If you want to avoid making the most common mistakes in the Dominican real estate market, we suggest you take into account those that our investment expert Rafael Subero has identified:

• Avoiding Common Mistakes in Real Estate Investment

• 1. Not considering all options:
  The real estate market is full of alternatives that offer opportunities to venture into or learn about it.

• 2. Not innovating:
  Continuing to view and approach real estate investment with yesterday's formulas, without embracing today's methods.

• 3. Comparing oneself to others:
  Failing to understand that each investor is different; economic realities and mentalities are not the same for everyone.

• 4. Waiting to be 100% prepared:
  In the end, no one is ever fully ready. The reason we all understand that investing in real estate is beneficial is because our money grows over time. If we wait to be 100% prepared, we risk starting with less capital, as money depreciates over time, limiting investment options.

• 5. Not taking risks:
  There is no investment without risk. The baker who invests to make bread or the merchant who buys goods both take risks to later sell their products. The real estate investor buys the property, assuming the risk of renting it out tomorrow.

• 6. Listening to everyone:
  Often, to take important steps, we seek approval from friends and family, as if preparing an excuse for failure. What we often fail to notice is that the advice from friends and family comes from their own fears and limitations. (Note: We value advice from friends, but they should be knowledgeable about real estate. We ask that this advice come from someone who knows the path.)

• 7. Profitability:
  It's quite strange, but after conversing with over 5,000 buyers, I can say that only a few have made the statement: "I'm not interested in profitability," a response stemming from their deepest fears. I have a statement for this: "If it's not profitable, it doesn't leverage me; and if it doesn't leverage me, it's not safe."

• 8. Financing:
  Many are firmly decided and convinced to make a real estate investment without financing, with the powerful affirmation: "I have my money; I don't like financing." I don't want to confirm anything as good or bad, but I'll make the following confirmation: "The more you finance, the greater the profitability you achieve."

• 9. Fear:
  Investment in real estate and its various alternatives have many ways to mitigate risks, but sometimes fear prevents us from even considering safe and profitable business opportunities. Don't let your beliefs and resistance to change make decisions for you.

• 10. Time:
  This part is extensive, so I'll limit it to three key points:

• For those who want to wait:
  Please remember that today you have your greatest asset, and you should treasure it. If you've decided to wait, let it not be due to fear or uncertainty. Seek the information you need and make your decision with the necessary data.

• For those who want immediate returns:
  The real estate world allows you to make this decision; it's definitely yours. However, the right decision is closely tied to what kind of investor you are and the moment you're making it.

• For those who don't have time to evaluate the investment:
  It's very common for people to take the valuation of this time lightly, and I thought I'd share this quote:

• "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." — Warren Buffett