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Approximately how much would you expect to pay a caretaker in the Lake Arenal area (outside of Nuevo Arenal)? We wouldn’t need much more than a presence for security purposes, and I don’t really know whether we’d need that if we were permanent residents. Are burglaries and home invasions a problem in this area?
well, if your worried about A home invasion whats a caretaker with garden tools gonna do?
unless of course he has a pretty ho hanging in the shed.[quote=”wspeed1195″]well, if your worried about A home invasion whats a caretaker with garden tools gonna do?
unless of course he has a pretty ho hanging in the shed.[/quote]Thanks, that’s helpful. If it’s a stupid question, I apologize, but my understanding is that you’re less likely to get messed with if you have local people looking out for you.
[quote=”evrodd”][quote=”wspeed1195″]well, if your worried about A home invasion whats a caretaker with garden tools gonna do?
unless of course he has a pretty ho hanging in the shed.[/quote]Thanks, that’s helpful. If it’s a stupid question, I apologize, but my understanding is that you’re less likely to get messed with if you have local people looking out for you.[/quote]it was tounge in cheek,yet too,the thing about any area,is that immidiate vicinity with which you live in.your relationship to the community etc. etc.
when I lived on calle Hermossa folks got robbed rather regularly.I had an apt. on one end,where my brother lived.he had to have the amenities,A/C hot water,full fridge and stove,cable,A real piece of american architecture he is.
me,I lived at the old yoga camp, in A cabina,in both places we were friendly with everyone, the local folk and the gringitos. we never ever had issues for the whole year,yet all totaled about 14 crimes of the robbery ilk took place.
really,it is about presence though.at some point the goal should be to be aware of whether they are just penny ante or for real invaders.[quote=”evrodd”]Approximately how much would you expect to pay a caretaker in the Lake Arenal area (outside of Nuevo Arenal)? We wouldn’t need much more than a presence for security purposes, and I don’t really know whether we’d need that if we were permanent residents. Are burglaries and home invasions a problem in this area?[/quote]
First is the matter of [b]someone you can trust[/b], Tico or Gringo.
I watch a home for part imers who are renting their home but my responsibilities are more complex in that I respond to issues of repairs to the property. So far including finding and contracting repairs to the roof, the driveway, the septic system, responding to renter complaints, etc. and accepted 10% of the monthly rental as a fee.
One thing I would suggest is a monthly inspection of the premesis inside for problems like the leaking roof (or after high wind or heavy rain conditions) to protect your asset. Other than that a look to make sure there are no squatters every two or three days might be all that is necessary. Robbery would be almost unpreventable if it is known that the property is unoccupied.
The best bet would to negotiate something on contract with stipulations regarding adverse occupation and reasonable interior damage due to Mother Nature. Could be as little as 20,000 colones per month.
[i]Could be as little as 20,000 colones per month[/i]….or a whole lot more!
This would depend on what needs to be done. If your help has to cut the grass, look after a garden and other tasks that you require they do the cost will rise accordingly.
An empty house is a prime target…anywhere here.[quote=”costaricafinca”][i]Could be as little as 20,000 colones per month[/i]….or a whole lot more!
This would depend on what needs to be done. If your help has to cut the grass, look after a garden and other tasks that you require they do the cost will rise accordingly.
An empty house is a prime target…anywhere here.[/quote]I am in agreement with finca. My job is to simply oversee what is needed for the property. For my own property I currently pay 30,000 per month to maintain 3/4 acre of grass and maintain trees and shrubery and another 30,000 every 3 months to maintain an extensive and difficult hillside area. This is also in the Ciudad Colon area near San Jose and wages may vary somewhat.
Never hire a Tico for anything ,nore let him live on the property, without a written agreement or contract drawn by a lawyer and signed by the labour department !! I have learned a lot in 19 years in Costa Rica about the Ticos and their “helpfulness”, and come to the conclusion that if I built a house again I would prefer a high security system (bars, alarm system, 10 pitbull dogs) or anything else but a Tico on my property.
We have a recent case here in the neighbourhood, an american lady, because of compassion and generosity, lets a Tico family (man, wife, daughter) live in her house during her absence (3 1/2 months) because the Tico was crying her ears full that he had no place to stay and nowhere to go. They agreed that he would live in the house for free, only pay utilities. He also would mow the property with his own mashine 1 x month, her paying him 200 $ as a firm price for that job. As this job was only taking a few days, he would find other jobs somewhere else. After 3 1/2 months the owner comes back to Costa Rica, the Tico goes to court, claiming severance pay, extra hours etc. he had no witnesses, the owner of the house had 2 witnesses. Nevertheless, the judge ruled in the Ticos favour, twisting and bending all the testimonies. The owner of the house shall pay him 3000 Dollars, plus 460 $ court costs !!! For a fulltime job, extra hours as a fulltime guard, christmas bonus, vacation pay, unemployment benefits, and others.This means that someone who lives/sleeps on your property, and does some parttime work, may cost you as much as 1200 $ per month. 👿
[quote=”evrodd”]Approximately how much would you expect to pay a caretaker in the Lake Arenal area (outside of Nuevo Arenal)? We wouldn’t need much more than a presence for security purposes, and I don’t really know whether we’d need that if we were permanent residents. Are burglaries and home invasions a problem in this area?[/quote]
Unfortunately yes, there is a certain crime rate in the Nuevo Arenal area.
Expenses also depend on the size of the property.
I am property-managing two neighbouring properties (2 homes plus 2 utility buildings on a total of 9 acres), they have a fulltime gardener and a “sleeping-guard”.
The gardener gets 440 $ per month, the Guard 490 $ per month. You may add another 50 % to that for social security, insurance, end of year benefits etc. Makes almost 1400 $ per month. Plus expenses for home insurance, repairs, tools, fuel, weed quimicals etc. Plus property management fees 😉
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