I'd reccomend that you interview a few agents or brokers to help you list.

Having worked in and around real estate including loan side for both residential and smaller specialized commercial (medical), renovation and new construction/new build with a broker & brokerage founder (who has since retired) I know from him that in addition to reputable property managers, contractors and architects we had accountants including a forensic accountant on the loan side and a handful of real estate attorneys with one on retainer.

In short, their horrendous customer service and business practices cost me 5250.00 USD.

i just didnt want my customers thinking we were trying to slip something past them.

A quick Internet search of "Costa Rica Mortgage Loans" turned up a couple of brokers and private equity offerings.You could also try to get the seller to finance part of the purchase price.Or borrow it from your 401K, if you have one.Depending on your credit score, it might also be worth looking at rates from a local credit union, bank, or even Prosper or Lending Club for a personal loan rather than a real-estate secured loan.

Also, in general, would an appraiser likely aim to provide favorable results to keep you as a repeat customer?

You are probably a "customer" which means they don't represent your best interests and have no requirement to protect you, negotiate on your behalf, etc.

You have to find the Direct Seller and don't deal with Brokers His course it worth the money and his seminars are even better.

The only explanation from their customer service folks was that it "couldn't be used for that type of transaction."

Longhorn has been doing 100% financing for 16 years with 8000+ closed loans and has a stellar reputation and many, many repeat customers.