In the Dominican Republic, West Indies Real Estate

West Indies Real Estate feature on Fox TV's 21st Century Business program

Judith Fox-Hogg — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:34:00 GMT

As one of the leading Real Estate companies in the Dominican Republic, and possibly the longest established, West Indies Real Estate will feature on 21st Century Business program on Fox TV in the new year, but you can watch a sample of this in advance now on Point 2 Homes. Click here to view.

Live Theatre on North Coast of Dominican Republic

Judith Fox-Hogg — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:51:00 GMT

Take a look at how the latest production of North Coast Players is progressing. Click here.

The Theatre Company of the North Coast, Dominican Republic

Judith Fox-Hogg — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:24:00 GMT

For so many that complain of having little to do on the north coast, there are now so many more options available, like the formation of the North Coast Theatre Company for the community.

Once the first Play has been performed in November in Sosúa, the Theatre Company will be on the look out for more people who are interested in considering acting, directing or even producing a play.

The profits from the Plays that are performed will go to local charities.

Equally important and perhaps not so widely known is the intention to create a learning tool for those adults and children who are interested in the theater and wish to try and learn more about the roles of acting and backstage work. To that end, N.C.P. intends holding several acting workshops and talks on the acting and theater profession during the coming year.

In fairness it has been, as usual, hard to find people who were keen right from the start to give up their leisure time to play a role in the formation of the theater company, but with so many people feeling like there is little to do in the evenings, we are hoping that we will see many of them joining us over the months.

‘ ‘I would like to think that the first play will encourage all those with an interest to step forward and come and try out in the auditions for future productions and by that I don’t just mean acting. I would love to see potential producers, directors, stage hands, set designers and lighting people. This is about giving opportunities for all who are interested and getting as much fun out of it as possible - as it should be for a community theater such as this.’ ’

Judith Fox-Hogg

Founder

North Coast Players

There have been many Sponsors come forward to ensure that this play starts out on a strong basis and hopefully the community will support this effort to raise money, by buying tickets for these three charity performances.

On November 21st, 22nd and 23rd at the Casa Marina Reef Amphitheatre, the first season gets off to a thrilling start with the classic play "Wait Until Dark".

The Cast practising their bows

The three criminals

www.northcoastplayers.com

CLINI-CLOWNS TO BRIGHTEN BEDRIDDEN KIDS' HOSPITAL STAY

Judith Fox-Hogg — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:22:00 GMT

November 2009 will see the launch of of the Dominican Republic

Every child is unique.

Every child needs tenderness and happiness, especially when they become sick.

Clini-Clowns want to be there for sick, bedridden or disabled children in our local hospitals and hospices. We see that one of the best forms of medicine could be the Clown visiting the children’s ward.

This is not a new idea, but a great idea for those children who really need us.

Through the involvement and support of the North Coast Players Theatre Company we hope that this concept will gain momentum very quickly and attract volunteers happy to play a role as one of our band of Clowns who will make these hospital visits.

Clini-Clowns will be found in hospitals on a weekly basis, to help these children fight isolation and boredom – to provide a temporary distraction from their worries and to spread a little sunshine into that child’s day.

During the course of the years, we will step up our efforts to provide a wider facility for children over a much wider area.

To start Clini-Clowns in the Dominican Republic, we need all the help we can get. The North Coast Players Theatre Company has committed itself to bringing the idea to the front of everyone’s mind and profits from their first play in November will be spread around local charities and will include Clini-Clowns to help them get started with their outfits and start up costs.
Whilst not being an expensive enterprise, we need support from everyone and are happy with every contribution! Everything helps!!

Whether that is by offering a donation to buy Clown costumes or pay for Clowns’ transportation to hospital or offering background skills to help grow the organization.

Does the idea of wearing a bright red nose appeal to you?

We appreciate any and all your support. We hope that you will find a way to support us on 21st, 22nd and 23rd November at the beginning of Clini-Clowns

Judith Fox-Hogg
On behalf of

809 856 2962

Tickets go on sale for the 3 Charity Performances of WAIT UNTIL DARK in Sosua

Judith Fox-Hogg — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:05:00 GMT

Tickets are now on sale for the first 3 performances of the Thriller WAIT UNTIL DARK

Priced at RD350 pesos or $10 US these tickets can be purchased through the website email contact@northcoastplayers.com

Showing

Saturday 21st November, Sunday 22nd November and Monday 23rd November

7.30pm

Profits go to local charities.

