Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

When you are out and about in your home town on the beautiful island of Aruba you will undoubtedly notice there are many home alterations under construction, together with various lawn signs for roofing contractors, replacement windows, or kitchen remodeling. While these bigger projects may increase home value, it is possible to find low-cost projects that can also add to the value of your home.

1. Paint the Interior. If you have not given your home a new coat of paint for 10 years or more, your ceiling is most likely looking dull and the colors on your walls are out of style.

New homeowners will often make the decision to use the same color throughout most of the house. And the color of choice tends to be white or a neutral color. It is possible to increase the value of your home by choosing to use more contemporary colors and opting for more vibrant colors for just a few rooms in your house. Freshly painted ceilings will brighten your home.

2. Refinish the front door. First impressions mean a great deal and if your front door is needing work this will be setting the wrong tone straight away.

Refinishing front doors does not usually take much effort. If it’s painted, make sure you sand the surface to make it rough before applying a new coat of paint. If it’s stained it is advisable to use a very fine grade of sandpaper to guarantee the sealer will adhere to the surface.

When you are preparing the door for that finish coat, check the weather stripping for damage. With soaring energy costs, adding newer and more effective weather stripping will help in reducing your costs in utility bills.

Whether you are painting or staining, start the task early in the morning that way the surface will dry before you need to close the door for the evening.

3. Replace your bathroom fan with one that’s rated for a room twice the size. Bathrooms are the second most costly room in the home to remodel. Apart from leaking pipes, nothing will cause much harm to your bathroom other than an excessive amount of steam from the shower.

Replacing your bathrooms fan with one ranked for a room twice its size will rapidly remove moisture and protect your bathroom from mold.

4. Replace kitchen cabinet hardware. Although the kitchen is easily the most costly room in your home to remodel, there are other options which will cost far less to make your kitchen look fresher. Replacing your kitchen cabinet hardware with self-closing hinges and new knobs or pulls can change the look of your kitchen ^ quickly and inexpensively.

5. Replace laminate kitchen counter tops. This is actually the most costly project on this list, however it can significantly improve the look of your kitchen - for under 15 % of the price of remodeling your kitchen completely. Laminates previously came in just a number of shades of white, however now it is available in most colors and designs, a lot of which resemble much more expensive solid surface materials, like stone or tile.

Another advantage to changing your laminate kitchen counters is that it could be a one-day job rather than the 8-12 weeks of disruption you would experience when completely remodeling the entire kitchen.

6. Landscape the front yard. When the shrubbery is overgrown, the wild birds are eating grubs in your lawn, and dandelions are the only flowers left in the yard, maybe its time to get out the gardening gloves and tools.

Landscape designs today do not necessarily mean three evergreen bushes on the left and on the right - there are many options of plants that will add color and style to your yard. Visit the local landscape designs center to see the dozens of ideas they will have for you.

7. Attack the list of maintenance jobs you’ve been meaning to get around to. Properly maintaining your home means keeping minor jobs minor, instead of allowing them to get bigger, and much more pricey.

8. Refinish your hardwood flooring. Scratched and worn hardwood flooring detract from your home’s value, and when left unprotected, you may need to replace them, resulting in a huge cost. Paying an expert to refinish them may be beneficial ^ going too far when using the sander can leave permanent indentations in your flooring. Find a list of companies in your area. And when you are refinishing your flooring, consider staining them for any dramatic, new look.

So if you want to ring in the changes this new year and add value to your home inexpensively, these tips should help you on the right path to a new fresh look for your home while adding value at the same time.

When you are out and about in your home town on the beautiful island of Aruba you will undoubtedly notice there are many home alterations under construction, together with various lawn signs for roofing contractors, replacement windows, or kitchen remodeling. While these bigger projects may increase home value, it is possible to find low-cost projects that can also add to the value of your home.

1. Paint the Interior. If you have not given your home a new coat of paint for 10 years or more, your ceiling is most likely looking dull and the colors on your walls are out of style.

New homeowners will often make the decision to use the same color throughout most of the house. And the color of choice tends to be white or a neutral color. It is possible to increase the value of your home by choosing to use more contemporary colors and opting for more vibrant colors for just a few rooms in your house. Freshly painted ceilings will brighten your home.

