Bellazo by Kalia in Costa Rica Kalia Eco Living Turquoise View Nissim Development Smart Construction MJL EOS Management Black Beauty Laulea Luxury Management Selling a Dream Turquoise View Guanacaste

#Kalialivingcostarica  Sadly, this company under "Nissim Development" is racking up the victims.  DO NOT send money to this development of luxury eco living in Guanacaste, Costa Rica without doing extensive research.  Did you know that the court system in Costa Rica takes a minimum of 2 years to be "heard"?  Did you know that a common practice in Costa Rica is to just NOT communicate?  There are literally THOUSANDS of foreigners who set up "shop" to scam other foreigners because they have done that extensive research to know that justice in Costa Rica is rare and takes a enormous amount of time, money and work. 

Getting "taken" for $250,000.00 could easily "cost you" 5 -10 years of judicial activity, 2-5 times your initial loss in legal and other expenses and an unknown personal loss to even get judgement.  In the meantime, the "crooks" just continue to the scam until either you exhaust or the scam is complete.  Just today, another couple looses their inheritance to the Kalia Bellazo promise of luxury eco living and the delivery of a lie and refusal to communicate regarding the truth that was found through legal work and expense by the victims.

Don't be a victim.  Buy property already built, that you can transfer to your name/company immediately.  Any "promise" of anything in 2-5 years means never.  Learn that.  If not now, never.

Good Luck!

Keep your eye out for the MANY websites that profit from their original "scam".  STILL advertising this home ownership through it has been doing this for over 15 years in Costa Rica and original owners that are NOT part of the company are selling their homes or trying to sell for years!  Companies/Websites like www.luxuryfractionalguide.com advertising these properties as "the Bellazo resort includes a spa, yoga, restaurant, maid and valet services.  Social activities planned daily. Horseback riding, sports courts, bars and waterfalls you can swim in." 

They also list Bellazo as the "newest" gated community with resort amenities.  ALERT:  this is not a new community, not gated, no amenities, they recently (and not finalized) a partnership with a restaurant about 15 minutes away to open for their homeowners for breakfast - it is already opened to public for dinner, and renting your property with them requires a 40% premium to them and the ability for them to "bill" you for "replacing" items needed from rental use, and the 2 story homes fall under new municipality height rules, no homes have been sold for $250,000 (in fact in our "complaint" they claim a $400,000.00 home is unthinkable).  There is more but no need to go on.  Just watch out for other websites that don't mention this is the kalia bellazo scam in Costa Rica currently with many complaints filed in the Costa Rican courts.  Don't be a victim!

This company has never offered to repair the substandard build, problems or finish a home that was overbilled, overpaid and they continue to market their cheaply built homes to unsuspecting American retirees and expats!  They did provide a "settlement" with the agreement not to publicize their shady business practices, poor accounting, mismanagement of funds and release them from all liability.  Crooked is as crooked does. 

After being DENIED access to the home on many documented occasions, we were able to get a quote to fix and finish their terrible work!  Not only did the LOCAL reputable builder quote the repairs, they quoted the finish and some upgrades to their existing structure at HALF of what Kalia Eco Living/Bellazo/Smart Construction/Nissim Development wanted another $138,000 for!  They roll the dice with the Costa Rica courts KNOWING it takes YEARS and lots of money to get justice!  AVOID THIS COMPANY OR YOU WILL BE VERY VERY REMORSEFUL!

 So here it is. The rest of the story. If you are currently building with them, considering building with them, or vacation with them, you should read this, consider it and then do what you feel is right. We all make mistakes and learn, it’s the educated mistakes that hurt the most. When you know you should have done something differently but didn’t.

I post this for your benefit, not mine. It is what it is for me. So a settlement was offered to finish the home and fix the deficiencies and provide things not planned, like an outdoor kitchen, for those things left out (like a $35,000 grass roof). [i]However[i], it would require signing a statement saying that the home was completed last year, done as per plans and specs, delivered and accepted and billed appropriately AND release The company and principals from all liability.

