Transforming your Canadian equity into liquid cash is the easiest path to ownership in the Dominican Republic. Sellers in Bayahibe and Cap Cana prioritize cash deals, allowing you to bypass appraisal delays and local bank uncertainty.
— The Greenhouse Canadian Equity Strategy
The Legal
Blueprint
Everything you need to know about buying property in the Dominican Republic as a Canadian — from legal ownership rights and CONFOTUR tax exemptions to closing costs and title protection. No surprises. No shortcuts.
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Foreigners have identical property rights to Dominican citizens. The Dominican Republic is one of the most open foreign-ownership environments in the Caribbean.
Equal Rights as Locals
The Dominican Constitution explicitly grants foreigners the same real property rights as Dominican citizens. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership in residential, commercial, or tourism-zone real estate.
Fee Simple Ownership
You own the property outright — land and building — not a leasehold arrangement. Your title is absolute and inheritable by your heirs under Canadian succession law.
The Torrens Title System
The DR uses the internationally recognized Torrens System of land registration. Your Certificate of Title (Certificado de Título) is issued by the government and backed by state guarantee.
Inheritance & Estate Planning
DR property is fully inheritable. Your attorney performs a mandatory "Determination of Heirs" check during purchase to ensure clean title — protecting you from any undisclosed historic claims.
The CONFOTUR Advantage
Law 158-01
CONFOTUR (Law 158-01) is the Dominican Republic's Tourism Incentive Law, enacted to encourage development in designated tourism zones. For buyers like you, it is one of the most significant financial advantages available in Caribbean real estate.
Transfer Tax Exemption (3%)
CONFOTUR-certified properties are fully exempt from the 3% Transfer Tax on sale. On a $400,000 USD property, this alone saves you $12,000 at closing.
Annual Property Tax (IPI) — 15 Year Holiday
The 1% Annual Property Tax (IPI) is waived for up to 15 years on CONFOTUR properties. On a $400K property, this saves you $4,000/year — or $60,000 over the exemption period.
Which Properties Qualify? (Including Bayahibe)
Bayahibe is a prime CONFOTUR Law 158-01 zone — allowing Canadians to completely avoid the 3% Transfer Tax and 1% Annual Property Tax (IPI) for 15 years. Most developments in Bayahibe, Punta Cana, Cap Cana, Las Terrenas, and Samaná tourism zones also qualify. Your Greenhouse specialist confirms CONFOTUR status before you commit any funds. This is non-negotiable in our process.
CONFOTUR Savings Example
Based on $400,000 USD purchase price
On a $400K purchase
That's 18% of your purchase price back over 15 years — in tax savings alone.
Complete Closing Costs
No Hidden Fees. Ever.
| Closing Cost Item | Rate / Amount |
|---|---|
Transfer Tax | 3% of purchase price |
Annual Property Tax (IPI) | 1% of assessed value |
Legal / Attorney Fees | 1% – 1.5% of purchase price |
Determination of Heirs Check | Included in legal fees |
Notary & Registration Fees | 0.5% – 0.75% |
Property Valuation / Appraisal | $500 – $1,500 USD flat |
★ = CONFOTUR-eligible savings. All amounts in USD. Actual figures vary by property and municipality.
The Complete DR Buying Process
Hire a Dominican Attorney
Engage a licensed Dominican attorney (independent of the developer's counsel). Attorney fees are 1%–1.5% of purchase price.
Title Search & CONFOTUR Check
Your attorney runs a full title search at the Registry of Titles and confirms whether the property carries CONFOTUR tax exemption status.
Determination of Heirs Verification
A mandatory search confirming no undisclosed heir claims exist on the property. This is non-negotiable and protects your ownership rights.
Sign the Promise of Sale (Promesa de Venta)
A legally binding preliminary agreement. Typical deposits are 10%–30% of purchase price, held in the attorney trust account.
Full Payment & Deed Transfer (Acta de Venta)
Remaining funds are transferred. The notary executes the final deed of sale. All parties sign.
Torrens Registration
Your attorney registers the new title in your name at the government Title Registry. You receive your Certificate of Title — the DR's government-backed proof of ownership.
Your Canadian Equity Converts to Cash in 21 Days
While DR banks take 90–180 days to approve non-resident mortgages, Greenhouse clients receive their equity assessment in 24 hours and full cash deployment within 15–21 business days. That means you walk into every DR negotiation as a verified cash buyer — with legal title verification, CONFOTUR tax exemption confirmation, and attorney trust-account wiring already in motion.
24h
Equity Assessment
15–21
Days to Cash Deployment
100%
CONFOTUR Verified