The cast is multi-cultural and welcomes all those who wish to ensure this becomes a longstanding tradition in the Sosua Cabarete area.

To get something like a new theater company off the ground takes a great deal of money in the first year. The North Coast players hopes that altruistic companies and individuals may wish to take one of their sponsorship packages, with their benefits - shown on the website www.northcoastplayers.com

For most people - for the chance of enjoying some professional theater on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, please do contact North Coast Players early to request tickets as the interest is very high and tickets are expected to sell out well before the dates.

New State of the Art Medical facility in Sosua/Cabarete

Judith Fox-Hogg — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:24:00 GMT

On July 1st 2009 the latest medical Clinic CENTRO MÉDICO CABARETE, opened on the outskirts of Cabarete in the town of Sosúa.

This state of the art 269,000 square feet medical facility is the brain child of Dr. Roberto Spitale.

This is a family project, where you can find Roberto's father, mother, and wife assisting to make things run smoothly in the clinic.

Their idea was to give an provide medical facility in close proximity to the residents of the Sosúa and Cabarete region, and give a more personal services to entire North Coast.

Even so, the process of building the Clinic took a great deal of time and effort for it to come to fruition.

Dr. Spitale, a neurosurgeon started a Foundation to provide neurological services for people in need. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of these types of procedures, clinical services were a necessity. This meant that the same patients struggled to find the

costs to pay for the hospital accommodation even though his services were for free. The idea of starting his own Clinic would allow him to offer his services to the needy without cost to them.

His Foundation, FINC, is supported by many generous donations from all over the world to ensure he can offer these services

Now with his new clinic open for business and already creating a stir amongst the local community, he can offer a full service to all, with the latest equipment and highly trained staff on site 24 hours.

Although the doctors are local, it is possible to find medical staff which can facilitate a number of languages including German, French, English, and even Czech, which is a great benefit in an area which is one of the main tourist areas of the Caribbean.

The background staff in the clinic amount to around 30 people plus the doctors.

Some specialists are booked by appointment but the Clinic is fully operational Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm, Saturday 8am till midday with General medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, surgeons, and orthopedics. The 24 hour emergency rooms are fully manned at all times, and where needed, the hospital can send out its’ own ambulance.

The hospital which is still refining its facilities currently offers:

24 hour lab work, X-ray facilities, Mammogram, Sonagraph, CT scan, Cardiology

There are 2 surgery operating theaters, and a neo-natal unit, where the incubators lie already filling up with premature babies. There are 22 patient care overnight beds, including private and semi-private 4 rooms, 3 Post –op/ICU for intensive care, and emergency observation units.

Some local insurance are covered by this hospital and the ones that aren’t, are being approached at the moment. Of course, if you were to have an emergency, and carry national insurance, you should be reimbursed if services are needed. International insurance is naturally covered.

The modern and dramatic frontage to the hospital situated on the main highway between Sosúa and Cabarete opens onto a well designed and functional reception where visitors and medical staff come together before entering their individual consulting rooms. A small cafeteria and children’s play area offers a much more casual feeling to this area which has none of the older frightening aspects of those who worry at the thought of entering a hospital.

All in all, this impressive landmark is now a very welcome addition to the residents and visitors to the area, where they can feel confident that they will be dealt with by a highly experienced medical team surrounded by the latest technology.

CMC Centro Médico Cabarete

Carretera Sosúa-Cabarete Km1, Sosúa, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Tel: 809 471 4696 Email: cmc.sosua@gmail.com

Director Dr. Roberto Spitale

Single Story For Sale in Villas At Casa De Campo

Judith Fox-Hogg — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:21:00 GMT

Villa on Dye Fore Golf Course

• 4 bdrm single story "Ref: 2764" - MLS® $2,600,000 - Highly Recommended

Villas At Casa De Campo , Casa De Campo - Icon of modern Casa de Campo style, this impressive villa offers exquisite decor and a beautiful Asian style garden overlooking the 9 additional holes of Dye Fore Golf Course, over the marina.

