PRICE REDUCTIONS & CHANGES

ISSUE #338: Jan 16-23, 2011

2011-01-23

PRICE REDUCTIONS & CHANGES

» 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

YOU CAN ALSO VIEW THE COMPLETE VERSION ONLINE AT:

https://www.eldoradocostarica.com/English/Newsletter/index.php

» CONSTRUCTION LOG

Rio Oro: I've set up a meeting with the architect to create several new designs which will sell for around $175,000.  I've communicated my ideas, he'll add to those and on Friday next, we'll begin.

» RESIDENCIAS LOS JARDINES

Unit 102:  This was  not even on the market ye-- the owner was just in the process of moving out-- and it was wanted. Getting it furnished and ready for the client has been a diplomatic challenge. The finishing touches on decorating will be done by Monday evening which is the expected move in date.

Palm Tree Removal:  I'm starting to get prices on cutting and removing two large palms.  The other work will be on a time and material basis until we can determine the scope of the work required.  However, not much work can be done before the special assessment funds are received.

Opening a Bank Account:  Doeste S.A. owns the property known as Residencias Los Jardines.  The property is managed by Residencias Property Management S.A.  Doneste has never had a bank account --  the story behind that is long a varied and is not important at this point in time.  However, the Doneste board applied for it's own bank account the 3rd week in November.  We supplied a full page of documents required.  A week later, Scotiabank asked for 4 more documents.  The manager was moved to a different branch.  The bank lost the 4 additional documents.  For 3 weeks they wouldn't admit it;  finally they did and we had to re-submit the documents.  On Monday, January 24, we (4 people) are suppose to meet at the bank to sign the documents required and we'll have a bank account.  This (if it happens) only took two months.  Wow!!!!!!!!!
 
Pool Furniture:  We bought it even though we don't yet have the money.  While I was looking where to furnish 102, I determined that PriceSmart was the only viable option for pool furniture.  They had a supply of well made, attractive furniture.  No one else that I saw had anything at all or anything that would reasonably work.  I knew from experience that you simply buy the product when you see it;  if you snooze, you loose, it probably won't be re-ordered.  I bought it.  Everyone seems happy.
 
FOR SALE:
 
Unit 106A: $155,000
Unit 107:   $250,000
Unit 115:   $205,000
Unit 125:   $140,000

See Descriptions and photos below.

Rental Vacancies:

Unit 102: $1,750 (Unfurnished) LEASED
Unit 106B: $1,200 (Furnished)
 
Residencia Los Jardines Site Plan


Unit #125 -- For Sale $160,000 - FURNISHED


Total Area (Sq Ft):
662
Total area (Sq M): 61
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Floor(s): 2nd Floor
Type: Apartment
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. 



Read More

Unit #106A -- For Sale $155,000 - FURNISHED (Leased at $1,000 pr month until January 2011)

Total Area (Sq Ft):1250
Total area (Sq M):120
Bedrooms:2
Bathrooms:2.5
Floor(s):Ground Floor
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 106 A 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.
 

Unit #107 -- For Sale $250,000 - FURNISHED

 

Owner Financing:  $100,000 down; $150,000 VTB, 8%, Interest only, 5 yr term (payments--$1,000 mo.)

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.
 

 

 


Unit #115 -- For Sale $205,000 - FURNISHED

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.

Read More

Unit #106B --For Rent $1,200 - FURNISHED


Total Area (Sq Ft): 1250
Total area (Sq M): 120
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): Ground Floor
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 106 A 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.

