Hospital Metropolitano...

ISSUE #668: July 17-22, 2017

2017-07-23

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

Market activity
sales & rentals

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

Rentals: Paradisus: nothing available.
Los Jardines: Units #106C, #114, #106D and #112 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: $ 189,000 / See Unit
Unit #123: $ 198,500​ / See Unit
Unit #124: $ 135,000 / See Unit
Unit #125: $ 135,000 / See Unit

FOR RENT
Unit #106C: $ 1,050 mo / Available Immediately / See Unit
Unit #106D: $ 1,150 mo / Available Immediately / See Unit
Unit #112: $ 1,150 mo / Available Immediately / See Unit
Unit #114: $ 1,300 mo / Available Immediately / 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
$ 189,000

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
$ 198,500

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 #106C
FOR RENT
$ 1,050 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
$ 1,150 mo.
Available Immediately

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
$ 1,150 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
$ 1,300 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

Our Lives

Weather: Mostly overcast this week, normal rainy weather, no wind, temperatures 25C / 78F -beautiful.

Hospital Metropolitano: I continued my adventure through this "wellness" program I chose to do. The EKG showed an arrhythmia -irregular heart beat... I knew this about 2 years ago. This time I decided to investigate it further so went for a 24 hr. monitoring. Arrived as scheduled, got hooked up, left (30 min.), returned the device 24 hrs. later (10 min.)... now I wait for the results... total cost with discount ($106). Friday, I went for a colonoscopy / endoscopy. Was told scheduled for 6am. I arrived, by 6:10 I was being prepped, by 8:10 I was out with pictures... I was the only one -that I saw -total cost for both less discount- $318. (Pathology for pollops is extra) Prep for the colonoscopy -$23.50. I continue to find it an efficient hospital and even though not all the techs can speak English, we get buy... On Monday I go to a cardiologist for a consultation...

Dentistry: Lita and I both explored tooth implants. We had bone density scans and a consultation re. a program for treatment. We both have decent bone density so that isn't a problem. My implant with the top quality stud will be $1350. Lita's work is more complicated and extensive... her per unit cost will be less but as I say, it is a bit more complicated so not a direct take away re. cost.

Rentals: We rented 123. We have had additional viewings for other units but as of yet, not commitments.

News Items of the Week

Comments

1. Finance Min. Call for Action: It will fall on deaf ears. This culture is made for legislators -talk, talk, talk, do nothing until a crisis arises. Planning and executing a plan is not part of this culture nor consistent with this type of government.​

2. European Tourism: more flights scheduled. As you can see, CR is focusing it's attention of Europe these days.​

3. Volaris: Not an airline I'm familiar with but seems to be focused on the US west coast which has traditionally been under served by main line airlines. Most had few, if any, direct connections to California. That seems to be changing.​

1. Finance ministry calls for backup on fiscal crisis
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The finance ministry brought in reinforcements from the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development in its fight over reforms for the country’s fiscal system.

“Costa Rica is playing with fire,” said Álvaro Pereira, the director for the department of economics at the OECD.

“Without reforms, the country’s fiscal situation would become a threat. It is urgent to clean up the public accounts. Costa Rica has much to lose if the reforms that are currently in congress are not approved.”

According to the Ministerio of Hacienda, the first half of 2017 yielded a primary deficit similar to the previous year at 0.9 percent of gross-domestic-product. Officials did, however, see an increase to 2.4 percent of GDP in June 2017 from 2.2 percent of GDP during June 2016.

Increases in revenue came primarily from tax increases of 35.8 percent for this past month. This is up from 32.2 percent in June 2015. Interest payments show dramatic growth between June 2016 and the end of April 2017. These increased from nine percent to over 21 percent between the two periods.

Pereira previously served as the economic minister for Portugal prior to assuming his position in the OECD.

His conclusions came after a technical analysis of the country’s fiscal situation was presented this past Wednesday to the finance committee members in the Asamblea Legislativa and the Unión Costarricense de Cámaras y Asociaciones del Sector Empresarial Privado, one of the larger organizations representing employers throughout the country.

