An OFW should not buy a pre-selling condo because the project has a showroom, social-media ads or a broker presentation. Before reserving, verify the developer, the project’s DHSUD Certificate of Registration and License to Sell, the broker/salesperson, the exact unit and payment schedule, and every cancellation/refund/turnover clause in the Contract to Sell.
Verification framework reviewed: August 18, 2026.
Pre-Selling Condo: Verification Snapshot
| Check | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Project | DHSUD Certificate of Registration and License to Sell. |
| Developer | Legal entity and authority over the project. |
| Broker/salesperson | Current professional/registration credentials where applicable. |
| Unit | Exact tower, floor, unit number, floor area, parking and inclusions. |
| Contract | Total price, payment schedule, turnover target, cancellation/default and refund provisions. |
| Payment | Verified recipient matching the contract/developer instructions. |
1. Verify the License to Sell Before Reserving
DHSUD states that subdivision and condominium projects generally must first be registered and licensed under PD 957 before they can be advertised or sold. Buyers are told to demand the project’s Certificate of Registration and License to Sell and may inquire with DHSUD Regional Offices to validate status.
A marketing brochure or reservation form is not a substitute for this verification.
2. Verify the Developer and Seller
Confirm the legal entity named in the contract and compare it with the entity behind the project. Review available SEC corporate documents where appropriate. Verify licensed real-estate professionals through PRC or the applicable regulator rather than relying only on an ID photo sent in chat.
3. Demand the Exact Unit Details
- Tower/building and unit number
- Declared floor area and balcony where applicable
- Parking/storage inclusions
- Furnishing package if any
- Association-dues basis
- Turnover condition
- Target completion/turnover language in the contract
4. Read the Contract to Sell, Not Just the Payment Schedule
DHSUD’s buyer guidance specifically tells buyers to read and understand the Contract to Sell and Terms of Payment. Check what happens if the project is delayed, financing is not approved, the buyer misses payments, the unit specifications change or the buyer wants to cancel.
5. Treat “Guaranteed ROI” as a Claim to Verify
Do not convert a broker’s rent forecast or appreciation illustration into an expected return. Ask for the assumptions, management fees, vacancy, taxes, dues, furnishing costs and resale evidence. Use our apartment investment guide for a net-yield framework.
6. OFW Red Flags
- Pressure to reserve before LTS verification.
- Payment instructions that do not match the contracting entity.
- Refusal to provide the full Contract to Sell before payment.
- “Guaranteed” rental yield with no methodology.
- Unverifiable broker/salesperson credentials.
- Unit details that change between the ad, quotation and contract.
