Buying a House in Rincon – Buyer Beware
When Summer and I first started researching the idea of moving to Rincon, I was convinced that we were going to have to build from the ground up to get what we wanted. Summer insisted on it being too much for us to handle and we ended up compromising and bought this place, partially constructed with just a little bit of work to finish it up.
Now that we have been down here for a while, I realize how hard it really would have been to build from the ground up, but I also see how someone could buy a house that is not worth its weight in mortgage payments. A lot of the homes built here were built by owners or local tradesman that built with traditional style building techniques. One of the things I see down here a lot is really bad block work. Aesthetically, the block that is laid for foundations will eventually get covered up by plaster (like our basement) so you won’t be able to see how horribly unlevel the block actually is. Now, I’m no expert on foundation integrity, but check out this picture and tell me you think this would support your house through an earthquake.
Just make sure you inspect the house yourself for good block work, plumbing and electricity. Don’t rely on the local building inspector because things are not always as they appear. The block work in the above picture is going to look great once it is covered in plaster.
March 17th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
I feel what you are saying, we build from the ground up and really trust Danny & Carlos who build our house. He did everything with us checking everything, Gary trusted them, so we did too and we are so grateful. They did a great job. Oh, I am headed out to celebrate my birthday, yes, I was born on St Pat’s day! The nuns used to say to me that I was their “wild spanish rose”.
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March 18th, 2009 at 5:07 am
I have never seen anything like that, jaja… sorry, it looks funny!!
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March 18th, 2009 at 10:22 am
The blocks must only be used to build the wall but not to be used as structural members. The frame of a block contruction should be made with reinforced concrete columns and beams.
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March 19th, 2009 at 5:18 am
too funny… It looks like our cement patio in our back yard. The block work is crazy, but it’s built into the side of a hill and it’s been there a long long time. We’re going to cover it with plaster and then do mosaic work over it.
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March 19th, 2009 at 8:56 am
stefan call juniors bike in aguadilla on hwy 2 just past airport exit on left they might have cruisers.call first
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March 19th, 2009 at 10:27 am
This is one of the reasons my husband stayed and watched
the builder during the block portion of building my
house in PR. He was in the construction business for
many years, and we seen many dwellings built incorrectly
on the island.
Vee
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March 19th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Happy birthday, Rosa! Hope you had a great time
. You are my 3rd friend to have a St. Patty’s Day birthday. Isn’t that funny?!
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April 2nd, 2009 at 8:47 am
HELLO FROM AGUADILLA , MY HUSBAND IS A CONTRACTOR AND BELIEVE ME IT LOOKS BAD BUT WHAT REALLY HOLDS IT TOGETHER IS THE CEMENT ON TOP CALLED LA VIGA HERE IN PR AND ALSO THE SIDE COLUMS CALLED COLUMNAS AND SHOULD BE SPACED CORECTLY. IT SURE WILL LOOK NICE WHEN FINISHED CAUSE THAT IS WHERE MOST OF THE LEVELING WILL COME.
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July 28th, 2009 at 4:16 am
Maybe they were trying to be artistic about it!
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July 29th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
WOW. Greetings from NY. Great to find your site. Have spent time in Rincom. Stayed at Casa Bombero. Family on island. Travelled around for two weeks to get feel of island. Looking at home to buy around Ricnon. Moving from Long Island. Retiring young. Grateful for info. Many decisions to make b4. Thanks for columns.
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