Real Estate in the Dominican Republic
A practical guide to buying, owning, and selling real estate in the Dominican Republic — title and the legal process, taxes and financing, regional markets, investment, and ownership.
17 guidesLegal & Title
14 guidesBuying Process
9 guidesSelling Process
13 guidesTaxes & Fees
9 guidesFinancing & Mortgages
9 guidesProperty Types & New Construction
9 guidesMarkets & Regions
13 guidesInvestment & Rentals
9 guidesOwning & Maintaining
9 guidesThe Ownership Experience
Featured Guides
Buying ProcessDo You Need a Lawyer to Buy Property in the Dominican Republic?
Yes — hiring your own independent Dominican real estate attorney (not the seller's) is essential. Here's what a lawyer does, what it costs, and why the notary alone isn't enough.
Legal & TitleBoundary and Property Line Disputes in the Dominican Republic: How They're Resolved
A practical guide for foreign owners on how boundary and property line disputes are resolved in the Dominican Republic — from deslinde to Tribunal de Tierras.
Property Types & New ConstructionBranded Residences in the Dominican Republic: Are They Worth the Premium for Foreign Buyers?
Branded residences in the DR carry a 25–60% premium. Here's when the Ritz, St. Regis, Waldorf, or Aman logo is worth it for foreign buyers — and when it isn't.
Selling ProcessHow to Sell (Assign) a Pre-Construction Unit in the Dominican Republic Before Completion
A practical guide to assigning (flipping) your pre-construction contract in the DR before delivery — developer consent, documents, taxes, and pitfalls.
The Ownership ExperienceThe Lifestyle of Owning a Home in the Dominican Republic: What a Typical Year Looks Like
An honest, month-by-month look at the lifestyle of owning a home in the Dominican Republic — the rhythms, surprises, and quiet joys of a typical year.
Owning & MaintainingInverter or Solar? Powering a Dominican Republic Home Through Blackouts
Inverter, solar, or hybrid? A practical guide for Dominican Republic homeowners on choosing the right backup power system for blackouts.
About Real Estate
Understanding real estate in the Dominican Republic — before you buy. Whether you're purchasing a vacation condo in Punta Cana, an investment rental, or a home to retire in, this is your practical guide to how Dominican property actually works: the legal and title system, the buying and selling process, taxes and financing, regional markets, and the realities of owning and maintaining property in the Caribbean.
Foreigners can buy property in the Dominican Republic with the same rights as Dominican nationals, but the process — the Certificado de Título, the deslinde survey, the 3% transfer tax, and CONFOTUR incentives — differs from back home. The guides below walk through each step. This is editorial guidance, not a property-listings marketplace or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners buy property in the Dominican Republic?
Yes. Foreigners have the same property-ownership rights as Dominican citizens under the constitution — no residency or special permit is required. The only real coastal restriction is the 60-meter public maritime zone, which applies to everyone. See Legal & Title.
How do I buy a house or property in the Dominican Republic?
At a high level: sign a promise of sale, complete title due diligence (verify the Certificado de Título and any liens), pay the 3% transfer tax, and register the title at the Registro de Títulos. Always use your own independent Dominican attorney — not the seller's. See our Buying Process guides.
What taxes and fees apply when buying property in the DR?
Buyers pay a 3% transfer tax — calculated on the higher of the purchase price or the DGII's appraisal — plus closing costs; owners pay an annual IPI property tax on value above an indexed threshold. Verify current figures with the DGII. See Taxes & Fees.
What is CONFOTUR and does it save money?
CONFOTUR (Law 158-01) grants tax exemptions to certified tourism-zone projects and is open to foreign buyers — but the transfer-tax exemption typically applies only to the first buyer. See Investment & Rentals.
Can foreigners get a mortgage in the Dominican Republic?
Yes — some Dominican banks lend to foreigners, usually with a larger down payment than for residents, and many buyers pay cash. See Financing & Mortgages.
Where is the best place to buy real estate in the Dominican Republic?
It depends on your goal — Punta Cana and Las Terrenas for vacation and rental properties, Santiago and Santo Domingo for city living and value. Markets differ significantly. See Markets & Regions.