Selling your home starts here
Selling a home is an important decision.
This Sellers Guide takes you through the selling process in Curaçao in clear steps
from the initial valuation to the handover of the keys.
01 | Selling in Curaçao
A good sale starts with good preparation.
Discover what you need to consider before putting your property on the market in Curaçao.
Selling in Curaçao
Selling a home in Curaçao is more than putting up a sign and placing a property online. A successful sale starts with good preparation: knowing what your property is worth, understanding who the potential buyers are and determining which sales strategy suits your property.
Whether you have lived in Curaçao for years, are moving abroad or own a property that you no longer use: the way you bring your home to the market directly influences the level of interest, the negotiations and ultimately the result.
Before you put your home on the market
A good sale starts with a few simple questions.
Why do you want to sell?
Your reason for selling can influence the desired timing and strategy.
What is your property really worth?
A realistic market value forms the basis for a good asking price.
Who is the most likely buyer?
A home in Jan Thiel may attract a different target group than a home in, for example, Damacor, Matancia or Koraal Tabak.
How do you want to present your property?
Good photography, video, a strong property presentation and a targeted marketing strategy can make the difference.
How much time do you have?
A property that needs to be sold quickly requires a different approach than an owner who has the time to wait for the right buyer.
The right sales strategy
There is no standard approach for every home in Curaçao.
A property can be attractive to a local buyer, a Dutch buyer who wants to move to Curaçao, an international buyer or an investor.
That is why a good sales strategy does not start with the question:
“Where can we place my home?”
but with:
“Who do we want to reach and why would that buyer want this particular home?”
A good sale starts before the first viewing
The first impression is often made online.
The photos, presentation, asking price and description determine whether a potential buyer looks further or moves directly on to the next property.
That is why the goal is not to put your home online in as many places as possible, but to bring it to the attention of the right target group in the right way.
A good sale therefore does not begin when the first buyer walks through the door. It begins the moment you decide to sell your home.
02 | What is your property worth?
The right asking price starts with a realistic view of the value of your property.
Location, condition, amenities and the current market all play a role.
What is your property worth?
The value of a property in Curaçao is not determined solely by what you paid for it or what a comparable property once sold for.
The market looks at the property as a whole: the location, the plot, the living area, the condition of the property, the quality of the finish, the view, the amenities and the current supply of comparable properties.
Asking price is not the same as market value
It is understandable that you have a certain price in mind for your property. Perhaps because you know what you paid for it, because you have invested in renovations or because a comparable property is listed for a certain amount.
But an asking price is not the same as the final selling price.
A good sale therefore starts with a realistic assessment of what the market considers your property to be worth at that moment.
What do we look at?
When determining the value, we look at, among other things:
• Location and the immediate surroundings
• Plot size and living area
• Type and layout of the property
• Condition and maintenance
• Quality of the kitchen, bathrooms and finish
• Swimming pool, garden, terrace and outdoor space
• View, privacy and location
• Age or year of construction
• Comparable properties currently on the market
• Recent market developments
• The target group for your property
A property does not have to be exactly the same as a comparable property to provide valuable information. It is about the overall picture.
A price that is too high can become expensive
A high asking price sounds attractive. But if the market does not support that price, it can actually work against you.
A property that remains on the market for months can increasingly create the impression that something is wrong with it. The price is then reduced, while potential buyers may already have formed an opinion.
That is why the right price at the start is often more important than simply the highest price on paper.
What is your home in Curaçao worth?
A good valuation is not an exact science. It is a well-founded estimate based on the property, the location and the current market.
The goal is not to determine the highest possible asking price. The goal is to determine a price at which your property can enter the market strongly and credibly.
That is the starting point for a successful sale.
Would you like extra certainty?
If you are uncertain about the value of your property, you can also choose, as a seller, to have an independent valuation carried out and a formal valuation report prepared.
A valuation can provide additional certainty about the value of your property. The real estate agent can then help translate that value into an appropriate sales strategy and asking price for the current market.
