Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

Divi Village opened its new lobby earlier this week. The spacious new facility was also designed to serve guests checking into the Divi Links Residences and the Dutch Village. The center stage is occupied by a user-friendly front desk, the right wing is dedicated to timeshare sales, and the left wing to a sunken lobby bar, with comfortable seating and an upstairs round lounge hanging just below the tree tops, overlooking the sunsets on the beach and the 9th hole lagoon.
High ceilings, fans, natural wood beams, rough-cut stone walls, and open windows and doors, the lobby allows the tropical exterior to become an integral part of the structure.
General Manager of the Divi Village, Gerrit Griffith, who recently won the Shoco Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in tourism was on hand to welcome guests at check in and the local taxi drivers, visiting the new lobby for the first time. Opening later in January, the Alhambra Mall’s lovely cluster of more than a dozen dining and shopping outlets. A food court featuring Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts and Little Caesars Pizza with air-conditioned indoor or tropical outdoor seating, a mini market, The Lazy Lizard gift store, Fusion, a stylish Jazz & Cigar Wine Lounge, and Ginger, Divi’s own famed Asian-Fusion restaurant, serving exotic dishes in a chic and contemporary setting. The mall is open from the early afternoon to late in the evening.

Source:aruba.com

When you are considering purchasing an Aruba Home Buy low, sell high. Isn’t that what we are taught from an early age? If you want to put this valuable life lesson to the test, 2012 may be the best year in the last 3 decades to do so. These tips below may just help you to get started in the buying process-

1. Consult a Mortgage Provider

- Have your credit checked.

- Ascertain what your price range is

- Beginning with this particular step will answer many questions and take away any doubts or myths you may have.

2. Consult a Coldwell Banker Aurba Realtor
- At Coldwell Banker Aurba Real Estate we are here to help, we will take you step-by-step through every aspect of the purchasing process. Whether it’s suggesting a mortgage provider which has the very best options, values of property or information on maintaining your home when you have found the perfect place. Coldwell Banker provide the very best knowledge and understanding from beginning to end.

3. Get familiar with the local communities and types of homes in the areas you would like to live in.

- Internet searches and open houses are an good way to begin your research.

- Visiting the areas you are interested in to check out the local amenities and chat to people already living there will give you a feel for what living there will be like

4. Start putting money aside

- If you have your mortgage offer in place and know that your monthly payments will be $1000.00 but are currently paying $750 in rent, putting the extra aside will help with the down payment and get you used to paying out this amount, it will also reduce any fears you may have about affording the extra payments once you are in your new home.

5. Write a list of what your wants and needs are from your new home and discuss with a Coldwell Banker Aurba Realtor ^ We are here to help!

- Be as flexible as you possibly can and realize that no home will be perfect and match every requirement you have, however you can come close, and even find a place that exceeds expectations.

Final Thoughts

By following these steps and consulting a Coldwell Banker Aurba Realtor you are sure to make the best decision for you and your family.

REDUCED from $1.3M - Luxury Apartment Complex of 4 condos fully furnished and equipped! Casas Del Sol is a brand new apartment complex located in Ruby, in the Westpunt area.

Price:$990,000

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Whether you are preparing to put your Aruba Home home on the market or you simply want to make a change so that it looks more attractive, here are some inexpensive tips to ensure you get just what you want ^ The best house on the block!

1. Purchase a new door. The front door of your house is definitely the most important detail of your home as it is the first thing passers by, visitors and potential buyers will see. It is easy to give the entrance to your home a lift by giving it a new coat of paint, one of the best effects are wood colors such as mahogany.

2. Consider Shutters. If your home is older, purchasing shutters are a good way to add charm and character without it costing the earth. You can find relatively inexpensive shutters in homestores or alternatively if you want an individual feel why not look in antique shops. This is also a way to add vibrant colors to your home should you wish to do so.

3. Accessorize. Brass knockers, mail boxes, and lamps are all small investments which will make your house look great, however as these items can lose their shine over time so choose tarnish-free pieces, House numbers, kick plates and doorbell buttons are also good options.

4. Tidy up the grounds. Trim bushes to ensure that doorways and windows aren’t hidden. Fill window boxes with vines, geraniums, and ornamental grasses, or plant perennials like climbing hydrangea. Your garden should complement the design of your home. If your property is contemporary, disregard the old-fashioned flowering plants and choose carefully trimmed spruces or spiral topiaries.

5. Paint right. Traditional colors are popular and the classics never go out of style, there are many different colors and shades to choose from and it is probably a good idea to check out the homes you like and ask the owners for the names of paint colors. Painting your home is likely to be the most expensive improvement in this list so do not hurry your choice.

These 5 simple tips will help you to improve the outside of your home fairly inexpensively, so that visitors or potential buyers will feel welcomed into your home, and have a good impression from the first moment they arrive.

Whether you are preparing to put your Aruba Home home on the market or you simply want to make a change so that it looks more attractive, here are some inexpensive tips to ensure you get just what you want ^ The best house on the block!

