Beautiful Bolongo Property

Got $1 million to spend on a beautiful St. Thomas property?  Well this property is listed just under $1 million.  It is in Bolongo, so it is close to the Lobster Grille, Mim's Seaside Bistro and Iggie's, if you don't feel like cooking.  There is also Bolongo beach and Antilles School nearby and a short drive to Red Hook and Havensight.

The house has 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bath rooms, rental units, great outdoor space, a pool and a gorgeous view. I really love the outdoor space.  I think it is so important to have outdoor space here, especially when you have a beautiful view to enjoy.

MLS #13-2448

(yeah, that is a huge closet)

The house is listed at $975,000, not in everyone's budget, but I am sure it is perfect for someone.  

What do you think about the house and price?

Its Time to Enter the HGTV Smart House Contest

Just a reminder that it is time to enter to win the HGTV 2014 Smart House.  If you win, will you let me visit? This house is totally amazing (like all the other HGTV houses).

What is your favorite feature?

Oh yeah, don't forget to enter to win the swag also.

Started Working

So, I just started my new career in real estate.  Or do I need to start making money before I can really say it is my new career?  I went to 5 open houses today and a possible listing appointment.  I met some nice agents and property owners and am looking forward to a career.  We also met with one of my broker's property management clients- so fun.  Today was great, but I can imagine that this will be a very challenging endeavor.

These are some of the places I saw today...

MLS #14-616 Listed at $843.5k

I loved the living areas and view.  

The size is nice, but the house could use some updating- notice the carpet.

*Has a rental unit!*

MLS #14-638 Listed at $595k

Super cute!!

*Has a rental unit!*

MLS #14-502 Listed at  $575k

This would probably be a good long term rental property.

Needs updating.

*Has a rental unit (s)!*

MLS #14-579 Listed at $1.299 million

Absolutely beautiful.  Great views.  I love that the 4th bedroom is separate.

The rooms are a tad small, which makes me think it would be a perfect villa rental property.

MLS #14-426 Listed at $3.75 million

Stunning view.  His and hers master bathrooms and closets-nice.

Wine cellar, game room/loft, beautiful pool,..

*Has a rental unit!*

Do you have any experience in real estate?  Do you have any advice for me?  Want help buying, selling or renting? 

Curb Appeal Makeovers

Check out these "Curb Appeal Makeovers" on the Huffington Post.  What do you think?  Planning any projects to improve your Curb Appeal?

Why Live in the VI?

When you live here in the US Virgin Islands, day-to-day living can give you alot of reasons why not to live here: not so great schools, high cost of living, violence,... but when you see things like The Huffington Post's 

"Why You Should Move To The U.S. Virgin Islands," it reminds you why you don't want to live anywhere else.

(The Huffington Post)

Why do you love it here or where ever you live?

A Career Change?

I know this blog is supposed to be about building my home and I will get back to it soon. 

So, I am leaving my current employer in two weeks.  I am by trade an accountant, but have been working as a retail manager for the last year.  Retail management has been interesting, but is not my calling.  I don't have a job to go to, which is very weird for me, but I need a change.  My personal (and maybe even professional) life have been suffering because of this job.  Until I find something, I can do some light accounting or bookkeeping work.  I am also planning on getting into real estate.  There I said it... now it is true and I have to make it happen.  

I submitted my application and am studying for the exam.   I should have a temporary license soon.  Do you have any business to send my way?

Almost there?

The outside still needs a lot of work.  Our contractor gave us an estimate to put in the driveway that made me want to cry, so we are going to seek other estimates.  Wanna give me an estimate? ;)  So, you probably want to know what the status of the inside is?  Its coming along.  The bathroom tiles are being put in, the floors need to be stained (the sample area looks scary now), the closets need shelves, the kitchen countertop needs to be put on, the plumbing and electrical fixtures need to be installed and the solar system needs to be installed.  (We are looking a solar powered air conditioners.  I'll let you know how tat works on soon.)

 The kitchen cabinets have been installed.  The countertop is on order.  We decided to go for quartz, because it is very strong, heat and stain resistant and requires little maintenance.

 

 The master bathroom is being tiled.

The boys' room.  I drew the waves and have a great idea for a chalkboard. 

The concrete stain sample area is looking really crazy right now.  Did we make the right decision about staining?  Does the contractor know how to apply it?

 

In by November 1st? 

Progress

These pictures were from about a month ago. 

 

I Messed Up

I decided, and Paul had no objections to, putting up a block railing around the porch.  The thing is it ruins your view, duh.  I didn't even think about

 

 

 

Covered Up

It's June and we just got our roof on.  Thank goodness for the progress.  However I have issues with the the style of the roof.  Its almost flat but not.  I know flat doesn't mean totally flat because water needs a slant to come off the roof, but there are several ways to achieve the style and mine fails to do so. 

Last Saturday, I told my contractor he needs to work on his communication.  I should know if something isnt going to look like the plans (not just the roof) or what we discussed before it gets started.  He should present us with the problem and our  options and we, the homeowners, who are financing this project and have to look at whatever change it is every day of our lives once we move in, should decide on how to proceed based on our options.  But thats just my opinion, I could be wrong.

We used an Insuldeck insulated concrete roof.  Take a look at the progress.