We’re back!!

We are back to bloggin’ and keeping everyone updated. Sorry for the delay. There have been some great changes, improvements and updates that we need to share with you.
We have new condo designs, electricity is to be installed in the next 40 days and the first house has been completed.

Photos and updates to follow. Please contact us today for more information.

Nick Halverson Costa Rica Trip August 2008 – Part III

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Today’s big news was that the Costa Rican National Select soccer team was playing tonight in San Jose against El Salvador. This was a World Cup qualifier so everyone was a bit edgy.

 

I often hear that American’s are sports nuts. I’m definitely proud of my citizenship and my country but we are not at all really that sport’s crazed. Outside of the Super Bowl I’m not sure there is a sporting event that generates such large ratings and energizes our country. Costa Rica is different.

 

It is generally understood (although I had to be told) that when the National Team plays a game you are supposed to wear red – all day. Thank goodness I had a red polo shirt with me. I actually bought a national team jersey last year but for some reason I brought it back to the States with me. From now on it is just going to stay here.

 

I don’t know much about soccer but I can tell you the passions and intensity at La Cascada Bar & Restaurant was electric. Young. Old. Foreign. Costa Rican. Foreign. All of us were packed in watching on one of the 10 TVs in the place eating, drinking and for me, speaking in broken Spanish. I really enjoy the Spanish language and I’m a bit embarrassed I don’t know more but I keep studying and learning and hopefully in a couple of years I’ll be fluent.

 

Back to the game. Costa Rica dominated throughout and outshot the El Salvadorian’s by a large margin but it was still 0-0 at half time. Costa Rica ended up winning 1-0. When the ball when in the net everyone was jumping up and down, high-fiving one another. However, I think the cheering was even louder after Costa Rica was called for a foul in the goal box so El Salvador had a free kick from about 10 meters out. The Costa Rican goalie blocked the shot. Incredible.

 

During the game I sat with a couple of restaurant owners (including the owner of the bar we were at – La Cascada (the waterfall) so when Costa Rica scored we all got free drinks), several real estate agents from different companies and an attorney. The people here are so incredibly friendly.

 

 

From a real estate standpoint I looked at some land in San Isidro del General that had been subdivided into lots from $30,000 and $50,000 ($60-$100 sq m) that Costa Ricans are subdividing and buying.  It is a great sign that the locals are also enjoying the great growth in the Costa Rican real estate market.

 

A group of us went to look at the two projects. In our group of 5 was me, the deputy mayor, the president of the local Scotiabank branch and two other Costa Ricans – both interested in buying. One deal was struck before the game started.

 

San Isidro is poised to continue it’s tremendous growth. I’ll have more photos of the new projects in the next couple of days.

Nick Halverson Costa Rica Trip August 2008 – Part II

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

I broke with my tradition of not eating at a fast-food restaurant yesterday. To actually find a global fast-food chain is a bit of a challenge in Southern Costa Rica as there is only one restaurant. I was, however, in San Isidro del General where the sol McDonald’s in the southern zone is located.

 

I was having a bit too much fun the night before and just needed something quick – thanks Mikky-D’s.

 

Due to the “too much fun” the night before I didn’t do too much except watch a Chilean re-broadcast of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. It was great! The version back home in the States that I DVR’d was over four hours long. This one was only two. Nothing like cutting out the parade of champions and the speeches from the IOC. 

 

Speaking of Olympics. What’s pretty interesting is every morning and evening a Costa Rican TV channel carries live feeds from Beijing. However, unlike their Northern counterparts who feel possessed to talk over and smother every piece of action on TV there is no commentary. None. It’s actually pretty relaxing. Not that Costa Rica needs any more reasons or ways to relax!  The piece you do miss is the behind-the-scenes information that I find somewhat interesting.

Nick Halverson Costa Rica Trip August 2008 – Part I

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Today I flew from my home base to Costa Rica on a Delta flight through Atlanta. Both flights were on time and my luggage made it through no problem. I don’t know the exact type of plane that I took (it had a 2-3-2 seating configuration) but it had about 100 empty seats. More than a lot of earlier flights I’ve taken. However, the concourse was jammed pack with tourists so I believe it was more of an anomaly than a trend.

 

The good news was that I had three seats to myself to lay down. That is really nice when you have to get up at 3 am after about 2 hours of sleep the night before.

