Sharon E. A. Hupprich, Owner-Broker
Sharon E. A. Hupprich, Owner-Broker
P.O. Box
12178
St.
Thomas, U.S.
Virgin Islands 00801-5178
voice
(340)
774-1620 ~~~~~ fax (340) 774-1634
toll-free
from the
U.S. 800-747-4858
www.CalypsoRealty.com
sharon@CalypsoRealty.com
So you
want to
vacation or move to St. Thomas in
the U.S. Virgin Islands? Researching for now? Or the
future? Let
us help you beforehand with some general information! And then call us or e-mail
Sharon ( sharon@calypsorealty.com
) when you can plan a trip to St. Thomas!
All
the Realtors
on St. Thomas participate in the Multiple Listing Service so I can give
you
further, detailed information on anything you see on MLS even if not
listed
personally by Calypso Realty.
Sr.
Thomas is beautiful and we enjoy delightful weather
mostly
year round. Also, since we are the American Virgin Islands we offer you
all the
shelter of being under the U.S. flag while
still offering a tropical island, relaxed lifestyle and year ‘round
fabulous
weather. Tax benefits under the Virgin Islands Economic Development
program are
excellent and have encouraged many companies to relocate their
companies here
and their employees along with them.
Imagine living in a place where the coldest winter night’s temperature is about 68° and the average daytime temperature is 82°…ahhh! Each of the three U.S. Virgin Islands offers its own island-style and beautiful vistas and beaches. I work with brokers on St. Croix and St. John who are expert in real estate on their island. However, I am partial to St. Thomas after living here since 1981, so let me tell you about “my” island.
St. Thomas
is a mountainous island with fabulous water and out island views no matter where
you are or where you look! Since the island is just 32 square miles and 3 miles
at its widest; we are an easy island to negotiate. We drive on the left hand
side. However, with speed limits outside the city limits at just 20 miles per
hour, it’s difficult to make a wrong turn! The south
side of the island boasts the Caribbean Sea while the north
side of the island has the Atlantic Ocean in its “front yard”.
The
entire island is divided up into areas with estate names, which date back to old
families, and their plantation names many years ago.
The airport is at the western end of the island and beyond the airport the rest of the west end is sparsely populated. The north side of the island is known for its lushness, ever presents trade winds and stunning down island views. The landscape is covered with colorful hibiscus bushes, native fruit trees and herbs. Down island views refer to views to St. John, the British Virgin Islands and out islands on the Atlantic Ocean side of St. Thomas. The northeast coast of the island is known for it’s rocky coastline and crashing Atlantic Ocean and some of the most incredible scenery on the island. Wild orchids grow on huge boulders on the Estate Peterborg peninsula and both Mahogany Run Golf Course and Magen’s Bay are on the northeast coast. The east end of the island is flatter in terrain and is the yachting hub of the island and boasts some of the best beaches on St. Thomas. The landscape is dotted with cactus, fragrant frangipani trees and brilliant bougainvillea bushes. The south side of St. Thomas boast gorgeous Caribbean Sea views and views to St. Croix, Puerto Rico, the historic port town of Charlotte Amalie and the harbor islands; Hassel and the newest and 4th Virgin; Water Island. After a while, each visitor and local will tell you their favorite part of St. Thomas and why they love it only there. For such a small island, the terrain, landscape, views, etc. are very different, but all breathtaking.
St.
Thomas has at least 44 beaches, all of which are open to everyone. Except for
one (Magen’s) our beaches are small and scattered around the island. MAGEN’S BAY was voted as one of
the ten top beaches in the world by National Geographic magazine. And indeed, it
is spectacular! Magen’s is heart shaped and one mile of pure white sand beach
fringed with palm trees opening to crystal clear waters. Magen’s is the only
beach on the island that charges admission, a nominal $2.00 per vehicle and $2.00
per person (once you are a resident, otherwise, $4/each). There are lifeguards,
picnic tables, a beach bar and restaurant and great beach boutique. Other
beaches on St. Thomas range from
Hull Bay where the surfers meet to hopping Sapphire
Beach with Sunday beach barbecues and bands and reef snorkeling to
sleepy Secret
Harbor where the sea grass bottom encourages great snorkeling, the
plentiful palm trees encourage napping and the great restaurant right on the
beach encourages long, lazy Sunday brunches. If shelling is your past time
you’ll love Brewer’s Beach near the University
of the Virgin Islands. Morningstar
Beach near Frenchman’s Reef Hotel is home to beach volleyball
players and some serious tanners. You’ll soon discover your favorite beach.
We are
a cosmopolitan population enjoying each other’s diversity in background,
language, foods, music and culture. We have many cultural activities on the
island from local calypso music to classical music in open air gardens to art
and antiques shows, carnival parades in April each year with incredible floats
and bands, flower shows, and many fund raising activities. The Humane Society,
Orchid Society, Garden Club and Rotary Clubs, Chamber of Commerce, Pony Club,
United Way, Red Cross and many others are well represented and encourage new
members.
