You're not exhausted because you do a lot. You're exhausted because you're constantly switching focus.
There is a brutal difference between working hard and living in a state of constant fragmentation.
Many leaders aren't tired from overwork. They're exhausted from a lack of continuity. From switching between spreadsheets and phone calls, from conflict to WhatsApp, from strategy to operations… without ever truly tying up loose ends.
Harvard Business Review explained it in a recent article: executive burnout doesn't always stem from volume, but from unmanaged context switching. They call it "context switching burnout." Every time you change focus, your brain expends more energy to regain depth. Do it 30 times a day and you'll understand why you end up drained, even if you haven't produced anything tangible.
In leadership, this dynamic becomes critical. Because when the leader loses the ability to think deeply—to analyze calmly, to see the big picture—the entire team starts operating on autopilot. And the urgent always takes precedence over the important.
McKinsey & Company proposes something we should adopt as a standard: intentional alternation between deep focus and a panoramic view. It's not a task-heavy agenda, but one that knows when to think and when to execute. Real silence for real decisions. Uninterrupted blocks of strategy. And then, yes: time to review, adjust, coordinate, and put out fires if necessary.
But not at the same time. Because when everything is simultaneous, thinking becomes superficial. And so does leadership.
The solution? It's not doing less. It's protecting the type of energy you use for each task. Thinking isn't just another chore. It's a mode of being that requires specific conditions. And if you don't safeguard it, it will disappear.
This megaproject consolidates Punta Cana as the epicenter of structural tourism in the Caribbean.
SANTO DOMINGO.- Real estate tourism, a model that combines investment in properties with integrated tourist experiences, is the driving force behind the expansion project of Cruise On Land, which is now international and has found fertile ground in Punta Cana to grow and replicate itself.
It's not just its infrastructure or its theme park. From its base in La Otra Banda in Higüey, La Altagracia province, the project has attracted the interest of international buyers looking to acquire apartments for tourist operations, as revealed to El Inmobiliario by Hernando Gómez, the company's PMO manager.
“Our main clients come from the Dominican diaspora in the United States and Spain, as well as from Latin America, Canada, Europe, and African American communities in the Global North. Cruise On Land Real Estate is hospitality, but it's also property; it's tourism that you buy,” Gómez stated.
Punta Cana doesn't just host tourists: it attracts investors with a global vision and Caribbean roots
Cruise On Land's growth and global expansion are not solely due to a well-structured business strategy. According to Hernando Gómez, the true catalyst has been the country: “There has been significant growth thanks to the Dominican Republic as a destination. And Punta Cana is well-ranked in international financial markets as an investment destination. That has made everything easier for us. I think Cruise wouldn't have been the same if it had stayed in another country or destination.”
This international recognition, he says, has allowed the real estate tourism model, based on the purchase of properties for tourist operation, to consolidate and project itself towards other markets.
The incentives of the Confotur regime have turned Punta Cana into a magnet for those seeking to invest in the Caribbean with a return on tourism.
This is how they have won over the Dominican diaspora, along with Latin American, European, African American and Canadian buyers, who lead the demand for apartments in Punta Cana, attracted by the stability, connectivity and return on investment.
This model has allowed for the structuring of an investment exceeding $1.2 billion, with a first phase of 15 condo-hotel type buildings and a projection of 7,600 rooms.
The expected profitability, combined with the stability of the destination and the incentives of the Confotur regime, has made Punta Cana a magnet for those looking to invest in the Caribbean with a tourist return.
Cruise On Land International is not only developing a mega-tourism project from this destination to the world. It is also attracting a diverse community of international buyers who see the Dominican Republic as an opportunity for investment, returns, and emotional connection.
“And interest from single people is growing,” Gómez added, referring to individual buyers looking for properties for tourist use or personal investment.
Details
The real estate development is part of a broader tourism ecosystem. It's not just about buildings: the project includes office towers, a health clinic, a shopping plaza, a convention center, and a theme park with over 130 attractions. In total, 7,600 rooms are planned, distributed across 15 condo-hotels, with the first phase scheduled to open in the first half of 2027.
The Dominican tourism model, exported from the eastern region with its Caribbean DNA and international focus, has been accelerated by its official classification under the Confotur regime. The entire macro-project is expected to be fully operational by 2031, generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Hernando Gómez explains with great pride that Cruise On Land International “is not just building infrastructure: it is designing aglobal Caribbean district, with clients who reflect the diversity of those who believe in the potential of the Dominican Republic.”
The company's vision is to replicate this model in other international destinations, exporting from the country a formula that combines hospitality, investment, and experience. Expansion is already underway, but its origins and essence remain rooted in the Caribbean, supported by real estate tourism, which not only builds rooms but also creates communities, jobs, and new centers of development.
SANTO DOMINGO.– Ingrid Fernández, who died along with the CEO and founder of La Comarca Real Estate, José Ramón Hernández, last Saturday in a traffic accident on the Coral Highway, while returning to Santiago de los Caballeros, began working at the company in September of this year.
The employee took over as Business Manager at the firm just over a month ago. She was an Industrial Psychologist, a graduate of the Technological University of Santiago (UTESA), and had a solid track record of more than 20 years in banking, holding the positions of Business Manager and Deputy Business Manager at Banco Caribe.
Those who knew her describe her as an upright, empathetic, and professional woman, with an energy that inspired trust and respect. Her sister, Yanet Fernández, expressed her grief on social media, sharing heartfelt messages and cherished memories.
In her Instagram profile, Ingrid states that she had more than 20 years of experience in banking, and in her last video, she appears promoting the open house where she was participating last Saturday.
This Monday, the real estate company La Comarca reported that the remains of Ingrid Fernández will be laid to rest at the INAVI funeral home, located in the Pekín sector, in Santiago de los Caballeros, while those of José will be laid to rest at the Sánchez funeral home, located in San José de Ocoa, according to a statement from the company.
The report indicates that the bodies have not yet been released to their families and that the date and time of the wake will be announced in due course.
“Due to reasons related to the death process, the bodies have not yet been released to the families. The date and time of the wake will be announced as soon as authorization is received,” the notice states.
La Comarca Real Estate
It is a real estate company based in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. Founded in 2011, the company has established itself as a firm specializing in the management, promotion, and marketing of properties, with an active presence in various regions of the country.
SANTO DOMINGO.– Attorney Estela Casanova, a real estate advisor with more than three decades dedicated to the real estate market, was sworn in on October 31 of this year as the new director of the Association of Real Estate Agents and Companies (AEI) in the province of La Romana.
The businesswoman begins her term with a broad portfolio of objectives that seek to make the entity visible in that area of eastern Dominican Republic and contribute to strengthening the work of the association that currently brings together more than 1,500 members and around 300 agencies throughout the country.
"To raise awareness and promote the institution throughout the province, increase the number of members to help strengthen the organization, and expand the base of continuing education to ensure a more ethical and better-trained real estate agent capable of providing optimal service to users," Casanova told El Inmobiliario, responding to a question about his scheduled work plan.
He also stated that he intends to comply with and enforce the entity's Code of Ethics, support it in the common goal of achieving a law that will be the regulatory framework for the entity, create a database of colleagues who are engaged in brokerage in the province, establish the most important ratios in the province for sales, rentals and construction, create a database of the projects that are built, as well as collaborate with the relevant authorities in compliance with current regulations regarding land use and construction.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the national president of the AEI, Alberto Bogart, as well as the mayor of La Romana, Kelly Metivier , and various professionals from the sector located in the eastern region.
