Take a look at DRListings.com – DRListings.com is the newest Dominican Real Estate Brokerage.  Under new management DRListings.com is now your full service Dominican Real Estate Partner.  The website DRListings.com has full listings of rentals, properties, apartments, houses, villas, land and more. DRListings.com is now your first destination for Dominican Real Estate.

Playa Laguna Real Estate has launched their new website at www.PlayaLagunaRealEstate.com.  The real estate will feature listings from Sosua – Cabarete, Dominican Republic.  Sosua – Cabarete is located in the Puerto Plata province on Dominican Republic’s North Coast.  This region of the Dominican Republic is unique in that this are is a top destination for ex-pat’s.  The community consists of a mix of Americans, Canadians, English (from the UK), German, French and Russian communities.  These communities all co-exist with each other in perfect harmony making this part of the North Coast truly a wonder.  The region has over 20 different beaches and many spectacular restaurants, bars and clubs.  Everyone is very friendly and helpful.  While Spanish is the primary language here it is definately not a requirement that you speak spanish.  You will get by just fine with English.

Playa Laguna Real Estate is located right between Sosua and Cabarete on Highway 5, just up Playa Laguna Road and right next to the famous Playa Laguna Hotel.   Playa Laguna Real Estate has Villas, Condos, Lots, and Rentals available to view today.    We also provide Construction contracting services if you plan to build.   Visit the website today or give us a call at 809-901-3959.   From the USA or canada call us toll free at 1-866-459-5596.    We’d like to make Playa Laguna Real Estate your source for Real Estate in the Dominican Republic.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — More than 3,000 bright yellow taxis will soon be zipping around the Dominican Republic.

Officials have ordered that cabs be identified by the standard color to regulate the business and ensure passenger safety.

The government has bought a fleet of new yellow Toyota Corollas to be used as taxis in the capital of Santo Domingo and the northern city of Santiago. Several banks and a state institution issued a $129 million loan to buy the cars. They start circulating Wednesday.

Taxi drivers have the option of painting their current cab yellow or buying one of the new ones and receiving a tax break.

The government said Friday it also plans to certify drivers.

NASA is sending a radar-equipped jet to Haiti to make 3-D maps of the deformation caused by the magnitude 7 earthquake on Jan. 21 and multiple aftershocks that continue to occur.

The Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar, or UAVSAR, was already scheduled to head to South America aboard a modified Gulfstream III to study volcanoes, forests and Mayan ruins. NASA added the island of Hisapaniola to the itinerary to help study faults in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

“UAVSAR will allow us to image deformations of Earth’s surface and other changes associated with post-Haiti earthquake geologic processes, such as aftershocks, earthquakes that might be triggered by the main earthquake farther down the fault line, and the potential for landslides,” JPL’s Paul Lundgren, the principal investigator for the Hispaniola overflights, said in a press release Wednesday.

“Because of Hispaniola’s complex tectonic setting, there is an interest in determining if the earthquake in Haiti might trigger other earthquakes at some unknown point in the future,” Lundgren said, “either along adjacent sections of the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault that was responsible for the main earthquake, or on other faults in northern Hispaniola, such as the Septentrional fault.”

uavsarThe UAVSAR, which left NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif., on Jan. 25, will flyover Hispaniola multiple times this week and again in early February.

Since November 2009, the radar has been mapping the San Andreas and other major faults in California. The 3-D data will help scientists better understand the state’s seismic risk.

UAVSAR works by sending microwaves to the ground from a pod under the aircraft flying at about 41,000 feet and recording the return signal. The differences in the times it takes waves to return from points on the ground to the plane gives information about the topography. By hitting the same target from different angles as the plane flighs overhead, a 3-D image can be made. Very precise details about ground motion can be calculated by flying over the same area later, giving scientists information about strain buildup on a fault.

The Hispaniola data will be made public in a few weeks. The Dominican Republic flyovers could help scientists understand future earthquakes on the Septrional fault.

JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic — Group Metro, a leading real estate and transportation company in the Dominican Republic, recently received a $20 million construction loan from Banco de Reservas de La República Dominicana for Costa Blanca, an exclusive residential golf and beach community located in the Juan Dolio region. With construction well underway, this generous $20 million loan will be allocated to complete the Founder Residences and surrounding areas of Costa Blanca. www.costablanca.com.do

“The 52 exquisite Founder Residences are moving along at a rapid pace most recently reaching the rooflines,” stated Luis Jose Asilis, CEO of Group Metro. “The 18-hole Greg Norman Signature Golf Course is also progressing at a steady pace. The irrigation system has already been completed for the first nine holes and we expect them to be ready for grassing before the end of the year,” he added.