 
 

» NEWS FROM COSTA RICA

January 23, 2011
Costa Rica: 3D Laser Technology Used To Identify High Risks On Ruta 32
A new study using three dimensional (3D) images the MOPT is employing to determine the condition of the slopes and to give priority to more urgent areas of the Ruta 32 (San José - Guapiles) reveals what most already know, the area is high risk, prone to landslides. 
Read

January 23, 2011
Start Of Belén - San José Train Derailed
The start of the Belén train service suffers another setback following an inspection of the train cars to be used. The service was to have begun tomorrow, Monday, 24 January. 
Read

January 23, 2011
Costa Rica's Cellular Monopoly Officially Comes To An End
Although the opening of the telecommunications market in Costa Rica started with the signing of free trade agreement a couple of years back, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) continued to be the only cellular telephone provider in Costa Rica, holding on past the end of its 60 year monopoly. 
Read

January 22, 2011
Costa Rica To Be A Wi-Fi Zone
If presidenta Laura Chinchilla has her way, Costa Rica will be one big Wi-Fi zone, which means free wireless internet for everyone. 
Read

January 21, 2011
Costa Rica At The Centre Of The Automotive Revolution Mitsubishi chose Costa Rica to introduce its MiEV electric vehicle to the Americas
2011 may go down in history as the year in which the automobile industry in Costa Rica was revolutionized with the arrival of the first 100% organic commercial electric vehicle, the Mitsubishi MiEV, which is expected to arrive next month. 
Read

January 21, 2011
Costa Rica At The Centre Of The Automotive Revolution Mitsubishi chose Costa Rica to introduce its MiEV electric vehicle to the Americas
2011 may go down in history as the year in which the automobile industry in Costa Rica was revolutionized with the arrival of the first 100% organic commercial electric vehicle, the Mitsubishi MiEV, which is expected to arrive next month. 
Read

January 20, 2011
Dollar Exchange To Close The Year At ¢520
Analysts for the INS Valores do not expect any growth in the Costa Rican economy for 2011. Carmen Monge, an expert with the financial firm, said the main indicators such as interest rate, inflation and exchange rate will behave very similar to the previous year. 
Read

January 20, 2011
Mel Gibson Looks Happy In Costa Rica
Mel Gibson isn’t hanging around Los Angeles waiting for the District Attorney to decide his fate. Mad Mel has taken off for Costa Rica and RadarOnline.com has obtained new photos of the actor/director looking pretty cheerful. 
Read

January 19, 2011
Proposed Tax Plan Would Make Getting A Haircut, A Visit To The Doctor, Going To The Movies More Expensive
Getting a hair cut, watching cable television or going to the movies, among other services we use daily in Costa Rica will all get more expensive if legislators approved the tax reform plan submitted by the government on Monday, that proposes a change from a 13% sales tax to a 14% value added tax (VAT) - impuesto al valor agregado (IVA) in Spanish. 
Read

January 19, 2011
Full Bars For Movistar And Claro In Costa Rica
Costa Rica's presidenta, Laura Chinchilla, on Tuesday signed the resolution that allocates spectrum concession to Movistar and Claro to operate cellular networks in Costa Rica. 
Read

January 18, 2011
Government Proposes Higher Taxes For Costa Rica
The government on Monday presented to the Legislature its tax reform that proposes to replace the 13% sales tax to a 14% value added tax (VAT) or valor agregado (IVA) in Spanish. The original intent of the government has been to impose a 15% tax, but decided to drop its claim as part of a strategy to reduce opposition from the legislators. 
Read

January 17, 2011
Former Costa Rica President Pacheco Says Former U.S. Ambassador Pressured Him For Oil Exploration - Pacheco: U.S. diplomats are very subtle, never threaten but rather hint
Former president Abel Pacheco (2002-2006) says that during his tenure he suffered strong pressure from then U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica, John Danilovich, to make progress with oil exploration in the Caribbean. Pacheco made the comments to the Spanish language press over the weekend. 
Read

January 17, 2011
Former Costa Rica President Pacheco Says Former U.S. Ambassador Pressured Him For Oil Exploration - Pacheco: U.S. diplomats are very subtle, never threaten but rather hint
Former president Abel Pacheco (2002-2006) says that during his tenure he suffered strong pressure from then U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica, John Danilovich, to make progress with oil exploration in the Caribbean. Pacheco made the comments to the Spanish language press over the weekend. 
Read

