Gwen and Franc Flipsen, Edmonton

Purchased: 2-bedroom villa
When: 2011
Purpose: Personal use and rental investment property

Gwen told us that she just couldn't take another Alberta winter! She and her husband Franc bought an 11-year old villa that had been totally renovated. They plan to visit their DR home as often as they can, and have placed it in the rental program the rest of the time.

They are both very pleased with their new house, love having their own pool and Jacuzzi, and look forward to retirement in the Dominican Republic. Of their purchase they say, "Buying in the DR was very similar to in Canada, but much cheaper! This is a dream come true for us, and I actually still can't believe we own a home in the Caribbean!".

Brian and Cindy Parker, Calgary

Purchased: 3-bedroom condo
When: 2011
Purpose: Personal use and rental investment property

Brian and Cindy surprised themselves. The came to the DR specifically to buy a villa, but fell in love with Arenas Condos. They purchased in incredible 2200 sq. ft. condo with additional 800 sq ft roof top terrace in one of the most beautiful, boutique condo developments in the area. Arenas features a lovely private beach, infinity pool, oceanside jacuzzi, small gym, and kid's pool.

Brian and Cindy will rent their condo when they are not using it themselves.

 

Greg Lavergne, Wainwright

Purchased: 3 bedroom Villa Camara with palapa on pre-construction
When: 2011
Purpose: Personal use and rental investment property

Greg found us online and told us he was interested in finding a warm, retirement home and a place where his kids could visit. He is only a few years away from retirement and wanted to be ready to get out of the cold! He chose to build a new villa in Casa Linda, which will be complete in early 2012. We so enjoy Greg and have met one of the kids already! He's also a heck of a Karaoke singer (and so is the rest of family)!

Len and Monica Mueller, Edmonton

Purchased: 3 bedroom Villa Camara on pre-construction
When: 2011
Purpose: Personal use and rental investment property

Len and Monica actually found us via our House Hunters International episode on HGTV. They had to do some sluething to track us down! The Mueller's dream is to move to the DR and will do so the second it becomes a possibility. They too have chosen to build a Villa Camara (popular house model!). It will be finished in December 2011. Len says, "I have always loved the Dominican Republic. I can't wait until our villa is ready to go! We are enjoying getting to know everyone in the community and finding new places to discover".

Arthur & Joanne Davis, Edmonton

Purchased: 3-bedroom villa backing green space
When: 2011
Purpose: Personal use and rental investment property

Arthur and Joane hail from very cold Edmonton and were beginning their search for a retirement home when we met them.

Originally, they were not planning to buy until their retirement in a few years. This changed after they came to the DR, fell in love with the area and the properties, and realized that they could buy now and have their villa rent and earn income until they decide to use it just for themselves. Until that time, they could use it as a holiday home when they can get away. They chose to build a 3-bedroom villa Bonita in Casa Linda. Their villa was complete in June, 2011. They have left it in Casa Linda's capable hands for rental and plan to begin their winter retirement in two years in the DR.

Greg & Charlotte Clarke, Edmonton

Purchased: 3-bedroom villa with additonal palapa
When: 2010
Purpose: Personal use and rental investment property

We met Greg and Charlotte at a property show in Edmonton about four years ago. In fall of 2010, they decided it was time to make their dream of owning in the DR a reality. They choose to build a three bedroom villa Bonita with additional palapa building in the back that features an outside bbq/living space.

Their villa is now finished, and is a lovely house that will make an excellent vacation rental property, as well more permanent home for them as the years go by.

Purchased: 1-bedroom condo in Garden Condos, Sosua
When: 2010
Purpose: Personal use and rental investment property

 

This condo was purchased by a charming young manwho was looking for an entry level condo (he wishes to remain anonymous). Fred lives out of the DR for most of the year, but uses his new unit in Garden condos for about 4 months. Garden Condos manages and rents his unit when he is not using it. It's perfect for him because it's walking distance to the beaches, restaurants, shopping, etc. in Sosua.

Dave & Fran Holler, Athabasca

Purchased: 2-bedroom villa with lovely, mature landscaping
When: 2010
Purpose: Personal use and rental investment property

Dave and Fran are counting down the days until their retirement (literally - Dave knows months, weeks and days)! They purchased a resale villa that came completely furnished and ready to go.

