Westin St John [Master Thread] - Part 2 (June 2014 and forward)

[Helios]

I don't think it will be too long now before Sunset Bay drawings are available. CV inventory is low and Sunset Bay is beginning to be sold already at a higher price point than CV. First occupancy is scheduled to be January 2017.

What dates will you be at WSJ in June? We will be there in June next year as well, and are also a little bit nervous about construction...

What's the price point?

 

[okwiater]

What's the price point?

$72,400 for 176,700 HomeOptions in Diamond season, which is enough for a 2-bedroom or 2-bedroom loft. Resort season will be about 45K for 148,100 SOs, 55K for 176,700 SOs.

 

[okwiater]

Studio - $1,399.39
1Bd - $1,865.92
2Bd Th - $2,332.45
2Bd Prem - $2,798.79
3Bd - $2,798.98

This is great. That's a slight decrease from last year.

 

[Helios]

Studio - $1,399.39
1Bd - $1,865.92
2Bd Th - $2,332.45
2Bd Prem - $2,798.79
3Bd - $2,798.98

Do you know why the 2BR Premium is almost the same as the pool villas? It doesn't seem right, but I know the number is correct. I would think the pool and extra square footage would make a difference. Perhaps there are more delinquent accounts in 2 BR units...

 

[DavidnRobin]

Do you know why the 2BR Premium is almost the same as the pool villas? It doesn't seem right, but I know the number is correct. I would think the pool and extra square footage would make a difference. Perhaps there are more delinquent accounts in 2 BR units...

The MF for the 2Bd Premium comes from 2x the studio MF.
Delinquencies affect all VOIs, not just the villa type. The 2Bd Prem MF has always been the ~same as the 3Bd. Part of CCRs. The SO difference between the 2 is also very large. The 2Bd Prem has to be one of the worst VOIs in SVO. IMO

The BOD notice - proposed budget sheet has a 3Bd Premium unit with same MF as 3Bd Pool villa - always found that odd. Never seen or heard of someone owning these - probably the same villa as 3Bd pool - likely some terminology carryover.

There was a Tugger that was having hard time in getting rid of their 2Bd Prem villa (Gold+?) - mainly due to those MF. Compared to 3Bd pool villa size - that is a high MF/sqft for the 2Bd Prem.

 

[DavidnRobin]

This is great. That's a slight decrease from last year.

Yes! I think that makes 3 in a row (or maybe 4?) - however, not hard considering how high they got. But, at least the HOA is keeping reasonable reserves, and continued improvements.

 

[Helios]

The MF for the 2Bd Premium comes from 2x the studio MF.
Delinquencies affect all VOIs, not just that type. The 2Bd Prem MF has always been the ~same as the 3Bd. Part of CCRs. The SO difference between the 2 is also very large. The 2Bd Prem has to be one of the worst VOIs in SVO. IMO

The BOD notice - proposed budget sheet has a 3Bd Premium unit with same MF as 3Bd Pool villa - always found that odd. Never seen or heard of someone owning these - probably the same villa as 3Bd pool - likely some terminology carryover.

There was a Tugger that was having hard time in getting rid of their 2Bd Prem villa (Gold+?) - mainly due to those MF. Compared to 3Bd pool villa size - that is a high MF/sqft for the 2Bd Prem.

Interesting, I was actually wondering what the 3 BR Premium was.

I can see why the Tugger with the 2 BR Premium had a hard time getting rid of the unit. I would not take it.

 

[okwiater]

The SO difference between the 2 is also very large. The 2Bd Prem has to be one of the worst VOIs in SVO. IMO

Funny how the 2Bd Premium at WSJ is one of the worst, and the 3Bd Premium at WSJ is now one of the best.

