Privacy Policy and Website Terms of Use

1. About this policy

At DuRon Bell & Associates Dominican Republic ("DuRon Bell & Associates," "DB&A," "we," "us," or "our"), discretion, clear communication, and responsible handling of information are part of the service we aim to provide. This Privacy Policy and Website Terms of Use explains how we may collect, use, disclose, store, and protect information when you visit DuRonBell.com, communicate with our team, request information about a property, subscribe to our publications, or use any client-facing service we make available (collectively, the "Services").

Our work may involve residential and investment real estate, development opportunities, property research, consultations, client introductions, and editorial or market information relating primarily to the Dominican Republic. The information we need depends on the nature and stage of your relationship with us.

This policy applies to DB&A-managed websites, forms, and digital Services that link to it. It does not govern independently operated property-developer sites, banking portals, social networks, or other third-party services, even if we link to them. Their privacy notices and terms apply to their own services.

For privacy questions or requests, use the contact details in Section 15. Certain rights described here depend on where you live, which laws apply, and whether DB&A falls within the scope of those laws.

2. Information we receive

Information you choose to provide

We may collect your name, email address, telephone or WhatsApp number, preferred communication language, country of residence, and other contact details when you ask to hear from us. When you request property assistance, we may also collect preferred locations, price range, property type, intended use, purchase timeframe, financing expectations, and preferences about tours, features, or amenities.

Your messages to us may include questions, comments, attachments, scheduling details, and information shared in email, forms, calls, text messages, WhatsApp conversations, or other channels. We may keep records of relevant correspondence so that we can respond consistently and follow up on requests.

If a client portal is available, we may use it to maintain an account, display relevant properties, record saved listings and shortlists, and facilitate communication about next steps. Initial inquiries do not ordinarily require a passport, government-issued identification, or full residential address. As a client progresses toward a specific transaction, we may request additional documentation where reasonably needed for due diligence, reservation, financing, compliance, or closing. We will explain the reason for such a request and the channel through which it should be submitted.

If you submit an inquiry, register for an event, request a guide, join a mailing list, or subscribe to The DR Brief or another publication, we may also collect your subscription preferences and consent records.

Information from business relationships and public sources

We may receive contact or project information from property owners, developers, their authorized sales representatives, agents, referral partners, public business directories, property records, and other lawful sources. This may include professional contact details, project associations, publicly available property facts, and development materials. When we obtain information about you from another source, we handle it under this policy and applicable law.

We do not use data obtained for business-development or property research to determine whether a person is eligible for housing, credit, insurance, employment, or another decision that would require a consumer report under applicable law.

CRM and communication records

To coordinate client relationships, we may use customer relationship management (CRM) systems, including HubSpot or similar services. Depending on the features in use, records may include your contact details, inquiries, property preferences, meeting notes, correspondence, delivery and engagement information, and relevant transaction milestones. Where business email synchronization is enabled, messages and related metadata may be processed through those tools.

Device, website, and usage data

When you interact with our website or digital communications, we or our technology providers may receive technical information such as IP address, approximate location derived from that address, browser and device characteristics, operating system, language settings, pages viewed, referral source, links selected, and date or duration of visits.

Cookies, browser storage, analytics tools, pixels, and related technologies may be used to make the website function, remember preferences, understand site performance, or measure advertising effectiveness. Which technologies are active may change as our website evolves. Where consent is required for nonessential technologies, we will seek it before using them.

Messaging and assistance features

If we provide a website chat, a virtual assistant, or a messaging integration, the content and metadata of those conversations may be processed and retained to answer inquiries, route requests, document instructions, and improve service. Some responses may be automated or AI-assisted. Please do not send identity documents, financial account credentials, or other highly sensitive records through an ordinary website chat or social-media message unless we specifically designate a secure method for that purpose.

3. Why we use information

We use personal information for legitimate purposes associated with operating a real estate advisory and marketing business. Depending on the circumstances, these purposes may include:

Responding to requests for listings, availability, pricing, viewing appointments, or consultation.
Learning about your criteria and preparing property matches, shortlists, market updates, and other relevant recommendations.
Communicating with developers, owners, authorized representatives, lenders, attorneys, and other parties when necessary to advance a request you authorize.
Organizing client records, documenting communications, managing appointments, and providing ongoing service.
Maintaining accounts, client-facing tools, websites, information systems, and security controls.
Publishing real estate commentary, educational content, newsletters, and announcements you request or elect to receive.
Understanding website usage, evaluating outreach, improving content, and measuring marketing effectiveness.
Protecting against fraud, misuse, unauthorized access, and other harmful activity.
Meeting applicable legal obligations, responding to lawful process, and establishing or protecting legal rights.

