Location, location, location

linmagic · #1 09-29-2009, 10:48 AM

Or not, depending on who we listen to!

We are coming in October to have a look at properties in the Sosua and Cabarete areas. However, we've also been advised to look at properties in the Las Terrenas / Samana areas as well. We'll be looking to retire so are not interested in madly busy areas and would be looking at a farm / ranch type property or one a little closer to town / village with reasonable amount of land (at least an acre).

Questions:

Which area is most value for money?
Is anyone of the areas safer than the others?
How far is it from Cabarete to Las Terrenas by car?
Would it make more sense to purchase a condo and then look for a bigger property when we have moved over?

Thanks!

Lin

jrhartley · #2 09-29-2009, 10:55 AM

over four hours to las terranas from cabarete I think.....you need to be aware of security in all areas.
Value for money ?- its only good value if you want it...no one can tell you that

J D Sauser · #3 09-29-2009, 11:45 AM

What JR and BD said... AND...

I am little scared when I see people coming from abroad waving money, ready to buy or "invest" while they apparently do know the island at all (how far is Las Terrenas from Cabarete. Sorry, this is NOT to offend the OP, but a dear warning, as your question may indicate that you are running onto quicksand. You can't approach buying, establishing yourself and even less "investing" like you would around the neighborhood you are coming from. This is not Palm Beach Florida either, where you can inquire about neighborhoods and developments, prices and levels of luxury or lifestyles. It's much more complicate than that. There are no fixed prices here, no public records to check on recent transactions, etc.
I don't want to put you off, please don't misunderstand me...

But first. Keep your money at HOME, safely parked or invested in things you know and understand. You should NOT need it here for another year or so. You ought to RENT, explore, get to know, kick the tires, learn (the language too!), aclimate, experience etc... Talking about the later -experience- well, there are so many meanings to the word, but one way to limit the chances of a bad experience is again, keep your money at home for now, limit your exposure.
Renting gives you flexibility and leaves you an ever available exit option and buys you TIME and piece of mind.
Try to move to an area you know (I hope you know something here or we will certainly try to direct you to a place to start based on your preferences when you share them with us). Preferably a place where you don't immediately need a vehicle. then move on as needed and get into it as you feel comfortable to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by linmagic

...
Would it make more sense to purchase a condo and then look for a bigger property when we have moved over?
... Lin

Buying is EASY, the selling part is NOT easy at all, not just currently but historically. Don't let sellers and those who profit from sales misguide you. Those who do NOT make a loss buying and selling here are probably in a one digit percentage group... usually very experienced or incredibly lucky, but mostly never recent arrivals.

... J-D.

linmagic · #4 09-29-2009, 12:25 PM

As I've never been to Palm Beach Florida (we live in the UK at the moment), nor am I under any impression that DR is anything like the place, I felt assured by reading through the threads here for some time now and the helpful advice I have already received, that my questions would not be shot down in flames! However, that may not have been the case.

I don't think I can be accused of "waving money", also not knowing the distance between two places on the island is such an awful thing either is it?

Quote:

waving money, ready to buy or "invest" while they apparently do know the island at all (how far is Las Terrenas from Cabarete.

We may explore the rental opportunities first, as we are ignorant of the areas (hence my question), we will decide what we want and where once we are more clued up but one of the options would be to buy a condo as if my daughter does decide to come over in the near future, she would have somewhere to stay.

We're not going into this lightly, we have done some serious research with no decisions made but the desire to do this some time next year.

Once again, I am grateful for the advive and information in these forums, it is really quite eye-opening!

Lin

Expat13 · #5 09-29-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linmagic

As I've never been to Palm Beach Florida (we live in the UK at the moment), nor am I under any impression that DR is anything like the place, I felt assured by reading through the threads here for some time now and the helpful advice I have already received, that my questions would not be shot down in flames! However, that may not have been the case.

I don't think I can be accused of "waving money", also not knowing the distance between two places on the island is such an awful thing either is it?

We may explore the rental opportunities first, as we are ignorant of the areas (hence my question), we will decide what we want and where once we are more clued up but one of the options would be to buy a condo as if my daughter does decide to come over in the near future, she would have somewhere to stay.