 

I’d never flown on a flight where you could watch (for $2) HBO movies. I chose to watch an episode of John Adams. I usually don’t like long flights, but I could have withstood another hour to watch another episode.

 

I was picked up by the manager and lead singer of the award winning pop group Calle 8. Click here for more information. We drove from San Jose to San Isidro del General as they were performing that night at a fund raiser for the local soccer club. The duty free station in San Jose had several great deals that I couldn’t pass up.

 

That night I went to bed very early and skipped the concert. The last thing I felt like doing was dancing all night long although I was torn as it was good to be back in Costa Rica.

City Profile – Uvita

Described by many as one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world, southwestern Costa Rica has plenty of beautiful beaches and fantastic vistas. Of the many spectacular beaches found here, Playa Uvita is among the most stunning beaches on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast. Located in the southern Puntarenas province roughly 16 km south of Dominical, a surfing hotspot, Playa Uvita is situated within the Marino Ballena National Park. This marine park is very popular because between the months of December and April Humpback, whales migrate here to the warm waters off the coast to mate before returning up north.Lying south of San Jose, the best way to get to Playa Uvita is to fly in to the Juan Santamaria International Airport near San Jose, and then catch a bus to Quepos, Dominical, or San Isidro de El General. From here, you can get another bus to Playa Uvita, which is a short drive away. An alternative option for tourists is to fly to the Palomar Sur Airport and then drive out to Uvita beach.

Accessible throughout the year as the weather is gorgeous most of the time, Playa Uvita is a 2-mile white sand beach with moderate waves and crystal clear blue waters. Since this beach is part of the Marino Ballena National Park, fishing and hunting any marine life is strictly prohibited. However, swimming conditions are ideal here and tourists can enjoy a variety of water sports. The best feature of Playa Uvita is its beautiful landscape with estuaries and mangrove swamps as well as its lovely local village atmosphere.

Horseback riding, snorkeling, kayaking and scuba diving are very popular activities here, while for those of you who prefer a more relaxed pace, you can go for long walks along the coast, sunbathe on the beach and enjoy the fabulous scenic beauty and marine life that Playa Uvita has to offer. A relatively quiet beach with not many tourists, you can also take a tour of the nearby Caño Island, Violines Island or Ballena Island, or you can hike to the forests and mountains a few miles away.

Accommodations are very reasonable at Playa Uvita with many budget guesthouses, hotels and rustic lodges in the area. If you want to stay on the beach, there are cabinas and rooms available for rent. There are also plenty of local and cozy bars and restaurants to eat at as well, as street side sodas (small cafes) that offer delicious local delights.

 

City Profile – Dominical

Located on Costa Rica’s amazingly beautiful Central Pacific coastline, the small village of Dominical is a surfer’s paradise where waves can reach over 10 feet high. An experienced surfer’s beach, Dominical lies some 40 kilometers south of the lovely Playa de Jaco in Puntarenas province. Attracting surfers not only from across the country, but from all over the world, this village is a great place to lie back and enjoy the various activities and water sports found around here.A tiny coastal town 28 miles south of Quepos and the gorgeous Manuel Antonio National Park, Dominical is a 4 km long beach strip, with a few hotels, lodges, resorts and restaurants in the area. With its stunning backdrop of lush green forests and palm tress, this beach is also a great place to bird watch or take a canopy tour of the surrounding locale. To get to Dominical you can either drive here from San Jose Metro Area via San Isidro de General over the Talamanca Mountains or you can get here by driving straight down the coastal highway from Quepos past the town of Hacienda Baru.

With near perfect weather all year long, Dominical has warm temperatures during the day and a cool ocean breeze by night. Many surfers who often come here usually sleep on the beach under the stars. However, there are accommodations here to suit every pocket. Dining is a fabulous experience in Dominical, especially if you love seafood. There are a number of local restaurants or ‘sodas’ in the area, which serve everything from fresh lobsters and shrimps to delicious crabs and fish.

While swimming here is near impossible with the strong swells and rip tides, one can kayak off the coast or enjoy some diving or snorkeling opportunities in the area. Horseback tours can also be arranged to the nearby Nauyaca Waterfalls, or one can visit the Marino Ballena National Park, which is home to a number of marine mammals like turtles and whales that come here seasonally to mate and nest. If you like, you can take a short day trip to the lovely Caño Island just off the coast. This island is considered one of the best adventure diving spots in the world and is home to an impressive array of underwater marine life.

