—Vida y tiempo—
2011-03-27
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
Construction Log
Updates about Hacienda El Dorado
Rio Oro: The budget analysis is working on the project.--that will be the status until the end of April.
Residencias Los Jardines
Property Management, Rentals, Re-Sales
Drains: The absorption holes are nearly reconstructed... beginning with river rock, followed by 3/4" gravel, layer of plastic mesh, sand, and finally lastre -a compactable granular mix of stones. All plastic drainage tubs were, of course, first connected and a 30" cement access / pump point is also being installed with a grate over it to catch any rain water which isn't pick up by the curb drains. Next will well see the installation of the final set of drains and all should be finished by mid week.
This excavation and construction project has provided entertainment, interest, and education to owners who had no idea of what was under their feet. They now have a better appreciation for the ground the walk on. If they were to extend their wonder to many other areas of their home, they would expand their wonderment and perhaps appreciation. As is, if they never have to know, then everyone will be happy.
Very Active Sales Market: It appears two sales are in progress. One of the sales caused a lot of chaos for which a solution had to be found but through reason and opportunity and flexibility, the issue was more or less resolved with all parties reasonably happy.
FOR SALE:
Unit 106A: | $155,000 | See unit | |
Unit 107: | Price reduction Owner Financing Available |
See unit | |
Unit 115: | $205,000 | See unit | |
Unit 125: | $160,000 | Owner Financing Available | See unit |
FOR RENT:
Unit 109: | $1,600 mo. | April 13-Nov. 30 (flexible) | See unit |
Unit 113: | $1,550 mo. | April 1 | See unit |
HOUSES FOR SALE
UNIT #106A:
For Sale $155,000
Total Area (Sq Ft): 1250
Total area (Sq M): 120
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1
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 106A 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
Price reduction $240,000
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.
UNIT #115:
For Sale $205,000
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.
UNIT #125:
For Sale $160,000
Owner Financing Available
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, + 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.
HOUSES FOR RENT
UNIT #109
FOR RENT $1,600 mo.
April 13-Nov. 30 (flexible)
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 #113
FOR RENT $1,550 mo.
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 1,290 sf single floor home includes a 300 sf front terrace plus parking for one car. It is attached on one side by a 6 inch cement demising (common) wall, which prevents sound transfer. The three other sides allow light, ventilation and garden views.
Our Lives
WEATHER: The winds have not been significant but the weather bureau is predicting the rainy to begin two weeks early this year. Since they are highly inaccurate, I'll maintain my skepticism but certainly I expect to see some rain in April -but not much until the end.
Friends Leaving: This year I was able accommodate three couples who tried CR for an extended "snowbird" experience. Two of the three were refugees from previous ill maintained and over exaggerated lodging and were very happy to land at Los Jardines. All these couples became friends with Lita and I and with a number of other residents. The net result was a richer experience for them and for all who came to know them. Over the next week, these new found friends are returning to their regular homes... I'm sure there will be tears and hugs all around, sadness to overfill the silence... While we'll miss their company, we will all retain our memories, and share with others our stories so their spirit and presence will still be present. And hopefully, we'll have space for them next year -and by then, maybe two of the couples will be in a position to make Los Jardines their primary home...
Brian, Lita, Hugo, irreverent Vicka, the pigeon toed parrot, and the newbies - Chico and Chica
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