Profile
Estela Casanova is a lawyer, a graduate in business administration, a master in tax litigation, an active member of the AEI for 16 years, affiliated with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Latin American Real Estate Confederation (CILA).
She is the founder of 3C Inmobiliaria, focused on property sales, Free Tours , and Benemon Corporation, the latter dedicated to the development of real estate projects.
"With this designation, the AEI reaffirms its purpose of continuing to strengthen the professionalization and transparency of the real estate market in the eastern region of the country, promoting collaboration between agents, companies and local authorities," highlighted the veteran real estate advisor.
SANTO DOMINGO.– The Emergency Operations Center (COE) reported that ten provinces of the country remain under preventive surveillance, due to the accumulation of moisture in the ground caused by the influence of a trough and a tropical wave affecting the national territory.
The provinces under this provision are: Monte Plata, La Altagracia, National District, Barahona, Peravia, La Romana, San Cristóbal, San Pedro de Macorís, Santo Domingo and San José de Ocoa.
The measure is activated in the event of occurrences that pose a risk to the population, such as urban flooding or landslides.
The alert status was lifted for Monseñor Nouel, Montecristi, Dajabón, Pedernales, San Juan, Duarte, Santiago, Bahoruco, Santiago Rodríguez, Independencia, Puerto Plata, Valverde and Azua, following an improvement in weather conditions.
Regarding the maritime situation, operators of small vessels were advised to remain in port from Isla Beata (Pedernales) to San Rafael beach (Barahona), as well as from Cabo Engaño (La Altagracia) to Isla Saona (La Romana), due to the presence of high waves and gusts of wind.
On the Atlantic coast, the stretch between Cabo Engaño and Punta Manglares (El Seibo) should also be avoided for navigation. The rest of the coast has more stable conditions, although caution is advised in areas near the shoreline.
In an official statement, the emergency agency urged residents of communities near the Valdesia Las Barias Hydroelectric Complex, such as Presa Jigüey, Los Mineros, El Rosalito, Aguacate, Las Avispas, Mucha Agua, Yaguate, Pizarrete, and others, to take preventative measures to regulate the flooding due to the forecast of rains at the Valdesia plant.
She wants to go back, buy a house, and invest. But every time she opens her phone, the algorithm shows her flooded streets and neighborhoods, cars and misery floating by. How do you make a decision when your dream is drenched in doubt?
SANTO DOMINGO – Yesterday, Sunday, Brenda Rodríguez left her home in New Jersey early, coffee in one hand and her cell phone in the other. Despite the 9-degree temperature, she enjoyed the sight of the trees displaying their coppery and golden autumn colors as she headed to the station. She took the Northeast Corridor Line (NEC) train to New York Penn Station, and along the way, the cool air slightly fogged the windows.
On his phone, between videos, he watched images of torrential rains in Santo Domingo flash by. “It’s pouring there again,”he thought, adjusting his light coat and scrolling through the screen. The algorithm repeated images from two weeks ago, showing Tropical Storm Melissa, and from last week’s downpours caused by a trough: water pouring through doorways, cars stranded—some floating—neighborhoods transformed into lakes.
“It doesn’t matter anymore if the neighborhood is upper, middle, or lower class. One day you walk through a downpour without a problem, and the next you find a river running through the middle of the houses with just a few drops of rain.” The train keeps moving, but her decision to buy a house seems stalled by reasonable doubts: Buy a house in a country that floods? Invest amidst all this uncertainty?
He also watches videos of people “enjoying” the flooded streets as if they were swimming pools. “They’re crazy,” he thinks, and his memory drifts back to his childhood, when he and his friends would rush out to find pipes and play in the pouring rain. But nostalgia doesn’t quell the unease he feels about the viral nature of TikTok and Instagram.
“Oh God! What if it’s not a good idea to buy it?”she thinks aloud.
Decision-oriented
For months, Brenda has been reading the guides published by El Inmobiliario on how to safely buy a house in the Dominican Republic. She's made lists, called agents, and now her dream of returning has been put on hold.
Tropical Storm Melissa, which left more than 16 critical areas flooded in the National District, has changed his mindset, and now, every time he opens social media, he's bombarded with doubts. "You can't see the sewers, that doesn't win votes," he mutters as the train glides toward Manhattan.
“City councils carry out operations when it rains, but there's no planning. Why does 27th Street and Kennedy Avenue flood so often? Why does the Estrella Sadhalá neighborhood in Santiago de los Caballeros keep collapsing? If I'm going to invest, I want to know my house won't float away. I don't want to buy promises; I want to buy certainty«.
Brenda gets off the train at Penn Station with the same gesture one uses to dismiss doubts: resolute, but still thoughtful. She walks through the shopping mall and enters Paper Source. Among notebooks of every color, she chooses a hardcover one, without embellishments, and on the first page writes: “Coming back isn’t just about buying. It’s about choosing with memory, with facts, and with love for what I want to build.” A notification pops up: it’s been raining in Santo Domingo since last night.
She flips through her notebook, reviewing the names of neighborhoods she's considered: Los Prados, Cienfuegos, the University area, Serrallés, Los Ríos, Verón. Unwilling to buy into uncertainty, she begins searching for certainty, and her anxiety is not exaggerated. According to reports from the Emergency Operations Center (COE) and national media, the areas most vulnerable to urban flooding include major avenues due to drainage deficiencies, exacerbated by solid waste dumped in the streets.
Brenda notes in her notebook to consult the criteria to continue with her search.
Water that exposes misery
In late October 2025, Tropical Storm Melissa unleashed its fury across the country, causing the storm drain system to collapse and resulting in urban flooding, with dozens of homes and properties affected, according to reports from the Emergency Operations Center (COE), in addition to millions of dollars in losses.
And it's not an isolated incident. Rains like Melissa's or any tropical wave occur throughout the year, exposing the vulnerabilities that persist in many urban areas. "I want to invest, but I don't want my house to flood or my car to get stuck in the parking lot," says Brenda, as if she were talking to someone.
Brenda's story encapsulates the dilemma faced by thousands of Dominicans, both those in the diaspora and local residents. But migrants also receive enticing videos and tempting offers for new real estate projects, many in beautiful areas, though little known to those living far away.
“You see the pretty pictures, but nobody tells you if the land floods,” she says. So, rather than get discouraged, Brenda decided to do her research. And that's how this practical guide to buying with a cool head (even if the country is underwater) came about.
Guide to buying a house without losing sleep:
1. Consult risk maps. The COE (Emergency Operations Center) and the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI) publish maps marking areas prone to flooding and landslides. Before deciding, ask the seller or the city council to show you the type of zone the land is in.
2. Avoid areas near rivers and ravines. It seems obvious, but many projects are built right on old riverbeds or low-lying areas. If the listing mentions "river view," interpret that as "yellow alert."
3. Check the altitude and drainage. In cities like Santo Domingo or Santiago, a small difference in elevation can be decisive. Opt for higher areas or projects with modern stormwater drainage systems.
4. Ask the neighbors . No source is more reliable. "Does this place flood?" usually gets honest answers. You can also search on social media for the name of the neighborhood plus the word "flood."
5. Visit (or request a video) during the rainy season. If you're away, ask a family member or the agent to record the location and surrounding area on a rainy day. If you see puddles that look like lagoons, you already have your answer.
6. Check public works projects. Local councils and the Ministry of Public Works announce drainage and sanitation projects. An area where canalization projects are underway or planned is usually safer.
