Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Executive branch pulls measure to tax corporations

Just 24 hours after including a proposed tax on corporations in the legislative agenda, Casa Presidencial inexplicably withdrew the measure.

The action means that owners of corporations will not face a $300-plus assessment in the first 15 days of January.
Casa Presidencial withdrew the measure Thursday by means of a decree signed by President Laura Chinchilla Miranda. The day before a similar decree added the proposed tax to the legislative agenda.

During periods when the legislature is not obligated to meet under the Costa Rican Constitution, the executive branch controls the agenda.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

SJE Community Status Email

Hello All – I hope and trust that this email will reach you well.  We are rapidly approaching the 2012 year and thus need to accomplish quite a bit in order to move the HOA, as well as the SJE Development as a whole, forward.  A lot of great things have happened to SJE during the past year.

Lot #19 has almost completed their build and another small cabina is going up on lot #33 (in error, previously noted as lot #32 via the email sent).  Our properties are well maintained and remain marketable.  There are active prospective purchasers (yes plural) who we are courting and looking to close before year end or early 2012.  29 out of the 32 lot owners have helped to fund and continue the development of our Community.  Our blog averages 7 new, unique hits a day. We are on YouTube and have an active facebook page.  Our Community is now gated and lot #19 is looking to install an enhanced gate for the upper lots not covered by the gate previously shown in our blog.  Check out the blog – http://www.sanjuanilloestates.blogspot.com/ to view some of this great stuff.

2011 saw a budget short fall of approximately $5600.00.  This was mainly due to repairs and maintenance focused on our water system.  Water is our single largest priority for the remainder of the year and for what I foresee into next year.  As we were unable to reach 100% HOA funding (two lot owners have not paid 2011 and one lot has not paid 2010 or 2011), we are obligated to assume the short fall.  Rolling it into the 2012 budget, including a lot cleaning fee and the base dues previously established, a yearly HOA Due of $755.00 is being proposed for 2012.  Attached please see purposed 2012 budget.

It is important that you place vote for the proposed budget ASAP.  You can vote YES or NO and your vote is due no later than 12/16/2011.  Please email your vote to my attention.  No response by 12/16/2011 will be considered a non-vote and will not be counted, either way.  You are allowed one vote, per lot owned. 

We are proposing that we have a final year end meeting on Saturday, 12/17/2011 @ 1:00 PM.  We will determine a place and email you two weeks prior, along with a complete meeting agenda.  An (800) call-in number will also be emailed, for those who want to attend but can not make the physical meeting.

The meeting will hopefully answer any of your questions and concerns, (as well as) review aspects of the 2011 and 2012 budgets.  Focus will be placed on 1) Water, 2) Security/Caretaker, 3) Basic infrastructure and maintenance, 4) HOA/Administrator/Project Management, 5) HOA Board Transition (new nominations are needed for V.P. and Secretary), 6) Basic SJE news and status.  Again, a formal agenda with more detail will be emailed to you two weeks prior to the meeting.

There are obviously a number of questions, concerns and updates that will be addressed, other than those I have listed above.  Quite a few of you have contacted me throughout the year and I have tried my best to fit your issues into the above 6 points.  I am sure some of you have more issues, questions or concerns and I encourage you to continue to send them my way.  I will address or answer them the best I can.  Please also keep notes for anything you want discussed during the meeting.

Thanks for choosing to be a part of this.  It is ensuring that the integrity of our investment remains strong during the uncertain real estate market.

All my best, Kurt

Friday, November 11, 2011

Featured Lot of the Month - Lot #36 - $107,500.00

Check out the information on our featured Lot of the Month.  Stunning views at the Top of the Community.




Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Pic's and Progress on Lot #19

Check out the most recent Pictures posted of Lot #19's progress on their page!

The door of opportunity lies open.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Costa Rica's Million Dollar Gift of Happiness


http://www.facebook.com/visitcostarica -

Click on the above link, friend the page and enter for a chance to win!
 
another sloth
Instituto Costarricense de Turismo graphic.  After and eloquent introduction,
this sloth falls off the branch.



Sunday, October 2, 2011

Your HOA DUES at Work

Mike Cothran and Partners were down at SJE this past week reviewing their build and took pic's of the repair of the lines and valve.  Since the new pump we have encountered spotty water flow and sourced the problem back to leaks.  Problems with the valve in the water house also continue and water needs to be manually pumped by Armando.  With the continued support of the infrastructure, you are ensuring the future value of your property.

