Running Agenda #3
Date: October 6th – October 29th
General Update
Last week we presented the Alfonso Valle Castillo Cooperative with the topographical map completed by Sertori Topographers. The map outlines the border of 8.8 manzanas we would like to purchase from them. The Cooperative has verbally consented to sell this quantity of land in the configuration outlined in the map and also confirmed the price per manzana of US$5,000.
We have now transferred the funds necessary to complete the transaction into our new Banco Uno account. Based upon our agreement with the cooperative the total purchase price will be US$44,000 plus expenses. Expenses will include legal fees, taxes and finders commission (circa US$6000).
We are now only waiting on the ´all clear´ completion of the legal checks and receipt of necessary documentation before proceeding with the formal purchase.
Legalities
Having completed the first legal check of the property’s title, we commenced the second check. Prior to purchasing land in Nicaragua, the following documentation is required;
Ø Ownership contract from current owners of the property
Ø Ownership contract from previous owners of the property
Ø Map of the ´to be purchased´ land certified by registered topographers
Ø Certified copy of the registered history of the land
Ø Certification of liens and encumbrances
Ø Municipal Solvency (to be obtained by the cooperative)
Ø Solvency OOT (Office of Land Organization – to be obtained by the cooperative)
We expect to have received most of the documentation needed by Monday next week (30th/10). There are, however, two documents that need to be obtained by the Cooperative. In these cases, we are less in control of the procedure. To help ensure they are received as quickly as practicable, we will liaise regularly with the cooperative. Legal precedence indicates the documents are always issued to cooperatives requesting them but the process takes time.
Given the Cooperative is not able receive the necessary documentation immediately, we are looking to create a Promesa de Venta (Promise to Sell Contract) in the next week. The Promesa de Venta will ensure the cooperative is obligated to sell to us the 8.8 manzanas at the agreed price upon obtaining the necessary documentation.
Building & Layout Design
On Wednesday 11th October, we travelled with José Luis Hernández of Arquitectos Ambientalistas to the property in order to obtain confirmation that the property in mind is, indeed, appropriate for the construction of the eco-lodge using earth bag construction, living roof and palapa techniques. Mr Hernández was impressed with the land and after much observation and analysis was more than happy to provide us with a written letter supporting the purchase of the land. Moreover, we made plans to return to the property again on Saturday 14th October so he could spend a greater amount of time there in preparation for the commencement of architectural planning.
The weekend of the 14th and 15th October provided us with more time to acquaint ourselves with José Luis Hernández and get first-hand experience for how he approaches ecological design. The two days saw us collecting soil samples and brainstorming about layout and positioning.
Next steps were agreed with Mr Hernández. Particularly, upon the purchase and settlement of the land we will have a surveyor sent to the property to provide us with a detailed contour map. At this time we will also use the services of a permaculture expert to provide us with advice on the most effective permaculture design.
In the meantime, preliminary soil tests of the samples are being conducted and we are undertaking experiments in relation to the most effective ratio of soil, sand and clay for the creation of the earth bags.
Energy & Infrastructure
On Tuesday 10th October we met with Union Fenosa in Masaya. The meeting led to three other appointments with contractors who install energy on their behalf. These contractors provided us with a list of requirements they need in order to quote and complete the job. We are now in the process of meeting these requirements so that we can obtain comparable quotes. We are also talking with locals on the island who have used these contractors for similar projects in order to ascertain which one is the best for us.
In the field of renewable energy we have met with an engineer on the island who is a former Union Fenosa manager, Felix Saldeña, now involved with installing small-scale wind and hydroelectric systems on the far side of Maderas where the Union Fenosa grid does not reach. His systems are fully in-line with Casa Tortuga´s aims in this field.
Relocation of Casa Tortuga
We returned to the island on Saturday 21st October to continue to scout for rental properties that could serve as Casa Tortuga´s temporary home while we construct. A number of options are currently open to us which will suffice for the short-term. We anticipate making the formal move from Rivas to Isla de Ometepe in the next month or so.
Next Steps:
26th/10 – Send required information to Energy contractors to facilitate quotations
27th/10 – Confirm with cooperative they have requested documentation
30th/10 – Receive formally requested documents pertaining to land sale from Registry Office
1st/11 – Next teleconference call with Supervisory Board
2nd/11-6th/11 – Create Promesa de Venta
Ongoing – Research into relevant ecological design & construction topics;
· Dry Composting Toilets
· Natural Swimming Pools
· Permaculture Design
· Earthbag Construction (Superadobe)
· Natural Plastering
· Road Construction
· Self Sufficiency
· Renewable Energy
· Interior Design
- Search for rental property on Isla de Ometepe
Important Sources:
Permaculture, A Designers Manual, Bill Mollison
Earthbag Building, Kaki Hunter and Donald Kiffmeyer
The New Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency, John Seymour
Building Green, Clarke Snell and Tim Callahan
International Technology Development Group – Practical Answers to Poverty, www.itdg.org
General Update
Last week we presented the Alfonso Valle Castillo Cooperative with the topographical map completed by Sertori Topographers. The map outlines the border of 8.8 manzanas we would like to purchase from them. The Cooperative has verbally consented to sell this quantity of land in the configuration outlined in the map and also confirmed the price per manzana of US$5,000.
