Danny,
I agree with all the previous replies. I am an attorney in Canada and deal 80% in real estate. The golden rule applies everywhere including DR: Location.
Just bought down there last July, painless but took a bit longer than expected because of negligence of european seller not having all his corporate documents in order. As mentiond in another thread, we are in Cabarete and just love the place. Visited a bit around but always came back to this one. Cannot beat the view of the ocean (which is also in higher demand for renting tourists). Because of the Kite boarding and windsurfing, seems to be always in demand VS Sosua. But our rule was to buy for ourselves and no count on the rental side of things. I am in the rental pool at the Nanny, which is geared more in the higher end bracket. The bonus for us is that rentals covers more than our expenses even using the place 2 months out of the year with full maids service. Hey great but would not count on it! Never know with the local economy.