Property Management Summerland

Welcome to Summerland Services

Summerland Services (Summerland) was created to support the relationship between real estate investors and developers in Costa Rica’s Northern Pacific coastal market.

For investors, Summerland acts as an experienced partner for all the post-purchase processes involved with occupying and managing a condominium, home, store, or office in Costa Rica. As a friendly and experienced guide, Summerland clears the path to the fulfillment of your investment goals.

For developers, Summerland is a referral that can be made confidently, knowing we are sensitive to development concerns, while preparing investors for delivery and ownership. Once the purchase decision has been made, we understand our role in enhancing investor satisfaction through preparation for meeting their subsequent needs at the earliest possible moment.

We offer a traditional property management service for the long-term supervision and protection of condominiums, homes, stores and offices. We establish accounts and services, pay bills, provide maid service, supply paper and cleaning products, and are prepared to act in any capacity that may be necessary. We can arrange repair, maintenance, landscape, pool, telephone, internet and cable services (at specially reduced prices), emergency assistance, legal advice, accounting/tax professionals, insurance coverage, and security.We are committed to fast, competent services and offer many with in-house personnel.     
 
Consulting 
For the investor, we provide advice on the initial contract with the developer, offers of changes or additions, and solutions to perceived management issues that may emerge later. For the developer, we can become can locally available point of contact and representation of the investor for quick resolutions to keep the project moving forward. This service is hourly and paid by the investor. 

Interior Design & Installation
At an agreed time before delivery we can begin the interior design process. After understanding investment goals (second home, part-time or intensive vacation rentals, quick resale), we can offer advice on the level of furnishings and the probable budget for everything from paint, window treatments, floor coverings, and furniture, to linens, dishes, office equipment, sound systems, and lighting. Once we have an approved approach and budget, we work until we have selected, purchased and installed every element of the interior. 
We work with digital images, email, and websites to minimize the number of required trips to Costa Rica for the investor during this process. We are able to preview merchandise, colors, and finishes before committing any funds. In some cases, and with developer permission, our interior projects are completed before investors arrive for the closing. This service is hourly, within a negotiated fee in the approved budget before we begin.    
Our interior design service also has a post-occupancy role in working with investors (whether or not we were the original designers) to maintain, repair, improve or replace furnishings.  

Punchlist Coordination
As the delivery date nears and the closing gets scheduled, the investor and developer prepare for discussing a punchlist of completion items, changes, and corrections. We have acted as advisers to both parties and arbiters of the final completion. Our neutral role is often useful in surmounting difficult situations. This service is hourly and paid by the investor. 
    
Occupancy Management
We are also able to purchase a wide variety of household items and arrange services prior to occupancy. This can include arranging cable TV, telephone, internet service, and insurance - or buying dishes, pots and flatware, linens, towels, mattress pads, food for the refrigerator, and cleaning supplies. This service is also hourly and can be pre-negotiated with the interior design fee.
 
Vacation Rentals  
We understand that many investors are interested in offering their (residential) properties to the thriving vacation rental market in Costa Rica. We will be glad to handle their properties with our rental service, Vacation Rentals of Tamarindo (VRT). We will offer it on the internet or through travel agents, tour operators, promotional ads and brochures. We will take care of rental guests completely from initial inquiry to checkout.     
We offer concierge-type service while they are here and assist them to enjoy their vacation. This includes arranging airport pickups and ground transportation throughout Costa Rica, lost luggage assistance, a personal greeting and introduction at the condominium, information package (map, visitor guide, phone book, restaurants guide, welcome letter, shopping guide), maid service, tour reservations, and 24 hour emergency contact. We will establish vacation rental rates based on season, number of occupants and size of the property. We will offer illustrated profiles of the property on the internet to attract vacationers. We also allocate “cold call” renters on a rotation basis.  

Insurance
We have created a special program with the INS, the branch of the Costa Rican government that currently provides all insurance services within the country. We have the ability to offer our clients expanded coverage at rates which can be as much as 15% lower than those available to others, because of the quality and number of the properties under our management. This program is only available to our management clients. 
    
