guardians-of-la-paz/programs/kaiser-breitlander-memorial-fund/

 

If you’re looking to work with a team with passion, excitement and a commitment to excellence, you’ll definitely want to get in touch with Sarah and her husband Peter, who work together as the BREITLANDER TEAM.

Peter Breitlander, Krain Costa Rica

PETER BREITLANDER | Owner | Managing Broker

Areas Serviced : Tamarindo | Flamingo |  Reserva Conchal | Potrero 

Email Peter
Office Phone : 011 (506) 2654-4010
KRAIN's US Toll Free: 1-866-994-9163
Cell Phone : CR: 8413-7165 US: 312-804-3901
Skype Name : pbreitlander

Meet Peter Breitlander Hide Peter's Profile

Meet Peter | BREITLANDER TEAM

Peter Breitlander is a U.S. accredited real estate broker and co-founder of the highly successful brokerage KRAIN Corporation in Chicago.  In 2000, Peter began his career working for an internationally-recognized real estate brokerage. It wasn’t long before he rose to become one of the brokerage’s top-producing agents.

Fast-forward to 2005, when Peter became a co-founder of KRAIN Corporation (a/k/a KRAIN Chicago), a highly successful boutique real estate brokerage specializing in luxury homes. He and a team of over 40 agents handled thousands of successful transactions, some of which were very high-profile.

Always one with a finger on the pulse of the global market, Peter began to sense that the Costa Rica real estate market was heating up. Recognizing a need for professional services to accommodate this sudden growth, he expanded his company’s reach to include KRAIN Costa Rica.

Your Source for “All Things Real Estate”

When it comes to real estate buying and selling, you could say that Peter is a one-stop shop. With over 18 years in the market, Peter offers solid expertise in “all things real estate,” including buying and selling residential properties, property development, construction, and real-estate investment.

Peter’s commitment to excellence is bar none. When he says he will go above and beyond for clients, he means it. His number one priority with every transaction is to ensure clients achieve their real estate goals while maximizing profit and minimizing risk.

 

 Peter and his wife Sarah work together as the BREITLANDER TEAM.

 

Jeff Goode, Krain Costa Rica

JEFF GOODE | Broker Associate

Areas Serviced: Ocotal | Playa Hermosa | Playas del Coco | Flamingo | Playa Potrero

Email: Jeff@kraincostarica.com
KRAIN's US Toll Free: 1-866-994-9163
US Line: 312-888-5558
CR Cell Phone: 011 (506) 8411-5347

Meet Jeff Goode Hide Jeff's Profile

Meet Jeff Goode

Jeff is a seasoned real estate agent and broker with over 15 years of experience in Alabama, Chicago, New York, and internationally in Costa Rica. With more than 10 years of Sales, Project Management, Building, and Information Technology expertise, Jeff helps clients understand the current state of a property as well as its future potential.

Jeff specializes in commercial development. Over his career, he has been involved in the complete sales cycle of everything from small marketable complexes to multi-faceted mixed-used projects such as hotels, condominiums, live/workspace, and luxury home sites.

While Jeff has focused on the sales-side of commercial properties, he has been involved in all stages from the development to financial strategy of sell-through to maximize financial gain. If you’re looking for an agent with the skills and expertise to manage commercial projects from inception to completion, Jeff is your guy.

A Born Leader with a Passion for Helping Others Realize Their Financial Goals Through the years, Jeff has held various leadership positions within organizations such as Executive Board Member of the National Hills Homeowners Association in Augusta, GA., The USA Rugby South Executive Board, the Rocket City Dart Association Executive Board, and the Roll Tide Chicago Executive Board, University of Alabama's alumni association in the greater Chicago area.

As a veteran of Desert Storm and a double Purple Heart recipient, Jeff is not one to find a real estate challenge all that challenging. Instead, he uses his training, focus, and determination to get his clients the absolute best deal possible.

With his fine attention to detail, natural business savvy and unwavering integrity, Jeff have become the preferred agent with Live and Invest Overseas; an international provider of investors, contacts, and international properties.

If you’re looking for an agent with an exceptional professional background and ability to see projects through to the end, contact Jeff today.

