Late July news and investment letter
Next week Rhonda and I will be in Minnesota on one of our typically two trips back to the States for family and friends. While we do thoroughly enjoy seeing our children, families and friends, it is often bittersweet because we are always reminded that our home now is truly Costa Rica. And the reasons that we moved here six years ago are even more valid now than before and definitely reinforced everytime we visit.
We will also be shopping for assisted living facilities as my parents continue to become more frail with each passing month. Both are still fiercely independent but are gradually coming to realize that they are simply wearing down. When we all do get together , much of our conversation centers on the past ( for those of you who are younger, just wait ) and much of that conversation is centered around family and the way things used to be.
Rhonda's family still continues to gather yearly from three different states and two countries. And the gathering always takes place at the family compound in northern Minnesota at Big Sandy Lake. Here too , the conversations are always about family and always about the past. And the way things used to be.
Those of you who know us or have followed our newsletters know that many of the reasons we moved to Costa Rica are summarized above, the emphasis in Costa Rica of family above all else and their traditions; the care and love that each extended family has for each other; the time given to each member of the family, these are values and traditions that are nearly gone in the States and in other places as well. I jokingly refer to Costa Rica as kind of a Spanish Leave it to Beaver movie, but a lot of the values that we thought long dead are alive and well here. And this is only one of the many side benefits to living here.
The month of August often slows to a standstill in the States and Canada, last minute vacations are taken and time is often spent with children before school and before life again is kicked into high gear. We know that a lot of you do not get a chance to read our newsletters and that many opportunities are lost ( or at least slowed ) because of the dog days of August. Take a look at some of them because otherwise you will kick yourself later. Opportunities and offerings that are normally grabbed and subscribed to within a week often sit for a month during summer. Don't miss out.
One last ramble: we have had some friends staying at our cabina for the last few weeks and, as normal, things that we don't always see, become readily apparent again,
Mechanics here do not test vehicles when their jobs are completed, the moral?...test drive BEFORE making payment.
Those of you who have visited here know this one, there are no street signs or addresses in Costa Rica, payments of bills ( electricity for example) are made at a specific place on a specific date. Late payment by five days will result in termination of service immediately.
The first time I went into a video store to order a movie, I was a little upset that it took so long. The reason? ... my copy was burned as I waited. Commonplace.
Honking your horn here is impolite and rude. And definitely frowned on.
Costa Ricans never get impatient. I have literally seen Ticos stand in line for hours with not even a hint of impatience whereas my limit would have been reached after half an hour. Why? Who knows?
Ticos are aghast that we ( gringos ) would actually pay money for sod or for plants when we could simply take cuttings or samples from neighbors or friends for free. Patience is obviously the key word here.
Gas is not self serve here, service is total , from tires to oil to all fluids and windshield. A tip is expected.
Milk is not refrigerated in the supermarket or minimart, only after it is opened.
Rhonda and I will be checking our emails daily while back in Minnesota. Obviously our office will still be open but if you wish to speak to either Rhonda or I personally, please leave a number where we can reach you.
Offerings:
The Aserri property from last letter is still available. This is one of the best investments we have ever been able to present. The property is a suburb of San Jose and has a huge panoramic view of the city and entire Central Valley.
 
The property is informacion processoria which simply means that the property has been passed down from family member to family member without proper registration. It is in the process of being corrected and has been given verification of clean title at present. Total time estimated before title is completely cleared is 4-6 months maximum. Expensive homes are currently being constructed ( $250,000 minimum) less than a kilometer away and a property directly adjacent to this property is currently listed for sale for $20 per meter. $30,000 is a steal!
Because of our schedule and simply having too much on our plate, the del webb knockoff shares are still not fully subscribed. Two additional units of $50,000 are still available. See the following link for details:
Those of you who have seen our Dos Vistas project OR Rhonda's cabina on the site, we will be moving on to the second cabina project, most likely in the mountains of Sarchi. This cabina will be rock base (first floor walls ) and then rustic with wood beams , some concrete, and rustic wood. Estimated cost $50,000, with an estimated sale price of $85,000. Four units are available, ask for details.
We are seeing more beach properties being offered at discounted prices, all up and down the coast. Some have houses, others are land only. If any of you have properties to sell, email or call us, we will post them IF they are in fact being offered at fair prices. If any of you are looking in a specific area, let us know too, and we will try to accommodate you. We have seen properties of late being offered in Guanacaste, Uvita, and the central pacific as well as the Nicoya Penninsula. I really don't want to take advantage of a situation where someone MUST sell but hey, right now in some beach areas, it is definitely a buyer's market. We may not have precisely what you are seeking but it is definitely time to put feelers out.
 
 
www.crventanas.com there are only two more half acre ocean view lots with a 1400 sq. foot home on for $139,000. Two more were grabbed last week, one higher priced lot and one lot with a three BR house. Take a look at the website and call, these prices , along with the investment aspect ( the TEAK ) , make these literally one of a kind. We will be moving into phase three shortly. Take a look , then pick up the phone because several people have mentioned that they will be visiting in August and want to see the project.
 
 
The real estate market in the Central Valley?...except for upper bracket, it continues strong. There are simply very very few properties left, even at higher prices. It is becoming more and more difficult to find recommendations. Please rest assured that our prices really are WAAAYYY below market. And if you don't believe us, go to our competition or ask them about comparable land. This is what we do and we are good at it.
Enough for today, next newsletter after we return from Minnesota. And again, please keep trying if you cannot get ahold of us or you do not hear from us within a day or two. ( check your spam box too !)
Hasta luego from,
Rhonda, Randy and all of us a CR Home ! ( it was just getting too difficult to remember everyone's name and invariably I would forget someone!)
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