Buying a home on Aruba

1. 1

   Step 1: Tell us what you want

   Budget, area, how you'll use it — full-time home, winter home, rental investment. A short call or a WhatsApp message is enough to start.

   We'll say honestly what that budget buys in each district, and send you a first shortlist from the whole island, not only our own listings.

   Time

   Days

2. 2

   Step 2: Viewings

   If you're here, we drive you round — usually five or six homes in a morning. If you're not, we walk each one on a video call and film the things listings leave out: the street, the neighbours, the noise, the state of the roof.

   Time

   One trip, or a week of calls

3. 3

   Step 3: Offer

   Offers are made in writing and are not binding until a purchase agreement is signed. We advise on price from what comparable homes actually sold for, and we negotiate with the seller or the seller's broker for you.

4. 4

   Step 4: Purchase agreement and deposit

   A notary (notaris) draws up the purchase agreement. You sign — in person or by power of attorney — and pay a deposit into the notary's escrow account within about two weeks.

   The agreement normally includes a financing condition if you need a mortgage, and a date for the transfer.

   Cost

   Ask us for current purchase costs

   Time

   Two to three weeks after the offer

5. 5

   Step 5: Checks

   The notary checks the title. On Aruba a home is either freehold (eigendom) or on a long lease from the government (erfpacht) — both are normal and both can be bought by foreigners; we explain the difference for the home you're buying.

   We check permits, boundaries and, if you're buying to rent, whether the neighbourhood allows short-term rental.

6. 6

   Step 6: Financing, if you need it

   Aruban banks do lend to non-residents, on a shorter term than at home and with full income documentation. Many buyers finance in their own country instead, or pay cash. We'll introduce you to a bank if you want one.

   Cost

   Ask us for current purchase costs

   Time

   Four to eight weeks

7. 7

   Step 7: Transfer at the notary

   You pay the balance, the transfer tax and the notary's fee into escrow. The notary signs the deed of transfer, registers it at the land registry, and hands you the keys. You don't need to be on the island: a power of attorney is common.

   Cost

   Ask us for current purchase costs

   Time

   Six to ten weeks from the offer, all in

8. 8

   Step 8: After

   We help with what comes next: water and electricity accounts, property tax (grondbelasting, a small annual amount), insurance, and — if it's an investment — a manager to let it while you're away.

Purchase costs (deposit, transfer tax, notary) depend on the home and change over time. Ask us and we'll give you today's numbers for the one you're looking at.