Sint Maarten is the smaller, Dutch part of a beautiful and lively Caribbean island shared peacefully with Saint Martin of France where you find no real border or barriers for travel between the two countries. Collectively known as the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, it is the smallest land mass in the world shared by two different nations. The Dutch section of the island, St. Maarten has become one of the Caribbean's most popular vacation and shopping destinations with spectacular beaches and nightlife.

In Philipsburg, the capital, there are more than 500 stores in pastel-colored, clapboard Dutch-style buildings selling luxury goods. Many visitors arrive on cruise ships putting in for one-day shopping trips. Then for truly local shopping with a Caribbean flavor, do not miss Philipsburg's Saturday market.

Real Estate in St. Maarten
Sint Martin is found at the top of the chain of islands that form the Lesser Antilles and is just over 180 miles (300 km) east of Puerto Rico. The land is only 17 square miles out of the total 53 mile (87 km²) shared with Saint Martin; of which five square miles lie under the waters of lagoons and salt ponds. One of the Caribbean's largest lagoons is the Simpson Bay Lagoon in St. Maarten; which is a complete landlocked body of water with the exception of two narrow channels with draw bridges. This lagoon is large enough to enjoy a challenging sail and is home to a vast number of yachts found in one of the luxury marinas or anchored in the lagoons sheltered waters. As a result, real estate around Simpson Bay provides incredible scenic views. In fact, St. Maarten has become the yachting center and haven of the Caribbean and hosts some of the world largest mega yachts along with a daily number of cruise ships.   Thus real estate views throughout the island are enhanced with boats of all types and size doting the seas and shores.

Aside from its pristine shores, St. Maarten provides a variety of landscape with its central mountain range and rugged and interesting terrain, with winding roads that go through small villages and to still plenty of untouched land.  Buying real estate in St. Maarten is as diverse as buying on the mainland.

There are no restrictions on ownership of private property by non-residents in St. Maarten.  Further, as a self-governing island, St. Maarten as with the other islands within the Netherland Antilles is an overseas territory of the Netherlands which provides assurance of foreign ownership.  Slated for the future; The Netherlands Antilles is planned to be dispelled as a unified political entity and the five islands that form the Netherland Antilles will acquire new constitutional status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.  The restructuring will still position St. Maarten as a self-governing part of the Netherlands and as an overseas territory and will in fact make it an autonomous associated state, recognizing it as a separate constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands (such as Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles are now). Thus regardless of St. Maarten’s upcoming political change, foreign ownership protection is and will be assured and in place.

Upon finding and purchasing your new St. Maarten vacation home you will require a notaris but not a lawyer.   This is because the notari will take care of all legal matters; including due diligence. Notaris are appointed by the Dutch government and mandated by law to serve both the buyer and the seller.  In total the time to close for your property will be about 6-8 weeks to complete.

The currency in St. Maarten is the Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin (ANG) but US Dollars are also widely accepted and prices are usually quoted in Dollars as well as Guilders.  The Netherland Antilles Guilder is currently trading at US Dollar $1 to ANG 1.38.

The beauty of buying in St. Maarten is not limited to just its pristine shores.  St. Maarten has so many appealing features from its European/Caribbean culture with American comforts to its cosmopolitan lifestyle, golfing, endless water sports, duty free shopping on jewelry, perfumes, liquors, tobacco, boat products and more, to its 12 casinos and fabulous night life, its culinary delightful restaurants, its friendly and safe shores along with its open investor friendly legislation.  It is truly a delight to own vacation home real estate on St. Maarten.

 And did we mention beaches, beaches and more beaches?  Whatever the mood St. Maarten has a beach for you from remote stretches of sand to the active beach scenes.  One of St. Maarten’s most re-known beaches is found at the base of the islands Princess Juliana International Airport (sxm) where large jets in their descent seem to loom only a few feet above sunbathers; a spectacular sight enjoyed by all including the many patrons of the adjoining beach restaurants and hotels.   The St. Maarten airport is the second busiest airport in the Eastern Caribbean, after the San Juan, Puerto Rico International Airport and has direct flights arriving from the US and Europe, serving as a hub and gateway for the smaller Leeward Islands, including Anguilla, Saba, St. Barthélemy and St. Eustatius.

The ever so popular and active St. Maarten Carnival is held in April. The rhythm is so all encompassing from the Carnival costumes to the music.  It truly is a celebration extravaganza and one not to miss.  

So for a bit of the exotic and a lot of flavor, come to St. Maarten.  Owning real estate in St. Maarten is nothing less than a golden opportunity.