1. Purchase a new door. The front door of your house is definitely the most important detail of your home as it is the first thing passers by, visitors and potential buyers will see. It is easy to give the entrance to your home a lift by giving it a new coat of paint, one of the best effects are wood colors such as mahogany.

2. Consider Shutters. If your home is older, purchasing shutters are a good way to add charm and character without it costing the earth. You can find relatively inexpensive shutters in homestores or alternatively if you want an individual feel why not look in antique shops. This is also a way to add vibrant colors to your home should you wish to do so.

3. Accessorize. Brass knockers, mail boxes, and lamps are all small investments which will make your house look great, however as these items can lose their shine over time so choose tarnish-free pieces, House numbers, kick plates and doorbell buttons are also good options.

4. Tidy up the grounds. Trim bushes to ensure that doorways and windows aren’t hidden. Fill window boxes with vines, geraniums, and ornamental grasses, or plant perennials like climbing hydrangea. Your garden should complement the design of your home. If your property is contemporary, disregard the old-fashioned flowering plants and choose carefully trimmed spruces or spiral topiaries.

5. Paint right. Traditional colors are popular and the classics never go out of style, there are many different colors and shades to choose from and it is probably a good idea to check out the homes you like and ask the owners for the names of paint colors. Painting your home is likely to be the most expensive improvement in this list so do not hurry your choice.

These 5 simple tips will help you to improve the outside of your home fairly inexpensively, so that visitors or potential buyers will feel welcomed into your home, and have a good impression from the first moment they arrive.

Whether you are preparing to put your Aruba Home on the market or you simply want to make a change so that it looks more attractive, here are some inexpensive tips to ensure you get just what you want ^ The best house on the block!

1. Purchase a new door. The front door of your house is definitely the most important detail of your home as it is the first thing passers by, visitors and potential buyers will see. It is easy to give the entrance to your home a lift by giving it a new coat of paint, one of the best effects are wood colors such as mahogany.

2. Consider Shutters. If your home is older, purchasing shutters are a good way to add charm and character without it costing the earth. You can find relatively inexpensive shutters in homestores or alternatively if you want an individual feel why not look in antique shops. This is also a way to add vibrant colors to your home should you wish to do so.

3. Accessorize. Brass knockers, mail boxes, and lamps are all small investments which will make your house look great, however as these items can lose their shine over time so choose tarnish-free pieces, House numbers, kick plates and doorbell buttons are also good options.

4. Tidy up the grounds. Trim bushes to ensure that doorways and windows aren’t hidden. Fill window boxes with vines, geraniums, and ornamental grasses, or plant perennials like climbing hydrangea. Your garden should complement the design of your home. If your property is contemporary, disregard the old-fashioned flowering plants and choose carefully trimmed spruces or spiral topiaries.

5. Paint right. Traditional colors are popular and the classics never go out of style, there are many different colors and shades to choose from and it is probably a good idea to check out the homes you like and ask the owners for the names of paint colors. Painting your home is likely to be the most expensive improvement in this list so do not hurry your choice.

These 5 simple tips will help you to improve the outside of your home fairly inexpensively, so that visitors or potential buyers will feel welcomed into your home, and have a good impression from the first moment they arrive.

Whether you are preparing to put your Aruba Home on the market or you simply want to make a change so that it looks more attractive, here are some inexpensive tips to ensure you get just what you want ^ The best house on the block!

1. Purchase a new door. The front door of your house is definitely the most important detail of your home as it is the first thing passers by, visitors and potential buyers will see. It is easy to give the entrance to your home a lift by giving it a new coat of paint, one of the best effects are wood colors such as mahogany.

2. Consider Shutters. If your home is older, purchasing shutters are a good way to add charm and character without it costing the earth. You can find relatively inexpensive shutters in homestores or alternatively if you want an individual feel why not look in antique shops. This is also a way to add vibrant colors to your home should you wish to do so.

3. Accessorize. Brass knockers, mail boxes, and lamps are all small investments which will make your house look great, however as these items can lose their shine over time so choose tarnish-free pieces, House numbers, kick plates and doorbell buttons are also good options.

4. Tidy up the grounds. Trim bushes to ensure that doorways and windows aren’t hidden. Fill window boxes with vines, geraniums, and ornamental grasses, or plant perennials like climbing hydrangea. Your garden should complement the design of your home. If your property is contemporary, disregard the old-fashioned flowering plants and choose carefully trimmed spruces or spiral topiaries.

5. Paint right. Traditional colors are popular and the classics never go out of style, there are many different colors and shades to choose from and it is probably a good idea to check out the homes you like and ask the owners for the names of paint colors. Painting your home is likely to be the most expensive improvement in this list so do not hurry your choice.

These 5 simple tips will help you to improve the outside of your home fairly inexpensively, so that visitors or potential buyers will feel welcomed into your home, and have a good impression from the first moment they arrive.

