Frequently asked questions

Yes. Real estate in the Dominican Republic is fully titled to the purchaser. There is no bank trust or life lease. Your property is registered in your personal name or corporately, depending on how you structure your purchase. It is yours outright.

Yes. All Casa Linda villas are built by our in-house construction team and designed with our in-house architects. You can customize layouts, finishes, fittings, and features to suit your preferences. Some villa models are also expandable, meaning the bedroom count can grow within the design as your needs change.

Beyond the purchase price, buyers typically pay:

• Legal fees: generally 1 to 1.5% of the purchase price, covering all disbursements, due diligence, and transfer of title
• Transfer tax: 3% of the government-assessed value of the property (which is always lower than market value). Most buyers pay $2,000 - $6,000 USD depending on purchase price

Our team can walk you through the full breakdown for your specific villa. See our Buying Process page for more detail.

From the start of construction to moving into a newly built villa is typically 5 to 6 months. Our in-house construction team handles the build - you choose your finishes and customize the villa with our architects. We'll walk you through every step.

Yes - there are two main routes buyers use:

• Home equity from your existing property: a home equity line of credit or refinance in your home country. Rates are often better and the process simpler than a foreign mortgage.
• Dominican Republic mortgage: local bank financing is available. A minimum 35% down payment is required. Our team can assist with the application, pre-approval, and funding process.

See our Mortgage & Financing page for full details.

Furnishing costs vary widely depending on your taste and how fully you want to equip the villa. A practical rule of thumb is 10-15% of the villa purchase price - this covers furniture, appliances, electronics, kitchenware, linens, window coverings, and pool equipment.

Casa Linda can recommend several professional local decorators who work regularly with new owners. If you're planning to rent, they also understand what makes a villa rental-ready.

Power averages $200 - $400 USD/month depending on usage and villa size. Air conditioning is the main variable: running it throughout the day is the biggest driver of power costs. Your pool pump is the next largest power user; however, putting it on a timer is a great way to save. Solar is also an option.

Casa Linda handles your utility payments on your behalf and includes them in one simple monthly statement.

Housekeeping starts from around $100/month for basic service and increases depending on the frequency and level of service required - up to full daily housekeeping. Casa Linda can provide a full outline of current service options and costs.

Garden and pool maintenance starts from around $100/month. Costs vary depending on the size of your garden and pool and how frequently service is needed. Casa Linda can connect you with reliable local providers or handle it through our property management service.

The DR levies a 1% annual tax on real estate owned by individuals, calculated only on the portion of the government-assessed value exceeding approximately $150,000 USD. This means many villa owners pay between $600 and $3,000 USD/year depending on appraised value.

Important: If you are 65 years of age or older and the property is in your name with no other property registered to you, you pay zero property tax — ever. This is a significant benefit for many of our owners.

Private health insurance in the DR is very affordable by North American standards. A comprehensive couple's plan typically runs $1,500 - $2,000 USD/year, covering most medical and dental visits, procedures, and hospital care. Plans vary - our team can point you toward providers our owners use.

Casa Linda offers its own full-service property management, covering rentals, housekeeping, pool and garden care, and maintenance. We can also connect you with several established and trusted local rental management companies who have been working with Casa Linda owners for years.

Either way, the goal is the same: your villa is looked after, your guests are well hosted, and you don't have to manage it from another country.

A turnkey villa is one that's fully furnished and equipped for rental: furniture, appliances, kitchenware, linens, electronics, pool equipment, and everything a guest needs for their stay.

To be rental-ready, your villa needs to be turnkey. Casa Linda can provide the full list of what's required and connect you with decorators who specialize in getting villas rental-ready.

No. Most owners who rent are away from the DR for extended periods, that's exactly why they rent. A good rental manager handles everything: marketing, bookings, guest communication, check-in and check-out, housekeeping, and maintenance. You receive your income without being involved in day-to-day operations.

Yes - there are two main routes buyers use:

• Home equity from your existing property: a home equity line of credit or refinance in your home country. Rates are often better and the process simpler than a foreign mortgage.
• Dominican Republic mortgage: local bank financing is available. A minimum 35% down payment is required. Our team can assist with the application, pre-approval, and funding process.

See our Mortgage & Financing page for full details.

Furnishing costs vary widely depending on your taste and how fully you want to equip the villa. A practical rule of thumb is 10-15% of the villa purchase price - this covers furniture, appliances, electronics, kitchenware, linens, window coverings, and pool equipment.

Casa Linda can recommend several professional local decorators who work regularly with new owners. If you're planning to rent, they also understand what makes a villa rental-ready.

