Open-Realty Blog AddOn This Luxurious and comfortable condominium offers all that you could want in a beach condo. You are at a stroll from the beach and you will have a beautiful pool area with hot tub and BBQ area. Price:$498,000 Read more about this listing]]> The Harbour Island Marina offers a rare opportunity to acquire a newly renovated premiere waterfront property in Beautiful Harbour Island. Situated to the south of Dunmore Town on the protected harbour side of the island, the marina comprises 5.5 acres of developable land, with 50 wet slips. Price: $10,000,000.00 Read more about this listing]]> ARUBA PROPERTY, how many are kids, how many are adults and if there are any vegetarians. This way, you can create a menu to please everyone and not have so many leftovers. If you have a large guest list and will not be in a position to get all you need in one shop, shopping online is a great way to make sure you get all your ingredients delivered fresh and ready for you to prepare. If fridge space is a problem, why not ask close family or friends to bring along a pudding or some nibbles. Remember to add the extra essentials to your shopping list including cups, plates and serviettes. 2. Cheat your menu If you want to keep the work down when you are preparing your menu, remember there are plenty of ready-made items that you can use for your food. Pate, crackers, dips and ready made sandwiches are just some of the items you may want to purchase so that you do not have to spend hours in the kitchen. 3. Get the drinks in Make sure you have a good amount of beer, wine, pimms and soft drinks, as these are all staple drinks of any good garden party. Getting some unusual drinks that your guests may not have tried before will go down a storm and really get the party atmosphere going, cocktails are great for parties. 4. Is the garden party-ready? It goes without saying that the garden will need to be an inviting place that your guests will enjoy spending time in. The first thing to do is to mow the lawn, maybe scatter a few pot plants around with colorful flowers blooming so that you get the garden looking its best. If you don’t have any, a parasol or 2 will be a good idea so that your guests have a bit of shade out of the sunlight, or if you have a large garden a gazebo is also a great idea. Ensure that you have enough tables and chairs for everyone and if you are tight on budget you could ask your neighbors to borrow some of theirs. If your garden party is likely to go on onto the evening, you will need to get some lighting out there, there are many types of lighting on offer for gardens and to make the area look magical you could drape some fairy lights around for that extra sparkle. 5. Decorate Giving your garden party a theme will make it look very elegant, it may be something as simple as a color scheme or as sophisticated as a dress code. Whatever you decide s simple way of doing this is to make sure the colors of your plates and cups match the table cloths and if you are going for a stylish feel you can cover the chairs in fabric which matches your color scheme. When planning your party it is always a good idea to have a clear vision of how you want your garden to look and the type of party you want. That way you can look in the internet for color ideas, food ideas and lighting so that you can get all the supplies you need in advance of the day. ]]> This weekend the Budget Marine Cup is taking place, a trial run for those who will compete in the annual Aruba Rembrandt Regatta. The regatta takes place on the weekend of Aug 10th, 11th and 12th, at Eagle Beach. In a fun packed weekend, around 30 sailing races will take place in different categories, Beach Tennis Aruba organizes it’s ITF tournament, Arruwac road runners and walking club are to organize a 5k run on Saturday, on Sunday at 5pm there will be a swimming competition and the WRCA regatta windsurfing competition will start at Fisherman’s huts on Saturday and Sunday at midday. Last year the Budget Marine Cup was awarded to sailing yacht D-Trip with captain Edwin Versteeg and his team from Curacao after a very close competition with sailing yacht Dash. On Thursday Aug 9th, the registration for sailing and windsurfing participants will be at cafe Rembrandt, South Beach Mall, from 4 â€" 7 pm. Post office Aruba will also be present to sell the all new series of Aruba Rembrandt Regatta stamps. This is a great event to watch for anyone lucky enough to live in ARUBA PROPERTY. Source:aruba-daily.com]]> ARUBA PROPERTY.]]