Spanning 580 acres along the coastline of Juan Dolio Beach, just twenty minutes from the Santo Domingo International Airport, Costa Blanca is a billion dollar development that will encompass luxurious residential homes, retail, a full-scale marina, an 18-hole Greg Norman Signature Golf Course, and other sporting components. The private golf clubhouse will feature the Hole 19 Bar, fine dining restaurant, cigar lounge, pro shop, and more.

The General Manager of Banreservas, Daniel Toribio, confirmed that by approving this loan their Board of Directors is committed to the growth of the real estate market in the Dominican Republic. More specifically in the tourist areas, and therefore they are pleased to partner with Group Metro, a respected company in the real estate and construction industries, to complete the first phase of Costa Blanca in Juan Dolio.

The Founder Residences have enjoyed tremendous success, with 45 of the 52 Villas already sold. Residents of the Founders are part of the exclusive Founder’s Club, which presents numerous benefits. The Founder’s Club package includes a luxurious 4,500 sq. ft. private villa with golf, bay or marina views, as well as two condominiums, a private boat slip in the marina, and membership to the prestigious golf club. Members will also enjoy VIP treatment in addition to various properties and onsite amenities.

About Group Metro

Group Metro has established a formidable international reputation throughout its four decades of experience in transportation, tourism and real estate. From its landmark property, Metro Country Club, to the oceanfront condominium developments of Costa del Sol, Marbella, Costa Blanca and Las Olas, Group Metro is the definitive company for real estate and tourism in the Dominican Republic. Led by CEO, Dr. Luis Jose Asilis, the company has played an integral role in putting the Dominican Republic on the map as a top Caribbean destination. Please visit www.groupmetro.com, www.metrocountry.com or www.costablanca.com.do.

The Caribbean island of Dominica, or The Commonwealth of Dominica, is also known as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean. Dominica should not be confused with the Dominican Republic, they are completely separate nations. It is located in the Eastern

Caribbean Sea and is 288 square miles with a population of 71,242. The beautiful landscape and the temperate climate are two of the things that make Dominica real estate so attractive to investors. Average temperatures in the daytime range from 75F to 85F but in the mountains the temperatures are even cooler. July through October marks the rainy season and January through April are the dry season. The island has their hurricane season from September through November.

Dominica real estate can range from the beachfront home to the estate in the mountains. Its natural beauty is a feature that is sought after by those who wish to get back to nature, whether it is in a vacation home, rental property or a fine inland estate. With tourism and agriculture being the mainstays of the island’s economy, Dominica real estate is still somewhat untapped.

Life in Dominica
Relocating to Dominica places you in a life that is not so different from living in the States or Europe. The government is democratically elected, but some of the political parties are not the same as in the States. For instance, the May 2005 elections voted the Labour Party in to a second term of office.

The cost of living in Dominica makes Dominica real estate very appealing because it is comparable and usually lower than living comfortable in the United States. Dominica real estate is very reasonably priced and rental properties and lower than many US properties. Additionally, most supermarkets in Dominica carry most of the same food items as those in the United States and Europe. Finally, Dominica is considered to be one of the safest countries in the Caribbean.

Building, renting and purchasing in Dominica

Dominica real estate is very inexpensive when compared to real estate in the United States. The most common home structure is concrete. The approximate cost for building your own concrete home ranges from $55 to $63 per square foot of living area. The price, of course, can go up, but a home built from wood is generally less expensive.

It does, however, require a great deal of work. Rentals in Dominica are very reasonable and are average or comparable to rent in the United States. The price does increase in certain areas, but the average is around $650 per month.

It would be a real treat to live in such a lush, splendid, mountainous area. A location that is perfect for snowbirds, Dominica is a little paradise tucked away in the Caribbean. Its mild, temperate climate is a major attraction for tourists and home owners alike, although you can expect somewhat heavier rains the farther you go inland. If you are a naturalist and love rain forests, mountains and natural beauty, then Dominica is the home for you.

There are no restrictions on foreigners purchasing property in the Dominican Republic so having found your ideal property; you will enter into an agreement between yourself (the purchaser) and the seller. You will be asked to sign a Contract of Sale before a Notary who will authenticate it. The Contract of Sale will contain the legal description of the property, price and conditions of sale (Notaries in the Dominican Republic are required to have a law degree)

The authenticated Contract of Sale is then taken to the nearest Internal Revenue Office for payment of the appropriate taxes .The property purchaser will have to pay property purchase taxes in the region of 7.5 property tax (IVSS) on the value of the property above that amount.

