Before you sign anything in the Dominican Republic, know exactly what you're walking into.
Independent legal due diligence for foreign real estate buyers. We review the title, permits, developer, and contract — so your investment decision is based on facts, not assumptions.
Everyone in the deal gets paid more when you buy. That's the problem.
When you buy property in the Dominican Republic, the agent earns a commission. The developer's attorney earns a fee at closing. The notary earns a percentage. Every professional involved in the transaction has a financial incentive for the deal to close — whether or not it's a good deal for you.
That's not a moral judgment. It's a structural fact. And it means the people advising you have a financial reason not to tell you what's wrong with the deal.
CanaLaw sits outside that structure. We earn a flat fee for a legal opinion. The same fee whether you buy or walk away. That independence is what allows us to give you the truth — even when the truth is "don't sign this."
What we check before you sign.
The Pre-Purchase Property Check™ is a structured legal investigation. Six areas of review. One clear recommendation.
Title Verification
Is the seller the legal owner? We verify the Certificado de Título, confirm registration with the corresponding Registry of Titles, and trace the chain of ownership.
Encumbrance Search
Are there liens, mortgages, claims, or judicial restrictions on the property? We check recorded encumbrances and publicly available litigation records.
Cadastral Cross-Check
Do the legal boundaries match the physical property? We cross-reference the title with cadastral records to identify discrepancies.
Permit Compliance
Does the project have legal authorization to build and sell? We verify construction permits, land use certifications, and CONFOTUR status where applicable.
Developer Background
Who is behind this project? We review the developer's corporate structure, legal representation, and publicly available records of disputes or litigation.
Contract Analysis
What are you actually signing? We analyze the purchase agreement across key checkpoints — penalties, delivery terms, payment structure, force majeure, refund conditions, and dispute resolution.
The result: a formal written report with a clear recommendation.
Three steps. One confident decision.
Schedule a consultation
Speak directly with Gonzalo about your situation — the property, the region, the developer, the stage of the transaction. No obligation. No sales pitch. Just an honest assessment of where things stand and whether the Property Check is the right next step.
We run the Property Check™
In 5 business days, receive a documented legal opinion covering the title, encumbrances, permits, developer background, and contract. Everything in writing. Everything in English. Handled directly by Gonzalo — not delegated to a junior associate.
Decide with information
With a clear GO, GO WITH CONDITIONS, or NO-GO recommendation, you make the call. If the answer is to proceed, you move forward with confidence. If the answer is to walk away, you just protected your investment.
About to place a reservation deposit?
Many buyers reach us before they've signed a full purchase agreement — they're at the reservation stage, with an agent asking for a deposit and a short window to decide. If that's where you are, our Reservation Review ($500, delivered in 24–48 hours) gives you an independent legal assessment of the reservation document and a preliminary check on the project.
The Reservation Review tells you whether it's safe to commit the deposit. The full Property Check comes after — before you sign the actual contract.
Schedule a Free ConsultationAlready signed? We can still help.
Many clients come to CanaLaw after they've already signed a contract or made an initial payment. A post-signature review can identify risks that affect your position going forward — and in some cases, there are legal remedies available under Dominican law. The earlier we look at it, the more options you have.
Schedule a Free ConsultationWhat our clients say.
"As an American, who is used to doing real estate transactions and business in the United States, we quickly learned how difficult, different, unclear and untrusting this looks in DR. Gonzalo always did an incredible job outlining the process clearly, navigating 'the system' with professionalism and being honest about red flags. He's as honest and trusting as they come."
— Karyn Olsson, United States
"I've had an excellent business relationship with this company for a few years now. Cana Law offers a personalised superior service and they make you feel like one of the family. Gonzalo always goes that extra mile to help and I really appreciate his expertise, support and advice. They are always available when you need them."
— Stephen Henderson, United Kingdom
"Gonzalo Sanchez is a rare gem. He is trustworthy, polite, patient, pleasant and easy to work with. My husband and I have implicit trust in him. Gonzalo has gone beyond his duties as a lawyer, helping us to complete a most difficult transaction with extreme patience and efficiency. We would recommend him without reservation."
— Leela Sitahal, Canada
We protect buyers across the Dominican Republic.
Every region has its own market dynamics and legal risks. We know where to look in each one.
Punta Cana
Pre-construction capital. Highest foreign investment volume — and the widest gap between what's promised and what the paperwork shows.
View Punta Cana →
Cap Cana
High-value resort community. Complex title chains and premium developments that require a higher level of scrutiny.
View Cap Cana →
Las Terrenas
European buyer hub on the Samaná peninsula. Boundary disputes and informal land sales are more common here than in any other region.
View Las Terrenas →
Santo Domingo
The capital. Urban market with different municipal regulations, zoning complexity, and a mix of new development and older inventory.
View Santo Domingo →
Samaná
Emerging market with growing foreign interest. Rural titles, incomplete surveys, and fast-moving developers create a specific risk profile.
View Samaná →
Cabarete
Established expat community on the north coast. Coastal land transactions and small-scale developments with varying levels of legal documentation.
View Cabarete →
Casa de Campo
Ultra-premium resort market. High price points and resort-managed ownership structures that require specialized contract review.
View Casa de Campo →Learn before you buy.
Real information about Dominican Republic real estate — from a practicing attorney, not a marketing team.
Dominican Republic Real Estate Risks: What Every Foreign Buyer Should Know Before Signing
Title disputes, incomplete registrations, pre-construction exposure — the risks are real, and most buyers encounter them only after the fact.
Read more →
Developer's Lawyer vs. Your Own Lawyer: Why It Matters When Buying Property in the Dominican Republic
The developer's attorney is paid by the developer. Understanding that single fact changes how you should approach every transaction.
Read more →
Do You Need a Lawyer to Buy Property in the Dominican Republic? (The Real Answer)
Technically, no. Practically, the answer depends on how much risk you're willing to carry — and what "going without" has cost other buyers.
Read more →Before you sign, talk to Gonzalo.
A 15-minute conversation about your property, your questions, and your concerns. No obligation. No pressure. Just an honest assessment of your situation from an attorney who doesn't earn more if you buy.
Schedule a Free Consultation Or download the free guide: 7 Costly Mistakes Foreign Buyers Make in Dominican Republic Real Estate →