An Island Real Estate profile
By Kimberly Turner
Visitors and residents just can’t help but enjoy the crystal blue waters, the warm and tantalizing aroma, and the lush tropical forest of St. Maarten.
This is why the current trend of this peaceful Caribbean Island is that visitors and families are vacationing, returning and eventually buying homes in this region, according to Arun Jagtiani, a Realtor with Island Real Estate Team.
“The quality of life is fantastic here,” said Jagtiani. “People just decide they want to spend more time here because of a combination of things; the beaches, the nightlife, the great tax benefits and the Caribbean feel.”
Specializing in the sale of residential properties, Jagtiani and The Island Real Estate Team, which has been working in St. Maarten since 2008, emphasizes discovering clients’ needs and wants in their quest to purchase homes.
“Our entire focus is to represent clients in this region with integrity and overall professionalism, making the process as easy as possible,” said Jagtiani.
Within this process, Jagtiani, who has been in the Real Estate business since 2002, expects the current market in St. Maarten to continue to remain very steady with no appreciation or depreciation of prices — a stark contrast to other housing markets.
“In St. Maarten you don’t have a must-sell situation,” said Jagtiani. “We don’t have foreclosures and people are well qualified and don’t need to sell at bargain prices.”
This creates a bustling community within the 37-square-mile- wide island, which is divided into two territories — the Dutch side (St. Maarten) and the French side (St. Martin). The Dutch side, known as the gourmet capital of the world with 400 restaurants and its distinct and diverse charm, is also close to the international airport. With its favorable tax policies that include no annual real estate tax or capital gains tax, St. Maarten attracts many American buyers.
Diversity flows throughout this transportation hub as it allows for travel to other Caribbean islands such as St. Barth, permitting St. Maarten to keep pace with its real estate equilibrium.
“We are very dependent on foreign markets,” said Jagtiani. “When those markets start to thrive we will start to see prices rise.”
In this dependent market, the Island Real Estate Team, which consists of 15 agents, does its best to help serve clients’ needs, but still faces obstacles along the way.
According to Jagtiani, people are looking for deals and the challenge lies in getting some sellers to lower their expectations as they plan to sell, unless they want to wait a few years to seal the deal and buyers will have to accept that.
“My advice would be to not buy on speculation,” said Jagtiani. “Buyers should make sure they have an emotional appeal to the property, and that they plan to use it.”
Since most of the Island Real Estate team members are seasoned veterans, with an exception of four freshmen on the team, the group has a lot of energy and enthusiasm combining youth and experience.
“We have a real powerhouse here,” said Jagtiani. “Many have worked on deals before and the seasoned veterans offer guidance, creating a exciting synergy of youth and experience, which is unique.”
With their focus to represent clients in sincerity and proficiency, the Island Real Estate Team and Jagtiani find that the most memorable experiences they have had are through building relationships with their clients.
“My most memorable experience is the friends that I have made, the positive effects of seeing the satisfaction in their homes and knowing I have a special piece in that,” said Jagtiani.
