Own a Piece of Paradise: St. Maarten/St. Martin Real Estate

By Pat Cantor

Imagine waking up every morning, parting the curtains and opening the window to feel St. Maarten/St. Martin’s tropical breezes. For some, that fantasy is only realized for a week or so, while others enjoy the reality of life in the tropics on a full- or part-time basis. Luckily, you can easily join those fortunate enough to call St. Maarten/St. Martin home. Over the past decade, the island has exploded with new options for tropical living and now boasts one of the biggest and most diverse selections of locations and types of properties (e.g., private villas, condos and timeshares). Real estate agents on both the Dutch side and French side can sell property on either side, as they are familiar with the real estate laws and requirements specific to each side.

Ownership is as simple as in the United States. There are no residency requirements or legal restrictions limiting foreign home ownership. For extended stays, you will need to obtain the necessary legal status. On the Dutch side, you apply to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office in Philipsburg. On the French side, contact the French Consulate or Embassy in your hometown for visits extending beyond 90 days.

For the closing, both the French and Dutch sides use the notary system, a real estate lawyer representing both the buyer and seller. There are no real estate taxes or capital gains taxes on the Dutch side. The French side has taxes and a transparency agreement with the U.S. The longer you hold your property in France, the less capital gains tax you will pay. The French government is looking at the tax laws for even more favorable capital gains implications.

The Dutch Side
The Dutch side is the more exuberant slice of the island, filled with the commercial necessities of life coupled with very good restaurants, great food and wine shopping, lively nightlife, design stores to furnish your new home, and hardware mega-stores to keep things functioning.

The development of beautiful places to live continues to expand. Two hot areas are Cupecoy and the Dutch Lowlands. Both locations are now very classy with luxury properties on both the ocean and lagoon.

If you want to stay in the center of the action, then consider Simpson Bay, Beacon Hill and Pelican Bay. Within these areas, you have access to a myriad of dining options, grocery shopping, beaches, watersport facilities, theaters, clubs and casinos.

You’ll find new high-end developments along the hills and roads from Cole Bay to Philipsburg. Even downtown Philipsburg now offers more second-home residential properties. More secluded are Oyster Pond, Guana Bay and Dawn Beach, which offer lots of amenities, especially food, and stunning beaches nearby.

On the eastern edge of St. Maarten, just south of the French/Dutch border, you’ll find Oyster Bay Beach Resort, the perfect combination of a high-end resort with a luxury condo/villa ownership. On-site amenities include restaurants, nightlife, and fitness and spa facilities. Choose from a studio, one- or two-bedroom condo. Three cutting-edge design buildings have a few special features, such as rooftop decks, private terraces, private pool access or outdoor kitchens. For availabilities, visit 3viewsinblue.com, contact Susan Coquin at
P.O. Box 239, St. Maarten, N.A., or call 721-543-6040. 

The French Side
The French side is more laid-back, very South of France, with a focus on fine food and wine, beautiful beaches, charming towns and villages, and eclectic places to furnish and upkeep your home. Your primary housing options are private villas, although condos and townhouses are available in some areas.

The most sought-after location is the French Lowlands, home to a mix of Europeans and North Americans, many of whom are artists, celebrities, business people or retirees.

If you are a major food and wine fan, consider Grand Case. Once a sleepy fishing village, it is now a gourmet haven. Limited development has begun in and around Grand Case.

If you are a beach addict, love being in the midst of the action while also enjoying some tropical solitude, consider Orient Bay, where the beach is the main attraction. Villas, townhouses and condos begin at the beach and head up into the hills. The views are spectacular.

Relaxing Research
Now that you know some of the options, the best way to decide where you want to live is to spend time here before making the leap. You’ll have time to drive around the island and explore both sides, always keeping in mind that wherever you decide to buy, you are always within close proximity to the rest of the island.

For your exploration base camp, consider renting a villa or condo so you can begin to feel and be “local.” As most private villas and condos only offer short-term rental, consider renting long term.

Sied Properties is an affordable option for spending more than just a few short days in beautiful Sint Maarten. Even though you can rent on a short-term basis from Sied, their specialty is long-term rental. Their properties are perfect for both families investigating options for buying an offshore home and business travelers who wish to invest commercially in the island. Sied’s fully furnished and fully serviced apartments range in size from well-appointed studios to one-, two- and three-bedroom condos. All have access to outdoor amenities. Depending on the property, you’ll enjoy access to common terraces, pools and Jacuzzis. Some of the apartments have ocean views. As each unit has either a kitchenette or full kitchen, you can explore the island’s food stores and cook like a local. Staying and living in a long-term rental apartment combines the convenience of a hotel with the ambience of life on St. Maarten/St. Martin.

All Sied’s apartments are in prime living locations, including Beacon Hill and Pelican Bay on the Dutch side and Grand Case on the French side. The rates range from $99 per night for short-term to $650 to $2500 per month for long-term rental. The professionals at Sied will assist you in choosing the most appropriate location to suit your needs. Contact Sied at 721-544-2356 or e-mail info@siedproperties.com.

Turn to the island's professionals for assistance with business or to plan your trip back. Get contact information for business and real estate from our online guide.