Nearly There -but where is 'there'?

ISSUE #707: April 22-28, 2018

2018-05-01

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


Distrito Cuatro / Guachipelín / Escazú
FOR SALE
Price reduced: $ 125,000 to $ 110,000

DOWNLOAD PDF
about Distrito Cuatro

Rendering proposed Distrito Cuatro - click to Download full PDF

Real de Santa María / Borreal de Heredia
FOR SALE
$ 185,000
Private financing available

  • Área según RNP: 225 m2 Frente 9.56 m / Fondo 20 m
  • Área de construcción: 193.40 m2
  • Edad de inmueble: 15 años

2 pisos / en esquina / zona residencial jardín, espacio para 2 coches, portón eléctrico, 2.5 baños, 4 cuartos, sala, comedor, pila, terraza

See location on Google Maps

Download more pictures (8.35 Mb)


Hyundai Santa Fe 2008
FOR SALE
$13,500 $12,000

Hyundai Santa Fe 2008, Turbo Diesel, automatic, excellent family vehicle, safe, comfortable, interior with leather seats. Good tires, engine, turbo, suspension, and AC. Marchamo 2018 and Retive. It now has been road tested for 5 weeks and performed flawlessly. I can now sell with confidence...

  • 5-door / 5 passenger
  • Power steering, windows, mirrors, brakes and locks
  • A/C front and rear
  • Cruise control
  • audio/radio control
  • Air bags - driver / pass
  • Security system
  • Fog lamps
  • Tinted windows
  • Roof rack
  • CD player / radio USB/AUX
  • Hydraulic lift
  • Leather seats
Market activity
sales & rentals

Sales: Los Jardines: Units #109, #106A, #114 and #124

Rentals:

Paradisus: April 7, Available, $1,400 mo.

Los Jardines:
Unit #106C Available immediately, $1,050 mo.
Unit #106D Available immediately, $1,150 mo. (April 1-Dec. 1)
Unit #112 Available immediately, $1,250 mo.
Unit #116 Available immediately, $1,250 mo.

Residencias Los Jardines
property management, rentals & re-sales

FOR SALE
Unit #106A: $ 165,000 / See Unit
Unit #109: $ 215,000 / See Unit
Unit #114: $ 199,000 / See Unit
Unit #124: $ 135,000 / See Unit

FOR RENT
Unit #106C: $ 1,050 mo. / Available immediately / See Unit
Unit #106D: $ 1,150 mo. / Apr 1 - Dec 1 / See Unit
Unit #112: $ 1,250 mo. / Available immediately / See Unit
Unit #116: $ 1,250 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 #109
FOR SALE
$ 215,000

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, fully furnished, 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.

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 #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.

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 Apr 1 - Dec 1

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1227 sf . + 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 #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 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

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1290
Total area (Sq M): 120
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1 Story
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.

Our Lives

Weather: We have been transitioning into the rainy season. Yesterday we had a good rain... first for 10 days or so... but we had been having more overcast days. Soon, the rains will be semi regular and the plants will again be happy, happy, happy.

Almost There... where ever "there" is: Heredia is nearly finished. (The difference between "nearly" finished and "finished" can be substantial when trying to solve a simple problem but I can count the issues on one hand.) We will finish off the last of the little things and hopefully, will not find anymore problems... The reconditioning of this house involved a new kitchen, patch and paint walls and trim, replace a few doors and most all the hardware, landscaping, exterior touch up painting, repair rusted steel and install new electric garage gate, repair roof and water damage, change the stair tread from pargo to ceramic, electrical repairs throughout, and clean, clean, clean -I inherited drapes (not my taste) but had them cleaned, repaired and re-installed... I now have the the "fact" sheet put together, pictures taken, signage made which will be installed today... I am beginning to place this info with agents... we'll see...

I continue to be amazed at how pigs can live and how ticos just do not repair things -they live with broken conveniences or they buy-pass them. In many cases, they were wrongly constructed. The reluctance to buy "used" housing is understandable given what I have seen.

