Frequently Asked Questions
We hear of many dishonest brokers and agents, why should we trust you?
There are many honest brokers/agents but you cannot be too careful. Make sure your Broker is a qualified Realtor, ask to see their credentials, check-out if the company is SEC registered and approved. After meeting your Broker you should have a gut feeling as to his/her honesty. Why trust us? We do our best to meet the client's requirements, we are qualified Realtors, we check out the title of all properties in our listings. We do not ask the buyer for money. We do not pressure-sell or call clients at all times of the day and night to persuade them to buy.
Is it safe living it Philippines?
That question could be asked of any country; crime is everywhere and if sensible precautions are taken you should not have a problem. Don't carry large sums of cash, or wear expensive jewellery on the street; don't wander around unfamiliar streets at night - which advice could also apply to London or New York or any other city in the world. For extra safety, most people opt to live in secure subdivisions.
As a foreigner can I apply for a mortgage for a property?
You can, but it's time consuming, very expensive and the loan can only be used for a finished house. If you have a Filipina wife and she has contributed to the Pag-Ibig Fund, she may well qualify for a mortgage at a much lower rate of interest than banks. Developers offer payment terms, even the deposit can be paid in stages.
Why should I pay up-front for a property from a developer before it's even started?
You don't have to; there are developers that accept 'stage' payments where the balance is paid on hand-over, which should ensure you receive a reasonably finished product.
Having read your comments on land titles, how can I be sure the title is in order for the house I intend to purchase?
Any Broker/Agent worth his/her salt will have obtained a certified true copy of the title from the Land Registry Office before offering the property for sale. Payment for the property should not be made until the clean title is presented.
I understand that as a foreigner I cannot own a property in the Philippines. Is there any way around this?
Currently a non Filipino is not allowed to own land in this country. Usually, if the buyer is married to a Filipino the title is made in her/his name. If this is not possible or desirable the foreign buyer can form a corporation, the property then becomes the property of the corporation. A foreigner can only own 40% of a corporation, 60% must be Filipino owned. To avoid any risk, agreements should be made with the 60% shareholders, where the foreigner, technically, has full control of the company. We can assist in this matter.
Is it possible to have a house built to my own specifications?
Yes. You can either bring house plans with you or sit down with an architect who will design a house to your requirements.
Is there any safeguard against buying a poorly constructed property?
After you have inspected a house you wish to purchase you can employ a
surveyor/assessor for a small fee to give a report on the condition of the
property.