Buyers

Home Inspection

Be Sure Before You Sign. +1 (809) 351 2461

Professional — HOME INSPECTIONS — For Buyers Who Don’t Want Surprises.

Buying property in the Dominican Republic is an exciting step — but it comes with real risks that don’t exist in most other markets. Regulations differ, building standards vary widely, and many homes have hidden issues that simply won’t appear in a casual walk-through. A professional home inspection isn’t just a good idea here. It’s the single most important thing you can do before handing over your money.

What Skipping an Inspection Can Cost You in the DRUndisclosed structural damage — especially common after hurricanesIllegal or non-compliant electrical wiring, a frequent cause of firesUntreated termite or pest infestations behind walls and under floorsInadequate plumbing or water systems presenting health risksHVAC or pool systems that fail within months of purchaseRoof deterioration that leads to costly water damageThese issues are common — and without an inspection, they become your problem the moment you close.

Why The Realty Group?

Not all home inspectors are equal — and in the DR, many aren’t certified at all. Willem van Leersum brings a rare combination of formal credentials, engineering expertise, and deep local market knowledge that gives you a true picture of what you’re buying.

Willem van Leersum — Your InspectorEuropean Certified Home Inspector — NEN 2767-1, the international standard for structured condition assessmentMaster of Science in Civil Engineering — trained to identify structural, material, and systems-level issues that others missMBA in Economics — understands the financial implications of every defect foundLicensed Realtor operating in the Dominican Republic — knows the market, the common issues, and the local contextThis isn’t a checklist exercise. It’s a thorough engineering-grade assessment by someone who knows exactly what to look for in Caribbean construction.

What We Inspect:

A thorough inspection covers every major system and element of the property:

  • Structural Integrity: Foundation, walls, columns, and load-bearing elements — critical in a region prone to seismic activity and tropical storms
  • Roof & Water Damage: Leaks, deterioration, drainage, and damage from weather events
  • Electrical Systems: Compliance, safety, grounding — illegal wiring is a leading cause of house fires in the DR
  • Plumbing: Pipes, water pressure, water heater, sanitation systems
  • Pool & Outdoor Systems: Structural condition, filtration, safety compliance
  • HVAC: Air conditioning and ventilation systems — costly to replace when they fail
  • Pest & Termite Infestation: Hidden infestations that can destroy wooden structures silently
  • Finishes & Interior: Windows, doors, flooring, ceilings, and surface conditions

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August 15, 2026Comments Off#HomeInspection
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Buying Real Estate in the Dominican Republic

Real estate buying is secure in the Dominican Republic, as long as the rules of the Property Registry Law No. 108-05 and its Regulations are being followed. The Realty Group will explain and guide you to this process. We work together with several excellent attorneys that are very trustworthy.  If you don’t speak Spanish we have a close collaboration with an attorney (European) fluently in 5 languages.

Here under there is a summary of the steps of the process  to become an owner of your piece of paradise:

After the verbal agreement is reached by the buyer and seller on the price, a binding Promise of Sale is prepared by an attorney (solicitor) or notary public which is signed by both parties.

The promise of Sale: This is a formal document, binding on both parties, and signed by them in the presence of a Notary Public. It generally contains a complete and detailed description of the entire transaction up to the time when the purchase price has been paid in full and the property is ready to be conveyed to the buyer.

In case of a cash purchase, it is simpler and cheaper to go directly from verbal negotiations to the signing of a Contrato de Venta, instead of taking the preliminary step of signing a Promise of Sale.

Deed of Sale (“Contrato de Venta”): This is also a formal document binding on both parties and signed by them in the presence of a Notary Public. It is used primarily for the purpose of conveying the property from the seller to the buyer.

Determination and Payment of Transfer and Registry Taxes: The authenticated Deed of Sale is taken to the nearest Internal Revenue Office where a request is made for the appraisal of the property. The Internal Revenue Office checks if the seller is in compliance with his tax obligations and selects an inspector to do the appraisal. The determination of the amount of taxes to be paid may take a few days or weeks, depending on the availability of the Property inspector.

Filing at the Registry of Title: Once the property has been appraised and taxes paid, the Deed of Sale and the Certificate of Title of the seller are deposited, along with the documentation provided by Internal Revenue, at the Title Registry Office for the jurisdiction where the property is located.

Certificate of Title: At the Title Registry Office, the sale is recorded and a new Certificate of Title is issued in the name of the buyer. The property belongs to the buyer from the time the sale is recorded at the Registry. The time for the issuance of the new Certificate of Title may vary from a few days to a few months depending on the Title Registry Office where the sale was recorded.

Next articles of the Realty Group will be about due diligence and about taxes, Expenses and Legal Fees on Property Transfers in the Dominican Republic.

June 4, 2019Comments Off
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