Green Forest Owners

Five Years and Counting...

2011-08-19T22:01:00Z

It's hard to believe, but it has been five years since we started doing property management in Green Forest of Coco Beach community.

Last three years were very challenging due the general economic situation, there has been considerably less tourists in Coco and in our community and average occupancy went down from 60-64% in the year 2008-2009 to just 30-35% in the year 2009-2010. We expect it be a little better this year though.

Our community became a true "Green Forest" in the last few years with the lush vegetation, lots of new plants and shrubs. Just in the last year we planted over 200 new plants in Green Forest at no extra charge to you.

You can see updated photos of the community HERE

Last fall we painted the outside walls of the buildings and repaired the ceilings only at cost of materials.

This year, we repaired the cracks around the swimming pool and removed some of the roots of the Guanacaste tree at the South end of the pool which were causing the cracks. We also cut the branches of the trees overhanging the clay roofs and causing damage to the clay roof tiles.

We can proudly say now, that Green Forest of Coco Beach studio community is one of the nicest studio communities in town and we ran it at the lowest cost in town keeping condo fees at US$70.00 per month for the last two years.

None of the communities in town has such a low condo fee!

Unfortunately, we are about to change it...

Due to the fact that inflation in the country has been on the level 6-7% in the last two years and by the law the minimum salaries were increased twice about 3% last year and abt 3.5% this year, so we can not fit into our budget any more with the condo fees $70.00 per moth and have to increase it about 7%.

Please take a note that we shall start charging a condo fee of US$75.00 per unit per month as of September 1, 2011. This amount will be fixed for at least 1 calendar year, though we do expect another minimum salaries increase by the end of 2011.

Here is the budget for the year 2011-2012:-
1. Security Patrol every hour + 2 security cameras monitoring: US$550.00 per month;
2. Professional Pool Treatment 4 times per month: $60.00 per month;
3. Half Time gardener - US$200.00 per month;
4. Half Time Handy Man - US$300.00 per month;
5. Half Time administrator - US$360.00 per month;
6. Half Time accountant - US$150.00 per month;
7. Chemicals for the garden and cleaning materials: US$70.00 per month
Total Operational Cost: US$1,690.00
Property Management Company admin fee 25%
Total cost US$2,253.00 or US$75.00 per studio unit per month.

Please do not hesitate to contact us, if you have any questions or suggestions.

Best regards,
Serguei Galkine
Agency:     Tropical Felgate
Phone:     +506-2670-1750
Cell:     +506-8701-7951
Fax:     +506-2670-1750
Business:     +1(646)-652-6430
Address:     Unit 13, Green Forest of Coco Beach, Urbanisacion Las Palmas
City:     Playas del Coco
State:     Guanacaste 5019
Country:     Costa Rica

New "Paying the Bills" Policy from February 1, 2011

2011-01-19T14:43:00Z

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Dear Vacation Rental Property Owners,
Despite our numeral appeals to you to pay your dues on time, we still have to "chase" quite a few of the owners every month and on average the management company has to pay US$2,000-3,000 every month for those people who do not keep their balance with us in credit. This means that we have to give a credit for up to 3 months to the owners who neglect paying on time.

You should realize that the money we collect from you go towards paying tyour bills and salaries to the maintenance staff.
We have kept condo fee charges in the communities where we do Property management at the lowest level among all management companies. We do not charge for "Bill Payment" service and expect your understanding and co-operation on this issue.

You should also realize that all utilities providing companies - Coopeguanacaste / AYA / Amnet - terminate their service and/or remove electric / water meters on the property practicaly the next day when the payment is due and not paid.

To reconnection of the service cost time and money. For example you would have to spend a couple of hours in the Coopeguanacaste or AyA office to apply for reconnection and pay over $60 dollars to the suppliers.

If we did not pay the bills for your unit for the reason that you do not have funds on your account, you would have to do the above.

Most of the owners, who have their units in our rental management, don't have to worry, as their units have a positive balance at all times, but please remember that you have to have at least US$150 positive balance when you are requesting your rental income to be paid to you.

Those properties owners, where we just pay the bills as a favor without any charge for this service, would have to keep a positive balance of at least US$150.00 on your account with us at all times.

We shall not be able to pay your bills, if your balance does not cover the amount to be paid.

In those cases where electric / water meters were removed by the utilities supplier for non-payment, we will not be able to apply for re-installation of the meters unless we have a valid limited Power of Attorney to do so on your behalf (utilities companies requirements). If we do so, in addition to the utilities suppliers charges, we reserve the right to charge you administration fee from US$50 to US$100 for each case, depending on actual time and efforts spent.

