Buying a property in the Philippines can prove a long-winded experience, and without proper planning can be costly and infuriating, with costs suddenly skyrocketing, whilst construction speed slows immensely. Hiring trusted professionals to help with all proceedings, however, makes the whole process move a lot faster and far easier. First on the list, as always, is a trusted local lawyer, who can help avoid any legal pitfalls that may come about. There are a number of real estate agents in the country that will help in the process of setting up a Philippine company, if necessary, and this needs to be completed before any purchase can be completed.

Once permission to buy has been obtained, the land titles checked in full and a property and price agreed on, the buying process can begin in earnest. The lawyer will help in getting together all necessary documentation, and will require power of attorney if the buyer is not able to be present at all times. A pre-contract agreement is signed by the buyer and seller, and a deposit of around 15 percent of the total cost is paid – a number of other legal checks etc. are then carried out, and once this is complete the final contract can be signed, with all outstanding fees then paid in full. The property is then registered with the local authorities, and the forms concerning the right to live in the country should be sorted out at this point. As said, hiring trusted professionals will make the whole process as easy as it seems here, but the inherent corruption in everyday Philippine life can always rear its ugly head.

Applicable fees include lawyer, agent and notary fees which vary from place to place. Taxes also have to be paid on the property, and these usually come to around five to nine percent of the total cost, depending on how much the overall value of the transaction is.