We're not going into this lightly, we have done some serious research with no decisions made but the desire to do this some time next year.

Once again, I am grateful for the advive and information in these forums, it is really quite eye-opening!

Lin

Yes, you have quickly learned you must take the words and advice here with a "grain of salt"-that is as far as the assumptions of your DR related experience, knowledge and overall wherewithall.
This being said some of the replies you received are from very knowledgable people with vast experience here. Dont confuse their negative words as their goal, really is a helpful wake-up call. It is a great resource although sometimes an "in your face" approach.

J D Sauser · #6 09-29-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linmagic

As I've never been to Palm Beach Florida (we live in the UK at the moment), nor am I under any impression that DR is anything like the place, I felt assured by reading through the threads here for some time now and the helpful advice I have already received, that my questions would not be shot down in flames! However, that may not have been the case.

No flame throwing from my part here. Sorry if you felt offended. Just friendly and UNINTERESTED advice or sharing of opinions and thoughts (I am not selling you anything so far) based on what I see going on here. If you felt offended, please accept my apologies.
I took the liberty to mention a SE Florida county, because it has a history of attracting foreign investment, merely as an example only, to which I did not expect you to relate directly. Popular places in South Florida, in sharp contrast to this country here, have public records available freely to buyers, sellers and agents. Prices levels are quite comprehensive from neighborhood to neighborhood. There is zoning, and development and availability of utilities can be assumed. This is NOT the case here. It take a lot of ON SITE investigation and experience to be able to rule out many properties offered. Many homes are built into flood zones, improperly drained or in the way or rivers. If one does not have local knowledge it could be easy to buy into such a situation or worse and sadly, few are the real estate agents who will warn prospect buyers of these and many other risks, even when asked.

You are certainly at liberty to visit any of the 10's of real estate agencies around here which I trust will be more than happy to assist you with their guidance and set you up real good. I am sure that yours already contemplating buying a succession of properties will guarantee you their undivided attention.

Quote:

Originally Posted by linmagic

I don't think I can be accused of "waving money", also not knowing the distance between two places on the island is such an awful thing either is it?

Maybe my choice of words could have been more refined in answer to your short question, just as you labeling it an "accusation" seems a little... uhm... not the fine British way.
Not knowing distances may indicate to the reader that you may not really yet know the island very well. You also seemed to imply that you were basing your question about Las Terrenas bases on a suggestion, which furthered that suspicion. There is nothing wrong with not knowing and even much less with asking. However, I find it inadvisable to "invest" money in such an exotic and fundamentally different in most every way country before knowing the place inside and out (and not just it's geography). That was my intended message to you and other readers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by linmagic

We may explore the rental opportunities first, as we are ignorant of the areas (hence my question), we will decide what we want and where once we are more clued up but one of the options would be to buy a condo as if my daughter does decide to come over in the near future, she would have somewhere to stay.

We're not going into this lightly, we have done some serious research with no decisions made but the desire to do this some time next year.

I am relieved you are least considering the rental option first.

Quote:

Originally Posted by linmagic

Once again, I am grateful for the advive and information in these forums, it is really quite eye-opening!

You are quite welcome, Lin! ... J-D.

Hlywud · #7 09-29-2009, 01:53 PM

see listings on DR1

Dominican Republic Real Estate Listings & Information by DR1

others who want to advertise can contact Robert@DR1.com

jrhartley · #8 09-29-2009, 02:19 PM

where were the flames ? did they get deleted ?

Black Dog · #9 09-29-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrhartley

where were the flames ? did they get deleted ?

It seems that stating that I have a real estate office and inviting a pm if the op would like help is advertising even though my advice was to rent! My wrist has been slapped LOL

El Rey de Mangu · #10 09-29-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Dog

It seems that stating that I have a real estate office and inviting a pm if the op would like help is advertising even though my advice was to rent! My wrist has been slapped LOL

Funny you said that. There are rules I would imagine. I woke up to hate mail from one of the members of what appears to be an underground blog policing society (hmmmm) for my username sounding suspect.

Yes, I can see that is does look suspect now - LOL
No biz being sought in gringobiz. Glad to make a recommendation though.

-G