By all indications and feedback, our pigroast was a success.   Over 300 pounds of pig was roasted, at least another 75 pounds of arroz con pollo, salads, vegetables, and of course, over 2000 cans and bottles of pop and beer.   The band was a success and the party broke up a little early at just before one in the morning.    Earlier that day , FUND members had visited Ventanas and Playa Azul ( Pueblo Escondido ) and reports were all more than favorable…raves would be a better description.   We hope more of you can make it next year!

It is just the start of high season here and already six beach properties have been sold.  We are down to a smaller than normal inventory and are trying to replenish but supplies are tight.   We try to update the site as quickly as we can.   There are still 2-3 properties that we consider superb investments and purchases at this time.  ( and yes, within a minute or less of the beach ) Our personal favorites are: BH619, BH149 and BH1994

Inland, in Grecia and neighboring areas…prices have soared.   We are attempting to keep a good inventory but it is getting tougher.   And we refuse to put on properties which we consider to be grossly overpriced.   There are still excellent values in our inventory.   We do not show everything on our site and cannot keep up with all that we see and list.  The best buys go quickly.  If you have an interest in properties around Grecia your best bet is to talk to us and let us know your price range and we can try to show you only properties that seem to be the best fit.   We do not up sell as it wastes everyone’s time.   Some of our best values are listed below.   Grecia is rapidly becoming a very upscale place to live and construction is everywhere…and it is a combination of Tico and gringo contributing to the area growth.   Grecia is a microcosm of the simple economics of supply and demand with the latter far outpacing the former..   And we foresee that values will continue to rise as they are still only a fraction of the cost of the more affluent areas of Alajuela, Santa Ana and Escazu.  

Last week , the country’s best known photographer, Sergio Pucci, finished his sessions with Las Brisas and Ventanas. ( www.photographyincostarica.com ) and he completely fell in love with Ventanas and will actually , more than likely, end up with a property there.. … and keep in mind that this is a person who has been literally everywhere in the country and can afford to live anywhere in Costa Rica.   Look for pictures and our new website in the next two weeks ( more or less…hey, it’s Costa Rica ).  We expect Ventanas to be completely sold out within the next four months…and remember, there are only 21 properties total. 

In keeping with the past emphasis upon investments in Costa Rica we have hired a former vice president of Banco National , Pedro Coto, to help with our forthcoming foreclosure offerings.   He has had significant experience not only with distressed properties and special situations but also with developments in general and specific. 

 We are very much aware that there is skepticism of real estate in Costa Rica…especially with the real estate “meltdown” in many places in the States.   However, the important facts here are that Costa Rica is in a special situation as far as investments are concerned…I had actually started assembling the facts of WHY Costa Rica should be considered but I actually prefer that most potential investors do their own research. 

Each investment that we present will represent a thorough analysis of reward vs. risk.   We may be a little too conservative for many but we truly do not believe that a shotgun approach ( I.e., buy everything in Costa Rica…) works especially as we believe that some areas of the country here will be affected marginally by borrowing and the subprime crisis in the States.   We have included a link to a description of different types of investments which we will be offering.    Many of you may have seen it in a past newsletter…if so , just ignore OR fill out if you wish to be notified of specific types of investment vehicles.  At least half of these vehicles are NOT available in the States but are common in Costa Rica…they are not widely known, but are available.  Based upon the demand, we feel that this portion of our business will become a huge part of CR Home and that it will only get bigger over time.  Given the gyrations of currencies…the slide of the U.S. dollar AND the increase in Costa Rican real estate AND the supply and demand factors at work here…take the time to seriously consider investments in Costa Rica.    And let us help you.  click here for more investment options!