Spacious living areas, 4 comfortable bedrooms and excellent service available. Flowing, free form pool in most attractive grounds.

This property is highly recommended.

Casa de Campo is a Ponderosa-style, tropical seaside resort covering 7,000 acres in La Romana on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic. Its golf has been internationally recognized for more than three decades, with the world famous Teeth of the Dog remaining the only Caribbean course consistently in the world’s top 100 courses (usually top 50). Altos de Chavón (where crafts are celebrated and concerts take place in the ampitheatre) and the modern 400-berth marina are further attractions. Surrounding this harbor are restaurants, shops, bars, and homes, with Casa de Campo boasting some of the most exclusive properties in the Caribbean along with a beautiful beach and watersports.

Please Quote Ref: 2764 for more details.

Property information

Theater on the north coast Dominican Republic

Judith Fox-Hogg — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:07:00 GMT

The first production meeting for the play Wait until Dark got underway last week when the team sat down to view the scale model of the Set designed by Bruce West who will head the Set Design Team.

Bruce a Canadian has been involved in the theater for many years and has worked on theater in Toronto. He will be handling the set design for two plays this year in Toronto, before finishing his year with this Play...

He is ably assisted by Victor Belem and Solomon Santos

The Director Linda Love has over 16 years experience in Television and Theater as an Actor with National and International credits. Completed Master's Performance Musical Theater program with Dr. Dasha Goody and had the privilege to work with Sterling award winning director Randy Mueller in several productions. She is experienced in management, interior design and fundraising and chairing event co-ordination.

Stage Designer Elaine Johnston Brown, has had early experience in performing on stage in choirs and musicals during primary and secondary school. Competed in music festivals, winning 2nd prize in voice category.

They together with the Producer Judith Fox-Hogg (one of the partners in West Indies Real Estate) who has herself performed the lead role in this play some years ago, winning the coveted Actress of the Year in Zambia, met with the backstage crew to discuss such areas as Props, wardrobe and prompts.

Sound and lighting and special effects will play an important role in the thriller which relies on perfect timing to ensure the Thriller retains the excitement and impact from start to finish.

Lighting and Sound Director Brad Melrose will have a team to handle special effects, lighting and sound and at present is researching. Brad, another Canadian has over twenty years handling lighting, sound and design. He has worked on shows and musicals such as Sweeney Todd and 5 and Dime.

For an amateur production, this production crew can count hundreds of year’s professional experience in Theater. A very strong start to the first Play of the North Coast Players Theater Company.

www.northcoastplayers.com

3 Story For Sale in Cabarete

Judith Fox-Hogg — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:18:00 GMT

Immaculate home with income potential

• 4,981 sq. ft., 5 bath, 4 bdrm 3 story "Ref- 2148" - MLS® $459,000 - Outstanding Value

Cabarete, Puerto Plata - For those interested in creating revenue from their home…this is the perfect property.
Built just under a year ago, this home is set high on three levels to provide 3 or 4 separate units for rental:

1) Entering on the 2nd level, a staircase takes you up to the Owners' Penthouse which has incredible views out to sea and always offers breezes even on the hottest of days. The accommodation features as self-contained open plan reception room with large fully fitted kitchen and breakfast bar. An open plan dining area offers incredible views from inside and also opens onto the wide terrace. The living area, also opening onto the terrace, is incredibly large with windows offering three different aspects onto the community, the sea and the distance toward the city of Puerto Plata. Large seating areas, television area and office area make up this beautiful room.

The Master Bedroom is large with lots of seating area and large storage and closets. The Master bathroom is also very large with double vanity units and oversized shower.

In all this Penthouse is just over 1,661 sq. ft

2) On the second level, there are two good sized self-contained studios with double beds, seating area and a wide terrace to catch the sun or eat out whilst enjoying barbecues. Stairs down from the terrace go to the oversized pool in beautifully landscaped gardens.

Each studio and terrace is approximately 800 sq. ft.

3) The Garden, or first floor, apartment has wide covered terraces opening onto the pool, entertainment area and walled gardens. The apartment is large with two reception rooms, a bedroom annex and two bathrooms.