We may also prepare statistics and aggregated or de-identified analyses that do not reasonably identify individual clients or visitors.

We distinguish operational communications about an existing inquiry or relationship from promotional communications. Where law requires consent for a particular marketing channel, we will rely on that consent rather than treating a general inquiry as permission for every form of marketing.

4. AI-assisted services and content

DB&A may employ artificial intelligence and other automation tools to support research, editorial preparation, listing descriptions, translation, customer-service routing, internal organization, and suggested communications. An assistant may help identify listings that align with information you have given us or respond to routine questions. Some messages may be generated automatically; others may be reviewed by a team member.

AI assistance does not guarantee that information is complete, current, or correct. Real estate availability, asking prices, payment schedules, construction progress, legal status, rental projections, and financing terms should be independently confirmed with the appropriate source before you rely on them for a decision.

We do not intend for an automated recommendation to determine your legal rights or eligibility for housing or financing. Material decisions are made by the appropriate people and institutions, not by a DB&A content-generation system. You may ask to speak with a person or request clarification about AI-assisted information through the contact methods below.

Information shared with an AI technology provider may be processed under our arrangements with that provider. We seek to limit unnecessary personal or sensitive information sent to such systems. Details of a specific provider's handling of data may vary; a blanket promise that no information is ever processed outside DB&A cannot be made.

5. When information is shared

We do not sell customer contact lists for money. We may disclose relevant information when necessary for the Services you request, including to the following categories of recipients:

Property and transaction participants. Developers, property owners, authorized listing representatives, attorneys, title or closing professionals, financial institutions, appraisers, and similar participants may receive information needed for an introduction, showing, due-diligence inquiry, financing referral, or transaction you request. We aim to limit disclosures to information pertinent to that step.

Operating and technology providers. Website hosting, databases, CRM systems, email and messaging delivery, file storage, security, analytics, AI services, and other contractors may process information to perform services for us. They are expected to handle that information in accordance with their agreements and applicable requirements.

Our people and professional advisers. Authorized members of our team, contractors, and legal, accounting, or other advisers may access information when relevant to their responsibilities, subject to appropriate safeguards.

Legal and safety-related recipients. We may disclose information where required or permitted by law, to respond to valid legal requests, address suspected fraud or security events, or protect legitimate rights and interests.

Business transitions. If our business or relevant assets are reorganized, transferred, or acquired, information may be included in the transaction subject to applicable law and reasonable confidentiality protections.

Advertising and measurement partners. If advertising pixels or comparable technologies are enabled, certain online identifiers and browsing events may be disclosed to platforms for measurement or relevant advertising. Some privacy laws characterize these disclosures as a form of "sharing," even when no money is exchanged. See Section 6 and Section 12 for choices and rights.

SMS-specific commitment: We do not provide mobile telephone numbers or SMS opt-in consent records to unaffiliated third parties for those parties' own marketing or promotional purposes. This does not prohibit transmitting the information necessary to a contracted messaging provider to deliver communications for DB&A.

6. Cookies, advertising, and your online choices

Essential cookies or comparable storage can help a website work securely. Other technologies may help us remember preferences, monitor performance, understand engagement with editorial content, and, if enabled, measure or personalize advertising on services such as Google or Meta platforms.

You can often remove or block cookies through your browser settings. Your browser, device, or advertising account may also provide controls over interest-based advertising. Blocking some technologies can affect website functionality and does not necessarily eliminate all advertising.

Useful third-party controls include:

Depending on applicable law, you may also be entitled to direct us not to sell or share information for cross-context behavioral advertising or to opt out of certain targeted advertising uses. You can send such a request using Section 15. Where our website offers a Your Privacy Choices or Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information control, you may use that as well. Where legally required, we will recognize browser-based opt-out preference signals, including Global Privacy Control, and maintain the supporting technical controls for any advertising activities to which those obligations apply.

Some browsers send a separate "Do Not Track" signal that lacks a uniform interpretation. Unless a law requires otherwise, we may not respond to that particular signal; it is not the same as a legally recognized opt-out preference signal.

Website privacy controls: a cookie-preference panel, a dedicated advertising opt-out control, and automatic Global Privacy Control handling are not currently implemented on this website. Please send privacy requests using Section 15.

7. Email, telephone, SMS, and WhatsApp communications

We may contact you using the channel you choose or provide for a relevant inquiry. Administrative messages may include appointment confirmations, requested materials, viewing updates, and responses to questions. Promotional messages may include new listings, articles, market briefings, events, and other news about DB&A.

Where legally required, we will request the appropriate consent before sending promotional texts, using automated calls, or delivering other regulated communications. Providing a telephone number in a general inquiry does not, by itself, constitute unlimited consent to autodialed, prerecorded, or marketing communications.