Yes. Casa Linda is a fully gated private community with 24/7 security. Access is controlled and monitored at all times, giving owners peace of mind whether they're in residence or away.

Sosúa and Playa Alicia are less than five minutes by car. Cabarete Beach is about ten minutes. The community shuttle runs to both towns seven days a week, so you don't need a car to get to the beach

Casa Linda has been home to a close-knit community of North American and European owners for over 30-years. Most owners describe it as one of the most welcoming communities they've ever been part of.  Social life revolves around the Chill & Grill, community events organized by the Community Engagement Coordinator, and the simple fact that neighbours here tend to look out for one another.

Full-time residents, snowbirds, and part-time owners all mix freely - and owners who visit regularly find that by the time they retire here, they already have a full social life waiting for them.

Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) in Puerto Plata is approximately 20-minutes by car from Casa Linda.

The North Coast has very good private medical facilities. The Cabarete Medical Centre just outside Sosúa offers specialist care, diagnostic services, and emergency facilities to an international standard. Puerto Plata has two well-equipped private clinics. For major procedures, Santiago, (about an hour away), has hospitals that rival North American facilities in quality and cost.

Most doctors at private clinics speak English, and the standard of care is consistently praised by expat residents. Emergency ambulance and 911 service is available through the Cabarete Medical Centre.

Sosúa and Cabarete both have well-stocked grocery stores, furniture shops, and everyday retail. For larger shopping, Puerto Plata is a short drive and has most major needs covered including big box store shopping. Santiago, (about an hour away), has big-box stores including PriceMart (the DR's Costco equivalent), and Ikea. Most North American brands and products are available.

Yes. There are three accredited international schools on the North Coast, making the area a practical choice for families with school-age children.

The North Coast offers an extraordinary range of activities. On and in the water: kitesurfing and windsurfing (Cabarete is world-renowned for both), surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling, paddleboarding, deep-sea fishing, and swimming in some of the Caribbean's most beautiful bays.

On land: horseback riding, hiking, golf, tennis, ATV and quad biking, zip lining, and baseball, )the Dominican Republic's national sport), with a passionate local following. The social and cultural scene includes local markets, live music, Dominican festivals, cooking classes, restaurants ranging from beach-shack perfect to genuinely outstanding, and day trips to waterfalls, historic towns, and undiscovered corners of the island.

Within Casa Linda itself, the events calendar means there's always something on, from themed nights at the Chill & Grill to live music, holiday celebrations, and community gatherings.

No. Most owners speak little or no Spanish when they arrive and get along easily. English is widely spoken at hotels, restaurants, shops, hospitals, law firms, and banks in the Sosúa and Cabarete area. That said, picking up some basic Spanish over time makes daily life richer and more connected. There are local Spanish schools and many online courses to help.

The Sosúa and Cabarete area has never experienced a recordable hurricane. The geography of the North Coast provides natural shelter that other parts of the Caribbean do not have. This is one of the reasons the area has been so popular with long-term expat residents.

Yes. The Dominican Republic has a long-standing democratic government with a stable political system. The country is actively foreign-investment friendly and has invested significantly in infrastructure, tourism, and economic development over the past decade.

The Dominican Peso (RD$) is the official currency. Major credit cards are accepted at most tourist-area businesses. ATMs are widely available in cities, towns, and most supermarkets. USD is also widely accepted in tourist areas, though you'll generally get a better rate using pesos.

Tap water is safe for cooking, washing, and bathing but not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is widely available and very affordable 0 around $2 USD for a large 18-litre container. Many owners install a water treatment system in their villa (approximately $2,500 USD) to make tap water fully potable.

The Dominican Republic uses the same electrical system as the United States and Canada: 110 and 220 volts at 60Hz. North American appliances and electronics work without adapters.

Yes. Pets are welcome. You will need to provide proof of up-to-date vaccinations. Our team can advise on the current entry requirements for pets when you're ready to make the move.

10% is customary, and it's often already included in your bill at restaurants and hotels, so check before adding more. Tipping for personal services like housekeeping and garden care is at your discretion and always appreciated.

Canadian, American, and EU citizens require a valid passport. No visa is required for tourist entry. Your passport must be valid at least through your expected departure date.

As a tourist, you can stay in the Dominican Republic for up to 60 days, extendable to 120 days. If you plan to live here longer term, a residency permit is the next step. See our Residency page for a full explanation of the process.

Yes. The DR has a straightforward residency process. Provisional residency is issued annually and leads to permanent residency after four years. There are also fast-track routes for retirees, those with passive income, and investors. Casa Linda can connect you with qualified local attorneys who specialize in residency for North Americans. See our Residency page for full details