About Us

An Overview of Our Executive Team

"The Caribbean Is Calling” is the phrase that is uttered the most at our offices. Our clients as well as our team members realize that when the Caribbean Calls, one must always answer! The Caribbean called Scott Medina, and he’s glad he listened. Born in New York, raised in Puerto Rico, having done business in the U.S. all his life, this Florida real estate broker found the silver lining within the cloud of a faltering economy; it was taking business outside of the Country to the sugar-colored beaches of the Caribbean; a dream come true. His permanent relocation to the Dominican Republic was featured on HGTV House Hunters International and is currently in pre-production for a second show with one of the many international families Scott Medina has helped to make their dreams of a home in the Bavaro, Punta Cana area come true. Scott attended Florida State University where he earned a B.S. in Real Estate & Finance and has over 25 years of real estate experience in the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Scott has no plans of leaving the Dominican Republic anytime soon since he married Rosalyn who is 100% Dominican and have two beautiful daughters together, Cecille Marie and Brianna Sophia.

Go Punta Cana Real Estate, established in Punta Cana in 2007, is the PREMIER BOUTIQUE FULL-SERVICE REAL ESTATE COMPANY that specializes in beachfront, “walk to the beach”, as well as golf course “gated” communities. Offering services in residential and commercial sales, investment properties as well as year-round vacation rentals, Go Punta Cana maintains a strong standing within the marketplace. The company, popular for its Dominican hospitality, local knowledge, and North American standards of doing business offers peace of mind by providing the necessary tools to ensure that every property purchase is a safe investment for you and your family.

Our Team

Martin Ameztoy was born in Argentina (1977). Studied Movie Making in Buenos Aires (1996), photography at “Istituto Italiano di Fotografia”, Milano (1999), and developed a career as Art Director in commercials and independent films. Actually, he lives in Punta Cana, Republica Dominicana, and works as a freelance wedding photographer at Bavaro Punta Cana.

Sebastian Ambrogetti was born in Argentina ( 1986 ). Studied photography at Buenos Aires at “Instituto Adda Sachii Arte visual”, ( 2005 ) Assisted to Fashion Photography & Creative Arts Workshops at Buenos Aires ( 2007 ) Works as a freelance photographer in Punta Cana, Republica Dominicana (2011). He spent several years portraiting different countries as a freelance photojournalist.

Trevor Barzee is originally from New York, however, has traveled extensively throughout the US and other countries around the world. At an early age, Trevor began a career in real estate; becoming a licensed property manager and owning/operating a real estate company in the Southeast US. This company expanded rapidly into both residential and commercial development. In addition to his own real estate projects, Trevor worked as a consultant for those seeking the same successes in real estate verticals. Furthermore, Trevor found himself putting his creative skills to work by marketing (both digitally and physically) his and his clients’ properties and projects. After spending time in South America, The Caribbean, and Europe, Trevor made the decision to officially open the doors to the Location Cubed Group (now Wild Compass Media) – a full-service digital marketing agency that now specializes in the positioning of businesses and services within the real estate and hospitality industries.

Rosalyn Lamarche de Medina was born in the Dominican Republic with a degree in marketing, I started in the wonderful world of real estate in 2011. At the age of 17, I got my second sales job and since then it has become my passion, although I have also ventured into other roles such as marketing, accounting, public relations, social media, and design. My goal is to understand clients and their need to provide them with a variety of options and tools that help them fulfill what they want. The client deserves the full service and attention that only a team of experts can consistently provide. We are dedicated to helping you sell, rent your home or help you find that dream home you have been searching for. You are invited to browse through our website, and call or email us directly with any questions you have about buying or selling. Looking forward to being your realtor!

Yeremit Vicioso – Hi, I’m Yeremit Vicioso, I was born in the beautiful city of La Romana, (Dominican Republic) I studied Marketing in Santo Domingo, and then in order to acquire more experience and knowledge, I decided to come to this sunny and wonderful place called Bavaro-Punta Cana. I don’t regret it! It is one of my best decisions; the beaches are amazing, there are many options to go out… there are a million opportunities to meet people from different countries and great cultures to learn. I began my career here at Mapfre Insurance, however, 3 years ago I wanted something a little more creative with more energy, so I decided to explore the tourism and hospitality industry. I have around 2 years of working in this arena, and it’s been a fantastic experience. Tourism makes me feel like I’m in my comfort zone. Additionally, I’m so happy because when you do what you love, everything is better!