7. Consider insurance and clauses in the contract. Ask for a clause that allows you to cancel if an undisclosed risk of flooding is discovered, and inquire about insurance against natural disasters. Because protecting your dream is also part of building it.
And what will Brenda do now?
Brenda puts the notebook in her purse. It was 11:00 in the morning and her cousin told her that it had stopped raining in Santo Domingo, but that Doña Gloria Ceballos, from Indomet, said it would continue to rain.
She smiles peacefully, and thinking about the approaching cold winter, she begins to dream again of returning. For now, she will continue saving and researching.
“I want to buy, but with the facts in hand,” he told himself. “I wouldn’t want my dream to be drowned by the first storm. Returning isn’t just an act of nostalgia, but also an informed decision.”
Taíno Bay will have the highest reception with 40, followed by Amber Cove with 23 and Cabo Rojo with 4.
SANTO DOMINGO.- The Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM) described the arrival of ten new cruise ships to the Dominican Republic for the first time, through the various port terminals, as momentous
The entity reported that, within the cruise itinerary, those coming to the country for the first time are: Aida SOL, from the Aida line; Cel Xcel, from Celebrity Cruises; Brilliant Lady, from Virgin Voyager; Brilliant OTS, from MSC Cruises; Rhapsody, from Royal Caribbean; Carnival Legend, from Carnival Cruises; Majestic Princess and Coral Princess, from Princess Cruises; NCL Getaway and NCL Joy, from Norwegian Cruise Line.
The organization's executive director, Jean Luis Rodríguez, highlighted the great importance of the arrival of new ships, as this consolidates the confidence that cruise lines have in our country as an ideal destination for travelers to visit the different coastal areas of the country.
In the report on cruise ship arrivals in November, the port authority detailed that67 ships will arrive, the second largest number this year, with Taíno Bay receiving the most with 40, followed by Amber Cove with 23 and Cabo Rojo with 4.
The Dominican Port Authority, through notification, reiterated that according to the established schedule for the arrival of cruise passengers, the selected dates may change due to weather conditions and modifications in the routes determined by the cruise lines.
Specific characteristics of the ships
-Aida SOL has a length of 253.3 meters with a navigation capacity of 21.8 knots.
-Cel Xcel has a capacity for 3,260 passengers and 1,400 crew members.
-Brilliant Lady: capacity for 2,762 passengers and 1,150 crew members, with a length of 278 meters.
-Brilliant OTS: 2,152 passengers and a sailing capacity of 25 knots.
-Majestic Princess: 330 meters long, capacity for 3,560 passengers and 1,346 crew members.
-Coral Princess: capacity for 2,000 passengers with a length of 294 meters and a sailing speed of 21.5 knots.
–Rhapsody: 23 knot speed, 279 meters in length and capacity for 2,040 passengers.
-NCL Getaway: capacity for 3,963 passengers, with a length of 326 meters and a sailing speed of 22.5 knots.
Carnival Legend: capacity of 2,124 passengers, 930 crew members, 293 meters in length and a sailing speed of 22 knots.
NCL Joy: It has a length of 333 meters, with capacity for 3,776 passengers and 1,821 crew members.
They will add more than 140 new rooms, generating jobs and diversifying the tourism offer in the María Trinidad Sánchez province.
SANTO DOMINGO.- The De Valle Group, in partnership with the company Proconstur, announced the construction of two new Super 8 hotels in the municipalities of Río San Juan and Cabrera, which will add more than 140 new rooms to the tourist offering of the María Trinidad Sánchez province and will have a great impact on job creation in the area.
The Super 8 Río San Juan project has all the necessary government approvals and will begin construction in January 2026, while the Super 8 Cabrera project has also received all the necessary permits and is scheduled to begin construction in March 2026.
Both projects reflect a shared commitment to architectural excellence, sustainability, and strengthening tourism in the country's various destinations, a press release highlights.
He explains that the Super 8 Cabrera has been designed by the Dominican architect Jean Romero and will be a four-level hotel with more than 70 rooms, in addition to a two-story commercial plaza.
It will integrate high energy efficiency systems and durable materials that guarantee comfort, sustainability and long-term value.
Likewise, Super 8 Río San Juan, which will contribute more than 70 new rooms to the area, is a four-level tourist complex comprised of a hotel with more than 70 rooms and a two-level commercial space, as well as a swimming pool and gym, in addition to other facilities.
Engineer Henry Veloz, CEO of the company Proconstur, leads the entire construction process of the Super 8 hotels in Cabrera and Río San Juan, ensuring quality and efficiency at every stage.
Edward De Valle, president of Grupo De Valle, directs the overall structuring of the projects, including the financial model and franchise strategies.
“We are very proud to work with Henry and his professional team at Proconstur,” the executive stated.
“We have never experienced such a high level of creativity and collaboration. It is inspiring to see so many Dominican professionals working together to deliver an exceptional product, and we are happy to have found a local team we can trust.”
Boost to growth
The press release states that with the addition of these two new hotels, Grupo De Valle reaches a combined portfolio of owned, partnered, and managed properties with a total value of approximately $300 million, representing more than 600 rooms under development or in operation throughout the Dominican Republic.
SANTO DOMINGO.-Real estate agents across the country have expressed their grief upon learning of the death of José Ramón Hernández, CEO and founder of the real estate company La Comarca, who died along with his colleague Ingrid Fernández early Saturday morning as they were returning from Punta Cana to Santiago de los Caballeros.
"We deeply regret the passing of our colleague, friend and brother José Ramón Hernández of La Comarca Real Estate," posted the Association of Real Estate Agents and Companies, AEI North Zone, of which he was a member of its board of directors.
From the AEI East Zone, its executive director, Osmán González, extended his condolences to the family of Hernández, given his sudden passing, which leaves two children orphaned and his wife widowed.
The CEO InmobiliarioRD Community joined in mourning the passing of the founder of Inmobiliaria La Comarca, wishing that God may comfort all his family and loved ones.
Lisette Del Monte, CEO of Infinity Group, also commented: "How sad, an excellent colleague. On behalf of our company and the entire sales team, we extend our sincerest condolences to his wife and family.".
"The real estate sector is in mourning," wrote Reyna Echenique, commenting that the news shocked the entire sector, while also offering condolences to the family.
Élite House expressed their sorrow at Hernández's passing. "José was a great friend of ours, and we extend our deepest condolences to all the members of La Comarca and to all his family.".
"What a sad Sunday. May he rest in peace, dear friend," commented Artigiano Real Estate.
"It's a shame to read this news. May he rest in peace and may his family find strength. José was an excellent professional," commented Jennifer Ramírez of Mr Home.
"We deeply regret what happened to José and Ingrid. The real estate sector is very saddened. May they rest in peace," texted Verolín de León of Ratal Home.
SANTO DOMINGO.- The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (INDOMET) discontinued its rain forecasts yesterday, Sunday, after reporting that a significant reduction in rainfall is expected starting Sunday night.
"Relatively dry and hot conditions will prevail tomorrow (today) . Weather alerts have been discontinued in some provinces of the country," said the agency's latest report, issued at 6:00 pm on Sunday, November 2.
He explained that much of the country is experiencing clear, sunny skies, despite the heavy rain that fell during the morning hours. "The tropical wave has already moved quickly out of our territory, settling over the Windward Passage, and a drier, relatively stable air mass, with some dust from the Sahara Desert, has entered our area.".
