Virgin Islands MLS is a website and blog for information about real estate, relocating to the U.S. Virgin Islands, and related financial and island news. We have links to local realtors and services, resources like schools and banks, and a growing section on how to relocate to the Virgin Islands, as well as current news about the USVI real estate market. If you are looking for a realtor in the U.S. Virgin Islands, to buy or sell a house, condo or vacation property, or to get a feel for the market, this is the place to start. You can sign up to receive updates by email using the form below.

Enter your email address to join our notification list:

CZM Permit and Lease Workshops

CZM HOST FREE WORKSHOPS ON ST. THOMAS AND ST. CROIX FOR PERMIT AND LEASE PROCESS

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Division of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is pleased to invite you to participate in a CZM Permitting and Lease Workshop. This workshop is free and open to local Government Agencies, Architects, Engineers, Draftsmen, Contractors, Community Organizations and other interested persons. The workshop will provide information about minor and major CZM development permit applications, permit review process, local/federal consistency regulatory updates, lease applications, and compliance with approved CZM permit conditions.

For St. Thomas and St. John residents, this workshop will be conducted on August 24, 2010, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., at the Small Business Development Training Center, 8000 Nisky Center, Suite 720.

For St. Croix residents, this workshop will be conducted on August 26, 2010, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., at the Port Authority Conference Room at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. Free parking at the airport will be available to attendees.

Please complete the attached registration form by August 18, 2010, to confirm your attendance. Space is limited so register now. Return your application via fax to (340) 714-9524 or email to heather.hitt@dpnr.gov.vi

STX Registration Form.doc
STT Registration Form.doc

CZM Permit Approved for Long-Awaited Robin Bay Resort

From The St. Thomas Source:

"Despite a whole morning of power failures, senators hit the ground running early Monday afternoon, passing through full session three major coastal zone permits -- one of which will allow for construction to start on the long-awaited Robin Bay Realty resort and casino on St. Croix."

35 Cabrita Point Estate Homesites

The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club® & John Foster Real Estate Announce the release of 35 Cabrita Point Estate Homesites

Cabrita Point, with breathtaking views and only steps away from The Ritz-Carlton®, offers an island lifestyle most will only dream of. Please join us on Wednesday to learn about this extraordinary real estate opportunity.

Complimentary Wine and Cheese Reception
Wednesday, July 21st 5:30pm to 7:30pm
The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club Membership Gallery (Located below the Allamanda Building)

Cabrita Point, St. Thomas is an exceptional location set in one of the most picturesque destinations, located adjacent to the four-diamond Ritz Carlton and its sugar white sandy beaches. View the mountainous peaks of St. John, the crystal blue waters of Great Bay, or the yacht mecca of RED Hook—every future home will have a breathtaking vista. This exclusive peninsula will provide future owners a sense of exclusivity and privacy rarely experienced in the Caribbean.

Opportunity awaits Thirty Five (35) fortunate lot purchasers. All parcels are oceanfront or water view. Te R-1 zoning code will allow each lot owner to build detached single or two family homes. The land is subject to the CZM approval process, however single and two family residences require a “minor” CZM permit, which is typically a 60 day process. New waterfront and water view homes are typically priced from $500 to $1,000/interior sq ft, ranging in price from $1.8 to $million. This is a unique and historic opportunity to own and experience a rare lifestyle/ investment in the US Virgin Islands.

Special Offering for Initial Plot Purchasers!
For more information call Peter Briggs
(O) 340-776-5000 (M) 340-513-1850
peterbriggs70@hotmail.com
http://www.usvi-realestate.com

RE/MAX Island Paradise Realty

RE/MAX Island Paradise Realty with its nationwide recognition, offers you complete listings of all homes, condos, land, timeshares and commercial properties for sale on St. John. Re/Max Island Paradise Realty is conveniently located at Mongoose Junction. Visit the RE/MAX Island Paradise Realty website for more information or send them an email. WINNER OF THE DAILY NEWS BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT, 2007 and BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY, 2010!

Cruzan Breaks Ground on New Treatment Plant

Good news for St. Croix:

On a stark, muddy field, 10 gold-painted shovels dug into the ground and tossed the first clumps of soil Thursday, marking the start of a new era at Cruzan Rum; one that will see the territory become “the No. 1 rum capital in the world,” according to Gov. John deJongh Jr.

Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new Cruzan Rum wastewater treatment system drew more than 100 spectators, including more than half the Senate, Cruzan employees past and present, and executives from the St. Croix distillery’s parent company in Deerfield, Ill.

Federal Warrant Issued for Missing St. Thomas Real Estate Broker

The story is really quite bizzare:

"The U.S. Department of Justice this week issued a federal warrant for the arrest and extradition of fugitive St. Thomas real estate broker..."

Speculation Rampant Over Vanished St. Thomas Real Estate Broker

This is one strange story - more from the St. Thomas Source:

She fled to Venezuela via Cuba ... or lost all her money in high-stakes poker tournaments … or she’s living a posh life under federal witness protection, and the feds will soon fix this whole sordid mess.

That’s just a taste—hors d'oeuvres, if you will—of a juicy feast of rumors tempting St. Thomians in the wake of the sudden disappearance of St. Thomas real estate broker and businesswoman Rosemary Sauter.

