Posted on May 24th, 2013 by Merry

“Villa Ellison” at Virgin Grand Estates is now under contract. This 3 bedroom house has beautiful views over Great Cruz Bay and the Caribbean and is a very popular short term rental. Features include new stainless appliances, large pool deck, air conditioning and excellent privacy between bedrooms.
For more information on other houses for saale on St John contact Merry 340 776-6666 merryvi@aol.com www.islandiarealestate.com
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Filed under: Market Trends
Posted on May 23rd, 2013 by Karye
The Animal Care Center of St. John held its 12th annual Wagapalooza fundraiser on St. John on May 18 2013 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm at the VI National Park Ball Field in Cruz Bay. Featured were dog show categories such as Best Kisser and Best Costume. All proceeds from the T-shirt and show entry fees go directly to the care, feeding and veterinary care of St. John’s homeless dogs and cats. Check out these creatively costumed critters.
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Filed under: General
Posted on May 22nd, 2013 by Jane


It is that time of year again! Friends of VI National Park’s Beach-to-Beach Power Swim, their 10th Annual will be held this Sunday. There are three courses, swim to Cinnamon Bay, swim to Trunk Bay, or go all the way to Hawksnest Bay. It is a day to have fun, get a great work-out, and support one of the best National Parks in the World. I will be assisting by kayak to ensure your safety! The link: http://www.friendsvinp.org/race-info ….and there is NO registration on the day of the event! Jane@islandiarealestate.com www.islandiarealestate.com 340.776.6666 941.544.5855
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Filed under: Local News and Events
Posted on May 20th, 2013 by Lynn

Cute studio cottage!
This great starter home located in Estate Mandahl has been seeing a lot of showing activity with a lot of strong interest but still nothing in writing. Currently reduced to $239,000 this cute studio cottage overlooks the pond in Mandahl and has plenty of room to expand on the property consisting of two .30 parcels. Keep the second parcel for more privacy or sell. For more information on this great starter home or other questions you may have regarding real estate on St. John, USVI, please contact me at lynngiovanna@gmail.com cell 340-344-1825 but don’t wait long as there is some strong interest and I think we will see it contract soon! Have a sunny day! Lynn
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Filed under: General
Posted on May 18th, 2013 by Merry


Palm Terrace Condos unit 6 features 4 large bedrooms, 3 baths, granite and stainless kitchen, private laundry, lots of storage, central air and walking distance to a beach and Cruz Bay. The price has just been reduced to just $799,000. For more photos and listing details go to: Click to view
listing(s) and contact Merry merryvi@aol.com 340 776-6666 www.islandiarealestate.com
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Filed under: Price Changes
Posted on May 16th, 2013 by Lynn

View from Estate Catherineberg.....not bad!
There’s a lot to be said about location when you are referring to real estate. Here on St. John the multi island & water views will determine your price range and we really have some stunning views on this little island! One of my top favorites…..Estate Catherineberg, I just love that north shore view! There are currently no parcels of land for sale and only 4 homes in the price range of $2.495M to $8.340M and what can I say the views are priceless! I love to chat about Catherineberg so for more information on these beautiful homes for sale or other questions regarding real estate on St. John, USVI, please contact me at lynngiovanna@gmail.com cell 340-344-1825. Have a multi island day! Lynn
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Filed under: General
Posted on May 14th, 2013 by Jane



A very sweet property sold today! It has been a wonderful retreat and a great rental income. We have seen increased activity on the island of St. John but buyers still have a great selection of homes, 159, as of today’s date. Keep in mind the home that has a perfect view, with the ‘just right’ amount of trade winds blowing and the pleasing floor plan can be a tad more elusive and subjective. Let us help you with your decision! jane@islandiarealestate.com 941.544.5855 340.776.6666 www.islandiarealestate.com
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Filed under: General, Market Trends
Posted on May 13th, 2013 by Lynn

