What sellers pay in Sint Maarten: the agent commission is customarily the seller's cost, while transfer tax and notary fees usually fall on the buyer.
Category: Ownership Costs & Legal
Ownership Costs & Legal
Articles on Ownership Costs & Legal from Island Dream Realty.
How to Sell Your Property in Sint Maarten: Step-by-Step
Selling a property in Sint Maarten step by step: list with an agent, the 48-hour offer window, the sales agreement, and the notary transfer, including remote sales.
US Buyers and Caribbean Property: Taxes, FATCA & FBAR Basics
A plain-English overview for US buyers of a Sint Maarten property: worldwide income, rental-income reporting, and when FATCA and FBAR come into play.
Capital Gains Tax on Sint Maarten Property (Dutch vs French Side)
There is no capital gains tax on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten. The French side has up to 33%. Here is what sellers and investors need to know.
Sint Maarten Closing Costs: The Full 6-7%, Line by Line
Closing costs are the fees on top of the purchase price that make a sale legal and final. On the Dutch side of Sint Maarten they are refreshingly predictable. Here is the complete breakdown so there are no surprises at the notary’s office. Quick answer: Budget about 6-7% of the purchase price for closing costs...
Sint Maarten Transfer Tax Explained: What Buyers Pay at Closing
After the purchase price itself, transfer tax is the single largest cost of buying property on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten. Here is exactly what it is, how much you pay, and where it fits in your total closing costs. Quick answer: On the Dutch side, buyers pay a property transfer tax (overdrachtsbelasting) of...
Is There Property Tax in Sint Maarten? (No, Here’s What You Actually Pay)
A major reason buyers choose the Dutch side of Sint Maarten is its light tax treatment of property. Here is the straight answer on what you pay, and, more importantly, what you do not. Quick answer: The Dutch side of Sint Maarten has no annual property tax and no capital gains tax. The only significant...
Renovating a Sint Maarten Villa: Costs and Contractors
TL;DR Renovating a villa in Sint Maarten typically costs $150 to $400 per square foot depending on scope, with full gut renovations of larger homes running into the high six figures. Budget 15 to 25 percent on top of estimates for contingencies, imported materials, and shipping. Success hinges on hiring a licensed, reputable contractor, getting...
Sint Maarten LLC Setup for Property Ownership
TL;DR You do not need an offshore LLC in Sint Maarten to buy property: foreigners can own real estate directly. Many buyers still use a local company (a B.V., the LLC-style private limited, or an N.V.) for liability protection, estate planning, and privacy. Setup runs roughly $1,500–$3,500 through a local notary and attorney, with annual...
Sint Maarten Wills and Inheritance: A Foreign Owner’s Guide
TL;DR A Sint Maarten will and inheritance plan matters because the Dutch side follows civil-law rules, including forced heirship that reserves a portion of your estate for your children no matter what your home-country will says. Property here is transferred through a notary, and without local planning your heirs can face a slow, costly probate....