The best listings don't stay around forever

Whilst some listings may be gathering dust, the most attractive buys ARE selling.  What is it that makes some properties sell and others attract little interest or rejection?

This beautiful listing, described in an earlier blog, is a property which was sure to sell sooner rather than later.  The villa is extremely well cared for and represents good value for money...and now a discerning buyer has recognised its worth and has decided to purchase. 

Neglected or overpriced properties simply do not sell, along with those in the "wrong" location - it is a fact of life. At West Indies Real Estate we pride ourselves on trying to find the right home for prospective buyers and in taking our time to ensure that they are 100% happy with their final choice. 

We also believe it is our duty to be honest with our sellers about their properties.... although this may not always be popular.  

As much of our business comes by word of mouth and recommendation, it is important to us that our buyers and sellers alike are more than satisfied with our service.  Unlike the larger franchise companies such as Remax, Century 21 and Coldwell Banker, which are household names, we really do have to rely on our local reputation.  Whilst the larger companies are well known, the service provided may vary dramatically from franchise to franchise.  We, at West Indies Real Estate, are dependent on our clients recommending us and this is how we obtain much of our business.

If you would like us to help you choose the property which is right for you, or to list your property, please get in touch at info@westindies-realestate.com

President Leonel Fernandez is reinstated for a third term of office...and resurrects a controversial subject for Cabarete

Leonel Fernandez was re-elected as President in May and officially took office on Saturday.

The President set forth a long list of ambitious projects for his administration. Among these projects are a second north-south Metro line for Santo Domingo, and a train from Haina in the south to northcentral Santiago. He called for an alliance between the public and private sectors in order to construct the infrastructure needed that "will guarantee the transformation of the society." He also talked about a long list of elevated highways, tunnels and roadways in the National District. And he promised more projects for the UASD state university. He also said his government would give priority to the remodeling of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center and the Plaza de la Cultura in Santo Domingo.

"Una via lateral", or "lane off to the side", for Cabarete was among the list of priority works mentioned by the President in his speech.  A Cabarete bypass has been proposed for many years and, whilst many believe it will never happen, is a subject of hot discussion.  More news on this as we have it.   

Travellers to US - vital information

Citizens and eligible nationals of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) of the United States need to be aware that beginning 1 August 2008, the US Customs and Border Protection is now asking all to seek authorizations to visit online through the new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This does not apply to Dominican nationals, rather to travelers that do not need a visa to enter the US. These VWP travelers are being asked complete an application online seeking authorization to travel to the US. Travelers are encouraged to apply early as effective 12 January 2008, when all VWP travelers will be required to obtain the electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the US.

VWP countries are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The Department of Homeland Security recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel. In most cases a response will be received within seconds, authorizing travel or not. An authorization to travel is valid, unless revoked, for up to two years or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first. It is also valid for multiple entries into the US. As future trips are planned, or if an applicant's destination addresses or itineraries change after the authorization has been approved, the traveler may easily update that information through the ESTA web site. ESTA explains that the authorization is not a guarantee of admissibility to the US at a port of entry. ESTA approval only authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the US under the VWP.
For more information, click here.

 

It's true! Real estate tourism on the North Coast is very attractive and drawing investments from all over the world.  Those investors are also constructing everything from tourist attractions to some of the most attractive get away places in the Caribbean. To meet those construction needs many Dominican families have relocated to the North Coast leaving Government services such as health care and schools overwhelmed.  

Property outlook is great and real estate tourism is booming in the Dominican Republic, says the forecast from the Dominican Association of Real Estate Tourism Companies (ADETI).

Dominican Republic leads the way

The Dominican Republic has Latin America's highest tourism receipts per GDP. According to the Latin Business Chronicle (LBC), 11.1% of the country's GDP comes from tourism. Costa Rica with 7.5% and Panama with 6.0% are two other countries with high tourism revenues. The report by LBC reveals that Panama has experienced the largest increase in tourist visitors while Uruguay had the largest increase in revenues derived from tourism. The LBC report indicates that Latin America received a record total of 68.6 million international arrivals last year, an increase of 2.9% since 2006. 

