Featured Clients Archives - Page 2 of 4 - David Fedeles, St. Croix Real Estate

Featured Client: After Maria

August 6, 2019 by Team Fedeles

Lou Cerullo took a leap of faith in 2017. He made a sight-unseen offer on a condo, then flew down to close four days before Hurricane Irma. He then waited anxiously as both Irma and Maria made their way through the Caribbean. While we were not his buyer agent for that purchase, we learned later that our e-newsletters after the storm had a big impact on him.

We can’t imagine how nerve-racking it must have been to have made a commitment to buy a condo, then to watch from afar as a category 5 hurricane blew over it. It was very touching to hear from Lou that he saved all of our post-storm communication because it helped him feel more connected to what was happening on St. Croix.

During his career as an engineer on the East Coast, Lou did a lot of traveling. Over 20 years, he experienced the entire Caribbean and decided,

Someday I’m going to retire there.

For Lou, St. Croix had all the things he wanted, but not all the commercialism. After a stretch of owning a restaurant in South Carolina, it was time. He bought his condo, endured the wait after Maria, and finally made his way to St. Croix.

He poured a lot of energy into renovating his new condo, making it his perfect island home. When he wasn’t working on his condo, one of his favorite things to do on island was to find Brian McCullough Band playing somewhere. He settled right in to island life.

St. Croix just has a great small town feel. It didn’t take any time at all to meet people and make friends.

Alas, life took a little turn and Lou needed to head back to the States for awhile. That’s when he contacted Team Fedeles to sell his condo. We put together the listing, complete with the write-up and photos, and Lou said:

I loved it! I wanted to buy it all over again!

Lou wasn’t expecting to get the full listing price, but trusted our guidance. And we had multiple offers within two days! We’re pleased to hear him describe the sale as a “smooth experience”.

Now Lou is in Florida living close to family.

I miss St. Croix every day — and I’m in Florida with a beautiful view! Sure, having access to all the shopping options is nice, but I’d give it all up to be back on St. Crox.

Lou’s advice for anyone looking for a real estate agent is to find someone who cares enough to patiently answer all of your questions. He was kind to share how much he appreciated our attention to detail.

Someday I hope to really retire — and I’ll go back to David to buy my next St. Croix home.

We look forward to welcoming you back home, Lou!

Featured Client: Where Everybody Knows Your Name

April 25, 2019 by Team Fedeles

Dave and Kathy Cecil first vacationed on St. Croix in the late 1980’s and loved it then. That’s what eventually led them to buy a condo at The Reef where they have been enjoying the snowbird lifestyle for four years. Now their immaculate 2 bedroom/2bath end unit is on the market.

So why St. Croix?

It’s a U.S. Territory, English is spoken here, we’re on the U.S. monetary system and can use USPS for shipping items to or from the island. St. Croix has beautiful weather available almost 365 days a year, beautiful beaches and good food.”

The Cecil’s enjoy the beach directly across from their condo at The Reef.

And why a Condo at The Reef?

We were on vacation here on the property, this unit was for sale, the rest is history! We especially appreciate the security and friendly community environment. Plus, the amenities: golf, a pool, the beach, modern utility systems on property, and excellent dining options.”

The Cecil’s even say that the Dish TV, Internet and cellular are all better than at home in Wisconsin! The Reef community also has its own sewage treatment plant and reverse osmosis water treatment facility.

The Reef is constructed of concrete block. Dave shared that, “Hurricane Maria caused no damage. We weren’t on Island and communications with community neighbors about Maria provided good information.”

The Reef is an East End gated community with 101 tiered condos. Community amenities include a 9-hole golf course with Pro Shop, a fresh water swimming pool, tennis courts, and a sandy beach in the reef-protected Caribbean. Duggan’s Reef restaurant is in front of the community right on the beach. Dave gets a kick out of the fact that Frank Duggan, the restaurant’s owner, used to bartend at the Bull & Finch Pub in Boston, home of 1980’s TV series, Cheers. Like the Cheers theme song, The Reef is a close, friendly community Where Everybody Knows Your Name.

