Team Fedeles, Author at David Fedeles, St. Croix Real Estate

BREAKING NEWS: Limetree Bay Refinery Closes Indefinitely

June 22, 2021 by Team Fedeles

The news of Limetree Bay Refinery’s indefinite closure hit headlines on Monday, June 21, 2021. Local news, including the St. Croix Source, as well as national news sources, like the Washington Post, reported that the refinery will not be re-opening due to financial constraints.

What the Virgin Islands Government is saying

It is reported that the Governor Says Limetree’s Decision to Shut Down Was Not a Surprise. In May, the refinery was forced to temporarily close for 60 days by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Of high importance is the roughly 800 jobs affected by the closure. Governor Bryan says, “This announcement is not something our administration wanted or hoped for, but it is certainly something for which we are prepared. Our Department of Labor has already activated its rapid response teams to help affected workers transition to new employment and or connect them with unemployment benefits.” The Governor has also said that the closure of the refinery will not affect the oil storage terminal, which is a separate entity with about 88 employees.

Read: Governor Bryan Statement on Limetree Refinery Announcement to Lay-off 271 Workers, Suspend Plans to Restart Refinery Operations

How does this affect St. Croix real estate?

There is no indication that this news will slow down the real estate industry. St. Croix has experienced a robust market of statesiders investing in and/or moving to island, whether as a primary or secondary home. Environmental impacts are a positive byproduct that is expected with the closing after some recent pollutants were dispersed in local neighborhoods, causing a 60 day shutdown in May.

Team Fedeles will be keeping close tabs on St. Croix real estate trends in order to best advise our buyer and seller clients.

March Newsletter: Marching Along

March 18, 2021 by Team Fedeles

Greetings from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands! Things are marching along here in America’s Paradise. Tourism is bustling, the real estate market is active, businesses and restaurants are keeping safe and busy. St. Croix even made Caribbean Journal’s 21 Best Caribbean Islands to Visit in 2021.

The St. Croix Real Estate Market Watch for February can be found at the bottom of this email, but here is the bigger picture: In the last 9 months, homes $200,000 – $400,000 have been selling in less than a week. Now, within the past month, homes $500,000 – $800,000 are selling within a week! (and for a more desirable price.) If the thought of selling your condo or home has crossed your mind, we’d love to help you list it! Alternatively, if you’re in the market to buy, work with Team Fedeles to find the perfect fit for you before it gets snatched up.

At the beginning of May, Governor Bryan announced slightly relaxed restrictions in a press conference. Beaches are now open until 5pm on weekends and holidays (previously 4pm), while taxis and restaurants may have increased capacity. Masks are still required in all public establishments and social distancing requirements remain in effect.

If you’re planning travel between St. Croix and the U.S., be sure to check for updates on the USVI Travel Portal and use it to submit your test results. Currently, travelers are required to submit a negative COVID-19 test result within five days or a positive antibody test within four months to come to the U.S. Virgin Islands and no test result is required to travel to the U.S. (unless required by a specific state). Read the most recent Key Takeaways from the Governor’s Press Conferences:

Here’s a photo of Team Fedeles at a showing of The Fred Resort & Spa. This luxurious, turnkey property features 23 rooms, a gorgeous spa, a large infinity pool, a popular restaurant and bar, a spectacular sky deck, and 230 feet of sandy beachfront — and it’s ready for new owners who want to see Frederiksted continue to thrive. The Fred has been named “Best New Boutique Resort” by Caribbean Journal and “Best New Business/Spa” by the readers of the VI Daily News. View The Fred’s Listing

Congratulations to my Coldwell Banker St. Croix Realty colleague, Diane Burns, on the opening of Carambolazipline! This attraction has been a long time coming and will surely provide good times for visitors and residents for many years to come.

The weather forecast for Christiansted is pretty repetitious this week. High of 82, low of 73 EVERY day for the next 10 days. Don’t worry about us though — we’ll survive. Here’s hoping you’re healthy and happy wherever this message finds you.

Warm regards,
Team Fedeles

December Newsletter: Season’s Greetings

December 22, 2020 by Team Fedeles

Season’s Greetings from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands!

The U.S. Virgin Islands was just named the Destination of the Year in the Caribbean Journal Caribbean Travel Awards 2021!

For anyone planning to travel to St. Croix in the coming month, be sure to visit the USVI COVID-19 Travel Screening Portal. This will give you all the information you need to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands. American Airlines recently started offering at-home testing through LetsGetChecked. We look forward to seeing you and would be happy to schedule a COVID-safe home showing if you’re in the market for St. Croix real estate!

This Fall, Governor Bryan announced his USVI Vision 2040 economic development strategy. Vision 2040 is an interactive, participatory process to produce a long-term economic strategy and action plan that positions the U.S. Virgin Islands as a vibrant, desirable place to live, work, and visit, and as a prosperous business location that is competitive based on its abilities to develop, retain, and attract a skilled workforce with creativity and imagination. There are many opportunities to share your ideas, priorities, and concerns for the future economy of the U.S. Virgin Islands, so be sure to participate in a virtual open house or submit comments.

