St. Croix USVI Real Estate & Other Good Things

Month: July 2009

St. Croix Land For Sale

St. Croix Land For SaleHomesite with Sweeping North Shore Panorama… This is a gorgeous 0.9 acre lot with wonderful views of the north shore. It is priced well below other lots in the subdivision and is superior to them in terms of buildability and view. You can access this lot from the upper or lower road and the size gives you lots of room and options for building. Cistern and septic required. Power, telephone nearby. Paved road, Active HOA. Seller is motivated! Asking $77,000.

Directions: Heading east from Christiansted, turn right towards Tipperary. Left at Seven Hills. At T, turn left. At first fork, bear left. Lot is at next fork. Bear right to view from top.

St. Croix Sales Data: June 2009

Single Family Residential

For the month of June, 3 homes sold compared to 11 last year, a decrease of 72%. The average sales price was $325,833 versus $523,273 in 2008, a decrease of 37%. Median sale price declined to $295,000 from $345,000 a year ago, down 14%. Average days on market was 217, down from 252 last year.

Condominiums

For June, 3 sold during the month compared to 8 last year, a decrease of 62%. Average sales price increased from $165,675 to $261,500, up 58%. Median sale price also increased to $254,500 from $128,200 in 2008. Average days on market was 278, up from 192 last year.

Lots/Acreage

For June, 6 sales closed compared to 17 last year, down 64%. Average sales price was $37,000, versus $121,941 in 2008, down 69%. Median sale price was $35,000 compared to $57,500 last year. Average days on market was 274 compared to 244 last year.

Statistics are courtesy of the St. Croix MLS.

St. Croix Sales Data: May 2009

This month we review sales by price ranges on the island.

12 Single Family homes sold in May:

1 with 2 bedrooms or less – $60,000-$69,999
9 with 3 bedrooms – 1 at $90,000-$99,000; 1 at $120,000-$139,999; 1 at $160,000-$179,999; 1 at $180,000-$199,999;1 at $200,000-$249,999; 1 at $250,000-$299,999; 1 at $300,000-$399,999; and 2 over $500,000. 2 with 4 or more bedrooms – 1 at $400,000-$499,999; 1 over $500,000.

4 condos sold in May:

4 with 2 bedrooms or less – 1 at $70,000-$79,999; 2 at $140,000-$159,999; 1 at $400,000-$499,999

  • Single family average price was $361,332, and for condos, $170,300.
  • Single family median price was $248,500, and for condos, $77,500.
  • Single family Days on Market was 2 at 61-90 days, and 10 over 120 days.
  • Condo Days on Market was 1 at 91-120 days, and 4 over 120 days.

Information courtesy of St. Croix Board of Realtors.

St. Croix Sales Data: April 2009

Market Analysis of St Croix Sales Jan 1 – April 30, 2009 vs Same Period in 2008

This year so far, 26 single family homes have sold vs. 41 last year in the first 4 months, a decline of 36%. Average price this year has been $514,000 vs. last year $488,173. Days on Market this year have averaged 205 vs. 210 last year.

In the condo market, 15 sales have closed this year, vs. 38 last year, a decrease of 61%. Average price this year has been $335,693, vs $229,800 last year, an increase of 46%. Days on market this year has averaged 256 vs. 189 last year.

Sales of Lots/Acreage have been 40 this year, vs. 66 last year, a decline of 39%. The average sales price this year has been $147,347, vs. $163,208, a decrease of 10%. Average days on market is 268 so far this year, vs. 322 last year.

As of May 1, there were 267 active listings, with an average list price of $885,451 and days on market of 240.
For condos, there were 183 active listings, with an average list price of $292,191 and days on market of 220.
For lots/acres, there were 517 active listings, with an average list price of $364,608 and days on market of 263.
There also were 63 listings of commercial/industrial real estate, averaging $1,115,317 for list price, and 295 for days on market.

Sport fishing St. Croix

tuna.jpgI recently went fishing off the west end of St. Croix. I love fishing, but this trip was especially fun. My friend picked me up at the Frederiksted Pier in his 20′ Apex boat, I hopped in and away we went motoring up the coast. Our destination was somewhere off Hamm’s Bluff, the steep north-western corner of St. Croix. Sorry, exact coordinates top secret.

