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 "El Dorado"
Pictures: none
CONSTRUCTION
Architect: The week before the architect and I
designed a building which would fit on the lot in
question along with some of the exterior details. He
was to structure it and then determine how many
parking spaces we could have. That would determine
the number and size of the units which we would
subsequently design. His analysis concluded that we
could have 22 parking spaces leaving no space for
storage lockers or mechanical rooms. We decided on
devoting one of the 1,600 sf spaces that would
otherwise have become a condo to storage lockers and
to a mechanical room. Once having determined that, we
moved on to designing the floor plans. We came up
with three floor plans: one -1,600 sf unit having 2
bedroom, 2 1/2 bathrooms, laundry room, pantry,
office, terrace, etc. We also came up with another
design of around 2,200 sf having either two bedrooms,
with either dining room or family room, or three
bedrooms. Again, all designs include terrace,
office, walk in closets, pantry, laundry room, 2 1/2
or 3 1/2 bathrooms. With the software which the
architect used to draw the floor plans, a flick of a
button provided a 3 dimensional walk-through-it was/is
really incredible and I loved the result.
...and the exterior of the building looks really
great!
Paul and I reviewed the house design done previously.
We saw a few things which needed tweaking but for the
most part, what the architect and I did still held up.
We found the many options to be confusing and figured
we needed a better way to organize and present to
purchasers. We worked on that giving names and color
coding - neighborhoods got names and houses were named
after indigenous trees. We instructed the architect o
color code the drawings and to provide legends which
include key information, eg --areas for living,
terrace, garage, covered walkways, and total area.
We've had three discussions with RE agencies/ brokers/
advisors asking them what product-size, price, number
of bedrooms, features, etc.--their clients are asking
for. So far, we've not learned anything new but have
reconfirmed that we are on track. We are also asking
about commission structures and marketing information
we need to produce to help them do their jobs. We had
an interesting discussion with a RE marketing firm out
of Chicago who would like to sell the project. We
left the discussion committed to thinking about it and
asking for more information.
Quebrada: we continue to wait.
Fence Permit: we continue to wait
Well Application: We wait and in the meantime, we are
exploring the use of city water, one source of which
is near our western property line.
RESIDENCIAS LOS JARDINES
Marketing: Unit 118 closed. The paperwork for the
sales of 106b, 112 inch along.
RENTALS:
Unit 112: Available May 1
Single floor, 1,300 sf, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, new furnishings. The kitchen and both bathrooms have granite counters. The kitchen cabinets are made from natural wood- "cedro" and has a breakfast counter for casual dining. The kitchen features SS appliances —6 burner gas stove, and GE "Profile" microwave and exhaust space saver unit and all the small appliances and items needed for cooking and dining. The living room features a floor to ceiling full length book case / display /entertainment center. Areas for a computer work station and TV are incorporated. The LR features one chair, love seat and a sofa as well as 4 wrought iron / granite topped end / coffee tables. There is a 6 seat glass and wood dining room table as well. On the covered terrace is a 6 seat dining table. The home is equipped with a stacked washer / dryer. It has vaulted ceilings, valance (direct and indirect lighting). It's located at the back of the property, near the large pool; it is part of a 4 unit complex. - $1,300 mo.
Unit 120: Available July 1-commitment pending
Single floor, 1,300 sf, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,
executive furnishings throughout —all rooms are
beautifully decorated. The kitchen and both bathrooms
have granite surfaces. The kitchen cabinets are made
from natural wood; there is a raised eating counter
for casual dining. The kitchen features SS
appliances —dishwasher, 6 burner gas stove, and
microwave and all the small appliances needed for
cooking. The wrought iron and glass dining room table
seats 4. Living room features a beautiful full length
book case / lighted display area with home theater
system and a 42' plasma TV. On the covered terrace
are a set of casual chairs as well as a 6 seat dining
table. The home is equipped with a stacked washer /
dryer. - $1,400 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: mostly clear mornings moving towards
cloudy by mid day and a couple hour's rain in the
afternoons followed by clearing in the
evenings —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!
Texas Hold-em night is growing in popularity and
hilarity.
One of our residents had a "meet the parents" event
and cooked a delicious late luncheon —we were wasted
the rest of the day/night.
Life here is never boring but his week it was
un-eventful.
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.
