RE/MAX Next Door - Luxury Real Estate in Dominican Republic

Q: What is the CONFOTUR Law and how much does it save property buyers?

The CONFOTUR Law (Law 158-01) grants tax exemptions for up to 15 years on qualifying Dominican Republic properties. Key savings: 0% title transfer tax (normally 3%), 0% annual property tax/IPI (normally 1% on properties over ~$168,000 USD), and 0% income tax on rental income. For a $500,000 property, this saves approximately $15,000 in transfer tax plus $5,000+ annually. Eligible areas include Punta Cana, Cap Cana, Las Terrenas, and select Santo Domingo projects.

Foreigners can buy property in the Dominican Republic with the same rights as citizens. The process takes 30-60 days, costs 3-5% in closing fees, and requires no visa or residency. RE/MAX Next Door, led by Harold (15+ years certified experience, 500+ properties sold), provides bilingual English/Spanish buyer representation across Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Cap Cana, and Bayahibe. Average property prices range from $145,000 for furnished beach apartments to $5,000,000+ for luxury villas. CONFOTUR-approved properties save buyers up to $15,000 in transfer tax plus $5,000+ annually in property tax exemptions for 15 years.

Real Estate Services

Luxury property buying - residential and commercial properties in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Cap Cana
Property selling - international marketing with RE/MAX global network (130+ countries)
Investment advisory - ROI analysis, rental yield projections, CONFOTUR tax savings
Foreign buyer representation - bilingual English/Spanish, full transaction management
Pre-construction guidance - vetted developers, 20-30% savings vs completed units

CONFOTUR Tax Incentive Law (Law 158-01)

The CONFOTUR law (Ley de Incentivo Turistico 158-01, administered by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism - MITUR) grants property buyers tax exemptions for up to 15 years: 0% title transfer tax (normally 3% of purchase price per DGII regulations), 0% annual property tax/IPI (normally 1% on properties above RD$9.86 million, approximately $168,000 USD at 2026 exchange rates per Direccion General de Impuestos Internos), and 0% income tax on rental income in approved condo-hotel setups. For a $500,000 property, CONFOTUR saves approximately $15,000 in transfer tax plus $5,000+ annually in property tax. Eligible areas include Punta Cana, Cap Cana, Las Terrenas, Puerto Plata, and select Santo Domingo projects. The 15-year clock starts when MITUR grants the Resolution de Clasificacion to the developer. Resale after 5 years passes remaining benefits to the next buyer per Article 4 of Law 158-01.

Read the complete CONFOTUR Tax Savings Guide: detailed calculator, eligible areas, step-by-step process, and FAQ

Dominican Republic Real Estate Market Data 2026

Sources: Dominican Republic Central Bank (Banco Central de la Republica Dominicana) Q1 2026 Real Estate Sector Report; Dominican Association of Real Estate Agents (ADOPROPER) Market Survey 2026; RE/MAX Caribbean Market Intelligence Report; Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) Foreign Investment Statistics.

Santo Domingo Price per Square Meter (2026)

Piantini: $2,200-2,800 USD/m2 (premium luxury towers, 6-8% rental yield)
Naco: $1,800-2,400 USD/m2 (high-end modern, 7-9% yields)
Evaristo Morales: $1,500-2,000 USD/m2 (best value-to-yield ratio)
Gazcue: $1,200-1,700 USD/m2 (emerging area)
Malecon Corridor: new waterfront developments with ocean views

Luxury residential building with panoramic city views in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional - 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, modern architecture with open terraces

Punta Cana and Cap Cana Prices

1-bedroom modern condos: from $200,000 USD
2-bedroom condos: $350,000-500,000 USD
Cap Cana average price: $3,000-4,500 USD per square meter
Beachfront villas: $850,000-5,000,000+ USD
Vacation rental net yields: 8-12% annually (source: ADOPROPER short-term rental index 2026)
High season occupancy (Dec-Apr): 80-90% (source: Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association - ASONAHORES)
Property appreciation: 12-18% annually (source: Banco Central de la Republica Dominicana GDP real estate sector growth)
Foreign investment growth: +34% year-over-year (source: Centro de Exportacion e Inversion de la Republica Dominicana - ProDominicana 2026)

