In my wanderings around St. John one afternoon,  I stopped by the Beach Bar at Cruz Bay for a Red Stripe and found another “short story” of what life is like in the Virgin Islands.   If this doesn’t cause you to consider living here at least part time,  I don’t know what will. Enjoy!

 “It’s different out here in the Virgin Islands!”

It’s a place…

• Where time not only stops but runs backwards.
• Where worries take a long vacation.
• Where only fish experience traffic jams,  along the coral reefs during the morning commute.
• Where a nap at two in the afternoon is not a breach of ethics.
• Where sunsets last half the night.
• Where fantasy and reality cooperate in a joint venture.
• And,  the only season is Summer.
• It is a place you won’t find on any map.
• It is a place in our dreams . . . best explored by water.

Most of the USVI Buyers have spent significant time enjoying the “Caribbean experience” and they have fallen in love with every aspect of it.

• This target group of Buyers for USVI real estate are very proud to tell their friends and family that the USVI is the location of one of their part-time “homes”.
• They typically are “empty nesters” which allows them to easily relocate anywhere in the world.
• They have a mature business that is being managed by others allowing them to be “out of the office” for extended periods of time.
• Because of the internet they can be connected to their business no matter where they are in the world.
• They typically have begun a process of rearranging their assets in order for them to spend much more extended time in their favorite parts of the world. 

We clearly understand these potential Buyers.   We have spent over 35 years building profitable and successful U.S. businesses whose success has been because of focusing on extraordinary customer service.   We clearly understand the needs of these unique Buyers.   We have also spent over 30 years exploring and falling in love with the Caribbean.   So,  we share the passion of participating in the beautiful and diverse cultures of the islands.

The geographic location of this very small buyer pool for USVI real estate is generally located from Chicago eastward.

It is much more convenient for the USVI Buyer to travel to the Caribbean rather than Hawaii or even the Pacific side of Mexico.   There are even several Eastern cities that have direct flights the Caribbean.

This contrasts with how much time and expense it is for someone from California to visit the Caribbean.   Remember, this target Buyer has large amounts of investment income and finding a part time home in “paradise” is very appealing.

This group does a major part of their search for island real estate on the internet.   It is critical for any real estate project in the Caribbean to associate with a Brokerage who understands effective internet marketing.  

Today there is a marked difference as to how and why Americans are impacting the USVI real estate markets in 2007.   There has never been anything like it in USVI real estate history.
 
The demand for more island homes in the USVI has never been greater than today.  The maturing “baby boomers” are not just looking for a second home in paradise,   they are looking for their next location where they will be living part time or full time in during the last part of their life.   We are the most qualified on-island resource to serve these potential Buyers in the midst of these changing market conditions – full ownership,  fractional ownership,  or rentals.

Several Key Factors Driving The USVI Real Estate Market

The USVI are still one of the safest places in the world to own property

• Real estate appreciation has been a key factor in driving the U.S. economy out of the dot com recession,  and this hyper increase in values has created more wealth in the U.S. than the dot com era.
• There are only two spots in the Caribbean where a person can purchase property under the umbrella of the U.S. – the USVI and Puerto Rico.   Both of these areas are enjoying high estate appreciation,  but the real star has been the USVI – it is expected that real estate prices in the USVI will double by the end of 2008!  

Who is buying real estate in the USVI? 

• In 2006 St. Thomas had an average sales price of approximately $850,000 with almost half of the sales from condos or town homes.   St. John’s average sales price for the same period was close to $1,200,000.   Most of the sales on St. John were single family homes.  
• The typical Buyer in the USVI is merely transferring the mega appreciation they have acquired from other real estate holdings in the USA in order to purchase a part time home in the USVI.    Their other home(s) are typically on the U.S. mainland or Mexico.  
• They are typically a business owner or a highly successful executive who is winding down their most active business years.   They love the whole concept of “island living” that permeates the Caribbean.  
• Buyers want the comfort and security that comes from living within the U.S. standards of law,  government,  currency,  water,  food,  etc.   The USVI is a stable political scene compared to most of the other Caribbean Island.  It is the center of commerce in the Caribbean and is one of the finest tourist and sailing destinations in the world.  

The USVI location provides a convenient home for people to explore other Caribbean destinations.   Don’t forget,  it is only a short day sail from Red Hook to St. John and the British Virgin Islands ( BVI ) which can be seen by standing in Red Hook looking out on the Straits of Sir Francis Drake.  

The USVI has outstanding citizens who are kind and warmly welcome visitors.   Buyers want to explore the island culture experience,  and they look forward to participating in it’s diverse island activities;  SCUBA diving,  windsurfing,  kayaking,  exploring the islands’ interior,  snorkeling,  water skiing,  fishing,  and much more.

Start with the motto - Less is Best!   Layout on your bed all you want to bring for your voyage then immediately put half of it away.

Pack in a soft-sided suit case for ease of storage.   You may even want to pack an empty bag in case you do too much shopping on the islands or as you pass through Old San Juan,  Puerto Rico to and from the islands.   During your voyage you will be wearing the least amount possible;   bathing suits ( optional ),  t-shirts,  tank tops,  shorts and boat shoes,  or sandals/loafers.   You will only need a few t-shirts since you will be buying many more at your various anchorage’s.   You need to note that when you are walking around the villages on the BVI,  you will need to wear some type of top covering.   The British are much more conservative when you are on land than on the boat compared to other Caribbean islands,  so it is a respectful custom to honor this unspoken BVI rule.    On the yacht you can wear as little as you want.

