ST. CROIX REALT Y

Message fromAmy…

Our Crucian version ofthe Fourth of July wasquite festive! The

Fourth is an excellent holiday;the weather is heavenly andnot much is expected of us —we can simply relax and dowhat we most enjoy about ourbeautiful island. We can nap on one of our own beaches,

or gather with friends toenjoy a scrumptiousCrucian picnic.There’s even time for

a short trip to aneighboring island. And,

in case you’re wondering,there were fireworks in

Frederikstedand lots ofbands! Many gathered

this year to attend the Fourth ofJuly street fair, community concert and fireworks display.This traditional Fourth of July celebration typicallyattracts 4,000 people to Frederiksted town itself andthousands more enjoy the fireworks from beaches orrestaurants.

The only requirement is heartfelt appreciation of ourstatus as an American Virgin Island. Lucky for us, theVirgin Islands had the good fortune to be purchased fromthe Danes in 1917, and we’ve been going about our day-to-day business protected by the bright red, white andblue of the American flag ever since.

There’s been too little rain in St. Croix over the pastmonth or so, therefore the island’s not as green and lushas usual. Nevertheless, red, white and blue areeverywhere in the extravagantly red branches of theflamboyant trees, the gauzy white cumulous clouds andthe intense blue sea. Hip, hip, hooray for us and forAmerica’s birthday! Surely we’re one of the most colorfulguests at the party!

The link in our article on Wendy Solomon andGoToStCroix.com will give you 100 ideas of ways to enjoyour island. Come join us!

AmyAmy Land-de Wilde, Broker/Owner

Coldwell Banker St. Croix Realty

St.Croix Real Estatereviews

This newsletter written by Sandy Baldauf • sandybaldauf@gmail.com CLICK

HERECLICKHERE

St.Croix Real EstatereviewsFeaturing Real Estate Market Updates

and Local News of St. Croix, USVI

JULY 2015

l coldwellbankervi.com

l info@coldwellbankervi.com

l coldwellbankervi.com/vacationrentals

l Buccaneer Hotel 340.718.7000

l Gallows Bay Marketplace 340.778.7000

Amy Land-de Wilde

St. Croix ~Media Darling

St. Croix’s the target of a lot of mediaattention these days, and for all the rightreasons. Coincidentally, on June 9 the

Travel Channel and HGTV both chose ChenayBay as filming headquarters. St. Croix was thefocus of a Travel Channel “Real” documentarysegment — “Real St. Croix” is scheduled to air onthe cable network in the fall. According to ShaneReynolds, the series’ producer, subjects are notpresented as tourist destinations; instead,emphasis is on “the history, theculture, the frustrations andwhat keeps people here.”

Adding to mediaactivity the same day, afilm crew from cablenetwork HGTVfilmed oneof ChenayBay’s villasas well asShoreline, the resort’srestaurant. Just offshore,paddleboarders remained afloat as they had ayoga lesson from local instructor Sarah Stamperand the HGTV crew filmed the proceedings. Atrip to Buck Island was scheduled for later in theday —no balance skills required.

Over the last few years, a number of ourhomes have been featured on several of HGTV’sreal estate shows. They have brought newattention from many stateside cities to St. Croix.You’ll also see that the Travel Channel’s AndrewZimmerman has heaped accolades on a numberof St. Croix’s unique culinary traditions includingthe island’s multi-cultural food trucks, roadsidefood vendors, Crucian land-crabbing expeditions,deep sea fishing, and Senepol cattle at AnnalyFarm. If you have about 45 minutes, this isdefinitely entertaining and informative! SeeAndrew Zimmern Bizarre Foods atwww.travelchannel.com/shows/bizarre-foods.

St. Croix Real Estate Reviews, page 2

Eagle Air Services, LLC, in partnership with Medical Air Services Association (MASA), has started construction of 25,000 sq. ft. of hangar space and 10,000 sq. ft. of office space for a major addition to air ambulance services headquartered at St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. The expansion will include conference

space, up-to-date training equipment and a medically-equipped area designed to stabilize air ambulance patients. As a fixed-base operator serving general and commercial aviation at the St. Croix airport, Eagle Aviation LLC will have a positive effect on the local economy. All carriers, operators and customers will be able to take advantage of volume fuel sales pricing and inside aircraft storage, servicing and maintenance will be available. Other services will include an international flight school, aircraftrefueling, aircraft ground handling, on-demand air charters, and air ambulance operations. In the future, cooperative educational agreements with the Department of Education and the University of

the Virgin Islands could provide aviation-related curriculum such as flight training, aircraft maintenance,aircraft avionics technology, and apprenticeship programs in aviation flight, maintenance and flight nursing.

http://stcroixsource.com/content/news/local-news/2015/05/20/eagle-aviation-will-break-ground-largest-aviation-facility-caribb

Spotlight on… Wendy Solomon

If you’ve ever entertained distant friends and family with a short jig in frontof the webcam on the boardwalk, you may have wondered who arranged forthis fascinating, almost hypnotic 24/7 coverage of Christiansted Harbor.