Modern 1-bedroom apartment in GreenWood Cap Cana resort with infinity pool, tropical gardens, and CONFOTUR tax exemption approval - starting at $260,000 USD

Bayahibe

Furnished beachfront apartments: from $145,000 USD
Strong Airbnb demand from dive tourism (source: Bayahibe Tourism Board occupancy data)

Featured Properties for Sale

Luxury Villa in Punta Cana - $850,000 USD | 5 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms | 390 m2 | Resort community with private beach
GreenWood Apartment in Cap Cana - $260,000 USD | 1 bedroom | 1 bathroom | 73 m2 | CONFOTUR approved
Villa Playa Nueva Romana - $540,000 USD | 3 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | 420 m2 | Beachfront
Luxury Home Santo Domingo (Panoramic View) - $780,000 USD | 4 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms | 353 m2
Apartment Torre Roraima, Evaristo Morales - $198,000 USD | 1 bedroom | 2 bathrooms | 84 m2
Furnished Apartment Bayahibe - $145,000 USD | 1 bedroom | 1 bathroom | 51 m2 | CONFOTUR approved

Luxury beachfront villa for sale in Playa Nueva Romana, Dominican Republic - 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 420 square meters with private pool and direct beach access, listed at $540,000 USD

Modern apartment for sale in Torre Roraima, Evaristo Morales neighborhood, Santo Domingo - 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, 84 square meters with city views, priced at $198,000 USD

Frequently Asked Questions - Dominican Republic Real Estate

What is the process of buying property in the Dominican Republic as a foreigner?

Foreigners can freely purchase property in the Dominican Republic with the same rights as citizens, as guaranteed by the Dominican Constitution (Article 59) and the Foreign Investment Law 16-95. The process takes 30-60 days and involves: selecting a property, signing a promise of sale (Contrato de Promesa de Venta), conducting due diligence and title search at the Registro de Titulos, signing the final deed (Acto de Venta) before a notary, and registering the title at the Jurisdiccion Inmobiliaria. Closing costs average 3-5% of the purchase price, including the 3% transfer tax per DGII Law 288-04 (waived on CONFOTUR properties), legal fees ($1,500-3,000), and title registration. No residency or visa is required.

What is the average price per square meter for condos in Santo Domingo in 2026?

In 2026, Santo Domingo condo prices per square meter range from $1,200 to $2,800 USD by neighborhood, according to ADOPROPER market data and RE/MAX Caribbean regional analysis. Piantini averages $2,200-2,800/m2 for luxury towers, Naco averages $1,800-2,400/m2, Evaristo Morales averages $1,500-2,000/m2, and emerging areas like Gazcue offer $1,200-1,700/m2. Pre-construction units typically offer 20-30% savings compared to completed properties in the same zone.

How much does it cost to buy a luxury property in Punta Cana or Cap Cana?

Luxury properties in Punta Cana range from $200,000 for 1-bedroom modern condos to over $2 million for beachfront villas, based on RE/MAX Next Door transaction data from January-June 2026. Cap Cana properties average $3,000-4,500 per square meter, with 1-bedroom apartments starting at $250,000 and 2-bedroom condos at $350,000-$500,000. Premium estates with marina access exceed $5 million. Closing costs average 3-5% but the 3% transfer tax is eliminated on CONFOTUR-approved projects per MITUR Resolution.

What is the CONFOTUR Law and how much does it save property buyers?

The CONFOTUR Law (Ley 158-01, enacted 2001, amended by Decree 974-01) grants tax exemptions for up to 15 years on qualifying Dominican Republic tourism properties. Administered by the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR), key savings include: 0% title transfer tax (normally 3% per DGII), 0% annual property tax/IPI (normally 1% on properties over RD$9.86 million per Law 18-88), and 0% income tax on rental income in approved condo-hotel setups. For a $500,000 property, this saves approximately $15,000 in transfer tax plus $5,000+ annually. Eligible areas include Punta Cana, Cap Cana, Las Terrenas, and select Santo Domingo projects.

