Rhonda and I visited Minnesota for a “quick” five days last week. Here are a few of our initial impressions…

1. There is a tremendous amount of construction taking place around the Minneapolis area… primarily infrastructure upgrades. In Costa Rica, where there is heavy equipment and activity…there are children watching and playing. Guess the kids in the States have lost their sense of newness and discovery. Kids still come daily to our sites in both Ventanas and Pueblo Escondido to watch even the workers mix concrete or the backhoe dig trenches.

2. Everything, and we mean EVERYTHING is negative. There is virtually no enjoyment to life any more... at least not that is publically talked about. Everything is about the recession... the “great depression” and what all of us can do to avoid more pain. Here in Costa Rica... things may be tighter than before as everyone, in one way or another, is affected by the economic problems of the world. But...here, the important things in life are STILL the most important... family, friends, children, and enjoyment of life. The negatives do NOT dominate.

3. Beggars (at least to the naked eye) were everywhere... “homeless veteran needs a helping hand”... “down on my luck, can you help?”... everywhere downtown and even busy street corners. People in Costa Rica earn far less than their counterparts in the States of Canada but beggars here are few a far between. In downtown Grecia we may see 3-4 per day, and usually they are licensed to ensure no fraud.

4. No one goes hungry in Costa Rica... fruit and vegetables are everywhere and everyone is generous with what they have. Extended families still live close to one another with as many as four generations living within 50 yards of each other in separate dwellings. And if someone is down on his or her luck, there is always space available. In fact, single older men and women generally live at home , often until very late in life.

5. Most of you know about the great medical system here in Costa Rica but are you aware that no one is turned away for lack of money? No one. Two years ago , when Rhonda and I were in Minneapolis , Rhonda had an attack of food poisoning. We had to call an ambulance to help us get to a hospital three blocks away, spent three hours in the hospital for routine tests…the bill? $2500. This probably doesn’t surprise too many of you in the States but it IS one reason we now live in Costa Rica.

6. My sister and her husband have now postponed their retirement due to severe “setbacks” in their pension plans and savings…an engineer and a teacher, no less. How many millions of others are in the same predicament…and have always “played the game by the rules” all of their lives? The problem, at least as we see it from Costa Rica…is that most people do not think that alternatives exist.

7. My father, who many of you may remember via these newsletters, has always been a dyed in the wool Republican until George Bush. Because of Iraq and a multitude of other complaints, he switched and voted for Obama. He is now beginning to regret his vote and is more than a little concerned about the huge amounts of money that are being “thrown around” by our present administration. Dad is 88 and he and mom know that they will not be around much longer but they know the type of economic meltdown that their grandkids will inherit. Dad was even talking about what a good thing these “tea parties” are that are springing up throughout the country. And this is the same man that cut off my si ster’s tuition for marching against the Vietnam war in the 60s. There IS a lot to be concerned about.

Rhonda and I got a great response from those seeking employment in Costa Rica and wanting to possibly join us at CR Home. Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond. And those of you who have yet to get a response, be patient…or write us again. We still firmly believe that Costa Rica will see huge numbers of gringos in the coming years. We know that others tout Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico and others even further away…and they all have their positives. However, we truly believe that the simple fact that Costa Rica has more returning tourists than ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD says volumes. Despite frustrations and differences, Costa Rica still is the number one retirement and vacation destination in the world. We believe that the next few years have huge opportunities here.

Not much for properties this newsletter but here goes...

*** We had a buyer renege on a purchase of a home in Playa Azul . We don’t usually proceed with construction until we have signed contract but in this case we proceeded with excavation as we firmly believed that we would encounter no problems. Well, the buyers have vanished and we are in the process of installing the pilings now. Say what you want about bad business practices but we DO trust potential buyers and yeah, sometimes it doesn’t always work out. These homes are gorgeous and the area is attracting much attention: one home will be offered at $85,000 each. We had sold two at an initial price of $79,000 and then another 3 at $89,000 and the balance at $109,000 which is still nearly 40% below the nearest competition. We want to keep our guys working and complete these most infrastructure before rainy season. This is like money in the bank. For investors: buy now at a discount…sell in 9 months at anywhere between $110 and $120,000. Financing is also available at nearly 100% for those who qualify.

*** One ocean view property in Miramar... gorgeous ocean view and the property was planted in teak about five years ago. This is a beautiful area and the town of Miramar is like a picture book . Take a look at the pictures and call with your interest... owner needs money. He will sell for $55,000 (property size is three acres) and will take roughly $20,000 down. This is a fantastic deal! Those of you who know the area know exactly what I am talking about.

*** Over two acres of the “absolute best” view property in the mountains above Grecia, above 13-14 minutes from downtown Grecia. All utilities are in including road. This property slopes to a year round river at the bottom of the property and contains huge 0quantities of lemon trees as well. Property is selling for around $6 per sq. meter , which is unheard of in Grecia for at least the past 5-6 years, if not more. If you surf the net, you will find properties which are not nearly as good which are selling for a minimum of $12 and a maximum of $30 per sq. meter. This is an unbelievable price.

* Please also click here for advance notice on our forthcoming investment opportunity.

CR-Home potential investment Click here for special menssage ...

Thanks for reading…

Randy, Rhonda and the rest of us at CR Home.

P.s. Enclosed are a few photos of our youngest grandson’s third birthday party (complete with piñata ) …also below are several photos of Grecia’s “founder’s day” parade and festivities which took place last Monday. Closed the town down…and no school…but it is all about family, friends, and enjoyment.

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Website: http://www.cr-home.com