Currently used as one apartment, this could easily be separated to create two studios. In all 900 sq. ft.

The Villa sits in its own walled grounds, within a very lovely beachside community. It is a two minute walk to a private beach and a 5 minute car ride into town.

Please Quote Ref: 2148

Property information

Finally a North Coast Theater Company in the Dominican Republic

Judith Fox-Hogg — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:27:00 GMT

The North Coast Players, an Amateur Dramatic Company founded by Judith Fox-Hogg have started strongly with their initial auditions for their first Play "Wait Until Dark"

Judith once played the lead role of the blind girl 'Suzy' in the play performed in Zambia, Africa.

The Company will be based in the Casa Marina Reef Amphitheater, Sosua, which holds 300 people and from their the Company will probably tour the country with their plays in the south and in the tourist development of Playa Dorada.

The cast and crew come from all over the World and to the delight of the Producer and Director, there turned out to be a wealth of experienced stage film and TV people living in the D.R. delighted to become part of this new venture.

The first Play is a Thriller and set in London in the 1960's. The Director for the first play will be Linda Love, who herself has over 15 years in both antional and international theater. Stage Manager will be Elaine Johnson Brown.

Auditions were held on 17th May and were actually inundated with volunteers willing to either act or help in some way.

The Play will be performed in December 2009 at the Amphitheater.

"We have already had requests for tickets for goups coming into the island over the Christmas period. We are hoping to offer a package will will include Pre-Theater Dinner, Performance and for those from the Puerto Plata area, the possibiltiy of transport as well! " says Judith

Our idea is to raise money for various local charities. None of the volunteers are paid, but we are hoping that this will be a great chance to make a lot of money for these Charities and have fun at the same time.

The intention is to provide a highly professional cast and crew with the Play being performed to very high standards.

Lot / Land For Sale in Cabarete

Judith Fox-Hogg — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:18:00 GMT

Excellent opportunity

• 5,380 sq. ft., 4 bath, 5 bdrm lot / land "Ref- 2191" - MLS® $1,050,000 - Villa included

Cabarete, Puerto Plata - Now this is different: almost 16 acres of prime development land now at just over US$16 per m2, midway between Cabarete and Sosua, including "free" luxury villa.

* 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms in main house plus self contained studio
* Fully equipped oak kitchen
* Pool with 3 large covered terraces around the villa
* Roof terrace with a Jacuzzi and sauna.
* Over 1,000 fruit trees
* Spectacular views
* 15 minute walk to Encuentro Beach
* Horseriding close by
* Woodworking/carpentry workshop, with separate rental potential, included

Owner very motivated to sell and open to serious offers.

Services: Mains electricity, Cable TV, Phone Line, Power Converter, Air Conditioner, dual voltage.

Please quote Ref 2191

Property information

Single Story For Sale in Sosua

Judith Fox-Hogg — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:07:00 GMT

Decorated with impeccable taste

• 968 sq. ft., 1 bath, 2 bdrm single story - MLS® $149,000 - Beautifully refurbished

Sosua, Puerto Plata - This spacious villa has living area with cable television, fully equipped kitchen, 2 comfortable bedrooms with ceiling fans and one bathroom.

* Totally refurbished
* Well kept home
* Spacious floor plan
* Secure community

The house is decorated by an interior designer who added his own creative ideas making it very attractive; plus the new owner can reap the rewards by impressing friends and family. Everything is new from the windows to the ceramic tiling throughout and the granite kitchen tops. In addition, the coordinating fabrics colors, bright paint schemes inside and beautiful accent stenciling in the kitchen.

Caribbean style terrace overlooking the lovely tropical garden. 24 hour security and electricity.

Quiet yet peaceful and only a five minute drive from the beautiful beach of Sosúa, shopping and sight seeing.

I cannot say enough about this home for it is a real show stopper. Well priced for the area and will not have a problem selling quickly!

