My apologies for omissions in the last newsletter… the home between Naranjo and San Ramon for $44,000 is now on the website…the home in San Ramon has been sold and the investment in the Grecia souvenir business has been concluded.

The home in Naranjo is a steal at this level.   Call quickly AFTER you have seen the listing in its entirety and ask questions.  It is offered at 30-40% below market value.  http://www.cr-home-sale.com/Valley_Homes.htm    cvrtmi 891

We will be changing our format a little in that we will be …so as to give everyone equal footing…not only giving our estimates of discounts to market value but also where we see the future value in one year.    Some investments are almost “no brainers” in that they can almost be resold immediately… others may take a little renovation … and others will be presented as profit potential if specific formats are followed, i.e.,  buying larger pieces of land and subdividing. 
Please keep in mind…we make our living not only selling real estate to others to build and live here…but also for investment.   True, some properties we do purchase ourselves.   But others we present to potential buyers…and we will try to give a totally balanced picture of what its potential is.

1. This is a best case scenario:   this house has been for sale for approximately 3 months at $30,000;  we are probably the only people who really know about it.    Located in a great area…San Isidro de Grecia and directly next to a property which is for sale for $36 per square meter.    The views are huge .   A gorgeous location.   The house is approximately 1000 sf and needs some work.    The property is between 4 and 500 sq. meters or about 1/8 of an acre.   Directly on a public road.    All concrete and steel.    Private back and side yards and set in a quiet area.  
Our best scenario:   the owner sells for $20,000...renovate,  spending a minimal amount and resell.    Short term gain…best estimate  25-40%.

2.  We have a property of 1000 sq. meters in Grecia with a gorgeous panoramic view.    Another great location in San Luis de Grecia.    Priced at around $27,000.  The lowest price quarter acre lot around with a great view and great location.   Perfect for a spec house or simply to hold and watch it appreciate.   We estimate selling price within a year of  25% higher, minimum.  

3.  It appears that the “waterfall property” investment is nearly concluded.   We will be undergoing final topography or survey on Monday the 14th.   We probably have space for one , maybe two more investors.   This is a good one!   Who wouldn’t want the combination of the mountains of Grecia with a view AND a waterfall?   A first.   Call or email if you have an interest.  Numbers are phenomenal.

4.  It appears that this coffee season in Grecia was NOT a roaring success.   Seems expenses are rising every year and production in this area in some locations was not the best….this means that we have seen a couple of farmers asking us to send buyers.   Their properties have not been the best however, but keep watching as we hear of a couple that may surface any day.   Will send out a special alert if we do or  buy for ourselves!

5.   We have "found" approximately 3 manzanas ( a little over 5 acres )  in a valley just off of the main road in San Isidro de Grecia...arguably one of the more "prestigious"  addresses in Grecia....fantastic views and the property, on one side, borders a larger river with "plenty of river noise" ( rapids ) .   We estimate that there are four building pads on the property which could be sold.    Numbers are excellent.   We think that the purchase price AND installation of utilities, roads and landscaping should run about $125,000.   A large portion of the investment can be a "pay as you go or develop" scenario.   Gross returns should be well over $200,000.    Take a look at the pics and then call us if you have an interest in working with us on development.   

One thing I would like to stress at this point is that we are very well aware of the fact that prices do not rise forever.   A lot of people that are a lot smarter than I am lost an awful lot of money in the States in the past couple of years.   
What we are looking at in Grecia and surrounding areas is a very special situation…it truly is a very very small area with an odd combination of buyers making up a combination of gringo and tico…sellers are few and far between.   Atenas is still 50% higher in price … and obviously the more upscale areas of Heredia, Escazu and Santa Ana are much much higher.    As mentioned previously, the move is to smaller plots of land rather than moving further out.    Almost all retirees in the States are in town homes or condos…the only reason that the “manzana” has been the unit of popular sale is because it is how land is measured here.  ( 1 and ¾ acres ).  We are planning toward higher density.  And it is actually becoming even more necessary because too, of higher construction prices. 

We will be posting our progress on both Ventanas and Pueblo Escondido on the site… watch for them. 

Again, keep Costa Rica in mind for investment…for return AND for a place to escape in the future.  

Rhonda is currently in the States visiting her sister, daughter and Mother…it is actually snowing in northern Minnesota.   Ask her how much she misses “back home” when she returns!

If you haven't yet read our "15 minute insider report to Costa Rica" 
click here.   

Pura vida
Randy y Rhonda;  Steve y Marzena; Char and Rodrigo, Dolan and Logan;  Liffer and Yolanda; Albert and Francini; Pedro Coto and of course, the Woodpecker.
BTW:  last newsletter I inadvertently omitted the names of Chuck, Russ, Rowena and others helping us sell Stateside…,my apologies…you are a part of CR Home…

p.s.   We have been having problems with both our email account, the CR Home account AND sometimes our toll free number service.    If you cannot get ahold of us PLEASE email my private account at  mwqp1165@yahoo.com      And normally my cell phone works almost anywhere....011-506-8841-5782    If you try the toll free number and it does not work please try the regular number and I will call you back.   

Office toll free:  1-877-262-8904
Toll free:  home:  1-877-247-3014
Home: 011-506-2-444-8716
Cell:  011-506-8-841-5782