2. Refinish the front door. First impressions mean a great deal and if your front door is needing work this will be setting the wrong tone straight away.

Refinishing front doors does not usually take much effort. If it’s painted, make sure you sand the surface to make it rough before applying a new coat of paint. If it’s stained it is advisable to use a very fine grade of sandpaper to guarantee the sealer will adhere to the surface.

When you are preparing the door for that finish coat, check the weather stripping for damage. With soaring energy costs, adding newer and more effective weather stripping will help in reducing your costs in utility bills.

Whether you are painting or staining, start the task early in the morning that way the surface will dry before you need to close the door for the evening.

3. Replace your bathroom fan with one that’s rated for a room twice the size. Bathrooms are the second most costly room in the home to remodel. Apart from leaking pipes, nothing will cause much harm to your bathroom other than an excessive amount of steam from the shower.

Replacing your bathrooms fan with one ranked for a room twice its size will rapidly remove moisture and protect your bathroom from mold.

4. Replace kitchen cabinet hardware. Although the kitchen is easily the most costly room in your home to remodel, there are other options which will cost far less to make your kitchen look fresher. Replacing your kitchen cabinet hardware with self-closing hinges and new knobs or pulls can change the look of your kitchen ^ quickly and inexpensively.

5. Replace laminate kitchen counter tops. This is actually the most costly project on this list, however it can significantly improve the look of your kitchen - for under 15 % of the price of remodeling your kitchen completely. Laminates previously came in just a number of shades of white, however now it is available in most colors and designs, a lot of which resemble much more expensive solid surface materials, like stone or tile.

Another advantage to changing your laminate kitchen counters is that it could be a one-day job rather than the 8-12 weeks of disruption you would experience when completely remodeling the entire kitchen.

6. Landscape the front yard. When the shrubbery is overgrown, the wild birds are eating grubs in your lawn, and dandelions are the only flowers left in the yard, maybe its time to get out the gardening gloves and tools.

Landscape designs today do not necessarily mean three evergreen bushes on the left and on the right - there are many options of plants that will add color and style to your yard. Visit the local landscape designs center to see the dozens of ideas they will have for you.

7. Attack the list of maintenance jobs you’ve been meaning to get around to. Properly maintaining your home means keeping minor jobs minor, instead of allowing them to get bigger, and much more pricey.

8. Refinish your hardwood flooring. Scratched and worn hardwood flooring detract from your home’s value, and when left unprotected, you may need to replace them, resulting in a huge cost. Paying an expert to refinish them may be beneficial ^ going too far when using the sander can leave permanent indentations in your flooring. Find a list of companies in your area. And when you are refinishing your flooring, consider staining them for any dramatic, new look.

So if you want to ring in the changes this new year and add value to your home inexpensively, these tips should help you on the right path to a new fresh look for your home while adding value at the same time.

Aqua Grill restaurant in Palm Beach, is the premier restaurant to host group events for companies and organizations from both here on the island, as well as groups from abroad traveling to Aruba for incentive trips and conventions. Aqua Grill’s staff are experienced in the fine art of event planning, and can accommodate special requests, menus tailored for a specific event and budget, and can assist in coordinating all the details for a flawless and memorable event.
Aqua Grill is also a critically-acclaimed seafood restaurant, with a delightful selection of local produce to satisfy the most discerning of diners.
Recently, a group of 84 people from S.V.G.A, a local foundation for intellectually challenged individuals, who arranged for a special daytime luncheon event, were catered for. All who attended said the food was exquisite, and the event ran like clockwork.
At the end of the event, the speaker commented that they would have no hesitation in recommending the venue to prospective clients, and indeed, they would themselves return in the very near future.

Source:aruba.com

When you have had all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season in your Aruba Home it’s very easy to allow New Year’s Eve plans take a backseat. When the gifts have been bought, wrapped and given, the food is all cooked and eaten and all of the the relatives which were visiting have left, who has the energy to plan a party? Well, you can! Just follow these simple tips to help you ring in the new year in style.

Step One: Send invites via email, phone calls and texts, this will allow you to receive and keep track of RSVP’s quickly and easily, you dont need a fancily designed invite to ask close friends and relatives to celebrate with you and this way it is possible to make last minute plans. A good tip is to invite your guests to arrive at around 8pm, so that you have time to catch up and build up to ringing in the new year together.