My hobbies and passions include: enjoying time with my family, exploring new places, reading interesting books, listening to music, and as always, learning new and challenging things.

Cesar De La Cruz – I was born in El Seibo province, where I studied until the 2nd grade of high school and then moved to San Pedro city to study industrial and domestic electricity in the Army’s vocational school. In 2011 I decided to move to Higuey as I found a job in a hotel in Bavaro as a room technician. In 2018 I joined the team of Go Punta Cana Real Estate and moved to the area. I am so happy to work with this team and want to organize myself, so I can finish high school and then go to the university. My dream is to become an Industrial engineer and guarantee the future of my son.

José Luis Cid was born in Puerto Plata in 1985. His professional experience extends to both as an electric and plumbing technician. In 2004, José arrived in Punta Cana to work as both plumber and electrician at a popular area hotel. After finishing the project, he decided to do independent work on different projects in the area. In 2015 he joined the Go Punta Cana Real Estate team. When not working full force with the GPCRE Team, you’ll catch José playing dominoes with his friends and taking nice walks with his wife and children.

Paola Marchena – I was born and raised in the wonderful country of Colombia. Early on, in the year 2000, my family and I relocated to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. After some years of living in the capital, I decided to come to Bavaro for vacations and quick getaways. Having loved the tranquility in comparison to “big city” life, I decided to see about moving permanently to the area. This gave me an incredible opportunity to meet people from around the world. Furthermore, I had gained experience working in many different franchises and venues in the area, where I was able to fine-tune my people skills and gain invaluable experience in the hospitality industry. Today, I enjoy the day-to-day life with Go Punta Cana Real Estate, spending time with my friends and family, and more often than not, escaping to nature as time permits.

Why Choose Go Punta Cana Real Estate?

When you’re buying a property in the Dominican Republic, you’ll often end up using a local real estate company, but you need to choose the right one — and avoid dealing with inexperienced or unscrupulous ones. Margaret Summerfield from Pathfinder International sent me a list of her top tips on finding a decent real estate company abroad. I loved it when I received the list and now I have a better understanding of why Pathfinder International selected us, gopuntacanarealestate.com to be their official real estate company in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I will go one by one and give you my 2 cents on why I feel you should select us to be the real estate company to make your dreams of a vacation, investment, or retirement home in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Margaret’s list is not foolproof, but it should weed out most of the cowboys.

#1. Find the best agent that fits your needs. Outside North America, you won’t find many countries with an MLS (Multiple Listing Service). You should ask as many questions as possible to your prospective agent — market information, say, such as rental yield, permit requirements, or average price per square foot.

We encourage our prospective buyers to shop around and to ask us as many questions as possible. We understand there are other companies out there that you can work with, but we believe we are the best and we have a track record that speaks for itself. We believe in providing our prospective clients with as much information as possible so they are able to make an informed decision. We have prepared our own investment/travel guide which is full of valuable information and where you can find answers to most of your questions. Visit MadeInPuntaCana.com to view, download then print the full guide.

Unfortunately, we don’t have an MLS system on the island. If a developer or property owner wants to sell, they will contact all the different real estate companies and offer an OPEN LISTING. Whoever sells the property gets paid. If the developer/owner sells, no one gets paid. Sometimes we do get EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO SELL LISTINGS, but those are rare. At times, we turn away properties for several reasons including title issues, scams, litigation, poor construction quality, and humidity issues. We cherry-pick the best properties for our buyers and try to find the best opportunities. We don’t have home inspectors – we are your home inspectors. If we sense from the early stages of visiting the property that there are issues that are currently representing a headache for the current owner, we don’t like to get involved in assisting the owner transfer that headache to someone else. If we sell you a headache, then it becomes our headache. We love our lives on the island and like to be stress and headache-free. If we show you the 10 best properties in your price range and you don’t like any, rest assured that the other 10 that might be available and we did not show you as we think that they are less desirable – the chances are you won’t like those either.

We specialize in new construction, beachfront, walking distance to the beach (no more than 1 mile/1.6 km away), and golf gated communities. That is what 99.9% of the prospective buyers we’ve had in the last 5 years have been looking for. We don’t use bait and switch tactics showing properties online with nice photos and low prices to bring you in and then tell you the location is not desirable and then switch you to a different area and a higher price.