 

San Buenas Golf Resort and the Environment

 

San Buenas Golf Resort approach to the environment makes them unique? The developers have a vision to create a world class ecological golf resort that is not only beautiful but affordable.

 

Recently SBGR announced that owners of certain homes will have the choice of using a solar energy system saving money while becoming energy independent. The design of the golf course focuses on using the natural landscape as much as possible.  Because of the natural landscape the developers will not have to “move” a lot of dirt. Instead the design will use the natural aspects to make a truly unique course. This will have a very positive impact on the environment. Even the drainage system is in place due to the existing sand beneath the grass.  All native trees were plotted to assure they remain with in the course.

 

It is the goal of SBGR to plant 30,000 new indigenous trees inside the development. There is a primary focus on fruit trees native to southern Costa Rica. SBGR currently has two nurseries’ that are up and operational to service their reforestation efforts. These are just a few of the things that SBGR is doing to assure that they are not just saying they are green, they are doing what needs to be done to assure they are truly “green”.   

 

Check back soon as we will explain more of the things SBGR is doing to preserve the environment.  Feel free to leave a comment with any questions you may have.

 

By: Eric Bettermann

Who is buying in San Buenas?

By: Duane Halverson

 

Some of the questions that we are asked most frequently are, “Who are buying all your lots?”  “Do they live in large cities or are they from rural areas?”  “Are they young people, middle aged, or retired?”  “Are they very wealthy or are they middle income?”  Interestingly, the answer to all these questions is YES!

 

Currently, we have buyers from Costa Rica, Canada, the United States, England, and France.  Within the United States, buyers are from Oregon to Virginia and from Minnesota to Georgia and Florida.  We have folks from large cities, such as London, England, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Los Angeles, California, and Paris, France.  We also have buyers from the rural areas in Iowa, South Dakota, and Oregon.  Buyers range in age from the mid-30’s to the late 60’s.  They are farmers, teachers, CEO’s of companies, military people, people who work for $20,000,000,000 companies, and those who are self-employed.  Some buyers are in the first quarter of their careers, while others are retired.  Some have been to Costa Rica numerous times, while others never have.  Some are planning to build a home on their property and live there all or part of the year, while others has bought lots solely as an investment.

 

Thus, the key characteristic of our buyers is not age, income level, current location, or a common reason for purchasing.  Instead, we have found that the characteristic that the overwhelming percentage of our buyers have in common is the philosophy of life, or simply “attitude.”

 

Our buyers tend to have a very positive attitude.  They see the glass as “half full,” not “half empty.”  They also have an appreciation for beauty and adventure.  Those who see life as a “cookie cutter” approach and want no new experiences are not our prospects or buyers.  Our buyers are full of life, celebrate the unexpected, such as a monkey running across the highway or a toucan in a nearby tree, and enjoy learning new things, meeting new people, learning (or trying to learn!) a different language, and trying new foods.  In other words, they are great people to be around.

 

If you have purchased one of our properties, we say, “Thank you and welcome aboard!”  If you haven’t considered purchasing, the obvious question is, “Why not?”  Come and join us in a truly great lifetime experience.

Why the San Buenas Golf Resort Clubhouse Condominiums are a wise choice!

Why the San Buenas Golf Resort Clubhouse Condominiums are a wise choice!

 

• PRICE: Starting at $189,900 Fully Furnished
• Only $10,000 down into Escrow
• Considerably less expensive then competitor pricing
• High Priority Rental
• Two Golf Memberships included
• Membership is transferable to renters
• Play a championship course for $25 a round
• Dinning
• Spa
• Exercise
• Concierge services
• Property management
• Great return on your investment  

For only $10,000 down into escrow you can secure your piece of paradise at San Buenas Golf Resort in Costa Rica. Your deposit will be held in escrow until construction begins; below you will find a pay schedule. The earlier you buy, the sooner you will start building equity. Once these sell out the value of these units will be much higher then current pricing.

 

These units will be high priority rentals as they are actually part of the clubhouse facility. These will be great units for those seeking a vacation in a golfing paradise. Because your two golf memberships are transferable to your renters, these units are of exceptional value. Rounds for members are estimated to be $25.00 a round compared to $100 for non-members.

