Close on a DR property without flying down

Most foreign buyers want to attend their own closing. About 30% can't because of work, health, or visa timing. A Power of Attorney (Poder de Representación) lets you close anyway.

What a POA can do

• Sign the Promesa de Venta on your behalf
• Sign the Contrato de Venta at closing
• Pay closing costs from your funds
• Sign immigration and bank paperwork
• Open utility accounts in your name

What it can't do

• Override your written instructions
• Transfer your property to a third party (unless explicitly authorized)
• Borrow against the property
• Sell the property without your separate authorization

How to set one up

A DR-style POA must be notarized in your home country and apostilled by your home country's apostille authority. Process for U.S. buyers:

1. Draft the POA with a DR attorney (specific language matters)
2. Have your home notary witness your signature
3. Submit to your state's Secretary of State for apostille (1-4 weeks)
4. Ship the apostilled original to DR
5. Translate to Spanish by a certified DR translator

Total time: 4-8 weeks depending on your state. Some states (CA, NY) are fast; others (TX, FL) are slower.

Who do you grant POA to?

The safest option is your DR real estate attorney. Never your broker. Never the seller's representative. The attorney has a fiduciary duty to you that a broker does not.

Cost

• POA drafting by DR attorney: $200-$400
• Notary in home country: $25-$50
• Apostille fees: $10-$60 (varies by state)
• Translation to Spanish: $80-$150
• Total: $315-$660

Common mistakes

• Granting too much. A general POA gives the agent power over all your DR affairs. Use a special POA limited to this specific property purchase.
• Forgetting the expiration. Always set an expiration date (12 months is standard).
• Not registering it. Some closings require the POA to be filed with the Title Registry before the deed transfer.

When clients can't attend their closing, we coordinate the POA chain with their attorney about 6 weeks ahead. Mention it on the first call if you know you can't fly down.