SANTO DOMINGO - The Dominican Republic needs a more agile and balanced mortgage legal framework that not only protects the system but also encourages citizens to invest in housing.
“A mortgage law that offers greater agility and balance. A framework that not only protects the system, but also encourages citizens to invest in housing, not just in transportation and perishable goods,” explains prominent real estate agent Mélido Marte in his short story “The Supermarket That Sold Nothing.”
The regional director of RE/MAX Dominican Republic also points out that the Dominican mortgage law needs a thorough review to promote housing solutions for the population.
Through allegorical characters such as Don Estructuro, Don Agente, Doña Banca, Don Fideicomiso, Doña Marca and Doña Confianza, the author represents the different actors involved in the ecosystem of real estate operations in the country.
Diaspora
The text also highlights the role of the Dominican diaspora, comprised of more than 2.5 million people, mostly women, who emigrated with the dream of owning their own home. “Today, with better incomes and digital access, they are ready to invest. But they don't buy out of nostalgia: they buy strategically. They want returns, protection, and security. They buy to rent, to have a dignified old age, to secure their children's future. And if rental regulations don't support this process with a balance between rights and responsibilities, there is a risk of discouraging this investment,” the narrative warns.
Marte points out the difference between solid trust companies, which guarantee transparency and compliance, and those that, despite their formal existence, lack efficiency and erode trust in the system. “It’s true… there are trust companies, and then there are trust companies. Some have structure, teams, processes, and commitment. But there are also the others… the paperless ones. Those that exist on paper, but not in terms of capacity. Those that don’t respond, don’t disburse funds, don’t supervise. Those that, far from strengthening trust, weaken it.”.
Get your degree
Another point addressed by the veteran real estate advisor in his work is the importance of property titling as a way to revitalize the market and strengthen confidence in the system.
Marte argues that having a property title significantly increases investment opportunities and access to credit, and proposes programs like "Get your title," designed to release capital trapped in entire communities.
“A major financial inclusion strategy is urgently needed for the more than 2.3 million Dominican families whose homes lack a property title, thus reducing demand in the housing market represented by ACOPROVI,” the story highlights.
Critical customer
The work also introduces the figure of the Critical Customer, a demanding, analytical and informed buyer who, far from being an obstacle, is an ally to raise the standards of the sector.
The report explains that this type of client is no longer satisfied with promises, but rather investigates, compares, and demands clear guarantees regarding project delivery, the legality of titles, and the reliability of the developers. In this sense, Marte argues that the presence of the “critical client” compels the entire industry to be more transparent, professional, and responsible at every step of the process.
The story's final message is clear: trust in the real estate market is built on actions, not words. As the text concludes: “This supermarket can be stocked again. But not with promises. With commitment. With structure. With truth.
SANTO DOMINGO - The Dominican Republic needs a more agile and balanced mortgage legal framework that not only protects the system but also motivates citizens to invest in housing.
“A mortgage law that offers greater agility and balance. A framework that not only protects the system, but also encourages citizens to invest in housing, not just in transportation and perishable goods,” argues prominent real estate agent Mélido Marte in his short story “The Supermarket That Sold Nothing.”
The regional director of RE/MAX Dominican Republic also points out that the mortgage law needs a thorough review to incentivize housing solutions for the population.
Through allegorical characters such as Don Estructuro, Don Agente, Doña Banca, Don Fideicomiso, Doña Marca and Doña Confianza, the author represents the different actors involved in real estate transactions.
Diaspora
The text also highlights the role of the Dominican diaspora, comprised of more than 2.5 million people, mostly women, who emigrated with the dream of owning their own home. “Today, with better incomes and digital access, they are ready to invest. But they don't buy out of nostalgia: they buy strategically. They want returns, protection, and security. They buy to rent, to have a dignified old age, to secure their children's future. And if rental regulations don't support this process with a balance between rights and responsibilities, there is a risk of discouraging this investment,” the narrative warns.
Marte points out the difference between solid trust companies, which guarantee transparency and compliance, and those that, despite their formal existence, lack efficiency and erode trust in the system. “It’s true… there are trust companies, and then there are trust companies. Some have structure, teams, processes, and commitment. But there are also the others… the paperless ones. Those that exist on paper, but not in terms of capacity. Those that don’t respond, don’t disburse funds, don’t supervise. Those that, far from strengthening trust, weaken it.”.
Get your degree
Another point addressed by the veteran real estate advisor in his work is the importance of property titling as a way to revitalize the market and strengthen confidence in the system.
Marte argues that having a property title significantly increases investment opportunities and access to credit, and proposes programs like "Get your title," designed to release capital trapped in entire communities.
“A major financial inclusion strategy is urgently needed for the more than 2.3 million Dominican families whose homes lack a property title, thus reducing demand in the housing market represented by ACOPROVI,” the story highlights.
Critical customer
The work also introduces the figure of the Critical Customer, a demanding, analytical and informed buyer who, far from being an obstacle, is an ally to raise the standards of the sector.
The report explains that this type of client is no longer satisfied with promises, but rather investigates, compares, and demands clear guarantees regarding project delivery, the legality of titles, and the reliability of the developers. In this sense, Marte argues that the presence of the “critical client” compels the entire industry to be more transparent, professional, and responsible at every step of the process.
The story's final message is clear: trust in the real estate market is built on actions, not words. As the text concludes: “This supermarket can be stocked again. But not with promises. With commitment. With structure. With truth.