According to the agency's report for Tuesday, November 4, an upper-level trough will be approaching the country, bringing showers and thunderstorms to towns near the Atlantic coast starting in the early morning hours. "These rains will continue to spread throughout the morning to other nearby towns, and after midday, combined with the effects associated with the diurnal cycle, there will be downpours that could be heavy in isolated areas, thunderstorms, and gusty winds in the northeast, southeast, Central Mountain Range, and border regions," the report states.
COE
The Emergency Operations Center (COE) maintains 8 provinces and the National District on yellow alert and 14 on green alert, due to the passage of a tropical wave over the Dominican territory and a trough.
Yesterday, Sunday, new rainfall occurred in Greater Santo Domingo, especially in the morning. The agency reported that the influence of a trough in the upper levels of the troposphere will continue with downpours, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education of the Dominican Republic (MINERD) reported that, following the improvement of weather conditions and the reduction of alert levels in several provinces, classes will resume this Monday in the areas where they were suspended due to Hurricane Melissa.
The return to classes will take place in the provinces ofPedernales, Independencia and Bahoruco, after the Emergency Operations Center (COE).
However, he specified that in Barahona and San José de Ocoa teaching will continue to be suspended, since both provinces remain at risk and the authorities prioritize the safety of the educational community.
Yellow alert
The following remain: Monte Plata, La Altagracia, National District, San Cristóbal, Peravia, La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, Santo Domingo and San José de Ocoa.
Monseñor Nouel, Independencia, Puerto Plata, Santiago Rodríguez, Azua, Duarte, Bahoruco, Santiago, Barahona, Valverde, Montecristi, Dajabòn, San Juan and Pedernales are under green alert.
The COE recommends that people refrain from crossing rivers, streams and ravines that have high volumes of water in the provinces under alert.
SANTO DOMINGO.- The Popular Association of Savings and Loans (APAP) reported that it received ISO/IEC 27001 certificationfor its Information Security Management System from AENOR, ratifying its alignment with the most rigorous information security policies and protocols.
ISO 27001 is an international standard used to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, helping organizations to identify and manage their information security risks effectively, the entity explains in a press release.
"This certification reflects our firm commitment to data protection and responsible risk management in an increasingly challenging digital environment, as an additional guarantee of trust for our savings partners and clients," said Gustavo Ariza, CEO of APAP, upon receiving the certification from AENOR's country director, Ariel Espejo.
For his part, Ariel Espejo, director of AENOR Dominican Republic, highlighted that "the ISO/IEC 27001 certification not only represents recognition of compliance with international standards, but also provides strategic value to organizations by strengthening their culture of safety and trust.".
This certification complements the Cybersecurity and Information Security strategy implemented by the financial institution, which seeks to mitigate fraud risks by strengthening security controls in the technological infrastructure through security assessment and correction of findings in critical systems.
The financial institution has also recertified PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), which focuses on defining rigorous controls for the protection of cardholder data and sensitive authentication information throughout the processing, storage and transmission process, according to the press release.
Along with Hernández, Ingrid Fernández, one of his collaborators who was with him, also died.
SANTO DOMINGO.- Prominent real estate businessman José Ramón Hernández Tejada, CEO and founder of La Comarca real estate company, located in Santiago de los Caballeros, died last night in a traffic accident. Ingrid Fernández, one of his collaborators, also died in the accident.
The renowned real estate agent, a member of the board of directors of the Association of Real Estate Agents and Companies, AEI North Zone, died on the Coral Highway, while returning at the wheel of his vehicle, after participating in an open house that took place yesterday in Punta Cana.
Isely Almánzar, director of AEI North Zone, said that the real estate community in Santiago de los Caballeros, where Hernández Tejada had his office, is devastated by the tragic news.
José Ramón Hernández Tejada. (External source).
"He had so many plans, he was a wonderful human being, always open to helping. There was nothing we asked José to do on the board of the AEI here in Santiago that he would never say no to," said the prominent real estate advisor sadly.
José is survived by his wife Raysa Guerrero, two children aged 16 and 14; his siblings William, Yaritza, and a twin brother, according to Elianny Peña, accountant for La Comarca, who spoke to El Inmobiliario .
José Hernández, along with prominent real estate agents. (External source).
Funeral rites
The funeral services for the CEO and founder of the real estate company La Comarca will be held tomorrow, Monday, November 3, in his hometown of San José de Ocoa, although the time has not yet been determined.
There is no city without memory. There is no death where someone remembers.
SANTO DOMINGO. – It is one in the morning on November 2nd. The city smells of chrysanthemums and candles flicker in the corners of the houses. The cobblestones of El Conde Street, which bear witness to centuries of footsteps, exude a stale odor, a mixture of dried urine, beer, and ice cream.
A warm wind blows in from the sea, carrying the scent of salt air and something ethereal, incorporeal, that rises from the seawall along Palo Hincado Street as if it had a body. It is a shadow that Death, on her special night, watches approach with curiosity.
Death is surprised to see that it is Don Pedro Mir. He who sang of the land and the bread, and who wants to walk the stone that was once a living artery. And Death, who follows him at a prudent distance, knows that he does not come to lament: he comes to remember.
Pedro Mir gazes at the Puerta del Conde, the symbolic cradle of independence, which seems to silently greet him, while the poet's bright, though empty, eyes gleam. There is no parade or marching band, but the stones still hold the echo of the homeland that once proclaimed his name.
The bard begins a stroll, heading towards Columbus Park, like someone crossing an entire country, or five decades, in a single street.
As he rubs his bony hands, Mir seems to have forgotten the path he once walked. And although many of those walks were spent in passionate discussions with Marcio Veloz Maggiolo about history, that gloomy avenue was unrecognizable to him. The one that was our "Fifth Avenue.".
El Conde is the pedestrian street that tells the story of the country's birth. (External source).
He didn't see the appliances in La Curacao 's window display , nor the fine canvases in López de Haro's shop window. He also missed the baby strollers at Bebelandia , and where Discomundo used to be, there was silence; no music emanated from vinyl records, no voices of María Teresa Landín or Vicentico Valdez.
Stunned, Pedro Mir smiles. He knows that cities also die, and that they do so slowly. His mouth goes sweet at the thought of Helados Cremita or Nevada. He senses someone else approaching and looks behind him; it's Manuel del Cabral, elegant, with the gait of a diplomat and a poet.
"You used to say that poetry is flesh with a soul," Mir reminds him. "And you, Pedro," Manuel replies, "say that the country bleeds too." They both laugh: the humor of a truth shared for eternity.
Now Pedro walks alongside Manuel and they head towards Colón Park. Near Rothen Shoes they run into René del Risco Bermúdez who is smoking and smiling at them as if he were flirting.
Businesses experienced their glory days on El Conde Street. (External source).
"René," Mir says, "Now That I'm Back, Ton, still resonates." "And it still hurts, Pedro," he replies, "like this country that made us write to understand it."
It drizzles suddenly and persistently, now there are three of them on the road that little by little becomes a mirror that does not return shadows, but reflects other times: those of impeccable shoes in Tarrazo, national pride of elegance.
The three of them stopped abruptly in front of where La Margarita, as they expected to hear Santa Claus's thunderous laughter while the elf "Dindín" tickled his feet with a feather.
Lost in thought, they were recalling that Christmas image when Aída Cartagena Portalatín joined them and greeted them warmly: “The thirst for memories will be quenched by a rain of oblivion.”
