SeaCliff Villas/Thomas

Laurie:

We visited Sea Cliff Villas, in January, to view a unit that was for sale. It appeared to be a very nice (residential) family area. We met a dentist and her children and a local judge who live there. The property was very clean and well maintained. I liked the swimming pool area and the fact that the units are right on the cliff overlooking Bolongo Bay. We would have purchased there, but we opted for an East End condo, instead.

Future Islander

Thanks Future Islander - am curious where you ended up purchasing. Property seems to be escalating at outrageous rates even in the span of a few months! I am being told that condos especially are going over their asking price and that there are bidding wars. Was that your experience? Do you plan to live there or are you renting out your property? Appreciate your input.

Laurie:

We bought at Point Pleasant Resorts. We liked it better since Point Pleasant has a "resort" flavor to the property.

We plan to rent out our unit in the "hotel plan" with the management company that's on site. For the next few years we will probably visit for 2 to 3 weeks per year. Then we would like to become "snow birds". That is, fly south for the winter. Many people from NJ like to spend the winter in Florida. We prefer a more "romantic" atmosphere. Besides, the view at Point Pleasant is absolutely beautiful.

By the way, the unit that we viewed at Sea Cliff, a 2 bedroom unit of approximately 1,200 square feet, was listed for $140,000. I think it sold for $120,000., in January 2004. It was on the market for more than a year. It did need a lot of work and was unfurnished.

Although the prices appear to be climbing in St. Thomas, I wonder if it is a result of the "in season" effect. I wouldn't be surprised if prices "retreated" in the "off season".

Good luck with your search/negotiations.

Future Islander

We lived in a 1 bedroom in the way back years- during and after Hurricane Marilyn. I felt that the 1 bedroom was pretty small, but I *loved* our ocean front view. Green flash territory! Sea Cliff is the only condo association that allows small dogs as far as I know, and most owners seem to adhere... Re: the prices...It will be interesting to see if it is a "season" effect or an EDC effect. Those guys have to own property and condo living is probably simpler for many of them. I would imagine that you are looking at the 2 bdrms- 1 is huge and 1 is small and don't look at the sunset.. For children- well, it is close to Bolongo beach and to Antilles School.

Future Islander:

Again appreciate your response. Point Pleasant does has amazing views! Any recommendations for a reputable inspector and a mortgage company?

Laurie

East Ender:

Thanks for your response. When you lived at SeaCliff - which side did you face? Bolongo or toward STX? We do have a dog so SC's animal policy is a huge plus, but again we are hearing that there are now "bidding wars" on property since there are so few condos! BTW -- How did Sea Cliff hold up during Hurricane M ? Do you take out hurricane insurance on top of the condo's insurance?

Laurie

What is "EDC"? It seems to be having a major impact on real estate.

Laurie:

I'm an engineer & real estate investor, so I do my own inspections. Also, being a condo property, I was mostly concerned about the interior condition. But, I also visually inspected the exterior.

We didn't need a mortgage, so I can't help you there.

If you need an attorney......we used George Ethridge, (340) 776-4949. Tell George that Mike from Point Pleasant sent you.

Future Islander

Laurie: We overlooked the ocean, not St Croix, but more westerly- sunsets over the water!!! There were two problems during Marilyn- there was a tornado that took out the side of building 20 I think it is- where the 2 bedrooms are on top of the hill. The debris broke windows along the lower buildings. They did install shutters after Marilyn and no problems since. Not too much to be done about tornados, though! We were renting, so no wind storm or flood insurance. Check carefully as each association deals differently with that. Insurance is very expensive and has huge deductibles.

Hi Laurie,
I just closed on a condo in Point Pleasant this February. We used Brice McLaughlin from First Liberty Mortgage (which has offices in Connecticut and St. Thomas). His phone number is (340)-774-1101. We were very happy with his service and rates. We didn't even have to appear at the closing - we just Fed Exed the documents between Florida and St. Thomas.
For the inspection, we used Adrian Bishop, The Home Inspector (340) 776-7171 cell 998-2802. We were satisfied with him also.
We didn't use a lawyer. The bank's attorney put together the documents and arranged the closing.
We only came down for the day, but our realtor Juliet Smith (www.julietsmithvi.com) had set up appointments to see units in Sapphire Beach, Sapphire Village, Pools & Pavillions and Regatta Point, but we loved the views and the ambiance of Point Pleasant..
Your realtor will also have some good recommendations.
Good Luck!
Sue

Sue:

Which unit did you purchase?