In September, our own Stephen Swanton received the Good Neighbor Award from the St. Croix Board of Realtors. Stephen was recognized for his work with Virgin Islands Triathlon Federation. He was awarded $1,000 to support VITF’s mission and Coldwell Banker Schmidt Family of Companies matched the donation through their Schmidt Community Fund. As many of your know, Stephen exhibits the same focus and eye toward success in real estate as he does in competition. Team Fedeles is lucky to have him on board! Learn more about the Good Neighbor Award and Stephen’s work with VITF.

As a member of Ha’Penny Bay Beach Club, I’m excited to share our holiday offering of a one-year membership for half price! Become a member of The Club for $650 per person and no initiation fee. Club benefits include monthly lunches, dinners and brunches, use of The Club for private events, holiday and special events, use of the facilities when visiting Ha’Penny Beach, and more. Of course, for now activities and events are somewhat limited due to COVID; however, our open-air dining room is the perfect place to spend socially distanced time with new and old friends!

The St. Croix real estate market is very active right now. Congratulations to our Sellers of Romney Point and Meggie Hill! If you have been on the fence about listing, now is the time! In fact, according to the latest Market Watch, houses sold for 28% more and condos sold for 25% more as compared to the same period last year. Contact [email protected] for an assessment of your property and to discuss how we can assist, whether to sell or to buy…it is a great time on both accounts!

Wishing you many joys this holiday season and a prosperous 2021!

Warm regards,
Team Fedeles

Caribbean Travel Awards 2021

December 15, 2020 by Team Fedeles

The US Virgin Islands have been named the Destination of the Year in the Caribbean Travel Awards 2021 by Caribbean Journal. This is the 7th annual edition of the awards and it’s exciting to see a photo of St. Croix’s Protestant Cay right there on the home page!

The article points out that, “in six months, the Caribbean has largely set a global example for how to reopen in a careful, focused, safe manner — providing its signature sanctuary for travelers and an important injection of economic energy.” Then goes on to say that, “the USVI has been a model for tourism reopenings around the region…”

The USVI Travel Portal can be found at www.usvitravelportal.com.

Stephen Swanton Receives Good Neighbor Award

September 30, 2020 by Team Fedeles

Congratulations to our own Stephen Swanton for receiving the Good Neighbor Award from the St. Croix Board of Realtors! Stephen was recognized for his work with Virgin Islands Triathlon Federation. He was awarded $1,000 to support VITF’s mission to serve youth in the community through multi-sport education, clinics, camps and events, engaging youth to instill habits of health, fitness and recreation.

As an accomplished triathlete, a certified triathlon coach and elite cyclist, Stephen has been involved with VITF since 2015. He has served on the Board of Directors for four years and is currently the Vice President STT/STJ.

I have found that participation in sport not only instills habits of health, fitness and recreation, but also develops a sense of good sportsmanship and mental fortitude that carries into many facets of life. This organization welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home on St. Croix since coming here in 2015.”
Stephen Swanton

As an added bonus, the Coldwell Banker Schmidt Family of Companies matched the $1,000 donation through their Schmidt Community Fund. Giving back is at the core of Coldwell Banker St. Croix Realty’s overall mission and values. Many of our agents are active within the St. Croix community, donating time, money and resources to various charities and non-profit organizations on island.

Stephen pointed out how helpful the award has been, especially during a time when most of the organization’s fundraising efforts have been put on hold due to COVID-19. “We allocated the donation to Junior-Tri VI program and hope to begin hosting events for our junior athletes as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Visit the VI Triathlon Federation for more information

September Newsletter: Grab Your Toothbrush

September 14, 2020 by Team Fedeles

We hope this note finds you healthy and in good spirits. As St. Croix moves back into a “Safer At Home” mode, Team Fedeles continues to take precautions as we help our clients’ dreams come true.

If you’ve looked at The Wall Street Journal recently, you may have seen a spectacular St. Croix villa featured in the Mansions section. This was none other than our listing, La Belle Hortense, and our wonderful clients, The Stapleton’s, in an article about luxury turnkey properties. But don’t take WSJ’s word for it — grab your toothbrush and come to St. Croix!

We also received the kindest praise from The Jensen’s, who have owned two plots of land and two Villa Madeleine condos over the past 18 years. Team Fedeles recently negotiated the sale of one plot of land and, prior to that, their condo.

This has been a strange year to say the least. One of the highlights for me has been carryout and socially distanced meals from Ha’Penny Bay Beach Club — and I’m really looking forward to getting back to good times with my Ha’Penny friends this Fall. Tuesday dinners by Chef Loni are phenomenal (my mouth is watering just thinking about her chilled cucumber soup). Thursday game days are fun and again with Chef Loni’s amazing food for lunch! Our annual night with the Governor is such a special opportunity — here’s a photo of me with Governor Bryan taken at Governor’s Night. And I can’t imagine holidays without my Ha’Penny family. If you are looking for ways to connect with new island friends and would like to consider membership, check out the new Ha’Penny Bay Beach Club web site and like the Club on Facebook.

Are you ready to sell your St. Croix property? Per the Real Estate Market Watch below, home, condo and land sale prices are up, up, up! Contact us today for an assessment.