"Remember that writing is translation. And the opus to be translated is yourself." ---E. B. White I was writing an opus on Tulips from Pilot Point on March 10, 2020 where I picked tulips from the Tulip Farm in Pilot Point, TX. The tulips in my photograph are a sample of what I picked by hand after walking up and down the tulip paths to choose what appealed to me most. I remember thinking to myself, I'll be back on my birthday to pick some more. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, I never got to go back. I spent my birthday in self-quarantine as recommended by my TX Governor. And so, the photos I took that day I relish. I remember. I reach down into my soul and feel joy for what I had, while remembering, the responsibility we have for never taking more than we need. I remember how o... 04/28/2020

    "Food is everything we are. It's an extension of nationalist feeling,ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region,your tribe, your grandma. It's inseparable from the get-go."---Anthony Bourdain   "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the Biblesays love your enemy." --- Frank Sinatra   "And what, Socrates, is the food of the soul? Surely, I said,knowledge is the food of the soul" ---Plato  "The bottom line - customers want delicious food served quickly in aninteractive format, and they are increasingly unwilling to compromise."---Steve Ells  Here are just samples of food you can find to eat at the Legacy Hall Food Court in Plano off of the Dallas Toll Way. There are 24 artisanal stalls owned by local Chefs. This is a large Food Court where you don't have to sit ... 09/19/2019

Let me start by saying I will not use craigslist again. It is clearly too easy to steal partially valid information and comingle it with fraud. If you ever see Tanya Van Blake-Coleman or  Van Blake-Coleman Realty associated with Craigslist, know it is a fraudulent post and report it immediately. The above photo was taken either from, my website or the Listing agent's and used in an ad for a one bedroom for $900 a month. The FTC and the FBI have been notified. It is also frustrating that you cannot contact a "person" at Craigslist, the most you can do is click on "report" at the top of the listing. This thief was a little more clever than the last combining information from two different companies. this is the second time either a listing of mine for my company name was used that I know ... 04/24/2019

I wanted to provide a mid week update for Stone Ridge. There are currently 1 homes for sale. 1 homes new to the market; 1 traditional sale town homes.  1 homes which went active under contract or pending; 1 traditional sale town homes.  0 homes closed. There are  2 homes coming soon.  I will provide a more details in next week's Weekly Update.  12/19/2018

   Sold on St. Thomas -  An 1800 sq. ft. home with three bedroom two bathroom and an income producing apartment. All located on the South side of the island in Sorgenfri. This home sold for $360,000.00    This solid concrete home contracted prior to the two hurricanes. A well constructed home, withstood both Hurricane Irma and Maria with the only damage being a short piece of guttering blowing down. Delays  in the sale were unavoidable due to general conditions on the island, causing govenment offices to be  closed.     Located in a solid neighborhood, residents include a sitting senator, law enforcment officers,  a few Realtors, some retirees, young families and old families and many other good citizens of the island.       I never tired of showing this home because as you entered the ... 12/13/2017

 At Van Blake-Coleman  Realty we  have  used Craigslist for years to market rentals. Today I became aware that a property we represent, for sale, was being advertised by a scammer on Craigslist for rent. It was called to my attention by a young lady who was hoping to find a deal but was smart enough to recognize when a deal was too good to be true.  What disgusted me most was the unconscionable manner in which the scammer tried to lure their victims using: realgracerent@givingheartmission.com, really?!!! Targeting those who are religiously orientated.  Scum of the earth is the only way I can describe this low life, person.  This person advertised a three bedroom two bathroom home for rent for $850 a month, not likely to  happen on St. Thomas. Many people have been displaced by the hurri... 11/29/2017

Van Blake-Coleman Realty just closed this home on St. Thomas  in the U.S. Virgin Islands at 95% of the asking price. When priced right, this is a common trend for sales in the Virgin Islands.It is  a wonderful family home with two bedrooms, one and a half baths. Fantastic down islands views. Driveway, main entry and first floor interior are handicap friendly, a rare thing in St. Thomas. The home sits on a flat very well maintained 0.5 acre lot, with an additional untouched 0.5 acre lot, located in front; which insures an open view and privacy. Danish style stone walls adorn the entry, living room, and dining room along with a functional triangulated Danish kitchen. Master bedroom has custom closets and en suite half bathroom. Below the home is a full one bedroom one bath apartment that ... 08/12/2017

