REMARKABLE RENTALS
Founded in 1989, St. Barth Properties kicked off its realty journey by cementing itself as the go-to for luxury villa rentals on the island. Seeing much success, the company grew over the years, as did the team’s expertise, attracting more and more clients. In 1999, a decade after its inception, the business expanded to include real estate sales. In constant evolution, the brand now also offers various added-value services, including extensive property management and first-rate concierge services through its rental office.
A family-orientated brand at its core, St. Barth Properties draws upon its 30-plus years of experience on the island to guarantee clients the best in vacation rentals on this slice of Caribbean paradise. Its knowledge of the locale’s dynamics gives the company an upper hand, as does its network of local contacts and efficiently targeted marketing that allows it to reach clients on a global scale. But more than anything, it’s the company’s passion for St. Barth and what it can offer visitors that sets its service apart.
Initially conceived by Peg Walsh, St. Barth Properties was envisioned to cater for her self-experienced gap in the island’s rental market. Because of the league of the villas encompassing St. Barth Properties’ portfolio, it catapulted from a small side-hustle to a full-fledged international enterprise. This was further accelerated when Walsh’s son, Tom Smyth, joined the team in 1992. Fresh out of college with a business degree, he set the wheels in motion to capitalise on the opportunities brought by modern technology. From a new website in 2014 to marketing the villas online and through social media, the company became increasingly popular among travellers looking to rent villas on the island.
One of the trickiest aspects of the business is effectively communicating the beauty and allure of the properties without clients viewing them first-hand. This is but one facet where St. Barth Properties’ expertise shines. The brand is well-versed in creating high-quality, richly illustrated, and engaging content to inspire clientele. This includes ultra-high-definition videography, virtual tours and quality photography that is widely distributed across multiple media platforms to boost exposure.
Another element of St. Barth Properties that places it above the rest is its dedication to providing end-to-end service with its concierge offerings. It’s not enough to just visit the island; travellers should have the opportunity to explore the land and enjoy its lifestyle in all its glory – and this is precisely what St. Barth Properties facilitates.
As part of a brand new partnership with Nocturne Luxury Villas, an innovative and visionary company founded by seasoned veterans in the hospitality industry, St. Barth Properties is further extending its ability to better serve its valued clients. Operating under its Exceptional Stays brand, St. Barth Properties will join the company in revolutionising the luxury vacation rental industry, offering clients the best options and services delivered with unmatched know-how and authentic geniality.
BUYING BLISS
With the triumph of St. Barth Properties’ rental services, the time came to separate its renting and purchasing sectors to maximise the offerings on both ends. In saying so, one of the most significant steps St. Barth Properties took in its path to ensuring excellence in both realms was joining forces with globally revered Sotheby’s International Realty in 2005. The only truly worldwide real estate brand, Sotheby’s International Realty boasts a network of residential brokerage companies across over 1000 offices in more than 75 countries and territories. Partnering with the brand provided St. Barth Properties with the platform to push their villa sales to the next dimension with the new St. Barth Sotheby’s International Realty office.
Brimming with resources, Sotheby’s International Realty focuses on doing the most for its clients with distinction, leveraging its unmatched network of potential buyers. And this is something that St. Barth Sotheby’s International Realty diligently upholds in its services on the island. The company’s local team of professionals not only has a wealth of knowledge, but equally a reputation of providing top-quality service and the best in marketing exposure. From sothebys.com to media authorities like Architectural Digest, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Mansion Global, plus through Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, the properties reach the right audience, all of the time.
In addition to marketing activities and facilitating property purchases, St. Barth Sotheby’s International Realty offers its clients a complete array of post-sale services. These range from assistance with the practical, such as setting up an island bank account and arranging for utilities, wifi and cable TV services, to the aesthetic, including advising of furnishing and décor. For those renovating or building a new home, the company can also liaise with architects on the client’s behalf.
Property management services have also skyrocketed in demand due to the island’s appeal as a vacation destination. St. Barth Sotheby’s International Realty is pleased to offer its expertise in this regard, presenting clients with recommendations in hiring experienced villa managers to look after their property and its renting activities. Owners renting their villas are responsible for controlling planning processes, such as recording rental dates and accurately displaying the property’s availability for potential renters. As an expert in the industry and its requirements, the company also offers an administrative package that includes overseeing and paying the monthly bills, collecting fees owed by other rental agencies, and submitting payment to owners in their requested manner. The package also comprises a monthly report on all financial transactions.
All in all, with the joint forces of St. Barth Properties and St. Barth Sotheby’s International Realty, renting or purchasing a villa on the island has never been easier, or more lucrative.
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Visit stbarthsir.com and stbarth.com to find out more.
Images © Laurent Benoit and Jeanne Le Menn