"Aida!" says Pedro, "there are still verses searching for their voice." She replies without lifting her gaze from the ground: "And there is still a homeland that needs poetry."
El Conde was the first commercial street in the New World. (External source).
Now there are four of them, and they're moving forward. Death follows them closely, listening attentively, learning. And she thought of Emily Dickinson's poem, "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," which presents Death as a figure who arrives when life can no longer be stopped.
“Because I could not stop for Death. She kindly stopped for me. The carriage contained only us. And immortality.”
Death listens when Mir murmurs, almost to himself: -It pains me to see this street, El Conde.
And he understands that it is not death itself that hurts, but abandonment and decay.
The walk continues. Where the Panamericano restaurant used to be, they smelled the aroma of good food, but they didn't find the Roxy's neon sign, nor the Iberia airline window display promising flights to Madrid.
“This has changed,” they whispered in unison. El Palacio, the department store with the most attractive window display and whose employees wore white gloves in the 1950s, was also gone; as was Flomar, elegant and fragrant, with its fabrics and cosmetics that spoke of progress and exclusivity.
The group found themselves missing all of that back in Puerta del Sol, which displayed dresses, hats and portable radios: at the time it was the place where “going shopping” meant being up to date.
The group moves slowly forward, like someone caressing something that is no longer there, and they come face to face with Marcio Veloz Maggiolo. “And I was thinking about him a while ago,” Mir said to himself.
"Marcio, come back, let's talk about history again," Mir tells him. "You from the perspective of archaeology, I'll come from the perspective of words. Let's see what comes of this.".
Marcio nods, as if time had never stood still. Smiling and happy, he joins the journey, which soon arrives at the republic in verse: La Cafetera.
At the end of the bar, Grey Coiscou and Juan José Ayuso talk about literature and journalism: “Sit here” they said in unison.
Aída Cartagena Portalatín takes out a notebook. “The city is a woman,” she tells them. “And this street was her waist.” Pedro smiles. Aída tells him about Paris, about the Surprised Poetry movement, about afternoons at the School of Fine Arts. Further on, René del Risco Bermúdez murmurs: “I wrote ‘Now That I’m Back, Ton’ here.” Pedro responds with a verse: “There is a country in the world…” René nods. “And this street was its mirror.”
The conversation is dense and warm. They talk about history, exile, and the Colonial Zone as a living archive. Jeannette Miller observes from a distance. She doesn't interrupt. A witness to generations, she remembers those afternoons in the sixties, when Dominican literature was reinventing itself among shop windows and cafes. "An aesthetic was founded here," she reflects. "A voice was woven here."
Death remembers them all, sitting with their coffee cups, their worn books, enveloped in the haze of cigarette smoke, debating whether poetry could change a country. Death watches them and leans down, because she knows that in that smoke, part of history was written.
"Grey, let the debate continue," Mir tells her. "Without discussion, there is no awakened country." She nods, knowing that they all belong to the other side of time.
The group drinks coffee, smokes, discusses, and goes outside for some fresh air. “We have to leave before the candles go out, and there’s still a long way to go,” says leader Mir.
Before reaching Columbus Park, they stop in front of what used to be Josefina Pharmacy, where Sureda Hardware Store once stood. Two distinct eras of the same commercial pulse. Count's twins appear , impeccably dressed, greeting them with the same courtesy as half a century ago.
"Always together, huh?" says Mir. "Even after life, Don Pedro," they reply in unison.
And like in a movie, a parade of characters began: those oblivious to reality, talking to the birds. The architect with impeccable language, speaking to books. The portraitist, giving everyone the same face, the only one he learned to draw when he studied Fine Arts and his sanity slipped away with a sunset. They spoke to themselves, but the city understood them. None were invisible: The Count loved them as one loves the inevitable and one's own.
"The world hasn't changed, teacher," one of them shouted to Mir. " Only the rush has changed."
Along the way, they don't find even a shoeshine man to offer them a shine and conversation. Death follows them closely, observing with respect. It knows that deep down there are streets that refuse to die, and one of them is El Conde, though it languishes; there are no more elegant shop windows, nor does glamour stroll by on Sundays with families. Nor are there the enormous signs that began the visual decay of the city in the 1980s.
They arrived in front of the Hotel Conde Peñalba, with its terrace named the Palace of Schizophrenia, and discovered that although there is little poetry left, the air smells of poetry, amidst a revelry of tourists discovering the Caribbean and a few stragglers who refuse to leave, as Abreu, the best waiter the place ever had, left.
They wanted to sit down, like in the old days, to have coffee and a drink, but it was early morning, the candles were almost out, and the dead had to return, even though they wanted to go into the Pol Hermanos bookstore. But it was closed, forever.
They look towards the Count, who, in his death throes, refuses to say goodbye. Death sees Pedro Mir bow his head, and then he utters the words he once wrote before other, deeper deaths:
“When I learned that the three Mirabal sisters had fallen, I said to myself: established society is dead.” (Pedro Mir, “Amen of Butterflies.”) And he adds, in a voice only Death can hear: –But the country isn’t. Nor is this street. Because as long as someone remembers El Conde, as long as an old name is whispered, no stone will be truly dead. Death nods. The poet walks away, alone, into the silence, while the cobblestones seem to say in chorus:
There is no city without memory. There is no death where someone remembers.
Law 85-25 transforms every real estate listing into a legally binding promise. Agents who ignore this reality may face sanctions from the Consumer Protection Agency, and non-exclusive property owners could be at risk. Here's how to protect your career in this new era.
Less than three months ago, listing a property for rent was simply that: listing. An ad, with nice photos, some features, a price, and a phone number.
Today, that same announcement is, legally speaking, a legal act that generates verifiable obligations.
And that's not an exaggeration. It's the reality established by Law No. 85-25 on Rentals and Evictions, specifically Article 22, which is a complete game-changer for real estate agents, landlords, and platforms.
Three lines that changed everything
The law expressly states:
“Article 22.– Public offer of rentals. Notices in the press or any other means of advertising, through which properties are offered for rent, will have the character of a public offer.”.
This is not a suggestion. It is a direct legal obligation.
Every post you make now is a legal promise. Not an invitation. A promise. And that promise has consequences.
Before, if you advertised an apartment for RD$50,000 and then the owner said it was RD$60,000, well… that was it, the rental fell through. That's how the real estate business worked. A negotiation.
Today, that difference constitutes a breach of public offer. A customer can file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency for misleading advertising. The owner receives a penalty. And you're caught in the middle of a legal conflict that could have been avoided. Now, that's not just bad practice; it's a legal violation.
Shared responsibility
The responsibility isn't just yours or just the owner's. It's shared.
The owner must ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date. The agent must maintain records of listings and ensure consistency between what is advertised and what is actually offered. This means keeping records of each listing, coordinating price changes in real time, reviewing property specifications before listing, and updating immediately when a property becomes unavailable.
These aren't suggestions. They're legal obligations that protect your career.
The silent chaos: landlords who don't offer exclusive rentals
Here's what nobody mentions: What about homeowners who list their property with multiple agents simultaneously?
Imagine this: a non-exclusive owner has their apartment listed with 5 different agents.
Agent 1 lists it at RD$50,000
Agent 2 lists it for RD$45,000 with a different description
Agent 3 uses old photos and outdated services
Agent 4 says "available now" when he's still rented
Agent 5 advertises amenities that don't exist
Outcome under Law 85-25: There are five conflicting "public offers" for the same property. Any client who feels deceived has multiple legal grounds for appeal. Consumer Protection Agency can intervene in any of them. The owner is exposing their liability. The agents are blaming each other.
