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According to La Nacion, http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/febrero/16/economia1870958.html, The National Institute of Statistics and Census, INEC, http://www.inec.go.cr, recently published its analysis for commercial and residential construction. The INEC study indicates that the price of steel rebar fell 5% to 8% and PVC pipe, steel laminate and paint fell 3% over the last three months.
Additionally, the overall cost of housing construction fell 2.5% in the last quarter of 2008. However, this INEC index has limitations, because the 25 building materials used is the analysis were chosen 34 years ago, before more expensive finish products became available here.
Unfortunately, because the building material cost reductions are recent, most new housing on the market does not reflect the lower costs.
The lower cost of local building materials is a direct result of lower international prices of raw materials based on much less demand for housing worldwide. However, the local price reductions are mild compared to the international market and three factors limit the local construction cost reductions.
1. Increasing labor related costs
2. Existing inventories of completed construction
3. Use of more expensive finish building products
Overall housing cost reduction perspective – A 2000 square foot basic home, at $50 per square foot, would cost $100,000.00. A 2.5% reduction in cost reflects a savings of $2,500.Edited on Feb 16, 2009 12:30
Edited on Feb 16, 2009 12:31
You are correct, today’s politicians have absolutely no shame. History has repeatedly told us but we are very good at forgetting and forgiving our elected public officials who greatly profit from the upturns and lay low during the downturns.
Civilians need to plan for reality and prepare to make business and lifestyle adjustments. We are not insulated like the politicians and their lobbying buddies. The U.S. recession has caused worldwide economic repositioning.
Moreover, the USA’s recessions have always resulted in many years of recovery. The recovery periods last much longer than the downturns. Look at how long the Resolution Trust Corporation, (RTC) functioned, as the US government-owned asset management company mandated to liquidate assets of real estate and mortgage loans, as a consequence of the savings and loan crisis of the 1980’s. The RTC was established in August of 1989 and was closed in December 1995.
Do any current events sound similar?
Who benefited from the Savings and Loans blindly lending money that resulted in a huge recession, lasting six years? Another generation of politicians, that’s who. They eased the consumer protection laws, allowing the huge mortgage companies to bury inexperienced consumers with mortgages they could not afford.
Are you willing and able to ride out the next recession for six years?
The current recession has increased foreign investors and international company’s interest to search globally for “safe havens” in emerging economies offshore. What does that mean to the average North American civilian? It means there are less jobs and less consumer spending which will affect everyone in North America for an undetermined period of time.Every new administration blames the previous for inherited problems, but the hollywood cowboy turned politician, Ronald Reagan is the real culprit. He and his star studded gang of politicians opened up a whole new can of worms by allowing the savings and loans to spread their conservative depositor’s savings across a whole new playing field of politically controlled versus conservative banking lending practices. I was building homes and developing lots when the interest rates were 21% and know first hand how construction and land development loans were put on hold for new businesses and approved very conservatively to experienced businessmen until the banks officers felt the market was feasible to add more inventory. Before Reaganism, you could count on the local banking officers to monitor and control their respective markets. Even though the housing market was tight, we were able to slowly move forward and make a little money because the banks didn’t cut off the supply of loans, they just cut back. That was before lawyers took out full page ads in the yellow book offering chapter 11 relief to the unknowing who were led to believe that they could protect their own personal assets without having to cut back if they paid the new breed of greedy lawyers instead of tightening their own belts. Since then, the housing market has been raped by greedy politicians and their special interest groups who removed the conservative banking guidelines of the past so they could have their way with the unknowing consumers who were bred through marketing and advertising to buy all they can afford and spend until the end. And the end is now upon them. Traditional real estate investors have never had the luxury of buying and selling at will like those big-time speculators on Wall Street. However, conservative real estate investors that have stuck to the old conservative investment methods are still able to enjoy the benefits of their modest and comfortable lifestyles. A wise man once told me to not let your greed exceed your need. Those have turned out to be very wise words to live by as the free-spending Wall Street yuppies have fallen like leaves off dead trees. So let’s blame Ronald Reagan who can no longer stand up for himself and leave Bush Jr. alone to write his million dollar memoirs.
I think Obama’s plan to create new money out of thin air is brilliant.