 PART TWO - YOU WANT ME TO SIGN WHAT? Maybe it’s the heat.I’m driving with the air conditioner on full blast and it’s not even noon. It’s a picture postcard day – sunny, not a cloud in the sky. The water is that unbelievable shade of turquoise and the foliage is really green. Cruise ships are in the harbor and the port of Charlotte Amalie is bustling with activity.I’ve arrived at the hotel and picked up an eager new arrival.  Driving on the left, my passenger acknowledges, puts them a little on edge. It’s the turns that surprise. And then there are the really steep hills, the hidden driveways. With skill and nonchalance I back my vehicle into a gravel-laden parking spot, designated parking on the edge of what appears to be a cliff. My Sentricard grants us entry and the key works on the ... 09/03/2016

 YOU SAY YOU'RE MOVING WHERE?  Like crumpled bills in the bottom of a washing machine, commissions from residential rentals are like found money. Often the delayed result of a flurry of activity, with an agent's time and energy long ago expended, the extra cash is never unwelcome.While most real estate agents would rather the commission a real estate sale brings, many of us will service rental customers with steadfast, if not eager, professionalism.Sure a buyer would be nice. But a renter beats a blank.Here in the Virgin Islands - St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John - rental customers contact us and they haven't even landed yet. This is where the fun begins.As we know, real estate is a relationship business.Potential renters are often stateside, in the airport, on their way to St. Thomas... 09/02/2016

"Treasure" hunting on St. Croix for Chaney! Chaney is shards of fine china which can mostly be found along the beaches and on historic plantations on the Caribbean island of St. Croix.Chaney is a word made up by local children who used to smooth and round out these shards and use them as play money, combining the words “china” and “money” they became forever known as Chaney.Whether broken china was thrown overboard to avoid taxes or thrown away from being chipped, these small pieces can be found throughout the island. Local jewelers create beautiful bracelets and pendants from these old, broken pieces. Blue and white is very common, however, lucky treasure hunters have found green, brown, red and combination of colors and designs.We had heavy rains yesterday so I ventured out this morni... 08/26/2016

        Beautiful Island Villas are an integral part of real estate in the Virgin Islands. We have all the luxury you would expect right here on the spectacular island of St. Thomas. This is the cream of real estate in the Virgin Island.   Earlier this year, I sold, Outrigger House for $2.1 million dollars. It was designed by famed Caribbean Architect Michael Helm of the British Virgin Islands and decorated by gifted interior decorator Twila Wilson of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.  Her designs have been featured in Architectural Digest. Four bedrooms and four full bathrooms with one half bath, multiple balconies, infinity pool and a wrapping deck a barbecue and outdoor dining area. The view from the balcony, which boasts  teak  day beds and couches, is spectacular. There is a studio bel... 08/05/2016

Finding  great businesses to patronize can be a challenge no mater where you live. On Edge Salon is a relatively new business located in Fort Mylner. Owner, operator, Ms. Tireka Thomas has created a true retreat with her new business" On Edge Salon". Beautifully appointed, you immediately know you are in for a treat when you walk through the door. There is a comfortable waiting area (much bigger than the picture above makes it appear, I am constricted by my space here). One of the best ways of finding new businesses is when someone  you trust recommends one to you.  I have to thank Jackie at Merchant's Bank for sending me to On Edge Salon. My experience was wonderful from the moment I walked through the doors.  Prompt and ready to save me from an overgrown doo,  I was first given a prof... 04/18/2016

I have a new appreciation for the family owned farm and farmer.As part of my commitment to Sejah Farm VI, I have agreed to help at the farm throughout the season. This morning, I joined Bridget and "G" to harvest the prolific pear tomatoes. In two hours, I managed to fill two 5 gallon buckets of these tasty gems. I made new friends whom I look forward to seeing again this coming week. I have to admit my back keeps reminding me to "bend my knees."   The area we were working in was about 20' x 45' and the tomato plants were large and in big mounds. We had to lift the plants in order to get all of the tomatoes underneath.My fellow volunteer, Gerald, aka "G", takes a short break to smile for me.I am so happy with the results of my two hours at the farm.  Farming is not an easy life and occu... 03/10/2016