Owners who still don't understand that Law 85-25 requires them to have shared responsibility are going to be in the eye of the storm.
The differentiating factor
While other agents ignore these legal layers, you can turn this change into your greatest competitive advantage.
Modern clients—especially foreign investors—value professionals who understand the legal complexities of every transaction. When you communicate that your listings comply with Law 85-25, that your investments are verified, and that your documentation is impeccable—and that it truly is— you build trust on a whole new level.
That's not an administrative detail. It's differentiation.
The million-dollar question
Ask yourself honestly today: How many of your current listings fully comply with Article 22? Do you have a documented protocol? Do you work exclusively or share listings with other agents? Do you know the legal responsibilities in each scenario?
If it's not a clear "yes," you have a legal vulnerability.
Your move today
Review your rental listing process this week. Implement a verification protocol. Document everything. Because every listing you make from today onward is more than just marketing.
It is a legal promise that you are obligated to keep.
Agents who still think publishing is just marketing will be left behind. Will you be one of them?
We've just experienced a week that was practically non-working across much of the country. For many, it was a necessary break, a few days of rest or personal readjustment. But for those of us who work in the construction sector, that same week represents much more: a complete shift in our planning dynamics.
From a construction worker's perspective, seven days of downtime don't simply translate to seven lost days. They mean schedule adjustments, material deliveries that need to be rescheduled, personnel that need to be reassigned, and technical processes that have to wait their turn. On a construction project, a week of downtime can equate to two or three weeks of operational delay, depending on the stage of construction.
And this is where it's important to remember a truth that buyers often forget: construction isn't magic. There's no wand that transforms blueprints into walls, nor a button that speeds up the setting of concrete or the installation of a slab. What does exist is a meticulous system that depends on materials, weather, logistics, permits, inspections, and, above all, human coordination.
The value of the organized builder
In this context, the difference between an amateur developer and a professional builder lies in the organization and control of the schedule. Unforeseen events cannot be avoided—rain, road closures, extended holidays, lack of materials, or logistical problems—but they can be anticipated and managed.
An organized builder knows that every project needs a flexible but well-structured work plan; he knows that a week of downtime is not "recovered" with pressure, but with technical readjustment, redistribution of personnel and administrative discipline.
According to data from the Dominican College of Engineers, Architects, and Surveyors (CODIA), more than 68% of residential and commercial construction projects in the country experience some type of delay. The main causes are weather conditions, variations in material delivery, design changes, or inspection processes. However, projects with solid technical planning manage to compensate for most of these delays within an average of 30 to 45 days, without affecting quality or the final result.
That capacity for adaptation and control is not a weakness, it's strength. It represents the developer's commitment to doing things right, even if it means taking a little more time.
Construction is not magic: it's method, precision, and commitment
Buying off-plan is a smart decision, but also an experience that requires understanding. Those who purchase a project off-plan aren't buying a finished product, but rather participating in the creative process. It's an investment in the future, in appreciation and growth, but also in the natural pace of construction.
Every detail, from pouring a foundation to installing the finishes, follows technical steps that cannot be rushed without consequences. In construction, what's done quickly is often done twice.
Delays—when they occur within reasonable limits—are not synonymous with non-compliance, but often a sign of responsibility. A developer who decides to halt a phase because the weather is unsuitable, because a material doesn't meet standards, or because a technical review requires adjustments, is prioritizing the quality and durability of the project over the urgency of the schedule.
Setbacks also build confidence
In the real estate market, trust is as important as cement. And trust is built through communication and transparency. When a developer explains to their clients the reasons behind an adjustment or delay, it demonstrates professional maturity and respect for their investment.
An informed customer understands that a delay doesn't mean abandonment, but rather management. It means there's a team behind the scenes making responsible decisions, controlling quality, and protecting their future assets.
In fact, studies by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on project management in Latin America have indicated that projects prioritizing quality and technical supervision, even with temporary delays, have lower maintenance and repair costs in the first five years of use. In other words, projects that are carried out carefully last longer and cost less in the long run.
The impact of time on investment
Buying off-plan is not only a savings strategy, but also an opportunity for financial growth. By purchasing in the early stages, buyers obtain lower prices and benefit from natural appreciation as construction progresses.
In the Dominican Republic, projects delivered three to six months after the initial deadline have shown an average appreciation of between 10% and 20% compared to the pre-sale price. This is partly because the market continues to evolve during the construction period, but also because developers use that time to improve construction details or update finishes.
In other words, time doesn't just build walls; it also builds value.
The robustness of a structure is not measured solely in concrete
The true strength of a project lies not only in the resilience of its structure, but in the builder's ability to manage the unexpected without losing their way.
Setbacks are not failures: they are tests. They are the moments that demonstrate the developer's seriousness, their team's planning, and their company's ability to maintain a balance between time, cost, and quality.
In a tropical country with high humidity, heavy rainfall, and fluctuating economic variables, talking about fixed timelines is an illusion. The difference lies in management: a sound builder transforms unforeseen events into technical adjustments and delays into improvements.
Patience also builds
Delays are a natural part of buying off-plan. Not because of a lack of organization, but because construction is a dynamic, technical, and human process.
The buyer who understands this not only invests in bricks, but also in a project with vision, control and commitment.
And the builder who communicates, plans and adjusts demonstrates that the solidity of his work begins long before the pouring of the first cubic meter of concrete.
Because construction, like trust, takes time.
And even if it arrives a little later, ajob well done always comes to stay.
Today I want to speak to you from a very personal place, one of those places where you realize you've been running without looking at the path. There are moments when your body warns you, but you keep going. Moments when your mind says, "I can do a little more," even though your soul whispers, "No more." Sometimes we don't know when the exhaustion began; we only notice that we're functioning, fulfilling our obligations, solving problems, but something inside just isn't vibrating the same way anymore.
I've felt that way lately. I've noticed that I've been leaving pieces of myself in every role, every project, every commitment I made, wanting to be there for everyone. Until I found myself facing that version of myself who keeps going, but doesn't feel the same anymore. And then I decided to stop. To pause and reconnect with myself after doing so much.
From my experience in the real estate sector and working with advisors and teams through my Real Estate Equilibrium program, I know that this environment is constantly in "doing mode." There are goals, clients, negotiations, calls, training sessions, closings, and a list that seems never-ending. And the more we do, the more we seem to have to keep doing. But in the midst of this race, we rarely stop to listen and see if we're still in tune with what truly motivates us.
How do we know we need to reconnect with ourselves? It's not always a major crisis that signals it. Sometimes it's a mild discomfort, a feeling of emptiness, a weariness that doesn't go away even with a free weekend. It's when we no longer enjoy what once fulfilled us, when a smile appears but doesn't reach the soul, when the body is present but the mind is far away. That's the sign. It's not laziness or a lack of ambition: it's the soul saying, "You're forgetting me.".
From the perspective of wellness psychology, we know that the first thing we need is to stop without guilt. Not to give up, but to listen to ourselves. To let our bodies rest and our minds quiet down enough for our hearts to speak again. To reconnect with the simple things: sleeping well, walking without rushing, truly breathing, writing down what we feel, asking for help if needed. And above all, remembering that we cannot sustain the external world if our inner selves are exhausted.