They use it when their vacation time allows, and let it be in the rental program the rest of the time. We can't wait for Dave and Fran to be here on a more permanent basis. They are really great people and have become special friends. They will winter here in the DR and return to Canada in the summer months.

Of their buying experience they say:
"Mel and Colleen paved the way for the purchase of our Caribbean home in  a most professional manner. We came to understand the whole picture through their patient guidance. Their transparent approach to provide full information led us through the details of foreign home ownership.

Mel and Colleen each played a role in helping us feel part of a  community of a diverse yet like-minded group of expats. Tours of the  area, unforgetable adventures, and spontaneous get togethers provide us with a feeling of neighbourhood even though we are not there on a  regular basis. Mel and Colleen have truly become great friends.

 The lock and leave feature of Casa Linda allows us to rest easy knowing that when the countdown to retirement is done, our Caribean home is  ready for us to step into the next adventure."

Dave & Sharon Aiston & Casper Fix,
Edmonton and Fort McMurray

Purchased: 3-bedroom villa
When: 2011
Purpose: Personal use and rental investment property

Dave and Sharon bought a villa with their son, Casper. Their plan is to own several properties here in the DR, and have made their beginning purchase a Villa Tranquila in Casa Linda.

It's unique horseshoe shape with central pool make it a unique plan. Dave and Sharon will continue to live and work in Edmonton, and Casper will remain in Fort McMurray. They will use their property when they can and let it be a rental villa the rest of the year. We have so enjoyed getting to know this close knit family and always look forward to when they are here in the DR.

Bruce & Connie Fraser, Edmonton

Purchased: 3-bedroom villa with additional palapa
When: 2011
Purpose: Personal use and rental

Bruce and Connie hail from cold Wainwright, Alberta and have had enought of winter, shovelling, warming up the car, etc. They are a few years away from retirement and choose to build a home here in the DR for personal use now and rental now, and much, much more use when they retire.

The villa itself is about 1,700 sq. ft., but they have chosen to add an additonal palapa building around the pool, giving them an outside, covered bbq area/living space, as well as storage, extra 1/2 bath and area for pool equipment.

Bruce and Connie's villa is now complete. They are now wrangling over whether or not they want to rent it or not :).

 

Ken and Glenna Kuchling, Toronto

Purchased: 3-bedroom villa with sea view
When: 2009
Purpose: Personal use

We met Ken and Glenna at a property trade show in Calgary about three years ago. They were looking to escape the harsh Alberta winters and vacation in the DR as many times a year as they could get away. They opted to build a house in Casa Linda.

They chose the two bedroom Camara plan and added a den. Their lot has a wonderful sea view from the back so they decided to have the pool raised with an infinity edge.

Lucky Ken is able to work anywhere in the world (from home), so he has been able to spend much more time here than Glenna. That has all changed now; however, as Glenna has quit her job.

They are now going to make this their permanent home and Toronto their Canadian home base. We love having them here, and they have become really great friends. Like all our clients, the community here in the DR has really grabbed them. They enjoy the warmth of the sun, but also the time spent with friends they have met and are meeting each day. As a side note, Glenna makes a mean 6-layer dip.

Of their home ownership and building experience they say, "We are now spending several months a year using our DR home. We love the subdivision, our neighbours, and having our own space. We also have piece of mind knowing that our villa is secure, maintained, and cared for in our absence. We love the community and feel like this is home."

Ed & Anne Wheeler, Alberta

Purchased: 2-bedroom condo with sea view & mountain views
When: 2008
Purpose: Personal use & rental

Ed and Anne bought their condo on pre-construction and took possession in 2008. It is a lovely 1,600 sq ft unit with lovely kitchen and beautiful views from the terrace. On site they enjoy the kid's aqua park, seaside restaurant, beach, gym, and many other facilities offered at the resort like complex where they purchased.

 

Paul Mancini, Ontario

Purchased: 6-bedroom villa
When: 2011
Purpose: Investment rental

Paul is no stranger to the DR. He has lived here off and on for 10-years. We met him at a Toronto tradeshow, and he decided to build a 6-bedroom Villa Ultima in Casa Linda - strictly for rental income. Renters and large groups really enjoy having a home with six bedroom all centred around a central courtyard and pool. Wedding parties anyone?

