Buying property
How foreigners can buy property in Las Terrenas
A practical process for investigating a property, organizing documents, signing securely and registering the transfer.
Por Coral Waves · Actualizado el July 13, 2026
Begin with independent due diligence
Before paying a reservation, appoint an independent Dominican real estate lawyer to identify the registered owner, review the proposed agreement and verify the property’s legal status. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
- Current title certificate or annotated record.
- Legal-status certification showing registered liens and entries.
- Identity and authority of the seller or company representative.
- Survey, cadastral designation and deslinde status.
Reservation and purchase agreement
The reservation should state its duration, whether it is refundable and what happens if due diligence reveals a problem. The purchase agreement should define price, currency, payment schedule, delivery, included inventory and default terms.
Verify the beneficiary and bank account before sending funds. If signing abroad, ask your lawyer about powers of attorney, translations, notarization and legalization requirements.
Closing, tax and registration
The Dominican tax authority publishes a general 3% real estate transfer tax. The taxable basis, deadlines, exemptions and documentation must be confirmed for the specific transaction.
After closing, the acquired right must be registered with the Real Estate Registry. Keep signed documents and receipts, and confirm that the updated title process has been completed.
Preguntas frecuentes
Must I travel to complete the purchase?
Not always. Some steps may be completed through a properly prepared power of attorney; confirm the formalities with Dominican counsel.
What does a legal-status certificate show?
It reports registered entries affecting the property as of its issue date.