The case, documented by Global Property Guide and published last June, illustrates for investors the path to follow to acquire properties in the country
SANTO DOMINGO – When an investor decides to acquire property in another country, what weighs more heavily: intuition or numbers? Do they start by looking for apartments or studying markets? What information do they use to make a decision involving hundreds of thousands of dollars?
These are some of the questions answered by the case study "Property Investment in Dominican Republic, Punta Cana (Case Study)", published on June 3, 2026 by Global Property Guide (GPG), a platform specializing in the analysis of international real estate markets.
Unlike its usual reports on prices or profitability, this time the publication documents the complete process followed by an investor to select, analyze and buy an apartment intended for short-term rental in Punta Cana.
Rather than recommending a specific property, the study outlines the methodology used to reduce risks before investing.
What was the objective of the investment?
According to Global Property Guide, the investor began by defining financial criteria before even looking at a single property. His goal was to obtain a net annual return of close to 7%, before taxes, through short-term rentals, prioritizing an asset that could generate income from day one.
That decision led to discarding pre-construction projects (on the blueprint) and concentrating the search on completed properties, with operational history and real data on occupancy and income.
Why compare destinations rather than apartments?
The study shows that the next step was not to review real estate listings, but to compare different markets within the Dominican Republic.
Las Terrenas, Puerto Plata, Samaná, Cap Cana and Bávaro were analyzed considering variables such as tourist flow, infrastructure, connectivity, visitor profile and profitability potential.
After that exercise, the investor concluded that Bávaro offered the most balanced combination of tourist demand, liquidity, and the possibility of achieving the expected return.
Is it enough to simply consult data platforms?
No. One of the most interesting aspects of the case is that the investor used specialized tools like AirDNA to obtain a first approximation of income and occupancy, but did not consider that data definitive.
Global Property Guide reports that some estimates seemed overly optimistic, especially in certain property categories. Therefore, the next step was to cross-reference the information with local real estate agents and owners already operating vacation rentals to validate both the actual income and expenses.
The implicit conclusion is that the platforms serve as a starting point, but do not replace verification on the ground.
What factors did you evaluate before making an offer?
Before submitting a purchase proposal, the investor incorporated into the analysis aspects that are often overlooked.
The study explains that it used a local lawyer to calculate the tax burden applicable to short-term rentals and assess the impact of those taxes on projected profitability.
He then made in-person visits to the selected properties to verify elements impossible to appreciate in photographs or advertisements, such as the quality of construction, the immediate surroundings, the condition of the common areas and the experience a future guest could have.
How did the negotiation go?
According to the case published by Global Property Guide, the chosen property was advertised at US$295,000.
The investor initially submitted an offer of US$257,000, which was rejected. He subsequently increased the offer to US$280,000, which was accepted under certain conditions.
From that moment, the due diligence process began. The deposit was held in an escrow account while the property title, legal documentation, and financial information related to the property's performance as a vacation rental were verified.
What happened after the purchase?
The study doesn't end with the signing of the contract. Global Property Guide is following the transaction and explains that the new owner decided to retain the management company that had been managing the apartment, given its proven track record. They also hired an accountant to ensure compliance with tax obligations.
According to the published data, the investment subsequently achieved an annualized net profit of close to US$21,400, equivalent to an approximate return of 7.4% before taxes, on an acquisition price of US$290,000.
What does this case mean for other investors?
Although the study focuses on a specific transaction, the main lesson lies in the process followed to achieve the acquisition of the property.
Instead of starting with the apartment, the investor first defined his financial goals; before trusting a platform, he validated the information with local stakeholders; before closing the purchase, he submitted the transaction to a legal and tax review; and before changing the property management, he evaluated the performance it had already demonstrated.
In that sense, the case published by Global Property Guide offers an unusual look at how an international investor structures a real estate decision in the Dominican Republic, showing that behind a successful purchase there is usually a much broader analysis process than simply choosing a property.
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