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:
Question: I just bought a house today, what do I do now?
That’s a really good question. Once you have purchased a property, here’s what you need to do next:
- Get a copy of the signed transfer deed from the Notaris. You’ll need to have this to start the utilities.
- Set up utilities: Go to the WEB office (Water- en Energiebedrijf Bonaire) on Kaminda Djabou to connect your electricity, water and trash services. If you make an appoint with WEB in advance, things should go faster. You will fill out a connection form and give them a security deposit.
- Set up TV and Internet: Go to either TELBO or Flamingo TV to arrange for Internet and TV service to your new home. Your mobile phone carrier, like Digicel or FLOW also offer wireless internet service using the cellular network
- If your homes has a gas connection for cooking you will also need to set up your own account for the gas tanks at CUROIL located at Kaya Aruaco.
- Set up Homeowners Insurance: A number of companies offer homeowners insurance on the island, including Ennia, Guardian and Nagico to name a few. There are also insurance brokers on the island who can shop for you at all of the insurers to get you the best price and coverage. You will need a value letter or appraisal that estimates the rebuild value of your property to make sure you have adequate coverage. Make sure you know what is covered by your insurance coverages include fire damage, storm damage/flooding, or a package for “all risk” which covers most things and confirm with your insurance company what damages are and aren’t covered by your insurance policy.
- Although liability cases are extremely rare on Bonaire, they do occur, so you should also consider including personal liability coverage as a part of your homeowners insurance.
Congratulations on your new home and thank you for your question.
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.