82 Concordia NB, St. Croix, (MLS# 11-1110)

Supplements: Narrative From The Sellers of 82 Concordia We moved into 82 Vista Concordia on closing day, August 10, 2007 and used the air conditioner for about 3 months until we could install the solar shades that block out 80% of the sun rays, yet still allow for viewing the outside. Since November 2007 we have not had to use air conditioning as we close the shades during the day, leave them open when there is no direct sun coming into the house, and enjoy beautiful breezes. In the summer we use a bedroom ceiling fan, in the winter we use a blanket. Our home is very comfortable all year around as it captures cooling breezes all year around. As we are environmentalists, we installed a solar water heater within months of our coming to this very sunny island. Two years later, we added a veranda overlooking the pool to block direct light from coming into the eating area and living room, and pitched the roof to maximize optimal solar exposure for 6 solar voltaic panels. Our pool is a low maintenance, salt water pool and as such, needs very little upkeep. We throw in a Blue Pearl pool vacuum once every other week, and check the chemicals once a month or every other month. It was re-grouted 2 years ago when we installed the new salt-water pool pump. Poolworks has serviced our pool and they have complete records. Our deck is sustainably harvested Tatabu hardwood lumber, from Guyana, and can be used for constructing piers as it resists any rotting and is impervious to insects.. Tatabu is such a hardwood that using it in construction required pre-drilling to fasten; nails cannot penetrate this wood. As such, this deck is virtually indestructible. We emptied, cleaned, and repainted the 20,000-gallon cistern about 2 years ago, and have never had to buy water since. We are located on a rare, flat lot up in the hills overlooking Salt River. Our driveway is flat and asphalt. A newly constructed, 200 retaining wall delineates the western side of the driveway. We constructed this retaining wall with concrete footings, rebar, concrete block, then poured concrete into the block after the concrete block construction. Drains were place both in and behind the wall to prevent water from entering the driveway from the one lot above this property. We do not experience any rockslides on our property. 82 Vista Concordia is of mixed construction, thus allowing for give and take of the tremors of the islands. It was constructed after Hurricane Hugo, and as such has incorporated many upgrades for hurricane protection, such as having the roof tied down. Our home has withstood Hurricanes Marilyn, Backwards Lenny, and Omar without damage. The previous owners added a floor over an open 2-story solarium upon entry to the home. Prior to this floor being installed, one could walk in the front door, and look over a balcony to the downstairs. They made this new room into a formal dining room. During our 3 years in our home, we repurposed this room into a library and built in hardwood shelving with up-lighting from the top shelves to highlight the vaulted ceilings. The house lends itself to large scale entertaining with >75 people easily accommodated by a fundraiser we had in our home in March 2011, yet is very comfortable living for our small family of two and one dog. Both bedrooms downstairs have their own full baths, and walk-in closets. And, one bedroom has a small galley kitchen and separate entrance allowing it to be made into a separate income apartment. Overall, in the last 3 years, we have added >$100,000 in upgrades to our home. Our neighborhood association is well run, with a $100,000 trust fund. The association hires a full time gardener who keeps the roads well maintained, the plantings beautiful, and has an added benefit of adding security to the neighborhood. Living at 82 Vista Concordia has been a very positive experience, one we will cherish. We look forward to passing it on to another family that can enjoy it as much as we have.