Into the Heart of Darkness...

ISSUE #424: Sept. 11-14, 2012

2012-09-14

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 in to the nitty gritty stuff of transferring documents and drawings to allow the builder to renew the permits and take charge of building. This info. exchange and preparation will take several weeks while the trust agreement is being drafted and finalized. We are suppose to review the first draft on Wednesday coming... we'll see. In the meantime, we've sorted out an outstanding issue...

 

Residencias Los Jardines
Property Management, Rentals, Re-Sales

Unexpected Vacancy: to my surprise, the agent showed up with a client. we'll see...

Last week the following was to appear but got dropped due to a technical error:

Comment: This lack of market activity has gone on now for months. To some extent it may be the time of year (rainy season); in other cases, there's lots of new product on the market and prices are dropping and the buyers are mainly locals. And in our case, we appeal mainly to the expat community which isn't as strong a market as it used to be. We have eight units available for rent and currently five available for sale with another two coming soon. In most cases, owner expectations are out of sync with market conditions. We're not unusual; agents are bemoaning the lack of interest. Some phone for a reality check to see if they are the only ones not getting clients. They aren't. I contact agents asking their experience... it's all the same. Developers of new low end middle class housing $80- $125K seem to have the market. These are mainly high density, small apartment style condos with no outside space, with few amenities that one actually cares to use, and with virtually no common area green space... but that seems to be what's selling and purchasers are buying directly from the builders.

Market Activity

Sales: one call -possible client for 4-5 mo. down the road.

Rentals: four calls / two viewings... as it turned out three calls were about the same client; the 2nd. call was from a viewer who returned after a 6 mo. posting to Panama -at last conversation, he'll be leasing one of our units beginning Monday.

 

FOR SALE

Unit #106 D: $179,000 PRICE REDUCTION 75% owner financing available See Unit
Unit #103: $157,000 PRICE REDUCTION from $164,000 See Unit

FOR RENT

Unit #109: $1,450 mo. Available August 30 up to December 31 See Unit
Unit #112: $1,350 mo. Available Immediately See Unit
Unit #116: $1,250 mo. Available Immediately / PRICE REDUCTION See Unit
Unit #124: $1,000 mo. Available September 1 See Unit

Site Plan-

HOUSES FOR SALE

UNIT #106 D
FOR SALE $179,000
PRICE REDUCTION - 75% owner financing available

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1227 + parking
Total Area (Sq M): 113 + parking
Bedrooms: 1 + den (bedroom possible)
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 2nd. floor
Type: apartment in 4 plex
Furnished: Yes

This 2nd story, 1,227 sf (113 m2 + one parking space) )is a georgous home with one of the best views at Los Jardines. The very large front covered terrace faces west and is suitable for entertaining; the off-bedroom covered terrace faces east for sun sets. This very tastefully furnished and fully equipped home offers a lifestyle envied by many. The owner offers financing if desired.

 

UNIT #103
FOR SALE $157,000
Price Reduction from $164,000

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1000
Total Area (Sq M): 93
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1
Type: Detached
Furnished: Yes

1000 sf., single story, detached, two bedroom, two bathroom, with a nice covered terrace overlooking a nicely landscaped tropical backyard. Breakfast counter, dinning room table for 4, parking for one car. Vaulted ceilings in master bedroom and kitchen/dining area.

 

HOUSES FOR RENT

UNIT #109
FOR RENT $1,450 mo.
Available August 30 up to December 31

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 #112
FOR RENT $1,350 mo.
Available Immediately

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1290
Total Area (Sq M): 120
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1 Story
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 #116
FOR RENT $1,250 mo.
Available Immediately PRICE REDUCTION

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 RENT $1,000 mo.
Available September 1

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: normal rains this week. The garden is happy.

All in a Week's Living in CR:

Into the Heart of Darkness... well, at least into the heart of the earthquake area. While we tried to interest two other couples in joining us, both declined for different reasons... We are, however, heading to out Friday morning for three nights to Hotel Guanamar. I checked with them re. damage; they lost a couple TVs and a couple plastic water pipes burst but are otherwise open for business... and their prices are good and I expect to find not many others there... This week has seen seen more than the normal number of conflicts -both social and business, and they all take their toll. I'm taking a supply of libations, some new cigars, and hope to avoid any further conflicts.

The drive here was without incident and no evidence of earthquake damage anywhere. It's hot and beautiful...

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

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