Real estate & CONFOTUR in the Dominican Republic
From a Punta Cana condo or Las Terrenas villa to a beachfront development site — we verify the title, structure the purchase and close it, so the only surprises are good ones.
Title and current legal status are the starting point
Property rights in the DR are governed by Law 108-05 on the Real Estate Registry, built around the Torrens system, making the Registro de Títulos record central—but a title copy alone does not establish current liens, cadastral facts, seller authority, tax status or permits. Foreigners can buy with the same rights as Dominicans — the risk is never nationality, it is buying on unverified title, undisclosed liens or unresolved boundaries. Our job is to make sure none of those words ever apply to your purchase.
Due diligence we run before you sign
- Certificate of title status — ownership, liens, mortgages and annotations, verified at the registry.
- Seller verification — authority to sell, marital consents, corporate approvals.
- Survey check (deslinde) — confirming the parcel is individualized and the boundaries match reality.
- Tax & condo standing — IPI property-tax status and condominium fees and rules where relevant.
- Developer review — for pre-construction: registry and cadastral status, the actual current MIVHED construction licence and other applicable approvals matched to the parcel, phase and scope, plus the trust or guarantee structure.
From offer to keys
- Promise of sale — a binding contract that protects your deposit and conditions closing on clean diligence.
- Escrow & payments — funds released against milestones, not promises.
- Closing — definitive deed of sale signed and notarized.
- Transfer & registration — any DGII-assessed transfer tax is handled, generally at 3% of taxable property value unless a documented exemption applies, and the new certificate of title is issued in your name or your Dominican company.
CONFOTUR: the incentive worth asking about
A tourism classification under Law 158-01 (CONFOTUR) may support specific tax treatment, but the project label alone does not establish an exemption for a particular buyer or unit. We verify the complete resolution and amendments, developer or seller, parcel, phase, unit, direct developer sale versus later transfer, effective dates, buyer and holding structure, Law 30-26 and current DGII treatment before stating any saving.
Engagement scope — Title diligence & closing
Who it’s for
Foreign buyers of Dominican homes, land or investment property who want the title verified before money moves.
What’s included
- Certificate-of-title verification at the Registro de Títulos
- Liens, encumbrances and seller-standing checks
- IPI (property-tax) status review
- Purchase contract drafted or reviewed, bilingually
- Notarized closing and funds-flow coordination
- Transfer filing and issuance of your new certificate of title
You’ll need
- Copy of the seller’s title and survey (deslinde) if available
- IDs of buyer and seller
- The agreed commercial terms
Main stages
- Due diligence
- Promise / purchase contract
- Closing
- Registration of the new title
Government and third-party fees are billed at cost, separately. A written professional-fee scope is provided after the initial matter review.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners legally own beachfront property in the DR?
Yes — foreign individuals and companies own Dominican property with the same constitutional protections as locals, including in coastal areas, subject to the public-domain strip along the shoreline that applies to everyone.
What taxes and costs should a buyer budget for?
Budget for transfer tax generally stated by DGII as 3% of the taxable property value, unless a documented exemption applies, plus legal fees and registry charges. Confirm the assessment and any exemption with DGII for the actual transfer; ongoing IPI depends on the full taxable portfolio, holding vehicle and any documented project-specific treatment.
Is buying pre-construction safe?
It can be, with the right protections. Verify the project title and the actual, current MIVHED construction license—or a preliminary or partial authorization only for its stated scope—plus applicable municipal, tourism, environmental and utility approvals. Match each approval to the developer, parcel, plans and phase; an application receipt or provisional CONFOTUR classification is not permission to build. Tie payments to verified progress and enforceable guarantees.
Decision guides
Let’s get your real estate & confotur matter moving
Free consultation, plain-English answers, and a written fixed-fee quote for most matters within one business day.
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