Spring 2013 - Lorine R Williams

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S T. C R O I X R E A LT Y
St.Croix
Real Estate
Featuring Real Estate Market Updates
and Local News of St. Croix, USVI
SPRING 2013
reviews
Message from Lorine…
Dear Friends,
n the spirit of spring and the time of renewal and joy, I wanted to share
these beautiful photos of St. Croix. These dramatic shots were taken on
a recent hike to "Maroon Ridge" on the northwest corner of St. Croix.
Local history has it that escaped slaves from as far back as the 1700s used
hidden caves here for shelter and protection. A group of friends and I hiked
up past the old light house at Hamm's Bluff to get a peek. The caves are
tucked far under very steep ledges
so access is limited and
treacherous. We could only peer at
them from above on the cliffs. The
views are absolutely breathtaking.
Thanks to Sandy Obremskey of
Candle Reef and Indiana for
organizing this great adventure.
I
Tax Facts
This year, you will receive bills
for TWO years of Croix real estate
Glorious Yellow Poui Tabebuia in bloom
property taxes. 2011 is due now
at Candle Reef.
and 2012 will be billed later this
fall. 2011 tax payments received before this Friday April 8th will receive
a 5% discount. Final due date is June 8, 2013. As always, I encourage
you to pay your VI real estate taxes in person to get a stamped “PAID”
receipt that you file away in a safe, waterproof place. If you are offisland, please consider my standing offer to take them in for you to get
the stamped paid copy. It's critical that you have in your possession
proof of payment. A cancelled check is not sufficient to prove that taxes
are paid. Additionally, the deadline to file a personal property tax appeal
with the Board of Tax Review is June 24, 2013.
The Internal Revenue Bureau (IRB) has announced an amnesty
program called “Operation Last Chance" in an effort to collect the
estimated $8-12 million owed by those who have neglected to file their
personal income taxes in previous years. Filers have until May 17th to
turn in their forms and pay any amount and interest due to avoid monetary and other penalties. After the
deadline the names will be turned over to the Attorney General's office for prosecution. IRB estimates there are
more than 300 taxpayers who have failed to file their returns. More information is available at (340) 73-1040,
ext. 4244.
St. Croix Real Estate
Our St. Croix real estate market is showing signs of improvement, especially pending condos sales. Last year
the entire real estate community sold only 33 condominiums. In just the first three months of 2013, we have 32
condos closed or under contract. We are happy to report that many of those are through Coldwell Banker. Just
last week I closed 202D Colony Cove for $195,000. It had been listed at $199,000 and is a beautiful waterfront
condo in excellent condition with a successful rental program.
Average St. Croix sales prices are down nearly 23% year over year however, with the median residential sales
price down 11%. These statistics are from our local MLS. With these reduced prices and historically low interest
rates, this is definitely the year to buy! Call me for more details.
Enjoy your spring.
Warm regards,
CLICK
HERE
Lorine
Spotlight on…Mary C. Mingus
I
n 1981, when Mary Mingus was a second grade teacher on maternity leave from Pearl
B. Larsen Elementary School, she attended a writer’s symposium at UVI. The event
would change her life. As the audience listened to readings from Audre Lorde,
Adrienne Rich, Michelle Cliff and others, it surfaced that St. Croix offered no assistance for
victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. So when poet Audre Lorde passed around
a sign-up-sheet, Mingus added her name.
Thus began Women’s Coalition of St. Croix—and Mingus’ new career as founder.
From 1981 until 1991, volunteers ran the organization, starting in a back room at the
Chamber of Commerce. Today, Women’s Coalition has 5 buildings and 25 employees, a
shelter, a thrift shop, a children’s center, a crisis center, a summer camp and numerous
programs. Mingus runs the show.
“Volunteers remain the backbone of Women’s
Coalition,” said Mingus. “We would not survive without
the men and women who help with our projects.”
Project Link, an alternative for high school dropouts
who want to earn a diploma, operates out of their Alice S. Pfaelzer Children’s Center in Christiansted and
educates students aged 15 to 60. Another program offers certification in courses like Travel and Tourism,
Hospitality and Criminal Justice through online studies.
The gracious Ms. Mingus values every generosity. Advocates standby on weekends, holidays and nights;
they train for crises intervention and assist victims by phone and in person. Two gentlemen have built a used
furniture store for Mingus behind the Coalition’s thrift shop, Closet to Closet. Another donated a building,
another an office. Volunteers contribute energy and love.
“Coldwell Banker has been an incredible corporate citizen to Women’s Coalition,” Mingus said. “And Lorine
Williams has worked as an advocate for years!”
In February, Mingus announced her upcoming retirement. Will we see her lounging around? No! You’ll find
Mingus at the Women’s Coalition’s new furniture store.
“It was a gift to raise my children
in a multi-cultural and giving
community.”