 

Darryl & Melanie Wilvers, Edmonton

Purchased: 3-bedroom condo
When: 2007
Purpose: Personal use and rental

Darryl and Melanie are former mortgage clients who became not only DR property buyers, but also now assist us with sales in Saskatchewan, Canada. They are seasoned property investors in Canada, and quickly realized after being introduced to rental returns in the DR how much better the investment is here. They have a large family and love to use their condo which has beach access and many amenities for their kids.

They let their condo rent the rest of the year.

 

Terry and Anick Richards of Calgary

Purchased: 2-bedroom villa on a ravine with awesome forest view
When: 2011
Purpose: Personal use and rental investment property

 

 

 

Terry and Anick met us over 2.5-years ago at a trade show in Calgary. They kept our information until they were ready to come to the DR and check out properties. In the spring of 2010, they decided to build a 1,236 sq. ft., 2-bedroom, 2-bath villa with a great forest view and mirror pool.

Of their DR and building and owning experience they say, "We absolutely love our new house in the DR. This is a dream we never thought we could accomplish but with Mel and Colleen's help, and the really accommodating people at Casa Linda, we have a brand new home in the tropics! The build team made sure we got the house we wanted, with all our own personal touches. We utilize the onsite management and rental programs, and our villa is completely taken care of and rented for us when we are back in Canada."

Terry and Anick prove that you don't have to spend a fortune to get a really nice home here in the DR. The subdivision is great and the neighbours can't be beat (they built across the street from our house!). We can't wait to see them down here on a regular basis.

 

Bob and Maureen Ames of Edmonton

Purchased: 3-bedroom villa with a huge lot and amazing pool area
When: 2010
Purpose: Personal use and rental investment property

Bob and Maureen want to escape the harsh Edmonton winter, but are both business owners and are unable to leave for several months each year. They opted to build a villa they can escape to when they need a break, but can be used as a rental property the rest of the year.

They chose a Strada model in Casa Linda. It is a unique floor plan that is great for rental, but will also be a wonderful home for them when they retire. They loved that the subdivision is secure and has a full management service as they will never live the entire year here in the DR, but will spend part of the year in Canada and the US as well.

Of their DR villa and the area they say, "We love our new house and can't believe the value for dollar in the DR . I can't afford solid mahogany furniture in Canada and certainly don't get granite counters and solid wood doors in Edmonton as a standard in any property! We can't wait to spend time in our villa, and we love the community feel in the DR and the new friends we've made."

 

Bill and Betts Passmore of Airdire

Purchased: 2-bedroom, ocean view villa in a lovely gated subdivision
When: 2009
Purpose: Personal use and rental investment property

Bill and Betts are two of our favourite people. Bill just retired from a world-wide courier company and Betts is a safety professional. They have grown up children (although not out of their house or their wallets), and were ready to take the plunge into the holiday/investment property arena.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We originally met them at a trade show in Calgary. After many emails of information giving and discussions about what they were looking to do both short and long term, Bill and Betts came down to the Dominican and began their property search.

They decided to build a new villa with a very reputable developer (Hispaniola Residencial) that has an outstanding rental management program. They came a few times and watched their new home as it was under construction.

They have owned their villa for about 2-years now. Their sea views are amazing! They have been very happy with the rental management and occupancies on their new property.

Betts says, "We love the DR and are so happy with the choice we've made. It is a beautiful, safe country with wonderful people. We feel we've made an excellent investment that our family can also enjoy for many years to come. The rental income is icing on the cake"

On a selfish note, we enjoy when Bill and Betts are in the DR. They, like all our clients, have become good friends. We actually did an episode of House Hunters International with them this past September.

 

Bruce and Mary Sali, originally from Alberta and Saskatchewan

Purchased: 3-bedroom, villa in an oceanside development
When: 2009
Purpose: Full time living

Unlike most of our clients, the Sali's have actually moved to the Dominican Republic on a full time basis.  Originally from Alberta and Saskatchewan, Bruce and Mary have lived all over the Caribbean, most recently in Panama.

Bruce has just recently retired as a vice president for Scotia Bank.  He spent the last 14-years in Scotia's Caribbean banking division.  Bruce and Mary chose the DR for retirement because they felt it had the best balance of services, safety, price, and thriving community of other Canadians who live here full time, or come and go.

The Sali's purchased a three bedroom villa in a subdivision called Perla Marina.  They love their new house and have put their own touch on it by adding a guest house and doing other renovations.  They settled into their new home here in July of 2009, and are enjoying their life here.  They have their 16-year old grandaughter living with them and she attends one of the international schools here in Sosua.