"They got the well reconnected with the main break right at the entrance to the development.  There was one break, but the backhoe broke the line in a few other places that they patched up as well.
The only thing left to fix is the float valve on the cistern tank.  It is no longer connected and therefore cannot feedback to tell the well pump when to cut off." 
Mike C.
Locating the leak



Pump House


Cistern Not Working - No Water


Water Flowing again!

    


Monday, September 26, 2011

Friday, September 16, 2011

Lot #19 - View of the House on the Hill

What a view!!!  Check out Lot #19's page for updated pic's!

Congrat's on the great work being done and the advancement of SJE to Bob & Gail, Mike and Peter.



Thursday, September 8, 2011

Another Look At Costa Rica

September 7, 2011
  • More and more Americans travel to Costa Rica in Central America every year. The reason becomes clear after your first visit. It has 5 percent of the planet’s biodiversity. The top five attractions for most travelers are all natural wonders. If you are an outdoors person, Costa Rica is one of the musts to see.
    It’s easy to fly to the main city and capital, San Jose. Most western travelers fly from Los Angeles direct to San Jose. Your flight will probably make a stop in Mexico City on your way south.
    San Jose is the largest city in Costa Rica and is located in the hills in the center of the country. It’s about a two-hour drive to both the east and west coasts. The climate is mild here all year around with temperatures similar to Los Angeles, Calif.
    There is an abundance of hotels in and around the city. I can recommend the Aurala Holiday Inn located downtown; and in the suburbs, the airport area, the Marriot Hotel where it is much quieter.
    The city was founded in 1738 and is one of the youngest capitals in Latin America. It was named the capital in 1823. It is a modern city with approximately a third of the country’s population and home to 346,800 people. San Jose offers some of the most important institutions in the country such as museums, theatres, churches, and an opera house.
    People watching is always good around the central plaza and shopping is best on Avenida Central.
    Here you will find educated people and some will speak English with you. Most are friendly and have a desire to help tourists.
    The taxis are clean and drivers also speak English. You won’t see beggars on the streets as you do in Mexico and children selling chewing gum. After a day or two you say to yourself, this isn’t like Mexico. You feel much safer.
    The government is a true democracy, unlike Mexico, and the populace seems content.
    You can rent a car in San Jose and get a map of the country and decide where you would like to visit. You can join a tour or do your own thing. The leading tourist attractions include the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, known as one of the most diverse wildlife refuges in the world. The range of animals that call Monteverde home include more than 100 mammalian species, 400 species of birds and thousands upon thousands of insect species. The plant kingdom is also well represented, featuring 2,500 species, 420 of which are orchid variations.
    Ecotourism is strong here, so you will find organizations and guides who are first and foremost interested in educating and preserving their beautiful wonderland. The reserve is a not-for-profit organization and runs the Tropical Science Center. Here, you can hike, horseback ride, zip line and do a lot of photography. The vegetation can be very thick in parts of this forest.
    The Arenal Volcano National Park is another must-see. It is currently active, last erupting in 1968. There are hotels you may stay in situated so as to provide magnificent views of the volcano. When in an automobile there are also good viewing areas just off the road.
    Within the volcano National Park there are fantastic flora and fauna examples, some of which are seen nowhere else on Earth. You will find many marked hiking trails that wind through the park and lead to lookout locations. Very near the volcano there is a visitor center with an exhibition hall.
    On the east coast is the entrance to Tortuguero National Park and only reachable by boat or aircraft. It is still one of the most visited parks in Costa Rica. The village here is the beginning point for visitors. There are hotels here that can accommodate you and this is probably the best place to join a tour group. If you do not join a tour, travel through the park can be quite complicated.
    The main reason for visiting Tortuguero National Park is the turtles. Hawksbill, Leatherback and Green Sea turtles nest and lay their eggs on the beaches in the area. The majority of egg laying happens at night, and since the park closes at 6 p.m., you will have to arrange a night visit with a tour guide in order to experience this unforgettable phenomenon.
    Also be sure to visit Barra Honda National Park. The cave systems in this park are amongst the best in the world. The small mountains of the park have been cut by water to form an amazing system of more than 40 limestone caverns. The tropical dry forest surrounding the caves is one of the most rare ecosystems on the planet. Here, you will find hiking trails to navigate this tropical dry forest region.
    Be sure to visit the ranger station to arrange a tour. Camping is allowed near the ranger station and there are also a few rustic cabins available for rental.
    Another high point is the Poas Volcano National Park. It is far from dormant and only 29 miles from San Jose.
    The best way to see this park is from its hiking trails. The crater area features exotic birds, the Poas squirrels and the pagoda-shaped Escalonia tree. You can also see and visit the lake.
    Many tourists arrange to ride a sky tram over Arenal Volcano and also spend some time in a nice hotel located on the Pacific coastal area. Costa Rican rivers offer tour boats to see the wildlife and birds. It is indeed a birders paradise. A few years ago I was with a friend and we took one of the boat tours on a river and she stated that she spotted more birds in an hour than she had experienced on an official birder tour prior. Costa Rica is loaded with natural experiences. And again, its safe and you don’t have to worry about being mugged or robbed.
    You may also wish to tour a coffee farm and see how it is grown, see the various beans that are used for the best flavors and tour the buildings where the coffee is prepared for shipping.
    If you want to go to the beaches, remember some feature regular sand, such as what we are accustomed to elsewhere, and some are black volcanic ash. Research the area you wish to visit and you will discover which beaches are sand and those with volcanic ash.
    Plan to spend at least 10 days here so as not to miss the highlights. The food is good and the water is safe. Have fun!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

