You’ve done your search. You’ve pinpointed the Philippines Real Estate Property you’d like to acquire: in fact, you’ve narrowed it down to a lot somewhere in Laguna, just the right place to start your family. You’re about to make a purchase, but like every wise buyer does – you verify the lot first. Where do you start? In this series, we’ll be dealing with lot verification for various uses:
Get the title presented by the seller or broker – it should be covering the real lot and this could be verified from the tax mapping division of the assessor’s office or if it is a subdivision lot, the subdivision plan must be secured from the homeowner’s association or the developer of the project. You can also ask the help of adjacent owners of the property(if they’re willing to give it!).
If you’re buying Rawland – Apart from the tax maping division of the assessor, acquire the services of a geodetic engineeer. This is to check the accuracy of the measurements of the lot and if it’s consistent with what is written in the title.
Plot the title and compare it with the shape of the lot per ocular inspection.
If the lot has adjacent buildings or fence, check actual measurements for the actual area might not correspond with the area appearing on the face of the title.
Sale of Lot with Building
Ask a copy of the following documents: building permit, occupancy permit and tax declaration on said property. When selling a lot with improvement, a certified copy of the tax declaration is not only for the lot but also for the building – required by the BIR.
Does the property have no tax declaration? This means the improvement on the property (the building) was not declared for taxation purposes. In cases like these, the buyer might assume the accrued realty tax plus penalties and surcharges (ouch).
Purchase of an Agricultural Land
If the area is 5 hectares or less and the buyer will use it for agricultural purposes, you are required to get a clearance from the Department of Agrarian Reform. Now if you’re not going to use it for other purposes, a conversion permit is required from the DAR.
Verify as well is the agricultural may be converted into other uses because there are agricultural lands which are non-negotiable for conversion like irrigated lands.
Purchase of Lot within Subdivision
Pre-selling or development stage? Check the name of the developer and license to sell. While you’re at it, why don’t you check reviews or feedback of the developer on the internet.
Check if the subdivision lots are currently being mortgaged as a security for loan; loan is allowed as long as it has permission from the Housing and Land-use regulatory board. If ever there is any, the buyer may opt to pay directly with the mortgage;
Check also the physical features of the lot, elevation (stay away from flooded areas), subdivision utilities, facilities and amenities – the neighborhood.
Check also limitations on use and restrictions.
Those are the things you have to check/verify when buying a lot in the Philippines. For any questions, just message us and we’ll try our best to answer your queries!