Covid-19 CR - Border Restriction Extension: June 15

ISSUE #810: May 3-9, 2020

2020-05-10

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
12-2 at Paradisus $1,400 mo.
this one has white living room furniture

Market activity
sales & rentals

Sales: Los Jardines: Units #114, #116 and #124

Rentals:

Paradisus: 12-2 at Paradisus $1,400 mo. (white living room furniture)

Los Jardines:
Available immediately: Units #106C $900 mo./ #112 $1,150 mo./ #125 $875 mo.

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 $ 115,000 / See Unit

FOR RENT
Unit #106C: $900 mo. / Available immediately / See Unit
Unit #112: $1,150 mo. / Available immediately / See Unit
Unit #125: $875 mo. / Available immediately / 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
$125,000 $ 115,000

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
$ 900 mo.
Available immediately

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1250
Total area (Sq M): 120
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1 Floor
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 #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 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 #125
FOR RENT
$ 875 mo.
Available immediately

Total Area (Sq Ft): 662
Total area (Sq M): 60
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Floor(s): 2nd Floor
Type: Semi-Detached
Furnished: Yes

This 662 sf, (62M2)+ 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.

Our Lives

What Happened This Week

Weather: Not much rain... we turned off the irrigation systems... may have to turn them back on... mmmm...

Stories

Market Activity: Not much. Several casual inquiries which never amounted to anything...

CR -The world has noting to fear: On Wednesday, I had 6 things to do. All were simple, just mail a parcel, get some info, pick up our monthly medicine from the government dispensary, two banks... etc. Well, I was not able to get one... not 1... of the six done. The epitome of stupidity was the government dispensary. Having had problems getting the full prescription fulfilled in the past, I to along a fluent Spanish speaking colleague... and was completely broadsided by a totally new excuse.... the written prescription by the doc can only have ONE color of ink... in this case, it had two... black and blue... the source of info I sought out didn't know anything and really wasn't interested and had some very overpriced swimming pool furniture for sale which was the same as EPA at 50% less. They won't be around much longer... the two banks had line ups so long I left to return in the morning... one opened at 8:30 (had to wait 20 min) / the other opened at 9 and I had to wait another 20 min... to make a 5 dollar payment...

Scotiabank -CR: I thought I had satisfied their inquiry... nope... they came back to my lawyer asking the same questions... now I am having to pay him to address their stupidity... and over the past two weeks, I must have received 10 email advertisements from them saying we are here to help... reminds me when the government comes calling... I also received a solicitation of "How are we doing? would you recommend us to friends?" Well I again had a great lot to say...

Covid Restrictions: Some easing -some restaurants and small businesses are opening... with restrictions... banks... travel restrictions based on license plate number... one day a week the car cannot travel, one day a weekend a car can go to the store or pharmacy only... people can leave the country -if they can find a flight, but only citizens can return and then quarantine for 14 days... Foreigners are not allowed in to the country... no tourism which accounts for a significant portion of jobs and foreign income in CR... cannot enter until June 15... and who knows how firm that date is... but don't worry CR, few are going to come here anyway because they don't want to fly... so kiss your hotels, and beach industry goodbye...

Shareholder Agreement: Almost translated... I am beginning to push harder on projects which are lagging. Working through someone has it's advantages but also disadvantages... my nagging is getting louder and more directive...

A Rant: Loan brokers are having a difficult time... there are few good loan opportunities and fewer lenders these days. I have one loan coming due the end of the month... They cannot pay it off. I am willing to renew for another year. The broker wanted the borrower to take out a new mortgage, pay him commission and for the lawyer to charge full fees... I objected and over a period of 3 weeks i tried to tell him I did not want to be a part of this... it was an unnecessary expense to the borrower... his response was that he didn't have any business and needed the money... I have been a borrower most of my life... I had to pay and pay fees which were unnecessary but I did not have an option... I hated it and now that I am a lender and even though the borrower pays all the renewal expenses, I objected to the non-value added work. He said the borrowers had agreed to it... I asked if they were presented an alternative... no, they hadn't been... a simple letter of understanding, signed, extending the maturity date is all that is required... I insisted he write them with this option... he said he would, I have not seen it... I told him to find me a decent mortgage and earn a legitimate commission... I am waiting... I found an alternative source to write the letter... This guy is in for hard times...

A friend invited me along to view a different type of loan -tico type mortgage..meaning a real low end property, filled with people all earning (if working) low wages... not my cup of tea but he wanted to consider it because the interest rate was so high... We went. The broker said all types of stuff which was found not to be true by my friend who did his due diligence... He passed on it but again realized that these brokers are not truthful... I had already made that determination and don't use them much...

Bottom line, these are desperate people and the truth, never a strong point with this industry, is even less now.

News Items of the Week

Comments:

1. We will see what tomorrow's announcement includes...

2. Border Closure Extension: Yep... now June 15...

Costa Rica Will Announce Plan to Reopen Economic Activities May 11

The Government of Costa Rica will announce on Monday, May 11, the plan to gradually re-engage economic activities and begin the road back to “normalcy”.

“We will reopen economic activities subject to a strict surveillance of sanitary protocols. We will extend the vehicular restriction first. We will open for national tourism, hotels, national parks, commerce, restaurants, theaters and movie theaters. A second phase will involve reopening to international tourism and massive events”, explained the Minister of Planning, Pilar Garrido.

Costa Rica Extends Closure of Borders Through June 15

The Ministry of Public Security announced that current border restrictions prohibiting foreigners from entering Costa Rica have been extended through June 15, only Costa Ricans will be able to enter the country.

As we have informed in previous articles, tourists who entered the country after December 17 have been granted an extension of stay until July 17, driving privileges have also been extended for this group of tourists. (Yes you can legally drive)

The U.S. Embassy in San Jose and the U.S. State Department announced they have coordinated with United Airlines to offer additional commercial repatriation flights from Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica to Houston, Texas (IAH) on Friday May 8, Monday May 11, Tuesday May 12, and Friday May 15. “These flights will depart SJO at 12:00 pm and arrive at IAH at 4:46 pm. These flights are open to public booking; you are encouraged to book ASAP as seats are limited”, informed the Embassy.

It is also important to highlight that foreigners who are LEGAL residents in the country or have an open process with immigration and want to leave the country are advised NOT to do so. If, despite the recommendations the person decides to leave he or she will not be allowed to return into the country until the border reopens.

Those people who have LEGAL residency or have an open process with immigration to legalize their migratory status and who try to leave or enter the country through an unauthorized point (Basically illegally entering or existing through the North or South border) will have their migratory status canceled/Revoked and will be deported.

The authorities also informed that any person that require to enter the country (legally), as is the case of haulers, will be tested for Covid-19 prior to their entry, the testing will be mandatory.

With the Immigration offices in San Jose re-opening to the public on May 18th residency applications will begin to flow. You can read about this here “Get Your Residency Application in as Everyone wants to Move to Costa Rica” by Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica.

As of May 7, Costa Rica registers 765 positive cases of Covid-19, this number included 445 people that have already recovered. 19 patients remain hospitalized and 6 of them are in the intensive care unit.

A total of 9,682 people has tested negative.

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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