As I have done occasionally in the past, I offer for sale an interesting piece of real estate in Mérida.
A quinta is a country home, often with sufficient space to keep a few animals or have a garden and fruit trees. In Yucatán, the term is typically applied to a place smaller than a ranch, but larger than the average city lot.
This quinta is a slice of the countryside in La Ermita, one of the most popular neighborhoods in Mérida's centro historico. The atmosphere of this large urban property is green and tranquil, despite being located in a mixed-use area on public transportation routes and within easy reach of downtown's cultural activities, shops and services.
For a person who is torn between country and city life, this might be the perfect solution.
Set back from the street there is a small, one-bedroom, one-bath house with kitchen/dining and living rooms. The sala retains its original pasta-tile floor in good shape and an interesting archway leading to the kitchen. The house is in habitable condition and everything works, but most buyers probably would install modern upgrades. Attached to the house at the rear is a covered workshop area with a second full bath.
The lot itself measures 11 x 83.5 meters, or about 36 feet street frontage with 274 feet in depth. A large entry gate on the street opens to allow parking for several cars inside.
And the great depth of the lot is what makes the possibilities so interesting. There is ample space for the construction of a private home in the rear away from the street, plus room for guest houses or to accommodate a small business, such as a plant nursery. Or the property could be enjoyed as it is, with lots of open space for pets, a garden and fruit trees.
Speaking of plants, here is a partial listing of mature trees on the land: lemon; sweet and sour orange; mandarin; avocado; anona; guayaba, guanabana; guaya; cayumito. There also is nance, ramón, ziricote and a large flowering plumeria.
One of my favorite things here is the antique Chicago Aermotor windmill, used to pump water from the hand-dug well. The motor needs to be rebuilt (and I am told the estimate for this work is about US$1000), but the tower is in excellent condition. The windmill was originally installed to fill a large square water tank, which is in good shape and suitable for use as a swimming pool. The 12-meter well also is set up for installation a submersible water pump (at the cost of just a few hundred dollars) in order to fill the pool and water the garden.
The house has a large underground water cistern to catch and store roof runoff for use in irrigation during the dry season. An old cement block hen house could be demolished or easily renovated for use as a dog kennel.
All paperwork is up to date on this property for a trouble-free transaction.
Lot: 11 x 83.5 meters, with fruit trees, well, windmill, and water tank suitable for pool.
House: Living room, kitchen/dining, bedroom, full bath, with cistern and attached workshop with second full bath.
Price: US $79,000.
If you have questions or would like to see the property, please contact me at:
marc_olson@hotmail.com
Click on photos below to enlarge.
