Monday, September 1, 2008

Arrancopelito expands


I can say that in a way we have renewed our commitment to Arrancopelito, with the purchase of one more lot adjacent to our house. In the image above, we have plots 2 and 3 (house and pool respectively, my original purchase way back in 2001) plus lot 1, which we bought in 2005, and now we have added lot 18, the long and narrow one below lot 1.

Although in itself it´s an ugly lot in our opinion (17.5x60 meters, too long and narrow for my taste) when added to the rest of the property it is a significant improvement, giving us greater flexibility in terms of siting if we ever decide to build on that side. Also, it brings our official total to 4600 m2 (unofficial 5000 with the plaza at the corner where the curve is which we have recently landscaped) which is a very respectable chunk of land to have with this proximity to the sea and the views we command.




In terms of investment, larger properties, at least in Punta del Este, carry increasing premiums, so there was no doubt that we "had" to buy it. Pricewise in relative terms it was no bargain. Let´s just say that it cost the same as the price we sold a much nicer lot closer to the sea a month ago. But because we made a huge profit on that one, I am satisfied that we just exchanged property of one for the other, after buying it for very little money in 2006.

Although we would love to continue expanding, we may be at the point where we are either priced out or no adjacent property is left for us to buy. Lots 4 and 5, which we coveted for a long time, are adamantly not for sale. Lot 6 already has a small house on it, which further raises the price and is not for sale. The others are for sale one day and not for sale the next, at rapidly increasing prices... But whatever the case, we are satisfied that our privacy is ensured, and so are our views and the possibility of one day building a B&B or restaurant or both. That's plan B for us.