Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

Custom built 2-story estate located in the prestige La Colina neighbourhood. The home is fully furnished, landscaped and includes 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, living room, formal dining room and study with panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea & golf course. The open kitchen is fully equipped. The second floor features a master suite with walk-in closet, private bathroom, and balcony with Tierra del Sol’s most spectacular views overlooking golf, ocean, and landscaping. The pool features a free standing gazebo, bar, and BBQ area. Lot size is 1182 m² (16,791 sq ft). Home is 405 m² (4,359 sq ft). Asking $2,550,000.

View our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more photos.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC officially launched the new version of its website, www.coldwellbanker.com, which has been in beta form since December 2009. Wholly re-thought and re-designed, the site features optimizations that completely alter and enhance the experience of searching for a home online, the company stated.

The site includes a variety of new features, such as:
-BlueScape Search - Taking cues from popular music recommendation websites, Coldwell Banker developed BlueScape, a visually-driven real estate search platform to help “dreamers” find just that^the home of their dreams. Instead of limiting search options to zip code or the number of bedrooms, users begin the search by rating abstract images with a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” from landscape scenery to images of snow mobiles and taxi cabs. At any time, users can submit a query and the BlueScape technology will identify homes that are a good fit using all properties available through ColdwellBanker.com nationwide.

-Keyword Search - For those who prefer a more traditional approach to searching for a home, Coldwell Banker has added keyword capabilities to its general real estate search function so that consumers can more easily narrow down the properties they are interested in viewing.

-Similar Properties ^ Coldwell Banker also added a “You May Also Like” feature that offers additional homes of interest, based on a range of characteristics from properties consumers select as “preferred.”

-Expansive Use of Video - Taking advantage of the popularity of Coldwell Banker On Location, the brand’s YouTube channel which has had more than 13,000 videos posted by agents and 1.3 million video views in a bit more than one year, the new site integrates video into real estate search.

Additional capabilities of the ColdwellBanker.com site include:
Technology that immediately identifies the current location of visitors via their IP address, offering up homes for sale in that area; Join Us: a recruiting resource enabling brokers to promote job opportunities and create local career pages; Learn: helpful real estate news and tips for consumers, such as real-time industry articles from the Associated Press and Home File: Place for consumers to store, share and organize a limitless amount of property searches, sales associate and real estate office information and industry articles.

Coldwell Banker also included integrated video and social networking capabilities to the new site. Visitors will have access to an array of videos powered by Coldwell Banker On Location, the company’s branded YouTube channel, offering behind-the-scenes looks at towns and neighborhoods, tips and timely news on real estate topics and video listings of homes for sale.

(resource: RISMedia.com)

The largest amateur windsurfing competition in the Caribbean will be held in Aruba June 30-July 5. The 24th annual event features windsurfing and kite boarding events in various categories and is open to both professionals and amateurs.

The event is more than a water sport contest. There will be music and meals and drinks on the beach throughout the 6 days. Aruba.com reports, “Highlights of the competition include a welcome dinner at Buster’s Garage on the first evening, as well as dinners hosted by Divi Hotel, de Suikertuin and Delifrance, Dunkin Donuts, and Casa Tua on the following nights. On Saturday and Sunday nights, parties featuring DJs and dance competitions will take place on the beach, and the awards ceremony and closing dinner will be held at Paseo Herencia/Taste of Belgium on Monday night.”

Initially, Hi-Winds was the first event for world champions and professional windsurfers. In 1997, it was changed to an amateur event, and became a multi-day celebration.

Visit hiwinds-aruba.com for information.

Price reduced on this Aruba real estate great opportunity. This fine home with many possibilities is located in the Mon Plaisir neighborhood close to the heart of Oranjestad and Surf Side Beach. The home features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room/dining room, kitchen, 2 apartments, backyard area, front porch and 2 double car parking spaces. The total constructed area is 155 m2 / 1668 sq/ft on 580 m2 / 6329 sq/ft of property land. Asking $239,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more photos.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the addition of Puerto Rico to the growing family of Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates.

Puerto Rico has long been the gateway and hub for many of the Islands in our region. As some of you may know, Coldwell Banker Isla del Coqui is one of the largest and most successful real estate companies in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Coldwell Banker Isla de Coqui has had a terrific track record for over 20 years and has been the top producing brokerage in their marketplace, with 7 offices and approximately 226 sales associates.

Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates Managing Director Jim Reed said, “With the addition of Puerto Rico to our region, Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates now boasts 51 offices and over 500 sales associates throughout the Island countries of the Atlantic & Caribbean. We are excited about the growth and the potential synergies that Coldwell Banker Isla de Coqui brings to our group. We are proud to welcome Puerto Rico to Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates.”

Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates is the Coldwell Banker Master Franchisor for the Caribbean and Atlantic Island region. For further information on Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates, please contact the Managing Director, Mr. Jim Reed, at (561) 691-8130 or email jireed@mindspring.com.

About Coldwell Banker®
Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier full-service real estate provider. In 2009, Franchise Times magazine’s prestigious Top 200 issue ranked the Coldwell Banker system number one in real estate for the ninth straight year and number eight among all franchisors. The Coldwell Banker System has approximately 3,200 residential real estate offices and more than 110,000 sales associates in 41 countries and territories around the world. The Coldwell Banker System is a leader in the industry in residential and commercial real estate, and in niche markets such as resort, new home and luxury properties through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® division. It is a pioneer in consumer services with its Coldwell Banker Concierge® Service Program and award-winning Web site, www.coldwellbanker.com. Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, the world’s largest real estate franchisor. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Today, June 17, according to Aruba.com, “At 6:50 a.m. a large bird was spotted gliding over the area between Pos Chiquito and Savaneta. Although the bird was at an altitude of approximately 200 meters, the chairman of Aruba Birdlife Conservation managed to take pictures of the bird with just enough quality to be able to identify it. After checking with the foundation’s senior advisor, Dr. Adrian Delnevo, it was determined that this was a first time observation for Aruba’s birdlife: the Turkey Vulture or Cathares aura. Dr. Delnevo informed Greg Peterson that this bird has never been registered in Aruba before, after checking all bird checklists for Aruba known to him (including his own). Thus the bird’s identity and uniqueness for Aruba’s bird history was confirmed.

“The Turkey Vulture is a bird found throughout most of the Americas. It has a wingspan of 170^183 cm (67^72 in), a length of 64^81 cm (25^32 in), and weight of 0.85^2.26 kg (1.9^5 lb). The plumage is dark brown to black and it has a featherless, purplish-red head and neck; and a short, hooked, ivory-colored beak. The Turkey Vulture is a scavenger and finds its meals using its keen vision and sense of smell. In flight, it uses thermals to move through the air, flapping its wings infrequently. In the United States of America, the vulture receives legal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

“The number of birds registered in Aruba is above 220 species and climbing. ‘Let us make sure we work even harder on our conservation efforts. says Greg Peterson. ‘We have to learn to love and respect wildlife in Aruba.’”

(photo courtesy of Aruba.com)

This very attractive newly painted two story country home is ideal as a starter home or for retirement. This 2,442 SF (222 m2) home sits on long lease land measuring 4.983 sq.ft./453 m/2, is located in the “heart land” of Aruba and offers 3 bedrooms/2 baths, living, dining, kitchen space, plus an open back porch that leads into the back yard. This neighborhood is very close to the commercial center of Santa Cruz, schools, supermarkets, pharmacy, service station, the famous Arikok national nature park, and the “Spaans Lagun” beach. The sellers are highly motivated and are looking for a quick sale. Asking $182,000 US.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more photos.

There are plenty of details to take care of before you introduce your home to the public ready to sell. Here are a few suggestions on how present your property as the best it can be from the day it hits the market.

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.

2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.

5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments? You can do this with a condo entrance as well. Be objective.

Call our Coldwell Banker office with your questions, and ask for a thorough market analysis before you set a price.

A sea turtle recently carried a digital camera on its back from Aruba to Florida. Dutch tourist Dick de Bruin dropped his waterproof camera overboard while he was on a scuba diving trip, and its strap entangled a passing sea turtle. While trying to free itself, the turtle activated the camera, and filmed its journey over the 1,000 miles, until the battery died.

At some point, the turtle was able to get free, as the camera washed ashore in Key West 6 months later, where it was found by the US Coast Guard. Paul Schultz, Coast Guard investigator, charged the battery, then published the segment on YouTube, where it was seen by Dick deBruin. He returned the camera to him, and we have another example of how small the world is!

Paul Shultz, via YouTube, wrote deBruin:
“I am very excited to get your camera back to you. Hunting you down was a challenge… I’m still amazed it floated all the way to Key West. I will be shipping it Fed-Ex to you tomorrow.”

Here’s the video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E43sg-Ytt58&feature=player_embedded

A unique opportunity to complete this little project the way you envisioned. The building plans have been approved by the government. This property is located in West Punt in the area of Ruby, a popular area in Aruba. Features include 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, livingroom, kitchen, TV/reading area and a laundry room. Ensuite a sepatate apartment with its owns entrance, bedroom and bathroom. A front porch and two-car garage attached make this property a real value for your investment. On 645M2/7095sq ft of long lease land, with 270M2/2970 sq.ft. Asking $160,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for details.