Well, it’s the brainchild of Go-to-St. Croix’s Wendy Solomon!In 1995, Wendy’s career was on the fast

track in Manhattan’s advertising world whenshe succumbed to the enthusiastic urging of aformer roommate and visited St. Croix for thefirst time. After several return visits, the lure ofthe flexible, simpler lifestyle that island lifeoffered was so attractive that she resigned herposition in New York and made the move toSt. Croix, telling herself and everyone else thatshe would stay for one year while she learned to sail and to dive. That wasin 1997.Wendy’s first job was as crew on the charter boat Jolly Roger, where she

traded her former fast-paced world for time to sail, snorkel, island-hop and scuba dive. A few freelance jobs inadvertising led to a business venture she named Media Mate — the name was a fun play on her old life (in themedia) and her new title (first mate). GoToStCroix.com was born during Media Mate’s earliest days and it grewat a steady pace as Wendy and her team developed more than 125 websites for local businesses.

Fifteen years later, Wendy has chosen to retire the old ad agency model to focus exclusively onGoToStCroix.com. The site is a giant portal of information for anyone looking to spend time on St. Croix as itprovides resources for the vacationer, resident, part-timer, or anyone wanting to build a life here.

GoToStCroix’s new “100 Things to Do in St. Croix” series is a fun way to showcase unique Crucianexperiences. Solomon says, “Attracting the right visitors to St. Croix means showcasing all that we alreadyhave. When first-time visitors have an experience that exceeds expectations, they return to spend more timeand possibly purchase land or a home. A new homeowner brings new people to the island, and they need agreat online resource in their pocket to tell them how to experience the very best of St. Croix.”

Today, Wendy and her husband Tom Rodenhaver, a St. Croix resident for more than 35 years, share whatshe describes as “a beautiful fixer-upper” in the east-end, south-shore GrapetreeBay neighborhood with two island rescue dogs that love life and never fail toentertain! Wendy and her husband enjoy working on the house, hostingfrequent visits from family and friends, and being a part of St. Croix's strong,closely-knit community. Wendy firmly believes that St. Croix has everything it needs to be successful right here and now, and she is working to create the best possible

environment for residents and visitors alike.For more information, by all means visit GotoStCroix.com.

Largest Aviation Facility In TheCaribbean Coming to St. Croix

Eagle AviationLLC’s new

facility will bethe largest andmost modern ofits kind virtuallyanywhere,

particularly inthe Caribbean.

– Michael Johnson,Eagle Air ServicesAssistant Directorof Operations

“

“Attracting theright visitors toSt. Croix meansshowcasing allthat we already

have…”

St. Croix Real Estate Reviews, page 3

ISLANDPROPERTIES

27 Sweet LimeThis customstand-alonethreebedroom/three bathcondo has anopen layoutwhichincludes a

lovely covered outdoor living area thatoverlooks the 2nd hole at theCarambola Championship Golf Course.

MLS 15-665 $395,000

Rem 2A, 57 Hermon Hill Own a piece of St. Croix’s history!Build your dream home next to a

coveted and historicsugar mill on this

centrally located 2acre homesite.

MLS 12-1754$145,000

ST. CROIX REAL ESTATE MARKET WATCH249

2013-2014 AVERAGE DAYS MEDIAN 2014-2015 AVERAGE DAYS MEDIANSOLD ON MARKET SOLD PRICE SOLD ON MARKET SOLD PRICE

Home Sales 147 284 $300,000 135 321 $275,000 Condo Sales 81 288 $113,000 123 271 $140,000 Land under $39,999 30 303 $27,250 36 350 $28,750Land over $40,000 33 366 $62,500 33 404 $90,000Commercial 7 491 $600,000 12 369 $260,000

Information from the St. Croix Multiple Listing Service * The average sales price and the average days on marketcould be skewed greatly by only one sale or because of thesmall number of annual sales.

CLOSED SALES COMPARISON : 6/30/13 –6/30/14 VERSUS 6/30/14 – 6/30/15

e Good News…Average

SOLD Price forCondos was UP 21% during June thisyear, comparedto June of last

year.

DEAL OF THE MONTH60 Judith’s Fancy

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! Rare opportunity toown a home in the popular gated community ofJudith’s Fancy for LESS than $300,000! This three-bedroom, one and a half bath Caribbean home sits ona flat, one-acre lot partially shaded by tropical palms.Located across the street from the beach, so dailymeditation or walking the dog will be a special treat. It’sa wonderful centrally located neighborhood perfect forfamily living and only a short drive to the popular CaneBay on the North Shore and historic Christiansted onthe East End. This home is the perfect island hideawayfor anyone seeking solace!

MLS 15-462 $299,000

Feature Property of the Month

Casa Del Mar welcomesyou with sophisticated

style to this Caribbeanwaterfront location to enjoythe beautiful shades of bluefrom the Caribbean Sea andthe sailing activity to therenowned Buck Island. Theopen-plan living space withsoaring cathedral ceilings iscentral to this fully furnishedhome with three bedroomsuites, a quiet study and acustom mahogany andgranite kitchen. Leisurelyhours can be spent soakingup the sun in the refreshingswimming pool or on theopen waterfront gallery relaxing on a lounge chair embracing the cool trade windsand the soothing sounds of the sea rolling in below. To enjoy waterfront living to itsfullest, follow the steps from the gallery down to the Caribbean Sea where you candip your toes in the revitalizing salt water or hop into your kayak to explore the aquaticecosystem in your backyard!

MLS 13-2096 $1,495,000

Click onimagesfor moreinformationabout theseamazingproperties!

Casa Del Mar