Buying an Existing Home vs. Building Your Own on Curaçao

Curaçao’s year-round sunshine, turquoise bays, and relaxed island lifestyle make it an appealing place to own a home—whether you’re relocating, investing, or looking for a second residence. One of the first big decisions is choosing between buying an existing home or building a new one from scratch.

Both options can be great, but they come with different timelines, risks, and trade-offs. Below is a practical comparison to help you decide.

Option 1: Buying an Existing Home on Curaçao

What are the Key advantages? 

• Speed and convenience: In many cases, you can move in shortly after closing—no construction timeline required.
• Established neighborhoods: Many existing homes are in areas with developed roads, utilities, and nearby amenities.
• What you see is what you get: You can evaluate the layout, views, wind exposure, and overall “feel” before buying.
• Mature landscaping and character: Older properties often come with established gardens, shade, and a lived-in charm.

Potential drawbacks? 

• Hidden maintenance or aging systems: Salt air, heat, and wind can accelerate wear; a thorough inspection is essential.
• Renovation costs: Outdated kitchens, bathrooms, roofs, or pools can add up quickly.
• Compromise on layout or features: You may not find the perfect combination of location, design, and functionality.
• Energy efficiency may lag: Older homes may benefit from upgrades such as insulation, modern glazing, and solar-ready systems.

Option 2: Building Your Own Home on Curaçao

What are the Key advantages of building?

• Full customization: You choose the design, layout, materials, and finishes—built around your lifestyle.
• Modern standards and smart design: New builds can integrate better ventilation, shading, water management, and energy-efficient solutions from day one.
• Lower near-term maintenance: Everything is new, which can reduce major repair needs in the first years.
• Tropical, site-optimized architecture: You can plan around views, trade winds, privacy, and indoor-outdoor living.

Ar there any potential drawbacks?

• Time and project complexity: Permits, planning, contractors, and logistics can take longer than expected.
• Budget uncertainty: Material availability, design changes, and unforeseen site conditions can increase costs.
• Contractor selection matters a lot: A reliable team and clear contracts are critical to avoid delays and quality issues.
• Land availability in premium areas: Desirable locations can be limited and priced accordingly.

To help you out: We offer a quick decision guide: which is right for you?

Choose an existing home if you want:
-> Faster move-in and less project management
-> A proven neighborhood and immediate livability
-> A clear picture of what you’re buying (views, layout, surroundings)

Choose building if you want:
-> A tailored home with modern features
-> Control over design, materials, and long-term efficiency
-> You’re comfortable with timelines, decision-making, and managing a build

We also have some Curaçao-specific tips (whichever route you choose):

1. Do due diligence: Title, boundaries, zoning/usage, and any community rules should be reviewed carefully.
2. Plan for climate: Prioritize ventilation, shading, corrosion-resistant materials, and water management.
3. Think total cost, not just purchase/build price: Include closing costs, permits, inspections, landscaping, pool, solar, and furnishing if needed.


Conclusions? 

Buying an existing home on Curaçao offers speed and convenience, while building gives you maximum customization and modern comfort—at the cost of time and complexity.

Whatever you choose, our RE/MAX agents are ready to help you compare options, evaluate locations, and move forward with confidence—whether that means finding the right home today or the right plot for your dream build.


Disclaimer: This article is general information and not legal or financial advice.

Plan for climate: Prioritize ventilation, shading, corrosion-resistant materials, and water management.

Prima ervaring, tijdige en correcte terugkoppeling en goede begeleiding.Aanrader!

Mr. Groenewegen

Netherlands

Beantwoordt vragen snel, is correct en ter zake kundig…..wat wil je nog meer?

Fam. D. Hendriks

Netherlands

Wij waren zeer tevreden over de goede rondleidingen en informatie van Marcel Piepenbrink toen wij op zoek waren naar een woning op Curaçao.Als gevolg daarvan zijn wij nu eigenaren van een mooie woning op Grote Berg.Bovendien heeft Marcel een goede beheerder geadviseerd, die ons met raad en daad heeft geadviseerd bij het opknappen en onderhoud van de woning.

Jan Lautenbach und Tine van Minnen

Niederlande

Fijne samenwerking, goede begeleiding, gemakkelijk te bereiken, beantwoordt vragen snel of zoekt uit waar het antwoord te vinden is.Kortom: wij zijn meer dan tevreden!

S. Vandewall

Die Niederlande

What’s the best first step? Decide your priority: speed, customization, or budget certainty—then explore matching options