May 2026 · 7 min read
In the Dominican Republic, the tasación — the formal property appraisal — is not a formality. It is the document that defines how much your bank will lend you. Understanding what a tasación is, how it works, and who controls the process is essential before you make an offer on a property.
Unlike in the US where the lender typically orders the appraisal, in the DR the buyer commissions and pays for the tasación directly — and the bank then decides whether to accept the appraiser or send their own. That distinction has significant practical implications.
What Is a Tasación?
A tasación is a certified professional valuation of a property. It establishes the market value (valor de mercado) of the property as determined by a licensed appraiser (tasador autorizado) registered with the Superintendencia de Bancos.
The value established in the tasación is the number the bank uses to calculate your loan. If the purchase price is higher than the tasación value, your loan is based on the lower tasación figure — you cover the difference in cash.
Example
Example: You agree to buy a property for USD 250,000. The tasación comes back at USD 230,000. The bank will lend up to 70% of USD 230,000 (USD 161,000), not 70% of USD 250,000. You need to cover the USD 20,000 gap plus the 30% down payment on the tasación value.
Who Orders and Pays for the Tasación?
In the Dominican Republic, the buyer commissions and pays for the tasación — not the bank. This is a key difference from US mortgage practice, where the lender orders and controls the appraisal.
You select a tasador from the bank's approved appraiser panel, commission the valuation, pay the fee directly, and submit the completed report to the bank. The bank reviews the report and either accepts it or requests a second valuation from their own designated appraiser.
This buyer-commissioned model means you are paying for a document that may or may not support the purchase price — and the bank may still reject your appraiser. Choosing a well-regarded tasador from the bank's panel is therefore strategically important.
The Tasación Process Step by Step
Obtain the bank's approved appraiser list
Each bank maintains a panel of certified tasadores they accept. Request this list from the bank's mortgage department.
Select and contact a tasador
Choose an appraiser from the panel with experience in the property type and location you are buying.
Pay the tasación fee
Typical fee: RD$8,000–25,000 (~USD 130–420). Paid directly to the tasador before or at inspection.
Property inspection
The tasador physically inspects the property, documents condition, measurements, construction quality, and comparable sales.
Receive the tasación report
Delivered in 3–7 business days. Includes certified market value, property description, photos, and methodology.
Submit to the bank
Submit the report with your mortgage application. The bank reviews certification validity, panel status, and methodology compliance.
Bank review outcome
Bank either accepts, requests clarification, or orders a second valuation. If two valuations differ, the lower value typically prevails.
What Factors Affect the Tasación Value?
Location
Province, municipality, neighborhood, proximity to amenities. Santo Domingo and Punta Cana properties tend to receive higher valuations.
Construction quality
Material quality, finishes, structural condition. Premium finishes value higher than equivalent square footage in lower-quality materials.
Comparable sales
Recent sale prices of similar properties within 1–2 km. Thin transaction data means more appraiser discretion — and more variability between appraisers.
Legal status of the title
Clean Torrens title receives full valuations. Pending title regularization is discounted or may not be valueable for mortgage purposes.
CONFOTUR certification
CONFOTUR-certified properties may carry a premium due to demonstrated investor demand and tax incentive attractiveness.
Occupancy and condition
Vacant, maintained properties value most favorably. Informal occupants or significant repairs result in downward adjustments.
Common Tasación Issues — and How to Avoid Them
⚠ Tasación value lower than purchase price
Solution: Negotiate the price down to the tasación value, or cover the difference in cash. A second tasador occasionally reaches a higher value, but banks typically use the lower of two valuations.
⚠ Bank rejects your chosen tasador
Solution: Select appraisers from the bank's approved panel before commissioning. Using a non-panel tasador guarantees rejection.
⚠ Tasación takes longer than expected
Solution: Build 2–3 weeks into your timeline, especially for rural properties or areas with thin transaction volume.
⚠ Property fails inspection due to title issues
Solution: Commission a title attorney search before ordering the tasación. Title problems add weeks to the process.
HipoTech connects you with panel-approved tasadores
Our appraiser locator shows tasadores by bank panel membership — so you commission once and satisfy all your simultaneous applications.
Find an Appraiser →