About Us

Own Dominican was launched in 2025, after I began searching for investment opportunities in Las Terrenas and entered the buying process myself. As a Canadian REALTOR®, I quickly discovered just how inconsistent and unclear the real estate landscape in the Dominican Republic can be — especially for foreign buyers.

Each developer had their own process. Sales reps were often aggressive and commission-driven. And it was hard to tell which projects were legitimate long-term investments and which ones were just good marketing. That experience led me to do the research, ask tough questions, and start building real relationships with the developers and agents I felt confident recommending.

The Dominican Republic holds a special place in my heart. I proposed to my wife on the beach in Punta Cana. We spent our honeymoon here. I met her Peruvian family for the first time on Dominican soil. I’ve celebrated New Year’s in Punta Cana, Las Galeras, and explored the island by car and boat — from Playa Bonita and El Valle to Playa Rincón and Playa Colorada. My family has invested in both land and property, and we now return several times a year.

I’m a licensed Canadian REALTOR®, actively working in the purchase and sale of residential homes. Before that, I worked in digital marketing and web development, and before that — in the trades, until an injury shifted my career. Across every chapter of my life, the one constant has been helping people. Whether it was fixing someone’s furnace, launching a website for a small business, or helping a first-time buyer close on their first home — helping is what I do.

Own Dominican was built to help people just like you. I stay up to date on new developments, maintain trusted contacts on the ground, and screen every referral like I’d screen it for a friend or family member. If I wouldn’t invest in a project myself, I won’t recommend it. This isn’t about selling — it’s about helping you buy smart, safely, and with support.

Contact Derek