Thriller

 The ultimate Halloween video. I know it it vintage but I don't believe it gets any better than this. Michael Jackson set the benchmark for videos with this one.  Enjoy!

Cottage for Rent on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

Other than large villas, rentals on St. Thomas are generally either the top part of a home, the lower part of a home, or one of many units in a building or condo complex. Anyway you look at it, you are sharing a building with others. This cottage is just that a single cottage.

The essences of island living in St. Thomas, a charming, stand alone, two bedroom, one bath cottage on a fenced and gated property. Tastefully decorated with original art from around the world, Moroccan carpets and all new furniture. Every detail has been attended to, down to the linens and cookware.

The kitchen is open to the living area for maximum interaction with guests and family. The bedrooms are on opposite ends of the cottage for maximum privacy. There is an extra room that can be used as a walk-in closet or an office area, if you like. Split air conditioning, Internet service and cable television are included. There is a lovely outdoor dining room with lounge chairs for sipping your cordial after a romantic dinner.

There are traditional wooden hurricane shutters and hurricane resistant glass in the windows and French doors that lead to a patio. A generator in case the electric goes out. There is a full sized washer and dryer. Flat parking for two cars is another bonus with this rental in St. Thomas.

This rental in St. Thomas is conveniently located just West of town, so you are not fighting the traffic. It is close to the University, and not far from downtown businesses. This ideal, home can be yours with an annual lease for only $2,400.00 per month. Pets are considered individually. This is a nonsmoking property.

For all your real estate needs on St. Thomas, contact Van Blake-Coleman Realty. Call 1 866 576 3331.

Stumpy Bay Beach, Legendary in St. Thomas

Since arriving in St. Thomas, I have infrequently heard people my age either ask about property near Stumpy Bay or refer to wonderful times they had while growing up going to Stumpy Bay. There was never a lot of details, just whimsical looks and soft knowing smiles.

I have shown property in Estate Hope only once before, a raw piece of land. Estate Hope is located on the Western side of the island before you get to Estate Fortuna, people hold on to the property in this area. I had an appointment to show a home listed for only $249,000, hard to find on St. Thomas. The listing touted the home to be within walking distance to Stumpy Bay. I met a friend I have been showing homes for a while and we ventured down an unpaved road that was pretty rugged (not unusual in St. Thomas). Turns out, this is probably not the home for her and her husband but I could not resist the opportunity to go to Stumpy Bay. My friend had never heard of Stumpy Bay (she is quite young, at least by my standards) We could hear and see the water clearly from the house but there didn't seem to be any beach in sight, just a rocky coastline. When we got down to the road we could not see the water so we decided to drive. We finally reached an area too rugged for either of our four wheel drive vehicles. We parked in the middle of the road, no one was going to be able to drive any further any way; so walked the rest of the way. 

As we came through the trees, a beach began to appear, as we walked across the sand littered with bleached coral (most of this has been removed by visitors on the other beaches even though it is prohibited), there was a serenity and sense of peace that settled around us on this isolated beach. No wonder it is such a treasure to those who know it. I only had the time to take these pictures but I will return with a bathing suite and some snorkel gear, when I can steel an afternoon. Soon, I too will be able to smile whimsically when Stumpy Bay Beach is mentioned. I may not have the wealth of memories but I will know the privilege.

Halloween is Coming - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

Halloween in St. Thomas is usually a fun event for adults and children alike. There are events like the costume part the Historical Trust gives as a fund raiser every year. Stay tuned for special event for the fall Holloween season in St. Thomas. A haunted house is always fun and scary too. I don't think this home is haunted but is it cool, it is definitely not in St. Thomas. In the mean time enjoy this video I found on YouTube of this not so "haunted house", some place other than St. Thomas. I hope you are getting ready for Halloween with scary pranks and costumes.

St, Thomas Looses KISS 101.3; A tribute to "Old School

Just a little "old school" coming from St. Thomas to you, enjoy. on 10/2/12 we lost a radio station in St. Thomas, KISS 101.3. They played a lot of good music and I particularly enjoyed the Tom Joyner morning show, and Daddy Driver in the afternoon. It is now off of the air. This is my salute to those who worked there for years and entertained us all. St. Thomas and the Caribbean basin will miss your work.