 

[okwiater]

2016 MFs for WSJ-BV

Here are the 2016 MFs for Bay Vista (exclusive of property tax):

2Bd - $1,853.78
2Bd Loft - $2,107.53
3Bd - $2,234.43

Not bad, only 1.7% increase from last year. And easily one of the best MF/SO-SP values in the system, with 257K SOs or 153K SPs.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Here are the 2016 MFs for Bay Vista (exclusive of property tax):

2Bd - $1,853.78
2Bd Loft - $2,107.53
3Bd - $2,234.43

Not bad, only 1.7% increase from last year. And easily one of the best MF/SO-SP values in the system, with 257K SOs or 153K SPs.

Property Tax is part of MF for BV iirc. Only VGV is billed separately.
Are you subtracting the Prop Tax for these figures?
Too bad SOs do not transfer upon resale with BV.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Yes! I think that makes 3 in a row (or maybe 4?) - however, not hard considering how high they got. But, at least the HOA is keeping reasonable reserves, and continued improvements.

Decrease in 2016 VGV MF is 1.5% (-1.5%)

The 2010 MF (peak) was $2,866.05 for 2Bd TH (~18% decrease compared to 2016)

2008 MFs for same...? $1,521.17
2005...? $1,052.87

2016 = $2,332.45

 

[DavidnRobin]

Here are the 2016 MFs for Bay Vista (exclusive of property tax):

2Bd - $1,853.78
2Bd Loft - $2,107.53
3Bd - $2,234.43

Not bad, only 1.7% increase from last year. And easily one of the best MF/SO-SP values in the system, with 257K SOs or 153K SPs.

Do you have these MF for 2015? I thought I had seen them before.
Nobody posted in SVO MF database (or they are MIA)

 

[okwiater]

Property Tax is part of MF for BV iirc. Only VGV is billed separately.
Are you subtracting the Prop Tax for these figures?
Too bad SOs do not transfer upon resale with BV.

Yes, that's true, but I'm getting my figures from the Bay Vista proposed operating budget which doesn't appear to include property taxes (at least, I didn't see a line item for it). I did not add or subtract anything from the operating budget figures. I haven't received an MF bill yet.

 

[okwiater]

Do you have these MF for 2015? I thought I had seen them before.
Nobody posted in SVO MF database (or they are MIA)

I don't have the 2 bed figures, but the 3 bed was $2,197.88 + $235.17 in taxes.

 

[GrayFal]

$72,400 for 176,700 HomeOptions in Diamond season, which is enough for a 2-bedroom or 2-bedroom loft. Resort season will be about 45K for 148,100 SOs, 55K for 176,700 SOs.

Is there a Resort Season 97.5K option for a 2BR/2BR Loft wk34-50 as there is in CV?
Resort Season 148K am 19-33 is 148K in CV.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I don't have the 2 bed figures, but the 3 bed was $2,197.88 + $235.17 in taxes.

For clarity - WSJ BV Prop Taxes are paid as part of annual MF (like many SVO properties - often call Ad Valorem Tax). At least that is what I thought from BV Owners. When you go to MSC - does it show tax as a separate line item?

WKORV/N and WPORV have Ad Valorem tax (and budget line item) - while WKV has tax added as line item and payment covers both. WSJ-VGV has a bill directly from the USVI to the owner, and owners is responsible for paying separately (and buyers need a Tax certificate to transfer).

With all the BV Owners here - surprised there is not more transparency on these numbers - esp since it is sold out and reaching steady-state.

 

[Bob808]

This answer is probably contained within this thread so with apologies I want to ask for favorite snorkel sites on ST JOHN. Thx.

 

[DavidnRobin]

In no particular order (w/o crowds and depending on conditions...):
Honeymoon/Salomon
Hawksnest
Jumbie
Trunk
Maho/Francis
Waterlemon
SaltPond (Blue Cobblestone)
Little Lameshur
Hurricane Hole

 

[Helios]

Consecutive weeks resie in VGV

David - I know you own two consecutive weeks in VGV. Logistically, how is the week to week (weekend) cleaning handled? I am guessing the cleaning in between weeks is treated like an indepth mid week cleaning and you don't have to pack, leave for a couple of hours, and unpack.

