St. Croix USVI Real Estate & Other Good Things

Author: Eric Page 3 of 8

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!

St. Croix Sales Data: March 2009

Single Family Residential

Sales: 4 homes sold on St Croix in March, with an average sales price of $261,750, and average days on market 234. This compares to 12 sales in March, 2008, with an average sales price of $435,416 and days on market 155.

Condominiums

Sales: 4 condos sold in March, with an average sales price of $131,225, and average days on market 250. This compares to 13 sales in March, 2008, with an average sales price of $236,346 and DOM 200.

Lots/Acreage

Sales: 10 lots sold in March, with an average sales price of $141,050 and average days on market 275. This compares to 14 sales in March, 2008, with an average sales price of $283,985 and DOM 343.

Active Listings

Currently there are 1,031 active listings on St. Croix, which includes both new and existing construction, and all types of properties. Days on market for all price ranges are well over 150 ( approximately 5 months) – the highest is 298 for the price range $250,000-$299,999 and the lowest is 171 for the price range $160,000-$179,999.

Year to Date

Year to date, 91 single family homes have been listed, and 18 sold, with an average sales price of $578,556. 199 condos have been listed and 8 sold, with an average sales price of $383,283. 173 new lots have been listed this year, and 23 sold, with an average sales price of $114,457.

Statistics are courtesy of the St. Croix MLS.

North Shore Lover?

northshore_lead.jpgA new association has recently formed for those of us who love the North Shore. Appropriately named the “North Shore St. Croix Association”, their mission is to preserve and enhance the beauty of the North Shore. St. Croix has many beautiful areas but the North side is certainly stunning, and has mostly gone undiscovered by the general public who visit the Virgin Islands. This new association plans to capture some of that beauty on their website and highlight the beaches, businesses and attractions that dot the countryside.

There is a North Shore St. Croix Destinations section on their website which describes 30 or 40 places tourists might find interesting to visit. These destinations are arranged in driving order to make it easy to follow. There is a map of the North Shore for visual help in locating each destination, an events page, and a news section which discusses membership news.

If you love the North Shore you may want to become a member. It’s free.

If you have a business or organization located on the North Shore you can also join for free. Plus you can have your business added to the Destinations section, at no charge!

For more information visit the North Shore St. Croix Association website…

Forever Views from Hilltop

frederiksted_land.jpgYou can see all the way from Sandy Point to Prosperity from this lovely hilltop lot! Seller would consider some owner financing with 50% down, financing at 10% for 5 years – no pre-payment penalty. There is an active Homeowners Association, power and telephone nearby. A cistern and septic would be required.

Directions: From Frederiksted, right on Mahogany Road. Take first right, then left on Sunset Circle. Go to top of hill and see For Sale sign on right. Property starts at sign and goes up hill to telephone pole where house is under construction.

St. Croix Sales Data: February 2009

Single Family Residential

Since the first of the year, there have been 328 single family residential homes on the market on St. Croix, 22 under contract, and 11 sales during the first two months of the year. Average sales price was $713,364, and average % of list price 87%.

Compared to the first two months of last year, active listings are up 15%, # of sales down 47%, and average sales price up 35% (with 11 homes sold, this is a small sampling of island prices).

Condominiums

Since the first of the year, there have been 246 condos on the market on St. Croix, 9 under contract, and 8 sales during the first two months. Average sales price was $509,312, and average % of list price 91%.

Compared to the first two months of last year, active listings are up 18%, # of sales down 33%, and average sales price up 162% (with only 8 homes sold, this is a small sampling of island prices).

Lots/Acreage

Since the first of the year, there have been 622 land parcels on the market on St. Croix, 20 under contract, and 11 sales during the first two months. Average sales price was $104,455, and average % of list price 90%.

Compared to the first two months of last year, active listings are up 19%, # of sales down 68%, and average sales price down 34%.

Statistics are courtesy of the St. Croix MLS.