HOA Member Forum

We've added an HOA Member Forum for all SJE HOA members to communicate and express fellings, opinions and thoughts. Please sign up and register. Begin and communicate topics, today!

Click on the Title of this post or find the link to the Forum below in the USEFUL LINKS at the bottom of the blog Home page.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Corporate Tax Measure Fails to Get its Final OK .

 
 
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The proposal to tax corporations ran into trouble in the Asamblea Legislativa Tuesday, the day lawmakers were expected to pass the bill for the second and final time.

The bill never came to a vote, but several legislators heaped criticism on the measure, which had passed on first reading easily with 39 votes. There was a second vote planned for Thursday but it never materialized as lawmakers ran out of time.

One lawmaker Tuesday called the measure unjust because it taxes a small corporation the same amount as a large one.

Meanwhile lawmakers became involved in budgetary discussions.

President Laura Chinchilla is counting on passage to raise 37 billion colons to pay for a police school and other security expenses. Some opposition lawmakers are reluctant to provide any new funding for the central administration.

The proposal would tax a corporation or other forms of ownership about $316 and an inactive corporation about half that. The bill is important to expats because many hold their vehicles and homes in corporate ownership.

One lawmaker expressed concern over a provision that would allow corporate owners to remove property from the legal entity without paying a transfer tax. The provision was included to give corporation owners a chance to put the properties or vehicles in their own name and kill the corporation.




Thursday, August 4, 2011

Google Maps - San Jaunillo Estates

Ever wonder where SJE is on Google Maps?

Click on the Title of this Post and get transported there! Or see below! 


View Larger Map

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Official HOA blog

Follow http://sanjuanilloestates.blogspot.com/ for any official HOA information.

Proceeds gained from my marketing site will be put into the HOA account for future community growth/development, charitable giving and to help keep HOA dues down!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Private Water Users Association Patas Pequeñas / ASADA

Subject: RV: Private Water Users Association Patas Pequeñas

Dear Patas Pequeñas Project´s Lots Owners

Mr Joaquin García, the environmental consultant hired by the Patas Pequeñas Project´s developers obtained an authorization from AyA (Costar Rican water regulatory entity) for the incorporation of a Private Water Users Association (ASADA for its name in Spanish).

The ASADAS are the legal entities authorized by law to own, manage and provide water services in those areas were the public service is not available.  Through the incorporation of the ASADA for  the project, all of you, acting as owners will secure not only the provision of the service for your property but also to become a member of this association with the correspondent rights to vote (something very important when deciding about investment, budgets, board of directors, etc).
Please take note that even when ASADAS are not authorized to turn the water supplying service into a business (they must strictly work under “operating cost” basis), they must define a service tariff that covers the water service provision itself plus maintenance and replacement of equipment (tanks, pumps, pipes) among other expenses.   All of these subjects will be discussed and voted accordingly.