In my case, I'm in that process of pausing and rediscovering myself. I'm finding that returning to oneself isn't always about going back to who one once was, but about allowing oneself to be from a more conscious, lighter, and more authentic place. And on this journey back to myself, the words of a play come back to me:
"I look at myself and I don't recognize myself. I haven't known who I am for a long time, but I know I want to go back."
If these words resonate with you, if you too look at yourself and don't recognize yourself, if you're losing yourself in the mirror but long to return, to reclaim those parts of yourself that make you unique, that make you human: don't hesitate. Don't be afraid to stop.
Pauses aren't surrender, they're recalibration. And in the end, they yield the most valuable rewards: balance and well-being that no million-dollar closing can buy.
Because it's no use having everything if you lose yourself along the way.
Ten or fifteen years ago, most of the inquiries I received were from individual business owners or families who wanted to acquire a property "to own it and/or rent it out and live off the income." Today, the key players are different: investment funds, family offices, and multinational companies that understand that the value of a property lies not only in its walls, but also in its cash flow, stability, and efficiency.
They're no longer simply looking for a retail space, office, plaza, or warehouse. They're looking for strategic assets with sustainable rents, stable contracts, and prime locations.
The change is structural. The Dominican market has ceased to be a mere asset class and has become a financial asset class, comparable to a diversified investment portfolio.
From traditional owner to institutional investor
We are entering a new phase in the commercial and industrial market. Investors are buying with a long-term vision. They evaluate the location, the tenant profile, the type of contract, management, maintenance, and even the building's carbon footprint.
Today, operating costs per square meter, energy efficiency, and the impact of space on team productivity carry more weight than the lobby's appearance or design. That's maturity. That's business acumen.
Real-life example: when performance isn't just about percentages
I recently accompanied an institutional fund that was evaluating an investment in a Class A building in Santo Domingo. The annual return was lower than the market average, but the tenant's profile—a multinational company with a ten-year lease—guaranteed stability and future appreciation. They chose security over immediacy. And they gained in solidity.
This type of decision reflects a change in mindset: new investors do not compete on price, but on stability and efficiency.
Fromemotions to strategy: the professionalization of the market
Previously, many real estate decisions were made based on intuition. Today, they are based on data, metrics, and regional comparisons.
In every negotiation, it is common to bring together finance, operations, technology, human resources and legal at the same table, because occupancy decisions are no longer delegated: they are planned corporately.
I recall an experience with a multinational BPO company. We visited over 20 properties before finalizing our selection. We narrowed it down from 10 options to three. The chosen property wasn't the most modern or the cheapest, but rather the one that could grow with them. Five years later, that same company contacted me again to open their third location. That's the true return: trust, expansion, and long-term commitment.
What investors are looking for today: 1. Sustainable profitability, 10% + annually in USD. 2. Solid corporate tenants and medium- to long-term leases. 3. Locations with growth potential in logistics corridors and financial districts. 4. Efficient and sustainable assets with low operating costs. 5. Expert advisory support throughout the entire cycle: from technical evaluation to after-sales management.
The focus is no longer on "buying cheap." The new mantra is buying smart.
Market thermometer and regional comparison
The Dominican market is showing above-average dynamism for the Caribbean. Today, the inventory of Class A and B office space exceeds 300,000 m² in Santo Domingo, with occupancy rates close to 95%, and rapid expansion in industrial warehouses and logistics parks in Santiago and Punta Cana.
While markets like Panama or Costa Rica offer returns between 6% and 7%, the Dominican Republic offers higher returns and more competitive entry costs, in addition to a key geostrategic location for nearshoring.
The country is consolidating its position as a logistics and corporate hub in the Caribbean, driven by the growth of free trade zones, BPOs, and regional shared services centers.
The new role of the corporate broker
In this environment, our role has also evolved. We are no longer mere intermediaries. We are architects of strategic decisions. We analyze financial flows, legal structures, operational efficiency, and growth strategies. We speak the language of the CFO and COO, but we also understand the needs of the architect and the team that will occupy the space.
Our work isn't about showcasing properties. It's about creating sustainable value for businesses and investors through the right space.
The change is already happening in the Dominican Republic
Investment funds, SAFIs (Specialized Investment Funds), and institutional investors have transformed the market in the last five years. Projects that were previously considered unattractive have become star assets due to their stability, cash flow, and expansion potential.
Santo Domingo, Santiago, and Punta Cana are leading this evolution with more sophisticated business ecosystems, greater demand for Class A space, and a long-term vision. The country is moving from the concept of "ownership" to that of "portfolio." And that completely redefines the rules of the game.
Final reflection
Investors used to buy square footage; today they buy strategy. And the broker who understands that difference will set the standard in the coming years. Because true value lies not in the property itself, but in the vision behind it.
SANTO DOMINGO.- President Luis Abinader issued decrees 626-25 and 627-25, declaring a state of emergency in 14 provinces and other localities of the national territory, following the passage of Tropical Storm Melissa, to facilitate the necessary purchases and contracts to address the situation.
Decree 626-25 establishes that the damage and impact caused by the natural phenomenon is classified as regional in nature. Meanwhile, Decree 627-25 declares a national emergency for the procurement and contracting of goods, services, and works by institutions involved in the repair, construction, and reconstruction of the damage caused by the atmospheric phenomenon.
The provinces covered by this classification are Barahona, San Cristóbal, Santo Domingo, National District, San José de Ocoa, San Pedro de Macorís, Monte Plata, San Juan, Azua, Peravia, Pedernales, La Romana, La Vega and Monseñor Nouel, inaddition to other localities in the national territory.
Likewise, the institutions enabled through the national emergency exception are the ministries of Public Health and Social Assistance, Education, Agriculture, Interior and Police, Public Works and Communications, Housing, Habitat and Buildings (MIVHED), Administrative of the Presidency, Tourism and the National Health Service (SNS).
23 provinces on alert due to trough
The Emergency Operations Center (COE) yesterday , Friday , placed 23 provinces on alert, including the National District , due to a trough with the prevailing easterly wind and the local orography, which will contribute to increased cloud cover, moderate downpours, thunderstorms, and gusts of wind.
In that regard, the town under red alert is San José de Ocoa . Monte Plata and Peravia are under yellow alert .
Meanwhile, in green are Monseñor Nouel, Independencia, Puerto Plata, San Cristóbal, Azua, La Altagracia, Duarte, Bahoruco, Santiago, Santiago Rodríguez, Barahona, La Romana, San Juan, Pedernales, Valverde Mao, San Pedro de Macorís and Santo Domingo (National District).
SANTO DOMINGO. -The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic ( BCRD ), in its October monetary policy meeting , reduced its monetary policy interest rate (TPM) by 25 basis points, taking it from 5.50 to 5.25% annually.
Likewise, the rate of the permanent liquidity expansion facility (One-day Repos) fell from 6.00 to 5.75% per year, while the agency keeps the rate of remunerated deposits (Overnight) unchanged at 4.50% per year.
A press release indicates that this measure took into account that international financial conditions continue to ease as some factors of global uncertainty have dissipated, and that local inflation would remain within the target range of 4.0% ± 1.0%, according to the institution's forecasting models.
"In a context of low inflationary pressures, the bank reduced the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 50 basis points cumulatively since September, with the aim of fostering monetary conditions that contribute to boosting domestic demand," the body highlights.
He explains that as the monetary policy transmission mechanism accelerates, a significant decrease in interest rates has been observed relative to their peaks reached in the last year. Indeed, the short-term interbank rate fell from 14.27% to 6.50% in October (777 basis points).
