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The Realtor said "I don't think you'll like it" but wont tell me why.
I have a feeling my husband will want to downsize the list.... is this a place to cut from the house-hunt?
Posted : September 19, 2012 11:26 pm
I know four fulltime residents there, two who are renting and two who own their units; and I'm good friends with two owners who've owned their units (each owns three and two respectively) for many years, One of the latter couples (who were fulltime St Thomas residents for 20+ years and bought at Pineapple way back then) rent them out as vacation units; the other couple rent out one of their units on a lease term and maintain the other as their own home away from home for their frequent visits. I've been in all the units and they're lovely. None of these people has ever had a problem there but have told me of a few incidents over the years when units have been broken into (but not theirs) but the burglaries have been few and far between and isolated.
The adjoining vacant hotel property is now owned by the Wyndham group who plan to turn it into high-end vacation condo units. They just received permits to start work and I believe plan to start rebuilding the property some time next year. I imagine there'll be a lot of construction going on there for some time but can't speculate as to what sort of disruption this will have on Pineapple. In my opinion (and I know the area very well having lived there for 16 years) it's certainly not something I would knock off the list. And I firmly believe that once the Wyndham group has finished its project, Pineapple units will prove to be a healthy investment. Just my opinion but hope that helps.
Posted : September 19, 2012 11:44 pm
Topic starter
Thank you! We are just renting to start, but this helps.
I wonder what her issue is.... maybe furnishings - I told her I'm picky.
Posted : September 19, 2012 11:55 pm
A Realtor should never presume what people will and won't like (nor say that) beacuse unless you have shown LOTS of property to your particular customer, you don't know what they will like. My philosophy is let them decide and show them everything they want to see and then some. One never knows what shall resonate with someone.
I have friends that lives at Pineapple and love it. They haven't had any issues and have been the about 7 yrs,
The properties are well maintained on the outside and the grounds and pool are very well kept up.
They are court yard villas so you won't have views of the beach just your private courtyard but their layouts offer lots of options for rentals both long and short term.
One of the sales I made last year was to a couple that wanted a house with a pool but they were admandent they did not want a condo or town house situation. After looking at LOTS of properties in a 4 day period, I got them to look at a Townhouse at Caret Bay Villas w/th its own pool. They fell in love and purchased it. It was the last home we saw and they would not have chosen to view it on their own but nothing else was suiting their likes and dislikes. To me, after spending so much time with them, it did fit all their needs except the fact it was a town house.
It made more sense for them as they are to continue to live stateside for the next few years, use it as a short term rental and their vacation home and we all know that maintenance here in the islands is full time job, not to mention finding someone reliable and affordable to do it for you.
So keep looking and don't exclude your possibilities. Make the decision to cut it after you've seen it.
Posted : September 20, 2012 12:35 am
I also know people who live there -- many, in fact. The complaints I hear about living there are mainly about the fact that you don't get a good breeze, so they really have to run the a/c. Also, the mosquitoes are viscious there. Other than that, Pineapple Village is a pretty decent place.
Posted : September 20, 2012 3:57 pm
"ST. THOMAS - Gov. John deJongh Jr. took action on multiple bills Tuesday, approving a permit for a major hotel renovation of the old Renaissance Grand Beach Resort property."
Hotel development
The governor approved a Coastal Zone Management permit for Wyndham St. Thomas Development LLC to conduct a $19-million renovation to the 290-room property, which has been shuttered for years. Senators said the renovation is supposed to bring 136 permanent jobs and about 160 temporary ones in construction.
In January 2007, Wyndham St. Thomas Development bought the property for $31 million.
The permit approved by the governor will restore the existing dock, create a 180-foot protected swim area with a water trampoline, and replace the reverse osmosis intake and outfall lines.
The above was in the Sept. 12 issue of the Daily News.
This is the location of Pineapple Beach.
It used to be a great resort location with lots of different watersports activities, bars, restaurants, and the hotel operational, years ago.
The hotel property has been in disrepair and abandoned for a few years but, hopefully, with this news, things will progress.
Great to have an existing beachfront resort property restored than to build on an unspoiled property.
Mosquitos seem to be viscious everywhere when we get good rains.
