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Housing

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Janie2455
  5/6/2022 12:34 EST

Am I allowed to purchase a home there ( Philippines)

draks
  5/6/2022 18:44 EST

You can own a condo, but you cannot own land here, you can lease land and build on it, but it's full of problems
As a foreigner, you can't own land, in most businesses you can only own 40% the other 60% must be owned by a Filipino national. Your chances of a job here are few and far between, and salaries extremely low.
Most foreigners here are retired or have a remote income from abroad. NOTHING is straightforward here. Visit your girl for a month at a time. Don't just come here to live, it's not the paradise that some people expect it to be.
Don't come here to live without an income already set up.
It's CHEAPER to live here, but it's not CHEAP. You need a lot more money to live on than you may expect.
Keep asking questions on here, there is some good information on this site. Come here with your eyes wide open.

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surfingcebu
  5/7/2022 12:28 EST

Janie , this is not Canada or the USA . they dont allow foreigners to buy property, farms, production facilities integral to the nationhood, etc. This is very similar to Singapore, Switzerland, Belgium, New Zealand, and many many other countries. In fact, the majority of countries do not allow foreigners to buy property. The question begs, did you think that the Philippines would allow you to buy property? Although property is a minefield, and buying it is a further minefield, foreigners simply are not allowed to buy property. Very similar to Singaporean law. Also, it is a hybrid of Switzerland law .

It is truly amazing how many Americans in Canadians I talk to that are actually surprised you can't waltz into a country and buy the property. I know here in Canada the Chinese/Koreans do it regularly to wash currency. Definitely this is a weak area within our economy and national security.

Surf

surfingcebu
  5/7/2022 21:47 EST

Janet - how many times have you been to the RP to visit your GF ? For how long ? these are important questions in the long term of things . how did you meet yoru friend? Have you met any of her friends , that she has not introduced you to?

Surf .

Oisín
  5/12/2022 04:51 EST

Hi. This was helpful.

Are there any chances of working for the Government that you know of? I have a Urban Planning Qualification, Level 8 which recognized in the UK and Ireland, and western world generally. Although i expect not in the Philippines ???

Any advise or info would be great

Regards Oisín

surfingcebu
  5/12/2022 11:56 EST

Oisin- sorry , no chance to work in the RP ...VERY strict ! Whats your age bud ? I usually advise most people to have a business outside of the Philippines that they can depend on for income or be semi-retired or a tire ideally. There is no chance for you to own land in the Philippines, don't let anybody talk you into that. Also, I understand that paying the Philippines is about 5 to 8% that of what it is in Ireland. Getting a job is usually impossible to do to your ethnicity and rule of law on the books. There are too many unemployed urban planners in the Philippines to entertain a foreign worker. Sorry I couldn't be of more encouragement. If your age is under 45 , and you don't own a business that can sustain you while you're inside the Philippines, I would plan on just visiting there part time for the time being. The RP is no place to build a career, work, or build a pension. Foreigners are kept to the sidelines, it's not like your country where you can hop off a plane, by your house with your suitcase full of money, and take down to careers with preference due to your governments diversity focus. Doesn't exist here. In fact the contrary.


Surf

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DarwinBarr
  5/12/2022 22:02 EST

Foreigners can buy or build houses here and registered to their name! But not the land! But it is also not a problem cause foreigners can rent land for 50 years maximum! If you will looking help with it feel free to ask me more!

dpeebles1
  5/13/2022 11:44 EST

A few thoughts on buying a house or other property here in the PI: Watch out for the way they account for interest rates. Also, don't expect to see a title cleared for at least a year. Be wary of getting the paperwork you need to pay property taxes anywhere close to on time. It's all in my wife's name, which bothers me zero, but even my condo required her signature. I will not own it free and clear for another year. My house is now 13 years old, and we have all our paperwork for at least 7 years. I hear some Filipinos have waited 10 years to get the paperwork right.

DarwinBarr
  5/14/2022 01:22 EST

Yes, you can buy a house or condo, But you can't buy land. At the same time, you can rent land for up to 50 years!
Or you can rent a lot and build a house that you want. If you wanna build a house of European quality choose www.maax.com

surfingcebu
  5/14/2022 01:54 EST

Janie- The simple answer is, this is not America they don’t give away land for free. No you are not allowed on land in the Philippines hence you’re not allowed to own a house with land on it. Don’t go near it. It’s a minefield.

Surf .

Lawdog
  5/15/2022 06:58 EST

European company in the Philippines building houses now?

www.maax.com Darwin I never heard such company there please advise

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Sailor62
  5/15/2022 09:50 EST

Surfingcebu, how many time you be to Belgium ? lot of foreigner here buying house, the have street in Antwerp no house is own by Belgian

JayT
  5/15/2022 10:34 EST

Pinoy wife and I will be buying in Phils., not sure what, but it won't be a new construction. Can you tell me more about property tax rates. or tell we where to research Pinoy prop. tax requirements?..thx

surfingcebu
  5/15/2022 11:41 EST

Jay - property - anything can be a mess here . in the city hall they will have a record on who has been paying taxes on the property ( if anyone ) . Property taxes are usually very low in price ( like less than 300 dollars per year . ) Many property taxes go unpaid . there is a house on my street area that is super nice but abandoned 15-18 years ago by the kids who live in the USA . they just get basic work done on it once a year . property taxes have not been paid for 15 + years .

Surf

surfingcebu
  5/15/2022 11:58 EST

Sailor - no foreigner is buying houses in the RP . They may own the structure on it , but not the land nor the access to it ! Dont let anyone tell you a foreigner can own a house and land here . Not true . Yes you can incorporate , and put it under. 2-4 peoples names ect ... but if the courts find out you registered land to navigate around ownership rules you could loose it just as quick as you bought it .

go to your local city hall and ask the question. "as a foreigner can I buy a house in the city or country ". They will say NO! But the gullable buy home every year there 'thinking' they have rightful title . they dont .

Yes , been to Brussels many times . the capital of the EU of course . Why do you ask ?

Sailor , Have you been to Singapore ? Ever inquire about buying a property there ? do it sometime if you want a laugh! Wonderful country by the way ......

Surf !

DarwinBarr
  5/16/2022 22:53 EST

Sure you can! Even you can build a house here. If you wanna have a European quality house just contact me!

surfingcebu
  5/17/2022 10:27 EST

try and sell a physical house w/o the land underneath it . you will get only pennies on the dollar . selling a house is hard enough in the RP !

Surf !

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