Buying or selling a home involves a lot of things, it also raises questions. In this column ‘Ask Bob’, real estate expert/broker Bob Bartikoski of RE/MAX Paradise Homes Bonaire answers a real estate question from a reader. This time:
Questions: I have some questions about the “housing rules” which was proposed by the local government (OLB) at the end of last year, and I was wondering:
- Can I still buy a house under $533,750?
- How will this proposal affect the value of my home?
-If I buy a house, do I have a requirement to live there myself? (in Dutch "zelfbewoningsplicht")?
First of all most stake holders agree the stated goal for this proposal of improving the availability of affordable housing for island residents of both rental housing and home ownership. It is important to keep in mind, right now these are PROPOSED rules from the Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire (OLB) and the OLB is just doing their research and seeking additional input from all stake holders, including island residents and non-residents, investors and developers, banks, the Fundashon Cas Bonairiano, real estate brokers and Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN). Since the government is still doing their own fact finding, I think these proposal are likely to be modified based on a consideration of the input they receive from all stake holders. The OLB is working toward having these rules take effect before the end of 2025.
At the moment I don’t really have any answers to your questions, but stay tuned and I will update the readers of this column as soon as I have any new information.
Do you want to buy or sell a house in Bonaire, or do have a real estate question for Bob? email him at: [email protected]. Call for free from the US: 1-866-611-7362 or Bonaire: +599-717-7362. See all our listings here.