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!

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.”

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.”

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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.