The older communities, with older properties usually mean problems. Title/ownership issues, scams, litigation, poor construction quality, and humidity issues. In addition, the least expensive properties are not a walk to the beach, you really need a car. For a property to be over 5 years old, it is considered old. Keep in mind this area has a total of 40 years and it has not been until the last 10 years when most of the residential developments have taken place. The newer construction is much better since it has been built by true developers and not people that were just winging it in the early days.

#2. Use an agent with training & experience. Most overseas real estate agents don’t have formal training, qualifications, or affiliations you can check. But you should still look for an agent with a good track record…one who’s been in the business for a while. Ask how long your agent has worked as an agent, and if he is full or part-time. And then ask about the track record. Try to find out how many properties he has sold…how many happy buyers he has…and whether those buyers will vouch for him with a written recommendation.

Scott Medina’s qualifications include: a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate, Business Administration, and Finance from Florida State University. In addition, Active Licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Florida. In order to maintain a Florida real estate broker license, one must have a certain amount of hours in continuing education – real estate law, practice, ethics, and morals. This is what we do full time and have been doing for over 25 years combined with 5 years in the Punta Cana market and 8 years in the North Coast market. You can see from OUR TESTIMONIALS some of the happy buyers we’ve had over the years. Any sales/rental agent that comes on board to work with my company has to have real estate experience and preferably be licensed in their home country. In addition, they must go through months of training with me before they are handling clients on their own.

#3. Use an agent who is licensed. In many countries, agents aren’t licensed, because there is no licensing system. The local butcher or new ex-pat can decide on a whim to start selling real estate. In some countries, there is a licensing system, but it’s not enforced. In countries such as Panama and Brazil, where they have licensing, ask your broker for his license number. But don’t take that license as a guarantee: Licensed agents can screw up…cost you money…and not have your best interests at heart. But at least you have a governing body to complain to.

Unfortunately, we don’t have licensing requirements for selling real estate in the Dominican Republic. My education and experience in real estate have been very helpful in earning the trust of many foreign investors that have decided to have me on their side. The prospective buyers must be responsible to do the homework required to find the right real estate company and the right agent to assist them with the transaction. Don’t ever buy or take real estate advice from a tour operator, a taxi driver or the bartender at your hotel/resort. When I need dental work I go to a dentist so if you need real estate advice, go to a real estate professional.

#4. Keep in mind who the agent is working for. The concept of a sales agent working solely for the buyer for a fee is not the norm outside the US. Even if your agent tells you he is working for you as a buyer’s agent, he may still work for the seller and accept a fee. Remember, the fee is what the agent is working for…and whoever is paying the fee is who the agent is working for.

“Being a Florida Licensed Real Estate Broker for many years, I have always worked as a transaction broker. “Transaction broker” as defined by Section 475.01 of the Florida Statutes, means a broker who provides limited representation to a buyer, a seller, or both, in a real estate transaction, but does not represent either in a fiduciary capacity or as a single agent. In a transaction broker relationship, a buyer or seller is not responsible for the acts of a licensee. Additionally, the parties to a real estate transaction are giving up their rights to the undivided loyalty of a licensee. This aspect of limited representation allows a licensee to facilitate a real estate transaction by assisting both the buyer and the seller, but a licensee will not work to represent one party to the detriment of the other party when acting as a transaction broker to both parties.

This brings us to commission/ fees…

#5. Know who is paying the commission—and how much it is. Always ask if it is included in the property purchase price or if it’s an additional charge on top. And find out who pays the real estate agent. In some countries, the seller pays. In others, both parties—the buyer and the seller—pay a fee. Make sure you’re not paying a fee that’s outside the norm or being charged a commission that the seller should be paying.

#6The commissions paid in real estate transactions in the DR are paid by the seller and are included in the property purchase price. Our commission rates go from 1% to 10% depending on the property.

#6. Don’t trust brand names. It’s easy to assume that a real estate chain you’re familiar with back home is the best option. But these brands are usually franchises—purchased with an eye to making a profit, and staffed by hired local agents. Don’t assume they’ll be better than any other local real estate agent.

I couldn't agree more here! That is why I have always preferred to operate as a “Premier Boutique Real Estate Company''. My name and the name of my agents as well as our reputations are the ones on the line. There is only one Scott Medina, one Rosalyn Lamarche, one Yeremit Vicioso, and one Go Punta Cana Real Estate. We take pride in what we do and don’t believe a franchise name holds more weight than our own names.

