Name: Use Team Fedeles
Rating: 5
Author: Vinnie and Anita

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.

Featured Client: Turnkey Properties

September 8, 2020 by Team Fedeles

The Wall Street Journal recently featured our clients, The Stapleton’s, in an article about turnkey properties in the Mansions section. The article, In the Caribbean and Bahamas, Turnkey Properties Are the Biggest Luxury, shares how vacation-home buyers in hard-to-reach destinations opt for fully furnished properties.

Turnkey properties, or as the article calls them, “toothbrush ready,” are pretty common on St. Croix. As such, many homes are sold furnished or partially furnished. This 8,000 sq. ft. residence in Estate Shoys, named La Belle Hortense, is offered with tasteful art and furnishings, so you truly only need to bring your toothbrush!

The main house of this turnkey property has 4 bedrooms and 4 en suite baths. Plus, there is a detached one bedroom with one bath guest house. Outdoors is a beautiful courtyard, pool, BBQ and wet bar. Meanwhile, inside is a gourmet chef’s kitchen, deluxe wine cooler, spacious closets, and the finest in amenities and finishes. The home is a practical investment, too, with solar and net metering, private well and drinking water filtration, and hurricane resistant windows.

Perhaps one of the most important features…La Belle Hortense is just steps away from sandy Shoys Beach.

Featured Client: No Strangers to St. Croix

August 28, 2020 by Team Fedeles

Vinnie and Anita Jensen, of Dawsonville, GA, are no strangers to St. Croix. they have been long-time visitors and have owned property on St. Croix since 2002. In fact, they have been two-time lot owners and two-time Villa Madeleine owners over the years.

Team Fedeles recently worked with them to sell a Villa Madeleine condo and a plot of land. The land transaction required several rounds of negotiation and resulted in a favorable outcome for our happy clients.

The Jensen’s have visited St. Croix frequently over the years. They had originally intended to move to St. Croix; however, family medical issues have led them to keep their main residence in the States.

Their favorite things about St. Croix are the beautiful blue water, which they had sweeping views of from Villa Madeleine, and the restaurants. Two of their recent favorites are Duggan’s Reef and The Buccaneer.

We asked Vinnie and Anita if they’d be willing to share any details about their experience working with Team Fedeles and they said:

Use Team Fedeles

August 28, 2020

Best realtor experience we’ve ever had on STX. Too bad we didn’t meet David sooner.

We’re blushing, Vinnie and Anita. Thank you for your kind words. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with you. Please don’t be strangers!

April Newsletter: Resilience 2.0

April 29, 2020 by Team Fedeles

If there’s one thing Virgin Islanders prove time and time again: we’re a resilient bunch. While COVID-19 is a new type of challenge, our community is responding in the only way we know how. With resilience.

Like most of the U.S., the U.S.V.I. is under a stay-at-home order through April 30. Our beaches were temporarily closed for the safety of all residents and re-opened on Monday, April 20. Only “essential” businesses are open with adjusted/limited hours and extra safety precautions. Many restaurants have responded with carryout ordering and grocery stores have impressively taken the situation in stride. No shortage of toilet paper here! See below for links to various resources.

Thankfully, real estate has been deemed an “essential” business and our clients who had been excitedly waiting to close have been able to do so. In fact, we’ve had one buyer and two sellers close in April — Congratulations to all!

Here’s how we are adapting our showings to keep sellers and prospective buyers safe:

Sellers are asked to open all doors, including bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, balconies, etc., so no doorknobs or handles need to be touched.
Similarly, all lights are to be turned on and blinds/curtains drawn, so no touching of switches or cords is necessary.
Buyers and agents are advised not to touch anything and to remove their shoes.
We are practicing the recommended 6-feet social distancing.
Masks and gloves are worn as deemed necessary.

We’re also capable of preparing a 100% virtual listing presentation, and we use Google Hangouts and DocuSign for meetings and paperwork.