Please Quote Ref: 2646

Property information

Single Story For Sale in Villas At Casa De Campo

Judith Fox-Hogg — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:20:00 GMT

• 6 bath, 6 bdrm single story - MLS® $2,600,000

Villas At Casa De Campo , Casa De Campo - Stunning Home situated on 8th hole of "Teeth of the Dog"
Ocean and golf course views
Spacious accomodation with central a/c in all bedrooms
Superb Master Suite
Double height ceilings to main reception room

Property information

Election Results Add to the Dominican Republic's Stability in Real Estate

Judith Fox-Hogg — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:18:00 GMT

At the election on 16th May, President Leonel Fernandez was granted four more years to serve the Dominican Republic. Fernandez is credited with restoring macroeconomic stability and a favourable business climate. Being ahead in the polls, his PLD party secured a victory with 53% of the vote. This represents the first re-election in Dominican politics since Joaquin Balaguer was re-elected in 1990.

This continuity will reinforce the recent view that the Dominican Republic is one of the top five places to buy in the Caribbean and will attract new investments on a small and grand scale, such as that recently made by Donald Trump, who is pouring more than $1 billion into resort and residence development on the island.

Judith Fox-Hogg, one of the Owners of West Indies Real Estate, met with the President during his last term of office to promote business and investment in the Dominican Republic.

Marketing Dominican Republic Real Estate Across the Globe

Judith Fox-Hogg — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:16:00 GMT

West Indies Real Estate recently exhibited at the A Place in the Sun property show in London, England, with other exhibitors from all parts of the world. A Place in the Sun is a most popular TV show, magazine and website which has built on the insatiable desire of the British to own first or second properties abroad. Judith Fox-Hogg and Paul Hogg, two of the owners of West Indies Real Estate, are British and are keen to continue with their strong links in this market. We work with a number of reputable Real Estate companies there, as well as in other countries.

This is part of our ongoing investment in marketing and is just one of many strategies to attract buyers from all countries, thereby offering a level of service to sellers and buyers alike which is, we believe, unequalled in the Dominican Republic.

In the past, West Indies Real Estate has exhibited in Britain, Canada and Russia and we intend to continue this tradition and to begin exhibiting in the United States. We believe that the Dominican Republic represents one of the best buys in the Caribbean and aim to make it more widely known in all markets.

Real Estate Tourism in Dominican Republic

Judith Fox-Hogg — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:12:00 GMT

Property outlook is great and real estate tourism is booming in the Dominican Republic, says the forecast from the Dominican Association of Real Estate Tourism Companies (ADETI).
U.S. $1.5 billion is invested in real estate property developments in Dominican Republic, says the ADETI President, Juan Bancalari. The real estate tourism prospective is even more upbeat considering the fact that it is expected to attract US$3.0 billion per year within three years.

Marinas, beaches and golf courses are the leading factors that make real estate tourism and investment in the Dominican Republic so attractive. However, the country has competitors such as the wonderful beaches of Mexico and Central America. For this reason Bancalari, the president of Dominican Association of Real Estate Tourism Companies, says that the country needs to project an image of security for real estate and other types of investments to develop tourism and properties for European and American holiday vacationers.

It seems that the projection of a secure investment environment is working. As real estate development is experiencing a slump in Florida, a local engineering company is looking not only outside of the box, but also outside of the U.S. borders. “Bonita Springs-based Stafford Engineering will open the doors of a new office in downtown Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, on Tuesday and begin offering architectural, engineering, real estate, construction management and business relocation services in the Caribbean Island country.” – reports Naplesnews.com in its July 31, 2007 issue.

The newspaper says that “Other Southwest Florida businesses also are moving into Caribbean markets, Garcia added: Cape Coral-based Bellagio Homes and SJR Development are developing a residential community in the Dominican Republic, and The Jack Parker Corp., a Fort Myers-based real estate development company, is building a mixed-use community in Costa Rica.”

There is a change in tourism and holiday vacationers’ trends. According to Frank Rainieri, the vice president of ADETI, tourism is changing toward real estate tourism. "Before hotels were simply pure hotels. All the large chains of the world (...) are already entering the tourism real estate component. I believe that that already creates the new dynamics of investment in the tourism sector." - Dominicantoday.com.