#7. Find an agent who specializes. When I asked one real estate agent to help me find a large oceanfront or beachfront parcel of land, with the potential of a six-figure commission, he immediately declined. His specialty lay elsewhere, he said, in productive farmland. He knew his market, he knew his stuff, and he wasn’t going to stray from it, even for a flat fee. That’s rare. Most agents would have jumped at the chance of the fee.

It’s better for you if your agent specializes in one specific area or property type. He has a better chance of finding you the right property at the right price. And he can give you more accurate information on sales and pricing in that market—and that experience and judgment can help you make your buying decision.

We specialize in residential new construction, beachfront, walking distance to the beach (no more than 1 mile/1.6 km away), and golf gated communities in the Bavaro-Punta Cana area. In addition, we also have experts on our team and their focus island for residential and commercial developments. Some of the areas we cover for large tracts of land include Bavaro, Punta Cana, Las Terrenas, Samana, Barahona, and Pedernales

#8. Find an agent with local ties. This helps. An agent who has lived in the same area for years—who is married to a local, or running a generations-old family business, is more likely to give you good service. They have a reputation to keep. Not so the rootless agent that will move on at the first sign of trouble.

We have been visiting, living, and doing business on the island for over 25 years combined. In addition, we have partnered up with local real estate professionals. That has allowed us to learn more and more about how the locals think and how they do business. We love the life we have been able to create on the island for ourselves. Every year that goes by, it becomes more and more difficult to leave. In addition, being able to assist others in making their dreams come true is very fulfilling and keeps us always wanting to meet more and more people with the same dreams of life in the DR.

#9. Use a bilingual agent. If your agent speaks both English and the local language, he’ll have access to a wider range of properties. That usually means lower prices on re-sales. If your agent in Brazil doesn’t speak Portuguese, for example, he may not even have access to new pre-construction deals from major developers, as many of them don’t speak English.

We speak Spanish, English, Italian, Dutch, and French. Having builders from different parts of the world coming here to conduct business being able to speak different languages is very important. I am originally from Puerto Rico, which is the next island to the east of Punta Cana. Puerto Rico and the DR have a lot in common. We have similar cultures and speak the same language, just with a different accent.

#10. Be precise. This is a tip for you, not the agent. It helps your agent do the best job for you. Tell your agent exactly what you want…property size, location, what you plan on using it for, features you must have (single-story, garden, close to a school or hospital). And be clear on your budget. That way, your agent is more likely to show you suitable properties. If you are clear and precise…and the agent is still getting it wrong…then walk away, and find another agent.

A good real estate agent is crucial. It can mean buying your dream home, rather than settling for a mediocre one…getting a great price rather than paying over true market value…and having a smooth property purchase rather than a stressful and complicated one. Spend some time vetting your agent before you commit to them—it’s worth it in the long run.

This is perhaps one of the most important points that Margaret has made on her list. It is very important for you to share with us as much information as possible. The more details we get, the better job we can do for you.

When you want to invest in the fastest-growing tourist and investments area in the Caribbean – Punta Cana, what do you need?

A – Go Punta Cana Real Estate

B – A lot of zest for life

With over 20 years of experience in real estate (the Dominican Republic and North America combined), our team at Go Punta Cana Real Estate has satisfied clients from around the world who have chosen to have either a second home in Punta Cana or move base here altogether. The main aim of Scott Medina, owner of Go Punta Cana Real Estate is to provide his clients “A Superior Lifestyle with Higher Quality of Life”.

Go Punta Cana offers unique apartments, condos, houses, villas, investment rentals, beachfront, land, and land lots for sale on or within walking distance to outdoor activities, the beach, swimming, dining, and golf courses. Depending on your budget and location preference, Go Punta Cana will aid you in finding that dream property you can call home in the Caribbean.

With their network of sales representatives in the USA, Puerto Rico, Canada, Russia, Spain, Portugal, UK, and France, there is no doubt that Go Punta Cana Real Estate is making itself accessible to anyone interested in buying a home or investing in the Dominican Republic.

Schedule an inspection trip today to enjoy a no commitment investment tour with Go Punta Cana Real Estate where you can see for yourself the different investment opportunities that are available in this tropical paradise; you can enjoy the surrounding areas, relish a breezy cocktail or an appetizing meal filled with your favorite seafood.