Additionally, enroll in their rental program and pay 30% management fee on rentals. And then, trust they they will do what they say. Again. He did not choose this option. One thing that was so disturbing is the company sending out an SOS letter to homeowners but cherry picking who received it. In this letter they admitted to many of the issues I raised publicly.

We managed to get a copy. They claimed to be asset rich but initiating an internal audit for their current condition. (The COO told us in a meeting 25M is unaccounted for). If you see the size of the land they own, it’s not a mystery. There is a retiree who sent nearly his life savings living in San juanillo because he moved here and his home not even started. We aren’t not the only ones who paid for a home fully and now sit in the legal system. Where’d the money go? Who truly knows, but for those of you who now have a home (and you are few.

13 homes in 14 years and 8 belonging to company people) your home was built with some of our money and others who are now in the court system or took the loss. So this communication from them talks about a whole new management group so the "situation has changed”. The COO we met with was the "advisor” for them previously and at one of the meetings Jan 2019. Not new. The CEO and also CFO (one man, Rana) and COO by his own admission on linked in and my introduction. Not new.

In fact, in charge of the money and homeowner experience while Amnon Dahan ran around selling and overseeing the builds. Tiran Zaken was the marketing guru. Their marketing is photoshopped and cad produced, especially all of the Facebook posts. If you actually visit, it is a daunting realization. Tiran and Amnon are "gone” supposedly. Keith Dennis is head of construction, took that job BEFORE we brought our issues to light. Anne Juneau is purchasing-the one who had us order what we wanted, sent something different and freaked out when the companies we contacted could not identify it was their product. Again. Not new.

Yanin Vaquez, Not New. I even asked at one of the meetings with the COO, who is new?. He just shook his head. So a letter blatantly misleading homeowners, asking them to not sue, not post their frustrations and experiences and give them time to use their "new management " to turn things around. They went on my rip-off report and denied the same things they admitted in their own board of directors communication. They prepared a settlement pre dated and filled with false statements.

And during this Covid crisis communicated all of the responsible things they are doing and a statement saying we will keep building IF you keep sending money. What company NEEDS to say that? So I sit and watch the building, or lack thereof and my heart goes out to those who were told their roof was being built last Christmas and now sit and watch the cement framing happen, or the one who sent $300k+ and got a dirt and rod foundation outline and 40K worth of work substantiated by a CR engineer inspection.

And all of the upgrades and additions and beautification that continue at the head of constructions household sometimes late into the evening after dark and on Sundays, always workers there when MANY homes are late and waiting. And paid. There is a finished home for sale in ruby sky that has been for sale for years. 1.9M. It sits. In a deserted community with no amenities, but at least a gate. We have no amenities and no gate. We do however, have a guard and orange cones that we have had almost a year now and they are not at the front entrance.

But quick to stop any visitor and now spritz with hand sanitizer, thank God. We have been told by an engineering firm and now a local home builder that the house is average quality, not what it looks like from afar. Marbillino unfinished and much poor workmanship-filled with errors. Told our home is probably worth 700k-800k finished. The company valued at 1.2M. Probably why they can’t sell. So here are the details you need to know to protect yourself. And if they serve you please have the decency not to turn against us and make false statement to hopefully gain favor and protect yourself because when you isolate yourself by using others, you will one day find yourself in a similar situation to learn a lesson.

My time and detailed report for your benefit does just that, benefits you. The damage is done for us and has been an enduring nightmare. This is for you. During the lot buying process there were extreme deadlines. 1 day, 5 days and 13 days. Each corresponding decision held a monetary benefit. During the home selection/contract process there were options to buy and upgrades for yet more quick payments and a huge discount for agreeing to a no sell for a period of 547 days and use as a "model home” for tours and such.