Dave and Kathy enjoy the turquoise blue Caribbean Sea and amazing sunrises most every morning. The night view is relaxing just watching the cruise ship lights. During our recent chat, Kathy shared that, “The Golden Trumpet tree at our patio is in full bloom! Being able to look out over the Caribbean Sea and at Buck Island from our patio or condo windows is beautiful and something we never tire of.”

The Cecil’s met while both worked for the Commonwealth Edison electric utility, Dave at a power generating station and Kathy in the nuclear division. Dave enjoyed flying and considered the cockpit of a commercial aircraft, but chose to pilot his own personal small plane; he is an amateur HAM radio operator, WB9YSK.

They brought their holiday traditions to St. Croix. “We enjoy decorating at Christmas with a traditional tree and all of the extras. And we really enjoy the Christmas Boat Parade.”

Another interesting story of good times shared of their time at The Reef: “We learned to love golf together as a couple.” Dave hadn’t played golf in 35 years and Kathy had never played!

“I don’t know if you can write about this,” Dave confessed, “but in the West End rainforest, you can feed pigs beer!” Kathy added, “animal rights activists ensured it is O’Doule’s, non-alcoholic beer.”

But now Dave and Kathy are grandparents and their retirement focus has changed. It’s time for more family activities at home in the Midwest. So it’s back to frigid winters and real snow on Christmas.

Featured Client: A Home Suited for Entertaining Ted Kennedy

February 19, 2019 by Team Fedeles

John and Tricia Thompson thoroughly enjoy the island lifestyle and entertain no thoughts otherwise. Hospitality and entertaining family and friends at their magnificent St. Croix home has been immeasurably gratifying. Now, though, seasons of their lives are changing and it’s time to enjoy the Caribbean, minus the home-ownership. Their 5 bedroom, 5 bath home is on the market, ready for new memories to be made.

Years ago, a family-owned contracting business in Atlanta, Georgia, positioned John to be subcontracting with a British firm in Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas, rebuilding from hurricane damage. Successful business relations led to other construction work in the area that included a hotel in the Atlantis resort on nearby Paradise Island.

Then, in 1989, the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo called John and his construction team to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Even experiencing St. Croix at its worst during this time, John saw the potential and fell in love. “New Providence Island, Bahamas, is relatively flat and low-lying…

St. Croix has knolls with views and lush valleys.”

John and Tricia have been St. Croix residents now for 22 years. Their home is atop a knoll on the East End, providing a stunning, unobstructed, panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea and other islands. There are many things they love about their home, but John notes a particular practical feature. “At this elevation, you don’t experience the salt damage and bugs like near sea level.”

Naturally, John served as his own contractor when building their home. As with his commercial work, he used local labor for everything else. “Even the architect was local, but Tricia and I designed the interior.” John laughed as he shared that the architect took a station wagon as payment.

The design is Danish colonial like downtown Fort Christiansvaern circa 1749 with cathedral style interior ceilings and arched doorways. The structure is concrete.

Another key feature of the home is the 9.7kW solar array, which is net metered.

The solar system was installed 5-6 years ago and that was a no-brainer. We saved the cost within the first 3 years or so.”

This home was definitely made for entertaining and the Thompsons have some great stories. “No question Tricia is the hospitality chairman. We hosted the University of North Carolina women’s golf team and the coaches for drinks and dinner in the winter of 2014. We both attended UNC where we met.”

Earlier on, they hosted Ted Kennedy and his family for cocktails.

My daughter and her husband were also with us. The interesting thing about this, we were all conservative in nature and were all prepared to dislike him, and within twenty minutes he won us all over. Totally a charming personality and never once mentioned politics.”

The Kennedy family visited St. Croix often. In fact, Teddy hid Vicki’s engagement ring near some coral for her to discover while snorkeling at Buck Island, which was established as a National Monument by his brother, President John F. Kennedy. Speaking of Buck Island, the landmark is about 1.5 miles north of St. Croix and easily seen from the Thompson home.

A birds eye view of the Thompson home with Buck Island in the background.