> This good size home with paved garden and swimming pool is located in Esmeralda. The well finished home features a tile roof, granite kitchen countertop, Storm shutters as some of the testaments to the owners adherence to quality and peace of mind. Price:$549,000 Read more about this listing]]> The two remaining polesitters, Liesbeth Cornes and Shurman Williams were anticipating an easy road to breaking the National Polesitting record of 87.45 hours on Sunday morning. The hardest part, the night between Saturday and Sunday, was now behind them. Nathan Janse and Ramond Kempen stepped off their poles at Cafe the Plaza in the Renaissance Marketplace after respectively 46 and 68 hours; they were totally exhausted after not having slept for so many hours. Shurman and Liesbeth, both the winners of last year’s event, now have the finish line in sight. The volunteers of Trampolin pa Trabao, the charity of the polesitting championships at Cafe the Plaza, did a great job, selling mother’s day gifts, raffle tickets and organizing games. A selection of VIP sitters have helped to keep the polesitters awake, among them Lucia White, Zuleyka Williams, Desiree Croes, Jan Hein Poelmann, John Bos, andin Bikker, Jaap Rikken and Rudy Croes, someof who live in ARUBA REAL ESTATE. Source:aruba-daily.com]]> This spacious Fixer Upper is located on the main road of Adriaan Lacle Blvd. and has a lot to offer. It is located in close proximity to schools, airport and shopping areas in town. Price:$700,000 Read more about this listing]]> ARUBA PROPERTY. 1. It is a good idea to set off with a clear plan in your mind and a general vision of what you want your living room to look like. This does not mean that you have to know every detail, but a general idea will help you to achieve your goal. Behind every successful project, there is a strategy and a plan, the same should be applied here. 2. You should do as much research as you can before deciding on the look of your room. You can find plenty of home magazines and catalogues or surf the net for some great ideas of living room colors and styles. If you find something you like, tear the page out or print the picture off and keep it aside for reference later on. After you have a collection of different designs youcan then choose which ones suit you and your home, although this may be a little confusing at times it will help you in deciding what you do and dont like. 3.Lighting will be an important aspect of your decoration, as it creates good ambiance, and adds to the mood and atmosphere of the room. So choose your lighting carefully so that you can create the right feel for your living room. 4. Selecting the correct furniture is vital, again a good idea is to look through magazines and on the internet to match the correct furniture to the style of your room. After choosing, placing the furniture in the correct place and position is also important. It is never a good idea to line it up against the wall. Your room look small with this kind of arrangement. 5. Curtains can make a room, so choosing them is very important, a nicely decorated room with shabby curtains that do not match will make all your efforts void. a good tip is to choose curtains which match the color of the furniture. 6. Adding to the list of the most important parts of a room, flooring is also another that should be kept in mind as It is essential for furnishing. The coverings of the floor can be tiles, carpet or wood, and as you will see quite a bit of it, the color should tie in nicely with the furniture and walls. 7. You should ensure that there is a sufficient amount of free space to allow you to get walk around and daily activities otherwise the room will feel like a furniture shop. 8. Pick up any accessories that match in with your scheme to add zing to your room and make it unique. Craft shows and flea markets are good for this sort of thing. 9. If you are into plants you could always choose some colorful plants to provide a natural beauty to your new living room. 10. Some interesting paintings can really bring style to your room, so get out there and check out some art work that will compliment your choice of decoration. Decorating for the first time can be confusing especially with so many colors and styles to choose from, you can end up confused between colors curtains furniture and never know what you really want. Proper planning before starting any project is an absolute must and will help you to have some sort of vision in your mind so that you know what you are aiming for. Follow these simple tips and you are sure to have the perfect living room in no time at all!]]> The Caribbean Queen store at the Palm Beach Plaza Mall has introduced its Caribbean Queen for the month of April. She is Visual Artist, Art Professor, Marketing Manager, and the Director of Aruba Art au Plateau Foundation, Desiree Rep-Sporkslede. With many exhibitions and art projects to her credit in Aruba, Curacao, and the Netherlands, Desiree Rep-Sporkslede takes the spotlight again as her collection is featured at Caribbean Queen for the month of April. For her unique show, entitled Action for Figures, her jewelery collection combines recycled elements and new hand-made beads from Terrafuse, a local ceramic workshop. Desiree’s Action for Figures incorporate traditional fuses retired from the power plant and familiar elements in porcelain, glass and stainless steel. She presents her own view on the fads and trends that drive the fashion industry, and explores the insanity of women, when it comes to bags, shoes, luxury brand names, and the craze of totting