OK, onto specific offerings…

1.  A 5000 sq. meter piece of land in the mountains of Grecia ( 1 ¼ acres )…flat with easily the best view we have ever seen…over 100 meters of frontage road…all services next to the property…this property is not cheap but it is the best we have seen in years…hurry on this one…                                                                             $120,000 firm

2. 2 manzanas or  3 ½ acres or coffee and jungle in the mountains above Grecia.   River at the bottom of the property….parts of the property are steep but it has several excellent building areas…about 300 meters from utilities .   This is the cheapest property we have seen in over two years.   Grab it now.   It is a great investment OR place to build a home in the future …or both.                                                                      $35,000 TOTAL

3.  5000 sq. meters…fantastic views toward the Central Valley…planted in coffee…great place for building…this is the best value we have …                       $37,500

4.  We have found several superb ocean view properties in the San Ramon area.   All are building and in the $30K range per manzana ( 1 ¾ acres ) .   Competitive prices in that area are 50% higher.   We have always known that properties were there at excellent prices and are now finding them.   We will be putting together specifics in the next couple of weeks.   If this sounds like something you have been seeking…email us directly OR keep watching our listings. 

5. We have saved what we think is the “best” for last.   We are in the process of optioning and ultimately purchasing a property of 13 manzanas, or almost 23 acres in San Miguel de Rio Cuarto… this property is reached by traveling from the Central Valley to Poas and then over to LaPaz Waterfall ( on the way to the Poas volcano ) and Peace Lodge.   The land past that area is absolutely stunning with huge huge vistas, deep valleys, smaller villages and absolutely unequalled vistas that go all the way to the Arenal Volcano , the Caribbean ocean and Lake Nicaragua.    It is easily the most stunning property we have seen.   But that isn’t all…it has rivers , waterfalls …and monkeys ( howler and whitefaced ) , hundreds of species of birds , pizotes ( a racoon like animal ) and of course, huge trees with mature jungle and the ever present parrots.   It is more remote in that it is 45 minutes from a hospital, but medical clinics are only 5 minutes away as well as supermarkets, etc.  
We are in the midst of surveying the property and will be building a “mountain home” for ourselves there.   Temps are not cold like typical mountains as the land is sloping toward the plains of the Caribbean side and San Carlos to the north.  We will be putting electric, and water to the property as well as roads.
We anticipate selling only a few larger lots of probably 5 acres…prices will be around $40,000...and we will assist with building if desired.   Competitive prices in the area are around $20,000 per manzana ( 1.75 acres ) and that is with no improvements.  
If any of you have an interest, please let us know quickly as this is a steal and we are moving quickly before the owners realize that they are selling it too cheaply.   We can talk investment , purchase of a lot, or overall participation.   It is not a large property but it is one of a kind. 

want to have your own estate in Costa Rica?...this property literally has it all... five acres of manicured lawn and gardens...large 4 BR A frame with plenty of room to spread out...caretakers home, pool, soccer field, fruit orchard, river, and the most expansive views you will ever see.  This home is a rare find at only $80,000...monkeys, parrots, toucans, wildlife galore, and only a short drive from the Central Valley and only five minutes from a smaller town with ALL amenities.   This is a fantastic find.  

To conclude, and on a more personal note….our youngest daughter and her husband were her for 10 days and have just left, along with our oldest to return to Minnesota…they have great memories and even learned to surf this trip!   We are in the midst of a great many changes here at CR Home, not only for Rhonda and I , but for all of us.   So…if sometimes we take a little longer to respond to your emails , please be patient as we are working on ways to streamline processes and procedures to better service present and potential clients.   Keep reading and watching…and of course, call our toll free if you need to talk or have questions…if we do not pick up immediately you will be able to leave a message or try one of our other numbers.

Within the past 24 hours I learned that my father has a form of cancer which is inoperable.  Any of you who are able, please remember him in your prayers.   This news is devastating to me and to my family but it also reinforces why we are in Costa Rica…and the fact that everyday here is precious and is a gift. 

 
Pura vida to all.

Randy y Rhonda; Steve y Marzena; Rodrigo, Charlotte, Dolan and Logan;  Liffer and Yoland and their two little ones, Albert, Felix, Johnny and of course, the Woodpecker.