Any condo owners here?

J

jamesishere

Guest
The ONLY property I would consider is Princesa. It is solid concrete. This includes walls ceilings, hallways and the like. Only a fool would buy at any other property and live above the third floor. All other properties have wood. Some of them are built with a lot of wood and drywall. Wait till one catches fire. The fire department does not have ladder that goes higher than 40'. How are you going to be saved if your condo is on fire and you are on the patio or balconey? Those about the 4th floors are going to have problems! Then, there is no place for a fire truck to park or access at any of the Sonoran properties on Sandy Beach. Sonoran Spa and the others are curved towards the beach. The clearance on the sides of these projects are not wide enough for a fire truck. I'd hate to be on the 9th floor when some drunk renter tips over a candle or lights a firecracker inside.

I also would not buy a property where each condo has there own water heater. Water heaters bust. Everyone below is going to be saturated with hot water until somebody finally realizes there is a problem. Water cascades when it flows towards the ground. If a water heater leaks on the 9th floor, it is going to damage dozens of condos below. Do you want to rely on your neighbor to be there when their water heater leaks? Nope! Do you think insurance will cover this? Good luck if the damage was caused by another condo. Do you think your neighbors who rent fulltime and never come down will have insurance? Nope! If they do have insurance, do you think there policy limits will cover damage to 10-20 condos down below? No way! Do you want to completely re-build your condo after a massive water leak and then hope none of the dozens of condos above you have solid water heaters that won't soon leak? For get about it! Do you think you can EVER get all of the moisture out of the drywall and wood walls being on the beach? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Can you tell I own at a Sonoran property and wished I bought a condo at Princesa? YES!

There are no water heaters at Princesa. The water is heated in the cistern and then piped to each condo.
 
dry heat

dry heat

Pigeon coup coordinator
jamesishere said:
The ONLY property I would consider is Princesa. It is solid concrete. This includes walls ceilings, hallways and the like. Only a fool would buy at any other property and live above the third floor. All other properties have wood. Some of them are built with a lot of wood and drywall. Wait till one catches fire. The fire department does not have ladder that goes higher than 40'. How are you going to be saved if your condo is on fire and you are on the patio or balconey? Those about the 4th floors are going to have problems! Then, there is no place for a fire truck to park or access at any of the Sonoran properties on Sandy Beach. Sonoran Spa and the others are curved towards the beach. The clearance on the sides of these projects are not wide enough for a fire truck. I'd hate to be on the 9th floor when some drunk renter tips over a candle or lights a firecracker inside.

I also would not buy a property where each condo has there own water heater. Water heaters bust. Everyone below is going to be saturated with hot water until somebody finally realizes there is a problem. Water cascades when it flows towards the ground. If a water heater leaks on the 9th floor, it is going to damage dozens of condos below. Do you want to rely on your neighbor to be there when their water heater leaks? Nope! Do you think insurance will cover this? Good luck if the damage was caused by another condo. Do you think your neighbors who rent fulltime and never come down will have insurance? Nope! If they do have insurance, do you think there policy limits will cover damage to 10-20 condos down below? No way! Do you want to completely re-build your condo after a massive water leak and then hope none of the dozens of condos above you have solid water heaters that won't soon leak? For get about it! Do you think you can EVER get all of the moisture out of the drywall and wood walls being on the beach? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Can you tell I own at a Sonoran property and wished I bought a condo at Princesa? YES!

There are no water heaters at Princesa. The water is heated in the cistern and then piped to each condo.
Click to expand...

1. What condo development along Sandy Beach (taller than 30 ft) is wood frame construction?
2. What development does not have a drainage system in the laundry room to help alleviate a water leak from a hot water heater?
3. A 40 gallon water heater will leak down dozens of floors?
4. Why would insurance not cover water damage?
5. Do you have a report from the fire marshal stating they are not able to access any of the Sonoran Properties?
6. Do you have documentation showing that rental owners don't carry insurance?
 
jerry

jerry

Guest
The Dubai tower fire showed the shocking vulnerability of glass/steel and concrete Pigeon coops...err..condos....and the need for great emergency services.Dubai even has jetpacks for firefighters.We on the other hand can bungee a few ladders on the Russ bluehair van and get up to the fourth floor.
The collapse of the Taiwanese tower last week also was worrisome. A 6.5 is very possible in our area....the dominos will be falling at that point.Buy a existing house in Unconscious,Miramar,S.T. etc....
 
