...a return to 'normal'

ISSUE #450: March 7-16, 2013

2013-03-17

...a return to "normal"

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: We're still waiting... in the meantime, several events happened but we are doubtful they will lead to any changes from what we expect.

 

Residencias Los Jardines
Property Management, Rentals, Re-Sales

After replacing all the in-line amplifiers for the TV distribution system and some of the splitters in the houses, reception now seems to have returned to acceptable. Evidently, when they reconnected the service, a power surge came through their line and blew out all our electronic equipment.

The faux rock at the large pool will be re-painted this coming week. The search for the right person was spread over four months. Finally we connected.

Front doors and some terrace doors have been re-stained where needed. Other column staining is underway.

Market Activity

Sales: two viewings both with low budgets.

Rentals: one viewing...

Market Activity: in response to my comments last week, Jan Kozak wrote the following. His explanation / analysis is interesting.

Your assessment is incorrect. This is a very active market.

We have sold one $850K house so far and are closing another $650K house. We have had numerous clients that are actively looking for apartments in the $100K to $150K range, a number of small local investors looking to put to work around $200K. We are also working with two larger investors... Also developers are not sitting idle. We are working with a number of local developers that are about to buy a bunch of properties over the course of the next few months in order to continue the development process.

This week will be working with another 400K client.

Set all that aside, we have closed a number of rentals $1500, $3000, $1800, $1200, $1000 and are working on others right now... Another prospective rental client with a budget of $6,000 is due to come on March 21.

We are also working with a number of commercial/industrial clients looking for offices, warehouses and similar... I am hoping to close at least 2 deals in the amount of $25K this month (the commissions are shared with other brokers -- smart independent brokers that continue feeding our system with good listings).

The market is not dead, but according to my analysis it has become monopolized (or I guess the correct economics expression would be oligopolized) by a small number of real estate agents pushing out those that are not as aggressive and do not have the marketing tools necessary. In other words, the independent agents are OUT.

Plus, the usual suspects Kirebe (is selling 5-8 units per month), Grupo Vila (is selling 7 units per month), Rock is selling at least 10 units a month, etc.

 

FOR SALE

Unit #114: $235,000   See Unit

FOR RENT

Unit #102: $1,750 mo Available March 19 See Unit
Unit #112: $1,250 mo. Available Immediately See Unit
Unit #114: $1,400 mo. Available April 1 See Unit
Unit #123: $1,650 mo. Available Immediately See Unit
Unit #124: $1,000 mo. Available April 10 See Unit

Site Plan-

 

HOUSE FOR SALE

UNIT #114
$235,000

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

This 2 bedroom/2bathroom,1,290 sf single floor end unit home includes a 150 sf front terrace plus parking for one car. This house is fully air conditioned and has recently been professionally decorated by international decorator Alcides Graffe and has undergone a complete renovation—new modern furniture, finishings, window coverings, and art work by Carlos Gambino. It is arguably the nicest furnished unit at Residencias Los Jardines and only steps from the pool.

 

 

HOUSES FOR RENT

UNIT #102
FOR RENT $1,750 mo.
Available March 19

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1922
Total area (Sq M): 177
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2 1/2
Floor(s): Ground
Type: Apartment
Furnished: Yes

This two bedroom, 1922 sf (177 m2) FURNISHED and well appointed home with AC, bright office, and covered parking is a single story home surrounding by manicured gardens in Residencias Los Jardines. It was completed 5 years ago and has been lovingly cared for since. It is situated on the ground floor of a two storey, horizontal duplex. This home has two split system air conditioning units for quiet, efficient cooling. It is in PRISTINE condition.

 

 

 

UNIT #112
FOR RENT $1,250 mo.
Available Immediately

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1290
Total area (Sq M): 120
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1
Type: 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 two sides by a 6 inch cement demising (common) wall, which prevents sound transfer.

 

 

 

UNIT #114
FOR RENT $1,400 mo.
Available April 1

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

This 2 bedroom/2bathroom,1,290 sf single floor end unit home includes a 150 sf front terrace plus parking for one car. This house is fully air conditioned and has recently been professionally decorated by international decorator Alcides Graffe and has undergone a complete renovation—new modern furniture, finishings, window coverings, and art work by Carlos Gambino. It is arguably the nicest furnished unit at Residencias Los Jardines and only steps from the pool.

 

 

UNIT #123
FOR RENT $1,650 mo.
Available Immediately

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1516
Total area (Sq M): 140
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Floor(s): 2 Story
Type: Detached
Furnished: Yes

This two story, detached 1,423 sf home + parking for one car has two bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms and a 2nd floor covered terrace.

The open railed wrought iron cement stair case leads to the 2nd level where the master bedroom with en-suite master bathroom as well as 2nd bedroom and en-suite bathroom are located. Also accessed from the 2nd floor hallway is the covered terrace.

This is a very nicely furnished home with a good floor plan for those wanting two floors.

 

 

UNIT #124
FOR RENT $1,000 mo.
Available April 10

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, + covered parking for one car, is a one bedroom home on the 2nd floor overlooking the large pool. It is ideal for a single person or couple.

 

 

 

 

Our Lives

WEATHER: the winds are becoming sporadic and will probably die away completely in a couple weeks. Mostly beautiful weather; generally cooler than usual.

All in a Week's Living in CR:

This is the week saw the restoration of the TV system and the continuation of the Internet system and the gate worked. Hopefully, now that is behind us and we can return to the norm we've become use to. I guess the good news is that when trouble strikes, we can fix it. The bad news is that we have little control over who's causing us grief...

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

Previous reports

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

Contact Us