Resisting the Push

ISSUE #791: Dec. 15-21, 2019

2019-12-22

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 #114, #116 and #124

Rentals:

Paradisus: Nothing available

Los Jardines: Nothing available

Residencias Los Jardines
property management, rentals & re-sales

FOR SALE
Unit #114: $ 199,000 / See Unit
Unit #116: $ 195,000 $ 189,995 / See Unit
Unit #124: $ 125,000 / See Unit

For sale

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 #116
FOR SALE
$ 195,000 $ 189,995

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 SALE
$135,000 $ 125,000

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.

Our Lives

What Happened This Week

Weather: No rain / winds have not yet really started but normally will appear over the next couple weeks. The automatic irrigation systems seem to be working; need more.

Stories

Internet: Three weeks ago, the new internet system equipment was installed; we have not had one moment down time and I have not received one call... and of course... another power outage -ICE cannot keep the power on- but our system rebooted perfectly.

(A) Shareholder Registration: More info came in but not all. Now I am told that we need copies of IDs, not just declared info... wow...

(B) Misc. Legal Work: This continues and so do the costs... I am having to re-think and work differently and am still trying to figure it all out. What a mess as far as I am concerned... but I have to adapt... In the meantime, I am helping 5 lawyers have a good Christmas...

Investment Business: When we started to operationalize the road paving contract, we started to focus on issues which we had not before. The borrower wanted us to meet deadlines before we had resolved these issues... what was being presented did not meet our conditions of satisfaction. We agreed to fund two projects, with the second one being the real security but not yet officially awarded. In addition, we could not get the winning bidder to provide the info we needed to be comfortable with cash control... Since we are funding this, we want to be assured that the money is going to this project and not being diverted to his other projects... So far, we haven't worked this out. but I have an 8 hr car ride with the intermediary / broker tomorrow during which I intend to sort this out... it is simple, really, should not take more than 15 min. so I can repeat myself many times...

(C) BAC: Hasn't yet come thru but maybe next week -still waiting--still waiting.

Job Advertisement: The responses have fallen off but not before receiving one more from a Florida based American. His whole resume was about being a wrestling coach... but he was convinced he was the right guy... and if I would give him a 3 yr contract, pay him $2,500 mo and move him, he might take the job. And he was really, really aggressive... incredible... obviously not the guy I was / am looking for.

Medicine: My warafina was delivered from Nicaragua on Monday (I got a 6 mo. supply but in the mean time, I have arranged for more from friends visiting Panama -so my problem is solved). Re. the Nicaraguan delivery: the doc called me... I grabbed a bottle of Crown Royal Canadian whisky as a "thank you for arranging this" present. We exchanged, I explained the difference between -scotch, bourbon, and rye- said our good-byes and left. On the way back to the house, I realized I had not paid him. Next day I returned... apologized... he thought the present was his payment... he had said the price was C20,000 (about $38) which I thought was for each of the 6 mo. No, he said, C20,000 was for all... $0.21 a pill... wow!!!!!! Guess he will be getting another bottle...we have now become best buddies.

Foreclosure: It continues to look like it will happen -a bad deal but I can put it behind me and deal with one less distasteful person. Freedom has a price... and a lesson learned.

INS Suit: I was asked to provide a bank account... I got cautiously excited... inquired, no, there had been no developments indicating that INS was preparing to end their charade... the claim continues to grow... but who knows the outcome... I am not expecting any resolution soon -maybe this year... maybe... we'll see...

Christmas /New Year: We have opted for quiet time this season / right now, it feels right... too many competing sentiments / demands / conflicts / BS... This year has not gone as I wanted nor as I expected... I got thrust into a job I don't want and have only now been able to try and get out of... so far without success or even hope of success ...and lots of other stuff shoved on me that I have yet to work my way through, and some sad, unexpected events... in addition, a body count of 6 people (of various ages, gender, and nationalities) who have failed me in trustworthiness and / or competence... actually, not a great year upon reflection... but I am still above ground so I can be thankful for that and have opportunities to form new relationships... hopefully past experience will help...

