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Sylvain,it is me again, blame it i the proclastinator in me for not keeping in touch. Ihave been to Panama thre times since then...met a lot of local Panamenians actually I have not bought property yet for one reason or another it has not happened I had the most rewarding experience living with four different families very humble families. The true panamenian experience. Just last february I stayed at el picacho with a local familly for seven days. I did a lot of walking (mountain climbing) and walked from picacho town to el valle (last halve of the distance). Quite a remarcable experience. Some time in the near future I would like to chat more about my experiences with the local families, hope it will be in person. I find altos very lonely unles there are others to share it with. I see that you have done a lot of progress. Sylvain, risking to be judge as a prophet of doom, I will make the next comment; Mixing with the locals, specially with those that grow produce (wether for consumtion or comercially) I found that everyone I talked to uses an abundance of kemicals in one way or another even to kill the grass, this for me is a big desilution, forgive me for imposing for I do not know if you and your familly have given this much thought. Actually I woul like to see some involvement towards the education of the few local growers in this critical matter. Wayting for your reply.
By the way I presented my residency request aboutn six months ago, My lawyer is Carlos Newman he is a member of altos...(like you and I). He says there is a big delay due to the new law I feel it has been too long.
Waiting to hear from you, Abilio.
Hola Sylvain,
Thank you for the welcome.
My wife, Teri and I hope to get started building late 2009. About 2 years late thanks to the Economy! When we visit we often time it with the Expats meeting in Coronado. Nextime we will look for you.
Saloudos
Jerry and Teri Mayer
Hi Abilio, That information is correct, about 5 to 8% for an architect, but well worth it. Some charge it on the actual cost of construction, others charge it on your predicted budget they are working off of.
As for the construction permit, I believe it is actually 2% of the estimated value of the house.
Also, most contractors will not include electrical and plumbing fixtures in their price, and they will use a "standard" price like $10/sq.m. for ceramic tiles, which may not be enough.
Hola sylvain, this second message is to tell you that due to not being familiar with this pages, my first message of today, went in before I read your reply of the 27. Your comment is so valuable that I am seriously reconsidering, thanks a lot and please lets keep in touch. Abilio
Hola,Sylvain I have been asking about hidden costs of construction; I hear that the plans for the house cost between 5 and 8 percent of the total price of the house and that a building permit is one percent. Could you please commend on this and if you know of any other fees that I should know about ?
Looking forward to meet you on my next visit, Abilio.
I think this is very much a question of personal taste. Personally, we didn't like it on top of the hill. We find that it is very, and I mean VERY windy during the dry season, and often sucked-in cloud during the wet season. We wanted to have a pool and be able to enjoy it in the evening, which is not possible up there.
We have friends who live at only 2100 feet and it actually gets cold enough to require a jacket on some evenings. For us at 1400 feet, it is usually 28 degrees during the day, 24 at night. We might need to use A/C once in a while, but we will be able to enjoy our pool in the evening. If we keep lots of trees, we should be just fine. We find that we quickly adjust to the heat in ADM and find 25 degress cool after just a week. It is also important to have lots of trees for shade and cooling. In places like Honey's where there are lots of areas open to the sun, the temperature goes up quickly.
If you've never been up on top of the hill during the dry season, you really need to try it: on some days it is so windy you can barely stand-up and windows rattle constantly. Many people have had to glass-in their bohio in order to be able to use them during the dry months.
Having said that, it seems like more people want to buy on top, I think mostly for the views, but we enjoy our view of the mountains more than a mostly imaginary "ocean glimpse". However, some places have lovely views of the valley, when they are not in cloud!
To each his own, having stayed in ADM 7 times, at different periods of the year, we don't quite understand why people pay twice the money to buy up there. You should also check construction costs: a friend of ours who is building in Santiago-Apostol tells us that he's paying 50% more to have materials delivered up there.
Hi, Sylvain, I will like your comment on the following: I noticed that most homes are built in the lowlands around the river etc. but because of the cooler weather I am considering a lot in Santiago apostol. I will value your opinion on this very much.
thanks, Abilio.
Hello Sylvain,
We had plans to start this year, but the current state of the financial markets are delaying it untill 2009 if things get better by then!
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By the way I presented my residency request aboutn six months ago, My lawyer is Carlos Newman he is a member of altos...(like you and I). He says there is a big delay due to the new law I feel it has been too long.
Waiting to hear from you, Abilio.
Thank you for the welcome.
My wife, Teri and I hope to get started building late 2009. About 2 years late thanks to the Economy! When we visit we often time it with the Expats meeting in Coronado. Nextime we will look for you.
Saloudos
Jerry and Teri Mayer
I hope to check in on the discussions frequently, as time permits, as I still work,( for two more years). Jai
This site is a wonderful idea in a spread out community like Altos.
Since you are just building you may not know the answers to these questions but I will ask anyway -- just in case.
I would like to know the fastest and most reliable Internet provider for Altos as well as the most reliable (and best signal) cell phone provider.
If things are shaky there then I cannot purchase after all since I make my income online.
Anyway - if you know anything about the BEST in those categories I would love to hear what you have to say!
I imagine your place is going to be fabulous -- best wishes on everything going smoothly!
Jean
As for the construction permit, I believe it is actually 2% of the estimated value of the house.
Also, most contractors will not include electrical and plumbing fixtures in their price, and they will use a "standard" price like $10/sq.m. for ceramic tiles, which may not be enough.
Looking forward to meet you on my next visit, Abilio.
I think this is very much a question of personal taste. Personally, we didn't like it on top of the hill. We find that it is very, and I mean VERY windy during the dry season, and often sucked-in cloud during the wet season. We wanted to have a pool and be able to enjoy it in the evening, which is not possible up there.
We have friends who live at only 2100 feet and it actually gets cold enough to require a jacket on some evenings. For us at 1400 feet, it is usually 28 degrees during the day, 24 at night. We might need to use A/C once in a while, but we will be able to enjoy our pool in the evening. If we keep lots of trees, we should be just fine. We find that we quickly adjust to the heat in ADM and find 25 degress cool after just a week. It is also important to have lots of trees for shade and cooling. In places like Honey's where there are lots of areas open to the sun, the temperature goes up quickly.
If you've never been up on top of the hill during the dry season, you really need to try it: on some days it is so windy you can barely stand-up and windows rattle constantly. Many people have had to glass-in their bohio in order to be able to use them during the dry months.
Having said that, it seems like more people want to buy on top, I think mostly for the views, but we enjoy our view of the mountains more than a mostly imaginary "ocean glimpse". However, some places have lovely views of the valley, when they are not in cloud!
To each his own, having stayed in ADM 7 times, at different periods of the year, we don't quite understand why people pay twice the money to buy up there. You should also check construction costs: a friend of ours who is building in Santiago-Apostol tells us that he's paying 50% more to have materials delivered up there.
Good luck and let us know where you end up!
thanks, Abilio.
We had plans to start this year, but the current state of the financial markets are delaying it untill 2009 if things get better by then!
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