Tips Before Buying a House (FSBO)

Tips Before Buying a House (FSBO) 

Transfer Cerficate of Title

FSBO is an acronym meaning "For Sale By Owner". You do not need an agent actually to buy a house. Statistics says that 20% of home purchases are done without an agent involved. Yes you can but if you decide, you should be ready to deal with the inconveniences of buying without an agent. Here are some tips you must know before buying a property.

1. AUTHENTIC TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE.  You can verify the veracity of documents from the office of Register of Deeds. This office is usually located at the city or municipal hall where the property is located. Request a photocopy of certificate of title of the said property. Get the title number, the name of the owner to be able to process the request.

TCT with Encumbrances

2. CLEAN TITLE. Clarify if the property is not mortgaged (no liens & encumbrances on the property). You can see that at the back of the title with the heading "Encumbrances". This page must be empty if you are told that the title is "clean". But sometimes the space for the technical description of the property on the front page of the title is not enough and the description of the property is continued on the "Encumbrances" page, this is of course all right.

3. VERIFY  THE PROPERTY'S DESCRIPTION IN THE TITLE TO THE ACTUAL SITE LOCATION. You can validate this at the Register of Deeds or by hiring a private land surveyor or a geodetic engineer. Land titles don't have any street name and number to pin point a property, it is a must to confirm that the actual property you are buying matches the technical description on the Transfer Certificate of Title.

4. REAL OWNER.  If you are buying from an individual property owner, ask for proof of identity, identification cards like passport or driver's license. You should also check the person’s identity through the seller’s neighbors or the Barangay Captain from which the seller reside just to confirm the identity of the seller/s. You can also trace the history of the property from the Register of Deeds.

5. UPDATED REAL ESTATE TAX PAYMENTS. Ask for certified true copies of the Tax Declaration and original Tax Receipts to confirm that real estate tax payments are up to date.

These are some of the more important things to know about buying a property. Please be advised that the amount involved is huge. In the end, it is safer to hire the services of a knowledgeable real estate broker/agent

If the tips above is observed, it is generally safe to proceed with the purchase of property.

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I Do Official Teaser - Shot inside Lancaster Village, Imus, Cavite

Soon in ABS-CBN, a new teleserye I Do will be aired featuring Judy Ann Santos. The shooting was held at Lancaster New City, Imus, Cavite.

I Do Official Teaser - Homes for Sale by Owner Lancaster Village

Watch the Famous film and television actress Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo hosting  the newest reality show originally conceptualized by ABS-CBN called “I Do.”


“I Do” will feature nine couples who want to tie the knot. They will be housed inside the “I Do” Village especially built for the reality show.

The houses there are patterned after the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) house It will be covered by eleven small cameras 24/7 to track the couples’ every move.

Judy Ann or “Juday” to her many fans said the participating couples will be given challenges not to break their relationship but to strengthen it so they will be well equipped and more mature in dealing with married life.

The participating couples will be immersed in possible situations they may encounter should they get married. Juday hopes the reality show will be able to successfully guide the couples.

Married life issues will be tackled in the program from having children, living with in-laws and household expenses.

“We hope we inspire couples and show them that marriage is an eternal vow and a commitment,” Juday said.

Aside from hosting the program, Judy Ann will be part of the council that includes love and family experts who will dispense advice to participants.

Judy Ann shared that she feels jittery because she’s married for only five years, hence her ability to give a good advice will be put to test.

The show’s winning couple will have a good start as husband and wife for they will be rewarded with a magnificent wedding, a honeymoon package, a house and lot, a car and 1 million pesos.

“I Do” will be aired in the third quarter of the year. Judy Ann will be working with comedian and PBB product Jason Gainza as her co-host.

Watch Juday tour UKG host Bianca Gonzales inside the “I Do” Village.

