Progress Report
January 1-6, 2007 // CONSTRUCTION LOG #117
Contact phone numbers
Internet Phone:
New York: 315-279-6711
Toronto: 416-907-5758 // 416-461-2203
Costa Rica:
Cell: 506-305-3965
Land: 506-282-4142 Ext. 101
NOTE: the New York and Toronto numbers are "local calls" for people in the area codes; calls from outside the area code will be billed at the normal rate from the caller's area code to either the "315" or the "416" area code.
NOTE: NOW THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT IS ESSENTIALLY FINISHED, THE LOG WILL FOCUS MORE ON THE RIO ORO DEVELOPMENT. IT WILL BE INFORMATIVE TO THOSE PLANNING ON BUILDING, THOSE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PURCHASE OR TO LEASE, AND FOR THOSE WONDERING WHAT EXPATS DO IN COSTA RICA AND THE LIFESTYLE OF TWO ORDINARY PEOPLE.
The STORY: Purchase of 2,500 M2 at Rio Oro, and SLOW
internet.
CONSTRUCTION
Rio Oro Development: The owners of 2,500 meters of
land continuous to the 40,000 meters that we
purchased, finally came to the table this week. They
are now willing to sell it for what we were offering.
The lawyers are working on it. This completes the
planned land acquisition. What does this 2500 meters
give us? It gives us control on both sides of an
additional 1000 meters of the stream. It also makes
it easier to secure the property. We could build on
it but as of now, I don't think we will make many
detailed plans. We'll check on Monday to see if the
land is suitable for the sewage treatment plant (I
suspect the topography is wrong). We can now,
however, begin to incorporate access roads to the area
in our site plan submission. Re. the application for
perimeter fencing: it's my understanding that for
some reason which defies reason, we have to argue that
we don't need to included specs for the sewage
treatment plant since no application for land use has
been made how does anyone know what is to be located
thereon. It could be a farm but at this point in time
it shouldn't be necessary. As in the past, there are
always spurious requirements which make no sense-this
delays the most obvious and simple plans and justifies
the continuous delays.
Residencias Los Jardines:
Internet: It has been VERY, VERY slow all week.
Perhaps ICE has oversold it capability or something
has happened to their system. If this continues,
we'll have to explore other options. This is not
acceptable.
HGTV "House Hunters": the episode including Los
Jardines aired this past week. Unit 123 was one of
the three houses shown. The "purchasers" had already
bought; we were just a stage prop. I didn't see the
episode. Barry Ashworth arranged it and was the agent
in the show.
PBX phone system: We finally got the system hooked up
properly and now have five lines that the system can
seek out. This has taken longer than expected; we're
glad it's now over.
Website: I've modified the RLJ website such that the
current RENTALS and RESALES information is readily
available to whomever clicks on the opening page.
Rentals:
Unit 121: Two story, 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bathrooms
including Jacuzzi, terrace facing east looking at the
sunrise and the mountains. 1,650sf. Beautifully
furnished - $1,600 mo.
Unit 123: A beautifully situated unit nicely
furnished is available for lease - $1,650 mo. this two
bedroom unit with 2nd. floor terrace overlooks the
lighted garden and one swimming pool as well as the
mountains.
Unit 126: One bedroom studio unit with full kitchen
and terrace. Lots of built-ins and very well
furnished. Approx. 400 sf plus 200 sf of outdoor
terrace. Rate depends on length of lease but
probably around $650-$750 mo.
Resales:
Unit 106B: 1 / 2 bedroom, two bathroom, two terraces
(east and west) 1,250sf. Fully furnished - $150K.
Note: vendor owns another unit.
Unit 108: 2 floors, 2 bedrooms (one on each level),
2 1/2 bathrooms, Jacuzzi, walk-in vault, executive
class furnishings including a 42" plasma TV, east
facing terrace looking over the large pool and
mountains and a ground floor back terrace for outside,
private dining - $270K.
Unit 120: single floor, 1,300 sf, 2 bedrooms, 2
bathrooms, executive furnishings throughout,
beautifully decorated - $190K.
Note: Same owner for both 108 and 120; the owner
wants to sell one of the two units.
Santa Ana Civic Works Program: for the past several
months, the City has been putting in curbs on the main
road through Pozos as well as curbs in various other
parts of Santa Ana. It's a work in progress; whether
sidewalks are to be included or not is not yet clear.
OUR LIVES
What was suppose to be a quiet week or "retirement"
living was anything but. Yes, it was quiet but every
day, all day, I was kept busy-quarters for laundry,
repairing this, getting that, marketing
correspondence, website changes, etc, etc. Since Paul
and Esther are not here, I have to pick up things they
would normally do as well as what I normally do.
While manageable, I didn't see the right side of the
hammock all week. I spent some time reviewing Paul
and the accountant's efforts re. the accounting
system. While I'm not the authority on accounting
systems, it certainly seems fine, the accountant seems
confident and
We have, however, found a new pleasure sometimes
enjoyed without interruption: breakfast on the
terrace-as elaborate as we want-with toaster on the
table, fresh English muffins, a variety of cheeses
and jams, along with fresh coffee and fruit..
We saw the new James Bond movie-Casino Royal. Movies
are not something we do very often but Lita wanted to
go. She couldn't see much of it so I supplied a
running narrative.
The roads and malls are much quieter this past week
than during December. I suspect that in some cases,
people have spent their money and are pulling back.
In other cases, many CR'ans took this past week off
work and should be back beginning Monday. Maybe
something in government offices might actually get
done...
One example of a community: A returning lessee is
planning on being here for 4 months. They wanted to
buy a vehicle as it was more cost effective in his
assessment to buy and take a hit on the sale. On the
2nd. day following his arrival, he bought a 4X4 from
on of the owners - simple and easy and he knows where
to find the vendor... It also appears that one of our
other others might purchase it from him in 4
months-everyone is a winner.
Brian, Lita, Hugo and irreverent Vicka, the pigeon
toed parrot.
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