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Sibarth is the longest standing St Barths real estate agency. It has been working on the island since 1975, a time when St Barths was barely known. Now, with the island among the most famously wealthy in the Caribbean, the company has become the largest agency ion the island and it handles some of the most prestigious and expensive property in the region. Sibarth Real Estate sells all types of property in all locations around St Barts, but its primary business is the sale of the 500 or so private houses on the island. The company covers real estate sales and long-term rental and it shares a building its sister company Sibarth/Wimco, which offers short term villa rentals for holidaymakers. See our Review of Sibarth/Wimco.
Sibarth Real Estate is headed up by managing partner Christian Wattiau, a Belgian who has been with the company since 1982. In all, nine people work for the real estate side of Sibarth and they are based upstairs in the Maison Suédoise, a very pretty brick-clad house in Gustavia, just across from the waterfront on the rue Samuel Fahlberg. They also have a second, smaller office at the Eden Rock Hotel in St Jean. Beyond the island, Sibarth is affiliated to Christies Great Estates, which provides marketing services abroad for their properties on St Barths.
For a small island (just five miles by eight), there is some exceptional real estate in St Barts. Properties are located almost everywhere on the island, but the most popular areas are St Jean, because of its proximity to the liveliest beach on the island, Pointe Milou, where there are many private homes (it was the first part of the island to be developed with private homes) and Gustavia and Colombier (in the north-west), which generally have spectacular views. There are not that many properties on the beach in St Barts, so houses tend to be judged first by their setting and view, then their design, and finally by their privacy and size.
Most people buying in St Barths do so to enact a dream and so there are some truly spectacular and stylish houses on the island, often built with the best materials from around the world and up to the minute in terms of design. But there are a thousand different styles. Some are in hacienda style, some fringed with classic gingerbread fretwork from farther south in the Caribbean. Others bring the cases of traditional St Barths architecture - small houses with white stucco walls, Z patterned shutter doors and shingle or tin roofs that keep a windowless back to the wind - into modern style, so that they are open at the front and look out onto a pool, or stand in a staggered series of rooms.
It is very hard indeed to get raw land in St Barths. There is very little left and so just a handful of parcels come onto the market each year. For this reason, the vast bulk of Sibarth’s sales are the resale of private villas. The new owners either redevelop the house or knock it down completely and rebuild. For all the emotional trigger in owning property in St Barths, the market has gradually changed over the past few years as buyers have begun to keep a weather eye on costs. More people now put their properties on the short term rental market for holidaymakers.
Sibarth was set up by Brook and Roger Lacour in 1975 and after working as one business until the 1990s, the company then divided into two arms, the real estate section, Sibarth Real Estate, and the villa management and short term rentals section, Sibarth/Wimco. In all, the company (including Wimco, its arm in the USA) has around seventy staff. On island many of them are involved with villa management (staff work downstairs in the Maison Suédoise and across the courtyard) - the company has around 80 villas under management, many of which were sold through Sibarth Real Estate of course. And the two sides of the company continue to work closely together. Many buyers come through Sibarth/Wimco when they come on holiday, but then they also return to the management side of Sibarth/Wimco. They are able to advise clients when properties are coming onto the market.
Sibarth are able to smooth the way for you through the legal process of buying in the island. St Barts is French, of course, but with so many American clients, they are accustomed to dealing internationally. They can help with translation, finance and tax matters and insurance, even give advice on construction and design if you wish. Finally they can also provide administrative assistance if you are not able to be on island during the time that the deal comes to a close.
Sibarth Real Estate is the largest and most successful real estate company on St Barths and it handles a good proportion of the St Barths real estate sales on the island. The company has negotiated many of the record prices on island over the years. |
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Villa Sales
The following villas are a taste of what is available for purchase on St Barths:
| | | Villa BDR
A charming 4-bedroom property, recently refurbished with lovely sea views situated on the hillside of Terre-Neuve. The home comprises three independent bungalows.
Price: 2,700,000 €
submit enquiry to agent for more information
  
| | | Villa Kuban (KUB)
This 3-bedroom private villa offers unmatched peace and sweeping views over Flamands Bay and the outlying islands.
Price: 4.900.000€
see here for more information
| | | Villa Meli Melo (MMO)
Perched high in the hilltops, this exceptional property offers breathtaking views of two of the island’s most beautiful bays Saint-Jean and Saline. An example of modern architecture at its finest, the three-bedroom, and four-bath villa boasts pure, clean lines and superb contemporary furnishings.