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails using their unsubscribe link or by contacting us. For DB&A-operated SMS messaging, reply STOP to opt out and HELP for assistance when those commands are supported by the messaging program. You may also ask us directly to stop nonessential communications. Transaction-related or legally necessary messages may continue where permitted.

WhatsApp communications are also subject to WhatsApp's own terms and privacy practices. If you prefer not to discuss a matter through WhatsApp, ask us to use another available channel. We will not treat a refusal to receive marketing as a reason to deny ordinary service.

Terms for an optional DB&A SMS program

If you expressly enroll in a DB&A text-messaging program, messages may cover appointments, reminders, relevant property updates, or promotional information consistent with the consent you provided. Message frequency varies. Standard message and data charges imposed by your mobile carrier may apply. Carriers are not responsible for delayed or undelivered messages. You may revoke participation by replying STOP and request assistance by replying HELP, where the program supports those keywords, or by writing to us using Section 15.

These SMS terms describe a program only when it has been activated and the necessary enrollment disclosures have been presented. Any signup form should state its specific message purpose, frequency, opt-out method, and consent terms before sending regulated messages.

8. Records, retention, and deletion

We keep information only for periods reasonably connected to the reasons it was collected and to any applicable legal, operational, accounting, dispute-resolution, or recordkeeping needs. The appropriate period can differ for a casual newsletter subscriber, a prospective buyer, a former client, and a completed property transaction.

For example, inquiry records may be retained while a potential engagement is active and for a reasonable follow-up period. Transaction documents may need to be held longer because of legal or professional obligations. Subscription and suppression records may be retained as needed to document your preferences and prevent unwanted marketing.

When information is no longer reasonably needed, we may delete it, anonymize it, or securely dispose of it. When we approve a verified deletion request, exceptions may apply for records we must or are allowed to retain. We may also preserve a limited suppression or request-history record to prevent renewed contact or to demonstrate compliance. Backup copies typically expire under ordinary system-rotation schedules rather than being individually removed immediately.

9. Security and sensitive documents

We employ reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures intended to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure. Such safeguards can include controlled permissions, authentication, protected storage, and limits on who may view client records.

Because no electronic system is risk-free, we cannot guarantee absolute security. Please use the designated secure process if DB&A asks for identity records or sensitive documents in connection with a transaction. Never send passwords, full payment-card information, or online-banking credentials through an ordinary property inquiry or chat.

If you believe that information you supplied to us has been misused or exposed, please contact us promptly using Section 15.

10. Third-party websites, listings, and services

Our Services may contain listings, images, maps, financing references, developer materials, links, or embedded features supplied or operated by other parties. Their content can change independently of DB&A. Links are provided for convenience and information; they do not necessarily mean we endorse or control the destination or have any formal affiliation with it.

When you leave our website or use another provider's service, review that provider's privacy disclosures and terms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of independently operated websites.

11. Children's privacy

DB&A's real estate Services are intended for adults. We do not knowingly solicit personal information directly from children under 18 through these Services. If we discover that we have collected a child's information improperly, we will take appropriate steps to delete it, subject to law. A parent or guardian may contact us with a concern.

12. Your privacy rights and requests

You may contact DB&A to ask what information we maintain about you, correct an inaccuracy, update communication preferences, or request deletion. Depending on the law applicable to you and to our business, you may also have rights to obtain a copy of your information, restrict or object to processing, withdraw consent, opt out of targeted advertising or certain disclosures, or appeal a decision about a privacy request.

To help protect your data, we may verify your identity before disclosing or changing records. We may ask for only the information reasonably necessary for verification and will explain when we cannot satisfy a request because of a legal exception or an unresolved identity question. We will respond within applicable statutory periods where such periods govern.

We do not discriminate against people for exercising privacy rights protected by applicable law. You may contact us using the address or available online contact channel in Section 15 and label your request Privacy Request or Privacy Request Appeal as appropriate.

Dominican Republic

Personal-data handling in the Dominican Republic may be governed by Law No. 172-13 on the Protection of Personal Data and other applicable requirements. Where they apply, we will respect rights concerning personal information, including access, correction, and other remedies provided by the law. A person seeking to exercise a right may contact us as described above.

California

Where DB&A qualifies as a covered business and the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the "CCPA"), applies to particular information, eligible California residents may have rights to know or access data, obtain certain details about collection and disclosures, correct inaccuracies, request deletion, and opt out of sale or sharing. Certain rights may apply to sensitive personal information and automated decision-making technologies under the applicable rules.

