GLIMMERS...

ISSUE #416: July 16-21, 2012

2012-07-22

Brian Timmons, Newsletter Author
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
ResidenciasPropertyManagement@gmail.com

 

Construction Log
Updates about Hacienda El Dorado

Rio Oro: ...two inquiries and one which, at this point, seems interesting... I expect to have more information develop next week.

 

Residencias Los Jardines
Property Management, Rentals, Re-Sales

Rain Water: we had one good 20 min. downpour and everything worked as it should.

Re-landscaping: In front of 114 we cut back some plants and replaced with smaller ones.

Building Mtnc. We're re-doing some of the ceramic roof tiles. In some cases the perlin used as a nailing strip was wood and that has, in some cases rotted. These are being replaced with metal furring channels.

Jacques Beaulieu: we believe his affairs are being set in order. A small prayer vigil with a priest in attendance was held by the gardeners and several others.

Market Activity

Sales: no viewings...

Rentals: two rentals.

 

FOR SALE

Unit #106 D: $199,000 NEW LISTING - 75% owner financing available See Unit

FOR RENT

Unit #109: $1,450 mo. Available Immediately up to December 31 See Unit
Unit #112: $1,350 mo. Leased See Unit
Unit #113: $1,400 mo. Leased See Unit
Unit #116: $1,400 mo. Available Sept. 1 See Unit

Site Plan-

HOUSES FOR SALE

UNIT #106 D
FOR SALE $199,000
75% owner financing available

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1227 + parking
Total Area (Sq M): 113 + parking
Bedrooms: 1 + den (bedroom possible)
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 2nd. floor
Type: apartment in 4 plex
Furnished: Yes

This 2nd story, 1,227 sf (113 m2 + one parking space) )is a georgous home with one of the best views at Los Jardines. The very large front covered terrace faces west and is suitable for entertaining; the off-bedroom covered terrace faces east for sun sets. This very tastefully furnished and fully equipped home offers a lifestyle envied by many. The owner offers financing if desired.

 

HOUSES FOR RENT

UNIT #109
FOR RENT $1,450 mo.
Available Immediately up to December 31

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1506
Total Area (Sq M): 140
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1 Story
Type: Detached
Furnished: Yes

This single story home (1506 sf. + parking for one car) is detached, has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, home office, living room wall / entertainment center along with a built in office and a semi-private terrace. In addition, it has a vaulted ceiling in the “great” room and two skylights. The covered entrance way is suitable for two chairs located next to a covered garden area. Once through the impressive front door, you enter the “great room” which houses the kitchen, dining room, office and living room. Upon entering, there is a built in wooden hutch surfaced with granite—it matches all the built-in furniture in the great room. There is a clothes washer and dryer off the 2nd bedroom. The owners have added many personal touches and have done a supurb job in decodrating the home.

 

UNIT #116
FOR RENT $1,400 mo.
Available September 1

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 and a separate, secure storage locker. It is and end unit and therefore attached on only one side by a 6 inch cement demising (common) wall, which prevents sound transfer.

 

 

 

Our Lives

WEATHER: We're still on track for one of the driest "rainy" seasons ever. We did have one good 20 min. downpour but the rest of the days have seen little to no rain.

AGED BEEF -the end nears: The aging is now over and the eating is beginning. We did a comparison test with three AutoMercado NY strips and the ones I had been working on. Conclusion: no difference... the taste and texture was difficult to differentiate. The only consolation was that mine cost 1/2 -however, it wasn't worth it and neither met my standard so... We have yet to try the Delmonico... that's on the grill this evening. We'll see. One saying comes to mind: "You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear." Having said that, my standard is to meet El Zaguan and Kiante's standard of perfection... I suspect I haven't yet found the magic.

Hotel Guanamar: Our friends had another great stay and added to it, a visit with friends we had introduced them to the previous week. The Sicilian pizza came piping hot and delicious, conversation was lively and varied and the view was awesome! These friends have returned to Austria / Russia and expect to reappear here at Los Jardines in November. We're looking for their return.

Time Out Tavern: We (a group of 10-20) used to go there on Friday nights for their fish and chips. Several years ago the quality dropped or became inconsistent with that and with other things and the prices rose. We stopped going and so did many others. I went on Friday with "Friday Lunch Bunch": the fish and chips were delicious -back to their previous standard- crispy, not too thick batter, nice fish, great chips, service was o.k.... three people had pizza -and it too was assessed as being great. This is good information... I'll be going there again.

Comment: For the past 4 mo. it's been a tough grind -not much interest in rentals, purchases either at Los Jardines or El Dorado. Nothing was really working... Last week there was a lot of interest but no follow through. This week is the first in all that time that a little glimmer has shown through... we'll see. Construction in the Santa Ana / Pozos area is going full speed ahead -the landscape is changing weekly and the dump trucks and supply trucks are wild.

Brian, Lita, the Late Hugo IV, irreverent Vicka, the pigeon toed parrot, Chico II and Chica II

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