Explore the Newest Villa Rentals on St John!!

We have been doing some very exciting work down on St. John, in the US Virgin Islands, expanding our portfolio of amazing vacation rentals and we have a couple you must check out!

Introducing the stunning DRIFTWOOD VILLA - Besides its luxury finishes, this brand new (finished in 2023!) St. John Villa is located in the prestigious Ditleff Point community. A gated luxury neighborhood with one of our favorite secret beaches, boasting some of the best snorkeling on St. John just a short walk down from the villa.

With dual bay views, a huge, heated vanishing-edge pool, three equal king master bedrooms and an awesome plush theater room that adds three bunks for kids, AC throughout, full back up power and did we mention the views from the kitchen?! This is likely to become one of the crown jewels of vacation rentals on St John.  See the full details here. 

Introductory rate for this summer is 20% off with the code “driftwood” when booking directly on stjohnhomesandvillas.com

The newly added STONE FALLS has a schedule that’s filling up fast despite being launched only a month ago.  The impeccable design and old world details of the interior of this home make it a truly, unique show piece. It’s the waterfall pool, comfy outdoor lounge, lively koi pond and the private 7-hole mini golf course that really sets this villa above the rest. 

A short, easy walk to the common beach parcel for access to paddle boarding, kayaking, relaxing and boating are the amenities that set this villa apart.  Three air conditioned bedrooms with interior access, a chefs kitchen, sonos system and end-of-the-road privacy.  What more could you wish for?  Check Out Stone Falls Here!

While not new, did you know we updated and remodeled several of our properties this off season.  We are so proud of the work we did on Cliffhanger, Tropical Manor, Paraiso Azul and 2B Peter Bay.  They are truly transformed and guests are LOVING IT. 

All of our properties are 10% off for the month of May with the code “MAYSTAY” when booking on our website.

As always, we are ready to help you plan the vacation of a lifetime or a lifetime of vacation.  Contact us today to book your next St John villa rental or talk to us about Real Estate on St John.  See our featured listings for sale here

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Do You Know Why Renting a Villa is Better Than Renting a Hotel?

When you're traveling with your family, a group of friends, or even you and a loved one, having a place to stay that gives you privacy and independence is essential.  Choosing the right accommodations can be daunting with hotels and hundreds of vacation rentals to sort through.  We have taken all of the guess work out of booking our vacation rentals on St John to make that decision even easier.

Staying at a villa in St. John allows you to enjoy the best aspects of being on vacation while staying in the comfort of your own private, luxurious home. Whereas staying in a hotel in St. John doesn’t allow you the same amenities and experiences.

Privacy

One of the biggest benefits of renting a villa is that you get to enjoy the privacy and space of your own villa, pool and patio. Unlike hotels in St. John or any of the Virgin Islands, which have communal pools and close neighbors, villa guests can enjoy time with their family in peace without having to worry about other guests and all of the variables that come with them.

In addition to privacy from strangers, our homes also offer privacy from your own group with most houses offering private bedrooms with en-suite baths. 

Price

If you have family or friends, especially kids with you, the amount of space needed increases even more. Depending on each person and how much room they need could significantly increase your need for a villa rental.

Some of our villas can accommodate up to 12 people in one house! Even a quick glance at mid-rate hotels in the Virgin Islands will show you that 5 or 6 hotel rooms will substantially exceed the nightly rate of some of our most luxurious villas. 

Views and Location

Location can play another key part in choosing a villa over a hotel or resort in St. Thomas or St. John.  Our properties offer some of the most amazing views in the Virgin Islands and many are closer to the true attractions on St John, the white sand beaches of the Virgin Islands National Park.  A hotel may get you into a resort setting, but few if any hotels here have views anything like those from our villas. 

Whenever you need something day or night, a villa management company like our company, Unique Island Assets, will make sure someone is available for your request, and you will always talk to someone directly.

Easy Booking and Premium Service

Did you know you can, check availability and rates and book your stay with us right here on the website?  We have incorporated online booking to make booking as easy as booking any hotel.  Beyond that, when booking with us, you are not dealing with a multi-national corporation, but can call and ask questions directly to the people who provide the guest and home services on site.  This personal service extends to our concierge as well who’s services are included in every stay with us. 