Tax Preparation
We have created a special relationship with Deloitte, the global accounting firm, to provide our clients with automatic assistance in the preparation of Costa Rican tax returns and related schedules to be attached to the tax returns they must file in their home countries. Because Deloitte has been integrated into our regular accounting systems, this information is processed on a monthly basis until the end of the Costa Rican tax year (September 30th) and the calendar year-end used by other countries 
    
 
On-line Secured Account Access
To simplify reporting and increase convenience for our clients, Summerland has created a website with account information that can be accessed 24/7 on a secure basis. Information related to expenses and income for property management, vacation rentals, interior furnishings, and association management can be reviewed by clients from any point on the globe with internet service. 
   
Employee Management Policies and Guidelines
Summerland complies with all Costa Rican employment laws and practices. Such rules were created to create an atmosphere of respect for all workers in Costa Rica and are designed to protect employee and employer. 

1) Employees are paid within or above salary guidelines for each job classification.

2) Employees are not routinely asked to work overtime, and when they are, full overtime compensation is paid.

3) Employees are enrolled in the Social Security System (CAJA) of Costa Rica and all required fringe benefits are paid. This includes enrollment in the national health insurance plan.

4) Employees who may not perform to our standards are processed in complete accordance with notification and documentation requirements.

It is important to be sure that your management service complies with Costa Rica’s employment practices or you could be liable for damages. Your responsibility could be 50% of any award, in the event an employee makes a successful claim for unfair treatment against your management service or Association. 

Organization

Summerland Group
Owner - Allen Lungo (bilingual)
Owner - Galo Malavasi (bilingual)
Owner – Jonathan Malavasi (bilingual)
     Webmaster – DL Tech Services (bilingual)
     Accounting/Tax Preparation – Vanesa Bonilla (bilingual)
     Software Development – Abdiel Malavasi/Gold Coast Support (bilingual)
     Housekeeping - Laura Barahona
     Maintenance Manager - Eng. Juan Carlos Mora
     Property Manager Tamarindo - Adolfo Malavasi (bilingual)
     Property Manager Langosta - Kenneth Barahona
     Property Manager Potrero - Allen Lungo (bilingual)
     Marketing - Lady Umaña (bilingual)
     Concierge Services - Angelica Gutierrez

Environment 
Summerland Services supports efforts to preserve Costa Rica’s special environmental qualities, while supporting the efforts of investors and developers. We believe Costa Rica has a unique opportunity to enhance environmental quality, while development proceeds. 
 
We use biodegradable cleaning products
By special arrangement we have introduced the biodegradable products of Swipe (Home International) to the care and maintenance of our managed properties. We have tested these products and found them to be effective, non-toxic, and economically competitive. Information (Spanish) can be found at http://www.swipe.com.mx/
 
We support the conservation of water 
There is no greater issue to development in Costa Rica than water. One of the principals of Costa Rica Real Estate Store is also an elected member of ASAPotrero, the community Water Board of Surfside. His participation provides insights into the evolving regulations, management, planning goals and availability of water resources on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific Coast. We also work with our guests, our owners, and our developer clients to raise sensitivity for water conservation. 
 
We support efforts to improve water quality 
Areas of Costa Rica are beginning to experience challenges to water quality by excessive reliance on septic systems, and the inconsistent collection of trash. We are fully supportive of developers and investors who seek to include new treatment technologies or recycling regimens in their projects. For example, we are the first to point out to clients when a project or design proposal includes treatment features which allows for the recycling of waste water for landscape irrigation – an innovation on multi-unit developments in our area. 
    
We volunteer to help 
Members of our team are serving, have served, or offered support of various kinds to local water boards, community boards, and blue flag committees working to maintain and improve Costa Rica’s environmental quality.
 
 
We encourage everyone to help keep Costa Rica green and clean!