T

THE EARL

Guest
jamesishere said:
The ONLY property I would consider is Princesa. It is solid concrete. This includes walls ceilings, hallways and the like. Only a fool would buy at any other property and live above the third floor. All other properties have wood. Some of them are built with a lot of wood and drywall. Wait till one catches fire. The fire department does not have ladder that goes higher than 40'. How are you going to be saved if your condo is on fire and you are on the patio or balconey? Those about the 4th floors are going to have problems! Then, there is no place for a fire truck to park or access at any of the Sonoran properties on Sandy Beach. Sonoran Spa and the others are curved towards the beach. The clearance on the sides of these projects are not wide enough for a fire truck. I'd hate to be on the 9th floor when some drunk renter tips over a candle or lights a firecracker inside.

I also would not buy a property where each condo has there own water heater. Water heaters bust. Everyone below is going to be saturated with hot water until somebody finally realizes there is a problem. Water cascades when it flows towards the ground. If a water heater leaks on the 9th floor, it is going to damage dozens of condos below. Do you want to rely on your neighbor to be there when their water heater leaks? Nope! Do you think insurance will cover this? Good luck if the damage was caused by another condo. Do you think your neighbors who rent fulltime and never come down will have insurance? Nope! If they do have insurance, do you think there policy limits will cover damage to 10-20 condos down below? No way! Do you want to completely re-build your condo after a massive water leak and then hope none of the dozens of condos above you have solid water heaters that won't soon leak? For get about it! Do you think you can EVER get all of the moisture out of the drywall and wood walls being on the beach? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Can you tell I own at a Sonoran property and wished I bought a condo at Princesa? YES!

There are no water heaters at Princesa. The water is heated in the cistern and then piped to each condo.
Click to expand...
 
T

THE EARL

Guest
LAST WEEK I RESPONDED TO BEN 21 THANKING HIM FOR INFO ON BEING A NEW CONDO OWNER. THE ADVISE WAS NOT TO RENT UNDER THE TABLE (GOOD ADVISE). I ALSO ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER PEARLS OF WISDOM.THE RESPONSE WAS OVERWHELMING. DUE TO ALL YOU FOLKES I AM MUCH MORE EDUCATED. I THANK EVERYONE WHO RESPONDED.
I INITIALLY WANTED TO BUILD A HOUSE, I WAS ADVISED THAT I SHOULD BE THERE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE DURING THIS ENDEAVOR HENCE THE CONDO. NEED ADVISE ON REALTORS WITH THIS TYPE OF EXPERIENCE. WANT A PLACE ON THE BEACH (GRAND CHILDREN) WITHIN SAY 15 MILES FROM TOWN. I INTEND ON UPGRADING THE CONDO. DURING THE BUILD PERIOD WITH THE IDEA OF SELLING OFF WHEN THE BUILD IS COMPLETE.. I AM NOT A COMPLETE IDIOT (NOTICE I SAID COMPLETE IDIOT). WHEN I BOUGHT THE CONDO I MADE SURE IT WAS MY KIDS NAMES. AGAIN I THANK ALL THE PEOPLE THAT RESPONDED TO MY LAST POST. WITH ALL YOU GUYS RESPONDING I AM SURE YOU'LL GUIDE ME. THANKS ALL.
 
