Philippine Property Guides: Renting, Buying & Ownership

Buyer closely reading a paper document at a desk, representing the careful side-by-side review needed to tell a TCT, a CCT, and a tax declaration apart before a Philippine property purchase

Buying 19 min read

TCT vs CCT vs Tax Declaration: Philippine Property Titles Explained

A TCT covers land, a CCT covers a condo unit plus its share in common areas, and a tax declaration is only a tax…

A tenant and landlord sitting at a desk signing a rental lease agreement, illustrating the lease-signing moment when Philippine tenant rights under the Civil Code and RA 9653 begin to apply

Renting 14 min read

Tenant Rights in the Philippines: Complete Renter’s Guide

Philippine tenants have enforceable rights under the Civil Code and the Rent Control Act (RA 9653) — from capped rent increases and refundable deposits…

High-rise Philippine condominium tower showing rows of individual unit balconies within one shared building, illustrating the separate-unit-plus-common-areas ownership structure created by the Condominium Act (RA 4726)

Buying 13 min read

Condominium Act (RA 4726) Explained: Ownership Rules Every Condo Buyer Should Know

RA 4726, the Condominium Act, is what makes owning a condo unit legally possible in the Philippines — separate ownership of your unit plus…

Narrow residential street providing the only access road between houses on adjoining lots, illustrating a right-of-way / easement situation for Philippine property buyers

Buying 17 min read

Right of Way and Easements in Philippine Property: What Buyers Must Check

A right of way is not automatic just because a path exists — learn the Civil Code requirements for a legal easement, how indemnity…

A tax document being stamped at an office desk, illustrating the documentary stamp tax (DST) required on a Philippine real estate deed of sale

Buying 18 min read

Documentary Stamp Tax on Property in the Philippines: Rates and Computation

Documentary stamp tax on a Philippine property sale is 1.5% of the higher of price or fair market value. Here are the current rates,…

Vacant, weathered house sitting empty — representative of a Pag-IBIG acquired asset resold as-is, where-is after foreclosure

Buying 15 min read

Pag-IBIG Acquired Assets: How to Buy Foreclosed Properties Safely

Learn how Pag-IBIG acquired assets are sold through public auction and negotiated sale, including financing, due diligence, occupancy risks and current foreclosed-property resources.

Property buyer and seller signing a Deed of Absolute Sale or Contract to Sell document at a desk in the Philippines

Buying 16 min read

Deed of Absolute Sale vs Contract to Sell: What Property Buyers Should Sign

A Deed of Absolute Sale transfers ownership immediately upon signing; a Contract to Sell keeps ownership with the seller until you finish paying. Here's…

A residential apartment building under construction with scaffolding and a tower crane, illustrating a pre-selling condo project still being built versus a finished ready-for-occupancy unit

Buying 15 min read

RFO Meaning in Real Estate: Ready-for-Occupancy vs Pre-Selling Property

RFO means a property is already built and move-in ready; pre-selling means it's still under construction and sold under a DHSUD-regulated Contract to Sell.…

Construction workers in high-visibility vests conducting a final on-site inspection of a building's walls before an occupancy permit is issued in the Philippines

Buying 13 min read

Occupancy Permit in the Philippines: What Buyers and Condo Owners Need to Know

An occupancy permit is the Office of the Building Official's confirmation that a finished structure passed final inspection and may legally be occupied. Here's…

Property buyer closely reading a paper document, representing the careful review needed to tell a tax declaration apart from a Philippine land title

Buying 16 min read

Tax Declaration vs Land Title: What Property Buyers Must Verify

A tax declaration is a tax record from the Assessor's Office; only a Registry of Deeds land title (TCT/CCT) is conclusive proof of ownership.…