Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

It’s guaranteed to be hectic right before closing, but you should always make time for a final walk-through. Your goal is to make sure that your new home is in the same condition you expected it would be. Ideally, the sellers already have moved out.

This is your last chance to check that appliances are in working condition and that agreed-upon repairs have been made. Here’s a detailed list of what not to overlook for on your final walk-through.

Make sure that:

^ Repairs you’ve requested have been made. Obtain copies of paid bills and warranties.
^ There are no major changes to the property since you last viewed it.
^ All items that were included in the sale price - draperies, lighting fixtures, etc. - are still there.
^ Screens and storm shutters are in place or stored.
^ All appliances are operating, such as the dishwasher, washer and dryer, oven, etc.
^ Intercom, doorbell, or alarm are operational.
^ Hot water heater is working.
^ No plants or shrubs have been removed from the yard.
^ Air conditioning system and fans are working
^ Garage door opener and other remotes are available.
^ Instruction books and warranties on appliances and fixtures are available.
^ All personal items of the sellers and all debris have been removed. Check the basement, attic, and every room, closet, and crawlspace.

If any of these are not as they were specified in your contract, be sure and check with your Coldwell Banker agent and have them corrected before closing.

Wednesday, Dec. 1, is the UN-designated World AIDS Day to highlight the needs of the HIV/AIDS victims worldwide. The 5-year official theme of “Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise” will be continued this year.

Ryan Maduro, representing UNAIDS on Aruba, introduced four NGO’s that will conduct awareness events and share the most recent statistics regarding HIV/AIDS for the world and Caribbean from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO.

Various events are planned Nov. 27-30. On December 1, the annual WCA candlelight walk will begin at 6 PM at the Governor’s Mansion in Oranjestad. The final event will be on Dec. 2, the opening of an exposition at Insight Art Gallery in Paradera titled “The Art of Living Positive.” The exhibition opens at 7 PM and is dedicated to the sufferers of HIV/AIDS. Make reservations via email at elfaroaruba@gmail.com.

The AAA Four-Diamond Radisson Aruba Resort is reducing rates up to 45% for stays over the Christmas holiday, from Dec. 11-25. The resort has rooms starting at $151 a night, and includes a $25 credit, per person, to the oceanfront Larimar Spa. Families with kids 5 and under get the resort’s “Kids Eat Free” promotion at Laguna, a signature restaurant alongside a freshwater lagoon.

Additionally, guests staying five nights get a $75 beverage credit per room and those staying six nights earn one for $100.

The 15-acre Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa is a sparkling oasis that beckons from the warm, ivory sands of the most expansive and pristine beach in Palm Beach, Aruba. The property is surrounded by fragrant gardens, exotic lagoons and cascading waterfalls, and guests find themselves immersed in the island’s lushest and most luxurious Caribbean resort. Property amenities include the Larimar Spa, a casino, two pools and on-site, Four-Diamond dining. (from the hotel’s web site)

Visit the Radisson’s web site for more information. Reservations: 1-800-395-7046 US/Canada Toll-free.

Here’s a Moving Checklist for Homeowners who have sold their property:

1. Provide the post office with your forwarding address two to four weeks ahead of the move.
2. Notify your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, lenders, and bank of your change of address.
3. Create a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified about your move.
4. Arrange to disconnect utilities and have them connected at your new home.
5. Cancel the newspaper, or change the address so it will arrive at your new home.
6. Check insurance coverage for the items you’re moving. Usually movers only cover what they pack.
7. Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving, if applicable.
8. Note the weight of the goods you’ll have moved, since long-distance moves are usually billed according to
weight. Watch for movers that use excessive padding to add weight.
9. Check with your condo or co-op about any restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits for moving.
10. Have a “first open” box with the things you’ll need most, such as toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors,
hammer, screwdriver, pencils and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, and toothpaste.

If you’re moving off-island, be sure to:

1. Get copies of medical and dental records and prescriptions for your family and your pets.
2. Get copies of children’s school records for transfer.
3. Ask friends, business associates, and your Coldwell Banker agent for introductions to anyone they know in your new location.
4. Consider special needs for pets when traveling.
5. Let a friend or relative know your route, departure and arrival information and flight schedule.
6. Empty your safety deposit box.

What to Have on Hand for the New Owners

1. Owner’s manuals and warranties for appliances left in the house.
2. Garage door opener or other security devices.
3. Extra sets of keys, and information about condo entry gate or fitness center access.
4. A list of local service providers - the best plumber, yard service, etc.
5. Numbers of local utility companies.
6. If it’s a condo, how to contact the condo board.

Coldwell Banker has many resources for relocation. Just ask one of our agents how we can help with your move.

Yes, our Coldwell Banker office on Aruba does vacation rentals! Here is one of our beautiful homes waiting for you.

This gorgeous 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo is located on the 2nd floor of the luxury complex Oceania. From the living room and master bedroom you have a magnificent view over Eagle Beach and the ocean. The condo is furnished with impeccable Caribbean taste and features a luxury kitchen with breakfast bar, living room, laundry area and a great 8m2 terrace from which you will enjoy every day a great sunset! This is your very unique opportunity to enjoy your vacation just a short distance from Aruba’s famous Eagle Beach. Weekly rental $2,000 - $3,000 exclusive utilities, depending on season. CURRENTLY OFFERING PRESIDENTS WEEK DISCOUNT.

