US Virgin Islands

Wednesdays are traditionally the day for open houses on St. Thomas. They are open mainly to brokers and agents. Although you are not prohibited from bringing your customer. Today there were a total of six open houses.

I started out with the thought of trying to identify the best buy, but it really depends on your needs.

The first home was in Frenchman's Bay. A duplex, two, 2 bedrooms 2 baths, mirror images of each other with a 1 bedroom apartment downstairs, nicely renovated, garage and a private beach. As an income investment you could probably generate $6000 a month by renting out all three units, which could go a fair distance on helping to pay the mortgage on the $1.35 million asking price depending on how much you put down.

Just next door was a townhouse that had been renovated to be one, 3 bedroom 3 bath home on the main levels with a 1 bedroom apartment down stairs. This home has a large infinity edged pool, private beach, and no garage. More of a home, I see a family owning and using the apartment for a nanny, in-law or guest suite. You would have to be able to comfortably afford the $2.2 million asking price.

The pool pictured on the left above, belongs to the house in Solberg and is located right in the center of the home. It opens to the deck and overlooks the Caribbean Sea, port harbor of Charlotte Amalie, Water and Hassle Islands, one of the most coveted view on St. Thomas. One of the bedrooms, the kitchen and dining rooms are on one side and the master bedroom suite in on the other side. This too, has a one bedroom apartment downstairs. I envision a younger or older couple, living here, due to the two bedrooms and the pool is not so you could prevent young children from accessing it. The asking price on this one is $450,000.

The largest home was in Frenchman's Bay, consisting of some 7000 sq. ft. It has 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths on the main level and 3 bedrooms and 3 baths below, a large pool with a huge deck and sits close to the water. I see this home filled with a large family. Perhaps including grandparents, children ranging in ages, and parents who love to entertain often. Whether it is having the entire soccer team over or throwing a fund raiser for their favorite charity, it is on a flat lot so there is lots of parking. The asking price on this home is $1.6 million. There are some finishing touches that still need to be made on this home, but it is a grand villa with marble floors and custom work throughout.

There is a cute, I call it, a doll house, in Frenchman's Bay. This home has 2 bedrooms , 1 bath, a garage, a covered gallery that has a fabulous view of the cruise ships coming in, an efficiency apartment downstairs and great neighbors, I am told. Well maintained and loved by it's owner but the time has come to move. I see this as a great starer home for a young couple or a single person who wants more privacy than a condo can offer. It is priced at $425,000.

The last home I visited was a gated compound. There are two buildings containing a total of 4 separate living areas which share a very large pool with expansive decking, an outdoor kitchen and cabana bathroom. There are a total of 9 bedrooms and eight baths not counting the cabana bathroom. I see this being purchased by a corporation, using it as a retreat/think tank/ training center. The complex sits on the waterfront and I am sure has some of the best snorkeling around. The owners are throwing in a few kayaks for the adventurer in you. The stonework and tiling is exceptional. The place is built to surpass all building codes, has an automatic generator. If you have food delivered, you would never have to leave and you may not want to. It is offered at $5.5 million.

There is a broad selection of real estate on St. Thomas. If your looking, let Van Blake-Coleman Realty, help you find what will work for you!

As I was enjoying my morning walk today, I was thinking about how often I hear people say that they would miss the four seasons if they lived here. Well, what I have discovered is that we have four seasons here, too! When I lived in the states, I thought, like many of you, that the Caribbean had two seasons - Hot and Hotter. Not true! While we do enjoy WONDERFUL weather her nearly 365 days a year - there are actually four seasons. The differences are subtle, and that's what makes it fun and interesting. The first year here - I probably didn't even NOTICE them. As I've stayed here longer, I truly enjoy and appreciate the variations that come with the "seasons."

This is spring, and the trees are budding and flowers are blooming! The fragrance of the Neem trees is enchanting, and orange and white lillies have emerged at my back door hearlding spring just as the daffodils did back in Atlanta! Easter weekend marks the beginning of summer here, and the locals race to get their spot on the beach for camping. What a WONDERFUL tradition here - I'm so envious! The locals that I know here who grew up here talk about their Easter as a child with reverance (but not necessarily in the religious sense!!!)! The whole extended family camps together, cooks together, dances and plays together for a minimum of a long weekend; many for a week or more. Nearly every beach here will be packed with tents, boom boxes, grills, you name it. Whatever you name it, it's heaven for the children, and not far from that for the adults!

I returned from my walk and packed up the blanket that we've been using on the bed for the last few months. Winter seems to finally be gone. Winter? You scoff, but the evenings here have been quite cool, a few nights even cool enough for me to put on SOCKS!!! (Ok, I still had on shorts and a t-shirt - but my feet were chilly!!!). "Season" is now officially over and things are slowing down here. Summer will bring a bounty of mangos and flamboyant trees along with deliciously warm water to swim in. That's right - those of us who live here can't swim in the winter - TOO COLD!!

Fall will likely be wet and a bit gray - and make us appreciate the predominantly good weather we are so fortunate to enjoy. Excitement will build over the upcoming holidays and arrival of the tourists again.

Summer, winter, spring and fall - ST Croix is the best place of all!!