USVI-On-Line

ccasebolt wrote:Tracy - the Sunset Ridge properties seem to be very reasonable right now. I recently saw a week 25 (mid-July) listing for $4000 which seems like a great deal! I already know the view is fabulous! You did mention the need for renovations; I imagine this to be a property that would appeal more to frequent STJ visitors (i.e. junkies) like many of us What, in your opinion, are some of the other pros/cons of owning this property? As an owner, did you encounter any surprises? Color me curious...

I would agree that it is more appealing to folks like us -we're rarely at the property and mostly at the beach or out somewhere. But we like it there - the units are large, 2 1/2 baths, private patio area between the two units. Like most places on STJ, there are bugs and such, but nothing major. They have repainted, purchased new furniture and cookware/dishes, installed new screens, etc. So, it is definitley improving!

As far as cons go, we own the last week of June and it can get plenty warm! There is no AC - but since you are on the top of the hill, you can get some very nice tradewinds blowing through as well.

Feel free to PM me with any other questions!

If you're going to purchase a timeshare be sure to look for resale via ebay, redweek or tug2. You don't want to pay the developer for a timeshare.

I own two timeshares, one in MO that we use to trade to various locations and we just purchased one in St. Thomas (Bluebeards beach club) via ebay for $4.99.

Be sure to check out the caribbean timeshares if you get a chance, they vary in location and amenities. the castle you can get super cheap right now, but its on top of the hill overlooking Charlotte, magens bay is in need of an upgrade but has a great view, elysian is nice but has a ton of units. We chose bbbc because its a smaller, older resort, the units are not like the ritz, but there's also not a ton of people...and it s on the beach, a big + for us.

So if you're looking for a timeshare, think about what is important to you as far as where you stay, what you want to pay in maintenance fees and then research research research! It took about 6 months for me to find the unit that I wanted (1 BR float, week 1-17) but its exactly what we wanted!

Good luck!
Suzy

We own a week at Sunset Ridge and I have to agree with Tracey...it suits our needs just fine. It is nothing fancy by any means but it allows us to travel to St. John year after year affordably. We own a week in late March and haven't had a need for A/C. I must admit, we were hesitant in purchasing something with out but it has not been an issue because of the winds on the hilltop. My children love it and look forward to their St. John trip year after year..they are 6,4 1/2 and 3!! Management is working very hard to turn it around and improvements have been made. I highly recommend looking into a week..it pays off in no time.

We're also Sunset Ridge owners. Compared to the Westin units, SRV can be a bit Spartan but the basics are all there and we consider our unit a bargain. In addition to the amenities mentioned there are also TV's, DVD players and grills in the courtyard as well as larger grills poolside and hopefully WiFi to all units soon with the installation of the security system.

For the past 12 years or so we've rented a villa for a week then moved in on friends at SRV. We've watched SRV from its' initial opening until now. It had been in a period of decline under the developers management but since the owners have taken control of the board of directors there has been a steady improvement in the property in the last three years. Enough so that we bought a week in late March. The weeks are fixed and can be deeded.

When head down to STJ, we mail two large priority mail boxes to the management company 10 days before and fly down with just carry-ons. When we arrive our boxes are waiting for us on the dining room table in the unit.

I say all this because as an owner the more weeks that are sold the more we will get out of our maintenance fees. I think it is worthwhile looking into. At SRV we get a bi-annual report about where our money goes and how much and for what.