Step Two: Plan the menu. Don’t feel as though you need to make all the food yourself. Look at your grocer’s freezer section for prepared snacks. Other easy refreshments are fruits and veggies cut into bite-sized portions and offered with cheese cubes. If your finances are tight, request visitors to create a snack, dessert or drinks to share. Speaking of drinks, consider planning one special cocktail or punch (and possibly a non-alcoholic version for designated motorists) and asking visitors to bring wine, beer and/or champagne if they so desire.

Step Three: Organize a playlist. Are you unsure what tunes work well for a New Year’s Eve party? Take a look at the internet for good ideas, using a free Internet radio service is also a good tip, as this means you’ll avoid needing to purchase any music and have the ability to mix your choices should you so choose.

Step Four: Clean. You want your house to be presentable for when visitors arrive, but don’t stress too much over cleaning because you almost certainly have plenty of cleaning to complete after everybody leaves. Concentrate on the basics in the most used areas and make sure anything you wouldn’t want your guests to see is put away.

Step Five: Party! Consider buying some noisemakers, party hats, etc., to add a festive touch to your party.

Remember New Years Eve is an exciting event filled with the anticipation of what the new year may bring, so enjoy with friends and family and ring in the new year they way you want to!

Located just five minutes from Aruba’s sugar-white sandy beaches, high-rise hotel area, colorful shopping malls, and world-class golf courses, Aloewood Gardens offers spacious, comfortable lodging for vacationing families, business travelers, and guests from around the world.

Price: $1,645,000

Read more about this listing

The results of several months of study by a team from the Institute of Tourism, was the main topic of the opening session of the Aruba Tourism Summit 2012, at the Renaissance Convention Center on December 8th.
Officially opening the summit, was Minister of Tourism, Transport & Labor, Otmar Oduber, who introduced keynote speaker Dr. Robertico Croes. He conducted the study, deploying hospitality students from the University of Aruba, and the EPI professional training facility of Aruba.
Minister Oduber, expressed his appreciation at the diversity of those attending, in regard to their ties to Aruba’s tourism industry. Resort operators sat side by side with small entrepreneurs, and educators in the tourism field. “I commend you on your presence here today, because we can only win the future by participating, discussing and seeking alignments. Working together towards a common vision is hard work, but it is smarter.”
“Tourism is, and will be, the driver of our economy; the largest employer, the highest generator of revenue, the larger propellant of growth, and the key contributor to our quality of life. With that knowledge, we want to continue to make responsible and clear policy and strategic choices in regards to Aruba’s tourism industry.”
Minister Oduber further emphasized the importance of monitoring how accelerated growth impacts the island’s social fabric and quality of life for residents and visitors.

Source:aruba.com

If Christmas is in your Aruba Home this year, there is no need to panic . You will find a couple of easy tips for you to follow to ensure your Christmas goes off well without a hitch. Being organized is paramount and to really make it memorable try doing something different to the traditional sit down lunch. As you live in a warmer climate you may even decide to have your Christmas lunch outdoors on the patio. Your Christmas party could be a pool party in which your guests can enjoy a cooling dip in the pool!

Plan your Menu

Ensure you know what you are going to be cooking and that you have organized a day to collect the meat or seafood you have ordered. You might like choose to serve a traditional Christmas feast indoors, or if you are going to enjoy the outdoors with a barbecue, seafood, meat, and salads are a good option. Of course whether it is formal or casual, deserts are always important for guests with a sweet tooth!

Formal or Casual?

Do you enjoy a classic formal Christmas with a fancy meal, making use of your best silverware or perhaps a Christmas outdoors round the barbecue more your scene? Either option is a terrific way to celebrate Christmas and also to spend some time with family and friends. For any formal Christmas decorate your table with candles, tinsel and other Christmas decorations. Set out your good tableware and serve your meal with all the trimmings.

Select the best wines you can buy, with a nice sparkling wine to accompany the start of the meal. If you decide on a casual Christmas lunch turn on the barbecue and prepare some prawns or bake a whole fish. You may even prepare meats on the barbecue. Pavlova is a superb dessert on a warm day, along with a fresh fruit salad, or you can even serve serve Christmas pudding cold.

