ST. CROIX REALTY

Messagefrom Amy…

How delightful to seeso many of you outand about last

month! February alwaysbrings old friends back to St.Croix, thanks to springbreak, Presidents’ Dayweekend and, of course, theblizzards in the northeast.Our beautiful island gears up for everyone.

The 46th annual Agriculture and Food Fair,February 17-20th, drew people (including farmers)from down island as well as from St. Thomas, St.John, Puerto Rico and the States. One of St. Croix’smost popular events of the year, the Ag Fairshowcases farmers’ livestock, like goats, chicken, andan array of cattle such as our famous Senepols.People talk shop with the crop farmers and go homewith fresh produce and spices, much of which isorganically grown. Local musiciansand food vendors contribute tothe cultural atmosphere.www.viagrifest.org

Cane Bay looked like NewOrleans on February 25th.Krewe de Croix held their15th annual Mardi CroixParade and revelers took tothe North Shore in festiveattire. Just ask our ownTammy Londer who was deckedout and on the scene.

With all the fun activities throughoutthe month, you pick your favorites. And you exclaimtime and again about the brilliant skies and divinetemperatures, the cool breezes... Am I raving?

Back to business, check out our story on sellinghomes with pets. I know that a rabbit loose in ahouse during a showing nixed a sale in Maine. Myfriend there was set to buy a house overlooking theriver, but...ferrets, albeit contained in a cage, put offanother buyer in the States. Consider taking Fido tothe beach for your own showing.

I wish you all a lovely March, here on our beautifulisland or elsewhere.! Amy

Amy Land-de Wilde, Broker/Owner

This newsletter written by Anne Salafia annesalafia@gmail.com

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l Buccaneer Hotel 340.718.7000

l Gallows Bay Marketplace 340.778.7000

l Frederiksted 340.642.3333

Amy Land-de Wilde

While we adore our canines, kitties, and petturtles, others may not. Some are allergic tofur. Some have phobias about dogs or see

them as outdoor creatures. Don’t let this squash thesale of your house.

In his article “Six Tips on Selling a Home withPets,” Xavier De Buck, suggests that sellers considerthe perspective of buyers who don’t cotton to pets.A top real estate agent in Johannesburg, De Buckprovides hints to sellers:

1. The idealscenario: Give yourpets an extendedholiday. While mostwon’t banish theirpets, sellers can farmthem out for theshowing. Pets candistract buyers.

2. Give pets theirown spot. Here DeBuck advises removingany reminders of apet’s presence—bowls,kennels, beds, nosemarks on slidingdoors, terrariums.

3. Present a homewithout pets. Let buyers envision themselves inthe home.

4.Fix up what your dog broke. Claw marks onthe door? Holes in the backyard?

5.Never show a stinky house. Stash the litterbox; bake brownies.

6. When in doubt, talk to an expert. Get yourvet’s advice on making the transition less stressfulfor pets.

Read De Buck’s full story:http://luxuryhomesjohannesburg.com/real-estate-blog/tips-for-selling-a-home-with-pets/

St.Croix Real Estatereviews

St.Croix Real EstatereviewsFeaturing Real Estate Market Updates

and Local News of St. Croix, USVI

MARCH 2017

Can Fido SabotageYour Home Sale?

St. Croix Real Estate Reviews, page 2

Macy Wallunderstands theunique beauty of St.

Croix’s South Shore; he spenthis childhood there. Now heand his wife Pat want othersto enjoy it, too. They wouldlike to see their land becomepart of a park.

In November, the Macysdonated 40 acres of LowryHill on the South Shore tothe Trust for Virgin IslandsLand (TVIL). The gift workedfor everyone.

TVIL’s board, along withthe support of attorneyGerry Groner, finalized thetransaction within 30 daysand secured a 2016 taxdeduction for the Walls.

“Our years of preparing toresponsibly accept gifts ofland have allowed us toassist Pat and Macy Wallwith this gift within the legalconstraints andrequirements of the IRStimetable,” said TVIL

Executive Director Nataki Finch Richards in a press release. “We were able toserve a private landownerand the Virgin Islandspublic—a sweet moment ofsatisfaction.”

As reported, this land ispart of the 1,200-acre CastleNugent National HistoricPark that was proposed tothe U.S. Congress in 2006through the office ofDelegate Donna Christiansenand approved by the Houseof Representatives that sameyear. The project stalled withthe economic crisis of 2008.Now, with the Wall gift, TVILhopes for continued parkplanning on a local level.

The Trust for VirginIslands Lands, a nonprofit501c(3) formed in 2006, hasprotected over 100 acres ofVirgin Islands land.

Land Donation on PastoralSouth Shore

Cruzan OPEN

Regatta

The 2017 Cruzan OpenRegatta attracted 55 juniorsailors from across the USVI,the BVI and Puerto Rico,February 18th-19th. Thebeginner Green Fleet, com-peted in Teague Bay, whileAdvanced Optimists and29ers raced in the BuckIsland Channel alongsidedolphins.

Hosted by the St. CroixYacht Club, the Cruzan Openserved as an ISV (VirginIslands) team qualifier forthe North American Champ-ionships in Toronto nextJune. Mia Nicolosi from St.Thomas placed first amongAdvanced Optimists and willrace in Toronto. Three othersqualified, including St.Croix’s Mathieu Dale.

