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: Marketing
Pictures: none
CONSTRUCTION
Architect: Together we designed a building that will
fit on the lot in question. We just have the
footprint now and the beginnings of the exterior. Now
the architect is figuring out how to structure it and
then we'll see how many parking spaces we can have.
With what we have designed, we can have either 12 -
1,600 sf units or 8 - 1,600 and 8 - 800 sf units. Since
we have established a criteria for ourselves of two
spaces for each house (including visitor parking) we
have to be able to accommodate either 24 or 32 cars.
Parking will determine the design.
We've asked an engineer to design the retaining wall
requirements for several areas. At some point, we can
begin to make the necessary prep work for these. In
the meantime, we rework a section of existing bock
fence such that we can extend the height of it another
4 feet...
Quebrada: we continue to wait.
Fence Permit: we continue to wait
Well Application: We wait.
RESIDENCIAS LOS JARDINES
Marketing: The last 3 weeks in review: We've had
four sales (106B, 110, 112 and 118) and one long term
lease and one 6 mo. lease signed. (We're still
waiting for 106B, 112, and 118 to close.) In the case
of each sale, the price was more than the original
purchase price, in one case, substantially more
106B-construction priced at $75K and resold less than
two years later at $140K.. Each of the vendors made a
nice profit on their investment. In the case of 110,
112 and 118, I believe there is additional room for
appreciation based on current sale prices in the area.
Since the sale of 112, we've had 7 phone calls wanting
to show it...
RENTALS:
Unit 112: Available May 1
See description above. - $1,300 mo.
Unit 123: Available July 1
This 2 story, 2, bedroom, 2 1/2 bathroom, 1,625 sf
unit is magnificent. Perfectly located on the
property to overlook the small pool and surrounding
garden and from the 2nd. floor terrace you can see the
southern mountain range. The owners furnished this
tastefully and with good quality furniture.
No
children, no pets, and non-smokers only. -
$1,650 mo.
Unit 124: Available May 1
2nd. floor, one bedroom (620 sf), fully furnished with display bookshelf/wall unit, home theater system, 42" Plasma TV, computer desk, large kitchen with natural wood cabinets and granite counters and backsplash including valence lighting, Bedroom has a full size (matrimonial) bed as well as a single bed. There is a matrimonial size pull out sofa in the living room. The living room overlooks the large pool and faces west. The bedroom faces east and has views of the mountains.
Non-smokers only. - $950 mo.
Residencias Los Jardines is a secure, gated, tranquil community with on-site satellite and / or CableTica TV, high speed internet, VOIP phone capability, 2 swimming pools each with waterfalls, 2-bar-b-qs and social areas, extensive manicured gardens, English / Spanish / German / Dutch / French spoken.
OUR LIVES
Weather: normal weather for this time of
year-magnificent mornings, followed by several hours
of rain later in the day; perfect temperatures...
Hugo: Cautious assessment: The changed diet seems
to be helping. He seems to have more hair on the
inside of his thighs; his tummy is still largely
bare-but he's not crazy!
Lightning Storm: Wednesday evening gave witness to
one, if not, the MOST spectacular electrical storm
I've ever seen. For 20 min., the sky was more than
50% lit with both sheet lighting which filled the sky
time and time again and bolt lighting which came from
all directions. Some of the lightning bolts were
extremely wide and long lived (for lightning) - two
and three staccato bursts-followed by a visual
portrayal of disintegration. The sheer magnitude of
energy released was awesome. Nature is magnificent!!!
And incredibly powerful.. WOW!!!!!!!
Brian, Lita, Hairless Hugo and irreverent Vicka, the
pigeon toed parrot, and the newbies.
Contact
us at any time to purchase a new house and still be able to select your finishings.
MASTERPLAN
Overlay of Version 1 of the master plan. There will be some minor changes to it but for the most part, it is a reasonable starting point. The picture with the yellow dots represents trees. One swimming pool will likely be eliminated in favor of houses (the large one near the 2nd. pool (bottom left hand corner) This area will likely become a condominium within a condominium having it's own direct street access.