Hickey Team, Krain Costa Rica

HICKEY TEAM | Broker Associates

Areas Serviced: Tamarindo | Reserva Conchal | Flamingo | Potrero 

Email: Hickey@KrainCostaRica.com
Office Phone : 011 (506) 2654-4010
KRAIN's US Toll Free: 1-866-994-9163
Ryan : 011 (506) 8829-8983
Chrissy : 011 (506) 8426-7380

Meet Ryan & Chrissy Hide Ryan & Chrissy's Profile

Meet Ryan & Chrissy | HICKEY TEAM

Having now lived in Costa Rica for 2 years with their 3 young children, Ryan and Chrissy would be delighted to share their experiences and help guide you to your Costa Rican dream.
 
Ryan was raised in Alberta Canada and eventually migrated west to Vancouver, British Columbia with his wife Christine (Chrissy) to be close to the ocean and moderate temperatures of the west coast. 
 
Ryan has always had a passion for real estate and has been buying and selling properties for almost 20 years. Starting off small, remodeling distressed condos for resale. Ryan then expanded into the Project Management role converting older apartment buildings into modern individually titled condo units. His renovation company was established in 2006 and operated successfully until he and his young family decided to move to Costa Rica. The hands-on experience renovating and following real estate trends were invaluable in recognizing the hidden potential of distressed properties and just as important those that would never return a profit.  
 
Over the years Ryan expanded into commercial real estate by owning and operating apartment buildings and formed a Property investment company in 2007. Managing real property has been a huge asset in developing and understanding the challenges and benefits associated with carrying rental properties. 
 
Having bought and sold dozens of properties as an independent, Ryan decided to become a licensed realtor in Vancouver British Columbia. He completed the University of British Columbia’s and Real Estate Council of BC’s Real Estate Trading Services Licensing Course. Ryan and his partner and wife Chrissy have successfully remodeled and sold many properties from 1 bedroom condos to multi-million dollar single-family homes. Being honest, and loyal to those you work with and being involved from the beginning has always been the key to success. From identifying unique opportunities, permitting, construction, design, staging and eventual resell, Ryan has got the experience to make your piece of paradise dream come true. If it’s a property to call home, rental investment or a remodel to increase the value for resell, the Hickey Team can help you find your property.
 
Chrissy was raised in Alberta, Canada eventually settling in Vancouver, British Columbia 12 years ago with her husband Ryan. Chrissy has spent the last 15 years in sales and marketing for major corporations. She excels by utilizing her many skills to overcome any challenge set before her. Year after year her strong work ethic and interpersonal skills have allowed her to be top in sales nationwide.  Chrissy has worked side by side with Ryan in the design, staging, and marketing of their various real estate investments. These many properties have given her the invaluable ability to spot a great property. 
 
Most importantly she prides herself with strong interpersonal skills, empathy, honesty, and loyalty. Making a purchase in a foreign country is an emotional and life-changing experience. Chrissy and Ryan are here to walk you through the steps to sell your property quickly and for the highest price possible. Buying a property shouldn’t be stressful and their goal is to make this a Pure Vida experience.

COASTAL GROUP

Areas Serviced : Tamarindo, Flamingo, Potrero, Playas del Coco

Email: Coastal@KrainCostaRica.com
KRAIN's US Toll Free: 1-866-994-9163


Tony Monticello Cell : 011 (506) 8648-1728

Melissa Smith Cell: 011 (506) 8424-6072

Meet the Coastal Group Hide Coastal Group Profile

Meet Coastal Group

Coastal Group | Commercial | Investment | Luxury Sales

What we do: We assist clients with businesses for sale, leasing commercial property, and investing in the "Gold Coast" of Costa Rica. We specialize in the Flamingo, Tamarindo, Playa Coco and surrounding areas.

Tony Monticello | Team Lead | Broker Associate

With over 2-1/2 decades of real estate investing, engineering, building, and business ownership Tony brings a unique set of skills to the team. With a Civil Engineering / Construction background, coupled with marketing / business ownership and decades of personal real estate investing, Tony keeps buyers out of trouble by having an eye for detail in Civil / Site / Structural matters, while his almost three decades of business ownership and sales, and real estate investing, gives him personal insight and experience that is hard to beat by just another "salesperson."

