The Buying Process in the Dominican Republic

If you are thinking of buying a property in the Dominican Republic, understanding the buying process in the Dominican Republic will help you become an owner easily and safely. Today I explain the 10 steps you need to follow.

Before you start, you should know that whether you are Dominican or from a foreign country, you both have the same legal rights when buying a property in the Dominican Republic. You only need your passport.

The Buying Process in the Dominican Republic, Step by Step

Choose a trusted real estate advisor

We have an association of real estate agents that guide us and trains us as professionals, simply check the reviews of the agents or their companies and the international certifications they may have or to which associations they may belong internationally. In my case, I am a member of five associations. Four of them are international and I have three NAR designations, which is the Association of Realtors of the USA.

Define the properties to visit

Be open with your broker. Provide them with the details of your dream property and your budget. Your broker will create property options to visit with the best achievement you have requested and within the agreed budget. It can be a new or resale property.

Visit the Property

Know the environment and the benefits of each property. Properties within a Resort, such as Cap Cana, Punta Cana Resort, or Casa de Campo, offer a unique lifestyle thanks to their beaches or golf courses. At many of my properties, you will be able to walk inside the property with the technology video system that we use.

Select the property that interests you

Once you have done the tour of the property, meet with your broker to ask any questions you have about the property you are interested in and define which one is the best for you.

Make an offer to buy

Through your real estate advisor, make an offer to buy, which establishes the basic terms and conditions proposed between the Buyer and the Seller in a real estate transaction. This document must have the signature of the buyer and the buyer’s real estate agent, to give a professional character to the proposal.

The Offer Is Accepted

Once the offer has been negotiated and accepted by the seller, a reservation or deposit of the property is made. Normally the deposit it is around 10% of the sale value. This transaction can be made through your lawyer in the country,  if as a foreign do not have a lawyer, surely your real estate advisor can help you by offering you a trustworthy one.

Due diligence

Now is the time for your attorney to perform due diligence on the property to determine that everything is in the right and order. This process includes the history of the title of the property, and encumbrance, IPI status of the expenses of the property or utility services. 

Contract promise of sale

The next step is to prepare the sale contract, which is made out by the buyer’s lawyer. The contract describes the conditions of the sale, as well as the legal characteristics of the property.

Transfer of funds

Once the contract is signed, the payment of the remaining amount is made to complete the agreed amount. Unless the payment is programmed with the new pre-construction company, in that case, they would make a payment plan to accommodate each customer payment plan. 

Final purchase-sale contract and transfer of title

This is the same as a contract of sale, this is the final contract that is used to transfer ownership from the seller to the buyer. Remember that your lawyer must proceed to make out the transfer of the property title where it is proven that you are legally the owner of the property.

Want to know more before you start? Check out our complete Cap Cana 2026 guide, why real estate in the Dominican Republic is booming, or the 12 reasons to move or invest in Punta Cana.

How Long Does the Buying Process in the Dominican Republic Take?

A straightforward purchase can close in 4 to 8 weeks once the offer is accepted, though it depends on due diligence, financing, and how quickly documents are prepared.

Do Foreigners Need a Lawyer to Buy Property in the Dominican Republic?

It is not legally required, but strongly recommended. A local attorney handles due diligence, the contract, and the title transfer to protect your investment.

How Much Is the Down Payment When Buying in the Dominican Republic?

Reservation deposits are typically around 10% of the sale value, with the balance paid according to the payment schedule agreed in the contract.

Do Foreigners Pay Taxes When Buying Real Estate in the Dominican Republic?

Yes, the same real estate transfer taxes apply to foreign and Dominican buyers alike. You can check current rates on the official DGII website.

Can Foreigners Get a Mortgage in the Dominican Republic?

Yes, several local and international banks offer financing to foreign buyers, though terms and required down payments vary by lender and by buyer profile.