a small dog as a fashion accessory. This is a great shiow for anybody interested in art and living in the Caribbean in an ARUBA PROPERTY. Source:aruba-daily.com ]]> ARUBA PROPERTY? Do you want to reduce your utility bills? Although moving from a home that you have lived in for many years and possible brought up your family in can be difficult emotionally, there are ways to create a more suitable affordable living space within smaller homes, here are 5 tips to help you choose the perfect home when you are downsizing. Think about which rooms you can do without Before you begin searching for a your smaller home, sit with the family and make a list of what you like and dislike about your current home. Which rooms do you use a lot? Which spaces and pieces of furniture just collect dust? A good rule to use is the 6 times a year rule. Think about each room in your home and if you use them less than 6 times a year it is probable that you can do without them. While you are thinking about your living space, choose which rooms you could use for more than one purpose. If you work at home and require a home office, a good idea is to put a small sofa sleeper or small bed in your office in your new home for when you have guests visiting. If you enjoy hosting dinner parties, you do not need to have a formal dining room in your new home, why not put a table in the kitchen and create a casual dining space. Consider Purchasing Multi-use Furniture When you have decided which rooms you can shed without affecting your way of life, consider the furniture you may need. Multi-use pieces like sofa sleepers, bunkbeds, nests of tables and coffee tables with drawers are saving graces when living in smaller spaces If you have large pieces of furniture which are impractical - donate or sell them. If you are moving to a smaller home because your kids have left home, it will not be necessary to have so much furniture. Before you move, tell the kids to take what they want from their old rooms and also offer them any furniture which you will no longer be using in your new home. Once you have decided on the furniture you want to keep, measure all larger pieces and when you are viewing homes take a measure with you so you can be sure it will all fit in rooms and through the doorways etc.. Good Design is Essential In a small living space, design is especially important. Look closely at the storage space in any potential new home you look at. There are many older houses that do not have bedroom closets so you will need to bring space saving wardrobes or an extra dresser. Don't rule out homes which have little closet space, think about the possibility of building shelves and getting under bed storage boxes for seasonal clothes. If you are looking to move into an apartment, ask if there is storage space available to use within the building. It is important to explore all the options and to keep an open mind before you rule a place out. Look at how much light comes into any property you view as light will make any small space look bigger. If there is outdoor living space this adds to a property and gives the feeling of a bigger home. Choose a Place You Have Always Wanted to Live The money you will save when moving from a bigger home, may mean that you are able to move to the place you have always wanted to live in. Look at all locations to see what is available to you within your price range. Personal Space Regardless of how small you decide to go, don't forget that you will still need personal space, one of the main complaints from those who have already made the move is that they feel like they are constantly in someones way. Everyone has their own ideas of what personal space is to them and it is difficult to adjust to a smaller home at first. Be patient and you will all get used to it. Regardless of how small, ensure that you have a place of your own in your new home, it doesn’t need to be a whole room â€" even just an armchair tucked away where you can read and have some quiet time will be perfect. Downsizing is always a daunting process when you are used to having a large family home filled with people, however there are many positives to downsizing and it will not take long to adjust once you have found the perfect home for you.]]> One of the best international and educational summer Arts programmes, held here on Aruba is back. Introducing a new website, new teachers and a new city as a location to teach over 250 young aspiring artists some of who live in ARUBA REAL ESTATE about the world of Arts. Started in 2010 by the Pancake Gallery Foundation, Art Rules Aruba has over the last 4 years, grown to become the most popular workshop program offering teens, between the age 13 and 23 the chance to express their artistic talents Over an intensive 2-week summer program, Art Rules Aruba has full time classes teaching not only new methods, techniques, skills and perspectives, but also focuses on teaching young people the importance of discipline, determination and dedication. Although the program had such a great line up of teachers, a