 

Condo Pay Schedule  

• $10,000 to reserve
  • Once designs are finalized (est. January 31, 2008), you will be notified and have 10 days to pick unit and make a 20% down payment. *Note you have 10 days due diligence if in that 10 days you request a refund you will receive all funds back. If no return request are made prior to 10 days the deposit is non-refundable.
  • 25% down on the day the building’s foundation is started.
  • 25% down when construction of  the walls of the first unit in the building begins.
  • 20% when construction of the roof begins
  • 10% at closing
• Inventory now available: Clubhouse condos
  • 1 BR studio – 800 sq ft
  • Rental income
  • Fully furnished – these are 100% turnkey units
• There are only twenty-four (24) of these clubhouse units available.
  • Located in clubhouse complex, which includes putting green, clubhouse, bar, restaurant
  • Owners of these twenty four units will be included in the Condo/Hotel inventory
  • Owners receive 60% of the rental income 

Below you will see the proposed rental returns.

   

* Proposed rental rates are projections and may vary upon project completion. These figures are not guarantees and are only examples of what a unit may or may not earn. 

 

Current proposed rates are: $4,500/month, $1,200/week and $250/day.  

  

Monthly (per year) ($150/per night)  

40%	60%	80%
$21,600	$32,400	$43,200

 

Weekly (per year) ($171/per night)  

40%	60%	80%
$24,960	$38,520	$49,920

 

Daily (per year) ($250/per night)  

40%	60%	80%
$36,500	$54,750	$73,000

 

By: Jim Gale CEO San Buenas Golf Resort

Nick Halverson Costa Rica Update July 2008

 

I returned from a three week trip earlier this month and I wanted to update all of you as to the latest news on our San Buenas Golf Resort project and Costa Rica.

 

Costa Rica’s environment enabled the grass to grow at a great rate. The standard grow time before transferring to another location is generally 70 – 75 days. However, Rob believes we will be able to transfer the first cut around 55 days. We will be using the turf initially on the driving range which we hope to have open by year’s end.

San Buenas Golf Resort Update

The paspalum Platinum TE grass was delivered and put down by the second week of June. The grass was delivered in a refrigerated container and then applied by hand over a three day period. One of our customers in Phase I, who is building a house on Phase I who is also a turf farmer in the United States, was with me when we arrived to take the photos below. He and Rob Cuncic, our turf expert, had a great conversation about turf, genetics and growing turf in Costa Rica.

 

Costa Rica’s environment enabled the grass to grow at a great rate. The standard grow time before transferring to another location is generally 70 – 75 days. However, Rob believes we will be able to transfer the first cut around 55 days. We will be using the turf initially on the driving range which we hope to have open by year’s end.

San Buenas Golf Resort is committed to replanting/re-foresting the land where the project is located. The land was stripped of its original trees decades ago and we intend on bringing back the original beauty that this land deserves. Between the two nursery’s on Phase I and Phase II there are almost 14,000 plant and tree seedlings that will be planted throughout the development.  This will help attract native wildlife and will greatly enhance the look and the value of the land. The genetic mother of each group of trees and plants is registered and used to prevent cross-pollination of geneticly ‘related’ plants.  Our forestal engineer, Ing. Pablo Castillo Baldares,  advises us to keep pollinating with different strains of the same plant to ensure the most healthy and robust strains will be grown.

 

San Buenas is now proud to offer title insurance and financing on all Phase I lots through Chicago Title. Please contact us for more details.

 

Community

 

San Buenas Golf Resort continues to help the surrounding community with numerous projects. We decided to send our crew of workers to help build the public school in San Buenaventura. The success of this project is tied directly to the success and employment of the local community. We are ensuring that our development makes the smallest environmental impact as possible, while at the same time, ensuring that the local community grows with us. We employ all local workers and are training them for not only their current job, but also what their roles/responsibilities will be in the future.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s tourism continues to grow at a double digit rate. ICT (Costa Rica Tourism Board) expects over two million visitors this year!

 

The United Nations also rated Costa Rica schools as the second-best (second only to Cuba) in all of South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Costa Rica’s continued commitment to education is just one of many reasons why it is routinely a top destination for international corporations looking for a talented employee pool.

 

Wildlife

What would a recap of a trip to Costa Rica be without a couple of beautiful photos? I took these photos in the same week while going to/from Dominical/ San Isidro del General.

I will be back down in Costa Rica from August 14 – 28^th. It would be great to see you in paradise! 

 

 

Nick Halverson holding a sloth that was in the middle of the road from Dominical to San Isidro. The sloth was put back in the jungle.