I hope that the above is self explanatory, and we are sorry for any inconveniences caused.

Sincerely,
S. Galkine
Tropical Felgate (Costa Rica) LLC LTDA

Full "Turn Key" Furniture & Appliances Packages are available for installation right now!

2010-11-08T15:23:00Z

For those who don't like the "mañana"

attitude ( I know, I don't...), we have just a few 2 bed/ 1 bath full furniture and appliances sets available for installation right now.

Very attractive price which is 20-25% less than any good local supplier could offer and quick quality installation. Price includes the cost of installation.

See already furnished 2 bed / 2 bath and studio units here:http://www.1costarica.net/Furnishing_Service/page_2382793.html

You can download a full inventory and price quotation on the same page.

Please note that we have limited availability for immediate installation and the orders will be completed on a "first come, first served" basis.

Brgds,
S. Galkine

Comments of the owners about buying new chairs...

2010-03-23T17:07:00Z

1- GF5 Quote - Probably, better to buy chairs made in C-R and change them every 1,5 years.. As I remember, the old stuff looked very ugly and not only fabric.... And, it seems to me, these days are the time to minimize owner's expenses. - GF5 Owner, Natalia - Unquote.

2 - GF8 Quote - I agree I think we should go with the number 1 option. After all you get what you pay for. GF8 Owner, Jason - Unquote.

3 - GF1 Quote - We vote for option #1. GF1 owner, Judith - Unquote

4- GF28 Quote - Cheap plastic. Nice ones could be stolen. Plastic can be power washed and repainted every year. GF28 Owner - Scott - Unquote.
Manager's comment: To power wash the chairs, we would need to have a power washer which is here in CR is at least US$450-500. To repaint the plastic??? I don't think it's a good idea.

5 - GF18 and 26 Quote - I am ok with option #1 - GF18 and 26 owner, Yelena - Unquote.

6 - GF10 Quote - I would vote for option one and the better quality chairs. - GF10 owner, Kevin - Unquote.

7 - GF27 Quote - For us, we prefer the option number 1. And the decision of the majority will be mine. - GF27 - André.

8 - GF3 Quote - It is OK for me for the option 1, but i would like, if the chairs break, you do something to fix it and no to put these in the garbage I am owner here and i want chair in GOOD shape, the respect of the environment is for all the people here, especially, it is important to respect that for the people who renting studio. GF3 Owner - Manon

We need to buy new lounge chairs for Green Forest!

2010-03-22T19:14:00Z

Hi guys,
It has been three and a half years since we bought the lounge chairs for the pool area and we have been trying to maintain them carefully. In the last year, we have been trying to patch them and repair, but by now they are completely ruined.

The frame is still fine, but the fabric is gone. We have tryed to find the fabric alone, so that we could repair it, but it appears that this kind of durable chairs are not produced in Costa Rica and therefore no replacement fabric is available.

To make it short, we need to buy at least six new chairs as we have received a lot of complaints about it from the owners and tenants recently.

There's a few options to consider.

1. We can buy the same chairs and know that at least for 3 years we are fine. The cost is US$230 per piece or US$1,380.00 in total or US$46.00 per studio unit;

2. We can buy a very bad copy of the the above chairs made in Costa Rica at US$115.00 per piece or US$690.00 in total or US$23 per studio unit. I have looked at all options and from the look of it these chairs probably not going to last for more than a year;

3. We can buy white plastic chairs which are about the same price US$115.00 per piece or US$23 per studio unit. These onece are OK, but after 8-9 months they tent to loose colour and get a really ugly - dirty look and you can not do anything about it.

Please write to me which option you would prefer us to go with.

The current state of the chairs pictures is available here:

http://www.1costarica.net/photos/green_forest_photogallery/default.aspx

Brgds,

S. Galkine

New Washing Machine for Green Forest

2009-08-28T11:21:00Z

Hi guys,

As per our email a few weeks ago regarding buying a new washing machine for Green Forest of Coco Beach community:-

After the last repair, the washing machine finally died beyond repairs and we had to buy a new one.

We bought a semi-industrial Whirlpool machine for US$525.00, which make a charge of US$17.50 per unit. This charge will be reflected on your next statement.

The original of the sales invoice is available in our Green Forest office and the copy could be found as an attachment with this message.

Best regards,
Administration

Admin Notes

2009-03-14T00:10:00Z

This page is intended solely for Green Forest of Coco Beach Owners use.

If you are not an owner, please use our general blog.