condos on STX

My only other bills are water, electricity & cable. About 10% local where I am at, 40% snowbirds & 50% rentals. Hope this helps

What does the condo fee include, b/c in the states they are not that high??

Ask before you buy exactly what the condo fees include. Generally, one of the largest costs is insurance. The constant sun and effects of the salt water require ongoing maintenance to keep the property in good condition.

Our condo does have some year round residents but there is a large number of snowbirds. We hope to enjoy STX every winter once we complete this work assignment.

do you have any comments on what condos are good and what are bad? we are looking to buy a 2bed/ 2bath condo? of course i have been looking on line and it seems that they are pretty furthcoming about the condition of the place, but is there a place know for its bad work manship?
thanks, cannot wait to move

Be sure to take a look at the Reef on STX's east end. Units are really more like townhomes than condos. All are on ground level with ocean views. Most of the owners are snowbirds, however there are some year round residents.

Built on a nine hole golf course, tennis courts, beach, swimming pool and convenience store on site. Reef has its own water and sewer plant. Full time on site maintenance and management staff.

Unit's cost depends on interior condition ( who recently the unit has been updated). Should be able to find something in the $170 - $190 K price range. Exterior maintained very well by association on a regular planned basis.

Monthly fees $840 including insurance on structure.

Britt

thanks for you insight. the condo fees are so expensive, it basically doubles your expensies! i guess hurricane insurance is really expensive right? or what else does that include?

The fee includes:

Insurance $175 per month.

The balance is to maintain the property including a swimming pool, grounds, painting the exterior of all units including trim, coating the roofs, surfacing the roads, maintaining the water plant and electrical distribution system, exterminator. It also includes building up a reserve to handle the damages from a hurricane. Insurance, besides being expensive has hgih deductibles for both hurricanes and earthquakes.

I know the fees seem high, but as previous people have said, maintaning property is expensive in the tropics. The heat, humidity, UV and salt are very tough on your home. Everything rusts including your refrigerator. Termites are a problem. Finally the poor quality of the electric power, surges, outages, brownouts, reeks havoc on your electrical equipment

You either pay a condo fee, or own your own home and pay a gardner, painter, exterminator and pool maintenance company. If you have a cistern you will have to maintain that and perhaps purchase water. The only way you are going to save money is if you are handy and do all the work yourself.

Britt

Hi Drew,

You can find some really good buys, but the prices of condo's vary for a lot of reasons. The St. C has good 1 bed/1 bath units (1200 sq. ft.!) and most are under $100K. There are also some nice ones at Coakley Bay, but you will notice the price fluctuates greatly there due to unit configuration, upgrades (or people not keeping them up). BJears mentioned where he/she lives there is 50% rentals. Just be aware that a lot of condo's are rentals so you may have to watch out for that. You never know who your neighbor may be at any given time.

Bou'ya