Decorations

To get into the festive spirit make sure you decorate your home. As well as the Christmas tree decorate the table and hang up tinsel and baubles along with other decorations round the room or yard.

Presents

Know in advance whether your family and friends are giving presents. Some families go all out and purchase presents for every member of the family, others don’t bother at all. If you’re watching your spending possibly organize a secret Santa, where each member of the group buys one gift for just one other member of the family. It should be taken care of some time before Christmas to give each person enough time to purchase gifts.

Aruba Bird life Conservation proposes that a National Conservation Master Plan be developed and implemented in an effort to save very important nature areas.
Aruba’s Arikok National Park, which covers some 17% of the island’s surface, is a true jewel, but it does not reflect the complete variety of micro habitats to be found in Aruba.
Aruba is internationally known for its 3 Important Bird Areas, none of which are part of our National Park. These are the reef islands at the San Nicolas Bay area, Spanish Lagoon and Bubali Plas. While our national park is among the most arid of places on the island and its northern border with the Caribbean Sea can be quite hostile, the important bird areas are characterized by their peaceful situations between land and water, which generates better opportunities for Aruba’s wildlife.
Aruba Bird life Conservation proposes that the following areas be added to our National Park, in order to conserve a more holistic representation of Aruba’s variety of micro habitats, which would then include a greater variety of our flora and fauna.
Of the 224 bird species registered in Aruba, less than 25% of the species can be found in our national park. Aruba Bird life Conservation started a campaign on February 4, 2011 to get our Shoco nominated as the National Bird of Aruba. Dr. Adrian Delnevo recently estimated that there are only approximately 200 pairs of Shoco’s left.
The nomination of our Shoco, the symbol of wisdom, as the National Bird of Aruba, could then be seen as the kick-off for the development and implementation of an ambitious National Conservation Master Plan.

Source:aruba.com

When you live on the beautiful island of Aruba Christmas time will always be celebrated in the warm weather the island benefits from, of course for many this is a big difference to the normal Christmas in their home country. So how do you bring on the Christmas spirit in a warmer climate?
Are you considering decorating your home with a Christmas palm tree? You are definitely not alone, this has become a very popular choice for many people living in tropical or beach locations, enjoy celebrating the holidays with a festive beach or tropic theme with your palm tree.

Theme Ideas

When you are decorating a palm tree, there are several themes that you may choose including beach, tropical or nautical themes. If you have decided on the beach or tropical theme then a good way to decorate your tree would be with flip flops, Hawaiian t-shirts, surf boards or sand and seashells and you may even decide to decorate the rest of your home with these types of items also. If you decide on a nautical theme, boats, rafts and fish motifs can be used, good colors for a nautical theme are blue, red and even a little green, try to include a little sparkle in your decorations to give it that festive cheer.

Decorations

Decorating your home for the holidays is a lot of fun especially with this type of tree. Seashells and starfish are a good choice if you want to stay with a white or off-white theme, they are also very decorative items when used in a garland.

Another way to decorate your home with a tropical feel is to make some of your own ornaments, old clear bulbs filled with sand are very effective when hung on a tree.

If you have chosen the nautical theme, using small boat ornaments or sea creature ornaments such as seahorses or dolphins will make your tree look beautiful.

Lighting

String lighting is another wonderful way to decorate for beach, tropical and nautical themes. You can purchase the traditional white colored bulbs or even blue would look great for any theme, and if you want to make the lights even more original why not hang flip flops, Hawaiian T-Shirts, or surf boards on them.

Where to find Beach or Tropical Theme Items

Christmas accessories for beach and tropical themes are easily found in shops and online stores, as well as at craft events, if you are lucky enough to live along the coast why not go to the beach with the family and choose some seashells to decorate. Whatever theme you choose, your home will be inviting and festive for you, your family and friends to celebrate this magical time of the year together.

On the road to the old Gold Ruins in the Aruban countryside is located an eco project Called the Aruba Ostrich Farm. Beside the adventure of offering the visitors an exciting tour through the world of the Ostrich, there is also a restaurant serving the famous Ostrich steak and other dishes and a souvenir store of local handcrafts.

Price:$1,850,000

Read more about this listing