views to the south east from the pool area
Great villa in Chocolate hole with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, concrete construction, pool along with nice water views and close to town location make this a great value priced at $780,000!! one of the least expensive villas in Estate Chocolate Hole! This is clearly one to take a closer look at. For more information of this great property or other questions you may have regarding real estate on St. John, USVI, please contact me at lynngiovanna@gmail.com cell 340-344-1825. Have a sunny day! Lynn
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Filed under: General
Posted on May 10th, 2013 by Merry
Dr Cool has long been know for its air conditioning business on St John. They are now expanding into the high end appliance business with warranty service by factory trained technicians. They also have a new location on St John at the Palm Plaza shopping center just west of the Westin Resort. Check out the brands they carry on their web site at www.drcool.com Stop by their store and check out the models they have n their brand new show room. If you do not see what you want it can easily be ordered.
Merry 340 776-6666 merryvi@aol.com
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Filed under: Local News and Events
Posted on May 9th, 2013 by Karye
People often ask me, “When you live on St. John in the Virgin Islands where do you go to vacation?”
The British Virgin Islands are a stone’s throw away from St. John and we frequent them often. One of the most remote and unique British island is Anegada and on a recent weekend getaway we loaded our friend’s boat with food, drink and water toys and headed out to brave the waves. After clearing customs at West End, Tortola we hugged the north shore of the island until we passed Rough Point. Three hours later we pulled into the Anegada Reef Hotel where we docked the boat and unloaded all our gear into three vehicles bound for Keel Point Cottages on the north shore of the sleepy little island. There are four cottages at Keel Point; three one bedroom units and one two bedroom unit and our group occupied three of them. A beachside gazebo connected by walkways running to and from each cottage houses a round dining table, sink and grill, and that served as our main dining hall each evening. We spent three nights and four days lounging on the beach where you can walk for miles and not see
another person. We paddle boarded and contemplated surfing before realizing that the waves that looked to be 6 feet were actually 12 feet and were breaking inside the barrier reef. Better safe than sorry on that front. We paddle boarded, and lunched at nearby Cow Wreck Bar and Restaurant. The kids went beachcombing and built sand sculptures with their bounty washed up by the waves. My husband Bob and future fly rod guide, 14-year old Evan Jones spent almost the entire weekend stalking the elusive bonefish but that is another story and video which I will post soon. Here are a few photos of our adventure.


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Filed under: Fun Photos, General
Posted on May 8th, 2013 by Jane


Baked in the Sun is one of my favorite restaurants on the island of St. John. It is my go to place for a cup of coffee, lunch, treats and a warm greeting from KO and staff. My pick for lunch is the veggie burger on a salad, fantastic, they’re homemade, as are all the offerings at Baked in the Sun. From our blog to theirs: “Established in Beautiful St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands in November 2000, Baked In The Sun is a true family bakery. We create everything we sell from ‘scratch’ using only the finest ingredients.
We are proud of what we do and it shows. Voted Best Bakery in the Virgin Islands, Best Sandwiches on St. John and Best Veggie Burgers in the Virgin Islands by the Daily News Reader’s Poll.
Come visit us at our location near Tamarind Court for all your bakery needs including breakfast sandwiches, a great lunch featuring sandwiches, soups and salads, espresso, cappuccino and lattes. We also do some simple catering to go.
Call us at (340) 693-8786 or email us at bakedinthesun@gmail.com“
For real estate jane@islandiarealestate.com www.islandiarealestate.com
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Filed under: General, Local News and Events
Posted on May 7th, 2013 by Jane
By next week I should have very exciting news to tell you about Orion’s Hill, the “Jewel of Ajax Peak.” The estate is on the market and is sure to make some heads turn with the updates that will be forthcoming.
In the meantime I have discovered some interesting statistics about pending properties (properties that are under contract). I did a search going back to 2011 and up to today’s date, it showed that January and May both tied for peak months for contracting residential property. When looking at the current ‘pendings’, it shows that this past April, has surpassed the previous two years. There are now 4 properties that went pending last month compared with only a total of 2 properties going pending in April for 2011 and 2012.
Enjoy the photo of Orion’s Hill! More to follow. Contact Jane@islandiarealestate.com for any questions www.islandiarealestate.com 941.544.5855 430.776.6666
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Filed under: General, Market Trends
Posted on May 6th, 2013 by Lynn

Stop by Pink Papaya for the perfect island gifts!
If you have been to St. John, you have been to Pink Papaya and Lime Inn. I highly recommend both. Pink Papaya has that perfect island gift you are looking for and when you are done, Lime Inn is one of the best places to have dinner and happy hour drinks at the bar and let’s not forget that wednesday is all you can eat shimp night so come hungry! See you there! For questions about where to go on island or questions regarding real estate on St. John, USVI, please contact me at lynngiovanna@gmail.com cell 340-344-1825. Have a sunny day! Lynn
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Filed under: General
Posted on May 5th, 2013 by Karye

Kentucky Derby 2013
Yesterday’s running of the 139th Kentucky Derby posed a difficult decision for me. Being a woman, I wanted to root for the female rider Rosie Napravnik aboard Mylute, but as a Virgin Islander I ended up standing behind St. Croix native Kevin Krigger. Goldencents, with Krigger at the reins, finished first place in the Santa Anita Derby in April and if he had won the derby, would have been the first African American rider to win since 1902. As it turned out, neither of my picks placed in this race, however I’ll be cheering for both these great athletes in support of their past success and future gains.
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Filed under: General, Local News and Events
Posted on May 3rd, 2013 by Merry

So far so good for 2013. Homes sold on the St John MLS during the first 4 months of 2013 have surpassed those of 2012 by quite a bit. Four homes sold in the first 4 months of 2012, 3 of which were over $1M. Thirteen homes have sold in the same period this year with 4 of those under $500,000 and 4 over $1M.
One condo sold in this time period in each of 2012 and 2013.
Land sales were about even with 10 in 2012 and 9 so far in 2013. The big difference in land sales is the prices. Of the 10 early land sales in 2012 five were under $100,000. In 2013 two were under $100,000 and 4 were over $1M.
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Filed under: Market Trends