How Can We Help You?

Buying real estate in a foreign country can be challenging, especially if you are working with people that may not understand your needs. Frustrated? Don’t be! We are here to help you! We are Dominicans and North Americans who have traveled down this road not only for ourselves but for many other clients as well. We understand what your needs are because we’ve had the same ones. The secret to our success is combining Dominican hospitality and local knowledge along with North American standards of doing business. We will provide honest and straightforward assistance. We will provide you with the necessary tools to ensure any property you purchase is safe, a good investment, and will work now and for many years to come. All this in a timely and organized fashion which will provide you with familiarity and peace of mind.

This area of Punta Cana/Dominican Republic, attracts many “expatriates” from around the world who come here to relax, play, and work. Many people choose to start selling and managing properties here, however few can survive the trials and difficulties associated with the “day-to-day”. Furthermore, it’s quite difficult to understand and learn all the intricacies of local laws, regulations, and the “hows” & “whys” of the local mentality and systems.

We at Go Punta Cana Real Estate have been in business since 2007. We’ve withstood the test of time, and we ARE NOT a home or car-based real estate business. We DO have a physical office (a beautiful Go Punta Cana Real Estate office at that) in strategic locations – just outside the “entrance” to the Los Corales community, along the main thoroughfare diagonally across from Plaza Playa Turquesa.

Go Punta Cana Real Estate, very highly rated by people just like you on platforms such as HomeAway, VRBO, Google, and more, has 15+ full-time employees, each with diverse backgrounds spanning across all the real estate verticals & niches in which we operate. Our team will be able to help you with real estate in punta cana and real estate in Bavaro, sourcing the very best properties. We help you navigate the legalities here, and deliver only properties with deed and title. Helping you with real estate purchases and sales in the Bavaro and Punta Cana areas of the Dominican Republic is our forte, as is impeccable vacation rental management.

As you can see by our network of stunning websites, we excel in marketing – perfect for securing high-quality vacation renters for an appealing bottom line.

In order to be certain that our business delivers to you only the very best, Go Punta Cana Real Estate has an ADDITIONAL 15+ independent contractors whom we’ve established a long-term professional relationship with. These alliances assist us with such things as architectural design, construction, interior design, personal shopping, legal services, property insurance, ground transportation, and even adventures & excursions. At Go Punta Cana Real Estate we understand that buying in a foreign country is a big decision – so we provide you with highly qualified professionals who provide reliable assistance in these areas.

Go Punta Cana Real Estate. “Los años de experiencia no se improvisan… The years of experience cannot be improvised.”

Go Punta Cana Real Estate’s Privacy Policy

Go Punta Cana Real Estate Privacy Policy

What information do we collect?

We collect information from you when you register on our site, subscribe to our newsletter or fill out a form.

When ordering or registering on our site, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your: name, e-mail address or phone number. You may, however, visit our site anonymously.

What do we use your information for?

Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:

To personalize your experience
(your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs)

To improve our website
(we continually strive to improve our website offerings based on the information and feedback we receive from you)

To improve customer service
(your information helps us to more effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs)

To process transactions

Your information, whether public or private, will not be sold, exchanged, transferred, or given to any other company for any reason whatsoever, without your consent, other than for the express purpose of delivering the purchased product or service requested.

To send periodic emails

The email address you may provide for reservation processing, may be used to send you information and updates pertaining to your order, in addition to receiving occasional company news, updates, related product or service information, etc.

Note: If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email.

How do we protect your information?

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you enter, submit, or access your personal information.

Do we use cookies?

Yes (Cookies are small files that a site or its service provider transfers to your computer hard drive through your Web browser (if you allow) that enables the sites or service providers systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information

We use cookies to understand and save your preferences for future visits.

Do we disclose any information to outside parties?

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect our or others' rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

Third party links

Occasionally, at our discretion, we may include or offer third-party products or services on our website. These third-party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We, therefore, have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.

California Online Privacy Protection Act Compliance

Because we value your privacy we have taken the necessary precautions to be in compliance with the California Online Privacy Protection Act. We therefore will not distribute your personal information to outside parties without your consent.

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Compliance

We are in compliance with the requirements of COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act), we do not collect any information from anyone under 13 years of age. Our website, products and services are all directed to people who are at least 13 years old or older.

Online Privacy Policy Only

This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not to information collected offline.

