Aged Beef Disappointment & "Borracho" Boy

ISSUE #231: March 9-14, 2009

2009-03-14

Aged Beef Disappointment & "Borracho" Boy

» NOTES

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.

In an effort to make the format more interesting and visually appealing and to field inquiries re. El Dorado, the news letter is now being distributed by Jan Kozak, Marketing Manager, Hacienda El Dorado. I will remain the author.


Brian C. Timmons, Author
Residencias Los Jardines/Hacienda El Dorado - Developer
E-mail:
brian@eldoradocostarica.com

»MARKETING & SALES

Purchaser Survey: Not all the returns are in but there is a substantial concensus and it's not a surprise.

» CONSTRUCTION LOG

Site Plan Drawings: We reviewed the drawings, found a couple small items easily corrigible. All drawings were to be reproduced, bundled and submitted on Friday or Monday. We authorized the completion of the black water treatment plant drawings which will be required by the Ministry of Health. 

Water: The consultant has a meeting on Tuesday, March 17 with the person who we are told has the decision making capability. AyA is under public pressure to supply better quality / quantity / reliability of water to our area. We offer them the solution. We are told that the AyA representative is aware of our offer and is favorably disposed to it. What we hope to happen in the meeting is that we will present our offer, AyA will accept in principle and give direction to someone to draft the agreement. While the devil could hide in the details of that agreement, our consultants believe we will be able to live with the agreement. We'll see.... This is CR and few things unfold as one expects.

» RESIDENCIAS LOS JARDINES

Accounting & Reporting System: It has been downloaded but we haven't yet had time to use it. We'll re-enter all this year's data to test it against the system we have been using. We'll see if we run into bugs... When we have gained confidence, we'll drop the old system and use the new one exclusively.

Rentals: A number of viewings of 116 but most lookers want something immediately...not April 1. 

Sales: We continue to have viewers but no offers. The units are leased bringing the owners a nice return so they are  not inclined to become desparate sellers. Reasonable, yes, desperate, no. 

Units for Sale/Lease:

Residencia Los Jardines Site Plan

Unit #107 - For Sale/ REDUCED PRICE $239,000 / Leased for $1,650 mo. to Jan. 2010.--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.







Read More

Unit #120 - For Sale--$185K /Leased  at $1,450mo.

Total Area (Sq Ft):1312
Total area (Sq M):122
Bedrooms:2
Bathrooms:2
Floor(s):1 Story
Type:Semi-Detached
Furnished:Yes

This 1,312 sf single floor home includes a 300 sf front terrace plus parking for one car. It is an end unit and therefore attached on only one side providing ample lighting and views. The 6 inch cement demising (common) wall prevents sound transfer. This is a very nicely furnished and accented home.






Read More


Unit #108 --For Sale-$245,000; Leased at $1,600 mo. to March '10

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 space for one car) two storey, detached house, with two terraces, two bedrooms (one on each floor) and an upstairs master suite is a beautiful home.

This home consists of two VERY large bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms (one on each floor) and a powder room each with 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.






Read More

 

Unit 116 - Available For Rent FURNISHED Starting April 1, 2009

 
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.







Read More

Unit #109 --For Sale $214,900 -  FURNISHED (Leased until August 1, 2009 - $1,550 pr month)

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. It may also be used for storage.









Read More


» NEWS FROM COSTA RICA

 

March 14, 2009
The Complete Guide To: Costa Rica
(The Independent) The name means 'rich coast', and this stretch of Central America is just that, with hot springs and cloud forest, jungle and volcanoes. Andy Szczuka reveals a wealth of holiday options
Read

March 14, 2009
Electric Cars in Costa Rica
(Inside Costa Rica) One company, Electric Cars of Costa Rica has launched the first 100% electric car for use in Costa Rica, which completely eliminates gas emissions and a trip to the gasoline station.
Read

March 14, 2009
What Crisis? Car Shows Expect To Attract Thousands
(Inside Costa Rica) If Costa Rica is in an economic crisis it was not seen at the annual car show, ExpoMovil 2009, that began yesterday and will run all week, on the fair grounds west of the Plaza Real Cariari.
Read

March 13, 2009
100.000 Visitors Expected For "Medical Tourism"
(Inside Costa Rica) Medical tourism in Costa Rica is a growing trend as more and more foreigners come to the country for a medical procedure offered by private hospitals. Americans are the majority of "medical tourist".
Read

March 12, 2009
"Joe" Biden To Visit Costa Rica Later This Month
(Inside Costa Rica) Joseph Robinette Biden Jr or Joe Biden as he is more commonly known, vice president of the United States, will be making his first official visit to Costa Rica on March 29.
Read

March 12, 2009
Earthquake Sends Southern Zone Into Panic, No Major Damage
(Inside Costa Rica) The first earthquake was felt at 11:24am, then another again at 3:04pm, sending the resident of the Southern Zone in panic as flashes of what happened in Cinchona on January 8 could now be happening to them.
Read


» OUR LIVES

Weather: Winds and weather have been normal. Beautiful.

Aged beef: from "...Hermanos..." in Escazu--a disappointment. Out of the three cuts--sirloin roast, Delmanico steaks, and NY strip loin roast--only the sirloin roast was recommendable… We'll keep looking.

"Karma" restaurant: Out of 12 dinners, 10 were good. Of the two which weren't, the fish wasn't cooked and the "grilled vegetables was served cold.....perhaps a misunderstanding but I can't understand why grilled vegetables would ever be served cold.... We'll still return but not on a regular basis.

Kirebe: They have downsized their workforce. While at one time they probably had around 300, it's now around 75-100. Many of the houses in the grey work stage (structure completed, sub roof on, plumbing, electrical roughed in, no windows or doors) have not advanced for some time. No new footings are being laid and those with footings seem to be advancing. We know of one purchaser who had $30K down but couldn't get the balance of financing so had to walk. Perhaps Kirebe has been experiencing a lot of this. I can be glad we are not building El Dorado now--their operating costs are much higher than ours. However, our hope of Kirebe's project being completed before the next dryseason may not be realized.

"Borracho" boy: I did a number on myself and am still hearing stories ,the contents of which I have no recollection. It all started out of boredom last Sunday. I decided to try making margaritas the way I like them--why travel all the way to Granada????? After a few attempts, I got the mix right. I called friends for confirmation....yep, they were good. We went to dinner at friends on site and the last thing I remember was a vodka martini.......wine followed and just before I plowed my face in the dessert, I departed.  Fortunately, I was escorted home and spent the next hour moaning and groaning......  so now, Lita's new name for me is "borracho (drunk) boy".  I've spent the last week applogizing and listening to Lita's stories and having no defence...... From then on, I appoint a liquor control supervisor when I'm drinking margaritas!

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


For inquiries about availability of residences at Hacienda El Dorado or Residencias Los Jardines, contact:

Jan Kozak, Marketing Manager

Hacienda El Dorado
Rio Oro, Santa Ana
Costa Rica

Web: www.eldoradocostarica.com
E-mail: info@eldoradocostarica.com
MSN: jan.kozak.jr@hotmail.com
Skype: jan.kozak.jr

Tel (US) (+1) 647-477-5825
Cell: (+506) 8345 8018

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