Dec 17, 2023 | Community Events
“Diversity, Artistry, and Culture Galore” is the energizing theme for the 2023-2024 Crucian Christmas Festival on St. Croix! A plethora of events await locals, residents, and visitors alike. Featured events include beauty pageants, twelve nights of the cultural village, parades, a food festival, j’ouvert, street tramps, live musical performances from local and international artists, and much, much more.
Festival events will begin on December 26th with the highly anticipated Prince and Princess, Duke and Duchess, and Junior Miss pageants. The Calypso Monarch Competition and Miss St. Croix Pageant follow closely behind, taking place on December 27th and 28th, respectively. Since 1952, when the first Miss St. Croix Festival Queen was crowned, pageantry has been a fundamental part of Crucian Christmas Festival. More than sixty women have held this coveted title, with a new festival queen to be crowned in 2023.
The cultural village is another part of Crucian Christmas Festival that has been around since the beginning. Held in downtown Frederiksted, the Festival Village will open on Friday, December 29th with International Cultural Night powered by Cruzan Rum. The indelible Crucian culture will be on full display, with live musical performances from Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights, Xpress Band, Cool Session, and Spectrum Band. Each night dons a different theme to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy. Other highlights of the village include Coney Island Carnival rides and games, plus numerous booths serving local foods and drinks like johnny cakes, patés, conch in butter sauce, seasoned rice, souse and potato salad, coquito, passion fruit juice, and more.
Looking for a taste of even more Crucian flavor? The Food, Arts, and Crafts Fair takes place on Wednesday, January 3rd, with the best Crucian chefs, cooks, and artisans flaunting their finest culinary skills and offering local delicacies like kallaloo, red peas soup, fish and fungi, Vienna cakes, tamarind stew, and other delicious treats. The next day, revelers emerge from their homes before the break of dawn for j’ouvert — an early morning dance party whose name originates from the French words “jour” and “ouvert,” meaning daybreak or morning. From 5am into the late morning hours, the streets of Frederiksted will be peppered with people — both young and old — dancing behind 8-foot-tall music trucks surrounded by paint, water, and powder. Crucian Christmas Festival culminates with the Children and Adult Parades on January 5th and 6th with bright, colorful costumes, lively music, mocko jumbie performances, quadrille dancers, and limitless vibes!
For more information about 2023- 2024 Crucian Christmas Festival, visit USVI Festivals Facebook page at www.facebook.com/USVIFestivals.
Written by Anquanette Gaspard agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com
Dec 17, 2023 | Reports
Find the monthly sales data, inventory, and days on market for the St. Croix, USVI real estate market! We have downloadable Coldwell Banker real estate reports — available below for each category: Homes & Condos, Condos, Homes, and Land!
If you are not familiar with with the implications of the data, please give us a call or email us directly with any questions. We are Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) and Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) and have the experience and local knowledge to help you in every step of the process. We can help you narrow down neighborhoods based on your priorities. We can also advise you on the market trends in your desired neighborhoods.
Open reports by clicking on links below:
Homes & Condos – November 2023 Area Report
Homes – November 2023 Area Report
Condo – November 2023 Area Report
Land – November 2023 Area Report
Note: The average sales price and the average days on market could be skewed greatly by only one sale or because of the small number of sales
Dec 4, 2023 | Island News
It’s holiday shopping time, and time to think of those we love. For gifts, we shop locally, and we encourage others to do the same. Not only are you buying your loved ones unusual and often hand-made items, you are supporting local businesses! Your gift dollars are helping Crucians to pay their rent, send their children to school, buy food and gas, and cover other expenses. Small businesses depend on our business. Think of it as giving twice – one gift to your loved one, and the second to the small business owner. We have such a variety of shops and services here! To get us in the holiday spirit, there are many holiday events where shopping is a delightful adventure! Below are some ideas for local shops where we have found wonderful gifts! If you can’t choose a present, another way of giving is a gift certificate to a shop or restaurant, or a donation in that person’s name to one of the island’s many organizations who help make a difference on St. Croix!