Woodworker in Paradise

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dunigan_lead.jpgLove woodworking? Here’s your opportunity to own a local shop with a great history, top reputation and a solid income. Its founder, Jack Dunigan, is an enthusiast of the Arts & Crafts decorative arts movement of the early 20th century. His shop designs and builds fine custom and unique furnishings, often in the manner of these artisans. After many years Jack has decided to retire and is offering his business for sale. The asking price is $295,000 (update: price reduced further) including tools, inventory, current jobs, client lists, etc. Owner financing with only 25% down is an option. Balance can be in payments or a balloon payment or combination thereof. Will also consider trade for home/condo stateside. All offers will be considered.

The cover photo: 1949 Ford Pickup Truck. Jack restored this truck to original, show quality. It’s very special, and will not be part of the sale. He’s owned it for more than 35 years.

The details: Dunigan Designs is an architectural millwork shop offering high quality doors, windows, cabinetry, moldings, and furniture. They opened in their present facilities in April of 2005. Jack Dunigan, the owner, owned a shop in Arizona before relocating here. St. Croix is a unique business environment. The upper end of the economy is almost totally comprised of affluent statesiders who have homes here. Because there are very few places one can find top quality wood work here, Dunigan Designs has been able to capitalize on that end of the economy by offering exceptionally well-made components in a timely manner.
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The location: 5400 sq ft leased facilities in easy to access business park near shopping center, freight forwarder, and major highway. Space includes large air conditioned office, a storage room, a finish spray room, a fully wired, complete Torit dust collection system, 4 roll-up doors, 2 restrooms, paved driveway and parking. 3 phase power is installed and operational.

The assets:

¸ Two Delta 10” Unisaws with extension tables. One saw is right tilt, the other left tilt
¸ Woodmaster 18” molder/planer
¸ Powermatic 15” planer
¸ General 8” jointer
¸ Powermatic edge sander
¸ Delta drill press
¸ Dewalt compound miter saw installed on long bench with measured stop fence
¸ General benchtop mortiser
¸ Delta benchtop mortiser
¸ Torit cyclone dust collection system
¸ Campbell Hausfield 5hp air compressor with piped air lines
¸ 2 Shop Fox 3hp shapers
¸ General 3hp sliding table shaper
¸ Gardner single spindle horizontal boring machine
¸ Grizzly 14” bandsaw
¸ Powermatic 37X2 dual drum 37” sander
¸ Maxim US Robotics CNC machine
¸ Morso miter trimmer with extra cutters
¸ Loads of clamps, benches, stands, tables, router bits, shaper cutters, portable power tools (routers, biscuit joiner, portable table saw, random orbital sanders, belt sander, cordless and electric drills), hand tools, and tool boxes
¸ Office equipment – fax machine, HP printer, file cabinets, desks, etc.

Contact Info: Interested parties please contact Nathaniel Dunigan at info@beachforaweek.com.

Below are a few photos of Dunigan Designs in Christainsted, St. Croix, USVI…

dunigan_storefront.jpgshop-interior-2.jpgtools-3.jpgdesks-1.jpg

Sir Allen Stanford

sir_allen_stanford_st_croix.jpgNEWS: Feb. 17th, St. Croix, USVI – Sir Allen Stanford, a prominent businessman on St. Croix, has just had several of his companies shut down by the federal government. The billionaire’s corporate offices in Texas were raided and three of his companies’ assets were frozen. Allegations are that he perpetrated an $8 billion dollar investment fraud.

Stanford recently moved from Antiqua to St. Croix and had plans underway to build the world headquarters of Stanford Financial Group, a 105,000 square foot executive office park on 37 acres, next to the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, our island’s major airport. Stanford owns multiple properties in and around Christiansted and a beautiful 118′ Hakvoort-built sportfisherman yacht (see yacht in St. Croix Marine story) named Sea Eagle. The captain of that yacht, whom we met a few weeks ago, may be looking for a new job along with many others on St. Croix. At the present time Sir Allen Stanford can not be located… perhaps he’s cruising away on his yacht?

At Cruzana we usually write about “good things on St. Croix” but this is definitely not a “good thing”. Stanford Financial Group operates in one hundred thirty-six countries and six continents and is (or was) a participant of the V.I. Government’s EDC program. The economic impact of Stanford’s halted operations will be felt here on St. Croix.

The “oracle of Omaha”, the billionaire investor Warren Buffett said about these kinds of stories, “It’s only when the tide goes out that you learn who’s been swimming naked.”

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