Home remodeling can be challenging, especially on an island where resources are fewer, and items can take time to arrive by boat. Whether it’s something relatively easy like changing the paint color, or something major like a complete home remodel, if you plan ahead the process is not only survivable, it can even be fun and very rewarding. It changes your life!
Don’t let renovation anxiety stop you from achieving your real estate dreams. Here are 5 strategies to help you remodel your home:
Keep track of your progress, no matter how small, in a journal or photographs. It’s important and encouraging to see how much progress you’ve made toward reaching your goal as you go along.
Avoid decision fatigue. It’s good practice to purchase fixtures (sinks, faucets, ceiling lights, and even door handles) well before you need to install them so you don’t encounter delays. Batch fixtures by the room or by type. This will put you on a path to interior design success.
Consider working on one room or floor at a time and sealing it off with plastic sheeting to prevent dust from getting everywhere. And though it should go without saying, always keep one bathroom fully functional.
Get clever with cooking. You use your kitchen every day, so if it’s under construction, things get a little tricky. Stock up on no-bake and one-pot recipes (all you need for the latter is one hot plate). Use an outdoor grill to get away from the construction scene and dust.
Keep your eyes on the prize! No matter how much preparation you do, renovations can be draining. One of the best ways to maintain enthusiasm is by taking “before and after” photos. The visual comparison will help you relax and remember just how far you’ve come, serving as an instant pick-me-up on tough days. It also becomes a record for any future reference.
Our Clients, who’ve become our friends, purchased this home with us. They’ve completed their beautiful kitchen renovation. See the BEFORE & AFTER photos they shared with us (above)!
Looking to buy a home to renovate? Check out our video below as we walk through some questions you should consider when searching for a ‘fixer-upper.’
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism announced that feature film “Timeless: A Virgin Islands Love Story” will be available on streaming platform Amazon Prime starting September 6, 2023.
The date holds special significance as it marks the anniversary of Hurricane Irma’s devastating impact on the Virgin Islands. This hurricane deeply affected the lives of many, including the film’s writer, producer, and director, Edward La Borde, Jr.
The film was entirely produced and shot in the Virgin Islands, and showcases the talents of Virgin Islanders both in front of and behind the camera. According to the USVI Department of Tourism announcement, the making of “Timeless” was a three-year-long journey, filmed across 26 locations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas and St. Croix. The breathtaking natural beauty of America’s Paradise provided the backdrop for the modern-day love story set during the Carnival on St. Thomas. Capturing the essence of the Virgin Islands’ culture, the movie incorporates music, dance, folklore, and colloquial expressions.
Read the full announcement and about the film here.
On our scenic drives on the East End of the island, we often stop by and visit Cramer’s Park. It is a popular local park and beach amongst locals and a wonderful place to spend time with family and friends. It is close by Point Udall a popular attraction on St. Croix that we often frequent. Cramer’s Park has been undergoing a complete renovation of the facilities as part of the Cramer’s Park Pavilions Hurricane Repair Project by the USVI Department of Sports Parks and Recreation.
When you visit, look for the beautiful Bas Reliefs at the park pavilion area. We always enjoy the artwork here. As part of the repair project, the wall behind the Bas Reliefs received some a new coat of green paint that better help accentuate these marine sculptures. Raised a few inches from the background, the sculptures have an interesting three-dimensional effect.
As you can see from the plaque, the Bas Reliefs is a part of a sculpture project by the The Coral Conservation Corps is an after school program composed of students learning about St. Croix’s coral reef ecosystems, marine stewardship and advocacy. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Buccaneer Hotel, artist Kate Miller, and the Manor School, this Bas Relief mural of was completed in 2012.
If you are visiting Cramer’s Park, stop by the pavilion area and enjoy the beautiful artwork at the park!
Question: “Can I use my lender in the states to get a loan for a property on St. Croix?”
Christie’s Answer:
It’s very important to use a lender who is licensed in the US Virgin Islands and complies with our laws.
Some Buyers do use a Home Equity Line of Credit Loan (HELOC). They are borrowing against the available equity in their stateside home and that house is used as collateral for the line of credit.
We would be happy to send you a complete list of licensed local and national lenders so that you have options. This includes both banks and mortgage companies. Contact us here!
The 27th annual Mango Melee Tropical Fruit and Mango Festival was held in at the St. George Village Botanical Garden in St Croix on July 9, 2023. This popular family-friendly event offers kids activities, educational workshops, food competitions, tropical fruit demonstrations and tastings, and the ever-popular Mango Eating Contests. Visitors enjoy local food and drinks, arts and craft vendors, cultural dance performances, Moko Jumbies, music and more throughout the day. As the VI Consortium reported, Yasmine Tuitt, 14, defended her title and emerged as the winner of the Mango Eating Competition for the second consecutive year at the 27th annual Mango Melee. 9-year-old Anita Thomas won the Mango Eating Competition in the children category. Congratulations!
Many local vendors also had tables selling mango and tropical fruit delicacies and products. It is a great annual event that brings the community together!
The St. Croix Source has some great photos, check it out here.