big challenge for the Pancake Gallery this year, when it decided to continue with the program, was knowing that keeping it fresh, also meant bringing in new ideas and people to the program. Source:aruba-daily.com]]> This property is a parcel of property land, 15585 m2 / 167,756 sq/ft in size located at Modanza. The area is located about the middle of the island. Price:$700,450 Read more about this listing]]> ARUBA PROPERTY means that you will have many fun times ahead making lots of great summer memories and you might even want to work away those extra christmas pounds by hitting the water and doing a few laps. Although, while these options are very exciting, owning a pool does also come with responsibilities, with water acting as a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria and a range of other factors which can make your pool an unhygienic or unsafe area. It is important to look after maintenance as a priority, don't fret â€" pool maintenance is not a big deal and wont take up that much of your time, however if you want to truly make the most of your backyard pool it is something that is vital. Stop by your local pool supply store and make friends with the assistants so that you can get some good advice. Here are some maintenance tips that you should always remember: 1. Water and Chemicals To keep the water in your pool hygienically clean and safe for swimming, there are several chemicals that will help you, chlorine is the first and most recognized that will need to go into your pool as part of your maintenance. Chlorine is basically used to keep your pool clean and to break down and remove any build up of bacteria and algae â€" which of course you don’t want to swim around in, and you definitely don’t want your kids in. Sanitise your pool with chlorine regularly, and keep a check on the levels so you know it is safe for swimming. As well as chlorine levels, you should also keep a check on the pH levels in your pool â€" this is the measure of acidity or alkalinity. The water should be more a little more alkaline (slightly) as chlorine works most effective this way. As well as impacting chlorine, more alkaline water is better matched to our own skin and also means pool equipment won’t be damaged. 2. Keep it Clean Your skimmer basket and pool filter are your best friends when it comes to keeping your water clean. Your skimmer basket will collect leaves and other debris that falls into the water. Make sure you check and empty it regularly to keep your pool is as clean as possible. In addition, use a leaf net to rake up anything remaining and clean your tiles regularly. 3. Other Pool Additions Besides the chlorine and pH levels that are commonly known, if you are a new pool owner you may want to go to your local pool accessories store for other treatments which will ensure further cleanliness and the long life of your pool. You will need to add Algae preventatives regularly to control algae contaminants. Bare in mind that some of these additives can damage your tiles, so ask a professional and spend that little bit extra to get a good quality one that does no damage. Your filter system will have trouble getting rid of small particles on the surface, such as metal particles, which are often found. A ‘metal out’ chemical will help to eliminate these and finally a water clarifier should be added to ensure the water is not cloudy. 4. Keep an Eye on the Weather The other big factor in your pool maintenance to be aware of is the weather. Storms of any kind, especially dust storms, will leave your pool very dirty, and maintenance should be undertaken immediately. To decrease the amount of damage incurred, consider getting a pool cover and keeping the water under wraps when not in use.]]> Aruba Bank has announced the opening of its Customer Service Center at the Super Food Plaza. The official opening was conducted by Aruba Bank Managing Director, Marcelline Richardson.The new Customer Service Center is designed to highlight services and products offered by Aruba Bank, at the convenience of prospective clients living in ARUBA REAL ESTATE, with complete confidentiality. Clients may also apply for credit and debit cards, and the ArubaCard. Aruba Bank would like to inform its clients that cash transactions will not be handled at the new Aruba Bank Customer Service Center. Those transactions will however be available at any of the other Aruba Bank branches. Other services offered at the new Service Center will include: the opening of bank accounts, both current checking and saving accounts and the applications for a car or a personal loan. Aruba Bank said it will treat all Customer Service Center visitors with special care, and they will also receive a welcome gift. Source:aruba-daily.com]]> ARUBA PROPERTY and help to protect the environment. Here are a few tips to help you along the road to reducing waste: Reduce â€" Buy less small packages. Although individually wrapped packages and drinks are convenient, they are also wasteful. when you buy in bulk you will save money and you will have