Frequently asked questions
about St Maarten Real Estate

• Where is BlueMarine Residences located?
• Who can own real estate on St. Maarten?
• How good an investment is St. Maarten real estate?
• What are the tax implications of owning real estate on St. Maarten?
• Will I feel at home on St. Maarten?
• What about the long-lease for the land BlueMarine is situated on?
• What is the schedule for payments?
• What are the maintenance fees?
• Will there be a rental and management service?

Where exactly is BlueMarine Residences located?

BlueMarine Residences is located just 5 minutes from the Princess Juliana International Airport. From Maho, take the first right (Pharmacy at corner) and follow the road past the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort tennis courts. BlueMarine Residence's road is then just off to the right and up the hill. Click for live Google Satellite map of St Maarten (opens in new window)

Who can own real estate on St. Maarten?

Anyone can own real estate on Dutch St. Maarten, whether as a principal residence, second residence or for rental purposes. Back to top

How good an investment is St. Maarten real estate?

In addition to being one of the leading markets for luxury leisure property investment, St. Maarten probably has more potential for appreciation than any other island in the Caribbean. At present, prices per square foot are nearly half the price of similar properties in the Bahamas, the Caymans or the Turks and Caicos. Back to top

What are the tax implications of owning real estate on St. Maarten?

Whether you choose to make BlueMarine your principal residence or a second dwelling, there are no annual property taxes on the Dutch Side of St. Maarten.

Should you choose to rent your property, 65% of the net rental income must be reported yet interest payments are fully tax deductible, provided that the balance is not negative.

When a privately-owned property is sold, there are no capital gains taxes. Back to top

Will I feel at home on St. Maarten?

While buying a home on St. Maarten is a great financial investment, it is even more importantly an investment in a great lifestyle.

There is rarely a day when weather is a concern and temperatures range from the mid-70s to the low-90s throughout the year. It's a place where the sea is always blue and the land is always green—a place of hidden oases and exciting entertainment.

Most importantly, it's a place about 50,000 people representing 108 different countries have come to call home. While there is a decidedly Caribbean charm and beauty to St. Maarten, you will find exotic dining, international shopping and great friends from all over the world to rival the most cosmopolitan center. Back to top

What about the long-lease for the land BlueMarine is situated on?

The right of long lease ("recht van erfpacht" in Dutch) is a real right of enjoyment to hold another's immovable property. It gives one the same rights as the owner of the property, unless the lease stipulates differently.

In the case of BlueMarine, the land is under long lease with the Island Territory of St. Maarten.

According to the laws of the Netherlands Antilles, a long lease is for a maximum of 60 years. At the end of this lease, however, the right of long lease would only expire in the event that the island territory and leaseholder did not reach agreement within 3 months concerning the conditions of a new right of long lease. There has never been an incidence where the island territory opposed an extension of a right of long lease. Back to top

What is the schedule for payments?

• • At the signing of the Purchase Agreement, the buyer has to pay 10% of the purchase price.
• • Upon completion of the "roof stage" (which is the casting of the slab of the floor directly above the Unit), the Buyer will pay 30%.
• • Upon installation of all external windows, sliding doors and doors, the Buyer will pay 30%.
• • Upon completion of the tiling stage the Buyer will pay 20%.
• • At the Closing the Buyer will have to pay the remaining 10%.

What are the maintenance fees?

At this stage, it is still too soon to say as final construction will be completed at the end of 2008 and certain costs may increase. Given that hurricane insurance rates are unstable, it is also too early to predict what they would be.

Maintenance fees are based on the square footage of the apartment and include: 24 hour gated security, gardening, pool service, elevator maintenance, garbage removal, use of the fitness room, and common grounds electricity and water consumption. (Apartment utilities are metered individually). Very rough "guestimates" would be:

Studio: $ 200
1 bedroom: $ 270
2 bedrooms: $ 350
3 bedrooms: $ 650
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Will there be a rental and management service?

Although it is left up to the individual owner to decide, we will have our own management company handling all services including rentals and management for individual owners. The main reason most owners choose to leave it "in-house" is because of the exclusivity we offer. When a rental is requested, we only offer our own product which maximizes your possibilities. Back to top