US Virgin Islands

Perhaps the most common question I get about St Croix is "Can I afford it?" I have known people who could live on $200 a month - and I have known people who needed $200 a day to be happy/comfortable. So it is really difficult to answer that question.

What I can tell you is what housing costs, and give you an idea of food costs, utility costs, etc. Also - it's pretty easy to move here hassle-free. Most things are sold or rented fully furnished - so all you need to bring is a toothbrush and clothes! And you don't need many clothes. It's a very casual place and the weather is consistent - so shorts and a couple of T-shirts - good pair of flip flops - and you're good to go!

Housing costs:

You can get a condo here for as little as $65,000 (there's a great one bedroom - 2nd floor - sea view - for $65,000 at Long Reef - great deal!). The monthly condo fees will range from $250 - $1200 a month. Most times, that fee does cover your insurance - but not always. If you're going for financing, I suggest you avoid condos that are "self-insured" because the bank will require you to get hurricane insurance, and that will be on top of hefty condo fees. Some banks have even decided to not finance those purchases.

A house will cost more. Generally $200,000 is about the least you can expect to pay and at that you will have some fixing up to do. There are a few exceptions - and that's why you need a Realtor! We know the good deals - different areas - and I for one will be completely honest with you.

If you choose to rent - you can expect to pay at least $800 a month - and that won't get you much. I'd say $1500 is about the least you can expect to pay for a nice home or condo. Again -there are always some exceptions out there. You can peruse the inventory of rentals at www.stcroixvacationhomes.com. One of our big employers just laid off 300 people - so rent may be coming DOWN as a result. That's a big hit in our economy and community.

Food costs:

Food costs are higher here than in the states (maybe 25% more?) - and eating out costs more too. Good news is that you can get what you want (not always the case in the Caribbean) - and there are great restaurants!

Living Costs:

Your electricity is going to cost a lot more here -so it's important to get a home that has good breezes and ventilation so you don't have to use AC.

We collect rain water on our roofs so no water fees (except in some condos).

Other things - like phone, internet - are comparable to the states.

Our gas is cheaper here than in the states - I think about $2.21 a gallon now.

If you have specific needs or questions - please feel free to ask. And if you can give me an idea of what "affordable" means to you - perhaps I can give you a better answer.

Helping you Live Your Dream,

Kim Lucas, Realtor
340-626-3758
kim@coldwellbankervi.com
www.retireinthevi.com
www.kimlucasvi.com

If you are a first-time home buyer this year, you may be eligible to take a tax credit of $8,000, making it easier to afford to make the financial leap.

Under the federal stimulus package passed earlier this year, first-time home buyers can deduct 10 percent of the cost of a home purchased as your primary residence -- up to $80,000, for a maximum of $8,000 -- from their income tax. It is a refundable tax credit, so if you owe less than your credit, you can get the difference in your income-tax refund. This year's federal stimulus package explicitly offers the tax credit to state residents, but is silent on the territories.

"There has been some concern that because language in the stimulus legislation states that those eligible for the credit include the 50 states and the District of Colombia that the territories are not eligible," Delegate Donna M. Christensen said in a statement from her office. "However, for the Virgin Islands and Guam, the mirror tax makes changes to the�U.S.code applicable to our territories."

If you already purchased a home you can still use the deduction, so long as the purchase was after Jan. 1. If you are considering buying a home, the tax credit is another factor to consider as you budget and determine what you can afford.

There are so many opportunities for buying in St Croix right now - it's almost unbelievable what prices are being offered for oceanfront or oceanview homes. Contact me for some ideas.

Kim Lucas, Realtor
340-626-3758
www.kimlucasvi.com
kim@coldwellbankervi.com

You would think that for someone who has built a business around computers and technology that I would be all over social networking. For some reason I felt the need to backlash and not use any of these tools. Today I have come out of my shell and will begin to highlight the many different benefits that each social networking site manages.

One of the most consistent problems I have preached since day one with Social Networking and Internet Marketing is that you have to work it. You have to put the time and energy in to make it work. With 100+ new sites out there each day to make our business better we tend to get overwhelmed.

Make it a goal today to try one new website or social networking site. Report back and let me know if you think Facebook, Myspace, or any other site can or has affected your business!

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

TWITTER: www.twitter.com/nickvanassche

SKYPE: search Nick Vanassche

ACTIVERAIN: www.activerain.com/nckerbocker

Just South of Anguilla is the Caribbean island of St Barthelemy, an amazingly scenic island with pristine beaches and plenty of available real estate. St Barthelemy or St Barts as it popularly referred to as, is a popular Caribbean island for its exciting attractions and incredible real estate.

Hotels and resorts are popular on St Barts and include the Carl Gustaf, Eden Rock, Francois Plantation, Hotel Guanahani and Spa, Le Christopher and Le Toiny. These hotels have amazing amenities like in-house dining, Jacuzzis, saunas, water sports and state-of-the-art fitness centers. Some of the incredible restaurants on St Barts are Brtolomeo – a French cuisine restaurant, La Plage- French cuisine restaurant and Le Rivage- also a French cuisine restaurant.

The people of St Barts also referred to as Bartians speak both French and English. The climate is tropical year-round and temperatures rarely fluctuate. The island also has communications services many other Caribbean islands don’t due to their undersea fiber-optic cable which gives them phone and internet services.

For more information on this topic, please visit Caribbean real estate.

St Eustatius is a relatively secluded island in the heart of the Caribbean. With neighboring islands like St Kitts and the Virgin Islands its easy to overlook this island. But for those seeking an authentic and pristine Caribbean experience, St Eustatius might be the perfect place. St Eustatius is one of the few places in the Caribbean you can purchase acres of waterfront land. The low population of St Eustatius means the natural beauty of the island is easier to preserve and the beaches are quite breathtaking.

The official language of the island is Dutch, which is largely because St Eustatius is a constituent of The Kingdom of the Netherlands. English is widely spoken throughout the island and there is a hint of culture from The Netherlands, Caribbean and English speaking cultures. Restaurants on the island include Blue Bead Restaurant - a nice French Cuisine café, Ocean View Terrace – a Caribbean cuisine restaurant and the Old Gin House Restaurant which is an International cuisine restaurant.

For more information on this topic, please visit Caribbean real estate.