TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin House Hunters in SXM Sunday

House Hunters International will be on HGTV this Sunday, October 2, 9pm eastern, 8pm central. Featuring couple from St Louis and perhaps a visit to Tijon Perfumery.

Thanks for the info! It's always so nice to get an SXM "fix" in some form or another!

Thanks for the heads up. Was disappointed watching below deck on bravo channel the new season is not in SXM.

Just once, for comparison, I'd like to see them feature a property or two on the French side.

The reason they don't, I think, is because the tax laws are such that most Americans are not interested in purchasing on the French side.

From what I understand about the tax differences, and it is limited, that wouldn't necessarily stop me from selecting one side over the other. The French inheritance laws, though, really do complicate estate planning, and done improperly, can really muck up clear title, rendering a sale virtually impossible.

OK, thanks for that clarification.

There are no real state taxes or capital gains taxes on the Dutch side.....it's a no brainer. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

I just meant for comparison's sake. There are many beautiful houses in the French side - someone must own them, including Americans. There doesn't seem to be a heck of a lot of difference in most of the properties I've seen.

IMO you're 100% correct Terres Basses has the nicest properties on the island. Most would be priced in the millions....... if I had that kind of $$$ to spend I don't think I go on a TV show to buy. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Looks like it is Caribbean Life not HHI - HGTV at 9pm on Sunday.
FYI - we did purchase a property on the French side.
Not easy but when it's right - you go for it!!

You may get your wish. My info says they are buying a vacation home in Orient area.

Last year's Below Deck also was not in SXM They only shot the first season on SXM.....and i thought the show has gone down considerably since season 1.

Thank you for posting, Norm. Just set the DVR. I too, would like to see properties featured from the French side.

Thanks for the notice - DVR is set, only thing is that it is listed as Caribbean Life not House Hunters International on our listing.

"Ask & you shall receive" - thanks, Norm, my favorite area.

Think it was the best of the SXM shows. Tijon got a little publicity.

I totally thought the whole French side preference was done by the producers to get exposure to the French side but they were really going to go Dutch....especially after the "oh we will need 110 outlets" comment. I was pleasantly surprised and hope more episodes of these type shows will focus on the French side just so I can see more French side landmarks. I've seen so many of the Dutch side episodes that they all now seem the same.

No. we really wanted to be on the French side.

Congrats on your purchase - I thought it was an excellent episode. We also prefer the vibe on the French side and your place certainly looks island-ish (meaning that in a good way). Thanks for sharing. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

It's nice to hear there was some authenticity to the show. I definitely think you picked the right home, based on what you said you were looking for. I hope everything went through without any snags; buying property in another country can be frightening! Also nice to see our friends John and Cyndi from Tijon, and I'm guessing they're a good resource for you in your move, having experienced the same thing. Best wishes in your future on the island!

What was the deal with going to the front door of the home in Dawn Beach. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Congrats Beth and Steve! You're so lucky, definitely love the French side the best as well! Great show!

Congratulations. Love watching HGTV shows featuring SXM.

We would have probably gone for the oceanfront spot on Cupecoy. And it's about as close to being on the French side with a French atmosphere (particularly considering the beach) as you can get without being on the French side. And that tax issue. But we wouldn't require room for visiting family so we don't have the same requirements as Beth and Steve. So congratulations to you both.

The show was looking for another place to shoot that specific scene. We never did see the inside.

How long had you been looking to purchase and how many homes did you look at in the process?

My wife and I enjoyed your quest as if it were us. We are thinking of buying as well.Could you fill us in on the annual taxes and closing costs.

Cruzer, you're so right. Inheritance laws (succession) are very difficult to prove and include hours and hours of legal assistance. Our family built a house in GC in the 1940s and are still having issues with trying to prove succession. I'm sure it is easier on the Dutch side.

we had talked about buying for several years but finally decided to buy last spring. We looked at 10-12 houses.

Closing is expensive. On the French side the closing is handled by a notary. They charge 10% of the value ascribed to the real estate. Our real estate taxes are about 0.5% of value.