Contact our Coldwell Banker Aruba office for details.

Coldwell Banker On Location, the brand’s YouTube channel focused on video home listings, communities, and agent profile videos, continues to pave the way for video use in real estate. Since the site launch in May 2009, the channel has drawn more than two million channel views.

Coldwell Banker On Location has grown steadily since its launch, but has seen its fastest growth in the last eight months. More than one million views occurred between April-October, 2010. Mobile use has also increased, doubling since April of this year.

Property listings make up the majority of the On Location content, and community videos attract the highest number of comments, as visitors enjoy chiming in with input on their hometown or current city.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate closely collaborated with both YouTube and Google to develop a customized framework and user experience to offer one of the most comprehensive and immersive brand channels on YouTube.

“The number of people watching videos on our On Location channel is growing faster and faster,” says Michael Fischer, chief marketing officer, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “Through our partnership with Google and YouTube, we brought a systemized approach to showcasing real estate videos. We firmly believe every home has a story and when you combine that with an agent’s personality, the consumer truly benefits.”

“Savvy marketers like Coldwell Banker understand how consumers are shifting online and are embracing innovative uses of digital platforms like YouTube,” said Sam Sebastian, director of classified and local sales, Google Inc. “Importantly, Google’s measurable advertising platforms help partners increase their success online and off. By pushing the boundaries online, Coldwell Banker is harnessing the power of digital platforms like YouTube, and leading the way for real estate in the digital world.”

(resource: RISMedia.com)

A benefit concert will be held Nov. 22 in the Crystal Theater at the Renaissance Mall in Oranjestad by the Aruba Scholarship Foundation (ASF). Aruba Trading Company will provide wine and snacks prior to the concert and during intermission. A donation of afls 90 (US $50) includes admission, wine and snacks, and a contribution to ASF. Tickets are available at Aruba Trading Company and Crystal Theater in Oranjestad, Ami Laundry and the Play Linda Beach Resort.

The musical group, “La Cuadra Venezolana,” volunteered to give a concert on Aruba while making a tour of the other ABC islands of Curacao and Bonaire. The celebrated quartet is an instrumental ensemble who mixes different styles and types of music and culture.

ASF began presenting its first scholarships in 1988. Landmark efforts of the ASF include establishing a relationship with the University of Central Florida (UCF) to allow Aruban students to attend the university under the Latin American/Caribbean Scholarship Program known as LAC, which allows the same tuition as Florida residents. Since the inception of this program, over six million florins have been saved on school fees for island youth.

(resource: Aruba.com)

This stylish one story patio home, with 2 spacious bedrooms, and 2 1/2 bathrooms, is located in the prestigous gated golf community of Tierra Del Sol and is graced with spectacular Palm Beach and sunset views. The villa has a large living room, modern kitchen with all appliances, dining room, landscaped pool, deck with pergola, and a one car garage. Both bedrooms have their own private bathrooms, terraces, walk-in closets, and stacked washer/dryers. Central airconditioning throughout the villa. The lot size is 599 m2(6447sq ft, home 1,732 (161 m2). Asking $750,000 US.

British-ruled overseas U.K. territories in the Atlantic and Caribbean regions, 14 total including the Falkland Islands, will receive more proactive participation by London in their foreign policy and economic development, British officials have announced. The decision was made as the best way to use historical links as protection for politcal and security interests in the regions.

A new strategy to reinvigorate the United Kingdom’s relationship with its Overseas Territories was unveiled as the annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council met recently in London. In addition to defense and security, the talks focused on public finance and governance, criminal justice, transport and the environment. Foreign Office Minister for the Overseas Territories Henry Bellingham said Britain “wants to develop a new strategy for the Overseas Territories which provides more effective support for their development and better risk management; one that involves, and is agreed by, the whole of U.K. government.”

The 14 Overseas Territories include the island of Pitcairn in the southern Pacific Ocean, which has 47 inhabitants, and Bermuda in the north Atlantic, a major financial center. The total population of the British overseas territories is around 239,000. Other U.K. overseas territories include Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, Turks and Caicos Islands and Gibraltar.

(resource: UPI.com)

Smarter Travel has picked up the benefits of travel to Turks and Caicos, and recently rated the islands one of their top 5 Bargain Destinations for Winter 2010/2011.

“The Caribbean island voted the top beach and sun destination in the world in this year’s TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards has plenty to offer this winter. New routes from two airlines, plus hotel and vacation package deals put Turks and Caicos on the budget travel radar.

“This winter, it’s going to get easier to reach Turks and Caicos. JetBlue kicks off weekly service from JFK Airport in New York on February 17. And Continental starts new service from Newark on February 18, with sale fares to Turks and Caicos from $328 round-trip.

“Seasonal free-night deals abound at resorts on the islands. For instance, at the Leeward Resort, guests get two nights free with seven-night stays between January 3 and 16. At the West Bay Club, the fourth night is free between January 3 and February 28. And the Ocean Club Resorts has a seventh night free deal.

“Packaging air and accommodations offers additional savings options. CheapCaribbean.com has sales with short booking windows for early winter, with rates such as $639 for airfare plus four nights’ accommodations. And JetBlue lists package options to accompany its new service, with additional perks such as free nights.”

So, plan your trip this winter to visit Turks and Caicos. And stop by our Coldwell Banker office to talk real estate.