Homes for sale and homes for rent in Santa Ana, San José, Costa Rica | Newsletters

Drains & Granada by Air

Brian Timmons

Dear friends,

When I started Residencias Los Jardines, I started writing a weekly news letter -determined to tell all the good, bad, and the ugly. I knew some readers would be interested in the construction process. I expected others might be interested in the lifestyle of two people who had decided to live outside the box. For others, the adventures of Lita, the parrot and the cat took on an entertainment saga all its own.

Residencias Los Jardines is finished. We periodically have resales and rental availability. Some readers may be interested in this information.

More and more, the content will be dominated by events of our new project, "El Dorado" for short. While the future is always uncertain, I again aim to tell it like it happens -the good, the bad, and the ugly, and that is what follows.

Brian Timmons
DEVELOPER:
Residencias Los Jardines / https://www.residenciaslosjardines.com
Hacienda El Dorado / https://www.eldoradocostarica.com
E-mail: brian@eldoradocostarica.com / info@residenciaslosjardines.com

Construction Log
Updates about Hacienda El Dorado

Rio Oro: The budget analysis is working on the project.

Residencias Los Jardines
Property Management, Rentals, Re-Sales

Drains: Monday saw the beginning of the back hoe work to open the absorption holes for inspection. Two of the were filled with roots, as suspected along with the drain leaders as well. We've removed the rocks and the blocked drains and will re-installed with some different materials. In the future, I'll investigate the use of copper sulfate which I read causes roots to retreat from but doesn't harm the tree. We'll also landscape with different plants. The ficus will still present a problem which hopefully the copper sulfate will address.

Very Active Rental Market: We sealed a deal for the rental 102 with an option to purchase and we have given and received reciprocal verbal agreements on Units 121 and 123. We had a number of real estate agents looking for clients to rent. Being away, I missed some opportunities.

FOR SALE:

FOR RENT:

HOUSES FOR SALE

See a complete description of this unit

UNIT #102:
For Sale $265,000
Price reduction $245,000
Flexible - Owner Financing Available

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1922
Total area (Sq M): 177
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): Ground
Type: Apartment
Furnished: Yes

This two bedroom, 1922 sf (177m2) + parking and bodega, single story home located in Residencias Los Jardines was completed 5 years ago and has been lived in by a single lady who has lovingly cared for and cleaned it twice a week. It is situated on the ground floor of a two storey, horizontal duplex. It is in PRISTINE condition. The vendor is the original owner.

See a complete description of this unit

UNIT #106A:
For Sale $155,000

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1250
Total area (Sq M): 120
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1
Type: Apartment
Furnished: Yes

This is a fully furnished 2-bedroom unit situated in a 2-story building, which has two units on the ground floor and two units on the 2nd. floor. Each unit is the same size (1,250sf) divided into 800 sf of interior space and 450 sf of covered front and back terraces. Units 106A and B are on the ground floor; Units 106 C and D are on the 2nd. Floor. The solid masonry demising wall (common wall) as well as the 5" concrete slab prevent sound transference.

See a complete description of this unit

UNIT #107:
For Sale $250,000
Price reduction $240,000
Owner Financing Available

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1716
Total area (Sq M): 158
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Floor(s): 2 Story
Type: Detached
Furnished: Yes   

This 1,716 sf. (plus parking for one car) two story, detached house, with three terraces, two bedrooms (one on each floor) and upstairs master suite is a beautiful home. This home consists of two VERY large bedrooms (one on each floor) with en-suite bathrooms and a powder room, each with large closets with extensive built-ins for personal organization. The vaulted living room and ground floor bedroom ceilings as well as the master bedroom on the 2nd floor, provide a feeling of grandeur while allowing the warmer air to rise and exit through the ceiling ventilating system. There are three TVs (one in each bedroom and one in the living room.) This is a beautiful home. There is a rough-in for a dishwasher in the kitchen area.

See a complete description of this unit

UNIT #115:
For Sale $205,000 

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1345
Total area (Sq M): 124
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1 Story
Type: Attached
Furnished: Yes

This 1,345 sf single floor home includes a 200 sf private terrace plus parking for one car. It is attached on two sides by a 6" solid concrete block wall which prevents sound transfer. This is an extremely well decorated home with lots of natural wood built ins.

See a complete description of this unit

UNIT #125:
For Sale $160,000
Owner Financing Available

Total Area (Sq Ft): 662
Total area (Sq M): 61
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Floor(s): 2nd Floor
Type: Semi-Detached
Furnished: Yes

This 662 sf, + parking for one car and 33sf locker is a one bedroom home on the 2nd floor overlooking the large pool. It is ideal for a single person or couple-or investment property.

HOUSES FOR RENT

UNIT #113
FOR RENT $1,550 mo.
April 1

See a complete description of this unit

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1290
Total Area (Sq M): 120
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1
Type: Semi-Attached
Furnished: Yes

This 1,290 sf single floor home includes a 300 sf front terrace plus parking for one car. It is attached on one side by a 6 inch cement demising (common) wall, which prevents sound transfer. The three other sides allow light, ventilation and garden views.

Our Lives

WEATHER: The winds have finally started.

Granada by Nature Air: Lita and I lead a group of 6 others (3 couples) who had not previously been to Granada. Since we had been a number of times and the 3 couples knew each other from the compound, they felt comfortable in coming along. This time we took the new shuttle service offered by Nature Air. The airfare itself was not bad --$263 RT for one person. However, to this needed to be added $26 airport exit from CR; $10 entrance fee at Managua; taxi fare from Managua to Granada (1 hour drive) --in our case we had arranged via the Hotel con Corazon for a van at $45; and a $35 airport exit tax from Managua. This made the trip much more expensive --about 3 times the price-- of the executive bus --Trans Nica. We saved 2 hours --It took 5 hrs given the arrival time at the airport on leaving Pavas airport, 90 min. flight time, 1 hour drive to Granada and the arrival at the Hotel con Corazon. We spent the time differently on the flight --Twin Otter with 18 seats. While a perfectly acceptable aircraft, seating is tight but for 90 min., you can endure it. I think in the future, we'll go back to the bus --it's certainly more relaxing, only 2 hrs longer, 1/3 the price, and much less hassle crossing the border, and we can eat, drink, watch a couple movies, and relax.

The Hotel con Corazon was it's usual great place. At $63 per couple per night including a full service breakfast and WiFi, it was great value and the staff are just fantastic --they are very pleasant, accommodating, and service oriented. People in the group took tours of Granada --islands, Masaya, and the town itself as well as a home cooking experience-- that interested them, ate at restaurants which they enjoyed and felt were very inexpensive, and all 8 of us had a great time throughout the whole trip.

Brian, Lita, Hugo, irreverent Vicka, the pigeon toed parrot, and the newbies - Chico and Chica