Melissa Smith | Broker Associate

Melissa began coming to Costa Rica in 2009. It was love at first sight, and so Melissa traveled to and from Costa Rica continuously for 5 years until relocating here permanently in 2014. In doing so, she left her secure Canadian government job of 15 years, grabbed her cat and a suitcase, and never looked back. She is grateful to have made this important life decision, and she is equally grateful to now be able to help others enhance their quality of life by incorporating Costa Rica on either a part-time or full-time basis. Melissa is well versed in commercial and residential real estate in the geographic areas of Langosta, Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Playa Flamingo, and Playa Potrer. For three consecutive years starting in 2015, Melissa was the top-selling agent at Coldwell Banker in Tamarindo. In 2019, she decided to capitalize on her business expertise as an agent and owner of multiple successful businesses here in Costa Rica, and she joined forces with her business partner, Tony Monticello, a seasoned licensed United States and Costa Rica real estate agent with 20+ years of experience. Together, Melissa and Tony grew a successful commercial and residential real estate brokerage known as the Coastal Commercial Group. In 2020, Melissa and Tony sought to merge their brokerage and wealth of experience in real estate with the brokerage and market share leader of KRAIN Luxury Real Estate and NAI KRAIN Costa Rica. Melissa is as an agent in both the residential and commercial departments, and has represented both buyers and sellers in countless transactions. As Melissa states, “Over the years, I have gained so much knowledge of both markets and how they work. I truly enjoy seeing my client’s dreams become a reality and sharing this bit of paradise. I’m a firm believer in mutual trust and respect. I would never allow a client to be led down the wrong road or purchase something that I wouldn’t purchase myself. I remain friends with my clients and past coworkers and that makes me feel accomplished and satisfied. I look forward to many more exciting years here in this industry!”

 

 

EVOKE Realty Group | Broker Associates

Areas Serviced: Playa Potrero | Flamingo | Playa Grande | Tamarindo

Email: EVOKE@KrainCostaRIca.com
KRAIN's US Toll Free: 1-866-994-9163
Tiffany: 1 (705) 790-0665
James: +(506) 8780-6363 

Meet Tiffany & James Hide Tiffany & James's Profile

 

MEET TIFFANY PALMER | EVOKE REALTY GROUP

 

Since I was very young, I realized the incredible power of investing in real estate. I genuinely want others to enjoy the same benefits that my husband and I have enjoyed.
 
James and I bought our first house when I was 19 and he was 21 (I said young...right!). Shortly after, we both got jobs in downtown Toronto and decided to rent out our home. It was during this time that we began realizing the incredible potential of investing in Real Estate. We later sold our brand new motorcycle and leveraged the equity in our first home to purchase a second income property. Ultimately, we were able to buy a third property that would become our primary residence.
 
By 2017, when I was 29 years old, and due to intense market upswing, James and I were able to refinance our first home (which we had been renting for several years), sell our second income property, and pay off the mortgage on our primary residence. Imagine, 29 and mortgage free! It was at this time that James and I left the rat race to start Evoke Realty Group in Barrie, Ontario Canada.
 
Our early investments in Real Estate are what have allowed us to build a home in Costa Rica and move our family to paradise! The incredible wealth opportunity and ability to share it with others is what originally drove me into Real Estate sales.
 
The best part, you don’t have to start when you're 19. My parents didn’t kick start their real estate investing until well into their 50’s and now enjoy 4 rental properties in Canada and a vacation home in Florida.
 
My background in accounting and real estate experience helps me ensure my clients are protected
 
I did not just wake up one day and decide to sell Real Estate. My goal was to be a Chartered Professional Accountant, what a snoozefest that would have been for me! That goal, however, provided me with over 5 years of valuable finance, economic, business, and contract law education. In addition, I gained personal investment experiences that not all Realtors have had.
 
After University I spent 5+ years in Cyber Security Consulting, where I specialized in identifying weaknesses in the cyber security programs of Fortune 500 companies and educating their leadership teams on how to prepare for disaster recovery and business continuity. No, I have never hacked anyone. Yes, we had teams that did hack (ethically of course), and overall Cyber Security is way cooler in the movies!
 
Basically, all that knowledge combined with the real estate experience I have acquired, means I know what I am talking about. I didn’t learn all I know in a weekend real estate course and that is reflected in the success of Evoke Realty Group. I use that experience to protect my clients and to negotiate and secure investment opportunities that can change lives.
 