less packaging to dispose of. If you really like the idea of individually wrapped servings, you can always use small reusable containers to divide up the bulk product. Reuse â€" You don't have to throw out plastic tubs after you have used their contents, why not use them to store leftovers in. The containers can be used several times and when you do finally have to throw them out, you will know that you are recycling them after you have used them as much as you can. Say No To Bags â€" Instead of choosing between plastic or paper bags, don’t use a bag. If you are only buying a few items you may be able to carry them, try putting small items on pockets or purses and if you are getting a lot, take a backpack with you or any other type of reusable bag. There will be no need to recycle bags if you don’t use them in the first place. Reusable Containers â€" Buy reusable containers, such as water bottles and travel mugs. Instead of buying individual bottles of water which you will end up recycling or coffee cups that get thrown out, buy reusable ones. You can wash them out every day and refill them when you want them. Some stores, will let you bring your own containers to purchase things like fresh peanut butter, honey, olive oil, and flour (just to name a few). If you are interested in reducing waste but didn’t know where to start. These are just a few ways that you can help to reduce waste in your home and help to reduce your environmental impact.]]> Brand-new and Luxurious building located in the Chamber of Commerce Business park, across from the Divi Resort. Price:$2,500,000 Read more about this listing]]> Last week saw the annual Aruba Xtreme sports contest take place, with some superb performances from young and old residents who live in ARUBA REAL ESTATE. In the Windsurfing Small Final, Rafael de Windt pulled out a huge forward loop, wowing the crowds, and taking first place from Steven Max. In the Kite surfing there were lots of airs, spins and twists from the kite riders creating a great show here at Bushiri. Guest rider Christophe Tack got to do a Front Blind Mobe again and won the freestyle kite surfing elimination round. In the Bmx Freestyle, the BMX Bunny Hop contest created an exciting atmosphere. Darrel Davelaar won the Bunny Hop with a height of 40 inches, only 9 inches away from the world record. Second place went to Jacob van der Biezen! Furthest Bunny Hop went to Jacob van der Biezen with 3.98 meters and a 4.20 meter jump for his personal record. Source:aruba-daily.com]]> ARUBA PROPERTY. You should repair and repaint your home as soon as you notice paint starting to crack, blister and peel. If you choose to ignore these warning signs for too long you will end up with a much more extensive and expensive job. Here are some painting tips every home owner should know whether you are planning to carry the work out yourself or hire a professional. Paint options There are two basic types of exterior paint: water-based latex and oil-based alkyd. Latex cleans up with soap and water, dries quickly, has minimal odor and remains flexible longer so is therefore less likely to crack. Alkyd paints need shite spirit for cleanup, however many professional painters favor alkyd paint because it's long lasting and stain-resistant, the paint flows smoother and dries with fewer brush marks. However, alkyd paints do have a very strong smell and take more time to dry. Read the label Not many homeowners read the label of a paint tin, however they really should. there is a huge amount of information printed right on the tin that can help you to achieve a good paint job. Ensure that you read all the instructions about preparing the surface and outdoor air temperature. Most paints shouldn't be applied when the temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, however there are some paints that are specifically formulated for application when the temperature is as low as 35. Prep the surface The surfaces must be cleaned so they are free of all dirt, grime, mildew and chalky residue so that the paint adheres. A power sprayer provides the easiest way to accomplish this, but hand scrubbing with a hard brush can be just as effective. I is a good idea to use a hammer to tap in nails and then fill the holes with putty for exterior use. Once the putty is dry, sand it down until it is flush with the surface. Painting over the old paint on a surface is ok as long as it is in good condition. Make sure you sand any spots that have blistered or flaked off and prime any bare wood before painting. Brush or roller? The easiest and fastest way to apply exterior paint is with a roller and a paintbrush. You can brush paint onto narrow areas and edges and use a roller which is short with a small diameter to paint the larger and longer areas. Start in the shade It is not a good idea to paint surfaces in direct sunlight as it will dry too quickly which means it will not adhere properly and will blister and flake prematurely. So begin painting on the shady side of the house. If the surface is damp, wipe it dry. Then wait for