There was a draw schedule that reflected progress, payment timelines and building timelines. To protect the builder, no change orders were allowed (we tried. Hard no) and to protect the buyer, a $100 per day penalty was included so the payments would be insulated by a penalty for their inability to complete the project on time. Also, in return for initiating construction and sending funds swiftly, "free” upgrades were included which were things like a carport, pocketing mechanical blinds, Italian countertops and frills like that.

Drawings of the completed project were created and signed off by buyer and company, contracts drawn up and signed and initialed by both parties and all documentation provided to cover above details. Engineering plans and design plans produced by local engineers and architects and purchased for a hefty price and belonging to buyer for custom home (still don’t have delivery of these plans purchased and paid for) Construction started and lot transferred and costs paid (approx 10k for title for lot). Invoices came in according to draw schedule, and money wired where instructed (many different companies). Two charges on buyer credit card were for one night lodging, $5k and $13 k to their vacation management company.

Other wires went to companies not listed on the contracts but also under the parent company Nissim Development. Accounting was poor and getting pictures of progress was frustrating and difficult. Upon visiting the site we would question, is it even possible to get this done on time? and were always reassured yes, yes we are hiring more people, getting shipments of supplies etc. so invoices came and money wired. We were always shown the homes that were completed.

The president of company home, where Amnon lived, where Rana stayed and Tiran and his family lived and one of the investors homes which at the time we didn’t know whom they belonged to. And often got conflicting stories. One said the "Cala” belonged to Italians, one said it was a model home owned by Kalia. Turns out it has an owner and unending problems as well. The outside retaining wall was just ripped out and redone.

Roof redone many times. When we said we loved that home, Amnon shook his head and said "you DONT want that home”. We were then sent order forms-extensive- in the latter months of 2018. House late and frustrations rising. The office sent invoices and Amnon called and emailed saying "you owe a substantial amount still”. Although it didn’t seem possible, their accounting reflected that there was a substantial balance and we didn’t keep good records. Because the house was late, heated conversations were happening but the late fee was accumulating and my boyfriend decided at least there will be some discount for this delay, and with everything else negotiated the house was going to be a great bargain and smart return for the money and grief.

We poured over the contents of the home purchasing and selected our choices. Afterwards Amnon said he would provide all at cost due to the delays. Following this we get an addendum with an invoice for 72k for contents! 35k was paid in contract and this was supposed to be (and documented on the addendum as) COST. So we started asking for prices. That subject has never been resolved. In fact, in September of 2019 we came to the home to find it empty and much damage from the removal of our property including our own items.

We made several attempt to contact the company regarding this but were ignored completely and still can’t get the COO even to address. We filed a report with OIJ and attorney. Following the content order a call from the office asking for money so an email was sent and a phone call to Estelle Valverde and Amnon saying no more money will be sent until the home is done. Our initial accounting was not revealing settling facts. So a return email from company says "your home is complete!” So another 40k was sent. Then, we moved in January 2019. Upon arrival the home was FAR from done. We were put up in "the russians home” for a few weeks, then moved around and finally told to stay in our home while the remaining work is completed.

It stopped right there. Feb 2019. Unfinished. In October 2019 after much legal consultation and fees we legally secured the home and possession of it by notice to the company. They in turn put a port a potty on our lot, and dump piles of construction trash upon it. When we arrived this year our neighbors, the head of construction, was parking in our driveway. When the car was moved, his girlfriend said oh we didn’t know you were coming. !?!?

Our driveway is consistently used for parking, trash and maneuvering trucks. No consideration whatsoever. Noise, dust and intrusion. Daily. In Jan 2019, A meeting was called with Rana CFO and COO and all facts and paperwork provided including the overpayments and triple invoices and non documented payments. Every issue. He needed to investigate and "circle back”. (Their term for I need to buy time). He came over and walked through to see all that was presented, made some remarks and said he’d get back.