Spending an additional $1 trillion of newly created taxpayer money to further support the troubled banks is a creative method of paying back Obama constituents for their stellar political support. Additionally, their new economic stimulus bill will enable the government to become involved in the management of markets and banks in ways not seen since the great depression. That means more jobs for more Obama supporters. The writing is on the wall in bold CAPS. The Obama administration will have a far greater role in markets and banks than at any time since the 1930s. The concept of the US government exercising its majority control of US financial institutions and putting all US citizens on an allowance is becoming more credible. Additionally, I think the Costa Rican government’s new residency requirements are an intelligent preemptive measure to prevent impoverished Americans from moving to Costa Rica with insufficient means of support.When you are considering building housing in Costa Rica the exterior installations are very important because no matter where you’re located in this country, we’re less than 10 degrees from the equator and the UV impact on building materials causes pre-mature deterioration. As anywhere else in the world, you will get what you pay for and I recommend appropriating as much money as necessary for quality windows and doors. Below are some of the finest exterior windows and doors that are available in Costa Rica.
http://na.rehau.com/construction/index.shtml. Rehau, system 700 replacement double-hung and double-slider. The system 700 double-hung and double-slider window design provides long-lasting and trouble-free elegance for residential and light commercial replacement applications. The system is available in white or beige PVC, and can be laminated with solid color or wood grain foils.
http://www.euromatcr.com/p_costrustoras_arquitectos.html. Euromat offers high-quality wooden windows including many options that are practical for the environment in Costa Rica. They offer anti-theft windows, http://www.euromatcr.com/anti_robo.html as well as energy efficient reflective coated windows which are ideal to defer the strong UV rays of the sun. http://www.euromatcr.com/contra_sol_y_luz_ultravioleta.htmlWe all have the right to read and hear what we prefer and every person has their own unique interpretations. The New York Post and Fox News headlines detailed what Obama said and the White House confirmed his statements. Unfortunately, the average reader believes that what is written in the headlines is factual. FOX NEWS – Obama: “Quit Listening to Rush Limbaugh if You Want to Get Things Done” Obama warned Republicans to quit listening to Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats, during a White House discussion on his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package.
Others may be reading between the lines, however, I read exactly what Obama said and he warned Republicans to quit listening to Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats. Apparently Obama thinks he has the right to warn opposing politicians and the American public via the media, as to what they should and should not read and listen to. Furthermore, Sprite feels the right to post that “Chromebuilder may have only heard what he wanted to hear which is indicative of a pre set opinion of Obama.” Public statements via the internet and the media can be dangerous when one person’s words offend others. I’m personally offended by Sprites posting that I heard only what I wanted to hear. I respect the opinions of all WLCR members and refrain from criticizing anyone. Additionally, I’m of the opinion that none of us, including President Obama have the right to assume what other individuals should hear and think.Bamboo Construction Considerations in Costa Rica
If you do not have well trained bamboo craftsmen and an abundant supply of bamboo, it is not practical to consider building with bamboo. 80% of construction costs on any bamboo project go to paying the trained craftsmen who have learned the specialized trade of installing the bamboo. I’ve been building housing in CR since 1992 and have yet to meet any trained bamboo craftsmen.
Bamboo-framed structures need to be separated from the elements with a proper foundation because termites and other bugs are attracted to Bamboo. Curing the bamboo stalks is mandatory. Borax or formaldehyde liquid solutions are typically used. The chemicals that are typically used for curing bamboo are not user or environmentally friendly.
When moving to a new country, you need to consider your ability to adapt to the local culture and language before you take on any new challenging projects that will require specialized training of the local workforce. Even if you’re extremely entrepreneurial, it’s usually recommended to not attempt to re-invent the wheel during your initial adaptation process. There are thousands of local Latino construction workers in Costa Rica who are accustomed to concrete construction that you could more easily work with to complete a cost effective dwelling for you to begin your new life in paradise. Good luck!I can verify that the Tico version of haggis and Scottish whiskey result in fast intestinal combustion.
I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to enjoy real Scottish haggis prepared by a proper Scottish peasant. All invitations welcomed!Sorry. My references were deleted during the posting process. http://www.nypost.com/seven/01232009/news/politics/prez_zings_gop_foe_in_a_timulating_talk_151572.htm
and
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/23/obama-quit-listening-rush-limbaugh-want-thingsWhen the President of the USA tells Americans to quit listening to Rush Limbaugh, he is suggesting to stop supporting free speech, debate, capitalism and the free market.