COVID-19 U.S.V.I. Resources:

U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health: facts about testing and cases; safety information
U.S. Virgin Islands Government: information about Stay-at-Home order; economic stimulus; Text “COVID19USVI” to 888777 to receive notifications.
Government House Facebook: live press briefings

U.S.V.I. Restaurants & Businesses

Island Direct: food delivery from restaurants, grocery stores, farms and other retailers
Cruzan Foodie: list of restaurants offering carryout
GoToStCroix.com: business listings and general information

We urge you to continue supporting these businesses and restaurants as you are able. If you’re not local to order carryout, consider purchasing a gift card for a restaurant or excursion for your next visit. Send a gift from a St. Croix shop. Write a review on your favorite business’s Facebook page.

Stay safe and healthy, wherever you are!

Warm regards,
Team Fedeles

COVID-19 Precautions and Updates

April 24, 2020 by Team Fedeles

St. Croix, along with the rest of the world, is reacting to the challenges presented by COVID-19. Below is a list our COVID-19 precautions, as well as a few resources specific to St. Croix.

COVID Precautions

Here’s how we are adapting our showings to keep sellers and prospective buyers safe:

Sellers are asked to open all doors, including bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, balconies, etc., so no doorknobs or handles need to be touched.
Similarly, all lights are to be turned on and blinds/curtains drawn, so no touching of switches or cords is necessary.
Buyers and agents are advised not to touch anything and to remove their shoes.
We are practicing the recommended 6-feet social distancing.
Masks and gloves are worn as deemed necessary.

We’re also capable of preparing a 100% virtual listing presentation, and we use Google Hangouts and DocuSign for meetings and paperwork.

COVID-19 U.S.V.I. Resources

U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health: facts about testing and cases; safety information
U.S. Virgin Islands Government for updates on our current level; Text “COVID19USVI” to 888777 to receive notifications.
Government House Facebook: live press briefings

February Newsletter: Taking the Leap

March 3, 2020 by Team Fedeles

It’s Leap Year! Are you ready to take the leap of becoming a homeowner on St. Croix?

We’ve been having fun on Facebook showing off some of the incredible features of our clients’ listings. From a home with two pools to a condo with its own private pool, we can help you narrow down your search for St. Croix real estate with a pool. Or maybe it’s important to you to find a home with furnishings, like this impeccably decorated home (with a killer closet, we might add!). Buck Island view, we can help you find that too!

It’s also been a joy getting to know The Keane’s as we seek the next happy owners of their stunning two-home beachfront property, Paradise Found, in Cotton Valley. In their Featured Client blog, they shared what they love most about their home:

“The Caribbean ocean at our doorstep, the ability to snorkel or scuba dive right off our beach, as well as paddle-board. Lying in the hammock between the palm trees and unobstructed views of Buck Island. We really love sitting at our pool with a glass of wine looking out at the sailboats and catamarans gliding past!”

In January, Governor Bryan gave his second State of the Territory address. Watch the video or read the transcript. A key theme throughout is how his administration has improved the Territory’s financial position, laying a solid foundation for continued improvement of our economy. The Governor was also in Washington, D.C., last week discussing GERS, Medicaid, National Park land and federal tax legislation impacting the territory with senior White House officials. Follow Government House – US Virgin Islands to see a new Facebook live series of interviews with the current administration, The Press Box, as well as other updates from the government.

We were thrilled to see the recent news that the BMV Launches “Skip the Line, Renew Online” Vehicle Registration. Now, vehicles that are 6 years old or less do not require a physical inspection and vehicles between 6 to 10 years old are inspected every two years. If your vehicle fits that bill, be sure to register online. If you’ve ever had business at the BMV in the USVI, you know how great this is!

We’ll leave you with this Meet Team Fedeles video so you can get to know Stephen and me a little better. We hope your extra day this month involves taking a leap into something exciting!

Warm regards,
Team Fedeles