HARRISON DROUIN-REED: LIVING IN PARADISE
Pick up your own piece of the rock with the help of knowledgeable St. Maarten/St. Martin native Harrison Drouin-Reed.
By Alita Singh
The real estate business courses through the veins of Harrison Drouin-Reed, managing director and broker at St. Martin Sotheby’s International Realty. He grew up in the business, seeing his mom, Lesley Reed, make the dream of buying a St. Maarten/St. Martin home a reality for her clients. He also experienced the way those clients, many of whom became family friends, connected with the island of his birth. Drouin-Reed says entering the real estate field on the island was “a natural transition” once his studies abroad were completed.
The island’s inventory is moving at a rapid pace after a bit of a slump due to Hurricane Irma in 2017. Now, properties are being sold quickly and new inventory is in the process of coming online. “This island is a viable investment,” he asserts.
Other factors that have contributed to the increased demand in real estate include ease of access from different parts of the world, the island’s geographic position in the Caribbean, and its well-developed infrastructure.
“St. Maarten has a lot to offer discerning clients who want a place for investment or as a vacation getaway,” Drouin-Reed says. “We are seeing more and more people from North America and Europe investing here, especially after the pandemic. We have a touch of European culture. We are accessible, and the real estate market is always on the move. This is a good time to consider the island.”
What’s more, St. Maarten/St. Martin’s proximity to other islands offers more than a singular experience. “We offer a tri-island experience: St. Maarten/St. Martin, St. Barths, and Anguilla,” he says. “There’s the European and Caribbean feel all in one.”
Drouin-Reed is passionate about his island. That passion and his commitment to real estate were further ignited when his real estate firm was franchised by Sotheby’s International Realty. St. Martin Sotheby’s International Realty is the island’s leading full-service broker, offering sales and long-term rentals of sought-after properties, luxury vacation rentals, and a top-class concierge service.
“I see the franchise as a way to also promote the destination and open it up more to high-net-worth individuals,” he says. “We have seen clients who only discovered the island via a friend’s recommendation or opted for a visit due to a direct flight. They come, and they fall in love with the island. The first step is getting them here; the rest falls into place.”
For those who are new to the island, Drouin-Reed has a suggestion: “Put on your swimsuit. Go to the beach — there are so many to choose from — and just soak up the sunshine.”
Going out on a boat is another island must-do. “The waters off the island are incredible,” he shares. “The boating options are exceptional — from just going out on the water to see sea turtles and dolphins to taking a trip to Pinel or one of the neighboring islands, there is so much to do.”
He also encourages visitors and potential residents to sample the island’s cuisine: “This is the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. Try as many restaurants and cuisines as you can!”
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