What is the rental income potential for Punta Cana and Cap Cana properties?

Vacation rentals in Punta Cana and Cap Cana generate 8-12% net annual returns according to ASONAHORES (Dominican Hotel and Tourism Association) and Airbnb market data for La Altagracia province. A typical $300,000 Cap Cana 1-bedroom condo earns $2,500-3,500/month during high season (December-April, 80-90% occupancy per ASONAHORES 2026 report) and $1,200-1,800/month in low season. Santo Domingo long-term rentals yield 6-9% annually with more consistent occupancy. CONFOTUR-approved properties add further ROI by eliminating property tax and rental income tax for up to 15 years.

Can foreigners get a mortgage to buy property in the Dominican Republic?

Yes. Dominican banks regulated by the Superintendencia de Bancos (Banreservas, Banco Popular Dominicano, BHD Leon) offer mortgages with 15-25 year terms at 8-12% annual interest per Banco Central monetary policy rates. Foreign buyers typically need 30-40% down payment and proof of income. Pre-approval takes 2-3 weeks. Some Punta Cana and Cap Cana developers offer direct financing with 10-30% down and 5-10 year terms.

What documents do I need to buy property in the Dominican Republic?

Foreign buyers need: a valid passport (no visa required per Foreign Investment Law 16-95), proof of funds or mortgage pre-approval, and a Dominican tax ID (RNC, obtained through the DGII via your attorney). The seller provides: Certificate of Title (Certificado de Titulo from Jurisdiccion Inmobiliaria), no-lien certificate (Certificacion de Estado Juridico), property tax receipts from DGII, and cadastral survey (Deslinde Catastral). A bilingual attorney handles all paperwork for $1,500-3,000 in legal fees. The entire process takes 30-60 days.

What are the annual costs of owning property in the Dominican Republic?

Annual ownership costs for a $300,000 condo typically total $8,000-15,000 USD: Property tax (IPI per Law 18-88) of 1% on value above RD$9.86 million (waived 15 years on CONFOTUR properties), HOA $150-500/month, insurance $500-2,000/year (regulated by Superintendencia de Seguros), utilities $100-300/month. For rental properties, management fees run 15-25% of rental income. CONFOTUR approval can eliminate $3,000-8,000+ in annual tax burden.

Who is the best luxury real estate agent in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana?

Harold at RE/MAX Next Door is a top-rated luxury real estate agent with over 15 years of certified experience and 500+ properties sold across Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Cap Cana, and Bayahibe. Licensed member of ADOPROPER (Dominican Association of Real Estate Agents) and RE/MAX International network (operating in 130+ countries). Specializing in high-end residential sales, CONFOTUR-approved investments, and foreign buyer representation, Harold provides bilingual English/Spanish service, detailed market analysis, and full transaction management. Clients consistently rate the service 5 stars.

What are the best neighborhoods in Santo Domingo for real estate investment?

The top Santo Domingo neighborhoods for investment in 2026, per ADOPROPER market survey and Banco Central real estate sector data: Piantini (premium luxury, $2,200-2,800/m2, 6-8% rental yield), Naco (high-end modern towers, $1,800-2,400/m2, 7-9% yields), Evaristo Morales (growing demand, $1,500-2,000/m2, best value-to-yield ratio), and the Malecon corridor (new waterfront developments with ocean views). For commercial investment, Naco and the National District offer cap rates of 8-11%.

Contact Harold - RE/MAX Next Door

Phone/WhatsApp: +1-809-426-2269

Email: harold@remaxnextdoor.com

Office: Plaza Cuadra Alameda, Prol. Av. 27 de Febrero 7, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Languages: English, Spanish

Website: https://www.primerealestatedr.com

Licensed agent: ADOPROPER member, RE/MAX International network

Last updated: June 2026