NEED a real estate broker, please!

Don't take it personally Alix.
Yes, the market is booming here (EDC rules change notwithstanding), but my experience has been that most realtors have an "unless you are on-island with cash or mortgage-in-hand we have no time for you" attitude. This is more out of self-preservation than ignorance. If they chased after every off-island "inquiry" call, they would never have time for the people on-island who really are interested in buying!
That said, I get the sense that you are serious. I recommend Marsha Maynes. http://www.marshamaynes.com/
Be sure to tell her your situation, i.e. airline tickets have already been purchased, you are absolutely committed to purchasing, etc.
By the way, we recently purchased a home on STT and have some info re. the process and teh market that may be interesting. You mention cheap...what does that mean, if I may ask? Also, don't get too excited by the MLS, many of the homes on there in my price range had been on the market a long time and with good reason.
Good luck!

What island?

Onika...congrats on the baby.....read it in earlier posts.....

Onika and "V" - Island of STX.

My guy starts training on July 5 or 10. We are currently selling everything we own. Cars, pictures, furniture, everything. This is a FOR SURE move. He is gainfully employed there already.

Cheap rent: $500 or so. Studio or whatever is available within WALKING distance of Christiansted seaplane base.
Cheap house: $30-$70,000.

Found several houses that are very large and probably hurricane damaged, etc, however, I really enjoy construction work. So, that's not a problem. All I want is more info. The first realtor that contacts me and can help will get the deal. Promise.

Thanks for posting so fast....I'm already starting to feel better. This whole moving thing is bad enough, stressful enough, that when no one will get back with you, you get so sad.

I appreciate all the input.....everyone...please tell me anything you can.

Alix

Contact Alexandra Marshall, you will see her name on some of the posts. look on the post Great realator for off islander.
We had great luck with her on buying a condo.

Also on STX try Diana Robison form paradise properties she is the one We are working with and she is a real doll great Help. her number is 340 773 8414 tell her Allen adn Doug from Michigan sent you she will help you out greatly

You guys rock!!!!

Also, I am pretty much "married" to my bed. What would be the easiest route to get it there? I'm most worried about shipping the frame, mattress and boxspring. Is this stupid or can it get done fairly reasonably? I'll leave it behind if I HAVE to...know what I mean?

This is an endless fount of information and I can't tell everyone how much I really appreciate it.

Alix

I have had the same problem in trying to find property down on St. Thomas, I have gotten pretty much the same repsonse from the real estate brokers. I even explained that my wife is from St. Thomas and that we were looking to find some property to build.

I have finally come to the conclusion that I will probably have to go down there and do my own research on the property. But if you do come across someone who has some "get up and go" please let me know.

I did try the lady (Marsha Mayes) but after leaving some emails, which I got no response to, until I called a few weeks later, I pretty much felt I got the same attitude that I was not important enough to spend time with. I was told that if she had time the following weekend she would try to email me some suggestion. I doubt I will get anything from her.

It unfortunate because we are looking to buy property and build a home down there and rent it out from time to time, and we were thinking of using a real estate agent to book the house. So not to beat a dead horse if you do come across someone please let me know.

Thanks
Devin

Devin,
Call Rosemary Sauter at Century 21 Sauter & Assoc. at 340-777-5700. She was Realtor of the Year on 2004 and the former President of the VI Board of Realtors. I work very closely with her and I know she would be happy to help you. There is also a Steven Peters in her office that has been doing alot of research on land purchases and would also be very happy to help. Let either of them know that "Island Ed" sent you and they will immediately take your call. I will pass on your email address to them.
"Island Ed"

Devin....Alexandra Marshall has been a HUGE help....she has sent me lots of info and we are going to schedule some properties to see when I am on island. She's great....really really great....just post a new topic with her name in it on this message board and she will contact you.....all of her info is above, as well.

Alix

As of the 17th, IT'S OUR'S!!! our condo just closed. Alexandra was great to work with. We can't say enough good things about her service. She is even going to take care of changing over the power service at WAPA, since we won't be there until August for our next visit.

Thanks for everyone help, its hard to believe you get a faster repsonse from these message boards, I have gotten response from Steven at Century 21, but i will also check with Alexandra as well. I really appreciate everyone help. I have already found the reading on this web site to much better than any other I have found.

By the way I did get a repsonse from Marsha Maynes on Sunday by email, however, what she sent me was her web site, which I have already seen quite a bit. I didnt get the info or insight to some of the property like I had requested. But hey I guess I talk to other people and see what they can do.

Again, thanks for everyones help.

Devin

Yeah, when we were considering STT, that's ALL we ever got from Marha Maynes...just those annoying mass emails. She never returned a phone call or email. We just used Alexandra to buy our condo on STX.

Just our experience...
Amanda

That's good to hear Devin.
IMHO, for all that request realtors, just keep in mind that you will find better service from those that live on the island you are requesting information about. It is very difficult for an agent in STX to be up on the properties on STT, and vica versa, and even more difficult to show them to you since they may not frequent the other islands often. Think of it as an agent in Kansas City being your contact for properties in St Louis... even though they both are in Missouri. It is not such an problem between STT and STJ, but it still exists. I hope this helps.

I'd like to throw another real estate company our there. Calabash Real Estate not only handles people off island but handles short and long term rentals as well. The website is www.honnie.com and the phone number is 340-719-5285. Hope that helps someone out!