Saba property for sale
14 homes for sale in Saba.
A single volcanic cone rising straight out of the sea, with no beach, four villages and a building code that keeps every roof red and every wall white.
Explore the local character.
A sample of what is for sale here. We confirm availability when you enquire.
Apartment18 photos3-bedroom ground-floor apartment at Grand Windsock Resort, Belnem
Grand Windsock Resort
- 3 beds
- 2 baths
Condo5 photos2-bedroom penthouse condo in Kralendijk, Bonaire
- 2 beds
- 2 baths
- 1,561 ft²
Villa30 photos3-bedroom villa in Belnem at Grand Windsock Resort with private pool
Grand Windsock Resort
- 3 beds
- 2 baths
House5 photos2-bedroom house in Booby Hill, Windward Side, Saba
- 2 beds
- 3 baths
- 1,938 ft²
House5 photosHistoric Daphne Cottage with Ocean View in Windwardside Saba
- 2 beds
- 2 baths
- 753 ft²
House4 photos2-bedroom house on Saba Island
- 2 beds
- 1 bath
- 28,847 ft²
Penthouse12 photos2-bedroom penthouse in Resort Bonaire, Belnem
- 2 beds
- 2 baths
VillaLand on the Path to Mount Scenery For Sale with Parking Lot in Windwardside Saba
- 28,923 ft²
House12 photos4 Bedroom Home for Sale, English Quarter, Windwardside, Saba
- 4 beds
- 4 baths
Villa20 photos1 Bedroom Waterfront Cottage for Sale, Cove Bay, Saba
- 1 bed
- 2 baths
- 12,217 ft²
Guesthouse9 photos7 Cottage Boutique Hotel for Sale in Saba's Booby Hill
- 8 beds
- 8 baths
- 19,569 ft²
House4 photosDaphne Cottage UNDER CONTRACT
- 2 beds
- 2 baths
- 753 ft²
Villa5 photosThe Mill at Zion’s Hill * Unique Residence * Saba Island * Caribbean Paradise
- 1 bed
- 1 bath
- 18,363 ft²
Villa5 photosTroy Hill Residence - Overlooking the Capital of Saba
- 2 beds
- 3 baths
- 1,195 ft²
Saba is five square miles of slope. The road that connects the villages was hand-built because engineers said it could not be done, and it still defines how the island works. Houses are wooden, gabled and shuttered in a vernacular that is protected rather than merely traditional — what you can build, and in what style, is constrained by law.
What ownership involves
Saba is a special municipality of the Netherlands, so its administration and land registration sit within the Dutch system rather than an independent one. That is a different framework from most of the region, and a local notary is the right starting point.
The trade-off
There is no beach and there never will be; the water is reached by ladder or boat, and the diving is the draw. The airstrip is one of the shortest in commercial use and takes only small aircraft from St Maarten, with the ferry as the alternative when weather closes it. Fog and rain are frequent at elevation. Very few houses are for sale in any given year, the medical school shapes the rental demand, and a sale means waiting for the one buyer the island suits.
What people say about Saba
Summary
Saba is described as a very small hillside market where buying is slow and building is costly. Title passes by deed before a civil-law notary; the island has none, so Sint Maarten notaries act.
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A law-firm guide gives transfer tax at 5% of the price, notary fees of USD 100 to about USD 10,000, and says there is no land registry yet, though one is planned. A 2022 press report quotes an island councillor alleging that money has sat in escrow for years because of notary capacity; that is one politician's claim. The island government's 2024 paper says plots are mostly on hillsides and need excavation, a cistern, a septic tank and strong foundations, costing USD 50,000-100,000 per home before building, with construction of USD 200,000-300,000 for a simple house. It adds that few banks lend and none from the Netherlands; the 2022 report cites 6-7% interest and 20-30% down. Permits can take 16-24 weeks, and the government says building without permits continues. One homeowner expects resale could take years or decades. Hurricane-season repairs are described as costly, and non-US foreign nationals need residence permits and proof of means. No sources were found on rental yield, healthcare or insurance.
- Concern No notary on the island; deeds go through Sint Maarten notaries; one councillor alleges long escrow delays · 3
- Mixed Transfer tax 5% plus notary fees; no land registry yet (planned) · 2
- Concern Building is costly: hillside excavation, cistern, septic tank, foundations before construction starts · 3
- Concern Mortgages scarce and expensive; high deposits; no Netherlands lenders · 3
- Concern Buying and especially selling is slow in a very small market · 1
- Mixed Building permits required; decisions can take 16-24 weeks; unpermitted building still occurs · 2
- Concern Hurricane season and tropical climate make home maintenance and repairs expensive · 3
- Mixed Non-US foreign nationals need residence/work permits and proof of means · 2
- Mixed Government affordable-housing push (about 50 homes by 2030) aimed at residents, not buyers from abroad · 2
Based on 11 sources
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Under the regime of the WTU-BES, having sufficient means of support, is a prerequisite for obtaining a residence permit.
The costs of home maintenance and repairs are high on Saba, and the challenges posed by extreme weather are serious, with the hurricane season lasting between June and November.
Although ISP tries to process permit requests as quickly as possible, this process can take up to 16 weeks or, if necessary, can be extended to 24 weeks.
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It is much more difficult to either buy or sell a home on Saba than it is in the USA, so having bought a home here you have to be under the assumption that it would take years or decades to sell if you decided to leave.
Saba has a strong tradition of building one’s own home. The preparatory work, including excavation, installation of a water cistern, septic tank and foundations, is very expensive.
Built costs (in addition to upfront costs) are in the range of 200,000 to 300,000 USD for a simple home with few constraints.
These elements bring additional costs for drinking water, sewage and construction-preparation (bouwrijp maken) services that are normally provided by municipalities in the European Netherlands. These costs range between 50.000 and 100.000 USD per home, or more on complex sites.
Interest rates are also very high: about six to seven per cent. In addition, banks require a 20-30 per cent down payment.
We have cases where people’s money has been in escrow for several years because the notary didn’t have the time.
Transfer tax ( overdrachtsbelasting ) is 5% of the purchase price .
There is no land registry ( Kadaster ) at the moment on Saba. This will change however, with the implementation of the Land Registry Act Bes ( Kadasterwet BES ).
Since there is no notary on Saba (or Statia), the notaries in Sint Maarten are empowered to carry out their duties on Saba (and Statia).
Developments in Saba
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