½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

No problem on the mistake - that cracked me right up!!!! 

Thank you Bob!

In Cabarete, check out Kite Beach Hotel which is pet friendly. It's not actually a hotel, it is condos that rent for long term and short term. Most condos will tell you that unless you are an owner it is not pet friendly, but you can find houses in Perla Marina and Pro Cab (neighborhoods) for rent.

Hey everyone,

At this point, I am trying to locate a reliable, reputable real estate agency or agent.  I plan to secure a place for my long-term staying (starting December 1) while I am visiting Sosua/Cabarete in August-September.  In Canada or the US, it's easy - you pay the deposit, get a receipt from a landlord/manager and the place is yours. Is it the same in the DR? The problem is that after my vacation I have to go back to Canada and return to the DR by December 1. I just want to be sure that the place, which I would pay a deposit, etc. for in September,  will be waiting for me. Any feedback on this?

Does anyone have any info about this agency?
Sosua-Rental-Service
Plaza Sosua Noventidos #111
El Batey, Sosua

I would really appreciate you help. Muchas gracias!
Regards,
Marat

For the most part, the process it is pretty trustworthy. Check out Amanda Petty for Cabarete rentals. She is a personal friend of mine:

Thank you so much Tracy! You are awesome!

You will get a contract for a.ling term rental and normally pay 2 months deposit. You use a reputable agent and make sure a lawyer reviews the contract. That will cost a couple bucks but is in your best interests.

Thank you planner. So I guess I need to find both a reputable agent and a lawer. Any suggestions?

Lawyer yes, agent no. I will message you the good teal estate lawyer. I have to look up his info.

I've been living here 6 years, 3 years with 3 year long term rentals. I didn't use a lawyer. I feel like most agents with a decent website and communication have a reputation to uphold. This is a pretty small town. Especially when they use their name, bio and photo on the contact page. I guess if you want to be extra safe, sure get a lawyer. In my experience it hasn't been necessary.

Thank you for your feedback Tracy! I agree, in a small community, one should care about  his/her reputation in order to succeed/stay in business. Hope, I will be dealing with decent professionals.

I agree with Tracy.  Use your best judgement, check out the person you are working with, ask them for a reference or ask around about them.  Lawyers are extra cost and extra baggage that seldom do you any good.  The legal system in this country is so flawed that you will be involved in red tape for years to get back a few hundred dollars.  I own and manage property, prepare contracts and the only time I involve lawyers is for a power of attorney with the property owner so that I can manage their property effectively with utilities and condo associations.  Any issues I have had, have been resolved based on the contract wording and the security deposit.  I have had and I am engaged with several lawsuits, acting for different people and bodies and I can tell you that the legal system here resembles a 3 ring circus at best.

For anyone who does not speak spanish, not aware of what should or could be in a rental contract -  sure go ahead and do it yourself!

I AGREE with Mike once you have experience here  then  you can start to use your judgement.  I have been screwed by bad contracts.

Thanks Planner, the problem with a dispute from the contract is that you must be on the right side of the contract.  If you are the one holding the money you will win, if you are the one expecting your money back then you will lose.  Most of the contracts will not hold up in court and like I said if you have to go that far then it won't be worth the trouble.  Be sure to read the contract thoroughly and understand it.  If it is in spanish as most will be, you must be or have a knowledgeable person that understands spanish interpret the contract and that can be difficult.  In the end, it's not about the contract, it's about the person you are making the agreement with.  The contract should only be to confirm each parties understanding of the agreement and be able to refer to it in a case where one party either misquotes or doesn't remember the agreement.  Check out the person...ask around.

Mike you and I agree, the issue is WHAT IS IN THE CONTRACT? If you do not speak spanish who do you trust to tell you what it says or what it should say?????

Until you have experience, like we do, then you have NO idea!   

Ask around check out the person is a good first step but not the only one I use!

Thank you so much all for your feedback! I do appreciate it. I will do my best to use my judgment and ask around about people I have to deal with. And I'll certainly bring with me someone fluent in Spanish (I've just started learning this language) when it comes to a contract, etc. I hope, I will find someone who will be able to help me out with this.

Again, thank you all for making newcomers (like myself) life a little bit easier!

Thank you Marat, for this question. I am in the same situation and I was about to post the very same question- now I don't need to! I would like to thank everyone for their candor. When it comes to moving to a foreign country, every bit of knowledgeable advice is appreciated.

Sandra

Wow, so I've just read through this entire thread and it's Amazing Info!  My Wife and I (and our 2 cats) plan to move down early next year, and we are looking strongly at the Sosua to Cabarete area!  One topic that come up here, that I have been curios about is the Overstay.  We have never been to the DR, but have lived in the Caribbean (Belize) before.  The Cost of the Residential Visa is Very reasonable but still not cheap.  What do the expats living there think of the Move down for a year (overstaying by 9-12 Months) Paying the fine, and if we love it, (planning to) Applying for the Residential Visa at the end of that time?  What if any downsides are there?   Again Awesome thread and group!

Yes you can stay a year and pay the overstay fees.  If you do decide to stay and want your residency you must start the process in your home country.
Do spend some time here before making any final decisions on moving.

Bob K

I agree with Bob.

Hi,\

I am interested in buying a small 2 bedroom collibri style villa at resedencia hispanolia in sosua as a rental property. I would like to use primarly to rent only for next 15 years. I want to pay myself back for property ad cover expenses and hopefully after 15 years its paid back in full from rental and I can live there in my retirement.

I know sosua pretty well travel there often. Have been there 3 times in the last 12 months. I ahve stayed at diferent condos and villas in both sosua and cabarette as well as visited other parts of island.

I like res hispanolia because location is close to everything you can truely walk so I think will be easier to rent also the grounds I feel are very well kept. The fees are high at $350 a month but I feel the location will make it easier to rent and therefore I will be able to cover costs.

I see your name a lot in the forums and wanted to ask your opinion.

I appreciate it

Hi,\ BOBi see your name a lot in forums and wanted your opinion if you dont mind.

I am interested in buying a small 2 bedroom collibri style villa at resedencia hispanolia in sosua as a rental property. I would like to use primarly to rent only for next 15 years. I want to pay myself back for property ad cover expenses and hopefully after 15 years its paid back in full from rental and I can live there in my retirement.

I know sosua pretty well travel there often. Have been there 3 times in the last 12 months. I ahve stayed at diferent condos and villas in both sosua and cabarette as well as visited other parts of island.

I like res hispanolia because location is close to everything you can truely walk so I think will be easier to rent also the grounds I feel are very well kept. The fees are high at $350 a month but I feel the location will make it easier to rent and therefore I will be able to cover costs.

I see your name a lot in the forums and wanted to ask your opinion.

I appreciate it

Good morning. You have publicly posted asking Bob for info.  This is a very old thread and Bob is not very active anymore.

You are best to start a new thread and ask for feedback.

Hi thanks for replying and sorry it's my first time posting. I thought I PM him.

But I will make a.new post to get people's feedback thanks

Perfect honey.  I thought that was the case!  Welcome to the forums.