Finding Tenants? Is rental property a bad ROI?

As for STT, there are good tenants (those who pay promptly and keep the apartment clean), but I have had the disaster tenants as well (leaving a big mess and rent past due).

There are probably various good or bad reasons why apartments seem to be advertised frequently (seasonal tenants, etc.) I have had tenants move in and stay only a few months because they moved back to the states or moved to the other side of the island to be closer to their new job location.

I've been a landlord both here and stateside and being a landlord here is a totally different ballgame for myriad reasons. This for you is a possibility SO far in the distant future.

The AirBNB market is growing fast in the Virgin Islands. We have our first AirBNB guests from Germany staying in our guest cottage right now for two weeks. They flew in on the Norwegian Air flight from Copenhagen. They are great people and we've enjoyed having them so far.

We have another 2BR 2BR unit downstairs that we're converting to AirBNB now that the long term tenant has moved out. We know several others who are converting long term rentals into short term rentals using AirBNB and other similar services..

Its way more lucrative than long term rentals. But, a good long term tenant may be better for some people. We've had long term tenants for over 10 years but we long longer need the guaranteed monthly check and prefer the flexibility of AirBNB and not having our units tied up if we don't want to.

I'm curious about this too. I'm sure, like anywhere else, there's good and bad, but if anyone has any specific info or experiences to share, I'd like to hear them.

I've no doubt that I'm no exception in having enough material to write a book on the ups and downs of being a landlord here but until you've lived here for a while and settled in - and have a better understanding of island life and the comings and goings, keep it on the back burner. As you settle in, and if and when being a landlord becomes more a reality, you can talk to past and present landlords in person and get their feedback.

Have a good lease and take pictures because at some point or other, you'll probably end up in small claims court. I've had both good and bad tenants.
It's simply amazing what some will do to your property.

All the more reason to go the short term rental route. If you don't like them...they will be gone in a few days. Problem solved. Next...

That's true but there's a shortage of vacation rental guests during the summer months so if you're depending on the income, this may not work for everyone.

The AirBNB market is growing fast in the Virgin Islands. We have our first AirBNB guests from Germany staying in our guest cottage right now for two weeks. They flew in on the Norwegian Air flight from Copenhagen. They are great people and we've enjoyed having them so far.

We have another 2BR 2BR unit downstairs that we're converting to AirBNB now that the long term tenant has moved out. We know several others who are converting long term rentals into short term rentals using AirBNB and other similar services..

Its way more lucrative than long term rentals. But, a good long term tenant may be better for some people. We've had long term tenants for over 10 years but we long longer need the guaranteed monthly check and prefer the flexibility of AirBNB and not having our units tied up if we don't want to.

That's great! Best of luck to you! Being an AirBNB host seems kind of fun!

Have a good lease and take pictures because at some point or other, you'll probably end up in small claims court. I've had both good and bad tenants.
It's simply amazing what some will do to your property.

I think that's good general advice for any landlord really.

I think that's good general advice for any landlord really.

Absolutely - universal! I was a LL stateside too but there are certainly rather unique issues here. Anybody thinking of becoming a LL here (and especially someone with no prior experience) is well advised to do a ton of homework and invest in the services of a good real estate attorney to put together a lease.

Before renting out your property you should watch at least a couple of weeks of Judge Judy - half the cases on the show deal with Landlord/Tenant disputes. The difficulties Landlords encounter is enough to make anyone think twice about renting.

I've never had a problem with any of the long terms renters I've had either here or on the mainland. But I wouldn't take just anyone off the street either. Must be very picky to avoid problems...and have a great lease.

I have a rental on St. Croix . Demand always seems high. I have had good luck with tenants , even remained friends with previous tenants over the years .

It is very common here to have a rental attached to a single family home .

As mentioned by other posters a good application / screening process and a detailed lease is a must !

I also have had / have rental property stateside the two main differences I have noticed are :

Things cost more here , maintenance , rentals are expected to be furnished , so the ROI is not as high.

Tenants don't stay as long , all of mine so far have planned to make St. Croix their lifetime home and left island in a year ( or less ) .

... Tenants don't stay as long , all of mine so far have planned to make St. Croix their lifetime home and left island in a year ( or less ) .

This is one of the unique problems I alluded to earlier. The very high attrition rate of newbies can leave you with a duly executed annual lease with the usual penalties for breaking it early but no hope of enforcing it if the tenant simply takes off and leaves island. One of the reasons it's really important (and this is the same AnyTown USA) to get first and last month's rent and one month's security deposit up front. At least then if you have a tenant who ups and runs you don't lose a bunch and hopefully can quickly re-rent!

This is one of the unique problems I alluded to earlier. The very high attrition rate of newbies can leave you with a duly executed annual lease with the usual penalties for breaking it early but no hope of enforcing it if the tenant simply takes off and leaves island. One of the reasons it's really important (and this is the same AnyTown USA) to get first and last month's rent and one month's security deposit up front. At least then if you have a tenant who ups and runs you don't lose a bunch and hopefully can quickly re-rent!

Agreed

And another reason to have $10K per couple saved. (not talking about buying of course) A $1500 place - times three (first last and security) is $4500 right off the bat. I've been pretty firm with landlords that I wont pay all three. I will pay first and security or first and last. Luckily none say no - but I do have great references.

I think finding GOOD tenants is just as hard as finding GOOD landlords. Landlords that don't lie about stuff and listen when maintenance needs to be done. Last place was a "dream" landlord said. In reality It was infested with mozzy's - never could find the source and the "private driveway" off our bedroom window..... a shortcut through the neighborhood starting at 5am... about two hours after I go to bed. Killer view though lol.

I also always start with a 6 month lease with option for 1 or 2 years. If they say no, I walk away. I know that I have more to offer a landlord than they have to offer me. When we move back to STT I will start looking to buy.

Most of my wife's family the (in-laws) from sisters, brothers and cousin in laws rent out houses and apartments on the North side of St. Thomas in the Hull Bay area and they do not seem to have a problem renting out their places and holding onto good tenants. To me, or at least what I have observed is to try and treat the tenants as you would want to be treated if you were them, price your rental either right at market value or just below market value. Most do not require a lease, but they do require first last and security, but are willing to work with the tenant on the security if they don't have the money up front.

Now as far as renting an apartment versus buying, If you go into renting with an open mind and not expect the same thing on the Island that you would get in the states for the same amount of money, you will be fine. Some folks go to the Islands looking for that standard 3 bedroom and two bath with that grand master suite, but unfortunately that aint Island living. The less footprint of a home the better is how the older generation on the Island lived, which is small bedrooms, small kitchens and small bathrooms. It cost soooo much to build in the Islands that unless you are independently wealthy, it costs quite a bit of money to build those grand homes.

mike