Open Houses in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

Wednesday is the day for broker open houses in St. Thomas. There were four today; two homes and two condos. 

Three of the open houses were in the Estate of Frenchman Bay. 

MLS number 12-1635, priced at $1,799,000 this relatively new, sprawling 7,000 sq. ft, seven bedroom, seven and a half bath home is located very close to the sea and in clear view of the cruise ship route. It was the first open house on St. Thomas, I attended today. It is minutes from Antilles School, town and the Lime Tree Beach.  Amenities include  a huge pool, balconies off of the bedrooms, each bedroom is en suite, custom imported wood work, incredible parking  space and travertine flooring throughout. There are actually two separate units here; a four bedroom four bath upper level  and a three bedroom three and a half lower level. 

MLS number 12-878, priced at $360,000 a two bedroom, two bath, solid concrete condo with breathtaking Caribbean Sea views from every room except the bathrooms. I almost missed this open house in St. Thomas today. This unit has been beautifully kept and has a private driveway.  It is situated in a quite small complex, located in the center of the island. Other significant features are large closets and a double sink mater bath, low condo fees - only $555.30 a month, hurricane screening, UV water filter and an automatic generator.

MLS number 12-1555, priced at $259,000, the only two bedroom two bath unit in Frenchman View Condominium Complex. There are great panoramic views and a large deck. The complex has a pool. Construction is concrete. The condo fees are $962 a month.

                                                     View from the deck of MLS 12-1645

Estate Lerkenlund is the location of the last open house MLS 12-1645, priced at $515,000 and consists of three bedrooms and three baths, with a work shop and bonus room down stairs.  This immaculately kept home commands amazing views of Magen's Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and could be converted into a two unit home if you wanted to, with access from the lower road. The main level has walk-in access and there is a solar and generator system on this home; resulting in low electric bills and making power outages a non-issue. The hammock in the living room make this home my pick of the open houses in St. Thomas today.

If you are interested in seeing real estate in St. Thomas  call Van Blake-Coleman Realty at 866 576 3331. 

Many of the listings are available through broker's reciprocity.

St. Thomas Real Estate Market Report September 2012

This report contains figures from the St. Thomas Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service:

During the month of September in the St. Thomas real estate market, 7 homes were sold with an average price of $605,929.00. The total volume of homes sold  last month was $4,241,500.  The number of homes sold has increased by more than 200% over the same time period last year but the average price is down by more than 26 %.

There were 4 condos sold in the month of September with an average price of $158,375. The total volume of condos sold last month was $633,500. In the St. Thomas real estate market, the number of condos sold has increased by 33% in the same time frame last year but the average price  has decreased by 46% from a year ago.

The raw land sold in the St. Thomas real estate market during the month of September numbered only 2 with  an average price of $202,500.  The total volume of land sold  last month was $405,000. This represents a decrease of 60% in the number of lots sold compared to the same time frame last year but a 141% increase in the average price.

the St. Thomas real estate market is small enough to be significantly impacted by one or two large or small sales with in the month.  The St. Thomas real estate market normally see an increase in both the number of sale and prices in the high season from November to April. Now is a great time for buyers to purchase on St. Thomas and throughout the Virgin Islands.

 There are a significant number of transactions which take place and are not recorded on the MLS.

Virgin Island Territorial Association at Work For The Community

The Virgin Islands Territorial Association of Realtors is our state level organizations of Realtors in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is comprised of The St. Thomas Board of Realtors, the St. John Board of Realtors and the St. Croix Board of Realtors. There is currently a combined membership of 292 members.

Many people believe the only interest Realtors have is selling people's homes and collecting large checks. I would be crazy to say we have no interest in making money, everyone likes doing that. Most of us live in the territory and our lives, our futures, our families and friends are all impacted by addressing large and small issues that affect the Virgin Islands Territory. Therefore our interests are much deeper and very personal to each of us.