Wood Spinner

Wood Spinner

Guest
Hey The partner thing can work very well. Some years back we did the same thing with 7 other friends or business associates and it worked great. Our week started on Friday afternoon about 4 and out on friday am by 11 soa a cleaning service had time to come in every week. Using a cleaning service allows you to just pick up and leave. There can be no squabel that you did not do a good clean up. We also did the rotation and trades etc and no problem.
We all knew the schedule of who ,when and if were not going or leaving early let the other folks and they could go early or some one else could go.
Now with E-Mail it would be a piece of cake. We would all get together a couple of times a year or sooner if needed to discuss any issues or needs. If a major item was needed some one would be authorized to go and buy it.
One nice thing for self employed is that it kind of makes you take off and rest at least every 8 weeks.
Go for this in my mind.
 
J

jamesishere

Guest
1. What condo development along Sandy Beach (taller than 30 ft) is wood frame construction?

Answer: The Sonoran projects have wood 2'x4's every other wall. Concrete wall, then wood, then concrete, etc. I watched the Sonoran Spa get built from the ground up.

2. What development does not have a drainage system in the laundry room to help alleviate a water leak from a hot water heater?

Answer: A drain cannot hold rusty water very long without clogging. Remember, not only water drains out a rusty tank but particales of rusted metal. Besides, when do you think the last time ANYONE at any of the Sandy Beach projects cleaned out their drains? It is resonable to think they are full of dead bugs and other debris.

3. A 40 gallon water heater will leak down dozens of floors?

Answer: Seriously? Remember, water is flowing into the water heater tank as quickly as it is exiting. How do you think your water heater stays full while you are taking showers? This running water doesn't take very long to flood out dozens of condos! Happened to me at my Sonoran condo. Top floor water leaked all the way down to the bottom floors.

4. Why would insurance not cover water damage?

Answer: Mexico Insurance will not cover damage to your condo caused by another. You better hope the people above you have insurance! Again, been there, done that!

5. Do you have a report from the fire marshal stating they are not able to access any of the Sonoran Properties?

Answer: When I was considering buying a condo, I personally went down and spoke with the Fire Marshal. They have no ladders going above 40'. Just drive down to the fire department your self and tell me how many ladder trucks you see!

6. Do you have documentation showing that rental owners don't carry insurance?

Answer: Happened to me when my neighbor above let their insurance lapse. Do you think for a minute that those who fail to remember to pay their annual City Taxes and Bank Trust fees may let their insurance lapse also? There are no automatic renewals in Mexico and no escrow account allowing for insurance payments.

I am not trying to argue with anyone. I am just telling you what I know personally. If you chose to ignore these possibilities, please don't complain when they happen to you....and they will@!
 
dry heat

dry heat

Pigeon coup coordinator
What I know regarding Las Palomas...

1. Most units in Las Palomas have a line from the water heater to the laundry sink. In the event the water heater bursts. Also, as a back up, each laundry room has a drain. Most of the units in the rental pool have had their valves replaced.

2. Las Palomas does not have wood construction.

3. The HOA requires all units to carry liability insurance. Owners are required to provide this info to the HOA office each year. Mexico insurance will cover damage your unit causes to another. The minimum property damage coverage we must have is $100,000. If the unit does not have insurance, the owner is responsible for the damage caused. We have had several owners over the years pay out of pocket for damage they caused the unit below. Considering a condo policy on avg. is less than $150 per year, it makes sense to have insurance (ie. no excuse not to have a policy).

4. I'm not sure about other resorts, however I know that the HOA at Las Palomas is strict when it comes to insuring your property and in turn paying for damage caused by your unit (you don't pay it, you can't use the common area or bring your vehicle into the property since you are violating HOA rules regarding damage caused by your unit.

jamesishere said:
1. What condo development along Sandy Beach (taller than 30 ft) is wood frame construction?

Answer: The Sonoran projects have wood 2'x4's every other wall. Concrete wall, then wood, then concrete, etc. I watched the Sonoran Spa get built from the ground up.

2. What development does not have a drainage system in the laundry room to help alleviate a water leak from a hot water heater?

Answer: A drain cannot hold rusty water very long without clogging. Remember, not only water drains out a rusty tank but particales of rusted metal. Besides, when do you think the last time ANYONE at any of the Sandy Beach projects cleaned out their drains? It is resonable to think they are full of dead bugs and other debris.

