How to verify a real estate agent in the Dominican Republic
In the DR anyone can call themselves an agent. Before sending a deposit, check three things: who they are, whether they are licensed and whether the property exists as described. None of this costs money.
Leer en español · Updated 2026-10-18
1. Identity
Ask for the full name and ID number and match it to the person on the video call. On SIP, verified agents passed an identity check with document and selfie; the result shows on their profile and in the public verifier, which accepts name, @username, phone or CBR.
2. Licence
The real estate broker licence is issued by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs and is identified by the CBR number. A licensed agent can show it; a number that does not match the name is a reason to stop.
3. The property
- Ask for the title certificate and check that the owner's name matches who will sign.
- Visit, or ask for a live video call from inside the property, not just photos.
- If the price is far below the area, compare with the listings by area and ask why.
4. Warning signs
- Pressure: “there is another buyer, deposit today”.
- Bank account changes sent by message.
- Only a WhatsApp number, no profile and no company.
- Refusing to use a lawyer or to sign a promise-of-sale contract.
5. What SIP does
SIP shows on every listing who publishes it and whether they are verified, and lets anyone check an agent from the website. Verification lowers the risk; it does not remove it: the lawyer and the title remain essential.
See every listing, with the map, filters and the calculators, in the SIP app.
See all in the app
More guides
- How to buy in the Dominican Republic from the United States
- Mortgage in the DR vs. the US: which is better
- How much does an apartment cost in Punta Cana in 2026
- Founding Agents: publish for free on SIP
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Check every figure with a professional before deciding.