The diaspora represents the main driver of real estate sales in the local market
SANTO DOMINGO.- Buying off-plan continues to be one of the most sought-after options in the Dominican Republic's real estate market.
The possibility of securing lower prices, accessing flexible payment plans, and achieving a good capital gain before final delivery has boosted the growth of this business model in the Dominican Republic.
Experts consulted by El Inmobiliario say that buying off-plan can generate a capital gain of up to 30% in real estate properties.
For businessman José del Orbe, founding partner and Broker Owner of Mr Home Real Estate Advisors, selling off-plan has ceased to be a purchase and has become a financial move, which is gaining strength every day.
Jochimin Perez, CEO of Constructora JPerez, states that from the developer's point of view, selling off-plan has the advantage of achieving financial leverage with the contributions of the buyers and thus creating cash flow with zero financial costs or with costs calculated with these incomes.
The appreciation of an off-plan purchase can vary depending on the location, the type of project, and the developer. Generally speaking, a property purchased off-plan can increase in value between 15% and 30% upon delivery, stated Yudelka Parra, a finance and real estate specialist.
Today's customer doesn't buy on impulse, they buy based on analysis
Del Orbe attributes the increase in off-plan purchases to financing rates, arguing that the smart buyer understood that buying off-plan is a strategy to freeze the current price and finance later with better rates.
"It's a matter of financial timing, not an emotional purchase. Today's customer doesn't buy on impulse; they buy based on analysis. And when they do the math, they realize that waiting for the project to be finished costs them between 15% and 30% more, plus higher financing rates. Math is what's driving the market, not marketing," he stated
Both Del Orbe and Pérez agree that the diaspora represents the main driver of real estate sales in the local market.
Pérez argues that the most frequently occurring target audience is composed of the Dominican diaspora (35%), foreign retirees (22%), Europeans (25%) and digital natives (18%).
Within the economic segment, the executive of Jperez Constructora divides it into:
- formal employees 35%
- remittance family 28%
- Upward-rising young professional 22%
- Small-scale investor 15%.
For his part, the co-founder of Mr Home, citing internal data from the brand he represents, maintained that until April 2026 the bulk of transactions are concentrated in the range below US$160,000, combining three factors: accessibility for the pocket of the one who lives abroad, profitability from rental whether residential or short stay and a ceiling of added value that has not yet reached its maximum.
"The Dominican diaspora has stopped viewing real estate investment as nostalgia and has begun to see it as a tool for wealth growth. And the real estate fairs taking place abroad demonstrate this fact. The diaspora is no longer just sending remittances; it is building wealth," Del Orbe stated.
Not every project on paper is a good investment
José Del Orbe stated that he has seen people lose money by making bad purchases and asserted that the difference lies in the advice the buyer receives when making a decision.
"After years of assisting buyers and investors in this market, I'm clear on this: don't buy off-plan just because it's trendy. Buy off-plan because you've done your research, understood the project, and verified the developer," he said.
Ideal for those looking to invest with a vision
Financial expert Yudelka Parra believes that buying off-plan is an ideal option for those looking to invest with a vision of growth and planning, due to the payment facilities offered by many developers during the construction process.
The specialist explained that those who buy in the initial stages usually have a greater margin of appreciation, since they access lower prices than buyers who enter in advanced phases of the project.
“It’s important to remember that, in real estate investment as in any other investment, there will always be risks that must be weighed. That’s why it’s essential to evaluate the opportunity cost and understand that time is key, since it directly influences appreciation and wealth consolidation,” he concluded.
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