Information categories that could be relevant include identifiers; contact details; commercial and property-interest information; internet or other electronic-network activity; approximate geolocation; communications and related records; professional information provided to us; and inferences based on preferences or interactions. Sources and purposes are described throughout this policy. Relevant recipient categories appear in Section 5.

DB&A does not sell customer contact lists for monetary consideration. However, enabling particular advertising technologies may be considered "sharing" under California law. If that processing occurs and the CCPA applies, qualifying consumers can request to opt out. We do not knowingly sell or share personal information belonging to children under 16.

An authorized agent may submit a qualifying request on your behalf where permitted, subject to lawful verification. We will honor covered requests and opt-out preference signals as required by applicable regulations. We will also provide appropriate information about any denial and the available complaint or review process.

Residents of other U.S. states

Several U.S. states have privacy laws that may provide qualifying residents with rights to access, correct, or delete personal information, obtain a portable copy, opt out of certain advertising, sale, or significant profiling, and appeal some denials. These rights, definitions, exemptions, and response periods vary by state and do not apply to every company or processing activity. We will evaluate requests under the law that governs the particular situation.

European Economic Area, United Kingdom, and Switzerland

Where European or UK data-protection law applies, DB&A may act as a controller for information it determines how and why to process. Depending on the activity, the legal basis may be your consent; steps necessary to fulfill a contract or respond to a pre-contract request; a legal obligation; or a legitimate interest that is not overridden by your rights and interests.

Eligible individuals may request access, rectification, erasure, restriction, or portability; object to particular processing; and withdraw consent without affecting processing previously justified by that consent. You may also lodge a complaint with the appropriate supervisory authority.

Because DB&A serves an international audience and relies on technology providers, information may be processed in the Dominican Republic, the United States, or other countries. Where a transfer is restricted by applicable European or UK law, we will use a legally available transfer mechanism or safeguard as required. We do not represent that a particular contractual mechanism is in place for every provider without checking the actual arrangement.

13. Website information and real estate disclaimers

Our website offers general information about properties, developments, destinations, market conditions, and related topics. Although we aim for accuracy, property information may come from owners, developers, agents, public sources, or other third parties and may be revised without advance notice.

Prices, inventory, dimensions, floor areas, completion dates, rental estimates, amenities, renderings, photographs, views, payment terms, and financing availability are subject to verification. Illustrations may represent proposed conditions rather than completed improvements. A listing or advertisement does not constitute a binding offer, a guarantee of availability, an appraisal, or a representation that financing will be approved.

Nothing on the website replaces independent legal, tax, financial, engineering, title, or other professional advice. Before committing funds, you should obtain qualified advice and verify the material facts of the transaction, including ownership, permits, delivery obligations, restrictions, and the terms of a written agreement.

14. Acceptable use and intellectual property

You may use DB&A's website for lawful personal or business research connected to the purposes for which it is offered. You agree not to misuse accounts, attempt unauthorized access, interfere with security, introduce malicious code, submit fraudulent inquiries, or copy or extract substantial collections of content through unauthorized automated means.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, DB&A's original branding, written material, layout, and other original content are owned by DB&A or used with permission. Third-party photographs, developer renderings, maps, and other supplied materials remain subject to their owners' rights. Viewing information on the website does not grant a license to republish, resell, or commercially exploit it. Contact us to discuss requested uses.

We may suspend access to a feature or account when reasonably necessary to protect users, the website, our rights, or the integrity of the Services.

15. Contact DuRon Bell & Associates

For general inquiries, requests relating to your personal information, marketing preferences, or a question about this policy, email admin@DuRonBell.com, use the contact form on DuRonBell.com, or write to:

DuRon Bell & Associates Dominican Republic
1 Palma Centro, Puerto Plata, San Felipe de Puerto Plata, 57000 Dominican Republic

Direct telephone: +1 (267) 650-5935
WhatsApp: +1 (849) 564-2193

For privacy-related correspondence, please include “Privacy Request” in the subject or heading. If you are asking us to stop a particular communication, include the email address or number at which you received it so that we can identify the correct record.

16. Updates to this document

We may revise this Privacy Policy and Website Terms of Use to reflect changes in our Services, business practices, technology, or legal obligations. The date at the top identifies the most recent revision. Material changes may be accompanied by additional notice or a request for consent when required by law. Your continued use of the website does not replace consent where a law separately requires it.

17. Scope and interpretation of these terms

These website terms apply to use of DB&A-controlled public pages and any feature that links to this document, unless separate terms are expressly presented for that feature. A signed brokerage, advisory, reservation, or purchase agreement takes precedence for the specific engagement or transaction it governs. If any website provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue to apply to the extent permitted by law.

This document is designed to explain DB&A's website practices and visitor expectations. It does not waive rights or protections that cannot lawfully be waived.