The goal is not to argue over a price, but to enter the market with a well-founded value.
03 | Getting your home ready for sale.
A beautiful home does not sell itself. The right buyer needs to see it, understand it and find it interesting.
That is why we look not only at where we can place your property, but especially at who we want to reach.
Who do we want to reach?
Every property has a different target group. That can be a local buyer, someone who wants to move to Curaçao, an international buyer, an investor or someone specifically looking in a particular neighbourhood.
The target group also determines how we present your property and where we bring it to their attention.
The first impression is online
The first introduction often takes place through a photo, video or online presentation.
That is why we look at:
• professional photography;
• a strong property description;
• video and, where appropriate, drone footage;
• the location and surroundings;
• the lifestyle that suits the property;
• Dutch and English presentation where relevant.
We do not only want to show what your property has, but above all why someone would want to live there.
Reach is not the same as result
We can make a property visible in many places, but the goal is not to get as many views or likes as possible.
The goal is to reach the right buyer.
For this, we can make use of, among other things, the CPM website, property platforms, social media, our own network and cooperation with other real estate agents.
During the sale, we look at how the market responds. The level of interest, viewings and offers tell us whether the chosen approach is working.
04 | Marketing & reaching the right buyer
A beautiful home does not sell itself. The right buyer needs to see it, understand it and find it interesting.
That is why we look not only at where we can place your property, but especially at who we want to reach.
Who do we want to reach?
Every property has a different target group. That can be a local buyer, someone who wants to move to Curaçao, an international buyer, an investor or someone specifically looking in a particular neighbourhood.
The target group also determines how we present your property and where we bring it to their attention.
The first impression is online
The first introduction often takes place through a photo, video or online presentation.
That is why we look at:
• professional photography;
• a strong property description;
• video and, where appropriate, drone footage;
• the location and surroundings;
• the lifestyle that suits the property;
• Dutch and English presentation where relevant.
We do not only want to show what your property has, but above all why someone would want to live there.
Reach is not the same as result
We can make a property visible in many places, but the goal is not to get as many views or likes as possible.
The goal is to reach the right buyer.
For this, we can make use of, among other things, the CPM website, property platforms, social media, our own network and cooperation with other real estate agents.
During the sale, we look at how the market responds. The level of interest, viewings and offers tell us whether the chosen approach is working.
05 | Viewings, offers & negotiation
A viewing is more than a tour of the property.
It is the moment when a potential buyer decides whether the property is truly right for them.
Good guidance starts with good preparation.
A good viewing
We make sure the property looks its best and give the buyer the space to look around calmly and ask questions.
Honesty comes first. A property does not need to be presented as something it is not. The right buyer needs to know what they are buying.
From interest to an offer
If a buyer is enthusiastic, an offer may follow. We look not only at the amount, but also at the conditions, timing and certainty of the buyer.
Negotiation
Negotiation is not always only about the price. Conditions, completion date and other agreements can also be part of the negotiations.
CPM discusses the offers with you, provides advice and negotiates on your behalf when you choose to do so.
The goal is not always the highest offer, but the best deal for you.
That is where good guidance adds value.
06 | The sale from A to Z
Selling a property involves several steps.
We guide you throughout the entire process, so you know what is happening and when.
The process
1. Preparation
Property valuation, sales strategy and getting your property ready for sale.
2. Presentation & marketing
Photography, video, property presentation and reaching the right buyers.
3. Viewings & offers
We guide the viewings, discuss the feedback and guide you through offers and negotiations.
4. Purchase agreement
Once the terms have been agreed, the agreements are recorded in the purchase agreement.
5. To the notary
The next step is the further handling towards the notary. The required documents are collected and the arrangements for the transfer are prepared.
6. Transfer
At the notary, the deed of transfer is signed. The property is then transferred and the keys are handed over.
Closing
From the first valuation to the handover of the keys: you are not on your own. CPM guides you every step of the way.