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HOMES - Quick Tips for First Time Home Owner (Pre Selling Houses)

HOMES - Quick Tips for First Time Home Buyer/Owner (Pre Selling Houses)

Home buying as well as home shopping are important decisions a starting family will  have make with respect to time and financial terms. Allow us to offer some quick and money saving tips. HOMES steps are;

Homes in Carmona 

1. H- HOME SEARCH

a. Set a Maximum Budget. How much you can afford in terms of Total Contract Price if you are buying in full cash or monthly installment payment for financing terms. For you to  ascertain how much you can afford in amortization payments, industry practices estimate 30 to 40 percent of household gross monthly income for housing expenditures.
b. Enumerate your Criteria of your Dream Home. Lay down your ideal home features, home advantages and benefits as guided by your budget. For starting family you may opt for townhouse, or condominium studio unit. You may restrict your list to homes being offered by housing developer who gained high industry reputation.
c. Search and Compare House Models. You can easily browse the internet for ads/videos of house models or rely from your friends and family’s recommendations. Here Filprimehomes listings may be of help, our house models are mostly located in Mega Manila  Philippines a densely populated urban area.

Homes in Bacoor

2. O- OBSERVE AND NEGOTIATE

a. View House Models. Schedule your house viewing on you day off or other free time with a real estate broker. Have ample time to see and compare more units as much as possible so as not to be constrained to make decisions in a hurry. Home buying is mostly family’s biggest expenditure. Big Housing developers employ in-house agents and brokers. Sometimes it is good to negotiate with them for added safety, savings and access to better unit location. Prepare a set of questions while viewing, to clarify advertised home features, advantages and benefits. Be aware of the location in terms of accessibility of transportation, road network and village community, safety as well as convenience of amenities.
b. Negotiate. Choose your right home. Once selected, negotiate for the best and possible payment terms and conditions according to how much you can afford. Inquire about the developer or Realty firm's promo and discounts. Look for better payment terms, installments due date to avoid penalties and forfeiture. If you have good credit record and can produce clean documents you may choose for lesser interest bank financing. For government employees, Pag-ibig financing mostly is the option. Otherwise, in-house financing which has shorter payment period and interest-laden but less hazzle to documentary requirements may be the only choice.

Homes in Imus

3. M- MAKE A DECISION

a. Pay the Reservation Fee. Upon consideration of all the alternatives available, choose and decide on the most acceptable home by paying the reservation fee. This entitles you the exclusive availability of the unit for a certain period. Most developers offer discounts upon reservation payment. Next, have time to attend the counseling. Some developers make it a must. You may learn your rights, duties and responsibilities as a would be home owner. Feel free to air your concerns during the session, as this will be your grounds in the future if things turn out bad.
b. Calendar your Payment Schedule. To avoid penalties and worst forfeiture of your home, take note of your calendart of payment schedule. You will be provided by the developer upon reserving a unit. Philippine Real Estate law allows forfeiture of a unit  for non-payment of amortization within 3 consecutive months.  Set allowance, like setting aside an amount equivalent to one month payment in advance to avoid diversion of funds to emergency expenses. Stay in touch with your agent, broker and developer for updates about your account and house construction.

Homes in Kawit

4. E- ENSURE DOCUMENTS AND HOUSE TURN OVER

a. Submit Documents on Time. Most housing developer set a period of 60 days to comply with documentary requirements. Ask your agent/broker/developer about the details, due dates of submission. Failure to comply within prescribed period may result to delays in financing loan application and forfeiture of promo but the worst, forfeiture of the unit.
b. Update Payments. Make sure to be updated with your payments as scheduled. Particularly during down payment period, this may be the basis for early processing and approval of your loan.
c. Know your Turn Over Date. Ascertain when will be that date. This is to plan your renovation and utilities connection like water and electricity. Big developers may provide in house service for them. As to renovation, you will be asked to submit your renovation plan and to pay the corresponding construction bond. The amount will be refunded also upon completion of renovation.
d. Inspect your Home. Schedule you day of inspection. Bring along your family, and/or loved ones with you. This will give them a glimpse of the family's future home. They will also give you feedbacks and ideas about what needs to be done. Enjoy the feelings.

Homes in Las Piñas City

5. S- STEP INTO YOUR NEW HOME.  Congratulations. Your family deserves one.

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