bhjoffe
5/22/2015 19:16 EST
Howdy, folks!
We're interested in a property near Granada which we found posted by a "real estate agent" (or property representative ... or whatever they call themselves there).
According to the property description, it's located on "Granada-Masaya Highway in front of urbanization San Juan."
Is anyone here familiar with that area? Is it decent? Safe?
Just in case anyone is interested, here's the complete listing from Craigslist: https://managua.craigslist.org/reo/5014532911.html
Any information, input, feedback, suspicions, etc., that you might have about this property and location would be greatly appreciated!
Have yourselves a very fine weekend.
Best wishes,
--Bruce
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majicjack
5/23/2015 08:47 EST
If you are really interested in Nicaragua, why don't you come and see for yourself. You have been posting on here for a month now and constantly ask the same questions. Most people would not make a decision based on a post by someone you have never met. There are people posting on here that lives inn the USA but that doesn't stop them from giving so called advice on Nicaragua. You imply in your post by giving the directions to the property that you wish someone would check it out for you and send back the information. Shopping on Amazon or Ebay is great but not for information for buying property in Nicaragua. There are people laying back waiting for people on this site to make the one mistake and trust them. Is the property or Nicaragua safe. It has been posted on here many times about crime against expats in Nicaragua. Nicaragua is as safe as you make it. The chances of you getting burglarized can be high or low. It mainly depends on you. Not any different than the USA but here your chances of getting hurt or killed in the process are almost nil. I have a friend that is Chief of Police in one of the departments of a large populated area. Poverty is not the major reason for crime amongst the younger set here. Drugs, glue and alcohol are. Theft is theft but there is a large difference between a man stealing 10 pounds of beans to feed his family and a person stealing your I-phone, camera or computer. If safety is one of your major concerns, I would leave the USA immediately for some other country.
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bhjoffe
5/23/2015 09:29 EST
Thank you for the response, majicjack. We do appreciate it.
We do plan to come down and personally evaluate properties, first-hand ... once we have found several of potential interest to us that have been "vetted" by people -- like you and others active on this expat board -- who know a lot more and are much more familiar than we are with Nicaragua.
The time, expense, and logistics -- coordinating our personal and professional responsibilities as well as those of our children -- of making a trip to Nica is a bit more complex for us than it may be for others.
So, while we look and investigate possible places for us in Nicaragua, I've been posting here and relying on the kindness of strangers.
If this is meant to be a "good-old-boy" network and place just for those of you who know each other to communicate and sound off, please forgive me and I certainly won't clutter your online community with my posts asking questions and trying to do some due diligence before coming down.
We do appreciate your suggestions and warnings ... and take them quite seriously. And, seriously, you're right on target about leaving the USA for elsewhere because of safety concerns. That's what we're planning to do.
Gracias, otra vez, for taking the time to respond.
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atz111
5/23/2015 09:43 EST
Magicjack is correct about seeing for yourself, your "screen this first" requests not withstanding. What one like another may not..and vice versa. The properties you have sled about so far are as different as night and day...so seems first you need to decide on the "type" and location. The former you can do from there...mostly...the latter, only here. And you are asking about a minuscule number5 of the properties that are available. You do not have to bring a caravan here to look at the selection...in fact that is counterproductive as you will waste a lot of time. Come alone or in a pair and see 30+ places in three days in three different locations. If you cannot spring for that...be hard to see how you can even plan on coming. Otherwise, this sounds like a real wanna be and not gonna be thing.
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bhjoffe
5/23/2015 09:49 EST
Points well made.
And well taken, atz111.
Thanks!
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elduendegrande
5/23/2015 11:27 EST
In any country, good property deals go fast. Know what you want, know the market, and have cash in hand.
That being said, buying property in Nic is not the safe convenient process it is in the modern world. Learn Spanish and rent the first 5 years until you get the lay of the land.
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bhjoffe
5/23/2015 11:36 EST
Pura verdad, elduendegrante.
Asi es.
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timwood202000
5/23/2015 11:49 EST
I am a resident and have lived here for several years and have bought more than one property and have leased property. If I were in your shoes, I would find a recommended English speaking guide, one recommended by a missionary group here in Nic., and let him help you. Give him the locations and phone numbers of properties you are interested in and let him do the scouting. When you arrive here, you can look at properties with him and figure out the ones you are interested in. Make sure you have a good lawyer to make the offers and close the transaction. There are many things to look for that we take for granted in the USA such as: Is ther potable water? Does the area flood in the rainy season? Is there 220v electricity available? Does the property have good escritura (title). If you need a well, how deep is the water table?
Nicaragua does not go by English common law....the rules are different and don't assume anything.
Good Luck!
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bhjoffe
5/23/2015 11:55 EST
Excelente, don timwood202000!
I've taken note of all your suggestions, which are both valid and valuable.
Thanks.
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hknbass
5/25/2015 16:24 EST
Majicjack. Seems you are in the know in NIC. We are coming to view properties there next month and need to be near a private school for our 13 yr. old boy.What would you recommend as a good starting point? We live in Costa Rica now but want a change we are not new to rip off artists and the like so we are not entirely green . any help would be appreciated.
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majicjack
5/26/2015 08:27 EST
It sounds as though you are looking for beach property. Poneloya-Las Penitas is a good place to start looking. We lived there for 4 1/2 years. Poneloya is a little more tranquil with less tourist. However Las Penitas is not overloaded with tourist either. Presently the property values are very flexible. If you want to lease before you find or decide what to buy there are some very good deals on leasing beachfront property. We currently live in the mountains in Quilali but still have a very good friend from Sweden that is up on all that is available. he is very honest. Leon is 20 KMs away and has a private school on the Managua hi-way but there is also a La Salle school in the downtown area. We know people that teach at the one on the hi-way and it is a very good school. I will send you a PM with Williams phone number if you wish and inform him you may be calling. I hope this has helped you some. Have a nice day
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lonnie22653
5/27/2015 15:07 EST
The link you sent is to an old post. I purchased that house last Aug. However, the seller/builder has another almost the same next door that is currently for sale. The contact information is the same. The bedrooms and baths are very spacious. Good for up to a couple and one child. Property at back of house is only 1 meter, but has nice front area with secure parking. I had my front landscaped with tropical plants, but there is room for a small pool if you prefer. It is a shared septic system for the two houses. It is just barely within the city limits of Granada in a rural area. All of the neighbors (except me) are Nica and mostly from the same family. My tenants have had wonderful luck with them and made a lot of friends. There is a reserve water tank for the days the water goes off and hot water on demand. I turned my sleeping loft into a closed storage area. The house for sale does not yet have internet, but I do have it at my house and also cable. It is quiet and safe. You do not need a car as the bus is 5 minutes walk from the door and about a 10 minute ride to the center of town. They come every 20 minutes (more often if you don't mind the chicken bus).
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lonnie22653
5/27/2015 15:09 EST
My apologies, that is not an old listing. That listing is current and the actual house. Everything else I said was correct.
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