My real estate journey began with my grandmother, a raised hand, and a house she had never seen.
One of my very first listings was a home in Sabana Liber, purchased by my grandmother at an auction held by Notary Tromp. My cousin wanted to attend an auction for the first time to see how it worked, and my grandmother went along to keep her company.
But my grandmother did more than watch.
In a spontaneous moment, she raised her hand, placed a bid—and won! She had bought a house without knowing exactly where it was or what it looked like. As we understood it, this was a first for the notary: a buyer who purchased a property and only afterward went to find out where it was!
That unexpected purchase became an unforgettable opportunity for my father and me.
We got to work painting the house, taking care of maintenance, and preparing it for sale. Interest came quickly, and soon two eager buyers wanted to move forward. When one secured the property with a deposit, we still had another buyer hoping to find a home.
So we jumped in the car and drove through the neighborhood to see what else might be available.
Just around the corner, in the next phase of the same residential development, we noticed a house being painted. We stopped, asked the painters about the owner, and received his contact information. When we called to ask whether he would consider selling, he gave us his price.
It was within our buyer’s budget.
We explained that we already had an interested buyer, gathered the property details, and arranged to meet the owner later that afternoon at the Super Food café.
Then we called our other client, who had just arrived at the bank to make a deposit on the first house. We had some disappointing news—but also a promising surprise. The Sabana Liber home had been secured by another buyer, but we had found another property in the same neighborhood and within the same price range.
The client came straight over to view it. After walking through the house and out to the back, the decision was made: back to the bank to place a deposit and secure this home!
When we called the owner with the news, he could hardly believe how quickly everything had happened.
By around 6:00 that evening, we met at the café, where the owner and buyer signed the purchase agreement.
Two homes. Two buyers. One unforgettable day.
That experience sparked my determination to build a future in real estate. I discovered how much I enjoyed connecting people with opportunities—and how a little initiative could turn disappointment into a fresh start.
My career had already taught me the value of service, responsibility, and building relationships. I joined Universal Aviation Aruba in March 2005 as an Operations & Airside/Ramp Agent and was promoted to Team Supervisor in April 2007. In September 2009, I moved into a Sales Representative role at Superior Tobacco Company N.V., where I continued developing my sales and customer service experience.
While working, I began pursuing real estate part-time. On November 19, 2012, I formally established Safe House Realtors through Notary Yarzagaray. As my ambitions grew, the business evolved, and on December 12, 2013, it became EXPRO Exclusive Properties & Realty N.V., with me serving as Real Estate Agent and Director.
Along the way, real estate also gave me the opportunity to purchase my first home and later invest in additional properties. Experiencing the process as both an agent and a buyer deepened my appreciation for what every property decision means to the person making it.
I am especially grateful to the mentors who helped shape my journey: Mr. Mito Arends, my father Franklin Ignacio Loefstop, and the late Kenneth Faustin. Their guidance, experience, and encouragement helped me turn an early opportunity into a lasting career.
Today, I bring that same curiosity, dedication, and personal commitment to my clients. Whether you are buying, selling, or investing, my goal is to understand what matters to you, guide you through the process, and help you find the right opportunity.
And to think—it all started with my grandmother raising her hand.