The Thompsons have family roots in Georgia and North Carolina, but don’t plan to release the island lifestyle anytime soon. Our best wishes John and Tricia — we’ll see you around!

If you would like to learn more about the opportunity to be the next owner of 5G Teagues Bay, contact Kristi at [email protected] or 340.778.7000 x114.

Featured Client: Years of Memories in a St. Croix Home Built for Entertaining

December 16, 2018 by Team Fedeles

Bud and Joan Woelfel have thoroughly enjoyed the St. Croix snowbird lifestyle for more than 50 years — with nearly 30 years in their spectacular home that is now for sale.

Joan and I have two sons and I was a school teacher in Massachusetts. Our vacation time was limited to 10 days, so in February 1964, we left winter in Massachusetts to briefly enjoy the warm winter temperatures in Florida. Well, it was colder than normal that year and we had to buy coats to keep warm. I decided then that we needed a more predictable vacation weather.

So the very next year, the Virgin Islands, then specifically St. Croix, became their choice vacation destination.

After teaching for 20 years, Bud launched his successful business in the construction industry. He is quick to say, “I just enjoy what I do.” Bud and Joan live in Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and have enjoyed vacations, then retirement, in winter on St. Croix. During stays on island, the couple would do home tours and Bud was particularly interested in the island construction.

One particular property in Cotton Valley caught their attention. It’s structure, having been built with conventional construction, did not survive Hurricane Hugo. But Bud and Joan had a vision to recreate the estate according to the original design, now using substantial, hurricane-resistant construction materials and techniques.

Designed by John Randal McDonald, an architect often compared to Frank Lloyd Wright, this estate embraces the importance of a natural setting. McDonald encouraged homeowners to be aware of the elegance of the natural environment. At 600 feet above sea level, the intentional design maximizes the stunning St. Croix views. Valance lighting accents the construction elegance both inside and outside. “At completion, we invited Mr. McDonald to visit and see his design return to life. He cried as he witnessed our appreciation for his creation.”

Just like he had placed the order yesterday, Bud shared, “There is 15,000 linear feet of Redwood, 300 cubic yards of concrete and 30,000 lbs. of rebar.” He does enjoy construction and is a strong believer in preventative maintenance which he personally continues to this day.

The Woelfel’s have hosted up to 80 people for dinner. Bud describes his wife as a true hostess. “She had this down to an art-form, with all that was needed from tables and chairs to dinnerware and silverware.” Dining can evolve inside and outside, and, consistent with what first brought them to St. Croix, the weather is highly predictable. “We could plan a dinner for next month and be reasonably certain the weather would be as expected.”

I remember my 50^th birthday celebration. We invited 26 friends from Massachusetts and it lasted 2 weeks! Dinner parties among friends are common on St. Croix and we used to average about two dinner parties here a week.

Bud and Joan enjoy cruises and plan to continue the snowbird lifestyle, yet leave the hosting to others. We wish them well as they shift into yet another season of their lives! And we look forward to meeting the next owners who will appreciate this knoll-top masterpiece.

Featured Client: MPLS to STX

August 10, 2018 by Team Fedeles

Meet Brian, Laura, Nordi and Sugar Weller. They’re moving to St. Croix from Minneapolis this month. Laura and Nordi (a beagle/shepherd mix rescue) hail from Minnesota, but Brian is originally from Alaska and Sugar (a black lab mix) was adopted in Georgia.

Like so many St. Croix transplants, the Weller’s are leaving the mainland to slow down and enjoy life. “We’re not sad about leaving traffic jams, road construction and human noise behind.” Brian doesn’t like winter, while Laura doesn’t mind it, but both are excited for the adventure.

We are really looking forward to Sunday Fundays! We currently have a GO GO GO schedule/city/life and having a day to just relax is huge. Laura would probably say feeding a pig beer is a hoot and Mamma Wanna for me is a 2 for 1, but I have a sneaky suspicion that Sandy Point Turtle hatching and simply beach lounging will become hobbies for us!

