Is buying real estate in the Dominican Republic risky?
The risk is small if the persons involved in the real estate transaction (developer and real estate attorney) are reputable. The major risk is that you may be issued a title that does not reflect the liens and charges that may encumber the property, or that it may not reflect the real owner of the property. This can be avoided if you secure a reputable firm that will ensure that a title search gets done certifying the actual status of the property. When purchasing property in the Dominican Republic you should also be aware of the zoning, or lack of zoning, and who your neighbors are or could be in the future. Like with any property purchase decision, try to envision what factors that could lead your property to gain or lose value in years to come. Today it is possible to reduce to a minimum your risk. US-based private companies offer title insurance on real estate purchases. The companies provide title guaranty, escrow and closing services for buyers and sellers of residential and comm