Hi all,

I purchased a TH at the very early stages. Things have gone quiet lately in terms of Sambala pushing for the handover.  I am told by Sambala that people have moved in and are living there. Does anybody know if this is correct ??

Has anybody managed to get any furthr pushing the delay compensation clause ? I have been advised by our solicitor that it s a very grey area as the original clause is rather ambiguous.

Charlie

visited santiago and sambala last November. This Island has no infrastructure at all - maybe in about 20 years time. Visited site and was astonished to hear they were going live in April 2008!!!!

Build quality was very poor at sambala - they were already doing remedial works  to units which were first to be built.

Every beach on the island resembled a rubbish tip - completely gob smacked. Couldnot get away quick enough.

Just got word from owners on the Sambala friends site.

They completed yesterday. Not sure if they were the first but it seems everything is up and running.

I understand some owners were due to complete a few weeks ago but Sambala delayed that.

Have asked the same question on the Sambala friends site?

Has anyone actually completed on their property yet? I understand that some people who paid Sambala for their furniture packs over a year ago have still not completed.

Sambala do not seem to be comunicating with anyone at all and the website is only for sales as far as I can see, there are no updates for current investers which is very frustrating.

Hi Merv

The Sambala friends have looked into the subject of alternative furniture. There are a few options but Sambala have not made it easy due to there guaranteed rental scheme.

To answer some of your questions based on what we have been told, there is a delay in getting the first completed appartments out. I understand that no one has taken possession as the cape verdean administration does not have the capacity to move the handover of properties quickly. This has meant that Sambala has stopped to push for rapid progress as I assume it will imply high penalty costs for late handovers. We have been told that our buildingis now looking like an August 2008 handover -- this is nearly 1 year delay.

We have inquired about the interest that they stipulated in the contracts and sambala has told us that we must make this reauest via their lawyers. It sounded like they do not see the delay as their responsibility because it is primarily due to the the administration delay of local authorities for the handover process?  However, is this really the investors problem? The handover issue should have been settled before we got to this point. Does anyone agree? Perhaps our individual requests would be more effective in a collective action? If anyone is interested, please let us know to discuss further to take concrete measures.

As for the furniture, it is also our concern. The packs are very overpriced compared to quality furniture that could be purchased in Europe. Perhaps interested owners could come together and do common shippings and delivery to our units -- it would certainly lower transport costs and may help in getting our furniture delivered if a group of people participate? We have inquired about a 20 cubic meter container which would cost more or less 6000 euros. If anyone is seeking to send furniture and are interested in sharing a container, please let us know.

There is a lot of information with regard to progress, furniture etc within the Sambala friends forum circle. We have more than 100 members and take questions to Sambala on a regular basis. It appears I cannot add a link here but I'd be more than happy to give anyone the address. 

Hi

We are waiting to take possession of our townhouse on phase 2 (waiting being the key word) has anyone actually moved in yet?

Our completion is due Feb 2008 but looks more likely to be Feb 2009 at this rate, has anyone had experience of penelty clauses for late completion?

We visited the site/island Nov 2006 and were impressed with what we saw but the development seems way behind program.

I've heard horror stories about the cost of funiture packs, does anyone have any more information, good or bad?

Any news would be appreciated.

Regards

PJA - TH 212

Hi

We have brought a 3 bed villa on phase 2, we have tried to get out there all this year but everytime Sambala say that phase i is due for completion and we can stay on site, we are told there is a delay.  Does anyone have any info on completion dates for near future and the cheapest way to get over there with 2 children.  We were quoted 5 days B & B for £4000.  Would like to hear from anyone else with same experience. 

THIS MAY SOUND LIKE A SILLY QUESTION BUT SAMBALA FRIENDS ?   WHO ARE THEY?  DO THEY HAVE WEB SITE ?

STEVEN

HI FOLKS

FURNITURE DOESNT HAVE TO BE PURCHASED FROM SAMBALA, THERE ARE MANUFACTURERS ON THE ISLANDS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU ARE QUOTED ........

Hi investors or potential investors in Sambala. I have a 2 Bed Apart and 4 Bed Villa going through.

Seems to be lots of aggro over the furniture costs but Sambala don't seem to be doing much to reassure us investors. If they are like this now what will the Service Charges be like??

Also seems hard to have a 5 year Letting Scheme at a very low return. Hardly inspires confidence in their ability to get the place let??

Sambala please give us some positive feedback rather than keep trying to sell more at Trade Shows!!!! We'll sell you lots if we're happy investors!!

hi everyone

the development is coming along really well

i ve just got back today,

if you go into santa maria or praia there are several furniture manufacturers i am sure that as the islands develop it will be possible to buy direct , prices and quality would have to be checked. At present importation taxes and transportation make direct importing difficult and add to the cost.

Has anyone else  tried to get personal goods  imported in and how have they got on? has anyone found a good local or international solicitor and how much have they been  charged?

Hi All,

We purchased a two bedroom apartment at the Sambala Resort twelve months ago.It all seems to be going well as far as the development is concerned. Completion date is June 07. 

My only concern is the very  high price of furniture which is going to cost minimum of £14,000. The 5% guaranteed rent of purchase price over five year is not very exciting once the furnishing cost added on.

Does any one else feel the same? 

Dave

I am seriously considering buying a townhouse in Sambala. Having seen the messages re furniture packs, i wonder if we will be stung on service charges.

I would like to here from people who have visited, to get their impressions an if possible photos. As a keen golfer i am interested in any info on the courses(be them some way off).

tony

hi all,

i have got a 2 bed apartment, h8, due for completion end march 2007. i have just received the price for the furniture pack and am also horrified.

if anyone knows an alternative please please let me know.

warren

Hi "Brains"

We are due to travel out to Santiago on 16th November for 4 days to check out the Sambala site and the rest of the island.

I'll post a report when we get back.

Let me know if you'd like to e mail each other direct.

PJA

We have just paid a deposit on the second phase for a Fragata town house with Sambala Developments  I would be interested to hear from anyone reguarding this project, especially anyone who has visited the site. 

KB

WEST MIDLANDS.

Hi

We have just paid the deposit for our Fragata town house on the second phase of the development at Sambala and we are keen to hear from any similar investors/purchasers.

If like us you feel a mixture of excititement and uncertainty we would like to hear about your views/expectations for the development.

I'm intending to visit Santiago in November, has anyone else been or planning to go?

Any photos would be greatfully recieved

RegardS

PJA (UK, Midlands)