With investments that in some markets start around US$200,000, Dominican buyers are exploring properties abroad as a way to diversify assets, access rental income and, in some cases, obtain international residency.
SANTO DOMINGO – Interest in investing in properties outside the Dominican Republic has grown in recent years among businesspeople, professionals, and buyers seeking to diversify their assets. However, the first question that arises for those considering taking this step is straightforward: how much capital is actually needed to enter the international real estate market?
The answer depends on the type of market, access to financing, and the objective of the investment.
In this installment El Inmobiliario will share several analyses published by international financial media that agree that the entry threshold is usually lower than many investors imagine.
According to international investment specialist Kathleen Peddicord, founder of the consultancy Global Property Advisor, there are markets where access to real estate for foreign buyers starts at relatively affordable levels.
In the report “5 Places To Buy Property Overseas For Fun And Profit In 2025”, published on January 29, 2025 in Forbes, Peddicord explained that in destinations like Panama it is possible to buy properties from around $200,000, a level that can also serve as a basis for obtaining residency in the country.
The expert explained that international demand has shifted towards destinations that combine moderate prices with high tourism or economic growth, a trend that also explains the boom in several Caribbean markets.
And the Dominican Republic appears on that map of opportunities. In its analysis “7 Hot Caribbean Markets for Global Property Investors”, published on April 14, 2025 in Forbes, Peddicord identifies Las Terrenas, in Samaná, as one of the emerging real estate destinations in the region, highlighting its relatively accessible prices.
According to the specialist, the market has attracted international buyers due to the combination of beachfront condominiums starting at less than US$250,000, and the growth of tourist rentals driven by international demand.
Expansion and real estate tourism
This international context coincides with a period of economic expansion within the country itself. According to figures from the Central Bank's Monthly Indicator of Economic Activity, the Dominican economy registered growth of 2.1% in 2025, while January 2026 showed a year-on-year expansion of 3.5%.
Economic dynamism is also reflected in tourism, a sector closely linked to real estate development, with a record figure of 8,860,709 non-resident tourists arriving in the country by air in 2025, according to reports from the Central Bank.
This growth has helped position the country as one of the most dynamic real estate destinations in the Caribbean, while also encouraging some Dominican investors to explore opportunities in international markets.
Citizenship by investment
Another factor that explains the interest in real estate investments outside the country of origin is the possibility of accessing residency or citizenship programs through the purchase of properties, a practice more common than one might think.
In the report “Cash-for-Passports Schemes Face Growing Scrutiny”, published on February 24, 2014 by the Financial Times, the British newspaper explains that several countries have used citizenship-for-investment schemes to attract foreign capital into real estate development, with thresholds that can reach $400,000 in government-approved properties.
These programs have transformed the real estate sector into a strategic tool for both governments and international investors.
Active for tough times
Globally, the appeal of real estate as an investment vehicle has also been strengthened by its role as a tangible asset during times of economic uncertainty. Various analyses of the international real estate market, published in financial media, have indicated that many investors view property as a way to preserve value and generate long-term income.
For Dominican buyers interested in this type of investment, specialists recommend analyzing three factors before acquiring properties abroad: the legal stability of the market, the potential for rental income, and the level of liquidity of the asset.
The experience of the last three decades shows that real estate capital moves with increasing ease between countries, and in this scenario, the economic growth of the Dominican Republic, combined with the boom in tourism and foreign investment, has placed the country in a unique position: not only as a destination for international buyers, but also as a starting point for local investors who are beginning to look at the global real estate market.
Recommended readings:
- Investing in the Dominican Republic in 2026: What investors don't see before signing
- More than 255,000 visitors at FITUR 2026: revealing the international interest in investing in the Dominican Republic
- The areas with the greatest potential for investment in the Dominican Republic, according to a report
