10 yr. Anniversary & Drains!!

ISSUE #348: March 28-April 2, 2011

2011-04-03

10 yr. Anniversary & Drains !!

Brian Timmons, Newsletter Author
Brian Timmons

Dear friends,

When I started Residencias Los Jardines, I started writing a weekly news letter -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 resales and rental availability. Some readers may be interested in this information.

More and more, the content will be dominated by events of our new project, "El Dorado" for short. While the future is always uncertain, I again aim to tell it like it happens -the good, the bad, and the ugly, and that is what follows.

Brian Timmons
DEVELOPER:
Residencias Los Jardines / https://www.residenciaslosjardines.com
Hacienda El Dorado / https://www.eldoradocostarica.com
E-mail: brian@eldoradocostarica.com / info@residenciaslosjardines.com

 

Construction Log
Updates about Hacienda El Dorado

Rio Oro: The construction budget is being working on -that will be the status until the end of April.

 

Residencias Los Jardines
Property Management, Rentals, Re-Sales

Drains: the original set of absorption holes have now been filled in and the landscaping nearly finished. In the process of checking other absorption holes, we discovered two other systems which are not working properly. We're working on one now and expect to have to do a similar, but not as extensive, rehabilitation of it. The other drainage issue will follow completion of the above. This is not fun work; the success of our work will show up soon enough in the rainy season.

Razor Wire Fence: While other options were considered, the Board of Directors decided to have installed a razor wire fence along the south west wall which abuts a vacant lot. While there is no evidence of it allowing unwanted access, the decision was made to increase the security. This required the substantial hedge to be cut to the level of the fence. We cut the back side of the hedge only to allow for the installation of the razor wire. The wire is suppose to be installed on Monday. While we're at it, well secure a small area in the south east corner.

Market Activity: Not much this week--either rentals or sales. The company which was so interested in taking all available units continues to drag it's feet. I'm reminded of the adage: money talks, BS walks and am beating myself up a bit for allowing myself to believe....; I'm putting the units which I held off on, back on the market. Fortunately, I was able to defuse one incident that resulted for a last minute change by using one of the vacant units.

Treasurer Resigns: The treasurer of Doneste S.A., the holding company for RLJ, is planning an extensive absence from CR. His work and other interests are drawing him away for a year or so; he felt it best to submit his resignation. Now, we will be looking for both a Fiscal and a Treasurer. I'll be calling a meeting soon.

FOR SALE:

Unit 106A: $155,000   See unit
Unit 107: Lowered from $250,000 to $240,000
Owner Financing Available
See unit
Unit 115: $205,000   See unit
Unit 125: $160,000 Owner Financing Available See unit

FOR RENT:

Unit 109: $1,600 mo. April 13-Nov. 30 (flexible) See unit
Unit 113: $1,550 mo. April 1 See unit
Unit 121: $1,650 mo. Immediate See unit
Unit 108: $1,650 mo. Immediate -April & May See unit
Unit 124: $1,000 mo May 1 See unit

 

Site Plan

HOUSES FOR SALE

UNIT #106A:
For Sale $155,000

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1250
Total area (Sq M): 120
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1
Type: Apartment
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 #107:
For Sale lowered from $250,000 to $240,000

Owner Financing Available

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1716
Total area (Sq M): 158
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Floor(s): 2 Story
Type: Detached
Furnished: Yes   

This 1,716 sf. (plus parking for one car) two story, detached house, with three terraces, two bedrooms (one on each floor) and upstairs master suite is a beautiful home. This home consists of two VERY large bedrooms (one on each floor) with en-suite bathrooms and a powder room, each with large closets with extensive built-ins for personal organization. The vaulted living room and ground floor bedroom ceilings as well as the master bedroom on the 2nd floor, provide a feeling of grandeur while allowing the warmer air to rise and exit through the ceiling ventilating system. There are three TVs (one in each bedroom and one in the living room.) This is a beautiful home. There is a rough-in for a dishwasher in the kitchen area.

 

UNIT #115:
For Sale $205,000 

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1345
Total area (Sq M): 124
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1 Story
Type: Attached
Furnished: Yes

This 1,345 sf single floor home includes a 200 sf private terrace plus parking for one car. It is attached on two sides by a 6" solid concrete block wall which prevents sound transfer. This is an extremely well decorated home with lots of natural wood built ins.

 

UNIT #125:
For Sale $160,000

Owner Financing Available

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, + 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.

HOUSES FOR RENT

UNIT #109
FOR RENT $1,600 mo.
April 13-Nov. 30 (flexible)

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1506
Total area (Sq M): 140
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1 Story
Type: Detached
Furnished: Yes

This single story home (1506 sf. + parking for one car) is detached, has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, home office, living room wall / entertainment center along with a built in office and a semi-private terrace. In addition, it has a vaulted ceiling in the “great” room and two skylights. The covered entrance way is suitable for two chairs located next to a covered garden area. Once through the impressive front door, you enter the “great room” which houses the kitchen, dining room, office and living room. Upon entering, there is a built in wooden hutch surfaced with granite—it matches all the built-in furniture in the great room. There is a clothes washer and dryer off the 2nd bedroom. The owners have added many personal touches and have done a supurb job in decodrating the home.

 

UNIT #113
FOR RENT $1,550 mo.

April 1

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. It is attached on one side by a 6 inch cement demising (common) wall, which prevents sound transfer. The three other sides allow light, ventilation and garden views.

 

UNIT #121
FOR RENT $1,650 mo.

Immediate

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1423
Total area (Sq M): 131
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Floor(s): 2 Story
Type: Detached
Furnished: Yes

This two story, detached 1,423 sf home + parking for one car has two bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms and a 2nd. floor covered terrace.

The open railed wrought iron cement stair case leads to the 2nd. level where the master bedroom with en-suite master bathroom as well as 2nd. bedroom and en-suite bathroom are located. Also accessed from the 2nd. floor hallway is the covered terrace.

This is a very nicely furnished home with a good floor plan for those wanting two floors.

 

UNIT #108
FOR RENT $1,650 mo.

Immediate - April & May

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1716
Total area (Sq M): 158
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Floor(s): 2 Story
Type: Detached
Furnished: Yes

This 1,716 sf. (plus parking space for one car) two storey, detached house, with two terraces, two bedrooms (one on each floor) and an upstairs master suite is a beautiful home.

This home consists of two VERY large bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms (one on each floor) and a powder room each with closets with extensive built-ins for personal organization. The vaulted living room and ground floor bedroom ceilings as well as the master bedroom on the 2nd floor provide a feeling of grandeur while allowing the warmer air to rise and exit through the ceiling ventilating system.

 

UNIT #124
FOR RENT $1,000 mo.

May 1

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.

 

 

 

Our Lives

WEATHER: Several days have actually been quite warm -little breeze and high humidity.

Friends Leaving: Two more sets of friends returned to the other lives. We're having to adjust to the loss of their company.

TEN year Anniversary: We bought what became Residencias Los Jardines April 1, 2001. I thought the date was appropriate -I still do. A lot of changes to our lives and opportunities and changes to many other's who are still here or who have passed through Los Jardines. There are few who won't remember their time here.

Note: this has been a very busy and chaotic month: friends arriving, friends leaving, Granada, repair work, new work, unit turnovers, etc., etc. I'm looking forward to a number of long uninterrupted stretchs in the hammock, quiet evenings, and only friendly calls.

Brian, Lita, Hugo, irreverent Vicka, the pigeon toed parrot, and the newbies - Chico and Chica

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