Author: Robert Moore

So we are back in New Jersey. The return week was a whirlwind of catching up but now things are slowing down. Time to reflect on Casa Anolis again.

We didn’t get everything done, but the projects that are left are relatively minor. I still have to install the a/c units in the bedroom. The master bedroom never had one and after thinking about the project, I realized that power tools will have to accompany me on the next trip as there is a plywood blank that has to be cut to take the unit. Fortunately we stocked the apartment in such a way that we need no carry-ons. Clothes, toiletries etc., were left behind so the luggage can be just for the things that we want to go down.

Continue reading “Until the fall”

Our time for this trip is starting to wind down but I am still knee-deep in projects. Every day we get things done but we are constantly adding new projects. Fortunately they are rapidly becoming minor ones.

One of the biggies that we are tackling right now is the plumbing. Along with a new kitchen sink faucet I also installed a garbage disposal. The switch and electricity were right there so it was only a matter of taking out the old sink trap and putting the unit into place. The hot water tank was rusted at the bottom and due for a change but rather than replace it with a similar one, for safety and energy purposes we went with an on-demand unit which just sits on the wall-and frees up storage space to boot! Continue reading “Going with the flow.”

Wed, 4/30

Finally. We have closed on Monte Sol at last. It only took from our offer being accepted in November until the 30th of April to get to the closing table. The bank took forever to get it’s act together. To this day I still don’t know what took them so long. Closing was a bit of a zoo. I’ve closed  on properties several times, but never in another language. Fortunately our real estate agent, Sandy Ramos was at the table fighting for our cause. She certainly knows her stuff and was our best advocate! She insisted on them giving us copies of things that they normally wouldn’t, which would help us avoid future problems when we choose to sell. She is very passionate about her profession and it shows. We simply could not have had a better person at the table with us. Well, that is over. We are now the new owners of E 4-3.  Let the work begin! Continue reading “At last.”

Well, closing on the condo isn’t happening quickly.  It’s been a rather long and winding process that is still in the works with FirstBank of Puerto Rico. We sent off the signed contract and our earnest money on the 12th of December via UPS 2nd day. Continue reading “…And now we wait for the bank.”

For years now I have been nattering on (for lack of a better term) about escaping the dreary northeast winters. We’ve tossed ideas around about my eventual retirement to someplace like Ecuador, St Croix, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, etc. You get the picture. They are all year-round warm climates with coastal cities.  So, it’s no surprise that during our recent trip to Puerto Rico a visit with a real estate agent was on the agenda. I’ve been looking on-line for some time now and several places caught my eye. Continue reading “A place in the sun”