What can I say? !...

ISSUE #752: March 10-16, 2019

2019-03-19

Brian Timmons, Newsletter Author
Brian Timmons

Dear friends,

When I started Residencias Los Jardines, I started writing a weekly newsletter -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 re-sales and rental availability. Some readers may be interested in this information.

Brian Timmons
Developer / Property manager
Residencias Los Jardines

Web: https://www.residenciaslosjardines.com
Emails: info@residenciaslosjardines.com
ResidenciasPropertyManagement@gmail.com

Featured
rentals & sales

Paradisus Condos / Rohrmoser
FOR SALE / RENT
Visit our website

Paradisus Condos - click to visit

Each of the units consists of two bedrooms / two bathrooms, and a large living/dining/kitchen area. The floor plan of each of these units has eliminated the optional "den / office" divider. The result is a larger area offering more flexible furniture arrangements while still maintaining the option of including an office area. At 105m2 plus two parking spots each and storage locker, they offer a great opportunity for someone seeking views, security, central location, and first class, all round living...

PRICE REDUCTION
Semi furnished unit: For sale: $235,000
Fully furnished unit: For sale: $245,000
Floor 12 -west view

FOR RENT
Unit 12-2 available immediately - $ 1,400 mo.

Market activity
sales & rentals

Sales: Los Jardines: Units #114, #116 and #124

Rentals:

Paradisus: Unit 12-2 available immediately - $ 1,400 mo.

Los Jardines: Units #104 (UNFURNISHED) and #112

Residencias Los Jardines
property management, rentals & re-sales

FOR SALE
Unit #114: $ 199,000 / See Unit
Unit #116: $ 195,000 / See Unit
Unit #124: $ 125,000 / See Unit

FOR RENT
Unit #104: $ 850 mo. / Available immediately / See Unit
Unit #112: $ 1,150 mo. / Available immediately / See Unit

For sale

UNIT #114
FOR SALE
$ 199,000

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

UNIT #116
FOR SALE
$ 195,000

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.

UNIT #124
FOR SALE
$135,000 $ 125,000

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.

For rent

UNIT #104
FOR RENT
$ 850 mo.
Available immediately

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1290
Total area (Sq M): 120
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1
Type: 1 Story
Furnished: UNFURNISHED

Single story, detached, two bedroom / two bathroom, 100 M2 / 1,064 SF, with a back yard, covered terrace, UNFURNISHED, one parking, vaulted ceilings, lots of built ins... bright in all rooms, with lots of windows and flow through ventilation. Parking for one car.

UNIT #112
FOR RENT
$ 1,150 mo.
Available immediately

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1290
Total area (Sq M): 120
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1
Type: 1 Story
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.

Our Lives

High Winds: Winds were quieter for the most part. Some days, clouds gather but nothing comes of them. We will, however, start moving into rain showers... It is still fairly warm -low 80s- many days.

Internet: We have changed some original switches and connectors which were proving problematic / unreliable. In addition we have once again started on a stalled security camera installations. I am not a fan of this since I do not see the benefit to this... I know I am not part of the mainstream here but it is my believe that when / if we need that info, the cameras will not provide any useful / or sufficiently useful information of resolve anything. However, I know I am in the minority here so I whine / bitch and complain but know I am not persuasive. So be it, I am still not convinced... Anyone, one of the consequences of this, unforeseen by anyone, including me, was a strong objection to one of our new owners for "invading" his privacy... There was a rancorous , nasty discussion one night... don't know if it is over or not.... the solution was for him to pull his curtains... but that simple detail / solution did not seem to hold much sway.

Parrot Problems: he hasn't "offed himself" yet

Irrigation and Gardening: This is a continuing challenge. We aren't there yet. Continue to re-work existing systems...

Electrical Meter Registration: What can I say? I returned to the electricity supplier (CNFL) armed with the letter from the lawyer and a copy of his ID. Forty five minutes later and 29 pages of paper, I got the name changed on the three accounts... but... yes, it isn't over yet... I have to return after the first billing because two of the accounts were classified as "commercial" rate... not residential... but this could not be changed at the same time??????? WTF??????

Market Activity: We have had some interest in 104... an unusual house for us since it is "unfurnished". We have spent the week fixing it up... renters moved out prematurely and it had never been painted properly. And of course, it needed cleaning... Most people think a quick 3 hrs floor and counters is enough -they really don't look beyond this until they are educated...

Administrative Document Creation: Three days this past week I have started at 4:30 to 5am. Today, I spent from 4:30-2pm -less an hour for misc. stuff -creating Doneste condominium documents. I am the default guy since I have the experience, history, and info on my computer...

News Items of the Week

COMMENTS

Re. the teachers strike last year: The court changed it's decision from having held an "illegal" strike to "legal" strike which means they will keep all their pay and not be fined by the government -surprise, surprise.

Re.the big creditor protection application which was filed last week... nothing in the news...

Arias, the two time former head of government and Noble Peace Prize winner who has been accused by multiple women of harassment... no news...

Credit Cards Multiply like mosquitoes

Amount of credit cards increased 125% in nine years

The last quarterly study of credit and debit cards, with a cut as of October 31st, 2018, made by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) determined that, in nine years, the amount of credit cards in the country increased by 125%, from 1,326,754 cards in July 2010 to 2,984,769 in October 2018.

Only 1,008,247 of those cards are additional, that is, linked to another cardholder.

The lowest variation occurred in October 2011 (4.3% compared to October 2010). Afterwards, an increasing trend was observed in the number of cards, with October 2018 being the period with the highest year-on-year growth (13.5%).

Regarding the characteristics of the credit card market, there are 30 issuers offering a total of 455 different types of cards (three more than the previous study).

The investigation determined that the balance of debt associated with the use of the cards is ¢1.4 trillion. As of last October, delinquencies less than 90 days were 8.80% and 4.12% for longer terms.

As for the annual interest rates in colones, which are charged to cardholders, they vary from 24% to 49%. crhoy.com

FOR RENTAL OR SALES INFORMATION
ON ANY OF THE ABOVE, CONTACT:

Brian C. Timmons
Property Manager RLJ and Newsletter Author

Costa Rica:
Cell: (+506) 8-455-59-35
Land line: (+506) 2282-4142 Ext. 101

Canada:
VOIP: (+416) 461-2203

Web: https://www.residenciaslosjardines.com
Emails: info@residenciaslosjardines.com
ResidenciasPropertyManagement@gmail.com

 
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