Your Consent

By using our site, you consent to our online privacy policy.

Changes to our Privacy Policy

If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page.

Contacting Us

If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy you may contact us using the information below.

http://www.gopuntacanarealestate.com

FAQ’s About Living In The Dominican

Over the years we have found that buyers from all over the world have questions concerning the purchase of real estate and living in the Dominican Republic. Many general answers can be found under the “Buyer Info” section of this website. We hope that you will find many of your questions answered here. We want you to feel comfortable and be aware of the way real estate purchases are handled in this country.

Following are the Most Frequently Asked Questions. If you do not see an answer to a question you may have, please feel free to email us or call 809 552 0177.

With which currency will I make my purchase?
The purchase of property is made in U.S. dollars.

Are there any restrictions for foreigners?
No Restrictions on foreigners owning property

When I purchase, what documentation is required in addition to the Contract For Sale-Purchase of Real Property?
The Original of the Owner’s Duplicate of Title Deed
Notarized Signatures of Buyer and Seller on the Sale-Purchase Agreement
For non-Dominicans, a copy of the buyer’s passport
Certificate proving payment of the Transfer Tax

How much is property transfer tax?
3% of the property contract price*

What are annual property taxes?
Exempt for the first RD$6,500,000 (+/- US$160,000).*
One percent (1%) rate applies to the value which exceeds the RD$6,500,000.00 (+/- US$160,000).*

Does a local law firm handle the registration of the property transfer and obtain the new deed in my name? How much does this service cost?
Yes, we have reputable firms that will handle this service.
The charge is 1% of the transaction paid in U.S. dollars. The 1% does not include other expenses and/or applicable taxes which will be billed separately. Please note that all payments and disbursements to the firm are subject to an 18% government value-added tax.*

Can I get a loan/mortgage for a home, condo or home site in the Dominican Republic?
Yes. The terms, duration of loans, and interest rates in the Dominican Republic are similar to the loan products available in the US and Canada.

If I purchase an apartment or home, is there a rental program for my property?
Most residential developments have on-site rental management companies that cater to absentee owners. If you buy a property that does not provide this service, then there are several reputable property and rental management companies in the area. We will be happy to share this information with you and put you in contact with them, as well as provide information about how their programs work.

Are there medical facilities nearby?
Yes.The Hospiten Bavaro is located less than five minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport and offers 24-hour service every day of the year. In addition, there are many more excellent health facilities all over the island. Santa Domingo is considered one of the premier places in the world for medical treatment. Many from all over the world travel to the DR to avoid waitlists and extreme health costs in their home country. First-rate equipment, technology, and excellent physicians are available to treat the most minor or the most serious health concerns.

Where is the best place in the DR to purchase real estate?
The most popular area for investment right now is the East Coast (Punta Cana/Bavaro/Macao/Uvero Alto). Punta Cana tends to be more expensive and caters to a wealthier clientele. This area has the busiest airport on the island with over 55% of all incoming passengers. Punta Cana has approximately 40 all-inclusive hotels with 35,000-40,000 rooms which provide employment to approximately 100,000 in the area. In addition, many large master-planned communities, corporations, and individuals are investing heavily in the area. Cap Cana, Vista Cana, Roco Ki, Westin, Ritz Carlton, Altabella Hotels, Donald Trump, Jack Nicklaus, Troon Golf, Stewart Title, and Hard Rock Café are just a few of the many multi-million dollars investments that are taking place in the Punta Cana area. That translates to a very high potential for rental income.
The North Coast (Puerto Plata/Sosua/Cabarete/Samana) is a second area with investment opportunities. It offers great value for the dollar, excellent infrastructure in terms of shopping and services, and high rental rates.
Both coasts offer exceptional beaches, scenery, and good rental potential for property. For many people, it comes down to personal choice, budget, and lifestyle.

Will my investment appreciate, and if so, how much?
Property prices in the DR have jumped dramatically over the past 10 years; however, prices still remain within reach when compared to other Caribbean islands. The Dominican Republic is better known for being the hidden gem of the Caribbean. Foreign investment, retirees, and holiday seekers have realized what excellent value for their real estate dollars can be had on the island. Most real estate experts expect an increase of about 10% to 20% per year; however, this number depends on many factors, including location, and the condition of the property. Now that it is becoming so hot and well known with investors, higher appreciation rates can be expected.