Chris and I hope you have a wonderful holiday, enjoy the colorful lights, eat yummy food, and connect with friends and family in the heartfelt warmth of the season. Of course, if you are on St. Croix, you are already warm and surrounded by the smiling faces of those of us who are blessed to live here! It’s a wonderful time of the year! Happy holidays!
Chaney Chicks & Island Gifts, LLC – https://www.chaneychicks.com
Crucian Gold – https://cruciangold.com
Cultured Naturals Body Care – https://culturednaturalsbodycare.com
Dive Experience – https://divexp.com
FantaSea Jewelry – https://fantaseajewelry.com
From the Gecko Boutique – https://fromthegecko.com
ib designs – https://ibdesignsvi.com
Joyia-Inspirational Jewelry- https://joyiajewelry.com
Jump Up Deli & Dem Tings – https://www.facebook.com/jumpupdeli
Many Hands Gallery – https://www.yelp.com/biz/many-hands-art-christiansted
Mitchell Larsen Studio – https://mitchelllarsenstudio.com
Riddims – https://www.facebook.com/riddimsstx
RJS Handmade Designs – https://www.rjshandmadedesigns.com
Sonya Ltd. – https://www.sonyaltdstore.com
Southgate Corner Farmers’ Market – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1173503619716087
St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures – https://www.stcroixscuba.com
Susan Mango St Croix – https://www.facebook.com/Susan-Mango-St-Croix-554417361587639
Sweet Lime Furnishings – https://www.sweetlimefurnishings.com
The Frame Up – https://www.facebook.com/theframeupstcroix
Tropical Bracelet Factory – https://www.islandbracelets.com
Undercover Books & Gifts, St. Croix – http://www.undercoverbooksstcroix.com
Nonprofit Organizations:
Lion Haven St. Croix Community Center – https://www.facebook.com/lionhavenstx/
My Brother’s Workshop STX – https://mybrothersworkshop.org
REAL Cruzan Cats – https://www.realcruzancats.org
Ruff Start STX – https://stcroixawc.org
St. Croix Animal Welfare Center – https://stcroixawc.org/
St. Croix Environmental Association – http://www.stxenvironmental.org/
St. George Village Botanical Garden – https://www.thegardenstcroix.org/
The Nature Conservancy in the Caribbean – https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/caribbean
World Ocean School – https://worldoceanschool.org/
YAG Breast Cancer Foundation – http://www.yagfoundation.org/
Dec 1, 2023 | QA
Published on our November 2023 Newsletter
Question: “What are the top 5 hidden costs of home buying?”
Chris’ Answer:
- 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. We feel an inspection by a licensed home inspector is key to any home or condo purchase. The owner will disclose anything of which they are aware, 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 HOA fees. Some homes do, too. These fees will be pro-rated for the year at closing.
- Maintenance, repairs, and decorating. Your monthly budget responsibilities after purchase could include landscaping, pool maintenance, pest control, garbage pickup, cable TV, and internet. 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.
- 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.
Contact us with any real estate questions!
Dec 1, 2023 | QA
Published on our November 2023 Newsletter
Question: “What is holding buyers back from buying a property?
Christie’s Answer: Inventory and affordability are the two top issues for Buyers, according to ABR’s (Accredited Buyers’ Representative) monthly magazine. The third issue is that Buyers seem to have unrealistic expectations.
On St. Croix, inventory has been low for several years, and this continues to be true. Since every property here is truly unique, it’s important to be ready to make an offer when a property you love becomes available. It most likely will be sold when you are ready to relocate. Buy it now! Until you are ready to live there yourself, you can rent it as either long-term, or a vacation rental. Knowing what you would like in a property and possible location on the island is key to a successful purchase.
Buying property on St. Croix differs from buying property in most states. To assist our Buyers to have realistic expectations, we take time to discuss the process, and answer all questions.
Despite all of the preparations, sometimes there are unforeseen challenges which can delay closing. For example, on one large parcel of land we sold, an archeological site was found of a Pre-Columbian ball court. Historical research was needed, and legal documents prepared. Ultimately, that portion of the land could not be disturbed by the new owners. They were delighted to have such a site on their land!
Contact us with any real estate questions!
