Food for Thought and Nourishment

ISSUE #664: June 18-24, 2017

2017-06-27

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
13th Fl / East view
furnished​
$1,400

 

Escazú
FOR SALE: Agent says this is a Bargain...

$225,000
2700 sq ft house in best area Escazu
Owner finance at 8%

This is 3-4 bedroom house with garden and views with owner finance at 8% for balance of $200,000. 2 car garage with watchman directly in front of the house. Downpayment is $25,000

Market activity
sales & rentals

Sales: Los Jardines: Units #106A, #114, #123, #124 and #125

Rentals: Paradisus: 13th Fl / East view / furnished​ / $1,400 mo.
Los Jardines: Units #106C, #114, #106A, #106D, #112 and #123 are available for rent

Upcoming vacancies: Los Jardines: Unit #102 end of June / Unit #118 end of May

Residencias Los Jardines
property management, rentals & re-sales

FOR SALE
Unit #106A: $ 165,000 / See Unit
Unit #114: $ 199,000 / See Unit
Unit #123: $ 199,500 / See Unit
Unit #124: $ 135,000 / See Unit
Unit #125: $ 135,000 / See Unit

FOR RENT
Unit #106A: $ 1,100 mo / Available Immediately / See Unit
Unit #106C: $ 1,150 mo / Available Immediately / See Unit [new]
Unit #106D: $ 1,250 mo / Available June 1st / See Unit
Unit #112: $ 1,250 mo / See Unit
Unit #114: $ 1,400 mo / Available Immediately / See Unit [new]
Unit #123: $ 1,450 mo / See Unit

For sale

UNIT #106A
FOR SALE
$165,000

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 #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 #123
FOR SALE
$199,500

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1516
Total area (Sq M): 140
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Floor(s): 2 story
Type: Detached
Furnished: Yes

This two story, detached 1,423 sf home + parking for one car has two bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms and a 2nd floor covered terrace.
The open railed wrought iron cement stair case leads to the 2nd level where the master bedroom with en-suite master bathroom as well as 2nd bedroom and en-suite bathroom are located. Also accessed from the 2nd floor hallway is the covered terrace.
This is a very nicely furnished home with a good floor plan for those wanting two floors.

UNIT #124
FOR SALE
$135,000

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.

UNIT #125
FOR SALE
$135,000

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

For rent

UNIT #106A
FOR RENT
$1,100 mo.
Available Immediately

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 #106C
FOR RENT
$1,150 mo.
Available Immediately

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1250
Total area (Sq M): 120
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1
Type: 4-plex
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 #106D
FOR RENT
$1,250 mo.
Available June 1st

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1227
Total area (Sq M): 113
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 #112
FOR RENT
$1,250 mo.
Available Immediately

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1290
Total area (Sq M): 120
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1
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 #114
FOR RENT
$1,400 mo.
Available Immediately

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 #123
FOR RENT
$1,450 mo.
Available Immediately

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1516
Total area (Sq M): 140
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Floor(s): 2 Story
Type: Detached
Furnished: Yes

This two story, detached 1,423 sf home + parking for one car has two bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms and a 2nd floor covered terrace.

The open railed wrought iron cement stair case leads to the 2nd level where the master bedroom with en-suite master bathroom as well as 2nd bedroom and en-suite bathroom are located. Also accessed from the 2nd floor hallway is the covered terrace.

This is a very nicely furnished home with a good floor plan for those wanting two floors.

Our Lives

Weather: Partly overcast, normal rainy weather, no wind, temperatures 25C / 78F -beautiful​.

Toronto-San Jose: A much better return flight... The AC terminal in Toronto is massive and complicated... fortunately we had help. The AirBnB worked well... we will use it again. Upon arrival, the CR baggage handlers were on siesta I think because it took forever to get the luggage...we were waived through customs..and arrived to screaming parrots and Lita's delight... and my relief!!

Conclusion: Toronto is a great city in the summer if you have money. It is nice to see that things actually can work. Sidewalks dug up in the morning are poured in the afternoon and being used in the evening... amazing... CR takes months for such simple things... unlike CR, the business systems are not based on distrust... quite the opposite...all the new systems and technology takes some learning... but in the end, I was glad to return to CR, my hammock, and lifestyle here.

Los Jardines: We have 11 vacancies and 5 rentals... and virtually no phone calls. An agent said that many of his colleagues are now gone from the business, doing other things for survival. He said that he had lost 3 renters in the past week and has had to lower his rents drastically to attract new clients. I have not heard from many agents who I used to hear from.

Food for Thought

Food for Nourishment: Upon returning, I unthawed a roast of beef I had purchased before leaving... I had never purchased this cut and was expecting something very tico -tough- but it was on 30% discount from AutoMercado so I decided to give it a try. I cooked it and it was fantastic!!!!! Our guest and ourselves having just returned from Canada assessed it to be as good as the standing prime rib roasts we had eaten in Canada... We looked at the labeling on the package... SURPRISE... it was US "Prime"... at $7 lb... incredible!!! The fact that it was US beef was not well marked and while most would not know "Prime" grade to be better than USD "Choice"... that I can understand... I will be looking for more of this but if AutoMercado catches on (I don't think they know what they have) I expect the price to rise....

Two readers offered comments on their respective choice of location:

Spain: "I read your report on Canada, very positive. I have a solution for you: go live in Spain, you have the comfort of a civilized country like Canada, but the sun of Costa Rica, plus the most beautiful cities of the word, and the best wines, and nice beaches! And on top of that, we do not have a rainy season here. We have 320 sunny days a year! Well, seems perfect! And by the way we have flights to canada and nonstop to costa rica."

