We finally have the first round of title papers to confirm that we can make a formal offer to buy the vacant lot in Rio San Juan (RSJ) to begin building the outreach center. It was, as all things are, an amazingly frustrating and typical process. Six weeks of waiting for one simple piece of paper. Attorneys here are slow and lie a lot. Always say the papers will be here tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes. Finally, after telling the owner that their attorney was bad (malo), he actually got another one. And, it took the new one 3 days to get the papers.
But, the good news is that we do have a copy of the owner’s title for the property, so we have engaged our attorney to put together a buy/sell contract; begin title search, and hopefully in about 2 months, we’ll be the owner of a vacant lot.
Several good things have happened. For one, we were expecting the price of the property to be about $30,000, but, if we understand the property owner correctly (which is a big if), the price is actually around $24,000. Not sure why or how the original price got confused. But, we suspect our own local assistance was asking for a “middle man” commission, and when we excluded him from the deal, the price lowered. Keep in mind this guy is one of the locals working with us, so it’s been a real challenge to understand why he’d try to get a commission as our representative. But, the property representative told us about it, and we confronted him. He, of course, denied everything. So, the truth is probably somewhere out there possibly never to be found.
In any case, we’re off and running. Also working on plans to submit to the town for approval. If you are native and/or know the right people, plans are unnecessary, but since we’re foreigners they’ll probably require “fees and payments” before we get approval. All in the name of God, for the children.
The building will basically take up the entire lot (only about 63 feet by 63 feet). About 3600 square feet per floor, with 3 floors likely (if approved). First floor will be generally meeting area, second floor offices and classrooms; third floor will be living quarters. Little or no green areas, but for the price and location, it’s ideal for our continued outreach to the children and people of RSJ.
The other time has been spent getting to know the area more. I was in Santiago before, so getting to know RSJ better. And, getting settled in. Finding stores that sale what you want is like a treasure hunt. No Wal-Mart’s here. You’re fortunate if you find what you want in 5 stores. But generally, you settle on about finding 60-70% of what you wanted, and live the rest for when you make a trip over the mountain to Santiago.
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1 comment:
Norm,
Wow! I am so sorry for the loss of your grandmother, and for the loss of Shane. You and the Wallaces have been through a lot.
I just read all the way back to Thanksgiving - shame on me. I will try to do better in keeping up.
I had a grandmother like the one you described. She was my mother's mother. There were only two of us grandkids on that side. On my dad's side there were "hundred's" of us.
There was nothing Sam and I could do that was not just the most brilliant thing anyone could imagine. "Nina" (pronounced "nih nah") was a loyal, but non-attneding, methodist and a die hard democrat. She has pictures of two men on her wall, Franklin Rooseveldt and John Kennedy. She also had a brass paperweight of Rooseveldt which I still have on my computer table. She lived in a federal housing project in Memphis, clear across town from us, but I would frequently ride my bike over to see her. There was always a coke ready for me from the fridge. Around the holidays there was the very best "boiled custard" (egg nog without the obnoxious nutmeg). I remember that she would never eat with us. Whoever was there, she insisted on standing as the server. That included the black postman whom she always invited in for something cold to drink. I didn't raelize how controversial she must have been until after she was dead. I so look forward to seeing her again.
BTW, I am writing from my brand new laptop. It took me a week to get everything transferred, but I think I am set up now. I am loving it.
I am trying to get set up on nettelephone. Thay are giving me a hard time, wanting stuff like a copy of my driver's license and and the last statement. Guess I will send it, but it makes me nervous.
Call me when you get a chance, we need to talk about the property next to Roberta. I did talk with Richard Chambers again.
David
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