According to Napolean Bonaparte, “HISTORY IS A SET OF LIES AGREED UPON”
Politicians must create new lies in order to flourish and for those folks who believe their lies and are not able to see the writing on the wall, there may still be affordable opportunities in Nicaragua.Forget about stockpiling salmon or tuna. Liquidate anything you’ve got that will fit into a carry on bag and move while you still can.
According to Uncle Barack, nobody should be listening to anyone except his new gang of tax dodging democrats. President Obama warned Republicans on Capitol Hill that they need to quit listening to radio king Rush Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats and the new administration. “You can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done,” he told top GOP leaders, whom he had invited to the White House to discuss his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01232009/news/politics/prez_zings_gop_foe_in_a_timulating_talk_151572.htm and http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/23/obama-quit-listening-rush-limbaugh-want-things
The writing is in CAP’S on the walls.
Did not Castro and Chaves remove freedom of speech in their personalized forms of governing?How does one know, how you’ll know, if you’ve waited to long to act in your own best economic interest?
Answer: When the US government exercises its majority control of the US financial institutions it has invested in and puts all US citizens on an allowance with the funds that were in the accounts of conservative depositors who were smart enough not to listen to the stock brokers and economists, but trusted their savings in USA government guaranteed institutions.
Additionally, according to Uncle Barack, nobody should be listening to anyone except his new gang of tax dodging democrats. President Obama warned Republicans on Capitol Hill that they need to quit listening to radio king Rush Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats and the new administration. “You can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done,” he told top GOP leaders, whom he had invited to the White House to discuss his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package.
The writing is in CAP’S on the walls.
Did not Castro and Chaves remove freedom of speech in their personalized forms of governing?The 28 year-old Tico making $600 p/month wouldn’t have the opportunity to make that salary if it weren’t for foreigners being attracted to Costa Rica’s resources including the emerging economy that is consistently providing new job opportunities for the locals.
There are more Ticos now than ever who are able to purchase housing here with the growth of the financial services industry which provides housing mortgages to those with full time employment and the salaries to support the payments.
Once you’ve been able to spend more time on the tierra firma in Costa Rica, you’ll begin to understand the realities of this emerging economy.The Covintec system sounds great and makes sense on paper but here in CR all the input I have received has been negative. Most contractors that have used the Covintec system have discovered that it is more practical and structurally sound to use traditional concrete block and solid concrete columns.
Many Covintec installations develop premature cracks in the concrete plaster that are unsightly and can allow infiltration of water into the wall cavity which creates mold issues. It seems that most of the challenges with this product are related to the installation techniques which are totally different than typical methods. Where labor is a large expense the system seems to make more sense. If the scope of the project is large enough you can train your laborers in the Covintec installation procedures and realize savings as well as a finer finished product.
With small projects, the learning curve of the labor is greater than desired and in Costa Rica the labor is cheaper and less of an issue. Typical methods of construction like the concrete block and column method make more sense where the labor is less expensive.
This construction system from Mexico has been used for years and is a totally different method than typical concrete block and column construction. Because of the Covintec extruded polystyrene (EPS) panel’s energy efficiency there is now new interest as related to “Green Home Building”. The EPS foam materials are lightweight, versatile, sanitary, energy efficient, and cost effective. However, the proprietary installation and finishing methods are challenging when the majority of the local tradesmen are accustomed to concrete block construction.Construction Inspections are recommended on WLCR and by satisfied Costa Developer clients. Periodic inspections of the construction in progress will insure that your dwelling will be completed up to the specifications you have contracted for. I have been building and inspecting housing in Costa Rica for over 15 years and I provide periodic construction in progress inspections for folks who are not construction oriented or those not able to be on-site during the process. There will be no way for your builder to cut corners with my periodic inspections. I review the building contract and specifications to insure that all specified materials are being installed in the correct locations and according to the time table and then administer the needed hours to inspect and take photos of the work in progress. Then I organize the photos into a report so you will have a pictorial history of your constructions progress. You can view a Construction Progress Inspection Report for a Costa Developer home at, http://groups.google.com/group/housing–property-inspections/web/construction-progress-inspection-report. If you’re a VIP member of WLCR, you can read this article which describes the inspection process.
https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/1877.cfmEdited on Jan 29, 2009 06:02
