How Much Does Property Insurance Cost in Sint Maarten? 2026 Windstorm & Flood Coverage Guide
TL;DR Property insurance on Sint Maarten isn’t optional in practice — most Dutch-side mortgage lenders won’t close a loan without proof of windstorm coverage in place, so foreign mortgage buyers should be pricing this before they make an offer, not after. - Premiums are driven by construction type, roof age, elevation, and distance from the […]
St Maarten Real Estate Agents: How to Choose a Buyer's Agent (Not a Listing Agent)
TL;DR Short answer: the agent driving you around a listing usually works for the seller, not you — and in a market this small, that distinction decides how hard anyone actually negotiates on your behalf. A listing agent is paid by, and legally works for, the seller — even on the day they're driving you […]
St Maarten vs Turks & Caicos vs Cayman: Comparing Caribbean Real Estate Markets for US & Canadian Buyers
TL;DR Short answer: St Maarten wins on entry price and zero annual property tax, Cayman wins on total tax exposure, and Turks & Caicos wins on USD stability — the right island depends on which of those three you value most. St Maarten has no annual property tax and no ownership restrictions for foreigners, with […]
Pre-Construction Condos in St Maarten: Buying Off-Plan, Deposit Schedules & Developer Risk (2026)
TL;DR Short answer: buying pre-construction can save you 10–20% versus a finished unit, but you're buying floor plans and a developer's word, not a walkthrough — so the deposit structure and the developer's track record matter more than the price. Pre-construction pricing on St Maarten typically runs 10–20% below comparable finished units, but that discount […]
Canadian Mortgage & Financing Options for Buying Property in St Maarten (2026)
TL;DR Short answer: Canadian banks generally won't lend directly against property in Sint Maarten, so most Canadian buyers finance through home equity at home and close here in cash — with a smaller local-financing option available if that doesn't fit. Canadian banks generally won't issue a mortgage secured against property in Sint Maarten — it's […]
Hurricane Season in St Maarten: What Buyers Should Know (2026)
TL;DR St Maarten sits in the hurricane belt, and any honest agent tells you that before you buy. Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November, with the real risk here concentrated from September to November. Hurricane Irma hit in September 2017 and was severe. The island responded: a new building regulation came into force in […]
Best Areas to Buy a Rental Property in St Maarten (2026)
For a rental property in St Maarten, location does most of the work. The Dutch-side areas that rent best are Simpson Bay for convenience, Cupecoy for quiet luxury and sunsets, and Maho for the buzz around the beach and boardwalk. Each draws a slightly different guest, and each has trade-offs. I host in Simpson Bay […]
Managing a Vacation Rental in St Maarten From Abroad (2026)
You can own a St Maarten vacation rental from anywhere, but you cannot run one from anywhere. Someone has to be on the island for check-ins, cleaning, and the small emergencies that always land at the worst time. I host my own two Superhost rentals here, so I know the work up close. This guide […]
Is St Maarten a Good Place to Invest in Property? (2026)
St Maarten can be a good place to invest, but only with your eyes open. The real advantages are genuine: no annual property tax on the Dutch side, freehold ownership for foreigners, the US dollar in daily use, a busy airport with direct US and European flights, and steady short-term rental demand. The real risks […]
Short-Term Rental Rules & Taxes in St Maarten (2026)
St Maarten is a light-regulation market for short-term rentals, with an estimated 440 Airbnb and VRBO units on the Dutch side. There is no heavy licensing regime like some destinations, but there are taxes. Guests pay a 5 percent room tax on villa and condo stays, operators can fall under the 5 percent turnover tax […]