It would be almost impossible for one to overlook the bounty of blooming flowers all around St. Croix. 2022 has gifted us with an array of flourishing foliage that the island hasn’t seen for a few years. The most notable of them all is the flamboyant tree. Known as the royal poinciana tree, the bursts of colors from the trees vibrant tropical flowers offer a welcomed sight for sore eyes. You can find these “flame trees” dotted all along the island’s hillsides and roadsides during the warmer summer months. In full bloom, the flamboyant’s stunning flower clusters cascade into a recognizable umbrella shape with hundreds of large, orange-red flowers made of six petals that measure about 4 inches in length.
Eleanor Gibney, an expert on Virgin Islands trees and history, believes that flamboyant trees were introduced into this area of the Caribbean around the mid-1800s, based on historical Caribbean plant lists. While these trees are native to Madagascar, an island off the coast of Africa, they were recorded as common in West Indian gardens by the 1880s. In addition to its flowering beauty, the flamboyant tree also provides musical instruments by way of the tree’s seed pods. Long, slender and brown in color, these pods measure up to two feet in length. The loose seeds inside the pods make a rattling sound when you shake them, resulting in a musical percussion instrument known as the shack-shack.
Botanical Garden of the Virgin Islands Executive Director, Dewey Hollister shows us the Flamboyants that grow in the Garden.
Summers on St. Croix offer unique experiences like picking mango in the rainforest, enjoying the warmer-than-normal water temperature at the beach and breathtaking sunsets often accompanied by the iconic “green flash.” Catching a glimpse of the magnificent foliage of the flamboyant tree is another reason why you should visit St. Croix when the weather is warm where you are. This is also the perfect time to explore what island living could be for you. Contact us if you are interested in finding a home or condo on St. Croix.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
Question: What are the top 5 hidden costs of Buying a Home or Condo?
Chris’s Answer: Here are the 5 hidden costs to keep in mind!
Closing costs, prepaid fees, and other fees. Getting a loan costs money. Plan on paying for your loan to be processed along with an appraisal fee. Closing costs and prepaid fees generally range between 3% – 5% of the purchase price.
Inspections. An inspection by a licensed home inspector is key to any home or condo purchase. This will inform you as to the condition of your home or condo so that you better understand what you are buying. The owner will disclose anything they are aware of, but an inspector will give you a full detailed report. For a home or land, you will want a survey done. Often an appraisal is needed.
Association fees. Condos have have HOA fees associated with them. Some homes do, too. These fees will be pro-rated for the year at closing.
Maintenance, repairs, and decorating. Your monthly budget responsibilities could include landscaping, pool maintenance, pest control, garbage pickup, cable TV, and internet. There might be a few minor things for you to repair after closing. Also, you will want to make your new home YOURS. So, budget for decor, paint, landscaping, furniture, or anything else you may want to change. Sometimes just adding new decorative pillows will change the look of your living room and make it more personal!
Utility bills. Don’t let budgeting for utilities get lost in your excitement. Think about the energy you will be using (water, electricity, AC, pool, washer/dryer, etc.), and add that to your monthly budget.
Are you looking to find the perfect property for you and your family on St. Croix? Please contact us and we will be happy to assist you in every stage of the home buying process!
Christie’s Answer: According to “Today’s Buyer’s Rep”, ABR’s (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) monthly magazine, inventory and affordability are the two top issues for Buyers. The third issue is that Buyers seem to have unrealistic expectations. Since we have addressed the first two, let’s look at the third.
Buyers need to be better informed. Discussing the buying process and answering questions assists Buyers to have more realistic expectations. This takes some time, and sometimes we refer the Buyer to experts like mortgage lenders, contractors, building engineers, architects, attorneys, electricians, insurance agents, or other professionals.
Despite all of the preparations, sometimes there are unforeseen challenges. For example, on one parcel of land we sold, an archeological site was found of a Pre-Columbian ball court. Discovering this did create a challenge, and slowed the process. Historical research was needed, and legal documents prepared by attorneys. This ultimately meant that of the 10 acres being bought, 2 acres were to be kept intact and undisturbed. Fortunately, the Buyers were delighted to have such a site on their land!
The U.S. Virgin Islands Head Start program funding provides preschool for low-income families with a comprehensive program to meet children’s emotional, social, health, nutrition, and educational needs. In August, VI Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett presented a federal check for $42.4 million to the Human Services Department’s Head Start Program. Plaskett said “this funding is for construction grants and will require zero local match to fund the construction and restoration of facilities territory-wide.”
Head Start Administrator Masikia Lewis said at the ceremony presentation that the funding awarded will help construct state-of-the-art, mega, multi-purpose Head Start centers around the territory. She emphasized that these proposed new facilities will provide a learning environment that is essential to the development of younger generations and vital to the growth of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
According to an article in the VI Consortium, Virgin Island Tourism has seen a rebound after “Covid-related decimation of the industry” and that reports “show that from June 2021 to May 2022, the USVI had the highest hotel occupancy in the region.” Here are some highlights:
Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte said over 450,000 people traveled to the USVI in the first three months of 2022, and the visitor arrivals were up 153 percent compared to the same period in 2021.
Reports show the territory had the highest average daily rate in the region at $637 during that same time period.
USVI tourism also led in revenue per available room at $461.61.
The VI Tourism officials has a rosy outlook for 2023. Transportation Security Administration data showed that the USVI was the fastest-growing location for total airlift capacity in the Americas from 2019 to 2021. Additionally, the USVI cruise industry is expected to see triple the numbers of passengers in St Croix’s cruise port in Frederiksted in 2023.
More visitors mean more people will have the opportunity to fall in love with our island paradise, experiencing our friendly people, delicious foods and picture perfect beaches! If you plan on visiting us soon and is interested in buying a second home or a forever home on St. Croix, we are here to help you find the perfect home! With exceptional properties in the territory to choose from, your dream of owning a slice of paradise can soon become a reality. Contact us with any questions.