News Items of the Week

COMMENTS

1. Foreign Direct Investment: This is a government self serving PR story. While what is said may be true, what is not emphasized enough is that foreign direct investment is DECLINING and the full effects of the recent tax and regulatory changes make it ever more difficult to do business here in CR... many, small, local businesses have disappeared, never to be replaced. Unemployment remains high --11+%-- the touted educational competence of graduates from public school system is way, way inflated.

1. Foreign Direct Investment in Costa Rica Created 6,718 New Jobs in 2019

The Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE) announced its 2019 performance results. CINDE’s work directly contributes to the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as set by the United Nations. CINDE particularly contributes to 4 SDGs – Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equity, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and Quality Education – and as such reports its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI_ impact on each of them.

The Minister of Foreign Trade, Dyalá Jiménez, highlighted the results: “Once again Costa Rica has had a great performance in a truly challenging international environment. Companies continue to recognize the country’s path as an attractive FDI destination in key industries, thanks to different conditions such as our outstanding human talent. These figures reflect the country’s hard work. Today, there are many Costa Ricans who enjoy the benefits of FDI occupying quality and well-paid jobs that contribute to development and well-being, in accordance with the SDGs. The Government will not lower its guard. We will continue working with redoubled efforts to continue creating the right conditions for FDI, which is undoubtedly a key component in the national economy.”

SDGs: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Multinational companies created a gross of 16,718 new jobs and 10,141 net jobs in 2019, a record number even though 2018 foreign direct investment (FDI) global inflows continued to decrease and are expected to maintain that downward trend this year.

CINDE client base of over 300 multinational companies now represents an aggregate of 118,245 direct jobs and 58,980 indirect jobs at the end of 2019. This dynamic performance is the result of a 9.9% yearly net employment growth since 2015.

Also this year, 547 new jobs were created outside of the Greater Metropolitan Area (GMA), which has had an average 10.1% annual growth rate for the past four years.

“In an international context where FDI inflows continue to drop and there are more competing countries, it is truly remarkable to share these positive results and they encourage us to continue contributing to our country’s development,” said Jorge Sequeira, Managing Director of CINDE.

He added: “We are committed to excelling in our position as the world’s top investment promotion agency, with a client-centric vision that provides a smooth landing in the country, and where CINDE becomes a true ally for the company´s strategic business development.”

CINDE also celebrates the job growth that multinationals have had in regions outside the GMA, which reflect the agency´s assistance to more than 20 municipalities. These positive results are possible thanks to active engagement with the community, local governments, and the schools in each region. CINDE continues to work together with multiple regions to improve talent skills and promote more investment opportunities.

The constant employment growth by multinational companies demonstrates their strong footprint and trust in Costa Rica as a strategic operation with 60% of them increasing the number of jobs in 2019, and 6% maintain their employability levels.

Amazon Costa Rica is particularly highlighted given its growth and innovative approach. Amazon employs over 9500 people in the country. Its virtual services center comprises 1050 positions all under a full work-from-home framework. This scheme allows for 53% of the jobs to be held by people in regions outside the GMA. Also, 50% of the positions are held by women.

SDGs: GENDER EQUALITY
Multinational companies attracted and supported by CINDE actively promote women’s participation in the labor force. In 2019, 50% of the net new jobs created by these companies were held by women, compared to the country’s average of 39%.

SDGs: INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION
By attracting and strengthening FDI, Costa Rica improves the diversification of its economy while taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the fourth industrial revolution so that the country can successfully become an active part of the knowledge economy.

CINDE reports 44 new investment projects in 2019:
19 new companies
25 diversification projects, which means new processes and divisions

In addition, CINDE confirms the consolidation of operations by the portfolio of multinational companies in Costa Rica, which resulted in 56 reinvestment projects: a record number for reinvestments.
56 reinvestment projects: 31 reinvestments by expansion and 25 projects by diversification
24% more than in 2018

SDGs: QUALITY EDUCATION
CINDE continues to nurture key educational projects where 3,888 people were positively impacted throughout the year. The initiatives are part of the organization’s strategic programs to drive talent development and boost skills for the jobs of the future.

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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