Thanks for your replies and for clarifying, I'm sure this will be valuable information for anybody considering a house swap.

As regards scams in Aruba, I do not know of any specifically in terms of properties for sale by owners, but it is always recommended to conduct the same type of checks we are talking about here and always go through official, legal channels from initial research right through to any eventual transaction. All agreements related to property have to be done through a notary here, and not anyone can be a notary, in fact the quantity is strictly limited by law. Notaries are appointed by National Decree signed by the Governor of Aruba as representatives of the Queen of the Netherlands.