The Enchantment of A Summer House

Paradiso

I irritate my husband with one habit.

I get myself invited to open houses – of summer houses – and I drag him with me.

For some reason, summer houses appeal to me.  I tried to enter an exclusive one once and I was turned away (not a member, no invitation from a member, no appointment to go in – how was I supposed to know it was that exclusive?).  And maybe that is where the appeal lies – it is so hard to get in (well, okay, that one time, but memories of experiences sometimes stick around longer than they are wanted).

Hard to get in but also hard to keep one.  But that is another story.

Summer houses in exclusive enclaves.  They are the playground of the rich, and when you own one, it means you have earned the right to squander money away – and squander you will because although you paid an arm and a leg for it, it is a place where you will stay maybe only 1 or 2 months in a year.

But like I said, I like them.  So yesterday, we went again to another one – in Anvaya Cove which is off the coast of Bataan, very near Subic Bay.

I heard so much about it.  A friend’s sister owns a share and she was gaga about it and wants to purchase a lot there herself.  I saw the entrance of it too, once, while we were on our way to a beach resort in Bataan and it was enchanting (can I ooohhhh and aaahhhhh here?).

Manicured lawns, impressive signage, tight, tight security (them again).

Well, I expected it to be impressive because Anvaya Cove is developed by Ayala Land of Ayala Alabang, Serendra, Bonifacio High Street, Glorietta and Trinoma fame (it is their first venture in leisure development).  I bought shares of Ayala and the shares did not disappoint (it is currently still at half their value maybe because of the worldwide recession so it is still a good buy).

So on that hot day, we were taken in and out of the summer paradiso that was Anvaya Cove: pools with temperature control and an electric powered roof (maybe for too rainy or too hot days), a kids zone, a spa, playground, restaurant, library, activities like watching pawikan (turtle) hatchlings troop to the sea for their first swim, a zipline, concierge service.

So…..Are we buying?

No.  Hubby and I thought about it and we came to this conclusion: summer houses should be bought when there is disposable income, lots of it, because for this seaside resort, lots in the 400 square meter range would cost USD$120,000.  And then of course, you would have to purchase a share (costs USD$15,000) and then put up a house (minimum cost should be USD$90,000) and pay for the maintenance of that house (maybe USD$200 – 300 per month) and then fork over some moolah monthly (yep) for the association dues (USD$80 per month) – all this for just 1-2 months of romping in the sun.

Why do it?

When there are choices of the most exquisite hotels or beaches in the most wonderful locations around the world.  Yes, there is no “ownership” concept in those other places and you will always only be a visitor, and you will not be part of an exclusive club or will not hobnob with whomever rich or famous neighbors you should have had.

But really, there’s not much difference. Either way, you spend, and via a summer house, you spend big time (here I think that a summer house is like a yacht and think of what my financial planner said – he said that the happiest day of a yacht owner’s life is when he sees his yacht for the first time and the other is when he gets rid of it).

(But between you and me, I have a feeling that my desire of owning one will persist until I can find a good deal, or am able to justify owning one to myself – and to hubby.)

Be rich,

Issa

Article by Issa. Photo by D. Copyright 2010.
Website: www.YouWantToBeRich.com
Email: issa@youwanttoberich.com

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