Question 1

How does the MPA structure work?

Accepted Answer

The MPA is a Sociedad Limitada. It uses cuotas rather than shares and is limited to 50 members. It is managed by a General Council and its sub circles. What matters most is solidarity between partners, while each partner independently runs his own business and family life. Phase One consists of 11 partners, each owning 1 cuota. Franz has 1, his son Xavier 1, his daughter Silja 1, and Ariana Ugalde, Franz’s long-term manager of GLP, has 1. The MPA becomes active once all 11 cuotas are distributed and the General Council members are chosen.

Question 2

What power does the MPA have?

Accepted Answer

The MPA controls all governance decisions: property maintenance, roads, security, utilities, pool operations, farm operations, budget, monthly fees, new lot development timing, and commercial property decisions.

Question 3

When does the commercial property transfer to the MPA?

Accepted Answer

When 22 lots have been sold and there are 22 cuota holders in the MPA, the 4 blocks of commercial property, held in escrow by our attorney, are transferred, and each partner owns 1/32 of them. The General Council assumes management responsibility, including determining their best use and disposition.

Question 4

What if Marenal never sells 22 lots?

Accepted Answer

The commercial properties remain with Franz and his heirs until that number of sales is reached. We consider the risk of not reaching it small, and the reward substantial.

Question 5

Can I opt out of MPA participation?

Accepted Answer

No. If you own a lot you are part of the MPA. You can choose not to take part in day-today discussions or to join an operating circle, but you cannot ignore decisions made through the consent-based process. If you hold a principled objection to a decision, you have the power to block it.

Questions and answers

Trust and continuity

Who can become a partner?

What happens if Franz becomes incapacitated before I get title to my lot?

Why have there been zero sales until now?

What about the 26 year gap between buying Marenal in 2000 and launching it in 2026?

How is my deposit protected?

What if I need to exit before title is transferred?

What legal recourse do I have if something goes wrong?

Infrastructure and timeline

What is actually built right now?

When will the social area and the pool be finished?

How reliable is the water supply?

How fast is the internet?

What permits are in place?

When can I start building?

What is the development timeline?

The reality of being first

How isolated is the property?

Do I really need a 4x4?

How much interaction will I have with the team and the other partners?

What if I don’t get along with the other founding partners?

The MPA and the commercial property

How does the MPA structure work?

What power does the MPA have?

When does the commercial property transfer to the MPA?

What if Marenal never sells 22 lots?

Can I opt out of MPA participation?

Practical logistics

Can I get Costa Rican residency through this purchase?

How much does it cost to build a house?

Are there features every home must have?

Can I rent out my house?

What are the monthly fees?

What are the customary closing costs?

What about property taxes?

Philosophy and community

What if I’m not familiar with voluntaryism and sociocracy?

Do you have written rules of conduct at Marenal?

How do you handle disagreements?

What is the purpose of co-housing?

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