May 20, 2022 | Island News
When a well-renowned restaurant closed its doors on St. Croix in 2020, the entire community was left with a void that many were unsure could ever be filled. Less than two years later, the doors to this former popular eatery opened again. This time, a locally owned fine dining restaurant was discovered on the other side of its doors. With clean, minimalist decor and a warm, inviting ambiance, the true surprise is what awaits guests once they cross the threshold.
Unda de Gooseberry Tree is the vision of owner Michael Rey. “The focus for Gooseberry – as it’s affectionately called – is to keep our local heritage, culture, and traditions alive through food,” said Rey. “As the richness of Caribbean flavors continue to spread across the world, we want to remind everyone – locals and visitors alike – of where the explosion of taste began.” No stranger to hard work in the kitchen, Rey has had his fair share of successful restaurants on St. Croix. From the delicious slices of piping hot pizza slices from Pizza Mar to the hearty, home cooked meals of Oceanview Caf, Rey has fed St. Croix masses for over 20 years. Once he learned that the former restaurant’s location was available, he stepped in to start the process of revamping the space to give it a modern look and feel. “We want guests to have more than a delicious meal, but also a restaurant atmosphere that provides an overall dining experience that keeps you coming back for more.”
Gooseberry focuses on preparing food that combines recipes passed down from generations with bold, new pairings highlighting the darling tangy fruit, the gooseberry. The Caribbean gooseberry differs from other gooseberries found around the world. Green in color and tart in flavor, it is often cooked down into a stew and sweetened with brown sugar, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. Rey has successfully incorporated the fruit in a variety of dishes ranging from appetizers and entrees to cocktails and desserts. Gooseberry opened to the public on February 14, 2022. Much like its predecessor, the restaurant hopes to be around for decades to come as the backdrop for their guests’ most memorable moments. Unda de Gooseberry Tree is currently open for dinner Thursday through Saturday from 6pm to 9pm. To make a reservation, visit their website at www.gooseberrytree.com or call (340) 690-5115.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
Photo from www.gooseberrytree.com
#food #stcroix #stcroixusvi #caribbean #restaurant #culinary #foodie #virginislands
Apr 29, 2022 | QA
Published on our April 2022 Newsletter
Question: How are closings handled?
Chris’s Answer: In the US Virgin Islands, the long standing practice is for Buyers and Sellers to each be represented by attorneys to close the sale. We always recommend hiring an attorney who specializes in real estate to represent you.
The Buyer’s attorney will review all the documents to make sure “clear and marketable title” to the property being purchased is delivered to the Buyer. The attorney’s work includes, but isn’t limited to, reviewing the title commitment, survey, tax clearance letters, closing statements, Buyers statements of expenses and making sure that all the documents are in order for closing.
Sometimes Buyers and/or Sellers are present for closing. If you are off island for the closing, this is not a problem. Your attorney can have you sign a Limited Power of Attorney for some documents, so that the attorney can sign them for you. If there is a mortgage, those loan documents do need to be physically signed by the Buyer (i.e. the Borrower) and those documents can be sent to the Buyer through the mail. The closing usually takes place in one of the attorney’s offices.
Once the documents are signed and funds paid to the Seller and any lien holders — CONGRATULATIONS — you now own a new home, condo or land on St. Croix! The Buyer’s attorney will make sure that any relevant documents are Recorded at the Lt. Governor’s Recorder of Deeds Office.
Apr 29, 2022 | QA
Published on our April 2022 Newsletter
Question: What is an inspection contingency, and how is it handled?
Christie’s Answer: Once an offer to purchase a property has been accepted and signed by all parties, the Inspection Contingency Period begins. Generally, this is a 2 week period, though 3 week periods are not unusual. It ensures that the Buyer receives vital information about the property from a Licensed Professional Home Inspector. It gives the Buyer the option to accept and sign off on the Inspection Contingency Period, OR potentially negotiate repairs, a reduction in the purchase price in lieu of repairs, or even walk away from the purchase with a full refund of their earnest money deposit.
Some people ask if they can waive the property inspection contingency. Our professional advice is to not do this. We feel it’s important that Buyers have as much information as possible about the property they are buying. It’s to the Buyers’ advantage to be present during the inspection so that they can ask questions of the Inspector on site, and learn more about their new home or condo.
After the inspection contingency period is complete and accepted by the Buyer, in Real Estate terms, their earnest money deposit has “gone hard” and is non-refundable. Then the purchase moves to the next phases of the process, which we will cover next month.
#stcroix #stcroixusvi #caribbean #realestate #realtor #coldwellbanker #buying #homeownership #homeinspection
Apr 28, 2022 | Island News
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor recently had banking board meetings held with local banks territory-wide which include Oriental Bank, Bank of St. Croix, FirstBank, Banco Popular, Merchants Commercial Bank and the Economic Development Bank. The banks reported that they have been approving more construction loans and increasing collaboration with the V.I. Housing Finance Authority which has programs aimed at aiding locals with homeownership. According to the VI Consortium, “the increase in approval of loans tied to home construction and homeownership in the territory follows complaints from lawmakers who argue that while local banks store hundreds of millions of government funds, they have not done enough to make funding accessible to locals looking to become first-time homeowners.” Read the full article here.
#stcroix #usvi #homes #homebuying #realestate #bank #loans #mortgage