 

[DavidnRobin]

David - I know you own two consecutive weeks in VGV. Logistically, how is the week to week (weekend) cleaning handled? I am guessing the cleaning in between weeks is treated like an indepth mid week cleaning and you don't have to pack, leave for a couple of hours, and unpack.

Like an indepth midweek. No need to pack/unpack, but we do leave for those couple hours. Sometime we just decline, and just get new towels and supplies. We bring our own fitted bedsheet. The villa has a vacuum and broom.

 

[bobpark56]

Try Haulover North

In no particular order (w/o crowds and depending on conditions...):
Honeymoon/Salomon
Hawksnest
Jumbie
Trunk
Maho/Francis
Waterlemon
SaltPond (Blue Cobblestone)
Little Lameshur
Hurricane Hole

If beach sand and ease of entry into the water are not priorities, you might try Haulover North. In my view, it has the best snorkeling on the island...it's like swimming in a coral garden. But go there only when the wind is from the south, as it can be choppy otherwise...and have dead seaweed at the shoreline to wade through. It's best to take a buddy, as there may be no one else there.

For more info, see: http://onislandtimes.com/st-johns-top-snorkeling-spots-spotlight-on-haulover-bay/

or: http://stjohn-beachguide.com/haulover-bay/

 

[DavidnRobin]

If beach sand and ease of entry into the water are not priorities, you might try Haulover North. In my view, it has the best snorkeling on the island...it's like swimming in a coral garden. But go there only when the wind is from the south, as it can be choppy otherwise...and have dead seaweed at the shoreline to wade through. It's best to take a buddy, as there may be no one else there.

For more info, see: http://onislandtimes.com/st-johns-top-snorkeling-spots-spotlight-on-haulover-bay/

or: http://stjohn-beachguide.com/haulover-bay/

We have been there - sure... add to list. There are others as well... some that can only be accessed by boat.
And while at Haulover - seek Angel's Rest

 

[Helios]

Like an indepth midweek. No need to pack/unpack, but we do leave for those couple hours. Sometime we just decline, and just get new towels and supplies. We bring our own fitted bedsheet. The villa has a vacuum and broom.

Thanks. That's good news. Do you get two Manager's check in gifts (or whatever they are called)? I'm used to getting the wonderful bubbly at check in :hysterical: Getting a second bubbly bottle at the beginning of the second week will be just out of this world.:rofl:

I think you are actually a beer advocate...

 

[DavidnRobin]

I do no have the status to get a welcome gift. Bought mine resale.

I am a beer guy - so much so I contacted StarFish Market to get Sierra Nevada cans and Torpedo IPA in bottles a few months before arrival (because their distributor carries these) - which they carry now. Lagunitis IPA would be asking too much.
I also wrote to Cheech (StJ Brewers) and suggested that they do cans instead of bottles. But, really not a fan of their beers - but love to go to their place in Mongoose Junction (hopefully rebuilt now after the fire)
Canned IPAs are the wave of future beer-wise (and snob wise) - big movement here in CA

 

[Helios]

I do no have the status to get a welcome gift. Bought mine resale.

I am a beer guy - so much so I contacted StarFish Market to get Sierra Nevada cans and Torpedo IPA in bottles a few months before arrival (because their distributor carries these) - which they carry now. Lagunitis IPA would be asking too much.
I also wrote to Cheech (StJ Brewers) and suggested that they do cans instead of bottles. But, really not a fan of their beers - but love to go to their place in Mongoose Junction (hopefully rebuilt now after the fire)
Canned IPAs are the wave of future beer-wise (and snob wise) - big movement here in CA

Interesting, I thought the gift was for all guests. In any case, I got bubbly when I was a 3* exchanger. I thought you were 3* as well?

Thanks for the WSJ beer advice, I like good brews also.