THE BUYERS:
Carla Simoes and Luc Branch.
AGES: 35 and 34.
BACKGROUND: This couple has been to Central America three times and "loved the people and the country," says Simoes. "We had been looking for a recreation property to go to as well as for investment, and had originally put a deposit on one place in Radium, B.C." But when Simoes and Branch attended the Calgary Herald's Recreation and Investment Properties show in conjunction with Homexpo earlier this year, they met the developer of Ailanto Wellness Resort and Spa in Costa Rica and were convinced that this was the place for them. "We fell in love with the concept. It has a health spa with it and had huge potential for investment, and it was half the price of the place we were going to buy in Radium, which was taking so long to build," she says. They were convinced and bought a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in Ailanto Wellness Resort and Spa instead of the Radium purchase. The couple love hiking and the eco-tourism opportunities in the rain forest that's near an inactive volcano -- "and the beach isn't too far away," says Simoes. The project's been designed so "there's nothing for us to do but enjoy it," she says.The comprehensive centre includes not only a variety of housing choices, but a full medical resort with treatments, programs, and professional experts in the various fields -- from cosmetic surgery, to Eastern medicine and alternative medicine. It also includes a full gamut of amenities and programs as varied as treetop yoga classes and full spa services. The couple bought, sight unseen. They hope to go down to their new home for Christmas this year.
LOCATION: Costa Rica.
BUILDER/DEVELOPER: Under the direction of Ribadab Properties Corp. (RPC), the development is being built through a sister company, All American Homes - RPC, LLC -- a licensed general contractor in Arizona.
POSSESSION DATE: The couple's condo will be ready by late fall.
In Short:
WHAT: Ailanto Wellness Resort and Spa, the latest destination for recreation and investment buyers, is offering a free seminar on Costa Rica.
WHEN: Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Deerfoot Inn at 100, 11500 33 St. S.E.
REGISTER: Call