The couple visited St. Croix for the first time in November 2017, when I met them, showed them a few plots of land, and they soon-after became landowners! During their trip they fell in love with the beauty of the island and the friendly Fredriksted people.

Their plans to move to St. Croix were escalated a bit when Brian landed his dream job of 10 years — to work at a hotel on a tropical island. Upon arrival, he will officially be the new Hotel Manager at The Fred. With obvious excitement, he describes his new place of employment as, “an inclusive, community-driven, earth-conscience hotel that brings a South Beach flare and mixes it with the already wonderful Crucian vibe that surrounds the island.”

Since their timeline was moved up, Brian, Laura and their 4-legged family will rent while they build their dream home on St. Croix. They’ve got the plans drawn up and are waiting until they’re on-island at the end of August to apply for permits and start building.

In the meantime, they’ve been preparing for their move. Sorting through all of their things, they say it’s been hard deciding what to bring and what not. And as much as it stinks going through everything, they both agree it’s been very liberating getting rid of stuff. “We’re living in a nearly empty house and I don’t notice the things we truly do not need, but I didn’t want to give up,” says Brian. I think they’ll settle into island living just fine.

Thanks to a referral from Kathy and Randy Tiddark, owners of Caribbean Breeze Apartments and Vacation Homes, I met the Weller’s and knew just the place to show them based on their wishes. We had some good discussion about pros and cons between various plots and they ultimately selected the Butler Bay property. Our team is grateful to Brian for his kind words saying, “Kristi was also very helpful with the 1,000 questions we had. They both showed a great understanding of who we are as people instead of ‘clients’.”

Brian’s advice for someone considering buying land on St. Croix:

Remember why you’re buying island property. Think about what is important to you and dive in. You must trust the process too! It’s a bit different than we had experienced in the past, so taking a chill pill was needed. Don’t be afraid to offer what you WANT to spend and, obviously, use the Coldwell Banker team!

Featured Client: Did we mention the view?

July 10, 2017 by Team Fedeles

Originally from Indiana, the Runkle’s have lived all over the United States — Ohio, Virginia, Connecticut, Kentucky, Utah, Minnesota, Utah and now back in Westport, Connecticut. Brian and Beth were high school sweethearts, have been married for going on 26 years and have two kids, Brooke and Blake.

Buying a house in the Caribbean has been a 20-year adventure for the Runkle’s. Their search actually started in St. John. “It was beautiful … quaint … quiet and we thought perfect!” Brian and Beth visited St. John often, researching the island and housing. On one visit, they brought their kids and quickly realized that even with all the things they loved about St. John, it wasn’t quite the right fit for their family.

They were drawn to St. Croix for many reasons:

~Caribbean Views

~We were looking for a U.S. Property (u.s. taxes, u.s.contract law, and u.s.healthcare)

~Ease of access … getting from the mainland to the island

~Laid back culture

~Friendly people

~Lots of activities … for all ages”

After a 3+ year search on St. Croix, the family finally found their dream home in La Grande Princesse. We asked Beth if she knew it was “the one” when she first stepped in and she said, “When we walked into the house, we walked straight to the slider doors opposite the front door. THE VIEW drew us in. It’s up on the hill and overlooks Christiansted! Beautiful views during the day and the twinkling of Christiansted’s lights at night!!”

Now they are spending time giving the house their own touch. They are incorporating furniture that came with the house with their own ideas and some new pieces; giving it a good scrub down inside and out; and repainting all of the walls. Beth shared this photo of their favorite feature of the home: the view!

The house will be a vacation home and rental for now, with the plan to move to St. Croix for retirement. They hope to have it on the rental market by October. You can look for Casa de Vista, the name they all agreed to after a brainstorming session. It truly is their

house with a view.”

Their favorite things to do on St. Croix are take in the views (“they never get old“), access to nature, and relax by the pool or on the beach.

When asked if they have any tips for families considering moving to St. Croix, Beth said, “If you have a dream of coming here … do your research … talk to the locals … have a plan … AND … MAKE YOUR DREAM COME TRUE!!”

Congratulations to The Runkle Family for making their dream come true!