Mexico: "Went to Mexico City for a couple days very nice new hotel Fiesta Inn near airport $78 a night, next to a mall in meetings all day walked into the fancy mall to a very Mexican place for dinner running a big special some kind of Mexican food, meat, beans and stuff, and a beer, three of us $14, no lie!

Taxi here in PV (Puerto Villarta) to most places $4 if you stay off the beach, a nice meal is $12, beer $1.50, wine a little more often a bottle of wine is well below $20 we eat out with a bottle of wine, $35-40 for two".

No matter what support system I put together, either here in CR or in Canada, all have deficiencies... it seems I need to be there to kick ass and get things done.

Before leaving for Canada, one of our gardeners -support staff- experienced the death of his ailing father in Managua, Nicaragua. We had met this man and knew he had terminal cancer. I had given Enrique $200 a couple months earlier to help with medical expenses and his trip to visit. Of course, Enrique, being Latino, didn't save any money for the funeral which he knew was coming. Upon the news, he was very distraught, the administrator was not available to advance him $$ against his vacation or banked hours, so I again agreed to help him. I was prepared to gift him another $200 but I made a mistake... I asked him how much he needed... he thought and said $600... mmm... a bit more than I was prepared to pay but... I did... saying $200 was a gift, the balance was a loan to be paid back...(yeah, right!!) Upon my return, he showed me pictures of what $600 had bought... his father now has the largest, white tiled resting place in the cemetery!! Enrique was very pleased that he could do this... he will work off the loan over the next 20 years... oh well... as long as he doesn't sell me any more problem cars!!!

Getting Things Done -3 country comparison: I have a tenant who is from Spain, an engineer specializing in wind and solar power projects. He does the business case and conceptual design work, approvals, and then it is contracted for construction. In CR, he has been working with ICE for several years trying to get a $30 mil. wind farm approved. He is still waiting. He was approached by a private cooperative in CR who wanted to develop a solar farm... that has gone much faster and he expects to be in construction by January. He is working on another solar farm in Nicaragua... that is going very fast as the principals are able to get approvals very fast and have access to financing... Nicaragua needs to replace oil fired generation because they cannot rely on Venezuela any longer for the oil. Cuba also asked his company for a proposal for a solar farm... he thought he was making good progress but after what he thought was a good, interested meeting, nothing happened and when / if it does, financing will be an issue.

Back to Life in CR: Sunday morning: no water, no internet, and neither gate worked. After waiting to see that nothing was going to be done unless I took the initiative, by 2 pm we had the gates and internet working... the water will wait until tomorrow. Fortunately, we anticipate this unreliability and keep a few jugs for toilet flushing, bathing, and we always have some brandy or such for drinking... Lita has her juice... I suffer... so Mr. and Mrs. Stinky are at home, one in the hammock, one tormenting the parrots, hoping tomorrow will be a better day... weather continues beautiful.

News Items of the Week

Comments

1. Medical Tourism: I found the yellow highlighted information interesting.

2. Inactive Corporations: I expect this might become law at sometime and for the reasons stated. It means another level of oversight and another tax filing by many.

1. Costa Rican companies visit U.S. to promote medical tourism services

Private hospitals and medical services companies from Costa Rica showcased their services this week at the Society for Human Resource Management Annual Conference & Exposition (SHRM 2017) in New Orleans.

Costa Rica’s Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) coordinated the visit of the local companies to the international event. The mission’s main goal was to facilitate networking with potential business partners and also attract foreign patients to Costa Rica.

PROCOMER Exports Manager Álvaro Piedra said in a news release that SHRM 2017 was also a platform for the Costa Rican health sector to establish contacts with human resources representatives of large U.S. employers.

“It was an opportunity to showcase the quality and the talent of Costa Rica’s health services companies,” he said.

Costa Rican representatives at the event promoted the country’s offerings in dental treatments; bariatric and spine surgeries; orthopedic procedures, particularly knee and hip surgeries; and alternative treatments and minimally invasive surgeries, among other services.

A 2016 survey by the Medical Tourism Index ranked Costa Rica 4th in medical tourism services in the Americas, just behind Canada, Colombia and Panama. The country placed 14th in the global index.

2. ​Inactive companies may be subject to new taxes
By Rommel Téllez
of the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Inactive companies registered before the Registro Nacional may soon be subject to regular income taxes, should a bill presented before the Legislative Assembly is approved.

The draft is sponsored by the legislators Patricia Mora from Frente Amplio, Marco Quirós and Marcela Guerrero from Partido Acción Ciudanana and Carmen Quesada, an independent legislator.

The initiative would allow the Dirección General de Tributación to monitor commercial companies and societies of persons who are inactive. According to the current law, the Dirección lacks the legal power to request an income declaration to those organizations.

Ms. Guerrerro said there are almost 621,000 companies registered in the Registro Nacional, out of that amount, 489,000 declare no commercial activities and that's something that is not normal, she said.

The plan would assume those companies are making profit unless the contrary is proven.

For that matter, timely notification will be granted to its members, Guerrero explained.

She also said that having an inactive company is not illegal but lots of them are used for tax avoidance and tax evasion, so further control is required in order to adhere to international standards.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, approximately 70 percent of Costa Rican companies are not regularly monitored on taxes due to their inactive status.

On a report issued in October 2015, the organization says about 3,000 companies were found to engage in commercial activities despite their status between 2011 and 23013.

It is customary that companies are created to protect property from seizure in case of debts, felonies and child support.

Currently, inactive companies do pay an annual fee for its registration and part of that money is used to fund the police corps.

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

Brian C. Timmons
Property Manager RLJ and Newsletter Author

Costa Rica:
Cell: (+506) 8305-3965
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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