FUN FACTS ABOUT ME
1. I cannot say no to animals, which is probably why we have so many. I definitely see a farm in my future.
 
2. I have 5 tattoos. One says, “P.S. I love you”. The “P” stands for my daughter Priya, and the “S” for my son Sterling. Clever eh?
 
3. I am an excellent markswoman. Just call me Annie Oakley.
 
4. I have a sweet tooth and have mastered the art of sugary treats. Just don’t ask me to cook you a meal...yuck.
 
5. Prior to Real Estate, I studied to become a Chartered Professional Accountant, but ended up pursuing a career in Cyber Security with a Top 4 Global Firm.
 
 
 
MEET JAMES PALMER | EVOKE REALTY GROUP

 

I was once a client with a dishonest realtor. When my wife and I were looking to purchase our next family home, our realtor found us a property he tried to sell us. Unfortunately, we found out that it was owned by his employer and was completely gutted by a fire because it was a meth lab that had exploded. That is the moment I knew I could do far better for people.
 
It is my reason why I will be a true advisor and someone who works for my client’s fiduciary interest. I want my clients to weigh out the pros and cons, so they are really making an informed decision. When I have had clients buy or sell with their “hearts” or feel pressured, it often leads to remorse. I never want my clients to feel dissatisfied about a real estate investment they have made.
 
When you come down to Costa Rica on a vacation do you want a realtor who pushes that you’re buying a piece of paradise and who only talks about the positives? Or, would you like to know the risks: the red tape, taxes, potential delays, or other factors that may make the process a bit annoying?
You will hear the good, bad, and ugly from me because your future is at stake. Whether you are investing in your financial future or making a lifestyle change for you and your family, I will make sure you are completely satisfied with the decision you have made.
 
I always want to get a win for my clients
 
I don’t like losing, but I won’t go for the win if it is a bad deal. With the transactions I’m involved in, my clients come first, then the parties they are transacting with, then me and my cooperating counterpart. It needs to be a win for the clients first...always.
 
I have always been interested in real estate. It is in my blood. My grandfather worked as a foreman for a medium sized home building company when I was young, so I was reading blueprints as a child. And I loved playing and constructing buildings with Lego in my early years.
 
When I bought my first property at 21, my passion for building and desire to succeed came together. I was able to see the potential in long term real estate investments and how beneficial a great deal can be. Now I strive to get those deals for my clients. I want them to have the win, so if it is a good deal, I’ll fight for it. If I can’t get it done one way, I’ll do everything I can to get more creative. There is always a solution.
 
FUN FACTS ABOUT ME
1. I have a very open mind. I love interesting and unique conversations. If you want to take the red pill and dive down the rabbit hole like Neo in the Matrix, we can put on our tinfoil hats and go crazy.
 
2. I enjoy getting to know people, and things, I’m constantly curious, I live in a world full of why’s and what if’s.
 
3. I am a skeptic, I question everything, and truly want to, not just know, but understand everything. Which means everything is open for debate with me, and nothing is off limits.
 
4. I am a hoisting engineer and have helped construct buildings 50 stories high.

BREAKTHROUGH GROUP | Broker Associate

Areas Serviced : Playa Potrero | Playa Flamingo | Reserva Conchal

Email: Rob@KrainCostaRica.com
KRAIN's US Toll Free: 1-866-994-9163
US Line : 1 (289) 927-0464
 

Meet Rob Break  Hide Rob's Profile

Meet Rob Break

Rob is an entrepreneur in the world of residential investment real estate, with an impressive history of many successful BRRR projects. Rob has coached and advised countless investors through acquisition and renovations to help build their own generational wealth. Rob and his family have recently relocated to Costa Rica and is flipping houses there as well as maintaining his real estate team in Ontario at the Breakthrough Property Group under KW Energy. Rob has also joined Krain Luxury Real Estate to help other Canadians fulfill their dreams of owning property in Costa Rica. We are now in Costa Rice living the Pura Vida way. Life here is beautiful, sunsets, watching our kids splash in the ocean, or enjoying a cocktail with friends on a Saturday afternoon. Moving from Canada to Costa Rica is not something to take lightly. I love to help people by always being there to answer any questions, not just about real estate but also about the in’s and out’s of moving to Costa Rica..