Six sailors tested their skillsaboard three new Yacht Club29ers. “It’s harder than sail-ing Optimists or 420s,” saidAtlee Kohl. “A person hangsout on the wire. These boatstip over. We capsized 20times in the first week wesailed them.” Kohl and hisbrother Dawson won the29er division.

In Teague Bay, brothersRyan and Rodney Moore-head (STX), Ariana Schwartz(STX), and Kael Chawell(BVI) took turns in the leadwith Ryan Moorehead ulti-mately capturing the title.

Thanks to coach SantiagoGalan (Tino), St. Croix sentthree Optimists to the 2016World Championships. “Tinoput us on the map,” saidBarbie Kohl, mother of Atleeand Dawson.

“From a parent’s stand-point, sailing is dramatic,”said race-committee mem-ber Morgan Dale. “Kids learnto focus on their skill set;they take responsibility fortheir gear and make inde-pendent decisions on thewater.”

The Cruzan Open is one ofthree events used to deter-mine the ISV team for the2017 World Championshipsin Thailand this July.

Full regatta results:http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/13832.

www.virginislandslandtrust.org.

STONE BODYWORKS

They call her the Body Mechanic; they call her“Ah-mazing.” After working with Stacey Stone ofStone Bodyworks Wellness, most everyone

claims to feel better—especially those in pain. Herholistic approach works. (Stone Bodyworks Wellness onFacebook)

A personal trainer and yin yoga teacher, Stoneaddresses all parts of a being—body, mind, and spirit.She asks “How are you?” “If a client comes in stressed, Imay change a planned workout to yoga,” she said.

Stone, who studied holistic lifestyle coaching withthe C.H.E.K. Institute, gives clients a full assessment.(www.chekinstitute.com) She reviews information fromtheir practitioners, checks posture and core function.She’ll scrutinize squats and lunges. She’ll ask aboutgoals. She addresses nutrition, proper sleep, and stressmanagement and develops a program for eachindividual.

For some people, it’s more stretching. For some, it’sstrengthening. But she always works on alignment andproper form.

“The beauty of personal training is that you takeadditional classes and can shape your direction,” Stonesaid. “I wanted to work with pain.” Her focus turned toELDOA, a spinal decompression technique developedby French osteopath Guy Voyer.(www.eldoamethod.com)

“It blows my mind how effectively ELDOA decreasesand prevents pain. It improves posture, and itstrengthens the spine,” she said. (Stone teaches ELDOAclasses in The Courtyard (www.thecourtyardstx.com) inChristiansted and uses the technique in her studio.)

Her counsel: Honor your body.

“e beauty of personal trainingis that you take additionalclasses and can shape your

direction.”

Spotlight on...Stacey Stone

St. Croix Real Estate Reviews, page 3

ST. CROIX REAL ESTATE MARKET WATCH249

2014-2015 AVERAGE DAYS MEDIAN 2015-2016 AVERAGE DAYS MEDIANSOLD ON MARKET SOLD PRICE SOLD ON MARKET SOLD PRICE

Home Sales 144 286 $255,000 172 307 $271,000 Condo Sales 107 261 $160,000 127 285 $150,000 Land under $39,999 29 452 $24,000 31 424 $25,000Land over $40,000 38 489 $76,000 50 422 $87,250Commercial 15 506 $320,000 11 330 $285,000

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 : 2/28/15-2/28/16 VERSUS 2/28/16-2/28/17

e Good News…

The Numberof HOMESSold was UP 19%

during February thisyear, compared to

February of last year.

Welcome to Estate Asolo

Feature Property of the Month

94 Judith’s FancyPerfect family home! Abundantlyprivate, the 4BR/4BA layout opensto the swimming pool in a uniquehorseshoe design. Fully air-condi-tioned and on a flat 1-acre lot,there’s lots of space for entertainingor to let the kids run and play.Secure gated neighborhood and thebeach is only a few blocks away!

$434,900 MLS #16-995

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RECENT PRICE REDUCTION!ISLAND HOMESITES

49 South Grapetree Spectacular, semi-improved,East End home-site of overan acre with 180-degree,unobstructed views of theCaribbean. Has a driveway,cistern and a full set ofarchitectural plans that willsave you tens of thousands

of dollars. Minutes from beaches, Divi Casino & Resortand at the end of a small quiet subdivision road.MLS 17-220 $199,000

4 Betsy’s Jewel Villa Larimar is the jewel ofthe North Shore. This 4BR,

4BA private villa with anefficiency boasts an

outdoor, covered livingroom, kitchen and dining

area that all frame theswimming pool overlooking

panoramic views. All solaron an acre of land. Minutes to Cane Bay beach!

MLS 16-578 $949,000

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On a private 2.7-acre knoll-top, this unique property is a restoration of the historic Estate Beeston Hillstables. This spacious estate, with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths in the main residence and a 1-bedroom, 1-bathguest house, has spectacular panoramic Caribbean Sea views and lush professional landscaping dotted withmajestic mahogany trees. The stunning interior design has exquisite craftsmanship and the outdoor livingarea, with it’s grand swimming pool, surrounding deck and atrium is a work of art. To learn all the luxuriousdetails about this premiere property, click here. MLS 17-374 $2,295,000