West Indies Real Estate makes a considerable proportion of its sales to buyers who are either buying second homes purely for their own use or to those who want a combined holiday home and rental property, some with a view to future retirement in the Dominican Republic. 

 

Foreign Trade Center opens in Santo Domingo

President Leonel Fernandez has opened the new Institute of Foreign Trade and Business Innovation of the Dominican Republic (I-CEi), a training center for the development of foreign trade and investment. The facility was built at a cost of RD$180 million donated by the Japanese Agency for International Cooperation (JICA). Two Japanese firms, Yamashita Sekkei Inc. and Fujita Corporation, were responsible for the construction. The Japanese ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Shinomiya Nobutaka, emphasized the ties between the two nations and cooperation among governments over the years.

The Institute will contribute to the goal of doubling exports in the next four years. Exports are now at US$6.5 billion. The I-CEi will train executives from large Dominican corporations with exports of US$300 million or more to convert these to global companies and at the same time prepare executives of small and medium-sized businesses so their companies can export.

To view West Indies Real Estate Commercial Listings click here.

Sosua Kids Express Their Appreciation to West Indies

Parque Las Banderas (Flags Park) finally opens in Sosua

After over a year of work and traffic disruptions, this delightful little park was officially opened last Sunday by the Mayor of Sosua, Vladimir Céspedes.  It is located opposite Banco Popular on Calle Alejo Martinez, just a few minutes' walk from the West Indies Sosua Head Office.

Flags of Israel, Germany, UK, Russia, Spain, Canada, Switzerland, Italy, France, Ecuador and Dominican Republic were all hoisted, with the respective anthems of each country being played.  The Park is intended to celebrate the diverse population of Sosua and reflects the national pride of foreigners and Dominicans alike.
 

Whilst we have always complied with regulations, this article may explain to Canadians thinking of buying in the Dominican Republic why more information may be required of them than previously.

Veronica Decoto becomes Mrs. Diaz!

We wish them a lifetime of happiness together.

Veronica has been with West Indies Real Estate for three years.

British Residents on the North Coast enjoy the Ambassador's evening

Almost 100 people attended a "British Evening" in Sosua hosted by H.M. British Ambassador, Mr. Ian Worthington OBE, at Sabatini's Restaurant on 11th July.

The event grew out of links forged last year as a result of a talk, organised by West Indies Real Estate, by the Ambassador on the work of the Embassy. 

We would like to thank the Ambassador, all the sponsors of the event and also give special recognition to James Read, who helped enormously with the perfect organisation, with superb support from the staff of Sosua Bay Hotel.

Early talks are already underway with the hope of organising another function on the north coast next year.  If you did not attend, or we may not have your e-mail address, please contact Linda Stapleton at l.stapleton@westindies-realestate.com and we will add you to our contact list.  If you have no e-mail, please let us have a telephone number.

 The Ambassador recommends that all British people living in the Dominican Republic should register with the Embassy in case of emergency.  It is now possible to do this easily online:  https://www.locate.fco.gov.uk/locateportal/

Even if you have registered under the old system it is advisable to register again online.  This information is purely used in case of emergency.

The Dinner Club - Final Outing of the Season

As a finale to yet another Season of Monthly Dinner Club outings, the presence of the British Ambassador added to making this a very  successful evening.

Ian Worthington O.B.E., The British Ambassador joined 29 other members in a celebration of probably the most popular Expat groups on the north coast.

After a champagne reception, the party sat down to enjoy a first class meal at the excellent Bliss Restaurant, which once again lived up to the high reputation it has gained since it began.

James Read, the organiser of the Dinner Club, once again ensured that the whole evening went without a hiccup.

Many thanks to Jim and Carole for all their hard work.

Flights to Dominican Rupublic continue despite cutbacks

Whilst some airlines are cutting back on flights to the Dominican Republic in view of increasing transport costs, Jet Blue is adding extra flights to the country and other Caribbean islands to meet the shortfall, as tourism continues to be a major industry in Hispaniola.

