There are typically three options when inheriting a home:
1. Move in:
If the property meets your needs and budget, moving in could be a meaningful and practical choice. Be sure to consider any outstanding mortgage, necessary repairs, or updates.
2. Sell the home:
Many heirs choose to sell, especially if the home doesn’t suit their lifestyle or if there are multiple inheritors. Before listing, you’ll want to handle any required repairs and clear out belongings. This can take time. Be sure to be gentle with yourself. Often selling a property brings up a lot of emotions.
3. Rent it out:
If you’re not ready to sell, but don’t plan to live there, renting can provide income while you figure things out. Just be prepared for landlord responsibilities, local rental laws, and potential property management needs.
For more information about what to do when you inherit a property visit our recent newsletter on the topic here.
Watch our YouTube video on What to Do When You Inherit a Island Home below.
We are excited to see this in the news! According to the VI Consortium, Senate Vice President Kenneth Gittens has formally requested assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore the eroded shoreline at Fort Frederik Beach, one of Frederiksted’s most iconic coastal areas. His proposal seeks to combat ongoing environmental damage and to revive shoreline fishing opportunities that have long been part of local culture. Homeland Security protocols limits public access to port facilities after hours. Due to erosion and storm damage, Fort Frederik Beach is in need of help to bring it back as a recreational hub and a cultural landmark for St. Croix.
We think a restoration and revival project would be a great benefit to the greater community. Local residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the area.
According to the VI Consortium, a transformative telecommunications project promising faster, more reliable internet for schools, hospitals, emergency services, and the broader community is one step closer to reality, as lawmakers recently advanced legislation approving a major coastal zone permit for Trans Americas Fiber US, LLC to land a new submarine fiber optic cable on St. Croix.
The article also said the project also comes with advantages for the government, as the Division of Coastal Zone Management successfully negotiated free bandwidth service. Trans Americas Fiber US had said they are committed to “free bandwidth to the Government of the Virgin Islands.” Schools, hospitals, and emergency services now stand to benefit from “faster, more reliable internet access at no cost.”
Trans Americas Fiber will connect 2,000-km cable from Florida, boosting speeds for public institutions and saving $200K annually. USVI lawmakers voiced concerns on the environmental impact of the project and seeked written guarantees and oversight to prevent past environmental mistakes. The Trans Americas Fiber agreed to submit a water quality application and receive permission from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and stated that “the route was designed so it doesn’t interfere with any corals.” Read more about this project here.
In response to a 50% cut in government funding, My Brother’s Workshop has launched the “Double the Hope” campaign with a $25,000 matching pledge, aiming to sustain vital programs that serve at-risk youth across the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to the VI Consortium, the campaign offers donors a chance to double the impact of their contributions thanks to a generous matching pledge from the Anasetti Family, who will match all donations up to $25,000 through August 30. Every dollar raised during this window will be matched, giving My Brother’s Workshop the opportunity to continue delivering holistic services to the youth it serves.
According to the St Croix Source, the organization currently serves 41 young people, both male and female, ages 16 to 24, by teaching valuable skills in construction, woodworking, agriculture, and culinary arts. The workshop focuses on building real-world experience that trainees can carry into the job market through the program’s job placement efforts.and has the capacity
The Vi Consortium said My Brother’s Workshop can reach more than 200 with sufficient funding and the organization’s model has proven economic and social benefits. According to federal data, programs like My Brother’s Workshop can save communities millions of dollars per participant by reducing rates of crime, poverty, and unemployment. Read the full Vi Consortium article here and the St Croix Source article here about the proven program.
If you are interested in donating to My Brother’s Workshop and help meet their $50,000 goal go to the organization’s page: https://giving.classy.org/campaign/705654/donate. The matching pledge (up to $25,000) runs through August 30.
Maximizing the indoor-outdoor living experience is desirable on St. Croix. Homes and condos with inviting and comfortable galleries and patios are very desirable and useful in a tropical climate. We love outdoor living spaces especially if they offer a cozy relaxing sitting area and some shade! Our galleries, patios, and pool decks are outdoor extensions of our living space. Because of the temperate climate, be sure to think about creating wonderful outdoor spaces. You’ll want enough space for you to relax and enjoy the view and breezes, plus space to entertain your friends and family.
If you are looking to buy a property on St Croix, think about what you enjoy. Consider the features which suit the needs of your lifestyle now, and what you see in the future. Partially and fully shaded outdoor spaces may be a feature you will appreciate.
Here are some featured properties that offer indoor-outdoor living. If you are interested in one of our featured properties, please contact us. We would love to help you find your dream island home.
As we reach the reach the half year mark, the U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism Department is reporting strong performance across key sectors — including airlift, cruise arrivals, accommodations, cultural events, and global visibility — as the territory continues to establish itself as one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic destinations according to the St. Croix Source.
2024 was a record-breaking year in tourism for the USVI and we are excited! 2025 is showing strong mid-year results with increases in air travelers, cruise passenger arrivals and more. For example, the Source reported that air service to the territory continues to expand, with daily nonstop flights now operating between Dallas and St. Thomas. St. Croix will receive new nonstop flights from Chicago later this year. The new American Airlines service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport is scheduled to begin December 6 and will operate on Saturdays, bringing travelers from the midwest to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) on St. Croix.
Read more on St Croix Source here and on Travel Pulse here.
