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PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:42 pm 
I can do CR without a wingman!
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http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/cost ... nzi-scheme


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:53 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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I have a friend who put a $20K deposit on a condo that never got built. No refund was given.


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:55 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!

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I know a tico engineer who just got stiffed by an American developer of beachfront properties in CR. After accruing almost $1M in engineering costs, the developer said the company was broke and couldn't pay him. He's taking the developer to court, but the corporation that issued the initial order has probably evaporated by now.

The same real estate shenanigans happen here in Colombia. New construction projects are promoted, and units sold "sobre planos" (from plans) at below market prices. Down payments are in the ballpark of 35%, and spread out over a 12 - 24 month period. What has happened in some cases, the project will not complete on schedule, or worse, never complete... and the prospective homebuyer is left holding the bag with nothing to show for his initial investment.


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:53 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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The same real estate shenanigans happen here in Colombia. New construction projects are promoted, and units sold "sobre planos" (from plans) at below market prices. Down payments are in the ballpark of 35%, and spread out over a 12 - 24 month period. What has happened in some cases, the project will not complete on schedule, or worse, never complete... and the prospective homebuyer is left holding the bag with nothing to show for his initial investment.


I have no doubt that the above is true. However, about a month ago I went too look at a development under construction, Elements, I think was the name.

The sales office and agents were excellent, knowlegeable, very professional literature and generally first class. So many people were there to inquire they were standing in line on a weekday afternoon.

They started in '09 and the first tower is fully occupied and the second sold out. The third will be ready for occupancy late next year. There were a couple of less desireable units for sale by "flippers." The insiders who bought pre construction were averaging a $25,000 profit. Units were selling from between $200,000 and $250,000. (I think, cannot remember exactly)

Also, they built a new building next door to my apartment. It took them less than a year to build 10 stories and it is almost fully occupied.

What I want to know is who is buying all these apartments?

On a side note, new car sales are up 50% year over year. The waiting list for a Ford 150 is 4-5 months.

Medellin is "Boom Town."

As always ...FWIW


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:28 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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The coca business must be booming.


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:38 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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I go to Jaco about once a month. The Ramada project and several others look like the aftermath of war-zones. Many tall concrete structures with no windows-kinda scary looking if your not used to it.

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PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:16 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Icantstayaway wrote:
I go to Jaco about once a month. The Ramada project and several others look like the aftermath of war-zones. Many tall concrete structures with no windows-kinda scary looking if your not used to it.

I guess if the drugged-out vagrants camp out on the property long enough, they will own it.


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:21 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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my 300 a month apartment works just fine. nothing fancy but its new and secure.

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PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:55 pm 
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LaDiablo wrote:
my 300 a month apartment works just fine. nothing fancy but its new and secure.


Well said...why anyone would buy in CR is beyond me.......so many stories of people getting ripped off. Most of the stories I've heard are from Tico/a's.


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:45 pm 
I can do CR without a wingman!
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GoodToGo wrote:
Quote:
The same real estate shenanigans happen here in Colombia. New construction projects are promoted, and units sold "sobre planos" (from plans) at below market prices. Down payments are in the ballpark of 35%, and spread out over a 12 - 24 month period. What has happened in some cases, the project will not complete on schedule, or worse, never complete... and the prospective homebuyer is left holding the bag with nothing to show for his initial investment.


I have no doubt that the above is true. However, about a month ago I went too look at a development under construction, Elements, I think was the name.

The sales office and agents were excellent, knowlegeable, very professional literature and generally first class. So many people were there to inquire they were standing in line on a weekday afternoon.

They started in '09 and the first tower is fully occupied and the second sold out. The third will be ready for occupancy late next year. There were a couple of less desireable units for sale by "flippers." The insiders who bought pre construction were averaging a $25,000 profit. Units were selling from between $200,000 and $250,000. (I think, cannot remember exactly)

Also, they built a new building next door to my apartment. It took them less than a year to build 10 stories and it is almost fully occupied.

What I want to know is who is buying all these apartments?

On a side note, new car sales are up 50% year over year. The waiting list for a Ford 150 is 4-5 months.

Medellin is "Boom Town."

As always ...FWIW

I remember when CR was the flavor of the month. A bubble in the making. Same in NE Brazil!


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:35 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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If this current recession taught us anything (it really pisses me off b/c unlike other recessions, we did this one to ourselves; so much blame to go go around)

Real estate prices can (and sometimes do) go down - couple this with irresponsible lending/credit standards, and a buy it now mentality b/c it will cost more tomorrow - disaster.


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