Property
is owned by fee simple absolute; that is you own, not lease, your land. St.
Thomas offers many housing alternatives from purchase of a building site for
future development, condominium living in large beach side complexes or smaller
more residential complexes nestled on the hillsides to small or large homes
offering the privacy of single family living on a simple or grand scale. Once
you choose “your” favorite side of the island we can show you everything on
the market. We are members of the St. Thomas Board of RealtorsÒ
and have access to the up to the minute on-line Multiple Listing Service
database. We can assist you with everything from engaging an attorney,
architect, builder, insurance agent, pool service, housekeeper, etc.
We’re here to ease your way into the American Paradise!
Typically,
land is about ½ acre with R-1 the lowest
density residential zoning requirement. R-1 allows for a 2 family dwelling
per half acre (unless certain areas deed restrict to single family dwellings or
greater than ½ acre). Large undeveloped acreage is unusual and costly. A
one-half acre parcel with great water views starts at about $200,000 and can
cost over $1,000,000 dependent upon location and amenities. A typical vacation
home has three bedrooms and 2 or 3 baths, pool, and lots of glass sliding doors
for view and breeze. The average cost of that type of residence starts at about
$850,000 and can certainly exceed $3,000,000, again dependent upon location and
amenities. Homes and undeveloped parcels right on the water or a beach are rare
and therefore more costly. A two bedroom, two-bath condominium on the beach
starts at about $450,000 and depending upon the finish work can be over
$700,000. Larger condos with 3-4 bedrooms are difficult to find and do not come
on the market often and when they do you can expect prices starting at
$700,000+.
Island
architects will give you more specific design and building information, but
I’ll offer you an overview. Homes are built from a variety of materials with
masonry (either poured concrete or filled and reinforced block) being the most
utilized. Roofs are very important as we use them to collect our water, which is
run by drainpipe to the storage under the house called a cistern. Think of it as a big swimming pool under the house, about
20,000 gallons worth. Roof
materials can be either pre-finished aluminum in a color, tile (natural or
man-made) plywood coated with waterproof paint or concrete. A typical roof style is a hip roof with the pitch
assisting in water collection. Remember, no need for “cellars” here so
storage is at a premium. We don’t have nor need heating systems and no need
for those snow blowers! We have strict building codes, which will dictate
everything from the size of your cistern to the roof beam size.
Our
homes are built to take advantage of nature’s air-conditioning… our
ever-present trade winds. Paddle fans are the most many homes need to stir the
air and cool you off. Most bathrooms have showers only since water is so
precious. No soaking tubs for us! Mexican or ceramic tile is the choice for most
floors for coolness and ease of maintenance.
Other flooring choices are termite resistant wood (pitch, Southern yellow
pine or bamboo) or terrazzo. Furniture
tends to be light and informal. You probably don’t want to ship down great
uncle Albert’s dark cherry sideboard until you design and choose your
“island style”. Outside living
space is the most important feature. So,
weather-resistant furniture is important. Materials fade in our bright sun so
choose carefully. You’ll have
large outdoor areas called “galleries”
which are usually roofed over but otherwise open to the fresh air. You’ll live
in the fresh cool air because flying bugs don’t bother you if you’re in a
breezy location. You can enjoy dining “al fresco” under the stars in the
dead of winter. How about that?!
Everyone
asks…just how much is it to live in Paradise? Our food costs are second only
to Washington, D.C., the utility rates are among the highest in the U.S. and
housing rents are likened to Manhattan and San Francisco. In other
words…it’s expensive to live here. But the trade offs are wonderful… a
population that is among the most diverse under the U.S. flag, low property
taxes, year round perfect weather, no winter clothes to buy, no heating costs
and world-class views from every inch of our islands!
Do we
get “island-fever”? Sure we do! So, plan on several day trips to St. John
and the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in-between traveling to the
States or “down-island” for longer visits and your “state-side fix”.
Many people feel that after 3-4 years on island you’ll find that you miss the
states less and less. Leave the mall shopping, driving on the “wrong side of
the road” (otherwise known as the right hand side) at 75 M.P.H. and cold
weather to the times you choose to visit the states. With shopping via catalog
and the Internet, we hardly miss a thing anymore.
Please
check our web site www.CalypsoRealty.com
for
updates on available properties on St. Thomas. A unique way to keep up on
properties is through IDX,
which means Internet Data Exchange, in essence a public
portal to the St. Thomas Multiple Listing Service®. Click on Multiple
Listing Service on our website menu and “you’re in”! I look forward to
assisting you in your search for an island home! Thank you again for working
with me.
We
look forward to
assisting you in your search for an island home! Thank you for
considering
Calypso Realty. Come join us in Paradise soon!
Warm
Regards,