6 Steps Before Buying Land in the Philippines
Buying land can be complex, but breaking it down into clear steps makes navigating it easier. This guide walks you through the key stages of buying land in the Philippines. Step 1 Get a copy of the land 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 from the seller. Go to the 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 to check it. Make sure there are no problems like mortgages or other claims on the land. The copy you have should match the one at the Register of Deeds. Step 2 Hire a 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿 to do a 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆. They will check the boundaries to ensure no structures or fences from neighboring lots are on the land you want to buy. Step 3 If the land is clear and everything is in order, you and the seller will sign a 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲. This contract needs to be 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 after both of you sign it. Step 4 Within one month of notarization, you need to pay the 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀. Make sure you do this before the end of the month when you signed the contract. Step 5 The seller must pay the 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝘅 to the 𝗕𝗜𝗥 . After paying, the BIR will give a 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿. This document tells the Register of Deeds that all taxes are paid and you can transfer the title to your name. Step 6 Take the 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 to the 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀. This is the final step. You will need to pay the 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝘀, which are not very expensive. The Register of Deeds will then process everything and give you the 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝘆 of the title. You will need to follow up regularly as this process can take some time.