Costs
Closing costs
The purchase price is not the purchase cost. Budget for transfer tax, legal representation, notary and registry fees on top — and know which of them a CONFOTUR project removes.
What you are actually paying for
| Cost | Normally paid by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer tax | Buyer | 3% of the higher of price or DGII appraisal. Waived on first transfer in a CONFOTUR project. |
| Attorney fees | Buyer | Usually a percentage of price, sometimes a fixed fee. Negotiated, and worth negotiating on scope rather than only on rate. |
| Notary fees | Buyer | Required for the promise of sale and the deed. |
| Registry fees | Buyer | Paid to the Registro de Títulos to record the transfer and issue the new title. |
| Agent commission | Seller | Normally the seller’s cost in a resale, and built into the price in a new development. |
| Survey / deslinde | Varies | Only where the parcel has not been individually surveyed. Agree in the contract who bears it. |
Transfer tax is the dominant line by a wide margin, which is why the CONFOTUR question is worth settling before you build a budget rather than after.
Request a written closing statement itemising every cost before you sign the promise of sale. Verbal estimates of “around 4 or 5 percent” are common and are not a budget. The individual figures are knowable in advance.
The timeline
Two very different shapes, depending on what you are buying.
Completed property
Due diligence is the long pole — the title search and encumbrance checks have to complete before anything is signed. After the deed, the transfer tax must be assessed and paid, and only then can registration proceed. Issuance of the new Certificado de Título is an administrative process at the registry, and its duration is outside your control.
Pre-construction
The promise of sale is signed early and governs a relationship that may run for years. Payments are staged against construction milestones, and the transfer tax and registration steps happen at delivery, not at signing. Your exposure during the build period is contractual, which is why the promise of sale deserves far more scrutiny than buyers usually give it.
Costs that continue after closing
- IPI, annually, on value above the exempt threshold — unless the project is CONFOTUR-approved. See property taxes.
- HOA or maintenance dues in a development. Ask for the current figure and the history — these rise, and in resort developments with substantial amenities they can be a significant running cost.
- Utilities, and in many developments a separate charge for backup power.
- Property management, if you are not resident and intend to rent. See rental income.
- Insurance. The Dominican Republic sits in the Atlantic hurricane belt; this is not an optional line.
Common questions
What are typical closing costs when buying property in the Dominican Republic?
The main components are the 3% transfer tax, attorney fees, notary fees and registry fees, normally all borne by the buyer. Transfer tax is by far the largest and is waived on first transfer in a CONFOTUR-approved project, which changes the total substantially.
Who pays the real estate agent commission?
Normally the seller in a resale transaction. In a new development the commission is built into the developer price rather than charged separately to the buyer.
How long does it take to close on a property?
For a completed property, the pace is set by title due diligence first, then by assessment and payment of transfer tax, then by registration at the Registro de Titulos. For pre-construction, the promise of sale is signed early and transfer and registration only happen at delivery.
What ongoing costs should I budget for after purchase?
Annual IPI property tax where applicable, HOA or maintenance dues, utilities including any backup power charge, insurance, and property management if you intend to rent the property out.
Last reviewed August 2026
General information about Dominican Republic property law and practice, not legal or tax advice. Statutes are amended and thresholds are re-indexed; confirm anything you intend to rely on with a Dominican attorney and with the DGII before you act on it.