Tor said:
I'll guess this is a major problem there. It would also be interessting to hear more about the problems Kiwicanuck wrote about.
Regarding El Neptuno, it's seems like a very nice place, but i'll guess most of the appartments there has none or very limited seaview, and there is probably danger that there in the future can be new constructions in front of it ?
The 2nd and 3rd floor apartments have sea view from the balcony. Limited by the trees across the street, but still viewable from most apartments. Regarding future construction, I suppose that is possible any place, but the homes across the street all belong to descendents of the Jewish families that settled here before WWII. They have been in these families for years. While I realize this is no guarantee, they are not people who are looking to make a quick buck by selling their property.
Consider the options: La Puntilla, which sold when opened for about US$100,000 or more for an apartment than you can get a comparable unit for at El Neptuno is in a fight with Piergiorgio and has ended up with a pizza cooker that sends smoke and fumes into many of the apartments and a high wall that has greatly limited the view (and, I believe value) of many of those apartments. Or there is Las Terrazas, which is in dispute over who owns what land. This will undoubtedly involve extensive litigation with no certainty of winning, and guess who is going to pay the legal fees.
Also, the street that passes in front is quiet. One reason being the people living in the neighboring homes have political clout in Sosua. I learned this when we were involved with the Voodoo Lounge in getting them to enclose the building with glass so that we wouldn't be bothered at night. Fortunately, one of the descendent families joined with us, and when a group of owners went to Santo Domingo to meet with the Tourism officials, it was the letter we carried with us from this descendent that got the most attention and positive response.
Re Sky's question, the maintenance fees this year are US$360/month.
If anybody is interested, I'll be happy to put them in direct contact with owners who have their apartment for sale.