—Vida y tiempo—
2017-09-04
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 |
Featured
rentals & sales Paradisus Condos / Rohrmoser 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 |
Market activity
sales & rentals Sales: Los Jardines: Units #106A, #114 and #124 Rentals: Paradisus: nothing available. Upcoming vacancies: Los Jardines: Unit #102 end of June / Unit #118 end of May |
Residencias Los Jardines
property management, rentals & re-sales FOR SALE FOR RENT For sale
UNIT #106A Total Area (Sq Ft): 1250 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 Total Area (Sq Ft): 1290 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 #124 Total Area (Sq Ft): 662 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. For rent
UNIT #106C Total Area (Sq Ft): 1250 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 Total Area (Sq Ft): 1227 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. |
Our Lives
Weather: Mostly partly sunny, normal rainy weather, no wind, temperatures 25º C / 78º F – beautiful... We are entering Sept which, along with October are traditionally the wettest months of the year. We'll see if that happens this year. We have had an unusual amount of rain this year... I don't even remember have the normal short "Indian" summer... a period of no rain during the rainy season... While the rains have caused some local flooding and several landslides, there has not been any wide spread damage... that I am aware of... Being Almost Giddy... last week I noted that I saw the beginnings of change at Los Jardines with the new president taking ownership and providing leadership. This has continued. I didn't know when this would occur or who would come to the rescue. I speculated that our state of maintenance would have to deteriorate to some point where the disbelievers would have to acknowledge that not all was right... that there was a better time and could be a better time again... A few of us bleated pleadings for 4 years... we were ignored and pillared... I think we have reached the point where some of those who ignored us, have realize that perhaps we were right, or at least, that intervention was / is required... Regardless of why the action promises to happen, the current President and the newly appointed Secretary seem to be taking ownership and exercising leadership. I am working with them where I can help and offering suggestions where I feel I have some expertise. At this point in time, I feel good about our future... and thus the term... "almost giddy". Get me to "giddy" and I'm really, really happy!!!!!! Mortgage payout: Tuesday is the court appointed auction date. I'll be going. A new experience......We'll see Fixing Houses: I totaled up the petty cash repairs and maintenance for this month. It amounted to slightly less than $3,000. That is a lot of $15, $35 $65, $150, etc. items.....a lot of trips, a lot of supervision and direction, etc. Last month the expenses were around $2,000..... This level is way above normal. I can only attribute it to returning several houses to near new condition. One unit rented; two are available. The last two months have been way more than I wanted..I've been to bed by 8:30 every night for the past two months and have all types of paper work to catch up on... A Problem Tenant: most tenants are good most of the time...my experience. Every once-in-a-while you get a nasty, bad, ill tempered, person who just wants to make life difficult for whatever reason. I got one of those several months ago. Fortunately for me, I sold the house and along with it the management; I feel badly, however, for the person to purchased the house...she has no experience in property management and was never expecting to encounter the problems she is getting...I think she had a primrose idea of land-lording...it is not just collecting the rent....but a lot of other issues one has to deal with but she really didn't need to be thrown into this situation... I feel bad but am glad it is no longer my problem. Rancho Re-thatching: that has been on-going all week. Nicaraguans arrived on site, along with a tractor trailer load of dried and hopefully sprayed fan palm fronds. They stripped off the old thatch and have been installing the new. This is the fourth re-thatching. Each roof lasts about 7-8 years and seems to cost about $7,000. It is one of the nice features of Los Jardines; the cost is part of the basic operating expense which we accept. The workers bring their camping gear, use the bar-b-q and a hot plate, toilet facilities at the pool, and are housed in the locker building on site... they can use the outside pool shower or as they are doing, using the pool. They will be finished thatching and will clean up and leave by Sunday. Serious Accident: the son of one of our long term gardeners / maintenance people... Flavio... had an accident at school. He was running, some how ended up sliding on the grass with his leg underneath... He broke it in 3 places (later found to be four places). The State medical system (CAJA) could not deal with it for 3-4 months!!!... Incredible... He asked for help to go to a private hospital. Several of us helped he get some quotes... most came to about $6,000. He doesn't have that type of money. Doneste (Pam - President) agreed to lend him $2,500. Paul and I stepped in for the balance. Doneste can get this back from vacation money owed... Paul and I will have to work out a repayment plan... We'll be a lot older when we get the last dollar... if we get it... we'll work on it but helping was the right thing to do... neither of us have any misgivings or regrets... At Hospital Catolica (near where he lives) the docs had to open the entire leg below the knee, up, added 18 screws, and a metal brace the entire length of the calf... I knew the CAJA was bad, but for an emergency of this kind, I thought it could and would arise to the occasion... I was wrong... Traffic: it has once again returned to horrible... Reflections: I never could have planned for such an active and/or unpredictable "retirement"... hah... and the accumulation of stories... wow!!! If a rich life is measured by the number of stories acquired / experience in life... guess I am right up there with????? I didn't plan retirement to be this way but... I've gotten rid of three houses this year by selling them... but still have a ways to go... |
News Items of the Week
Comments 1. Corporate Tax: the government spent two years fixing a simple re-draft - re-advertise issue. 2. Limon Infrastructure: Limon is the historically underfunded province. Full of promises by the national government which have not been kept... it has lagged in infrastructure for years... as well as investment. What role the US government is playing in this, is unclear from the article. 3. Small Hotel in Jaco: sounds nice. We always stay at VISTA PACIFICA... a small, value priced, owner-operated, well managed and maintained place with friendly staff and a beautiful view... 4. Earthquakes: lots going on -like normal- but have to admit, I haven't felt anything... and the volcanoes surrounding us are a non-issue...
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FOR RENTAL OR SALES INFORMATION Brian C. Timmons Costa Rica: Canada: Web: https://www.residenciaslosjardines.com |
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