Tourism, and particularly real estate property tourism, has been among the top five currency generating factors for Dominican Republic. It was this type of tourism that created the boom in the coastal areas of Southern Spain in 1970s and 1980s, which used to be Spain’s most economically depressed areas. Today, due to the real estate tourism and boom in properties, these have become some of Spain’s most developed and attractive areas. The Dominican Republic intends to do just the same by attracting more real estate tourism and emphasising that investing in the Dominican Republic’s real estate and property market is safe and secure.

Moves to Increase Foreign Trade

Judith Fox-Hogg — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:10:00 GMT

President Leonel Fernandez has opened the new Institute of Foreign Trade and Business Innovation of the Dominican Republic (I-CEi), a training center for the development of foreign trade and investment. The facility was built at a cost of RD$180 million donated by the Japanese Agency for International Cooperation (JICA). Two Japanese firms, Yamashita Sekkei Inc. and Fujita Corporation, were responsible for the construction. The Japanese ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Shinomiya Nobutaka, emphasized the ties between the two nations and cooperation among governments over the years.

The Institute will contribute to the goal of doubling exports in the next four years. Exports are now at US$6.5 billion. The I-CEi will train executives from large Dominican corporations with exports of US$300 million or more to convert these to global companies and at the same time prepare executives of small and medium-sized businesses so their companies can export.

The Tourists Keep Coming

Judith Fox-Hogg — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:10:00 GMT

The Dominican Republic has Latin America's highest tourism receipts per GDP. According to the Latin Business Chronicle (LBC), 11.1% of the country's GDP comes from tourism. Costa Rica with 7.5% and Panama with 6.0% are two other countries with high tourism revenues. The report by LBC reveals that Panama has experienced the largest increase in tourist visitors while Uruguay had the largest increase in revenues derived from tourism. The LBC report indicates that Latin America received a record total of 68.6 million international arrivals last year, an increase of 2.9% since 2006.

West Indies Real Estate makes a considerable proportion of its sales to buyers who are either buying second homes purely for their own use or to those who want a combined holiday home and rental property, some with a view to future retirement in the Dominican Republic.

West Indies Real Estate Charities

Judith Fox-Hogg — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:09:00 GMT

Sosua Kids Express Their Appreciation to West Indies
We want to take the opportunity to express our heart-felt gratitude to West Indies for their generous donation to the Sosúa Kids fund. It arrived at the most opportune moment as we are preparing to begin passing the vouchers next week to our school children so as they can buy their supplies and uniforms. Last year we were able to assist 283 needy public school kids , this year we are over 320 kids and counting.....

Sosúa Kids association continues to pay the teachers' monthly salaries for a school of about 200 students (across from the Air Force base) that was founded by a religious group (there is no public school in that area) as well as donate towards scholarships for a preschool in Los Castillos. It was over a year ago we began helping a struggling university student from this area studying in Santo Domingo with his living expenses, now there are 3 more university students we help financially on a monthly basis.

With the help of generous donors such as West Indies we have been able to expand our program each year to enable more students to seek an education. School attendance is required by law, but a uniform is required, not all children are in school for this reason. We hope to be able to continue our growth to give education assistance to as many kids as possible.

New Park and Bandstand for Sosua

Judith Fox-Hogg — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:08:00 GMT

Parque Las Banderas (Flags Park) finally opens in Sosua
After over a year of work and traffic disruptions, this delightful little park was officially opened last Sunday by the Mayor of Sosua, Vladimir Céspedes. It is located opposite Banco Popular on Calle Alejo Martinez, just a few minutes' walk from the West Indies Sosua Head Office.
Flags of Israel, Germany, UK, Russia, Spain, Canada, Switzerland, Italy, France, Ecuador and Dominican Republic were all hoisted, with the respective anthems of each country being played. The Park is intended to celebrate the diverse population of Sosua and reflects the national pride of foreigners and Dominicans alike.

Money Laundering

Judith Fox-Hogg — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:06:00 GMT

CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CRACKS DOWN ON MONEY LAUNDERING

New federal laws covering money laundering and anti-terrorist financing came into effect across Canada on Monday, which require real estate agents and brokers to collect and verify detailed personal information from buyers and sellers.

The new regulations are part of federal legislation passed in 2007 that requires a number of industries, including the real estate sector, to do more to help stop money laundering and terrorist financing. The regulations are enforced by the federal agency known as the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

“Real estate agents have had legal obligations under the federal government's push to prevent criminal activity and terrorism since 2001, when Canada's first comprehensive laws to combat money laundering and terrorist financing were introduced," said the president of The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Calvin Lindberg.