Is it safe to live or visit the DR?
This is the 64 million dollar question! For many, living or visiting a Caribbean island with different cultures and customs is a big question mark. The DR is a safe place to live and visit. We have over 4 million visitors per year. In addition, we have been the #1 Caribbean destination for families in 2006 and 2007. The greatest asset that the Dominican Republic has is the people. They are humble, and happy and will always greet you with a smile and will invite you over for a cup of coffee; however, we always remember that this is a third-world developing country. There are those here, (as in any country), that given the opportunity, will take what is not theirs. Compared to many parts of the US and Canada, the DR is much safer. Violent crimes are out of the norm. On occasions, we have only experienced random property theft of small items. We suggest buying property in gated communities or residential developments that provide 24-hour security. This will give you peace of mind that someone is looking out for your personal safety as well as the safety of your property and your investment.

Is the Government secure?
The Dominican Republic is a representative democracy, similar to that of the US and Canada, with national powers divided among independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The President of the Dominican Republic appoints the Cabinet, executes laws passed by Congress, and is commander in chief of the armed forces. The president and vice president run for office on the same ticket and are elected by direct vote for 4–year terms. Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral Congress composed of the Senate (with 32 members) and the Chamber of Deputies (with 178 members).
Since the election of Leonel Fernandez in May 2004 (re-elected in May 2008), the Dominican Republic’s economic situation has improved considerably and investor confidence is returning. Fernandez soundly used the three-month period before taking up office in August 2004 to travel abroad with a view to re-establishing international investor confidence in a market whose international credit rating had declined during the Mejía government. In his acceptance speech, Fernandez sent a strong message to the international community that he intended to tackle the country’s debt problems and fight against corruption in the Dominican public and private sectors. Since the Fernandez administration took control, the peso has strengthened considerably. The U.S. has a strong interest in a democratic, stable, and economically healthy Dominican Republic, and relations between the countries are excellent. The country’s standing as the largest Caribbean economy, second-largest country in terms of population and landmass, large bilateral trade with the United States, and its proximity to the United States and other smaller Caribbean nations make the Dominican Republic an important partner in hemispheric affairs.

Can I buy the same food as in my home country?
Yes.Most major brands are available at local “colmados” or supermarkets. There is a variety of options from Mom and Pop type grocery stores to huge “Costco” type stores. Jumbo and La Sirena, are Dominican versions of Wal-Mart. Jumbo and La Sirena have locations in the nearby towns of Higuey & La Romana. We have also heard rumors that Wal-Mart is negotiating with a large grocery chain on the island to buy all their stores throughout the island and switch them over to Wal-Mart.

What about electricity and power outages?
The Punta Cana-Macao Energy Consortium (CEPM) and Bayahibe Electric Company (CEB) are off-grid, energy companies that generate, transmit and distribute electricity to the Punta Cana Macao – Bavaro and Bayahibe tourist resort areas using state of the art technology that assures constant and reliable power. CEPM and CEB are major contributors to the dramatic growth of tourism in the Dominican Republic. However, in order to meet accelerated growth in peak demand, the companies plan to interconnect to the power plant of their sister company, EGE Haina, to benefit from its more cost-competitive electricity. EGE Haina is the largest generator in the country, which is majority-owned and controlled by the sponsors of CEPM. A corporate loan of $20 million to CEPM and CEB, will finance part of the construction of a 129 km transmission line with 100mw capacity, including three sub-stations. The construction period is expected to be 18 months. CEPM has secured approvals for the project from CDEEE, the state-owned electricity utility.

Can I drink tap water?
No. Tap water is not considered potable. It is just fine to brush your teeth, wash clothes, cooking, and bathe, but should not be used for drinking. Everyone uses bottled water which costs about $2 for a 5-gallon jug.

Testimonials: Stories From People Just Like You

My wife and I had been considering a retirement property in the Caribbean for several years but couldn’t seem to find a place that had everything we were looking for. We had started our search in Mexico and then Aruba before turning our attention to the Dominican Republic, having spent time vacationing there with our children for over 10 years. We became aware of Scott Medina through his website and after spending some time with him felt we had found the right fit with Scott and Punta Cana. Scott’s combination of deep market knowledge and a professional no-nonsense style won us over almost immediately and we knew right away that looking after our best interests was his top priority. When you’re considering the purchase of a property in pre-construction, particularly in a country that you aren’t used to conducting business in, it requires you to place a significant amount of trust in both your real estate agent and the property developer. I feel that we have that with Scott as well as with Fanny and the team at Iberostate.