January 17, 2011
The Hague Court Decision Could Come This Week
The decision by the International Court of Justice in The Hague on whether to place precautionary measures against Nicaragua could come as early as this week. 
Read

January 15, 2011
Costa Rica's Foreign Minister In Secret Tour Of Europe
Costa Rica's Foreign Minister, Rene Castro, is not sitting idle while the magistrates of the International Court of Justice in The Hague make their decision following the three day hearing this past week. No, he is taking his pitch on the road. 
Read

January 15, 2011
Tourists Caught Up In The "Platina" Mess
The Cámara Costarricense de Hoteles (CCH) has sent a strong letter to the ministro de Obras Públicas y Transportes, Francisco Jiménez, asking him to eliminate the restrictions placed on minvans used to transport tourists from using the bus lane in the area of the Virilla bridge on the autopista General Cañas. 
Read

January 15, 2011
Gasoline Prices Hikes On The Way
Brace yourself for another round of gasoline price increases, this time a whopping ¢17 colones for a litre of regular, ¢7 for super and ¢2 for diesel. 
Read

» OUR LIVES


WEATHER: Beautiful with little wind.

Hired and Fired 4 times in one week:  This was too stupid for words and an exercise in futility--however, in the end, it has all come together..  I finally stayed fired--enough is enough...flip flops, confusion, chaos, lack of transparency, etc.  As the owner was moving out of her house in what was a rushed decision for obscure reasons, I had a client who desperately needed a place and wanted the unit furnished.  The owner agreed and then spent 5 days dilly-dallying--I offered a solution which was accepted and rejected more times than used tennis balls.   If it didn't get furnished by a certain time, the client was going to bolt to another location. They had to have assurances and see action;  it wasn't happening.  In the past 12 hrs (after having wasted 5 days), action is happening.   The client inspected Saturday afternoon and was sufficiently convinced that it would be essentially finished for them on Monday. 

Publishing Difficulties:  Over the past 6 weeks, we've had numerous "problems";  late publication (I want Sunday to be the published date), errors and omissions.  Not knowing what happens after I write the draft, I decided to find out.  Having found out, I've decided NOT to do it myself but to continue to contract it out.  Jan will be training someone else to do what he's been doing.  This will allow him more to focus on what he is doing well and will hopefully take care of my concerns.

Birthday Party:  I turn 65, Monday, January 24.  A friend turns 74 on the 23rd.  We're giving ourselves a party for 30+ people---turkey, pork, all the usual side dishes, salads, and hopefully copious amounts of each person's favorite.  We'll have it at the center rancho and small pool where it's closer and shadier and we won't disrupt activities at the large pool. 

Arrivals and Check-ins:  I'm expecting two tenant check-ins this week and one set of guests arriving on Tuesday.  It'll be a busy week. 

Two for one--Pizza and wine:  continues to be a great deal on Sunday evenings after 6pm.  Located in the mall north of McDonald's "La Pizza" serves thin crust pizzas in a variety of ways and you can even order different toppings on each 1/2 of one large pizza.  The red wine is also go.  At C5,700 for one pizza which feeds two, and 1/2 price wine, it's not a bad deal for four people.

Hacking:  I got a  notice from one of our purchasers and readers saying her system brought up a warning when she tried to enter the El Dorado website.  We checked it out and it seems that some one had tried hacking.  Some web browsers issued a warning; others didn't.  No one reported a virus, only a virus warning. All is now fine.


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

Brian C. Timmons, Newsletter Author
Residencias Los Jardines/Hacienda El Dorado - Developer
Cell: (+506) 8305-3965
E-mail: brian@eldoradocostarica.com


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

Jan Kozak, Marketing Manager
Residencias Los Jardines/Hacienda El Dorado

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

Voicemail (Canada) (+1) 647-477-5825
Skype (US) (+1) 954 903 0830
Office (Costa Rica) (+506) 2215-6000
Cell (Costa Rica): (+506) 8707-9930 / (+506) 8345-8018
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