How to buy property in the Dominican Republic from the US without traveling

You can buy without traveling

You don't need residency or a visa to buy in the Dominican Republic: you buy the same way whatever your nationality or immigration status. And almost the whole process can be done remotely, with the documents signed where you live.

The steps

1. You choose the project. Check its permit, its land and how it protects your money (how to buy pre-construction safely).
2. You reserve. You pay the reservation deposit by wire to hold the unit.
3. You sign the promise of purchase and verify your identity remotely.
4. You pay the construction plan, usually 20/30/50, also by wire.
5. You receive the home. Once the balance is paid, the final sale is signed and your title is recorded in the Title Registry.

How to sign from the United States

To record the sale, the contract needs signatures certified by a notary. From abroad there are two routes, and the notary law (Law 140-15) recognizes both:

• A US notary with an apostille. The Dominican Republic has been part of the Hague Apostille Convention since August 30, 2009, so what you sign before a notary in your state is valid there if it carries the apostille from that state's secretary of state.
• A Dominican consulate. Consuls act as notaries: you can sign, or grant a power of attorney, at the consulate nearest you.

You can also give a power of attorney to someone you trust in the Dominican Republic to sign for you. Documents must be in Spanish; if one is in English, a court-certified interpreter translates it.

How you pay

Always by bank wire to the account named in the contract, in the name of the developer or the project's trust, never to an individual. Law 155-17 against money laundering bans paying cash for a property above RD$1,500,000 and requires the developer and the notary to verify who you are and where the money comes from. Keep your bank statements handy.

If you need a mortgage

Dominican banks lend to people who live abroad. Banco de Reservas finances up to 80% over 20 years and asks borrowers living abroad for their last three tax returns. Banco Popular asks for, among other things, your passport, your latest tax return certified by the IRS, credit references and a notarized power of attorney if you don't sign in person.

Dollar rates are lower than peso rates. In July 2026, Scotiabank advertised dollar mortgages from 7.50%, while the average peso mortgage rate stood at 11.71%, according to the Central Bank. With a 20/30/50 plan, the mortgage covers the delivery payment, so you apply when the home is nearly finished.

What the IRS requires

If you're a US citizen or resident, this is what the IRS says:

• A home in your own name isn't reported on the FBAR or on Form 8938. If you buy through a company, the company does go on Form 8938.
• Foreign accounts are. If together they exceed $10,000 at any point in the year, they go on the FBAR.
• Rental income is reported on Schedule E, because the US taxes your income from every country.

In the Dominican Republic, rent collected by an owner who doesn't live there is taxed at 27%. We cover it in closing costs and taxes.

How Instadigs helps

Instadigs is built for buying from abroad. Digger AI Agent finds projects for you, checks their permit and their developer, runs the numbers with your savings and income and, if you want, represents you with the developer. In the Dominican Republic we give you back 100% of the broker commission, credited to your property after the down payment (how the commission works).