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How to Sell Property in St Maarten: A Seller’s Guide (2026)

Two-column page with Step 1 listing required documents and Step 2 showing action buttons for residence permit applications (Track Existing Requests and New Residence Permit Application).

A House Here Means Something Different Buying a house in St. Maarten isn’t like buying one back home. There’s no homeowner’s association cutting your grass. There’s no city crew clearing storm debris from your yard. When you own a house on this island, you own everything that comes with it — the beauty and the […]

St Maarten Investment Property: A Clear Buyer’s Guide (2026)

Aerial view of a coastal resort with white buildings, blue-roofed villas, lush greenery, and a marina along bright blue water.

When people look for the best investment property in Sint Maarten, the assumption is often that the answer is universal. A specific neighborhood, a certain property type, or a fixed formula that guarantees success. In reality, the best investment is rarely the most obvious one. It is the property that continues to make sense over time—financially, […]

Beachfront Property in St Maarten: How People Live Here (2026)

Hilly coastal town with colorful houses cascading down to the blue sea, under a bright sky with scattered clouds, foreground greenery. Signifies a scenic coastal view.

When people talk about buying a beachfront property in Sint Maarten, the conversation often starts with the view. But for those who end up owning here, it’s rarely just about the ocean in front of them. It’s about rhythm, access, privacy, and how daily life feels when the sea is part of it. I’ve worked […]

How to Get a Residence Permit in St Maarten: DIY Guide (2026)

Couple walking along a sandy beach side by side, holding flip-flops, wearing hats and bright summer clothing with clear blue water ahead.

1. To start Create an online account on https://services.sintmaartengov.org/default.aspx. You can make appointments in government offices, apply for the resident permits on this website. After creating the account, log in, and then select “Resident Permit Application”. 2. The application section Read instructions of this page (as of Nov 16, 2025). For the documents you need to […]

The Best Things to Do in St Maarten: An Insider Island Guide (2026)

The Philipsburg boardwalk in St Maarten in late afternoon, pastel storefronts and catamarans offshore

By Wei Landgraf, Sint Maarten real estate agent and full-time resident. Last updated: July 2026. The best things to do in St Maarten are watching jets land over Maho Beach, island-hopping to Pinel and Tintamarre, eating your way through Grand Case on the French side, and beach-hopping between 30-plus beaches on one small island. Because […]

St Maarten Condos for Sale: A Complete Buyer Guide (2026)

A modern multi-story waterfront hotel on a small peninsula, with palm trees, a sandy beach, and a marina full of boats nearby.

Why St. Maarten Is One of the Best Condo Markets Right Now Sint Maarten is the smallest island shared by two nations — Dutch and French — creating one of the most diverse real estate markets in the Caribbean.No restrictions for foreign buyers.Strong short-term rental market.Direct international flight access.Modern post-2017 developments.Condos offer the lowest entry […]

Inheriting Property in St Maarten: A Practical Guide (2026)

People on a wooden pier beside a red-roofed shelter, with moored boats, calm blue water, and green mountains in the background.

Inheriting Property in Sint Maarten: A Practical Guide TL;DR To inherit property Sint Maarten heirs must work through the Dutch side’s civil-law system, where a local notary (notaris) handles the transfer of title, not a lawyer in the American sense. Dutch law includes forced heirship rules that can override a will, transfer involves notary and […]

Schools in St Maarten for Expat Families: What I Tell Relocating Clients (2026)

Aerial view of a modern multi-story resort on a small island, surrounded by turquoise water, with a marina full of boats and a tree-lined promenade along the shore.

Best Schools in Sint Maarten for Expat Families TL;DR Expat families moving to Sint Maarten usually choose English-language private schools, with Learning Unlimited Preparatory School and Caribbean International Academy among the most common picks for US and Canadian children. Public schools run mainly in Dutch, which is why most relocators go private. Plan for annual […]

St Maarten Mortgage for Foreigners: American Buyer Guide (2026)

Aerial view of white modern villas along a tropical hillside next to a sandy beach and blue sea.

Dutch Bank Mortgage Requirements for American Buyers TL;DR Getting a Dutch bank mortgage as an American buyer on Sint Maarten is possible but harder than at home. Expect a 30 to 40 percent down payment, interest rates roughly 1 to 3 points above US rates, proof of local or regional income preferred, and a slow […]

St Maarten Property Tax: What Owners Pay Each Year (2026)

Coastal town with blue water, boats anchored in a calm harbor, and pastel buildings along a hillside under a bright blue sky.

Property Tax in Sint Maarten: Annual Costs Explained TL;DR Property tax in Sint Maarten is low compared to North America. On the Dutch side there is no annual recurring real estate tax the way US and Canadian owners are used to. Your real recurring costs are a one-time transfer tax of 4% at purchase, rental […]