A Trip Advisor Top Choice:
e Palms Pelican Cove
“
Outstanding!”
posted travelers.
Others chimed-in
with “Caribbean
Hospitality!” or
“Breathtaking View!” All
were commenting on
their stay at The Palms
at Pelican Cove on St.
Croix. All spoke in
exclamation marks.
Trip Advisor’s study,
Travelers Top Choice, has
ranked The Palms at
Pelican Cove in its “Top
25 Hotels in the
Caribbean for 2013.”
Travelers rated The Palms #1 in
Christiansted.
recommend to the snorkeling
excursions we lead them on,”
said Julie Printy, manager of
The Palms for 14 years. As it
takes a village to raise a
child, it takes the whole
island to get visitors to
return, according to Printy.
(And return, they have.)
Owners Chuck and Joyce
Fisher have “committed”
wholeheartedly to the hotel,
renovating the 40 rooms and
suites and guiding guests on
day and night snorkeling
tours—even providing them
with a CD of their
“We assure that the guest has a good
adventures.
stay; the whole experience counts—from
The Palms also holds the distinction of
the restaurants and excursions we
being the first resort
in the Virgin Islands
to receive a Blue Flag
Award. The
Foundation for
Environmental
Education awards
ast month, The Census Bureau released results of the 2010
the Blue Flag, an
Census: the Territory has a better educated and an older and
international ecoslightly more Hispanic and white population than it did in
label, to beaches and
2000. Some 2010 USVI Census statistics:
marinas that offer
Population: 106,405
excellent water
• 13.5% were over age 65, up from 8.4% in 2000.
quality, exemplary
• 68.9% of people 25 or older have a high school diploma, up from 60.6%.
environmental
• 19.2% of these earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher, up from 16.8%.
management and
• 66.1% were black, non-Hispanic.
education, and top
• 17.4% were Hispanic, primarily Puerto Rican and Dominican living on St. Croix.
safety and service
• 13.5 percent were white.
facilities.
• Head count of other races totaled 6,648. Multi-racial residents totaled 2,203.
“It is such an
honor!” Printy said.
SIZING UP THE STATS:
USVI CENSUS
L
St. Croix Real Estate Reviews, page 2
Feature Property of the Month
M
86 Concordia
odern Flair! Enjoy contemporary elegance in
this custom 4 Bedroom/
3 Bath with sleek granite and
stainless kitchen with cherry
cabinets, pleasing open design
and comfortable breezes, deluxe
master suite with double vanity,
sunken tub, plus private patio.
Impressive North Shore and Salt
River views from wrap-around
deck,
and
inviting solar
heated pool.
Bonus guest
apartment
or to rent.
MLS 13-414
$685,000
ISLAND PROPERTIES
79 & 89A
Judith's Fancy
New Price!
Welcoming Judith’s
Fancy home with
flexible layout for
4/4.5 or rent out
downstairs as 1 or 2
Bed apt.
MLS 12-436 $599,000
Saman 701 River
Step right out onto the
golf course from this
elegant Carambola Golf
Condo. Easy one level
living, 2/2, lush and
serene grounds.
MLS 13-303. $209,000
36 Ruby (Diamond)
Reduced! Easy 2/2 midisland home with
detached cottage,
spacious and cool
screened-porch, fresh
paint outside, recoated
roof, breezy park-like
setting.
MLS 12-1511 $279,000
March’s
DEAL OF THE MONTH
The Reef 4 26 Teagues Bay
Smartly designed 2 Bed / 2 Bath condo at
The Reef overlooks the tranquil Caribbean
waters and pretty golf course from flora-filled
deck and cute dining patio. Sunny and
spacious kitchen opens to custom living
space perfect for easy entertaining. Cool
vaulted ceilings, convenient built-in desk,
elegantly furnished. On The Reef Golf Course,
plus pool and tennis, and just seconds to
perfect beachs and the Yacht Club.
MLS 13-470
$189,000
ST. CROIX REAL ESTATE MARKET WATCH
CLOSED SALES COMPARISON : 2/28/11
– 2/28/12 VERSUS 2/21/12 – 2/28/13
249
Home Sales
Condo Sales
Land under $39,900
Land over $40,000
Commercial
2011-2012
SOLD
AVERAGE DAYS
ON MARKET
MEDIAN
SOLD PRICE
2012-2013
SOLD
AVERAGE DAYS
ON MARKET
MEDIAN
SOLD PRICE
101
50
26
48
11
287
300
259
384
429
$290,000
$132,500
$28,000
$60,000
$250,000
90
35
20
34
8
279
303
477
355
292
$295,000
$125,000
$27,750
$69,500
$143,500
Information from the St. Croix Multiple Listing Service
* The average sales price and the average days on market
could be skewed greatly by only one sale or because of the
small number of annual sales.
St. Croix Real Estate Reviews, page 3