Progress Report
February 5-10, 2007 // CONSTRUCTION LOG #122
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: Rio Oro update and the Rental / Sales Market
heats up!
CONSTRUCTION
Rio Oro Development: For the past 6 weeks, we have
been waiting for approval to build a security fence
around the property. We reportedly had strange
requests for information which made no sense. In some
of my previous logs, I've attributed this to stupid
bureaucracy. I'm withdrawing that assessment in light
of a probably screw-up by our architect. There is
yet to be a conversation but there will most assuredly
be a serious one.
In the mean time, we continue to clear debris. We've
calculated the size of lots as well as the buildable
area for each lot and have made an initial
determination of what each lot will support-size of
house, single or multi- family, single floor or
multilevel, etc.. We are in the process of finalizing
our thinking and reviewing a few things but this is a
significant step. I'm sure there will be some
refinements as we move into the house design phase but
this is a starting point.
We are researching the ability to use a name for the
project we've settled on. We just have to see if it's
taken - if not, we will register it and then we'll
have a name for this project.
RESIDENCIAS LOS JARDINES
Satellite TV: DISH again scrambled their signal; we
were back up and running in an hour. They continued
doing this throughout the week. It slowed some down
but none are out of viewing.
Irrigation System: We are still working on them but
nearing completion. They should work well. We have
two wee small ones yet to make and then we are done.
Games Rancho: It was always intended (in my mind)
that the center, large rancho could be and should be
and hopefully would be used as a games area. I felt
that a pool table would work, darts, and ping-pong.
To that has been discussed cards, (Texas hold-em),
etc. WE have the beginnings of movement on this.-the
Board of Directors has to deal with it.
Rentals:
I signed four long term leases in five days this past
week -121, 123, 124, and 126 and had opportunities for
more...
Our next available unit is May 1, Unit 107.
Description to follow next week.
Resales:
Lots of lookers for the past several weeks and two
offers this week. One offer fell by the wayside and
one is alive and well.
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. We have an offer on
this unit but the offer hasn't yet been accepted.
Note: Same owner for both 108 and 120; the owner
wants to sell one of the two units.
OUR LIVES
Lita is busy preparing for her son's wedding in early
March. She has convinced him and a small entourage to
come here. I'm sure there will be lots of chaos and
confusion. My role will be to do as I'm told and
otherwise keep a low profile.
We had to leave the fun a Los Jardines and go to
Granada this week. As usual it was another great
trip and we revisited all our favorite restaurants and
tried a few new ones as well. I've never been to
Granada when something wasn't happening in the park.
This time the city hosted an international poetry
reading. Lots of ancillary festivities. The town is
so alive and the restaurants are so varied with great
ambiance; we continue to love it.
Unfortunately, Nature Air is no longer flying the
route so we continue to ride the bus and the $10 each
way is hard to quarrel with. This time, all the moves
were in Spanish which is great for the majority of the
audience but the movies are REALLY old.
It's been hectic leasing and showing week. Granada
was a nice respite. The animals fared fine so all is
well back at the oasis. As nice as Granada is and as
restful as it can be getting away, we're both glad to
be back!!!!! Friends, fun, comfort, convenience,
familiarity, and the continuing opportunity to invent
a new future for ourselves and for others. We have a
lot to be thankful for and it all happened in CR.
Twenty years ago or even 10 years ago, I couldn't have
envisioned my current life. Only in the past 10 years
did I seriously consider what was missing; then I
proceeded to add definition and finally action plans
to make it happen.
Brian, Lita, Hugo and irreverent Vicka, the pigeon
toed parrot.
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