“Without fiscal reforms, there is a very high probability that a serious fiscal crisis will unfold in the near future, with disastrous consequences for growth, welfare and social stability in Costa Rica,” Pereira warned in his address to the committee.

“Fast action is needed to put the fiscal situation on a more secure path.”

Based on the findings of the OECD, a weak fiscal position limits the ability to respond to any external shocks and natural disasters. Due to the nature of Costa Rica being a small, open economy, that makes their position all the more vulnerable and leaves little room to maneuver to deal with such consequences.

A crisis would then force Costa Rica to make drastic and detrimental cuts and freeze the country’s welfare and pension system, Pereira said. In addition, it could require cuts to the police forces and lead to increases of not only poverty but crime as well triggering a strong reaction from the country’s citizenry.

“We have also reiterated that the debt compromises the development of the country, and that its increasing balance increases the financial cost, limiting social and productive investment,” reiterated Helio Fallas, the first vice president and finance minister. “We are at the limit of indebtedness and the absence of fresh resources to face unavoidable commitments require us to assess emergency measures, in the event of a lack of liquidity.”

The OECD recommended to the country that, in the absence of any new laws, there should be a strict monitoring in the increases of expenditures, salary increases and pensions. The organization also recommended the freezing of seats and modernization of tools for the tax administration to detect any other instances of fraud or evasion.

“While these measures are too small to redirect public finances into a sustainable trend, they will reduce the deficit, improve credibility and demonstrate a willingness to address Costa Rica’s worrying fiscal trends,” the report concludes.

2. Costa Rica Tourism Board bets on European market, more airlines to come

The Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) had already made clear in the past months its interest in attracting more tourists from Europe, and as part of this strategy the government has managed to connect the country with different European countries through eight new direct flights (commercial and charter).

British Airways and Thompson Airways; Air France; Lufthansa and Condor; Edelweiss, KLM and Iberia now offer services between Costa Rica and England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands and Spain respectively.

Apparently within the next 12 to 18 months more airlines will be starting operations in the country, among them Air Europe, Wamos and Turkish Airlines, according to information by Aeroinfo.

The growth of European tourists in the first four months of this 2017 in comparison to the same period of 2013 was of 56% going from 118 thousand to 184 thousand. The majority of the European tourists come from Germany.

As part of the plan to get the most potential out of this market the ICT carried out a market study to determine the best prospects in Europe and elaborate a profile of the type of tourist that would visit the country and their interests with the purpose of creating more precise and efficient marketing strategies.

PR and publicity companies have already been hired in Spain, Germany, England and France with the goal of generating content and information directed to the target market.

ICT has also participated in different fairs in Europe and has reached agreements with airlines such as Iberia so that the Spanish company promotes Costa Rica as a destination for the Italian market.

The idea is for the country not to depend so much on visitors coming from the United States.

European travelers stay for longer periods of time due to the distance and they tend to spend more money.

The elimination of paper forms in the airport and other renovations in the Juan Santamaría and Liberia airports hope to also provide a better service to all tourists.

3. Volaris now flies between Costa Rica and several US cities with rates as low as $130 one-way

Low-cost airline Volaris will offer flights from Juan Santamaría airport in San José to Los Angeles, Oakland, Fresno and Sacramento in the United States with costs starting at $130.00 one-way, flights are available for travel as of September 12 and can be purchased now.

The flights to Los Angeles will make one stop in Mexico City while the other three destinations will make a stop in Guadalajara, Mexico, layover times vary.

Tickets at this price are available to travel from September 12 through June 30, 2018 and must be purchased online through the website volaris.com

The $130 is a one-way ticket and includes taxes but no additional services such as luggage.

Volaris is flying to Los Angeles on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; to Oakland every day of the week, to Sacramento and Fresno Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Volaris expects to offer services to New York and Washington through El Salvador or Guatemala by November and December respectively.

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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