How to buy in the DR as a foreigner

You Can Buy Without Living Here

Good news first: in the Dominican Republic, foreigners can buy property with the same rights as Dominican citizens. You don't need residency, a local partner or a local company. Your name goes on the title just like any other owner's.

What you do need is a clear plan: what to check, who is on your side and when money changes hands. This guide walks you through it step by step, assuming you're reading from New York, Miami, Madrid or anywhere else far from the island.

1. Budget Price + closing costs
2. Reservation Deposit with clear terms
3. Due diligence Full legal review
4. Contract Signed before a notary
5. Payment & transfer Wire funds, file registry
6. New title Issued in your name

Key Figures To Consider

• 4%–6% Estimated closing costs (example data)
• USD 2,000–5,000 Reservation deposit (example data)
• 30–90 days New title issuance (example data)

Your Core Team

Buying remotely works when you have the right people on the ground. At a minimum:

• An independent lawyer who works for you, not for the seller or the developer.
• A trusted agent or advisor who really knows the area. Our agent directory is a good place to start.
• A notary, who in the DR certifies that contracts were signed as stated. Your lawyer usually arranges this.
• Your bank at home and, if you plan to finance, a Dominican bank too.

The Process, Step By Step

1. Decide what you want and what you can really spend

   On top of the price, budget for closing costs, which often land somewhere between 4% and 6% (example data) of the property value. We break them down in our guide to taxes and closing costs.

2. Pick the property and sign a reservation

   Once you decide, you'll usually sign a reservation agreement and pay a deposit, say USD 2,000 to 5,000 (example data). Make sure the agreement spells out exactly when that money is refundable.

3. Legal checks (due diligence)

   This is where your lawyer investigates the property before you pay anything else. The essentials:

   • Request the Certificación de Estado Jurídico del Inmueble from the Title Registry. It shows who owns the property and whether there are mortgages, liens or other claims on it.
   • Confirm there is a Certificado de Título (certificate of title) in the seller's name.
   • Check the deslinde, the official survey that fixes the exact boundaries of the land.
   • Make sure the seller is up to date on IPI (the annual property tax) and utilities.
   • For off-plan projects, review building permits and the developer's track record.

   For a deeper dive, read how to verify a property title.

4. Purchase agreement

   If everything checks out, the final contract is signed before a notary. It sets the price, payment terms, handover date and who pays which costs.

5. Payment and transfer

   Money should move through formal banking channels, with a paper trail for every step. Never hand over cash or wire funds to an intermediary's personal account. Your lawyer then pays the transfer tax at the DGII (the tax authority) and files the paperwork with the Title Registry.

6. Your new title

   The Title Registry issues a new Certificado de Título in your name. This can take 30 to 90 days (example data). Keep a digital copy, and ask your lawyer for a fresh legal status certificate to confirm everything was recorded properly.

Buying Remotely By Power Of Attorney

You can close without getting on a plane. The tool for this is a poder notarial, or power of attorney: a document that authorizes someone you trust, usually your lawyer, to sign on your behalf.

1. Drafting Powers spelled out clearly
2. Signing Before a notary at home
3. Apostille Valid for use in the DR
4. Translation If not in Spanish
5. Courier Original sent to your lawyer

Your Dominican lawyer drafts the power of attorney with specific powers: which property, what price, which documents they may sign. You sign it before a notary where you live, then get it apostilled: an apostille is an official seal that makes a document from one country valid in another. In the US it's issued by each state's Secretary of State; in Spain, by the designated authorities. If it's in English or another language, a court-certified interpreter in the DR translates it into Spanish, and you courier the original to your lawyer.

You can also sign the power of attorney at a Dominican consulate, which in some cases removes the need for an apostille. Ask which route makes more sense for your city.

Protect Yourself When Granting Power

A power of attorney is exactly what it sounds like: power.

• Limit it to this one purchase.
• Give it an expiry date.
• Avoid general powers that would let someone sell, mortgage or collect money in your name.
• Ask for copies of everything signed for you.

Paying From Abroad

The usual route is an international wire from your bank. Some purchases go through an escrow account or a project's trust account.

Keep in mind that HomeDominican is an information site. We are not a licensed real-estate agency and we never handle buyers' money.

Common Mistakes

• Paying the reservation before seeing the legal status certificate.
• Buying land without a deslinde because it's cheaper.
• Forgetting yearly costs: IPI, HOA fees and insurance.
• Relying on photos and videos alone, without a visit from someone independent who isn't earning a commission.

Your Next Step

If you already have an area in mind, work out your total budget with our tools. And if you'd like someone to look at your situation with you, book the free 15-minute advisory call: we'll help you figure out what to ask, and who to ask.