In addition, for those who are willing to shop around, some fantastic flight bargains are still to be found. 

We look forward to welcoming you to the beautiful Dominican Republic!

H.M. British Ambassador, Mr. Ian Worthington, will be hosting a "British Evening" in Sosua on Friday, 11th July.  This follows on from a successful talk on the work of the British Embassy in the Dominican Republic, organised by West Indies Real Estate  in Sosua last year.

Invitations have been sent out to British residents whose contact details we have, but if anyone has been missed and would like to attend, please call into the West Indies office in Calle David Stern, the road leading down to Casa Marina Beach Hotel, and we will be happy to add you to the guest list. 

Alternatively, call Linda Stapleton on 809 571 2820 for further details.

Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez says the Dominican Republic has become a popular vacation destination for Swiss travelers. During a press conference in Zurich, Jimenez said that Swiss tourism grew by 7.2% during the first five months of the year and by 25% in May.

The Swiss also favour the Dominican Republic as a place in which to make their permanent home.  Some of our most meticulous listings are offered for sale by proud Swiss homeowners, who tend their homes and gardens with love and attention to detail.  See Listing 2118, as a fine example.

The Carretera De Samana (Spanish for: Santo Domingo-Samana Highway) is the newest addition to the Dominican Republic national highway system. The actual construction of the Highway started in the 2005 and  final paving started in 2007.  As the landscape is difficult and the financing has been a major issue, the project stalled on several occasions, but it is now finally open.

The highway will reduce a trip from Santo Domingo to Samana from 4 hours and 30 Minutes to less than 2 hours and is expected to reduce the traffic along the DR1, which is the present highway used to drive to Samana.

The Highway starts on the National highway DR3 (30 KM from Santo Domingo) and ends on Cruse Rinco de Monillos, Samana Province. The highway’s three toll plazas are on the Las Americas interchange and in the villages El Naranjal and Guaraguao, where for each section the toll is 650 pesos for buses, 350 pesos for light vehicles and 860 pesos for trucks.  Users are expected to make considerable fuel savings despite these tolls.

Pastor George De Tellis passed away on 26th June after a long battle with cancer.  After many years as a missionary in Haiti, Pastor George came to Sosua with his wife, Jeanne, in 2000 to continue the work of New Missions.

They are probably best known in the area for the establishment of New Life School and Church in La Mulata and the large tent near Playa Chiquita, where services, clinics and classes are held.  They have also established several schools in areas where children would otherwise be too remote to receive an education. 

We honour his life and send our condolences to his wife and family.

If you would like to read more, Click Here

After many years of living and working in the Dominican Republic, the Management of West Indies Real Estate would like to offer the following views on Gated Communities - Click Here

Once again the ladies meet for lunch and this time at the Waterfront Restaurant in Sosua.  Once a month a group get together without the men to enjoy a leisurely lunch.

Organized by Carole Read, this very successful outing provides an ideal opportunity to get together and meet new and old friends.

Last night 30 baby turtles hatched from the first nest on the beach, more are due from the second nest. 

Further along the beach, another 70 or so eggs hatched from a less rare turtle who had made her nest in the heart of kitesurfing territory.

Cabarete certainly has something for everyone!

Angela Hills, head of Health, Safety and Operational Support at the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) says that British newspapers aren't publishing relevant tourist information provided by the Dominican Tourism promotion office in London. She added that in cases where information is provided, it is relegated to the back page of the papers. Hills said that when bad news happens it is then plastered on the front page of the newspapers. Dominican ambassador to Great Britain Anibal de Castro has also spoken out about the increasing negative press the DR is receiving in the British press. Hills added that most of the reports in British papers are attributed to ambulance chasing lawyers who want to represent travelers who might have fallen ill while in the DR. Last year the DR received 225,157 British tourists, many of whom return year after year.  Whilst there is no room for complacency, many of the "dodgy tummies" etc. can be attributed to over-indulgence in the all inclusive resorts and/or too much sun.

ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.
LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.

• CURRENTLY: 
  U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available from spring 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
• LATER:
  On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI.  The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.