Hi Rocky. What I try to say exactly about caribe campo is, that I lived there for 2 years permanent as resident in an apartment. I know about the situations in this country since 10 years ago, have lived at other condos in cabarete and sosua. Nearly in every condo, we have had the same situation., when it was before a hotel and changed into a condo. It`s different to be on vacation at a hotel or to be a renter or owner of a condo. The running of a place like these condos are different to a hotel. Vacatiion, all is included in the rate you booked. As renter, especially as owner, you have to pay monthly maintenance fees and electric for consumption. We have seen administrtations in the past of these condos, that they can`t change their thinking away from hotel. The calculation of monthly costs and to get the money in to pay the bills are the responsiblity by the owners. At the caribe campo and other places, the biggest problem is, that they run the generator, when the official electric company is off. Owners and renters don`t worry about it. Only thinking about electeic and water. I did the same mistake in thinking. Two years ago, the gasoil prices now are more than 3 times higher.
The inflation in this country, higher prices in nearly every part of life, wasa an additional problem. Most administration I met, they didn`t and the couldn`t ask owners and renters for higher payments. A devil circel. Also at caribe campo in november 2005. There was a cut off from the electric company in matter of not paid bills. The admainistration in 2004 and 2005 made global mistakes in running this place. No money management, no cost overview.
Running the generator for 10 and more hours a day, which costs more than the could get on incoming from owners per month. It was terrible to live there.
Also, in the last months there have been some other hotels closed, because they waited to long and spent money for generator running, not looking for reducing the costs. This is especially the situation what you can find now in other condos. Reduce the costs and stop running the generator. At the caribe campo, they did, only running the generator for 2 hours a day. Owners installed inversors to charge batteries and it works. Than the installed a small genrator for the water pumps. Rocky, it`s not so easy to understand for somebody, who is not living in this country since years and not livingfor some years at a condo, like caribe campo, or trade winds or sol bonito or anywhere.
Situations and problems, just like what DominicanScotty is telling, that`s not the hole story about this country and condos. I can say to people which like to stay in DR and like to buy a house or apartment, come at first for vacation, perhaps stay in DR, but at first rent a property and take a look around and talk to administrations, owners, renters, real estate agents and lovely people to meet at the beaches and restaurants. Make your own view and than a decision to stay as renter or owner or to go to the bahamas or stay again at a cold place and live at old home.
Be subcetive and objective and ask for more background informations. Be open. Informations what just like CaribianScotty is doing is no support and makes more confusion. Ask specific, ask direct, and you will get clear answers without blabla. Hope you understand, what I mean exactly.