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Dominican Republic real estate FAQ
The questions we are asked most about homes, investment and life in the Dominican Republic, with the source whenever there is a number.
Dominican Republic real estate FAQ: how to read it
This Dominican Republic real estate FAQ collects the questions we hear most often from people weighing a home or an investment in Punta Cana, Cap Cana, Las Terrenas or Santo Domingo. Where there is a number we give the source; where the answer depends on the case we say so, and point to checks with a local lawyer or adviser.
The full picture, with areas, data and checks, is on the Dominican Republic page.
Buying and investing
Can a foreigner buy property in the Dominican Republic?
Yes. Before any payment the title must be checked at the Registro de Títulos with a Dominican lawyer independent of the seller.
Which taxes apply?
Capital gains tax is 10% under Law 30-26 (art. 14); for non-residents it should be confirmed with a local tax adviser. Transfer taxes and the annual property tax depend on value and on the project’s regime: have them calculated in writing before signing.
What is CONFOTUR?
The incentive regime of Law 158-01 for approved tourism projects: exemptions of up to 15 years tied to the individual project, not automatic. Check them in the developer’s documents.
What rental yield can a property make?
Global Property Guide reports a gross yield of around 8% in Punta Cana (Q1 2026). It is a gross figure: the net depends on management, occupancy, maintenance and taxes, and nobody can guarantee it.
Can a home lose value?
Yes, as anywhere. No reliable source can guarantee appreciation: location, build quality, maintenance and how much new supply reaches the market all count.
New build or existing home?
It depends on your goals. New builds offer recent standards but are often bought off-plan, with risks on timing and specification; an existing home can be visited and measured, but structure, systems and maintenance in a tropical climate must be read carefully.
Who is the broker and who pays them?
The professional who handles the sale: search, negotiation, documents. Always ask in writing who pays their commission. For the properties presented on this site the Real Estate team declares it before any analysis.
Dominican Republic
Areas, data and sources
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
New developments
Buying off-plan
About us
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Contact
Write to us
Private Service
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Do you have a property to assess in the Dominican Republic?
Contact usPayments, mortgages and management
Can foreigners get a mortgage?
Some local banks lend to non-residents too; timing, deposit and rates vary from bank to bank and should be requested in writing before committing to the seller.
How do payments work on a project under construction?
Usually through instalments tied to construction progress. Ask in writing where the payments go, with which guarantees, and what happens in case of delay or non-completion.
Which currency do you buy in?
Many projects for international buyers are priced in US dollars; contract, currency and payment terms are fixed in the preliminary agreement.
Can I pay taxes and insurance myself?
Yes, directly or through a local property manager, whom many foreign owners also choose for rentals and maintenance.
Living and travelling
When is hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, with the statistical peak in September (NOAA). For a house what matters is how it is built: structure, windows and roofs must be checked for wind.
What is the climate like?
Tropical all year round, breezier on the coasts. Humidity and salt air affect maintenance: one of the points we look at when we read a property.
How busy is tourism?
In 2025 the country welcomed 11.6 million visitors, 8.8 million of them by air (Ministry of Tourism). Tourism supports short-term rental demand in the best-served areas.
Can I travel with my pet?
A health certificate and up-to-date vaccinations are usually required; requirements change, so check with the airline and the authorities before departure.
What is Dominican food like?
A blend of Caribbean, Spanish and African influences: rice, beans and stewed meat («la bandera»), plantain in many forms, fresh fish and tropical fruit, mangú and sancocho.
Sources: Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA; capital gains tax, Law 30-26, art. 14; CONFOTUR incentives, Law 158-01; gross yield, Global Property Guide (Dominican Republic, Q1 2026); 2025 visitors, Ministry of Tourism (MITUR). Details on the Dominican Republic page.
Considering a purchase?
Send the listing or dossier: we reply with the points to check.
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Dominican Republic: places, data and checks, with the Real Estate team of Elite Luxury Real Estate.