It's been a while

It's been a while since I last posted some progress on our casa.  To be honest life has been busy, mostly with travel. We went to Loreto early in March and had a wonderful time.  We stayed in a finished home which gave us a good feel of what it will be like.  Although I was in the midst of an online course, I didn't do anything, and blame the variable wireless internet access.  It was so nice to relax.  We met some wonderful people who will be our neighbours. We learned how to make wicked margaritas. We also rented a car, which got us into town and we started to find our way around easily.  However, next time, I think we will rent on as needed basis.  All in all, I came to the conclusion that I will enjoy longer periods of time down there.

The last time we went to Loreto was Oct 2008.  At that time we watched everyone else's home progress except ours (or so it seemed).  Two days before we left they poured our foundation.  

This time (March 2009) we were able to stand on what will be our sun terrace and a get a sense of the views we will have.  We were also able to walk around the shell of the 1st and 2nd floors. I say shell, because the dividing walls between bedrooms and bathrooms were missing.  It was so nice to wander around the other homes and see they various stages of progress.

Our April progress report from TCC showed they had started the 3rd floor which will be a viewing tower.  Last week we received an invoice for construction to 70% complete, which would mean the tower and cupola were finished.  Being a little suspicious that Loreto Bay was billing us too early, I asked a neighbour who is down there at the moment, to take a few photos. These showed construction was not quite to 70% but almost.  If everything trundles along at this pace it should be finished in Oct 2009.  However, we have seen some homes race ahead and then stop for months and months.

So what's the next step?  Getting plastered!

The start of the tower - taken a few weeks ago.

Shower walls, which show that the inside walls are at least started.

Looking down from the tower to the 2nd floor terrace

where a construction worker is building the cupola.

The tower - taken a few days ago.

A closer look at the brick laying for the cupola.  

The cupola sits above the kitchen and allows hot air to rise.  All the brick work will be visible on the inside but not outside.  Click here to see a finished cupola.  In the past the cupolas could be opened to allow the hot air out but they have proven to be problematic in hurricane season and now cannot be opened.  This is a shame because it takes up sun terrace space and, as you can see in the above photo, there could have been an opportunity to use the space under the stairs for storage.

Once you go to Loreto

Once you go to Loreto you will find a way to go back again and again, or maybe just stay.  

Loreto Bay home owners still have not found out who the new owner of Loreto Bay is.  The original sales team have gone their separate ways but feel the magnetic pull of Loreto.  They also wait for the news of a new owner, because, with the knowledge and a passion for the area, they are the perfect people to step into those future positions.

One such person is Bob Pendock.  He sold our home to us nearly 3 years ago now and also is having a home built in Loreto Bay.  In times of ecnomic downturn he still finds his way back to Loreto and is now a sales associate for Re/Max Baja Sur.  We wish good luck to a man that will go to great heights for you.

Amidst the uncertainty - we have progress

Today, we had a pleasant surprise.  While we still await to hear who will purchase Loreto Bay, there has been some progress, and I'm happy to say it has been on our home.

We head down to Loreto in a few days and hoped to be able to stand on our 2nd floor, but photos received today show our 2nd floor bedroom and bathroom perform wall is up and poured.  Yay!!

Another note of excitement is the completion of the first community pool

Plan of our 2nd floor

Looking up to our 2nd floor bedroom

2nd floor bedroom and bathroom

The view from here.  Our neighbours across the way are

painted.  You can see the stairs that go up to their tower.

Our stairs will go up along the side of the bathroom wall.

We have another bathroom

MEXICO REAL ESTATE: IS IT POSSIBLE TO BUY GREEN?

A little out dated!

http://www.jjrealestatebg.com/usa-real-estate/mexico-real-estate-is-it-possible-to-buy-green

Some Walls And A Roof Over Your Head Are All You Need, Right!!

Most homeowners are anxiously awaiting news about the sale of Loreto Bay, hoping it will be to someone with our best interests at heart.  We also anxiously await any tidbit that tells us there are still construction crews around.  Today I heard from a friend that construction is still evident.  Meanwhile we have had a few pictures from LB Customer Services and The Construction Coach.

The prep for our balcony is now on the correct (south) side.

I think that garbage can is a little lighter than the colour of our house!

The suspended slab and bond beam is a little under half done.

This picture looks from the 2nd floor bedroom across

to the sundeck.

Prepping for our stairs.

Living/dining room and kitchen.  I guess all the posts are 

keeping the ceiling up.  Better wear a hard hat!

Our Christmas present from our neighbours in 220 were some photos of the progress on our home.  They had taken a cruise of the Sea of Cortez, which included a one day stop in Loreto.  I imagine this was a very busy day for them.

South Side of our Home

There are some changes here.  On the right is a wooden structure that looks like they are prepping for our Juliette balcony on the east side of our home.  This is not good news because we had changed this to the south side of our home.  Our neighbours to the left have a second floor and our neighbours behind are painted!!

Beginning of the closet under the stairs.

Downstairs bathroom window

Although this window still exists, it shows a lack of daylight, which means there is a ceiling.  We have been told this window will be filled in so there will be no horrific spectacles for the neighbours.

Downstairs patio

This is just off the kitchen.  

They are prepping for the overhang from the upstairs bathroom.

HiGuy

Looking through the entrance and higuy, there is still daylight,  so no ceiling there yet.

Avenida la Marina

This is a view from our neighbours home and ours is two more down the Avenida la Marina. We will have a balcony on this side, so I hope to have my morning coffee here.  Looking up the other way is a bend in the Paseo and a view of the Sierra de la Gigante mountains.

Oh Dear What can the matter be?

Oh Dear What can the matter be?

Seven old ladies locked in a lavat’ry.

They were there from Sunday to Saturday.

Nobody knew they were there.

That verse shows my age and/or heritage.  Well, fortunately no one is going to be locked in our lavatory cos we have a big window to get out of.  You really have to be on your toes.  A few posts ago I was so happy to see walls that I missed this error.  Yesterday I received photos from a neighbour and TCC and it still took me a while to notice this.