The A/C part is accurate as their units are located behind the beach and hotel reception area so summertime A/C usage a must but this is true of many locations in the summer, these days, especially in low lying areas.
Posted : September 20, 2012 4:52 pm
"
.... the 290-room property, which has been shuttered for years....
I think this may be the reason for your realtor's hesitation. Or prehaps, she/he would rather not work with the listing agent/owner. I would ask directly about both senerios.
Posted : September 20, 2012 5:12 pm
I stayed at Pineapple Beach Club in April 1968. one side of the restaurant was a 2 story Hotel 6 type motel the other side were Little huts and an in ground pool all on the beach. In the early 70's they started to build the condo's (pineapple village behind the motel type building).. Where did the time go. You could choose American or continental food plan.
Posted : September 20, 2012 6:31 pm
I stayed at Pineapple Beach Club in April 1968. one side of the restaurant was a 2 story Hotel 6 type motel the other side were Little huts and an in ground pool all on the beach. In the early 70's they started to build the condo's (pineapple village behind the motel type building).. Where did the time go. You could choose American or continental food plan.
Pineapple was a fun place in the 70's. Lots to do, I captained a charter boat out of there doing daysails for guests, at the time.
When it became Renaissance it was very upscale and had a nice choice of restaurants. Would be nice to see that, again.
They turned the huts into 2, 3 and 4 bedroom condo/townhouse and each bedroom has its own separate courtyard entrance so that owners could rent out extra bedrooms as vacation rentals/hotel rooms. When I visit friends there I am always amazed at how nicely the grounds are kept. It's nice to be so close to the beach and have a pool to use as well. Not everyone will like the courtyard aspect without ocean views but they are very private and the courtyards, I have been in while visiting, are very lush. Of course that's up to each individual owner to take care of while maintenance does the outside grounds.
Posted : September 20, 2012 8:42 pm
Wasn't Chris Sawyer Dive Shop/Center located there back in 2003-2003? If memory is correct beautiful location and grounds with great beachside activities, restaurant(s) watersports etc. With Pineapple located closer to the entrance as you round the corner towards the main resort and beach/ocean! So glad to have renov. of the area!
Posted : September 21, 2012 3:02 am
yep.
Posted : September 21, 2012 12:12 pm
When we first started looking at properties we told our agent we were open to most anything in our price range as long as it was on the beach. The first place he took us was Mahogany Run & the second was a Pt. Pleasant unit, one of the highest ones. We fired him & looked at beach properties the next day with a new agent. We ended up with our little piece of paradise at SBRM and no regrets.
Posted : September 21, 2012 1:48 pm
Topic starter
SBRM?
Posted : September 21, 2012 7:16 pm
Sapphire Beach Resort and Marina.
Posted : September 21, 2012 7:30 pm
Sapphire Beach Reasort and Marina.
As an alternative to Pineapple, (a bit closer to redhook) you may want to look at Sapphire Village--on the hill above SBRM. The units are small but sometimes you can get really good price. I lived there for a few months with two pre-schoolers in the 90's during my construction. It wasn't bad, good breezes in some units, nice mix of locals and snow birds, walking (and stoller) distance to shady beach.
Posted : September 21, 2012 7:35 pm
mostly studios and 1X1 apts at SBRM.
Posted : September 21, 2012 11:55 pm
One thing I know that concerns most people looking for rentals or property to purchase is if the location is safe and crime free.
I don't think that anyone can assure that any one place is and will continue to be, 100% free of crime as crime can happen all over since
we have such diverse neighborhoods.This can occur even the most prestigious and gated communities.
Best thing to do if you have major concerns about a location of choice is to call VIPD and ask about the statistics of incidents in that specific location not just the general area or estate as your immediate location may not have had problems but nearby may have.
It is very difficult due to all of the various zoning we have in so many different areas. To help protect yourself against crime if you have concerns, get to know your neighbors, be aware of your surroundings and people that do not belong there, start a crime watch in your
area, invest in a security system, lock your doors, have a dog or 2 or 3 and/or all of the aforementioned.
Posted : September 22, 2012 2:07 pm
Alanna33.