Overall, villas have more variety and uniqueness offering a far richer and more memorable travel experience. The vacation rental business has been going on for over 40 years here, much longer than VRBO or AIRBNB have considered existing.  We take those decades of experience to give you the high end luxury feel of travel, no matter which property you book.   You’re able to customize your trip to your exact wants and needs without compromise. Villas can lead to more fun and unique memories than St. John resorts and hotels can. So, when discussing what the best decision is to book for your next vacation, reach out and let us help you plan the vacation of a lifetime. 

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2022 Real Estate Year in Review

The market remains healthy after a busy year in 2022.

With 2021 flexing as the biggest year in real estate on St John, we wondered how 2022 might do.  Turns out, the market remains healthy and 2022 carried on the steady stable trend we have seen for decades on St John.   While 2021 was likely an anomaly year seeing 117 closings at a higher average price, 2022 turned out to be the 2nd highest on record.  Seventy-nine homes sold on St John in 2022 with an average price of $1.55 Million.  If any of you have had a chance to talk with me about the St John real estate market, one thing I have consistently advised on is that the factors here produce a dependably steady and stable market.  We are not subject to huge upswings or down turns like the volatility you see in many markets in the United States.  If you look at the trend curves they are nearly straight lines.

This stability is due to, but not limited to, a couple of unique things on St. John:

1.     The Virgin Islands National Park being the biggest land holder and therefore protecting the natural beauty of the island from over development.

2.     The fact that our market is not under any pressure for people who HAVE to buy or HAVE to sell.

3.     The undeniably strong demand for travel to St John as one of the top tropical destinations in the world year after year.  We were surprised to find that 2022 was somehow able to beat out 2021 in short term rental income, but it did so handily with our owners enjoying the extra income while still coming to visit their lovely homes during prime weeks.

 

In investing, what you want is steady slow growth.  Of course, it’s lovely to hit the jackpot and cash in on quick gains, but long term is the best way to look at real estate investing and the long look on St John is predictably bright (and sunny).

We discussed homes above, but the land market did not care about 2021’s banner year and just went ahead and beat it.  I expect to see a lot of new gorgeous homes built in the next 24 months.  Check out this amazing lot we have listed with views over the dramatic Reef Bay Valley and to the North over Maho Bay!

We have a few select weeks left for winter and summer 2023 and next winter 2024 are filling up fast.

Check out our diverse inventory of stunning vacation rentals on St John and book your next stay with us easily online with just a few clicks.

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St John Vacation Rentals vs St John Long Term Rentals

The Enduring Strength of the St John Rental Market

 

Even as the economic roller coaster permeates real estate and financial markets globally, here on St John, the real estate rental market refuses to burst.  Both long and short term rentals on island continue to command high prices in what seems to be a reflection of the steady stream of demand and extreme shortage of supply. 

Gorgeous St John Rentals are in high demand, both for short and long term.  This stunning short term rental has sold out for Nov - June for the last 10 years.   

Short term rental villas have solidified their position in vacation accommodations on St John.  Even with as many as 900 properties available for weekly vacation rentals on island, occupancy for this season was strong and projections for next season are strong from a poll of booking agents and owners, with most properties already booking up or nearly sold out for the 2017 high season.  With short term vacation rentals, owners who have good property management can expect nearly 100% occupancy for Nov 1 - May 1.  And it does not turn off like a switch.  The summer months can see as high as 80% occupancy on average for June and July.  August and November average at about 50% occupancy.  It is no wonder that investing in real estate on St John has it's advantages.  The short term market provides a viable stream of income to the owners who also want occasional use of their homes and can be the best option for owners who want their home professionally maintained and cleaned weekly. 

 

Getting a long term rental with a view like this isn't cheap.  Many simple homes such as this rent for as much as $2000/month for a one bedroom apartment with a year lease.

Long term rentals are difficult to come by.  The extremely high demand, coupled with the limited inventory have set monthly lease rates (on year long leases) to an average of $1800 for a one bedroom apartment plus utilities.  Furnished apartments go for even more.  With rates this high, many owners have built small apartments below their homes or on their properties to capitalize on the additional income stream.  Some have developed small apartment buildings or condos on vacant lots to target this lucrative market. 

 

All in all, owners and buyers can take comfort in the fact that properties on St John can and will continue to provide real income from rent, be it year leases or weekly guests.  Get in touch with me if you would like to further discuss the rental possibilities of properties here on St John.

 

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