The truth, however, has yet to even be sketched by law enforcement officials now on the lookout for Sauter ever since she vanished early last week.

Arrest Warrant Issued for Fugitive Realtor

Something strange happening on St. Thomas - Rosemary did my taxes one year and I did know her professionally:

Once the headquarters of the largest real estate brokerage on St. Thomas, the doors to RE/MAX Dream Properties in Lockhart Gardens were closed and locked Friday, sealed with bright yellow police tape that read, “Crime Scene. Do Not Cross.”

osemary Sauter-Frett, the owner of the brokerage, is being hunted by local authorities, and if she has fled the territory could be the target of the FBI.

I have no idea about what is happening - the St. Thomas Source has more, but details at this point are sketchy.

Fall 2009 St. Croix Real Estate Update

From David Fedeles, St. Croix:

Greetings from St. Croix! A great article about our island was a feature story in the October 2009 issue of Caribbean Travel + Life Magazine. If you missed it, check it out and I was quoted with a sidebar editorial shown below:

"FOR SALE" SIGNS Think Caribbean homeownership is only for Ponzi schemers and James Bond villains? Well think again. The dream of buying a residence in the United States Virgin Islands can be surprisingly attainable, with familiar tax laws and real estate practices defining the process and the good ol' American dollar making it happen. "And anyone searching for the Virgin Islands' biggest bang for the buck need look no farther than St. Croix," says veteran agent David Fedeles of Farchette & Hanley Real Estate, in Christiansted. With a median home price hovering around the $600,000 mark ($229,000 for condos) and no shortage of available properties, thanks to our lingering economic blahs, th e island is ripe for bargain hunting. We found a furnished, two-bedroom, two-bath Teague Bay home on the island's eastern tip priced at $639,000 (Ed. Note: now Sold!) and boasting a heated pool, a full acre of land, and a glorious view of Buck Island to the north. And three miles west of Christiansted on Pelican Cove beach, $249,500 buys a furnished two-bedroom condo with resort-style amenities and an ocean view (also Sold!)." Let's hope I get some inquiries and can 'stir up some action' from the stateside economic doldrums which impact St. Croix as well. Also newsworthy...

Diageo Construction Is on Schedule

The Source is reporting:

Construction is moving on schedule and this fall St. Croix will see massive concrete slabs poured and walls built at the Diageo Captain Morgan Rum distillery, a company official said Thursday.

Speaking to Rotary of St. Croix at its weekly speaker luncheon, Dan Kirby, Diageo U.S. Virgin Islands vice president of supply, provided new details of the construction schedule while emphasizing the environmentally friendly features of the plant and Diageo's success at hiring mostly local workers to build the plant.

This seems to be a great story for the VI and especially St. Croix. Jobs, tax revenues - has there been any local downside reported on this project?

Cruz Bay Realty

Cruz Bay Realty, Inc. is a second generation, family owned real estate company serving St. John since 1985. Cruz Bay Realty takes great pride in their reputation, integrity, and understanding of the real estate market on St. John. Whether you are looking for the ideal island property to purchase, or you are trying to make a decision about selling, you can rely on the professional team at Cruz Bay Realty, Inc. to give you accurate and informed advice and information. Please visit their website www.cruzbayrealty.com for more St. John real estate information.

Pond Bay Club Sneak Peek

Took a quick tour at the Pond Bay Club last week - I was really impressed with the interiors. This is going to be a great place to stay in the future:

Act fast!

This is a pretty interesting story - a government sale of seized property: http://www.bid4assets.com/auction/index.cfm?auctionID=417290

More of the back story here: http://stthomassource.com/content/news/local-news/2009/07/16/marshals-auctioning-st-thomas-house-connected-48-million-theft

CZM Commission Denies Requested Change for Williams & Punch Resort

July 7, 2009 - The Coastal Zone Management Commission Monday approved two of the three changes to conditions for the proposed Williams & Punch resort development, but balked at a third, which developers said was critical, leaving the proponents considering filing with the Board of Land Use Appeals.

"I'm shocked," said Chris Elliot, board member and part owner of the proposed development, after the commission denied on a 1-2 vote the request to add 40 feet to the seaward side of the beach. "That was the critical part."

More from the St. Thomas Source.

BIR URGES TAXPAYERS TO PICK UP REISSUED MAY 28, 2009 INCOME TAX CHECKS

Virgin Islands taxpayers are reminded that the reissued May 28, 2009 income tax refund checks are available for pick up from the Bureau's offices on all three islands. Taxpayers are asked to bring one photo ID with proof of their social security number in order to claim the reissued checks. Taxpayers are also reminded to return the incorrect check to the Bureau's offices, if they haven't already done so.

"Taxpayers who have already negotiated the incorrect refund check are urged to contact the Bureau immediately to make arrangements to repay any overpayment. Those taxpayers who may have already cashed a check for an amount less than was owed are also asked to contact the Bureau for additional instructions," said BIR Director Claudette Watson-Anderson.

The Bureau's staff is available to address both taxpayer situations on a priority basis. Questions should be directed to the Bureau's Processing Branch at (340) 715-1040, ext. 4221 on St. Croix, ext. 2257 on St. Thomas and 777-1446 on St. John.