Yes, Most St. Croix Real Estate Comes Furnished—Here’s What You Need to Know
In most places stateside, asking whether someone else’s belongings will be included with the sale of a property might get you a sideways look from your real estate agent. But here in St. Croix, you may be surprised to learn that many houses and most condominiums may be purchased fully or at least partially furnished.
Why are St. Croix houses and condos sold furnished?
The simple reason? Unless the sellers are relocating to another property on island — or they have furnished their listed property with precious family heirlooms or valuable antiques — the costs to ship furniture and even basics like kitchen to the mainland or even to another island is prohibitive. We at Farchette & Hanley will make sure you get a detailed inventory during your inspection period of the furnishings that will be conveyed, so you’ll be well aware of the items included in the sale.
What if you hate the furniture?
Sometimes buyers are tempted to stipulate that a seller must remove all furniture prior to closing. We at Farchette & Hanley discourage this, however, unless they’re an on-island buyer who will be moving their own furniture in — and even then, we’d suggest keeping whatever the sellers will leave you. At the bare minimum, it gives you a place to rest your tush or lay your head until you’re able to shop for or order your own items — and it’s a value-add to your property purchase.
How do you get rid of furniture after your property closes?
In a waste-not, want-not culture like St. Croix, it’s remarkably easy to sell anything you don’t like online — yes, even mattresses can find new homes. If you want to donate, both the Women’s Coalition and the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center thrift stores will take gently used furniture for resale, or a simple “free” post on Facebook will get your items gone fast — no ‘island time’ here when it comes to free stuff!
What if you really, really don’t want the furnishings at all?
If you insist, properties can certainly be purchased completely unfurnished at your request. Our biggest exception to the “keep it” rule: If a property comes with something very large that you do not want and don’t want to deal with getting rid of — such as, say, a gun safe or a defunct vehicle — you may want to include the contingency for their removal in your purchase contract.
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