In the past two weeks our inventory of “fixer uppers” just north of Jaco has shrunk to only a small handful…in fact only three , with one only being head and shoulders above the rest. ( See BH 145 on our site ) .

We have also sold one of the smaller homes in the Grecia area from our last newsletter as well as an additional property in Las Brisas del Cielo. The new owners of Dos Vistas have now arrived and we have also inked a letter of commitment on BH 555.

There has been a tremendous amount of interest in the Zarcero and Rio Cuarto areas from our newsletters and listings. We will begin searching in earnest in these areas as well. Properties in Grecia, and surroundings areas ( Poas, Sarchi, San Ramon , Naranjo ) are becoming even scarcer and it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find “reasonably priced” properties. Keep watching our site.
We have also had a tremendous response to our investment newsletter and , at this point, these investments are on strictly a “first come, first served” basis. The “urbanization” vehicle is nearly subscribed , at least for the time being and verbal commitments have been given for potential joint venture properties. We want to stress that we will not push development in any area before being completely ready for all phases …. In other words, “tranquilo” and have patience.
Those of you who have considered investing in Costa Rica…please note that , except for special situations, real estate and the stock market appear to be “dead horses” for the next few years. The best alternative we know of…provided that reasonable care and due diligence is taken…is Costa Rica. You don’t have to believe us…but if you just think “maybe” then we have done our job. Just remember to treat any investment here with the same meticulous care and diligence that you would do in your own backyard…. One last thing of note here: if any of you have development experience and want to seriously explore options in Costa Rica please contact us SOONER rather than later.
Rainy season is almost “officially” over…except for an occasional dousing, it is sunny most days here in the central valley. The tractors are again prowling the roads with workers and wagons loaded with coffee beans. Harvest will last into January and every year, at least in recent memory, hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans visit Costa Rica and are assured of at least two months of labor and many stay until the sugar cane is picked as well. For those of you who don’t know…the Central Valley and our area of Grecia is definitely coffee country and evidence of that is seen everywhere. CoopeVictoria is one of the largest employers in our area and has been refining coffee and sugar cane for over 60 years. For visitors , a tour of a working coffee farm and the refinery is a must on your list. And don’t forget to take back at least a kilo for yourselves. With coffee at Starbucks now selling for near $5, the coffee here is almost reason enough in itself to move to Costa Rica!
We have noted of late, that many of our competitors are advertising that they are “full service”, offering to do everything to help clients and buyers adapt to their “new homes”. Well, we have been doing just that since we first starting working with real estate here as it is something that ALL buyers need . Rhonda and I didn’t have those “services” when we arrived here and have always tried to make sure that everyone here has always received a proper introduction to the community and all it has to offer. …whether it be a haircut, a pharmacy, a veterinarian, or simply the best place to find a good , comfortable couch or a good steak…all of that information comes free of charge. And yes, even an invitation to Thanksgiving to many as well. And of course, the upcoming second annual CR Home pigroast…January 12.
Watch for changes to CR Home in the coming months. We hope that you feel they will be positive as they all focus on the client , investor and those moving and buying in Costa Rica… a new, more client friendly office, more service personnel, new construction capabilities, more product offerings…and much more…and please, if any of you have suggestions…please let us hear from you. We will also be offering a monthly newsletter focusing more on life here in Costa Rica rather than concentrating on the real estate aspect…and hopefully we can entice people living here to contribute. Please notice that our website now has a blog section…and as soon as we can figure it all out it will be a regular feature.
Other items of note:
…Rhonda and I will be gone from Dec. 2 until the 9th…but don’t worry as everyone else will be pulling double duty while we are gone…we won’t miss a beat.
…we are considering putting in a swimming pool… 4x8 meters, concrete and steel construction, six feet deep to three feet at the shallow end…with all filtration systems…less than six grand!
Not definite yet, but we have been searching for a long time for someone with experience AND the right price and we may have found it. Oh…it also includes a sidewalk or walkway around it.
Our cabina will receive its first guests since we moved into our new house…hopefully it will be the first of many. Those of you considering a visit or looking for property in the area…please ask about availability… the price is right…. No charge to friends and visitors we know or are planning to “get to know”. russ unruh, from Bakersfield, will inaugurate the cabina and report back for the next newsletter.
Jim Salyer, the architect who wrote the “glowing” review of the cabina on page one of our site is in town. He is currently beginning to build in San Ramon …a fantastic property with ocean views.
Ross Balzer, another investor , is here in town and has the following direct quote about Grecia and life here: “ it is my goal to move to Costa Rica within five years and with the help of Cr Home I feel I will definitely be able to achieve my dream. “
Rather than list several properties this newsletter AND because of Thanksgiving last week and our impending trip next week there will be no new listings…instead I wish to simply list my personal favorites and believe that the following represent superb buys:

BH 606... Superb buy, gorgeous house that needs a little TLC, in a quiet and tranquil area…only 125 meters from the ocean.

CVRTB 194...best views in Grecia and maybe the entire Central Valley…fantastic price, privacy, river, backs up to a reserve…the price is about 30% below current market.

CVRTB 600...Best development parcel in Grecia…priced right, several excellent building spots and located in an area with several upscale Gringo homes…

CVRTB 601...this has attracted a huge amount of comment and we believe that it is our best buy…gently rolling land, fantastic views toward the mountains, rivers…located in Rio Cuarto but only about half an hour from San Carlos and half an hour from Sarchi. Gorgeous.

OK, OK...I couldn't go without adding at least two new properties that I HAD to include:

1. 4000 sq. meters, private location , great view through the valleys of Grecia...excellent building area...trees, coffee and river at bottom...birds galore and very very quiet...less than ten minutes from downtown...only $29,000...

2.  The view from here is as good as Dos Vistas...300 degrees or more of view toward the Central Valley and Naranjo, Palmares and Atenas...fantastic sunrises AND sunsets... private location right off of a public road...little less than half an acre or 1700 sq. meters... this property is priced at less than market value, is private, has a truly fantastic view and is a steal at only  $28,000.

One last comment: today was a great indicator of what this high season is going to be like: between the office and my cell phone we fielded 27 calls from people who have either booked trips to Costa Rica to see land and property or who had specific questions about our construction or questions in general. And high season officially has not yet begun. Those of you interested in moving here and helping out…HURRY!
Remember, Rhonda and I will be gone from Dec. 2 until the 9th but everyone else will be in attendance. See you all soon.

Pura vida…

Randy and Rhonda, Char and Rodrigo, Dolan and Logan, Steve and Marzena, Liffer and Yolanda and their two little ones and of course…the Woodpecker, Alvaro.