A Little Scary

[Peter L. Rosenberg]

I haven't visited this site in a couple of weeks but, when catching up today, got a bunch of new information. A lot of it was a little bit scary. Poisonous snakes, scorpions, all kinds of biting flies and insects, the carretera de muerte, horrific moving experiences, etc. Almost makes me want to cancel our trip there in August to check the place out. But, I won't because, living in Mexico: We have had 3 snakes in our home (don't know if they were poisonous or not as the only good snake is a dead snake as far as I am concerned). A week or two without a scorpion is a blessing. By the pool, we have wasps the size of small aircraft. A local moving company stole several things that were worth thousands of dollars. And, most people (not us) do not drive the carreteras at night. When living in Florida, I went with a friend to check out a rental and when we opened a closet door, there was a huge rattlesnake sitting on a shelf. We found a water moccasin in our pool and were actually chased by some when canoeing. We have seen gators come out of the water and sun bathe on someone's front stoop.

I am grateful to know about what things to look out for and appreciate the "heads up". Peter

[Sieg Pedde]

I have been in Panama six times, for weeks at a time and often out in the countryside, and have never seen a snake. Having read horrific stories about mosquito-borne diseases during the building of the Panama Canal, I feared the worst. In reality, I slathered myself with mosquito repellent only once and never did so again. Were I to spend more time in the jungles, I would perhaps resume the process.

In my experience, Panama has been safe, civilized and friendly. Things often don't get done as quickly as I would like, but that is another discussion.

[Peter L. Rosenberg]

Hello, Sieg

Thanks for the comments and thank you for adding me to your "friends" list. No one has done that before.

I am slowly working my way south. Used to live in Canada, the last place Don Mills, outside of Toronto. Then, the US and now Mexico. Who knows, maybe Panama will be next.

Sally and I would appreciate more info on your development. What we are particularly interested in are lot sizes, lot prices, amenities such as clubhouse, community pool, etc., are you the exclusive builder, can we do a custom home, building costs to American specifications, and so on. The more information, the better.

With my background of 35 years as one of the very top realtors in SW Florida and 30 years of building the very highest quality homes in the same area, two developers, with large subdivisions going in David, have expressed an interest in me representing them and I have meetings set up with both in August. So, a decision is going to be hard to make but I need as many comps as possible for Sally and I to decide not only if we want to move and then specifically where.

Thanks. Peter

[Sieg Pedde]

Hi, Peter:
Sorry for my delay in responding. I live in London, Ontario, only 120 miles from Don Mills. Small world, isn't it?

Our lot sizes In Roca Milagro range mostly from 2,000 square meters (1/2 acre, approximately) and up. Prices will start in the $20 per square meter range. We have builder partners with experience in building custom homes and will allow the residents to design and build what they wish (mostly) with our builders or someone of their own choosing. We haven't yet worked out all of the details as to how (if at all) we might wish to encourage owners to keep some degree of consistency in home design and construction. Although we have a specific lot set aside for a club/guest house we are also not yet clear how large and how fancy a structure we may wish to put on it. We have a lot of 'green' areas and are considering having facilities for horses and riders, lots of walking trails, etc.

There is a temporary brochure in PDF format available here: http://www.pedde.net/RocaMilagroJune2008.pdf. I would be happy to pass on more information as we have it available.

You may get the impression (and it would be correct) that we are pretty flexible about how things will unfold at our development. We have the luxury of no debt, no pressures, and the time and inclination to do everything right.

I would also be interested in exploring some sort of representation with you and welcome and suggestions you might have.

I am going to be in Panama in July, likely between the 12th and the 20th or so.

Regards

Sieg

[Peter L. Rosenberg]

Good Morning, Sieg

Thank you for responding. I like the idea that you have the money and time to do it right. That is how any development should be. I like the lot sizes and the price seems fair and is actually a little lower than the other two developments I have talked to. But, they will, at least for now, be offering more amenities. Both the other ones will have HOA fees of $150 a month with no requirements to spend anything in the restaurant or anywhere else. That sounded fair to me as well.

As for the consistency in design, I personally think that is important. Homeowners should be able to have custom homes whether it be a one story, two story, Spanish, Mediterranean, or some other nice exterior, and so on. However, I would recommend a good deed of restrictions with such things as: a minimum square footage, enclosed garages, acceptable finishes such as stucco or brick, acceptable roofs such as tile, perhaps enhanced driveways such as brick pavers, stamped concrete, etc. You might want to put other things in it like the type of vehicles that can be exposed to public view such as motor homes, boats, etc. Acceptable pets and how many. And, I would suggest an architectural review committee to not only approve the exterior elevations and finishes but also the construction and colors. There are thousands of beautiful colors to choose from but there are also some real obnoxious ones that would detract from the type of community you are trying to create.

I hope you do not mind me saying something about this. One of the other developers sent me his proposed floor plans and I found some major design flaws in two of his plans. Fortunately, he did not have brochures made yet and is having his draftsman revise the originals.

I am sorry I will not be able to meet you as we will not be in David until the 13th of August. Do you have a project manager or someone that could show us around?

Thanks again. Peter

[Sieg Pedde]

You make excellent points, Peter, and they are among agenda items that remain to be discussed and resolved. It's too bad that you and I won't be able to meet. Yes, we do have someone who could show you around. He is named Phil Graul and he is our site engineer and a shareholder. He lives in the Boquete area. We have another engineer partner who live in Boquete and a general contractor partner as well who does work both in our area and in Panama City.

I can put you in touch with Phil. Please send me an email at [e-mail] so I get your originating email address and I will email you Phil's contact details and will alert him as to when you might be available for a tour. Phil is a great guy and a is a fountain of information about just about everything.

Sieg

[Lee Zeltzer]

Peter those stories are part of our new scare the city loving gringo out Panama campaign! We also have Chupacabras that ravage only those with tourist visa's they check them before they attack!

Look forward to meeting you arrive

[Peter L. Rosenberg]

It would work on me but the town I live in is probably smaller than Boquete. See you in August. Peter

[Richard Detrich]

Peter, Snakes are like trouble . . . unless you go looking for it. Actually snakes do a great service in eating rodents which might otherwise carry diseases . . . all part of the grand scheme of Creation . . . and all good . . . in their place. Life is not without it's frustrations, anywhere . . . So come on down and check it out. We love it, hassles and all.

Regards, Richard

[Peter L. Rosenberg]

Hi, Viola

Yes, it sounds scary but I was just responding to all the blogs I was reading on this site. Peter

[Peter L. Rosenberg]

Hi, Viola

Thank you for adding me as a friend and thanks for the link. I must say that I am really impressed with your photos. They are beautiful! Are you a professional photographer because the photos sure look that way? Have a wonderful day. Peter

[Gordon Brown]

Hey Peter,

I knew a Pete Rosenberg who lived in Manhattan with another friend of mine Pete von Simson. My wife and kids and I have been here almost three years. Two words: it's good.

Yours,

G. Brown

[Peter L. Rosenberg]

Hi, Gordon

Although I did live in New York, graduating from Far Rockaway High School, the Pete Rosenberg you knew is a different one. Glad to hear it;s good there. We are looking forward to checking it out for ourselves next month.
Sincerely, Peter