the sun to move and the other sides of the house to become shaded â€" or just paint on an overcast day. Start from the top Begin painting at the top of the house and work your way down, apply paint to the bottom edge of the siding first and then paint the large surfaces. Always brush from one wet surface to another so that you can avoid lap marks and if this is not possible you should paint onto a previously painted area which has dried overlapping the surface by several inches. As you will be working high up, you must also remember basic ladder safety rules: Don’t reach too far to the side of you may topple over. Try to keep your hips within the horizontal rails of the ladder, remember its much safer to climb down and l=move the ladder and climb back up than risk falling. Since you'll be working high up, don't forget basic ladder safety: Don't reach too far to the side or you might topple over. Try to keep your hips within the horizontal rails of the ladder. It's much smarter to climb down, move the ladder and climb back up than to risk falling. Painting the exterior of a home is just one of those jobs most people don’t want to start, however if you follow these simple tips the job will be much easier than you first anticipated. ]]> MOTIVATED SELLERS!!This is a unique investment opportunity!! This apartment complex has a total of 10 apartments. Price:$435,400 Read more about this listing]]> David Pepin and Jerry Mattern are this years winners of the ninth edition of the Wente Vineyards/Papiamento Restaurant Golf Tournament. The tournament, as always, was organized by Wente Vineyards, and is held in a two-men scramble format. This means that each player hits a tee-shot and afterward the team selects the best positioned ball for the next shot. As the players approached the first tee, a few golfers still seemed a bit shaky after the superb cocktail reception at Papiamento Restaurant the day before. This years chosen charity of the fund-raising golf tournament 2013, is Koningin Wilhelmina Fonds, which assists and supports cancer victims living in ARUBA PROPERTY on the island. This years sponsors of the 2013 edition of the Wente Vineyards/Papiamento Restaurant Golf Tournament at Tierra del Sol, included American Airlines, Aruba Airport Authority, Aruba Bank and Crystal Casino. The winners, Pepin and Mattern beat Wouter Werkema and Erik van Droogenbroek by 1 point, in a superb effort to win the coveted grand prize of a trip to the Wente Vineyards property in Livermore Valley, California. Source:aruba-daily.com ]]> ARUBA PROPERTY is a great way to not only save money but ensures that you achieve a fully coordinating look too. Before buying a new bathroom suite think about the look and feel that you want to create and ensure that you measure the room accurately.]]> Two local athletes are training hard for the upcoming Ironman challenge in Switzerland. Physical trainer Lars Stolk and teacher Mario Nooijen are preparing for the upcoming trial of strength, which allows for 60 qualifying slots for the 2013 Ironman World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The two have called their participation in the Iron Man event `Run for a Charity’ with a definite goal in mind. They want to collect enough money to be able to purchase a special bus so that the disabled children and young adults of the island can be transported around free of charge. Lars and Mario have joined forces with the Mi Por foundation, which helps parents and their disabled children in various ways. Creating awareness is one of the foundation’s goals, many people are not aware of the dire circumstances and hardships that exist in families with disabled children living in ARUBA REAL ESTATE. Quite a few companies have already pledged their support, and the two teachers hope to generate enough money to reach the 83.000 needed to buy the bus. Source:aruba-daily.com]]> his large Mediterranean Villa is located in Rooi Santo, only a couple of minutes walk to the Marriott properties and Malmok beaches. Price:$750,000 Read more about this listing]]> Aruba’s golfers are already looking forward to the annual Wente Vineyards/Papiamento Golf Tournament, which will be held on Saturday, March 23rd. All sponsorship money, as well as the registration fee for the tournament will be going straight to the charity that has been elected. This year’s chosen charity is Koningin Wilhelmina Fonds, the foundation which supports patients with cancer. The tournament will raise money for the transportation of patients to and from the hospital, oncologists and physiotherapists. The annual golf event has very good standing in the local community and is popular with all those who live in ARUBA PROPERTY, and sponsors have reacted favorably to the request of organizer Arion Wine Company to support this unique event. All sponsors are invited to the welcome cocktail party, and will have their company logo or flag displayed at `their’ own hole or tee, and of course, sponsors are also more than welcome to attend the awards presentation. Source:aruba-daily.com ]]>