We have now transferred the funds necessary to complete the transaction into our new Banco Uno account. Based upon our agreement with the cooperative the total purchase price will be US$44,000 plus expenses. Expenses will include legal fees, taxes and finders commission (circa US$6000).
We are now only waiting on the ´all clear´ completion of the legal checks and receipt of necessary documentation before proceeding with the formal purchase.
Legalities
Having completed the first legal check of the property’s title, we commenced the second check. Prior to purchasing land in Nicaragua, the following documentation is required;
Ø Ownership contract from current owners of the property
Ø Ownership contract from previous owners of the property
Ø Map of the ´to be purchased´ land certified by registered topographers
Ø Certified copy of the registered history of the land
Ø Certification of liens and encumbrances
Ø Municipal Solvency (to be obtained by the cooperative)
Ø Solvency OOT (Office of Land Organization – to be obtained by the cooperative)
We expect to have received most of the documentation needed by Monday next week (30th/10). There are, however, two documents that need to be obtained by the Cooperative. In these cases, we are less in control of the procedure. To help ensure they are received as quickly as practicable, we will liaise regularly with the cooperative. Legal precedence indicates the documents are always issued to cooperatives requesting them but the process takes time.
Given the Cooperative is not able receive the necessary documentation immediately, we are looking to create a Promesa de Venta (Promise to Sell Contract) in the next week. The Promesa de Venta will ensure the cooperative is obligated to sell to us the 8.8 manzanas at the agreed price upon obtaining the necessary documentation.
Building & Layout Design
On Wednesday 11th October, we travelled with José Luis Hernández of Arquitectos Ambientalistas to the property in order to obtain confirmation that the property in mind is, indeed, appropriate for the construction of the eco-lodge using earth bag construction, living roof and palapa techniques. Mr Hernández was impressed with the land and after much observation and analysis was more than happy to provide us with a written letter supporting the purchase of the land. Moreover, we made plans to return to the property again on Saturday 14th October so he could spend a greater amount of time there in preparation for the commencement of architectural planning.
The weekend of the 14th and 15th October provided us with more time to acquaint ourselves with José Luis Hernández and get first-hand experience for how he approaches ecological design. The two days saw us collecting soil samples and brainstorming about layout and positioning.
Next steps were agreed with Mr Hernández. Particularly, upon the purchase and settlement of the land we will have a surveyor sent to the property to provide us with a detailed contour map. At this time we will also use the services of a permaculture expert to provide us with advice on the most effective permaculture design.
In the meantime, preliminary soil tests of the samples are being conducted and we are undertaking experiments in relation to the most effective ratio of soil, sand and clay for the creation of the earth bags.
Energy & Infrastructure
On Tuesday 10th October we met with Union Fenosa in Masaya. The meeting led to three other appointments with contractors who install energy on their behalf. These contractors provided us with a list of requirements they need in order to quote and complete the job. We are now in the process of meeting these requirements so that we can obtain comparable quotes. We are also talking with locals on the island who have used these contractors for similar projects in order to ascertain which one is the best for us.
In the field of renewable energy we have met with an engineer on the island who is a former Union Fenosa manager, Felix Saldeña, now involved with installing small-scale wind and hydroelectric systems on the far side of Maderas where the Union Fenosa grid does not reach. His systems are fully in-line with Casa Tortuga´s aims in this field.
Relocation of Casa Tortuga
We returned to the island on Saturday 21st October to continue to scout for rental properties that could serve as Casa Tortuga´s temporary home while we construct. A number of options are currently open to us which will suffice for the short-term. We anticipate making the formal move from Rivas to Isla de Ometepe in the next month or so.
Next Steps:
26th/10 – Send required information to Energy contractors to facilitate quotations
27th/10 – Confirm with cooperative they have requested documentation
30th/10 – Receive formally requested documents pertaining to land sale from Registry Office
1st/11 – Next teleconference call with Supervisory Board
2nd/11-6th/11 – Create Promesa de Venta
Ongoing – Research into relevant ecological design & construction topics;
· Dry Composting Toilets
· Natural Swimming Pools
· Permaculture Design
· Earthbag Construction (Superadobe)
· Natural Plastering
· Road Construction
· Self Sufficiency
· Renewable Energy
· Interior Design
- Search for rental property on Isla de Ometepe
Important Sources:
Permaculture, A Designers Manual, Bill Mollison
Earthbag Building, Kaki Hunter and Donald Kiffmeyer
The New Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency, John Seymour
Building Green, Clarke Snell and Tim Callahan
International Technology Development Group – Practical Answers to Poverty, www.itdg.org
posted by Totoco Management at 12:11 PM
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