Price: 11.900.000€
see here for more information
| | | Villa Zanzibar (DEL)
Perched high up in Pointe Milou, this recently built 3-bedroom villa benefits from a great location and a spectacular ocean view.
Price: 3.200.000€
see here for more information
| | | Villa Oxygen (OXY)
Two bedroom cottage with wooden-shingle roof and interior dinind courtyard. Villa Oxygen sits on the fashinable beach of Saint Jean, right in the heart of the shops and restaurants.
Price: 4,750,000€
see here for more information
| | | Villa Praline (PRA)
This elegant two bedroom villa sits on the hillside overlooking Anse Des Cayes with beautiful views out to the Caribbean Sea
Price: 2,475,000€
see here for more information
| | | Villa Tatiana (TIA)
5 bedroom minimalist villa with large terrace and three dining areas for both entertainment and privacy.
Price: US$9,000,000
see here for more information
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Land Sales
The following plots are an example of the land for sale on St Barths:
| | | Grand Cul de Sac (SAM)
Find true paradise in St Barth with this exceptional beach front property (.43 Acre)! Lined with local résiniers and coconut trees, this property sits upon the sandy white beach of Grand Cul de Sac and offers an impregnable view of its magnificent blue lagoon.
Price: 10,000,000 €
submit enquiry to agent for more information
| | | Terrain Saint Barthelemy - CDS
This beautiful parcel of land (.47 acre) is situated along the peaceful hillside of Vitet, in an exceptionally enchanting and natural environment. The 180 degree view overlooks the Caribbean Sea, as well as the magnificent lagoons of Grand and Petit Cul de Sac. A construction permit has been obtained for a one, two or three-bedroom villa with swimming pool and terraces.
Price: 2,900,000 €
submit enquiry to agent for more information
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Condos / Apartment Sales
The following apartments are for sale on St Barths and show a representation of what is on offer from Sibarth Real Estate:
| | | Appartement TNU
Fr: Propriétés en vente Saint Barthelemy: appartement dans la résidence "les Terrasses de Saint Barth" avec une vue panoramique surplombant la baie de Saint Jean. English: Great opportunity to buy this 2-bedroom apartment with panoramic views overlooking St Jean Bay.
Price: 900.000 €
submit enquiry to agent for more information
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Enquiries
If you are looking for a property to purchase on St Barths, please contact Sibarth Real Estate by using the DIRECT EMAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page. For further details you may also use the WEB LINK or click on the TELEPHONE CONTACT NUMBER, which will reveal the telephone number. |
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Currency Exchange
When buying property abroad, it pays to consider carefully the method of transferring the money. Do not assume your bank will provide the best rates or the best service when it comes to large currency transactions. By exchanging currency at commercial exchange rates it may be possible to save a significant amount.
Currency brokers HIFX plc are based in Windsor in the UK, but they also have offices in San Francisco, Australia, New Zealand and Spain. Regardless of where you live, they are happy to assist you and – with their extremely competitive exchange rates - they should save you money on your currency transfer.
The price of Caribbean property is almost always quoted in US Dollars or Euros on French and Dutch islands. However with floating exchange rates, the cost to you (in, say pounds or Canadian Dollars) will continue to change as the rate fluctuates between exchange and completion. HIFX can help you to fix the exchange rate, even if you don't have all the funds available up front. You should speak to their dealers to discuss this. On single transfers they have a minimum of £5000 or equivalent in another currency, but they have a facility for regular payments abroad, which works well in the case of a foreign mortgage or a pension transfer. This is via direct debit from your UK bank and carries no transfer fees.
HIFX consultants are consistently friendly and offer a good personal service to private clients and major corporate clients alike. Whether you are the Royal Mail or Mrs Jones from Devon, the company says, its job is to save you money and to keep the transfer process as simple as possible.
To read more about HIFX please use the banner below to link to their website, which also gives access to the online currency converter (there are just a few fields to complete before you gain access).
Alternatively, HIFX have assigned a dedicated broker to help customers that come via Definitive Caribbean. Her name is Polly Summers, you may reach her by email here. Just mention our name to get the best service. If you live in the UK you may also contact her on a dedicated number at 0845 3705227. |
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All the information on this page comes to you free of charge and we do not earn commission from your business. Please remember to mention DefinitiveCaribbean when you contact Sibarth Real Estate to enquire about St Barts real estate.
Thank you for your interest. |
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