"Keeping promises, delivering projects on time and in the right way, and communicating transparently are elements that define trust, which is the engine that sustains long-term real estate investment in the country.".
SANTO DOMINGO. – Real estate expert Reyna Echenique delivered a keynote address at the first El Inmobiliario Forum : “Safe Square Meters: Real Estate Investment Squared ,” in which she presented a detailed analysis of the sector in the Dominican Republic, highlighting key figures, trends, and recommendations for attracting safe and sustainable investment.
Echenique stated that the country is going through a strategic in the real estate market, driven by the growth in demand for housing, offices and tourism projects , and cited that foreign direct investment (FDI) destined for the sector has represented in the last decade around 25% of the total received by the Dominican Republic, pointing to the strong dynamism in areas such as Punta Cana, Santo Domingo and Santiago.
“The young and growing population, along with accelerated urbanization, are generating sustained pressure on the demand for housing, which opens up attractive opportunities for different types of investors,” he said.
The speaker, who titled her presentation: Legal security: The master key to real estate investments , also highlighted the importance of innovation and sustainability as key differentiators in the market.
He noted that international investors prioritize projects with efficient technologies and green certifications (such as LEED or EDGE), as these not only guarantee environmental responsibility but also achieve up to 15% higher valuations compared to conventional projects. “Developments that combine quality, safety, and sustainability attract foreign capital and consolidate their value in the long term,” he emphasized.
Another key aspect of his presentation was the need to strengthen transparency and risk management. According to Echenique, a lack of timely information can increase investment risk by up to 30%, discouraging foreign investment.
He proposed the creation and use of digital platforms for real estate transparency , which would allow stakeholders to track permits, certifications, and construction progress in real time, thereby, he said, strengthening legal security and confidence in the Dominican market.
Regarding strategic planning, Echenique explained that well-structured real estate projects in the country can offer an annual return of between 8% and 12%, exceeding the regional average, although he clarified that the tourism-residential sector, in particular, offers sustained growth margins, with return periods ranging between 5 and 7 years.
He also recommended identifying emerging areas with developing infrastructure , since in these places the value of assets can double in a decade.
The expert emphasized that, beyond the numbers, the reputation of development companies is a decisive factor for the sector's future. “Keeping promises, delivering projects on time and within budget, and communicating transparently are elements that define trust. And trust is the driving force behind long-term real estate investment in the Dominican Republic,” she stated.
The Real Estate Forum: Safe Square Meters: Real Estate Investment Squared brought together national and international experts who agreed on the need to promote a safe, innovative and transparent real estate ecosystem , where sustainability and strategic planning are the basis of investment.
With presentations like Reyna Echenique's, the Dominican Republic reinforces its position as a reliable and competitive destination for real estate investment, offering solid alternatives that combine security, innovation and high profitability potential.