Giovanni Trim is a very talented entertainer, extremely popular at numerous resort happy hours, here in Aruba. His original composition, “I Believe in Miracles,” hit high on the charts in 32 islands in the Caribbean, and his CD was picked up for distribution by Tempo Records in the U.S. Those who appreciate the unique regional sound of reggae, mixed with contemporary innovations, will certainly enjoy this collection.
A native Aruban, he began his singing career alongside his brother and sister in their church choir while Mum played the organ. Even now, he usually reserves his Sundays to join them in song and prayer.
He has such devoted fans among island visitors, that there have been occasions when they have paid all his expenses, just to have him come and perform at weddings and Bar Mitzvahs.
Giovanni also opened one of Aruba’s first popular Karaoke clubs, “Grammys” in Oranjestad in 2002 and unveiled his “Karaoke Bus,” in 2010, taking the show on the road, and making the holidaymakers the stars.
When he was just 15, he won the annual Roadmarch King in the Youth Division. This launched his career, and he wrote the first song that began tradition of a “Road Jam.” A song will be selected that becomes the official song of Carnival, usually performed by the winner of the Adult Roadmarch contest, however, a popular choice among the islanders will also be heard with equal frequency, and this earns the title of “Road Jam.”

Source:aruba.com

When you have put your Aruba Home on the market, you may be considering an open house. If correctly executed, holding an Open House is a very efficient way to generate more marketing exposure and to attract interested purchasers, However it is not as easy as just cleaning and inviting potential purchasers to view your home.

Follow these simple tips to get the most out of your open house event:

Ensure Your Home is Ready: Just because you have put your home on the market, doesn’t mean that it is automatically ready for viewings by potential buyers. As the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a good impression, and this is also true of your home when you are hoping to sell. The first and most obvious task is to make sure you thoroughly clean the house, second would be to finish any minor maintenance projects so that your home looks more inviting.

Hold your Event on a Weekend: Open Houses are more effective when held over weekends as this allows more people to visit without worrying about work commitments/kids etc. Let people know that you are holding an open house by putting directional yard signs at key points. Your real estate agent may also help to inform potential buyers that the open house is happening.

Stage Your House: Most people arrange their furniture to their own tastes and families lifestyle, however it is good to bare in mind that potential buyers are more attracted to homes which appear spacious, So when you are staging your home think of how a potential buyer may see it and remove any clutter or unnecessary furniture.

Sign-In Sheets: It is a good idea to get visitors details, so creating a simple sign in sheet for people to provide their name, phone number and email address, will help when you want to contact the visitors after the event.

Create and print leaflets: Create a simple leaflet giving brief information on the house and your contact details so that you can hand them to visitors upon arrival.

Offer Refreshments: One of the oldest tricks in the book is to bake cookies before an open house, this gives the house a pleasant and inviting aroma and will also provide treats for your guests and encourage them to stay longer to ask more questions about your home.

Purchase fresh Flowers: A great way to emphasize your homes beauty is to purchase fresh flowers form your local florist and place arrangements in a vase, not only will it improve the look of your home it is also a conversation starter so that when visitors comment on them and ask where they came from it is a great opportunity to explain about all the good shops and amenities in the area.

Be Professionally minded: Visitors may express their opinions on aspects of your home which they do not like, be professional and remember that you are not selling your home, but merely a house which buyers will want to make their own.

Answer Questions: You will never be able to guess the amount of questions the prospective buyers may ask regarding the house and surrounding area, so it is always best to be prepared to answer questions about: Property taxes, major appliances, heating and air conditioning systems and questions concerning the local community. If there are any questions that you are unable to answer, inform them that you will get the answer and contact them via phone.

Find out if a prospective buyer is pre-approved: Not all visitors will be interested in buying your home, however for those who are showing that they are by asking questions, don’t be afraid to inquire if they have been pre-approved for a mortgage. If they are not pre-approved, It is a good idea to recommend that they seek financial advice regarding the mortgage to begin the process.

Follow-Up: A good tip is to send a thank you email to all those who attended your open house and left contact details, you can include a link to the listing of your house so that they can view the pictures and details again and ask if they have any more questions regarding the house. In the following days call each person and politely inquire whether they are considering purchasing your home, if the answer is negative, again thank them for their time and ask if they have any feedback on your home which may help make the house more appealing to other potential buyers. If you get a positive response, offer for them to visit your home again for a second viewing.

Placing your home on the market can be a stressful process, and sometimes it can feel like there is no interest at all. Open houses are a good way of showing off your home to potential buyers without the pressure. Why not discuss holding an open house with your realtor today, you might just find that it is the best way to sell your home!

This exceptional property sits on a hilltop in Jamanota, near the national park and features, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a modern kitchen, dining room, expansive living room, large porch, sitting room, 3 balconies, storage, maids room, double carport, swimming pool and horse stables.

Price:$1,350,000

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