Time passed. Nothing done. Told the tub would take three months from China. Would not replace with the things we ordered because can’t get them now, bolted our furnishings to the wall after we watched them do it, told them to remove, they removed, we left, they bolted back on. After months of ghosting, ignoring, nothing being done, misleading lip service, and more we left. Disgusted. Disheartened.

I started posting my experience online and the CEO couldn’t communicate enough. He asked that I remove it and I said I would if he would finally do what he said he would in our meeting. He didn’t and I didn’t. Attempts made to rectify but the only communication ever received was for them. "Do you want us to rent your place out?”, at which time a "why do you change the locks?” Was given in reply with the CEO Rana saying "Danielle did that a month ago cause the maids couldn’t lock it back up”. No need to inform owner? And he goes dark.

Since then, settlement attempts have been made on numerous occasions and meeting with different people, a $10k refund was wired to us after a potential investor got involved and basically demanded it as good faith. But that also didn’t solve anything in the end, it actually made us more vulnerable because it simply communicated our trusted information to the powers that were battling us. Many people have contacted me privately and I’ve been as helpful as possible and some have used my inside information to leverage themselves and then threw us under the bus. So, it’s a dicey situation. Plus, as we have been told by the local companies we get for estimates on services and construction etc -they have a monopoly here and they will probably not give access to area as is done often in Costa Rica.

KEEP THAT IN MOND PEOPLE WHEN YOU BUILD IN A DEVELOPMENT! Our attorney says calls the cops, that what everyone else does and it works. Some locals said do that too. How fun. The issue of criminal fraud has been filed in the court in Santa Cruz and the process is expensive and long. But there are 3 attorneys working the case and we know diligence and thoughtful and managed progress is most successful way to handle. The attorneys say So we are here about half the year, dealing with termite infestations (wood is used under the concrete), management of the property, broken irrigation, AC units, a non functioning smart home system and other challenges.

But now, we take this on moving forward knowing there is no good intention with the company to solve the problems, just minimize their loss. We will finish our dream home and attempt to sell or live in the community as best we can. On another note, they have created Facebook homeowner groups of less than fifty members. I find that telling if you’ve sold 100+lots. Their google reviews are slowly revealing the truth regardless of the fact they have employee reviews, and the construction is dauntingly slow as I’m sure people are being much more careful and diligent with their money. I will update our journey as it progresses. Pura Vida folks. Costa Rica doesn’t deserve these parasites.

 To think that they would actually post a blatant lie and then counter accuse and request it removed, THEN, admit in their own communication all I have reported. Disgraceful company. Absolutely disgraceful management and board of directors. No shame.

 Prove your marketing is true; post updates on your sales brochures. Prove Tiran Zaken isnt your marketing manager, yes, you fired Amnon Dahan in a post dated fashion after complaints hit the net but Ron Sits in the shadows, as I am in possession of your own produced materials and had a group dinner with him in 2017, not knowing who he was and lastly, finish the homes that are paid for and years late.

If you do what you say and produce what you sell, you won’t need to spend time trolling the internet. Lastly, the EASIEST and ethical way to settle this report is to fix the problem, not put devastates homeowners at your mercy.

I’ve sent your "email” my documents- including one that is untrue and slanderous to someone who "inquired”. The date of your rebuttal shows you’re still playing games and selling more homes while paid unfinished ones wait. I removed my google reviews although your employee generated ones still remain. Your turn to do the right thing.

To clarify on behalf of Kalia Living:

1. Tiran Zaken is not responsible for the marketing of Kalia. We have an international team that handles our Media, marketing, websites, etc.
2.  We would like to provide a direct contact to find out more about our project. How many homes were delivered in 2019, and how many are more to come in 2020. A lot of changes and improvements have happened, so feel free to contact us at homeownerdirector@kalialiving.com for more information.
3. This post is slandering and should not have been allowed in this forum without any legal basis. We ask this post to be removed immediately from the website as we have already reported as it is no more than personal vendetta and slandering.

Sincerely, Kalia Modern Eco-Living.