Likewise, the average passive rate of multiple banks decreased from 10.34 to 6.40% in October 2025 (394 basis points); while the average active rate fell from 16.09% to 13.98% (211 basis points).
The (BCRD) highlighted that the Dominican economy has strongfundamentals and a resilient productive sector, which are reflected in a better perception of country risk compared to the average of Latin America and other emerging economies.
SANTO DOMINGO.- The developer Cruise On Land recognized various real estate agents and agencies for their performance in marketing that destination, during an awards ceremony held as part of the "Our Great Journey" event, a meeting that brought together collaborators, brokers and representatives of the real estate sector.
The awards were presented by Luis Wolfgang Castillo, CEO, and Samuel Losada, COO of Cruise On Land, who highlighted the commitment of their partners to the growth of the brand and the strengthening of the real estate market.
Marisely Melo of Remax Home won the top prize in the sales office competition. (Fidel Pérez/El Inmobiliario).
During the ceremony, awards were given in various categories, including Master Brokers, Top Producers, Super Brokers and Breakthrough Agency, with the purpose of highlighting the effort and achievements of the main collaborators in the 2024-2025 period.
In the Master Brokers category, the agencies Keller Williams RD, BHA Group and Re/Max RD were recognized for their leadership and outstanding sales results.
RE/MAX Capital won the award for revelation of the year. (Fidel Pérez/El Inmobiliario).
Meanwhile, in the Top Producers 2024/2025 category, the top three places went to Keller Williams Capital, Re/Max Home and Re/Max Advance, respectively, for their outstanding commercial performance.
Additionally, the special “Cruise On Land Super Broker” award was presented to Rodelixsa Manzueta, regional director of Keller Williams, for her career and contributions to the brand.
Luis Wolfgang Castillo, Ramón David Castillo and Samuel Lozada. (Fidel Pérez/El Inmobiliario).
The winners of the 2024/2025 sales contest were also awarded, with first place going to Marisely Melo (Re/Max Home), who received a 2025 Kia Picanto; Wanda del Orbe, (Keller Williams Capital), awarded a Rolex watch, while José Chávez won a Caribbean cruise.
The ceremony included a posthumous tribute to Alejandro Romero, general manager of Re/Max Dominican Republic, and Milquiades Melo, agent of Re/Max Home, in recognition of their careers and contributions to the industry. The event took place at the InterContinental Hotel.
The Public Prosecutor's Office of the Judicial District of Duarte requested the imposition of preventive detention for the lawyer Joel Carlo Román, accused of leading a network dedicated to real estate fraud, falsification of documents and money laundering, through front companies to deprive owners of their assets in different provinces of the country.
According to the indictment filed by prosecutor Benedicto Reynoso, the organization operated through the companies Ventanas del Mar, SRL and Epic Worldwide Enterprises, SA, which were established to carry out fraudulent schemes against individuals and companies. The case file details that Román and his co-defendants pretended to be legitimate buyers of real estate, offering minimal down payments and signing preliminary sales agreements with no intention of fulfilling them.
Subsequently, they initiated fraudulent legal proceedings, using forged documents and impersonating others, in order to obtain judicial transfers of property titles without having completed the payment.
Among the victims is the company SOSCAB 2010, SRL, who were defrauded in the purchase and sale of a plot of land in Cabarete, Puerto Plata, valued at US$530,000, of which only US$25,000 was paid.
The same scheme would have been applied against Juanico Alonzo Alonzo and Lesbia Mercedes Balbuena de Alonzo, confirming the repetition of criminal operations.
The Public Prosecutor's Office requested the imposition of three months of preventive detention, to be served at the Vista del Valle Correction and Rehabilitation Center in San Francisco de Macorís, while investigations continue into the network that allegedly operated in Santiago, Puerto Plata and Duarte.
The prosecuting body indicated that investigations are ongoing to identify other possible individuals involved in the money laundering and real estate fraud scheme.
Not all homes have large built-in wardrobes, but that doesn't mean organization and design have to be compromised. In small spaces, every corner can become an opportunity to organize with functionality and style.
The El Mueble website explains that the key is to look at the space creatively and choose pieces that combine utility and aesthetics. From benches with storage to low display cabinets, decorative baskets, or custom-made furniture, there are many options for keeping things organized without sacrificing style.
Among the most practical options are custom-made furniture, which adapts to any recess or specific need. Also noteworthy are vertical dressers, divan beds with hidden storage, bedside tables with drawers, and headboards with integrated compartments.
In passageways such as hallways or entryways, it is recommended to place freestanding wardrobes or open coat racks with hanging containers, which allows for vertical storage without cluttering the environment.
Style without sacrificing organization. Glass-fronted display cabinets, benches with drop-leaf lids, and bookcases with closed modules allow you to organize without losing visual appeal. Even low cabinets behind the sofa can define spaces and offer additional storage.
For those who prefer a warmer approach, repurposed furniture such as antique cupboards or display cabinets adds character and functionality. Decorative baskets, placed under tables or benches, also become effective solutions that respect the aesthetic harmony of the surroundings.
Not having closets is no longer a limitation. With proper planning, every corner of your home can be transformed into an opportunity to decorate and organize.
The Pan-American Highway holds the title of the world's longest road, stretching over 30,000 kilometers. This road network connects the Americas from its northernmost point in Alaska (United States) to its southernmost point in Ushuaia (Argentina), traversing an impressive variety of landscapes, climates, and cultures. Its length has been recognized by Guinness World Records, making it a symbol of unparalleled continental connectivity.
Besides its size, what makes the Pan-American Highway unique is the number of countries it connects: at least 14 nations are part of its route, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, several Central American countries, and much of South America. This connectivity makes it a strategic route for trade, tourism, and regional integration. Although there is a natural interruption known as the Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia, the highway remains functional along almost its entire length.
Construction of the Pan-American Highway began in 1935 and has represented a monumental engineering challenge. Over the decades, its maintenance has required constant efforts to adapt to extreme conditions such as jungles, deserts, mountains, and coastal areas. More than just a highway, the Pan-American Highway is an emblem of international collaboration and road development. Its economic and cultural impact makes it one of the most important infrastructure projects in the Americas.
Selling a property isn't just about price or location. Presentation, condition, and the buyer's experience during the viewing are key factors that can speed up the sales process. According to experts at the MeCuadra portal, implementing certain strategies can reduce the selling time by up to 40%.
Before showing your property, it's advisable to conduct a general inspection. Check the physical condition of the building: cracks, dampness, peeling paint, or damaged finishes. It's not necessary to remodel everything, but it is important to address details that might raise concerns, such as leaky faucets, doors that don't close properly, or burned-out light bulbs.
Pleasant and functional environments
Lighting and ventilation also play an important role. Well-lit and airy spaces convey spaciousness and comfort. Opening curtains, using warm light bulbs, and ensuring there are no unpleasant odors can make all the difference.
Clean and neutral presentation
Another essential aspect is depersonalizing the spaces. Removing family photos, personal items, or highly specific decorations allows the buyer to imagine themselves living there. This is complemented by thorough cleaning and tidying, especially in areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and closets.
First impression and digital presence
The entrance, facade, and common areas must be immaculate, as these are the first things a buyer sees. Finally, don't neglect your digital presence. Use professional photos, good lighting, and a clear description, since most buyers begin their search online.
A well-presented property attracts more viewings, stands out on real estate portals, and can justify a better price. Furthermore, it conveys trust and professionalism, which facilitates negotiation.
