The Interview

.1) Please provide some background information on yourself: residence, profession, children, etc.
Our background is as follows; I graduated in 1973 with a degree in Special Education. While in college I started a building maintenance company that specialized in everything from cleaning to construction and engineering and then development. Kathy has her Master Degree in Marketing and Public Relations and is very active selling high end real estate in Southern New Jersey. I have two children and Kathy has three, ranging in age from 13 to 31. Children and grandchildren keep us very busy as they are active in many sports and activities. Our varied interests include public service in our community, charity work and raising our families. I am also an avid bird hunter.

2) How did you first hear about Los Sueños?
While at the Atlantic City Boat Show one winter, we ran into a friend who raved about the amenities and opportunities at Los Sueños. Later that summer we planned a trip to visit Los Sueños and see first hand.

3) When did you first come to Costa Rica? Why?
We came to Los Sueños almost five years ago to see what they had to offer. At that time, I kept my large boat in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, during the winter months. We would fly down every other week for five or six days and we would try to fish as much as possible. Because it was so windy and sometimes too rough, we had very little fishing opportunity. When we came to Los Sueños, we were looking for better weather, better fishing and the opportunity to live in an upscale real estate development.

4) What convinced you to buy property in Los Sueños?
The first week we came to Los Sueños, we knew it was for us. We had a tremendous fishing experience. We tell all our friends that when you come to Los Sueños and Costa Rica, you do not fish, you catch. I am very knowledgeable when it comes to construction and development and we were immediately impressed with not just the quality of construction and development, but also the commitment to providing a strong infrastructure to support the development. Being nature lovers, we appreciate the attention to the environmental impact and Los Sueños has gone far above and beyond to develop an environmentally sensitive community. We felt that investing in Los Sueños was a safe and smart choice because there was nothing like it anywhere in Latin America.

5) Did the existence of the Beach Club, Marina and/or golf course affect your decision to purchase in any way? If so, how?
Los Sueños has something for everyone. With such a big family, we all wanted something different within the community. Fishing is my first passion; the world class marina attracted me. My boat is well protected from the elements and the Director, Bill Kirby, runs a very tight ship. Kathy and the kids enjoy the beach club and now that they serve lunch and drinks, we all enjoy spending an afternoon relaxing by the pool. Our children always seem to make new friends there from all over the world.

6) Did having a Title Guaranty through Stewart Title make you feel more comfortable with your purchase in Los Sueños?
Having Stewart Title here is what gave us that extra assurance that our investment was well protected. The decision to buy additional properties became much easier with Stewart Title.

7) How has this experience changed your views about purchasing property in a developing country?
Needless to say the proof of our comfort level in dealing with Los Sueños and Stewart Title is evident. We’ve now purchased three condos and we just settled on a villa this month, which is a substantial investment.



 
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Andy and Kathy Shapiro
 Meet our neighbors


8) How would you describe the purchase process in Los Sueños? (From purchase to post-closing)
The purchase process at Los Sueños could not have been easier. From the sales center to the construction supervision to upper management, they are extremely responsive to all our concerns. They want you to be happy and to have a positive experience and will not stop until you have just that. We received everything we were promised and more within the agreed specified time.

9) How often do you come to the resort?
We come to Los Sueños about once a month. Costa Rica has an easy airport to clear customs and the drive, while somewhat long, is most beautiful and breathtaking. During the construction of our villa we have been here much more frequently. We hope to continue to spend more time here and one day would like to retire here. It already feels like home.

10) Would you recommend Los Sueños to family and friends? Why?
To Kathy and me, Los Sueños is a dream and being here is fantastic. We always recommend Los Sueños to everyone and cannot say enough good things about both Los Sueños and Costa Rica. The weather is great, the fishing (catching) is as good as it gets anywhere and the people of Costa Rica are wonderful and genuinely happy to have us here.

11) Do you have friends who visit? How often?
My friends and fishing buddies do visit every chance they get, which is fairly often. In fact they come just about every time I do.

12) How does life in Los Sueños differ from life at home?
Life at home is very hectic and busy. Our days and nights are often filled with scheduled events that usually revolve around work and the children. When we come to Los Sueños we can take a deep breath and truly relax. From the guards who welcome us every time we arrive, to the friendly service staff at the Hook Up who always greet us by name, everyone here seems to be committed to showing us a good time.

13) What stands out in your mind when you think about Los Sueños; the amenities, landscaping, privacy, exclusivity, etc?
All you have to do is look around Los Sueños. The flora and fauna take your breath away and every view is like a postcard. The maintenance is impeccable and the track record with the upkeep has been five stars. Being a gated community gives us an added sense of peace and security. We know our investments are well protected.

14) Do you own property elsewhere? Where? How does it differ from your properties in Los Sueños?
We have a property at the New Jersey shore and live in a residential marina community. Los Sueños differs in a lot of ways; here we berth more and bigger boats. It is more a sport fishing community. The people seem more pleasant and relaxed than in New Jersey. Certainly Los Sueños is more environmentally sensitive. Although we enjoy our shore property during the summer months, we are able to enjoy Los Sueños all year long.

15) How important was the existence of the marina in influencing your purchase?
I am an avid fisherman and if Los Sueños did not have a marina I would be somewhere else. That is my top priority.

16) How much time does your boat spend in Los Sueños per year? Do you participate in the Los Sueños Signature tournaments?
I purchased another boat just for Los Sueños, so whenever I come down I have a boat here 12 months a year. I have participated in the Billfishing Tournaments and thoroughly enjoy them. We were lucky enough to finish second in the last leg of the 2006 Tournament.