May 17, 2024 | Island News
The National Trust for Historic Preservation unveiled on May 1 it’s 2024 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places and the Whim Museum is on the list. According to WTJX, the Whim Museum made the list because additional resources are needed to repair its colonial-era buildings that have been repeatedly damaged by hurricanes. Tiffany Tolbert, senior director for Preservation of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, visited the museum’s 12-acre grounds to learn more about the ongoing disaster recovery efforts. and discussed resources available to help restore the hurricane-damaged buildings.
WTJX also reported that the exposure from the Whim Museum’s inclusion on this year’s 11 Most Endangered list is just one way the Landmarks Society is being put in the spotlight to receive restoration resources. Whim Museum is also slated to receive disaster recovery funding. Also the Landmarks Society recently announced that the signing of the MOU and designation of Whim Museum on the NTHP list will put the Whim Museum on a steady path toward full restoration.
We hope the attention Estate Whim Museum is receiving will bring about the much needed preservation and restoration work that it needs! Read the full WTJX article here.
The museum is the oldest sugar plantation museum in the Virgin Islands. Its purpose is to increase the understanding of a colonial sugar plantation to both island residents and visitors. Exhibits and guided tours are designed to interpret the economics of a plantation, explain the procedures used in the cultivation and processing of sugar, and describe the everyday life of the people who lived and worked there. Learn more about the Whim by visiting its website.
May 17, 2024 | Island News
We are so excited to hear that Virgin Islands Good Foods received a $30,000 grant from the Better Food Policy Fund through a collective action fund of the Tides Foundation. The grant, intended to support the Territorial Agriculture Group (TAG) project activities in 2024, is expected to be renewed for an additional $30,000 in 2025. This will be a boost to local agriculture and as reported by the VI Consortium, this will enable the continued development of TAG, a coalition of farmers, advocates, and agricultural professionals dedicated to advancing food policy and system improvements in the Virgin Islands. TAG, comprising over fifty farmers, represents a partnership across several farming organizations, all dedicated to building a resilient and inclusive food system in the USVI. Read the full article here.
Virgin Islands Good Food is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a thriving local food economy that supports USVI farmers and ensures healthy good food is accessible to every resident in the territory. Established in 2012, the coalition is a project under the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development, the organization works to bridge the gap between consumers, government, and private industry to facilitate long-term change and strengthen the USVI food system. Follow VI Good Foods’s Facebook page to learn more.
May 16, 2024 | Reports
Monthly sales data, inventory, and days on market for the St. Croix, USVI real estate market is available in our downloadable Coldwell Banker real estate reports. The is a report for each category: Homes & Condos, Condos, Homes, and Land!
If you are not familiar with with the implications of the data, please give us a call or email us directly with any questions. We are Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) and Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) and have the experience and local knowledge to help you in every step of the process. We can help you narrow down neighborhoods based on your priorities. We can also advise you on the market trends in your desired neighborhoods.
Open reports by clicking on links below:
Homes & Condos – April 2024 Report
Homes – April 2024 Report
Condo – April 2024 Report
Land – April 2024 Report
Note: The average sales price and the average days on market could be skewed greatly by only one sale or because of the small number of sales
Apr 30, 2024 | QA
Question: “Outside of the listing, where else can I look for helpful information?”
Chris’s Answer:
Before buying, consider yourself in the “information gathering” phase. Yes, it’s more fun to dream of the structure you will build, but, take some time to also think of the practicality of building.
- For in-depth descriptions of the different codes, their uses, and their restrictions, go to: https://law.justia.com/codes/virgin-islands/2019/title-29/chapter-3/subchapter-i/229/. As you are reading a listing, the most common zones you will see are:
- R-2 – residential, low density (1 – 2 family dwellings), set backs 15’ on the front, 10’ rear and side
- R-1 – residential, low density – 15’ set backs on all sides
- The Department of Planning and Natural Resources is the USVI Government department where you will get your permits for building. Their web site will answer so many questions, perhaps even ones you don’t currently know. It will be worth your time to browse through it. You can also give them a call for clarification: https://dpnr.vi.gov/
- The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs is a place you can search for licensed professionals. Here is their home page. At the top of the Home Page, click on License Search: https://dlca.vi.gov/aboutdlca/
Contact us with any questions about real estate on St. Croix!
First published on our April 2024 Newsletter
Apr 30, 2024 | QA
Question: “What should I take into consideration when searching for land?”
Christie’s Answer:
Here are some important considerations:
- Location on island – For a small island, there’s diversity in the microclimates of the estates. As you travel from east to west, we have grasses and scrub bushes to a rainforest. Drive around and experience the different areas to decide what you like and what you would like to be close to – diving, hiking, restaurants, shops, etc.
- Zoning – Will the property’s zoning allow you to use the land as you’d like?
- Cost – Will you be paying with cash or getting a loan? If you are getting a loan, becoming pre-qualified will give you the peace of mind that you will be comfortable your monthly payments. It also makes a stronger offer to the Seller.
- Terrain – Land will either be flat, gentle slope, moderate slope, or steep slope. What will best suit your design and needs?
- Road conditions – Most roads are paved, but many are dirt or gravel roads. How will this effect the building process and how will it effect your daily life after you have moved in?
- Proximity to other structures – Some people like the coziness of having neighbors. Others like more space around them.
- HOA – Is there an HOA fee, and what is its use?
- Covenants and restrictions – Sometimes estates or quarters will have restrictions on the use of the land
Contact us with any questions about real estate on St. Croix!
First published on our April 2024 Newsletter