Good sun glasses and a wide brimmed hat are a must,  plus a baseball cap.   There will be no need for foul weather gear so a light windbreaker will be all you need for a boat jacket.   The women will want to bring a couple of light summer dresses for nighttime shore activities.   The men will want a light cotton/ linen pair of pants and a few light summer shirts.   There will be no coat or ties required at any place you travel,  even if you go to Old San Juan for a few days after your voyage.   Bring a pair of light sweats,  too, in case the evenings on the boat are below 70 degrees,  which is not likely. 

Sun block will be used all the time,  and so will moisturizing cream.   There are no biting bugs when we are sailing,  but Avon’s Skin So Soft seems to work very well when one finds them on land.   Be sure to bring a camera.   Every night you will witness an unforgettable sunset.   You can even buy the disposable cameras that work under water.   You may want to bring your own diving mask and snorkel,  and/or regulators for SCUBA diving.  If you want to SCUBA dive the tanks will be on board the yacht.   We have found that guest’s personal mask are the best way to achieve the most comfortable snorkeling and diving experience.   The yacht will have a variety of fins for your use.   There will always be extra gear on board for those who don’t have any to bring and want to snorkel anyway.

You may want to bring your favorite pillow.   You will also discover you will rarely use more than a sheet for bed covers.  The charter vacation yachts are fully air conditioned.   Some nights you may even sleep on the deck because the Caribbean nights are so gorgeous.  ( The shooting stars put on quite a show each night.)

If you own a business and have a way to bring a version of your company sign along,  fun promotional photos can be set up throughout your voyage which may be useful for a very creative marketing program when you return home.   If you let your imagination wander you will come up with even more great ideas. 

Your adventure will start in either Road Town, Tortola, or Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI.   You will use the sailboat as your floating “Ritz Carlton” while in the BVIs.   Before boarding the boat you will need to have a “mandatory” stop at Pusser’s in Road Town to toast the start of your adventure.  Your seven days of an unforgettable sailing adventure will begin while toasting your first “Pain Killer”.

By choosing the BVI as your sailing destination you are entering one of the most beautiful sailing,  and diving areas of the world.   There are 55 islands in the BVI with a population of only 14,000.   The sailing takes place in an area about 30 miles long and just half of that in width - extending from Jost Van Dyke to Virgin Gorda.  (Anagada is about 17 miles past Virgin Gorda, outside of this circle.)

Among the most popular stops in the BVI are the Baths at Virgin Gorda,  whose boulder-formed caves shelter private swimming grottos.   The Bight and caves on Norman Island are described in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island - a likely setting for this famous novel,  since pirates and shipwrecks form a major part of these islands’ early history.   And the resort on Peter Island is a great eating and dancing spot if black tie service is what you are looking for.

Nightlife is readily available on all of the islands - from a small grass shack bar on Cooper Island to the beautiful resort at Bitter End on Virgin Gorda.   We may want stop by Bomba’s Shack on the back side of Tortola for the monthly full moon party,  and Quito Rimers for the wonderful reggae music played by this world famous island folk singer in Cane Garden Bay.   Or,  you may want to just stay on our boat and suffer through a night of gourmet dining,  rum,  dancing,  games and conversation with each other.

Snorkeling and SCUBA diving will be a daily activity since you will be surrounded by tropical fish and multi-colored coral reefs.   One gets lost in time as you travel through nature’s tropical aquarium.   For those who want to scuba dive,  there are opportunities to update your certification and dive a shipwreck,  plus the many coral reefs.   In addition there will be water skiing and windsurfing.

The other main task each day will be enjoying the luscious meals and the sharing of rum drinks that you will invent daily along with some great wines.   The boat will be provisioned with exactly what each of you desire during your sailing adventure.   There will be a questionaire for each of your shipmates to fill out before your voyage in order to list their preferences regarding meals and beverages.

The fun opportunity of a charter sailing adventure like this one is that if you want to learn how to sail you can.   If all you want to do is just be a guest and enjoy having others take care of your every need and then sail you to your next anchorage in paradise,  that is just fine,  too.   This is your vacation and it should unfold just like you want it to.   Your only task will be the enjoyment of each moment.  (By the way,  your sailing time each day will be approximately three hours.   The mornings, and afternoons and evenings of each day will focus on enjoying wherever you are anchored.) 

I was recently hanging out at the American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook,  St. Thomas and I found a posting on the mast of a Lagoon 57 Catamaran.   It was one of the best descriptions of the charter sailing experience in the Virgin Islands I have seen. ( The Caribbean Virgin Islands is one of my favorite sailing areas in North and South America.)  

Lost & Found Notice:
Four Couples Celebrating Life Together On A Week’s Sailing Trip

Lost:

• Eight watches
• Eight pairs of shoes
• Eight pairs of pants
• What time it is
• Pale skin
• Four hair dryers
• Four bathing suit tops
• Four neckties
• Eight long sleeve shirts & blouses

Found:

• Sun Screen and an amazing tan
• Eight Sun Glasses
• Lots of fun t-shirts.
• Bare feet and eight pairs of flip-flops.
• Books you always wished you could have time to read.
• A new rum drink invented everyday.
• Dancing as if no one is watching.
• Notes in a journal.
• Meeting a new tropical fish every time you are in the water.
• The bliss of floating in the water with nothing to do but discover a new bird.
• Pretending you are in the movie Titanic and standing on the very front of the bow of the catamaran with your arms outstretched with the biggest grin you have ever had.
• Dangling your feet in the Caribbean, under sail while the dolphins are playing.
• Five-star meals being prepared out of the galley of a sailboat four times a day.
• Eating with your fingers instead of silverware,  and no one noticing.
• A different “take your breath away” sunset at dusk each day.
• Discovering your NEW SELF!