  Yes,  Super Bowl 50  was a big event in the U.S.Virgin Islands just like everywhere else in the United States and Super Bowl 50 was no exception. We gathered in sports bars and homes throughout the territory with friends to watch and cheer for our favorite team. We may also have a high  interest in cricket and soccer, but don't hold that against us. Although I am not a huge football fan, I do love to watch the Super Bowl. Super Bowl 50 was a hard fought game. Despite Cam Newton and the  Carolina Panther's efforts, Cam just never seemed to hit his stride.  Either it seemed he was not given the protection he needed to effectively pass the ball or his receivers had trouble hanging on to the passes.  Payton Manning  and the Denver Bronco's experience in high pressure game paid off with a ... 02/07/2016

As winter bears down on the northeast corridor, I’m filled with gratitude and optimism. Here I am, in one of the most gorgeous places on earth, marveling at a panorama of Caribbean islands and azure seas as I wipe sweat from my brow.I’m a Virgin Islands realtor. By all accounts (reality TV notwithstanding) I should be wearing a tailored suit and 3-inch pumps, sitting in an air-conditioned office or driving a German import to my next multi-million dollar listing.In reality, I’ve just come from a morning trek in the woods to eyeball boundposts that were exposed by the seller but that have gone undetected by my client, the buyer. I was shown the boundposts so that later today, when my client leaves her 9-to-5 job, I can enter these woods again and show her exactly where they are.The parcel... 01/20/2016

Tuesday Travelogue-September 22ndWelcome to the ongoing weekly series called Tuesday Travelogue. We are in our sixty-second week!  Each week, some ActiveRain bloggers are spotlighted to take us somewhere we may not have been on some kind of virtual travel (and it doesn't cost a dime!). Here is the purpose:  to enjoy the ride""take a trip without even leaving the farm""expand your horizons""see through someone else's eyes"  and hopefully much more! In our travels across America alphabetically, we have made it all of the way through Texas, a couple of weeks ago (I took a brief break doing my OWN traveling) and now we get to visit the US Virgin Islands and with my 37 degree temperatures this morning, and thick mist on Fishhawk Lake's surface, I could use a dip in warm waters and have the s... 09/22/2015

 In your duties as a Real Estate agent/broker, how far above and beyond the call of duty are you willing to go in order to secure a closing? The reason I ask is that I have found myself doing small bits of labor that are definitely not a part of the job description so to speak, but I saw them as hindrances to my progress. Now in my opinion if something can be done by the agent, will not cost an exorbitant amount of money, and will take less time to simply do the job rather than calling someone else to do so, then do it! A little more effort can go a long way in getting that property ready to close, and good help can be hard to find these days. Cliche I know, but it has often proven true being here in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Being in the islands comes with certain realities. 1. Your cho... 02/28/2015

The Legend of Blackbeard the Pirate   Blackbeard’s Hill has been a prime residential neighborhood since colonial times. As you stroll through this old historical district you can easily imagine what life was like in centuries past.   The Danes took possession of St. Thomas in 1671 and built Fort Christian. The observation tower, Skytsborg, better known as Blackbeard’s Castle, was built in 1697, and guaranteed safety for the area’s wealthy residents who could seek refuge if there was an attack by man or nature.                 It Stands Against The Test Of Time   The attacks by man never came, and nature’s destructive forces have failed to put a dent in the Tower. It has withstood hurricanes and earthquakes and served as a vantage for the deadly fires that swept the town of Charlotte Ama... 02/13/2015

Things to Do in St Thomas, USVI There is so much to do, see and explore on St. Thomas. The island offers fun activities, great food, breathtaking sights, sandy white beaches and an expansive stretch of charming shops and boutiques. Listed here are some of the best things to do on Saint Thomas.   02/10/2015

Blackbeard's Castle Hits the Market! By William True Since 1967, a local family has accumulated and preserved almost three acres, including eight centuries-old estates, in downtown Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI. This unique compilation includes Estate Skytsborg aka Blackbeard’s Castle, Haagensen House, Villa Notman,  Hotel 1829, Bank House, Magens-Pedersen Estate, Mendlicott Estate and the Brittania House. The grounds, restored homes and botanical gardens are absolutely stunning. This rare collection of connected properties is being offered for $18,000,000. A licensed real estate professional with a successful buyer stands to earn as much as a $135,000 referral fee or up to $540,000 in commission for those licensed in the USVI. If that's not enough, the owner, a retiring licensed r... 02/02/2015