We bought one on the top level (D-23). (A one bedroom, one bath, top floor with a cathedral ceiling & wrap around deck.)

Future Islander

Hi Neighbor,

We bought D17. A one bedroom, one bath, walk in level, with beautiful view but no cathedral ceiling or wrap around deck. I'm jealous!

We'll be coming down Memorial Day Weekend to visit for the first time since we purchased it. We never really had a chance to enjoy the resort because we spent the whole day looking at different condos around the island, so we're really excited!

Sue

Hey neighbor.....we're in the same complex.....D10 through D26. You're my downstairs neighbor.....I hope you're quiet people (lol).

We spent a week at PP, last month, to get a feel for the property. As you can see we really liked it. We stayed in unit D34. (We would have bought this one if it were for sale).

We'll probably be back down there in July/August and then again in January.

Our unit needs some work...painting, refinishing the floor and replacement of some furniture. We expect to do that in July/August.

Will you be renting your unit out in the hotel plan? We intend to.

Future Islander(s)

We are on the "hotel plan" and so far we are satisfied with it. Things may slow down now that the off season is here, but August '03 had one of the best months of that year(according the Antilles Mgmt records). So far, the rental plan seems to be doing better than last year.

Right now we just want to change the light fixture and hang up a few caribbean paintings. However, we will probably replace the appliances and some furniture when we spend the (off) season there.

Have you registered at the point pleasant owners association website (www.ppvoa.com)? I didn't notice you on the directory.

I don't know if we'll be attending the annual owner's meeting on Oct 23rd, but I'm sure we'll see you one of these days having a Desmond's Delight at Fungi's or perhaps having a cocktail at Agave Terrace and watching the moon rise over the BVI's.

Good Luck with your new place.

Sue and Nick

Sue & Nick:

We haven't registered at the PPHOA, as yet.

We liked Fungi's (Al really looks like Will Smith). The wife is partial to Henry's "Zak Attack". And we enjoyed the Agave.

What was really nice in unit D34 was the ability to see the sunrise & sunset. D23, pretty much, has the same view.

BTW do you know how to refinish a terracotta tile floor?

Check out my STT trip report that I posted a few weeks ago.

We can't make the owners meeting in October, we'll be on a cruise.

See you both at PP someday.

Future Islander(s)
aka Mike & Judie

Mike & Judie,

The view from our condo, both sunrise and sunset, is breathtaking; none of the other resorts we saw could compare. The views and the natural setting are the reason why we only wanted to buy in Point Pleasant.

As for the floor, I would think you need to remove the existing sealer (either by using a stripper or possibly a sander) and then resealing it. It's also possible that you don't need to strip the floor. Home Depot may have the sealer or you can order online from a site such as
http://www.aldonchem.com/section-answerbook.htm and look for the topic
"Redoing a previously sealed surface - removing sealers". I have never used their products, I just came across their site while surfing for information on laying a saltillo floor.

Are you planning on redoing the floors yourself?

Sue & Nick

Sue & Nick:

Ditto on your reason for buying at PP.

Yes, I plan on doing the floors myself....that is if it's easy (and non-toxic).

OK, you've got me on this one....what is a "saltillo floor"?

Mike & Judie

Mike & Judie,

Saltillo tiles are Mexican clay tiles made by hand and laid out in the sun to dry. Some of them have footprints of animals that step on them while they are drying. They come in many shapes such as square, octogon, hexagon, and more. They're very popular in the Southwest and in South Florida. I think they may also be referred to as terracotta tiles. This site has some examples, click on the pictures there to enlarge.
www.pisoscoloniales.com.mx/catalog_terracotta/index.htm. Are they what you have?

Sue & Nick

Sue & Nick:

We have the same tile as you. Maybe I'm wrong about the "terracotta" type. Are you going to refinish your floor?

Also, so we don't annoy the rest of the folks on this site....my email address is mikehrom@yahoo.com

Mike & Judie