As lots owners, we strongly recommend you to become a member of this ASADA to be incorporated so you your vote will be part of further decisions on this regards. Additionally becoming a founding member of the ASADA will secure the right to become one of the properties been served by the water system located in the project. Considering that each lot was registry under the name of corporations (where you were appointed as shareholders and representatives), we need these companies to grant an authorization so we can represent them as part of this act of incorporation.
As you may remember, our law firm has a limited power of attorney that allows us to represent your company upon specific authorization to be provided by the client. Then, if you want us to represent your company as founder member of the Nosara Patas Pequeñas ASADA, please fill and send  the authorization enclosed (indicating your company name and lot number): This can be send to us as scanned image or by fax (dial 011-506-2288-65-65).  Original document has to be sent to my PO Box in the US:
Ricardo Cordero
Interlink 715
Box 669435
Miami, FL 33166

Due to the fact that the incorporation of this ASADA is a top priority for the developing company, this authorization (at least the scanned image or fax) has to be received no later than July the 31st.  If we do not get this authorization by then, we will assume you do not want your company to become member of the Nosara Patas Pequeñas ASADA.

For your reference, I also include below a list of owning companies, lot numbers and owners.
Best regards

Ricardo Cordero
Partner

Friday, July 1, 2011

San Juanillo Estates HOA – Minutes of June 29, 2011

San Juanillo Estates HOA – Minutes of June 29, 2011
prepered by: Sandra Brillhart, SJE HOA Sec.


Attendees – (via phone unless otherwise noted)
Kurt Becker – in person
Mike Fitzgerald – in person
Bob Demos
Bryan/ Sandy Brillhart
Bob/ Gail Hartin
Mike Cothrin
Jim Bowdler


Dave Morgan
Tyler Anthony
Ron di Gregorio
Bob Munro
Glen Auwarter – in person
Ken Seikman – in person


Agenda: 2010 uncollected dues, 2011 budget, equitable cost sharing for 2011, administrator, caretaker, communications
Key Developer Points
• Not going to commit to pay dues for unsold lots, but will commit to funding budget shortfall up to $4320 under specific conditions which will be further explained
• Developers fulfilled obligations to provide all lots with access, water and electricity
• Developers exceeded obligations by building caretaker house and funding caretaker position for years and carrying expenses in 2011
• Formation of HOA was not envisioned when lots were first sold in 2006
• 9 unsold lots remaining
Key Lot Owner Points
• Need for improved communication and information on activities of employees and developers
• Need to ensure that developers and owners are equitably sharing costs
• Need to support caretaker and administrator positions
• Need for transparency and accountability in fiscal matters
• Need to support ASADA and recognition of efforts of Developers in obtaining ASADA
Action Items
• HOA President-Call for vote on 2011 budget
• Developers – provide clarification on budget and respond to question regarding their commitment on budget shortfall
• HOA – ask Monique to reconsider her resignation and continue to serve as Administrator
• HOA- collect dues for 2011


Left to Right - Mike Fitzgearld, Ken Seickman, Kurt Becker


Left to Right - Mike Fitzgearld, KenSeickamn, Glen Auwarter


Saturday, June 25, 2011

Join Us to Voice Your Opinion on Wed. June 29th

Hello HOA Member, Developer and Lot Owner –

I hope you are enjoying your summer, wherever in the world you may be. Thank you for your patience over the past week or so.

On Wednesday, June 29TH @ 7:00 PM US EST we will be holding a meeting for anyone who would like to attend in Pennsauken, NJ. We welcome and encourage you to attend. If you are unable to physically be there but want to listen in or make comment, we will be emailing an (800) conference call number and call-in-code on Monday, for you to access.

An agenda, hopefully addressing all HOA Member concerns, will be drafted and sent Monday, along with the (800) number. There are a number of concerns and issues. I hope this meeting will be the proper format to address them. In the meantime, please feel free to send me any and all of your concerns so that they can be added to the agenda. Again, I hope to send a draft out by Monday evening.

Thanks again for your patience and participation. All my best,

Kurt W. Becker
SJE HOA President

Monday, March 21, 2011

First SJE HOA/Developer Meeting in Costa Rica

A joint SJE HOA/Developer meeting in Costa Rica was held on Wed. March 2, 2011. 

We walked San Juanillo Estates, inspecting road conditions, water supply, drainage, erosion, lot clearing, caretaker house, and the site of the first home in our community.


Left to right, Sandy and Bryan Brillhart, Monique and Bob Munro, and Kurt Becker.