Property Acquisition Cost Calculator — Dominican Republic
Property Acquisition Cost Calculator
Full itemised closing costs for a Dominican Republic purchase — including the mortgage taxes most buyers don’t see coming.
Legal & notary: 1% · Registration: 0.5%
Origination: 1.5% of loan
Inscription tax: 2% of loan
Appraisal: $400 flat
What Does It Really Cost to Buy Property in the Dominican Republic?
The purchase price is only part of the number you need to budget for. On top of the property price, every Dominican Republic buyer pays government transfer tax, legal and notary fees, and title registration charges. Finance the purchase and two more costs appear: a bank origination fee and the mortgage inscription tax — 2% of the loan amount, and the one cost that most commonly surprises foreign buyers.
Breakdown of Each Cost
Transfer Tax (3%): Levied on the higher of the sale price or assessed value. Properties with active CONFOTUR certification under Law 158-01 pay 0% — the full 3% is waived at closing.
Legal & Notary Fees (~1%): Your lawyer handles the title search, due diligence, and deed preparation. Rates vary; budget 1% as a working estimate and confirm with your lawyer before signing.
Title Registration (~0.5%): Paid to the Registro de Títulos to record the new certificate of title in your name.
Bank Origination Fee (~1.5% of loan): The lender’s processing and administrative charge. Dominican banks typically charge 1–2% of the loan amount.
Mortgage Inscription Tax (2% of loan): A government tax charged under the Ley de Registro Inmobiliario every time a mortgage is registered against a title. On a $210,000 loan this adds $4,200 to your closing costs — budget for it from day one.
Bank Appraisal (~$400): The lender requires an independent valuation before approving a mortgage. Typically a flat fee around $300–$500.
CONFOTUR Properties
If the property carries active CONFOTUR certification, the 3% transfer tax is waived entirely. Use our CONFOTUR Savings Calculator to see the full 15-year tax saving including annual IPI exemptions.
After You Know the Acquisition Cost
Once you have the total cash-at-closing figure, the next question is what return that capital generates. Our Las Terrenas ROI Calculator uses the same closing cost logic as the denominator for cash-on-cash return, so the two tools work together naturally.
