Step-by-Step Procedure In Buying Real Estate in the Philippines

1. The Buyer should make sure the "Transfer Certificate of Title" is authentic. To
know the authenticity of the title, it is best to get a "Certified True Copy" of the title
from the Register of Deeds.
2. The Buyer must ask the seller of the property for a photocopy of the title. The
Buyer will need the title number (TCT No.) and the name of the owner to get a
certified true copy of the title from the Register of Deeds.
3. Check if the title is clean which means that the property is not mortgaged
(nakasanla).
4. The Buyer must make sure that the land described on the title is the actual land
that you are buying by checking this at the Register of Deeds or by hiring a private
land surveyor or a geodetic engineer.
5. It is a must to confirm that the actual property that the buyer is buying matches
the technical description on the Transfer Certificate of Title.
6. Make sure that the sellers are the real owners. If you are buying from an
individual property owner, ask for proper identification like passport or driver's
license, or any government issued identification card.
6. Confirm that the real estate (amilyar) taxes are paid by getting certified true copies
of the Tax Declaration and original Tax Receipts to check that real estate tax
payments are updated.
7. Upon determination that the title of the property is clean, the next step for the
buyer is to make an agreement on the selling price with the seller.
8. Next is to prepare a Kasunduan or an Agreement to Sell before the barangay in
order to protect the Buyers right over the property.
9. Make sure that as a buyer, you have copies of the i.)Kasunduan ii.) Photocopy of
the Title iii.) Photocopy of the SPA iv.) Drawing of the property.
10. Buyer must be complete all the payment for the property.
11. After full payment, the original copy of the Deed of Sale and Certificate of Full
Payment shall be executed and delivered to the Buyer.
12. The buyer will be assisted in the transfer of the title in his name.
13. The original title will be given to the Register of Deeds and not to the buyer.