The Virgin Islands Territory has a challenge in specific sections with homes that have been damaged by hurricanes, abandoned because of inheritance and probate issues, financial inability of owners to complete rehab projects  or a combination of all of the above. Yes, even in paradise, we have blight and we need an organized method of address it, especially since we have such a rich history that deserves to be preserved.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of the Virgin Islands Territorial Association of Realtors, especially our president, Kerstin McConnell, president Elect for the St. Thomas Board of Realtors, April Newland, President of the St. Croix Board of Realtors, Caryn Hodge, Honnie Edwards and Lorine Williams  and our CEO of the Virgin Islands Territorial Association, Belton Jennings for the dogged determination and dedication they have exhibited in working to pass legislation in the territory which will improve the quality of life for all Virgin Islanders, specifically the Historic Preservation Bill.  While the bill is not in it's final form, it's essence is important.

 Belton Jennings was the conduit to the grant from NAR (National Association of Realtors), which help to fuel the latest efforts with the Historic Preservation bill. The named members waged a campaign this year, personally lobbying, making appearances on radio and TV and testifying before the legislation.

Here is a link to read the article that was published in  Realtor's Party News Letter

St. Thomas, VI Over The Labor Day Weekend

To take a short restorative beak in St.Thomas, VI over the Labor Day weekend, I escaped to some of the neighboring islands. They are a short boat ride away.

A friend of mine decided to charter a boat right here in St. Thomas, VI over the Labor Day weekend and invited me to join them. We departed from Compass Point one of the many marinas on St. Thomas.

As we left St. Thomas, VI over the Labor Day weekend we sailed by Nazareth, RH. One of the waterfront homes in this neighborhood is depicted below. At the time of this writing there were 20 homes for sale in this area, ranging in price from $399,000 to $4,100,000.00. Pricing depends on whether the home is inside gated areas such as Water or Deck Point and proximity to the water.

We passed by St. John and Tortola. Our first stop was Sandy Cay. This island is 13 acre island, donated by Lawrence Rockefeller in 2008 to the BVI. Part of the allure of this island is that you get to feel what it is like to be on a completely private beach. Although there are at least six mooring lines, there seems to be an unwritten rule among the boaters. If they approach and see some one else there, they sail on until you leave. Circling back and coming ashore. Occupancy is limited to 90 minutes. We used our time to frolic in the surf, scrub ourselves with the white sand, walk the trail and snorkel a bit. Although there wasn't much to see in the water the beach was glorious.

Next came Foxy's Taboo Located at the water's edge and known for it's casual but sumptuous dining.

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Back to the boat and on to White Bay where the beach is lined with restaurants, bars, boats and activities.

Although, I was in St. Thomas, VI over the Labor Day weekend most of the time, I enjoyed the day in the BVI. They are so close, we boarded our charter at 9:30 am and were back in St. Thomas before 7:30 pm. Some of the boats came from as far as Puerto Rico and were able to return home the same evening as well.

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Real Estate Market Report, August 2012

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Real Estate Market Report

Presented by Tanya Van Blake-Coleman, Your Virgin Islands Realtor

Homes
On St. Thomas there are a total of 168 residences for sale ranging in asking price from $155,000 to $10,990,000 currently.

During the month of August, 2012 there were 5 homes sold on St. Thomas.  The median price was $460,000 which, on average, was 93% of the asking price.The average days on the market was 357.

 

 

Condomimiums
There are 175 condos available for pruchase in the St. Thomas, Virgin Islands real estate market, ranging in price from $69,000 to $2,595,000. There is a  boat slip that comes up under this category for $62,500.

For the condo segment of the market, 3 units closed on St. Thomas during the month of August.  The median price was $250,000 which was, on average, 87% of the asking price. The average days on maket was 188.

Land
The St. Thomas, Virgin Islands real estate market has 245 lot for sale; ranging in asking price from $20,000 to $8,000,000.

During the month of August, there were 4 lots of raw land sold on St. Thomas, with an median price of $46,500, which was, on average, 84% of the listed price. The average days on the maket was 316.

Snap Shot of the St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Real Estate Market
Condos are selling quicker than homes or land. Homes are selling closer to asking prices. Only the very inexpensive lots are selling. The higher end of the market is fairly quiet in all segments.


How can both buyers and sellers gain an advantage in the St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Real Estate Market? Retain a local Realtor who knows the market.

All satistics are from the Mulitple Listing Service for the St. Thomas, St. Croix Real Estate Boards.