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A8   LOCAL
                 Friday 27 September 2024
             Why Oceanfront Condo Prices in Aruba Are Set to Skyrocket


                                                                                                    rise, expected to jump from just over 1 million in 2022
                                                                                                    to more than 1.4 million by 2024. Many of these visitors
                                                                                                    are not just tourists—they’re potential buyers. With little
                                                                                                    oceanfront land left to develop, the laws of supply and
                                                                                                    demand suggest that prices will only continue to rise.
                                                                                                    North American buyers, in particular, are snapping up
                                                                                                    beachfront  properties,  driving  prices  higher  as  avail-
                                                                                                    able inventory dwindles.
                                                                                                    Aruba’s Prices Are a Bargain—For Now
                                                                                                    Compared  to  other  top-tier  beach  destinations,  Aru-
                                                                                                    ba’s luxury condos are currently a steal:
              Imagine  waking  up  every  morning  to    the Caribbean—Aruba in particular—is       •     The Bahamas: $735-$2,000/sq-ft
              the sound of gentle waves and stepping     reaping the benefits.                      •     Antigua & Barbuda: $665-$1,250/sq-ft
              onto  white  sandy  beaches  under  the    Since  2019,  the  prime  residential  prop-  •   Barbados: $750-$1,400/sq-ft
              Caribbean sun. This dream is not just a    erty  market  across  the  Caribbean  has   •    Cayman Islands: $1,140-$2,780/sq-ft
              reality for those lucky enough to own an   seen steady growth, even in the face of    •     Turks & Caicos: $1,100-$1,500/sq-ft
              oceanfront condo in Aruba—it’s also an     a global pandemic. Buyers are increas-     •     Ft. Lauderdale, FL: $800-$1,100/sq-ft
              investment  opportunity  that’s  about  to   ingly  seeking  out  second  homes  or  re-  •   Aruba: $600-$800/sq-ft
              become even more lucrative.                tirement spots, willing to pay top dollar   But this won’t last. As the market tightens and demand
                                                         for a slice of paradise. Prices for luxury   continues to surge, Aruba’s prices are expected to rise
              The  Caribbean  has  long  been  a  ha-    properties  range  dramatically—from       sharply, bringing them more in line with other premium
              ven  for  those  seeking  an  escape  from   $650  per  square  foot  for  off-beach  vil-  Caribbean islands. Expect to see more multi-million dol-
              the  cold,  offering  an  unbeatable  mix   las in Antigua to a staggering $2,780 per   lar homes hit the market as the island becomes an in-
              of stunning landscapes, warm weather,      square foot for beachfront villas in the   creasingly attractive option for affluent buyers.
              and  a  relaxed  lifestyle.  From  Decem-  Cayman Islands.
              ber to April, the region bursts with life as   So,  why  is  Aruba  the  place  to  watch?   Appealing to High-Income Visitors
              snowbirds flock to its shores, transform-  Beyond  its  world-renowned  beaches,      Aruba is gearing up to welcome more affluent visitors,
              ing  the  Caribbean  into  a  vibrant,  sun-  safe  environment,  and  solid  infrastruc-  with the opening of a new St. Regis hotel in late 2024
              soaked paradise. During these months,      ture, several factors suggest that prices   and a refurbishment of the Hyatt under new ownership.
              average temperatures range from 76°F       for oceanfront condos and homes are        These  developments  signal  a  shift  towards  a  higher-
              in  the  Bahamas  to  a  perfect  83°F  in   set to climb even higher.                end market, much like what’s been seen in the Turks &
              Aruba,  making  it  a  top  destination  for                                          Caicos and the Cayman Islands. While Aruba’s diverse
              winter getaways. But what’s really driv-   Limited Supply, Surging Demand             appeal will remain, the influx of wealthier tourists is likely
              ing the market now is the shift to hybrid   The  Aruban  government  has  placed      to boost demand for luxury real estate, driving prices
              working, which allows people to extend     a  moratorium  on  new  condo  devel-      even higher.
              their stays from a few weeks to several    opments,  restricting  the  supply  of  new
              months.  This  trend  is  redefining  how   properties  at  a  time  when  demand  is   Robust Rental Returns
              and where people choose to live, and       skyrocketing. Tourist numbers are on the   For many buyers, owning a piece of the Caribbean isn’t
                                                                                                    just about having a dream vacation home—it’s also a
                                                                                                    savvy investment. The rental market in Aruba remains
                                                                                                    strong, especially as tourism continues to bounce back
                                                                                                    post-pandemic. With the rise of longer stays due to re-
                                                                                                    mote working, rental returns are likely to grow, making
                                                                                                    ownership even more attractive. Whether you’re look-
                                                                                                    ing to rent out your property during the high season or
                                                                                                    enjoy it yourself, the potential for strong rental income
                                                                                                    is yet another reason why investing in Aruba’s ocean-
                                                                                                    front condos makes sense.

                                                                                                    Conclusion: The Time to Invest Is Now
                                                                                                    Aruba’s prime residential market is on the cusp of sig-
                                                                                                    nificant  growth.  The  island’s  appeal—a  combination
                                                                                                    of natural beauty, safety, strong infrastructure, and an
                                                                                                    inviting  climate—combined  with  limited  supply  and
                                                                                                    increasing  demand,  is  setting  the  stage  for  a  surge
                                                                                                    in oceanfront condo prices. With prices still low com-
                                                                                                    pared to other Caribbean hotspots, now is the time to
                                                                                                    invest. Don’t wait too long—Aruba’s oceanfront con-
                                                                                                    dos are poised to become some of the most coveted
                                                                                                    real estate in the Caribbean.q
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