Renovating / repairing is always more difficult than new construction. My years and years of doing this allowed me to do this with good results and only a few mistakes along the way but it also made me realize I really don't want to do this any more. The final pain in the back side was yesterday when I was loading the bits and pieces into the car and had to wedge myself in... this brought back years of this in Toronto... The end result is rewarding -I am proud of the transformation and to know that an old dog still has a little expertise left. I have a feeling that what I did was probably better than is usually done here... we'll see... I don't know the final costs yet -probably around $8,000 and a year or so off my life...

Working with trades here is rewarding and frustrating... they have no tools and limited transportation... their standards vary..from very good to very low... simple things are not part of their DNA (e.g. using the right paint, caulking, sanding, completing the list of "to do's") and you never know until you ask them to do something and realize they haven't a clue as to what, how, or to what degree... and then, for me, there is always the language issue which makes instructions and materials lists more challenging and the endless driving to get the items needed...

Paradisus: Yes, almost finished there as well... but again, "almost" belies being finished... simple things take forever... finding a cartridge for a leaking Delta faucet (only two years old), glass shelves and brackets...

Marketing: A couple clients looking for rentals but none too seriously. I have two appointments today -one for District 4 and one for rental a Paradisus.

Protest: Wednesday was a day of union protest... massive demonstration in the center of San Jose. The government unions and quasi government organizations rallied peacefully against the proposed tax changes. The current legislators agreed to not vote on their proposals and to kick this issue to the new government. This was predictable. What happens now is uncertain. Everyone got a holiday, got paid and the weather was nice. Monday is another paid holiday... it is wonderful!!!!! if you are a government employee.

Nicaragua: It continues to simmer and I don't know if the current ire has yet been quelled. Ortega and especially his wife are not liked but a lot and the heavy handedness he used to quell the protests backfired. I think many of us are surprised at the shallowness of the calm which we had been lead to believe existed there.

News Items of the Week

Comments:

There seems to be a lot of wrangling re. the new government and the tax reformists. I haven't yet figured it out...maybe they haven't either. We'll see. The new government is busy putting together alliances and filling positions while at the same time trying to see what they will do re. the fiscal debacle of the country. Article 1 is part of that jockeying... Article 2 is the typical government employee's reactionary response to the challenges of their privileged positions.

1. Restoration will not vote for PAC in the Congress

The future legislative fraction of the National Restoration Party (PRN) announced on Wednesday that it will not vote for the Citizen Action Party (PAC) in the elections for the Presidency of Congress on May 1st, although it will support a shared Legislative Directorate.

For the PRN, there is a clear mandate from Costa Ricans who only granted 10 legislators to the new ruling party bloc and elected 47 other popular representatives to provide a balance and exercise responsible opposition.

The head of the elected fraction, Carlos Avendaño, informed that the 14 congressmen of the PRN will not give their votes to PAC, as will the National Liberation Party (PLN).

The also legislator-elect Jonathan Prendas said that the desire of the entire fraction is to carry forward a constructive position and build bridges that are necessary to promote an agenda that benefits Costa Ricans.

“We do not think it is appropriate for the PAC to control the Legislative Assembly, when that was not the mandate of the people, but we are more willing to collaborate with a series of projects necessary for the progress of the country,” added Prendas.

2. Thousands demonstrated against the tax reform

With a massive demonstration, thousands of workers joined to protest this Wednesday against the tax reform in San José.

The block of national unions joined efforts and called for a protest that extended from the Church of La Merced to the Legislative Assembly.

Albino Vargas, secretary general of the National Association of Public and Private Employees (Anep) asked the legislators to withdraw the bill and open a dialogue table that includes all national sectors.

Bill 20,580 contains a reform to current sales and rental taxes. It also slows the growth of annuities for public employees.

It is estimated that the project would provide resources close to 2.4% of GDP, while the national deficit is around 7%.

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

Brian C. Timmons
Property Manager RLJ and Newsletter Author

Costa Rica:
Cell: (+506) 8-455-59-35
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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