The boat was outfitted with all the essentials… rod holders, heavy duty rods and reels, fish coolers, and a gaff. Having ridden in lots of boats I was surprised what a nice ride the Apex gave… soft, stable, fast, and great when the seas got rough. The added cushion of sitting on the air-filled sides made the ride even better. If I were shopping for a boat I’d seriously consider an inflatable like an Apex (click photo of boat below for larger view). This Apex even had the canopy top to shade you from the tropical sun – a must down here.

Check out this 2013 Boat Shows list if you’re interested in finding an Apex near you.

The west end of St. Croix is home to the beautiful town of Frederiksted, boasts calm wind-protected waters, and lots of beaches. As we traveled up the coast we saw horses on the beach, flying fish jumping and sailing across the water, and beautiful lush mountains. As we approached our destination, off the northern tip, we also saw the old Hamm’s Bluff lighthouse sitting up on top of the mountain.

apex.jpgThat was when both reels started screaming at the same time! In just a few minutes we had two beautiful Blackfin Tunas in the boat. They put up an amazing fight! One weighed 8 lbs. and the other 5 lbs. Soon after we turned around and trolled through the school again… boom, both reels went off again, another Blackfin and one larger fish on the line (we think it was a Wahoo) but that one got away. Again we trolled “the spot” and got two more 5 lb. Tunas on the hook and soon they were in the boat too!

We cleaned the fish, threw them on ice, and that evening we enjoyed fresh sushi and grilled Tuna. Could it get much better?

Cindy Male Studios

cindymale.gifCindy Male’s Art and Yoga Studios and Gallery serve the community by offering drawing sessions, yoga classes, private and group art classes, a place to display art, and a place to purchase unusual, made on St. Croix, crafted gifts. The art work of Harlem artist Ademola Olugebefola just left the gallery, and Leslie Cramer’s stimulating driftwood and bamboo work hangs along with Male’s fine and applied pictures, cards, light reflectors, and jewelry. It is open most days as the artist is working in either the fiber studio or the painting studio. You can call ahead at 277-8651.

On Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Cindy teaches yoga, fusing hatha, kundalini, pranayama, and chi gong to give her students a good stretch, strenuous workout, and practice in deeper breathing. All of this preparation leads up to the culmination of the evening: opening the body, mind, and spirit in meditation.

studio_students.jpgCindy’s philosophy in teaching art coincides with her yoga training. She works with her students to reach into their ‘inner selves’ and draw on personal likes, dislikes, philosophy, and images. Students learn to be more creative and synthesize material for meaning. Says Male, “Techniques evolve from need rather than learning techniques and not having anything to say with them. It takes years before a person’s technical skills and content combine to deliver a compelling image. My printmaking teacher in Florence, Italy once said that it takes twenty years before an artist truly creates with his/her medium.” More information on her art work can be found at www.cindymale.com. Visitors may call and arrange a private art or yoga class while visiting our creative and beautiful island. Give yourself a drawing or watercolor that YOU have done to take home with you.

Currently there are life drawing sessions with culturally costumed models, nudes, and other various interesting ‘characters’. Sensational models, all of them! Right now, the two hour sessions are only $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. Thanks to a grant from the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, the price for this summer’s sessions is reduced. If you are interested in learning how to draw the figure, check out these drawing sessions on Tuesdays, Thursday evenings, and Saturdays (www.illuminatedfabricartforcandles.com/events.html for times and the model for any particular session). Practice makes perfect!

Next Friday, the studio will host a two hour workshop for Danica David’s summer camp. Stations will be set up for fabric work, stamping and stenciling, drawing, and a learning center about the Taino culture.

Cindy Male loves being in her studio. She also loves facilitating the artistic endeavor for others. She firmly believes it strengthens focus and learning, enhances perception, encourages mental associations, and requires expression. As a teacher for over thirty years, from kindergarten through college, her main objective in teaching art is to “turn her students on to their creative and intuitive self”. The ensuing image is an exciting and stimulating byproduct.

For commission work please review www.cindymale.com./appliedart.html or call the artist at 340.277.8651 for a quote on a fabric installation, upholstery, mural, color consultation, or wall texturizing. Choose between these options for a one of a kind interior!

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén