With Easter on its way, we think it’s a great analogy – St. Croix is hippety hoppin’ – from an energetic Crucian Christmas Festival to a February full of activities, like Jump Up, AgFest, and Mardi Croix. Now the big St. Patrick’s Day Parade is just days away! And in a few weeks, beaches all around the island will begin to fill for Easter camping, a decades-old tradition.

The island also kicked off the new year with a presidential visit. St. Croix is a favorite vacation spot for Joe and Jill Biden, though this was the first time they have visited while serving as President and First Lady. Despite anyone’s political views, this was huge for St. Croix. Their visit brought worldwide attention to the island and it was neat to have Air Force One sitting on the tarmac at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (photo credit: Amanda Zak).

St. Croix has seen increased cruise ship traffic this year. We’ll see more than 60 ships throughout the season, which brings more attention to our island and attracts more tourists in the long-term. As for air travel, SCUBA also does a great job at providing a summary of St. Croix airline service. And if you’d like to see some spectacular footage of the humpback whale migration around St. Croix, scroll through SCUBA’s recent Facebook posts.

Our weather has been absolutely perfect – evenings of 72-degrees and highs of 82-degrees. And for the past week it has been so clear that we can practically see real estate signs in the yards of homes on St. Thomas!

Take a look at the most recent St. Croix Real Estate Market Watch below. If you have been considering putting your home on the market, now is a great time to get in touch. The average sale price is up by more than 40%! Given the sales activity and our understanding of the real estate trends, we can help you make the most out of your investment.

We’d love to help you buy or sell your piece of paradise. Call, text, or send us a note today!

IMPORTANT TRAVEL UPDATE: According to the VI Consortium, Governor Bryan is discontinuing the USVI Travel Portal effective June 1. Read the article

This weekend is the 50th Annual Agriculture & Food Fair, also known as Agrifest. The theme of this year’s event is “Agriculture: A Golden Opportunity to Grow” and will surely be one to remember. At Agrifest you can taste local cuisine, buy locally grown produce and plants, view agricultural exhibits, shop local arts and crafts, meet government and nonprofit agencies, and listen to live music. We’re thrilled to see our community coming together again to celebrate the bounties of St. Croix!

As we start to see trees getting heavy with golden fruit across the island, save the date for Mango Melee on July 10 at the St. George Village Botanical Garden. This one-day event celebrates the sweet and juicy mango with local food vendors, arts and crafts, live music, and an exhibit of the many varieties of mangos and other fruits found on St. Croix. 🥭

The USVI real estate industry has had some golden opportunities recently. The Virgin Islands hosted the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge in early April. Secretary Fudge was here to meet with residents, local leaders, and elected officials about housing challenges and their experiences during post-hurricane reconstruction.

Then, in early May, the Virgin Islands Territorial Association of Realtors® leadership team headed to Washington, DC, to meet with Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett’s office. There we discussed formidable plans related to spending Federal disaster recovery dollars, affordable housing initiatives, and first-time home buyers assistance for the USVI. I am honored to be part of this group, and hopeful that our efforts will result in great things for the future of real estate in St. Croix and throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands.

If you have recently made St. Croix your home (or second home) or are considering island living, there is a Facebook group called New to STX. It’s a good place to ask questions and they host a monthly newbie gathering at Leatherback Brewing. Here are a few other resource groups/pages you might find useful:

• The St. Croix Life
• St Croix Vi Buy or Sell Your Stuff 24/7
• St Croix, 00820 USVI
• East End Neighborhood Watch, St. Croix

Whether it’s time to sell your home or join the New to STX group, we’d love a chance to find your golden opportunity. Just give us a call or send us a note!

Warmly,
David and Stephen

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:

• March 1
• March 8
• March 15

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