3. A 40 gallon water heater will leak down dozens of floors?

Answer: Seriously? Remember, water is flowing into the water heater tank as quickly as it is exiting. How do you think your water heater stays full while you are taking showers? This running water doesn't take very long to flood out dozens of condos! Happened to me at my Sonoran condo. Top floor water leaked all the way down to the bottom floors.

4. Why would insurance not cover water damage?

Answer: Mexico Insurance will not cover damage to your condo caused by another. You better hope the people above you have insurance! Again, been there, done that!

5. Do you have a report from the fire marshal stating they are not able to access any of the Sonoran Properties?

Answer: When I was considering buying a condo, I personally went down and spoke with the Fire Marshal. They have no ladders going above 40'. Just drive down to the fire department your self and tell me how many ladder trucks you see!

6. Do you have documentation showing that rental owners don't carry insurance?

Answer: Happened to me when my neighbor above let their insurance lapse. Do you think for a minute that those who fail to remember to pay their annual City Taxes and Bank Trust fees may let their insurance lapse also? There are no automatic renewals in Mexico and no escrow account allowing for insurance payments.

I am not trying to argue with anyone. I am just telling you what I know personally. If you chose to ignore these possibilities, please don't complain when they happen to you....and they will@!
Click to expand...
 
DeniseAck

DeniseAck

Guest
warchild said:
Is it worth it owning a condo in Rocky Point? We are looking into possibly buying a 2bdrm 2 bath in Las Palomas and renting it out for the times we aren't planning on going down. What are the pros/cons of this if you wouldn't mind sharing any input. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Hi Warchild--We purchased at Sonoran Sun in April 2014 and couldn't be happier. If we had the money, we'd buy more condos. It pays for itself and it works for us, so the answer to "Is it worth it?" is a resounding yes!

We only come down a couple of times a year (live in NY), but hope to move permanently in a couple more years. I rent it out via VRBO, AirBnB, FlipKey/TripAdvisor, and of course, Seaside. Usually I'm the one providing the renters since I work at it, so i keep the extra 10% for providing the reservation. We are pretty much fully booked March-November, with only maybe 20 days or so vacant during that timeframe. Seaside is our management company, and also manages units at the Sky, Princesa, Bella Sirena, Esmeralda, CasaBlanca, Pinacate, and Luna Blanca (out in Playa Miramar).

What makes a condo a good rental? Welcoming outdoor furniture, good furnishings (not necessarily expensive, but decent quality kept in good repair), comfy mattresses or foam mattress toppers, a well-stocked kitchen, modern tv's, and nice decorations. Think about what you'd like to have when you travel. We added some more extras from there which (I hope) makes ours stand out from the rest.

Now, I have never owned at Las Palomas, so I'm only referring to rentals in PP in general. If you're renting, I think it's imperative that the resort has a front desk, housekeeping staff, and maintenance staff. When something goes wrong, it gets fixed. I think guests are more comfortable having a front desk as they're used to with hotels. Almost all of the resorts on Sandy Beach have a front desk to act as the middleman to get issues taken care of.
 
D

dwig222

Guest
Wood Spinner said:
Hey The partner thing can work very well. Some years back we did the same thing with 7 other friends or business associates and it worked great. Our week started on Friday afternoon about 4 and out on friday am by 11 soa a cleaning service had time to come in every week. Using a cleaning service allows you to just pick up and leave. There can be no squabel that you did not do a good clean up. We also did the rotation and trades etc and no problem.
We all knew the schedule of who ,when and if were not going or leaving early let the other folks and they could go early or some one else could go.
Now with E-Mail it would be a piece of cake. We would all get together a couple of times a year or sooner if needed to discuss any issues or needs. If a major item was needed some one would be authorized to go and buy it.
One nice thing for self employed is that it kind of makes you take off and rest at least every 8 weeks.
Go for this in my mind.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what we did for many years with our RV at Playa Elegante. Three brothers all self-employed in the same business. It worked out great. We each had designated space for our clothing and we shared non-perishable food in the kitchen. We would still be doing it today if Elegante was open.
 
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