Once we had made our decision to buy at Iberostate and required clarification on different aspects of the acquisition process, Scott was there for us and also introduced us to a reputable attorney to look after all of the paperwork (thank you Janelle). As the closing date on our condo approaches, we have occasionally had questions relating to property insurance and other important details. Scott has responded both promptly and courteously to all of our inquiries, which continues to impress us.

Although we had some initial trepidation about buying property in another country we have found that with Scott by our side our first real estate purchase experience outside of Canada has been quite enjoyable. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Scott to anyone considering the purchase of property in the Dominican Republic. In addition to being a great real estate agent, we have come to consider him a friend as well.

Keith & Suzanne – Toronto, Canada

We have had the pleasure of knowing Scott for well over a year now and he was instrumental in helping us find suitable vacation property in Punta Cana. We found Scott to be extremely knowledgeable about the real estate market in Punta Cana and he patiently showed us a number of properties until we were able to find the right property. Scott helped us get the right property close to the beach and he was also very helpful in negotiating a good price for us.

The best thing we like about Scott is his quick follow-up to answer any questions or deal with any concerns. Scott is highly respected in the Punta Cana real estate business and working with him was like “a one-stop shop”. Scott was able to refer us to a reputable lawyer to assist with the closing of our condo. After we closed, he also referred us to a very good interior decorator who assisted us with furnishing our property according to our tastes. He even assisted with obtaining necessary property insurance for our condo, opening bank accounts, opening utility accounts, etc., which made our first real estate purchase experience outside of Canada a real breeze. Our condo purchase transaction closed in January of last year and because we got to know Scott and found him to be very reliable, always helpful, and above all honest, we decided to retain Scott as our property manager and he is currently managing our rental property in Punta Cana.

We actually spent a couple of weeks at our condo last summer and got to get a feel of the real Punta Cana & nbsp; (outside of the resorts) and simply fell in love with Punta Cana and its people. Punta Cana has a lot to offer and we are hoping to be able to spend more time at our condo in Punta Cana this year. Needless to say, we are very pleased with our decision to purchase a property in Punta Cana and can hardly wait to return to paradise.

Munir & Fawzia – Toronto, Canada

We worked with Scott for the purchase of our condo in Bavaro. Scott’s professionalism and knowledge of the area were essential to our finding the perfect place to meet our needs. He listened to us and worked to assure that we got exactly what we wanted in our retirement condo. His assistance with finalizing the details, as well as working with the local people, was essential to our comfortable transition to this new life in the Caribbean. Now, if we could only retire early and move there now!

Joe and Beth M. – Columbia, Missouri USA

Hi Scott,

I am so happy I have finally found my place in the Caribbean!!

I met Scott Medina in April 2009. He was referred to me by a friend. Scott has provided professional service and all the information I needed to buy in the Dominican Republic. He answered all my questions about buying in the DR and also when I have been back in the country he has helped me and answered many questions. Go Punta Cana Real Estate is a very good company. They find everything you need and when you contact Scott, he is very fast to answer.

Punta Cana is a very nice country, the beaches with white sand and the color of the sea are marvelous. It is also secure to walk in the street, buy food, & nbsp; go to restaurants or shopping centers. Everything is close. I will not hesitate to recommend Scott Medina or his company because the service is PROFESSIONAL!!!

Thank you very much Scott for everything and for helping me find my place in Punta Cana

Louise – Quebec, Canada

Scott Medina is a go-getter agent/manager who gives of himself 24/7 and is generous with his knowledge of the area and the availability of talent. He sold us our unit and manages our property when we are not in D.R. Our condo is continuously rented, and Scott makes sure it is clean, and the tenants are trustworthy with our property. You can be assured you are getting the best with Scott Medina and his company.

Ela & Jack – West Palm Beach, Florida USA

Our experience with Scott Medina and his team was nothing but positive. We found them to be informative, enthusiastic, and accommodating at every step in the process of buying and managing our vacation home in Punta Cana. Scott & Ellen’s attention to detail and willingness to listen to and address our needs is extremely important to us and we look forward to a long business relationship. We feel confident in giving our highest possible recommendation to Scott & Ellen who are trustworthy, dependable, and friendly people that will always do their best for their clients.

Dan & Patricia S – Pennsylvania, USA