“In the first phase of compliance, real estate agents were required to report only suspicious transactions, or transactions involving more than $10,000 in cash. Now, verified personal information must be kept of the buyer and seller for each and every real estate transaction in Canada. That personal information includes details such as occupation."

Real estate agents are now required to ask for proof of the identity of all buyers or sellers involved in a Canadian real estate transaction. If the client is a corporation, that information must include corporate
documentation, and the names of the corporation’s directors. They must also ascertain if a third party is involved in the transaction.

Also under the new FINTRAC regulations, real estate agents dealing with clients they never meet must also verify personal information. The agency office involved can do this with a service agreement with an agent or mandatary in the area where the client is located. That agent or mandatary must then meet the client, verify the identification of the client, and provide the information to the office actually handling the real estate transaction.

"There are buyers, sellers or investors from other countries who rely on expertise here rather than visiting the property themselves," explained the CREA president. "They must now meet with an official agent of the Canadian broker, and provide proof of identity. This agreement will add to the business costs of the Canadian broker."

In order to comply with these new federal regulations, real estate agents are required to keep this identification and receipt of funds information on file for five years and provide it to FINTRAC if requested. It is the individual agency office that will be responsible for the safe keeping of the information, and the agency that will have to respond to any FINTRAC information request.

Jody Cracknell
Business Development Manager

HiFX Inc.

British Amabassador hosts a cocktai party for North Coast Brits

Judith Fox-Hogg — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:04:00 GMT

British Residents on the North Coast enjoy the Ambassador's evening
Almost 100 people attended a "British Evening" in Sosua hosted by H.M. British Ambassador, Mr. Ian Worthington OBE, at Sabatini's Restaurant on 11th July.

The event grew out of links forged last year as a result of a talk, organised by West Indies Real Estate, by the Ambassador on the work of the Embassy.

We would like to thank the Ambassador, all the sponsors of the event and also give special recognition to James Read, who helped enormously with the perfect organisation, with superb support from the staff of Sosua Bay Hotel.

Early talks are already underway with the hope of organising another function on the north coast next year. If you did not attend, or we may not have your e-mail address, please contact Linda Stapleton at l.stapleton@westindies-realestate.com and we will add you to our contact list. If you have no e-mail, please let us have a telephone number.

The Dinner Club on the north coast

Judith Fox-Hogg — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:03:00 GMT

As a finale to yet another Season of Monthly Dinner Club outings, the presence of the British Ambassador added to making this a very successful evening.

Ian Worthington O.B.E., The British Ambassador joined 29 other members in a celebration of probably the most popular Expat groups on the north coast.

After a champagne reception, the party sat down to enjoy a first class meal at the excellent Bliss Restaurant, which once again lived up to the high reputation it has gained since it began.

James Read, the organiser of the Dinner Club, once again ensured that the whole evening went without a hiccup.

Many thanks to Jim and Carole for all their hard work.

British Evening in Sosua

Judith Fox-Hogg — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:01:00 GMT

H.M. British Ambassador, Mr. Ian Worthington, will be hosting a "British Evening" in Sosua on Friday, 11th July. This follows on from a successful talk on the work of the British Embassy in the Dominican Republic, organised by Judith Fox-Hogg , one of the owners of West Indies Real Estate in Sosua last year.
Invitations have been sent out to British residents whose contact details we have, but if anyone has been missed and would like to attend, please call into the West Indies office in Calle David Stern, the road leading down to Casa Marina Beach Hotel, and we will be happy to add you to the guest list.

The Dominican Republic welcomes more Swiss Tourists

Judith Fox-Hogg — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez says the Dominican Republic has become a popular vacation destination for Swiss travelers. During a press conference in Zurich, Jimenez said that Swiss tourism grew by 7.2% during the first five months of the year and by 25% in May.
The Swiss also favour the Dominican Republic as a place in which to make their permanent home. Some of our most meticulous listings are offered for sale by proud Swiss homeowners, who tend their homes and gardens with love and attention to detail.