The Contract of Sale and the sellers Certificate of Title are deposited at the Title Registry Office in the jurisdiction where the property is located, and the sale is recorded. The Title Registry Office issues a new Certificate of Title in the name of the purchaser and cancels the old certificate issued in the name of the seller; this may take a few days or a few months depending on the Title Registry Office where the sale is recorded.

Your agent in the Dominican Republic will make sure that this process is done smoothly, making sure that all of the following are checked out before closing .
1 Copy of the Certificate of Title to the property
2 Copy of the survey to the property or plat plan
3 Copy of the seller’s identification card or passport
4 Copy of receipts showing all taxes being paid should they be required (IVSS) or the copy of the certificate stating that the property is exempt from the IVSS tax
5 If the seller is a company, copy of corporate documentation authorizing the sale and a certificate from the Internal Revenue showing the company is current with its income tax returns.

Your agent will also make sure of the following,
If the property is part of a community (condominium)
1 Copy of the community declaration
2 Copy of the community regulations
3 Copy of the approved construction plans
4 Certificate from the community showing all dues are paid
5Copies of the last three community meetings

If the property is a house
1 Copy of the approved construction plans
2 Inventory of furniture etc
3 Copies of utility bills, and receipts showing the seller is current with his payments
4 If there are works being carried out on the property he will make sure that all the people involved are paid off buy the seller, and the workers have their legal severance papers, otherwise the buyers may find themselves liable for payment later.

These guidelines are meant for guidance only and describe a straightforward purchase scenario. However this information is not meant to replace proper legal advice, which we always insist you take.

Dominican republic set to regain popularity with overseas property investors News Posted On: 14 December 2009 During 2008 rapidly rising tourism and low property prices made the Dominican Republic one of the most popular destinations among the new wave of overseas property investor, and holiday home investor. Like many markets around the world there has hardly been a peep about Dominican Republic property this year — that is, until now. The massive American hotel chain Hard Rock Hotel has just announced a massive investment in the Dominican Republic, which will see the construction of a multi-million dollar resort and hotel complex. This really proves the points that the financial downturn has not stopped people from taking holidays abroad, and that tighter belts can actually boost the destinations that offer the best value for the holiday buck — like the Dominican Republic. It’s not like Hard Rock grew into such a huge corporation by sticking a pin in a map, of course the thousands it spent on research showed that growth in tourism to the Dominican Republic has not stopped this year. Demand for overseas property has been increasing since April this year, and the Caribbean has been one of the biggest benefactors of the growth. This is because those currently buying are predominantly wealthy lifestyle buyers. However, as the recovery strengthens overseas investment is also beginning to increase, and places like the Dominican Republic will regain their positions as favourite locations. Last year saw the Caribbean Isla Margarita knock Dominican Republic off the top spot of offering the cheapest property in the Caribbean. This didn’t last long and Dominican Republic regained its position just months later. Property prices haven’t dropped in the Caribbean the way they have here, but the landscape has changed. None the less Dominican Republic property will still be among the lowest priced in the Caribbean.

The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with its neighbour Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world. It is an island that has in the past had an image problem known for its all-inclusive holiday resorts and for giving visitors stomach bugs. Now, however, its going upmarket. New, luxury property developments have sprung up on the island – particularly on the east coast – attracting US celebrities: Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce Knowles and Paris Hilton have all laid their beach towels on the island and Brits are increasingly buying property here.

Popular areas for buying property for sale include Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete on the north coast and, on the east coast, around Punta Cana, where several major luxury resorts are being built, notably Cap Cana, the biggest development in the Caribbean. Covering 14,000 hectares, the resort will see 10,000-holiday properties built over the next ten years along with six golf courses (including three Jack Nicklaus signature courses), five hotels and the biggest marina in the Caribbean. Prices of property for sale in the Dominican Republic start at 230,000 and go up to several million pounds. Next door is Caso de Campo, another luxury development, where Oscar de la Renta has a property. Prices of property for sale in Caso de Campo start at 250,000 for apartments.

It is hard to get hard and fast figures for capital growth experienced in the Dominican Republic, but most people suggest prices of property for sale in the Dominican Republic are going up by ten to 20 per cent a year, and rental yields can be as high as eight to ten per cent in prime locations. There is a one per cent property tax, 25 per cent capital gains tax and a six per cent exchange tax; but, like Antigua, some of the bigger resorts are negotiating lower rates of tax in Cap Cana, for example, there is a ten-year exemption on property taxes and no capital gains tax when properties are sold.