I agree with all you stated except the 2 or 3 dogs. You only need one very BIG Dog very Big Teeth, and Sneaky:D.
Posted : September 22, 2012 11:52 pm
True! I just believe the more the merrier!
Posted : September 23, 2012 12:14 am
Are 2-3 big dogs allowed in the rental units at pineapple?
Is it common for a renter "invest" in a security system" for leased condo? Isn't that the owner's responsibilty? Do owners give rent credit?
Does VI PD track crime by neighborhood? I'd be very impressed if they maintained historical stats for pineapple v. SBRB.
Posted : September 23, 2012 12:37 am
Like most condo complexes, I think there is a no-pet policy at Pineapple.
Yes, most renters invest in their own security systems. This is not the responsibility of the landlord although some may provide it and the rent will reflect that additional perk. Renters are encouraged to take out renter's insurance to cover their personal belongings. This isn't peculiar to the USVI but pretty common throughout the US.
I have no idea whether or not the VIPD can offer a statistical review of crimes comparing Pineapple to Sapphire. In 16 years of living in the neighborhood until 2011 the incidents of crime at both locations was, to my knowledge, minimal. I mentioned Pineapple in this respect in my first post.
OP, have fun looking - so many areas, so many options and a great way to explore the island!
Posted : September 23, 2012 12:20 pm
Pineapple allows pets with board approval. It is one of the few that do allow a pet but believe pet must be 40lbs. and under.
Posted : September 23, 2012 1:27 pm
Point Pleasant & Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina have Security patrolling, don't know about Pinapple. Sapphire also added security cameras a couple of years back. I've never felt unsafe.
Posted : September 23, 2012 1:27 pm
Are 2-3 big dogs allowed in the rental units at pineapple?
Is it common for a renter "invest" in a security system" for leased condo? Isn't that the owner's responsibilty? Do owners give rent credit?
Does VI PD track crime by neighborhood? I'd be very impressed if they maintained historical stats for pineapple v. SBRB.
When I wrote my comment regarding 2 or 3 dogs, I was thinking more of residential locations and not condos of which there are a few that do allow pets. However, those that do shall have size constraints as well as the number of pets allowed, except possibly at Caret bay Villas, (unless they have changed their policy, recently.)
It's best to check what each condo association will or will not allow if you have pets you are unwilling to part with before falling in love with a place that won't allow one.
If renters are so concerned about security, they may wish to invest in a security system. Some rentals do have them in place but it is usually up to the tenant if they wish to continue the service, in which case payment is their responsiblity. If it is included in the rental, the rental amount shall reflect that. These are individual choices.
Call VIPD and ask if they can offer those stats. There are many crime watch associations here in STT and there are the officers that are, directly, invovled with helping to create those neighborhood watch groups and keep in touch with them on a regular basis and are available to help with questions and group meetings. They may be tracking what's going on. If not, if there are enough people calling in asking, they may create that info in the future for their own and our references which would be a positive. Why don't you call and find out?
Posted : September 23, 2012 1:48 pm
Are 2-3 big dogs allowed in the rental units at pineapple?
Is it common for a renter "invest" in a security system" for leased condo? Isn't that the owner's responsibilty? Do owners give rent credit?
Does VI PD track crime by neighborhood? I'd be very impressed if they maintained historical stats for pineapple v. SBRB.
If renters are so concerned about security, they may wish to invest in a security system. Some rentals do have them in place but it is usually up to the tenant if they wish to continue the service, in which case payment is their responsiblity. If it is included in the rental, the rental amount shall reflect that. These are individual choices.
I don't think it is fair for the tenant to pay for a security system that is already in place. JMHO
Landlords have to provide safe housing. There are loopholes that a tenant can use to sue the landlord, if they are not providing a safe apt./house to rent, if some crime should happen on their property.
Renter's insurance is for the tenant's possessions, but not for their safety.
Bad enough rents are high, but then a landlord wants you to pay additional for a security system that is already set up. Just doesn't seem fair. A landlord might just lose out on a great long-term responsible tenant that pays rent on time and takes care of their property like their own because the security system is an additional bill they have to pay.
How common is it with landlords that security systems are an optional service in which the teneant has to pay?
Posted : September 23, 2012 2:12 pm
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