Chris & Christie Powers

AgriFest Food Fair Returns in 2022

May 18, 2022 | Community Events

2022 marks the long-awaited return of St. Croix’s ever popular Agriculture and Food Fair, also known as Agrifest. Since 1971, this three-day agricultural festival has attracted attendees from all over the world to the island to taste, touch and feel everything rooted in agriculture from locally grown fruits and vegetables to livestock, arts and crafts and local cuisine. From May 28th to May 30th, attendees will flock to the Rudolph Shulterbrandt Agricultural Complex in Estate Lower Love to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this cultural exposition that shines a light on this cherished source of livelihood on St. Croix – agriculture.

Historically, AgriFest is held each year in February over President’s Day weekend. Due to the ongoing uncertainties courtesy of the global pandemic, the event was postponed to May 2022 over Memorial Day weekend.

A few highlights experienced at St. Croix’s AgriFest is centered around the four F’s: food, fun, family and friends. Once you enter through the gates at the fairgrounds, the limitless sights and smells of St. Croix warmly greet you. The main exhibition hall on the west side of the fairgrounds is where the farmers market is held. There, attendees will encounter an assortment of fruits, vegetables, spices, and a variety of plants on display and for sale. Several exhibits sponsored by local schools, youth groups, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, and the US Department of Agriculture can also be found on display.

There are lots of fun activities on hand for Agrifestgoers. Stop in at the livestock exhibits featuring animals such as goats, chickens, rabbits and peacocks. Visit the petting zoo, ride a donkey or hop on one of the carnival rides with the little ones for an extra dose of fun. Enjoy the melodic tunes from local musicians performing throughout the day and visit several informational booths throughout the fairgrounds where attendees can learn about a variety of agriculture-focused topics.

“This is a true Virgin Islands reunion,” said U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture Commissioner Positive T.A. Nelson. “This is where you see it all – our traditions, our food, and our people.” Get your fill of local delicacies like kalalloo, red peas soup, roast pork and salmon balls and wash it down with a tall glass of sorrel, limeade, ginger beer, peanut punch or passion fruit juice. Come out and celebrate the 50th annual VI Agrifest from May 28th to May 30th. Admission is $6 Adults, $5 Seniors, $4 Kids 12 and under. Passes for all three days are available for $12 Adults, $10 Seniors, $8 Kids 12 and under.

Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty

Photo from https://viagrifest.org/

#foodfair #stcroix #stcroixusvi #caribbean #agrifest #agrifest2022 #community #food #virginislands #agriculture

How are closings handled?

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.

What is an inspection contingency, and how is it handled?

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

More Construction Loans to Aid Locals with Homeownership

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

The Estate Little Princess to Host National Masonry Training Program

Apr 19, 2022 | Island News

Starting today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s HOPE Crew (in partnership with the Nature’s Conservancy) will be having a two-week masonry training at Estate Little Princess St. Croix. The Estate Little Princess was established in 1749 and is a historically and culturally important site. The HOPE Crew program brings preservation and preservation trades to a younger audience. In partnership with CHANT’s (Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism) Invisible Heritage pre-apprenticeship program, HOPE Crew will focus on training five local youth in masonry techniques. Read full article on the St. Croix Source here.

#stcroix #historicalbuildings #preservation #usvi #heritage #nature

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