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Cebu, Philippines

Real Estate in Philippines

By Betsy Burlingame

Last updated on Dec 06, 2023

Summary: An expat should search for a home to buy in the Philippines by researching the local real estate market and consulting with a real estate agent who is familiar with the area. It is also important to consider the location, budget, and size of the home. Homes in the Philippines typically include amenities such as air conditioning, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Some homes may also include a balcony, a garden, or a pool. Foreigners are allowed to own property in the Philippines, but there are restrictions on the type of property that can be purchased. Foreigners are not allowed to own land, but they can own condominiums, apartments, and houses.

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How do I find a place to live in Philippines?

We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:

"My wife's father whom has lived all his life in our area helped to find the property as I wanted to overlook the ocean from our new home. I had a new home built to my spec's so when we arrived the house was good to go," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Isabel.

"One of the best ways to find a place to live in the Philippines is to use an online rental marketplace such as looloo.com, housing.com.ph, or property24.com. These sites allow you to search for available rental properties according to your individual needs, such as location, size, budget, and amenities. Additionally, you may want to consider using the services of a real estate agent who is familiar with the property market in the area you are interested in residing. A real estate agent can provide valuable advice and can make your search for a suitable residence easier. You can also find listings for rentals in newspapers as well as online classifieds such as OLX or Airbnb. Finally, you can also network with friends and families to see if anyone has a vacant apartment or house for rent," explained one person living in Philippines.

"Near the school of my son due to traffic. If International school, stay in alabang of Forbes If Brent-south campus stay in Alabang If Brent Ortigas, choose another school. Use one agent, and let her search. DOnt worry about watersupply. Worry about neighbors and semifurnished. This excludes aircon," said one expat in Manila.

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What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Philippines?

"Because our area is in the tropics and and typhoons are a possibility along with termites I had the home made with concrete and steel construction. There is very little wood. We were living here when typhoon Yolanda struck in November 2013. It was the highest recorded winds in Philippine history. Our only damage was our rain gutters were damaged and some older trees came down," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Isabel.

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What is the average cost of housing in Philippines?

If you are thinking about moving to Philippines, cost of living in probably a key consideration. Expats commented about the cost of housing:

"I live in Cagayan De Oro City, Gusa. I have a 4 bedroom 2.5 bath house that I can park 4 SUV's in the driveway. It is a gated and armed guarded complex. I pay 300 usd plus electricity and water. I buy cooking gas every 3 months," explained one expat living in Philippines.

"Lower than Sydney by miles! Condos can be had for 20k/mo and up, all the way to 70k/mo if you are getting a good allowance or feeling rich. Furnished adds far more than the cost of buying stuff, so if you are staying more than a year consider going unfurnished," said one person in Manila.

"The cost to build or purchase a home here in the Philippines overlooking the South China Sea is a small fraction of what the cost would have been in the San Diego area where we used to live. The lot is one half acre and we paid $1,800 USD. The same size lot on the ocean in San Diego, California would cost over one million USD," said one expat who made the move to Isabel.

"Housing in the Philippines tends to be relatively affordable. The average cost of housing varies from one city to another, but in most places prices generally range from budget-friendly to moderate. Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in a city center can range from about 11,000 to 20,000 PHP per month, while rents in more affordable areas can range from as low as 4,000 to as high as 8,000 PHP. Additionally, outside of cities, costs can be much more affordable, and in some rural areas, rural homestays can be found for as low as 1,500 PHP per month," explained one foreigner living in Philippines.

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Should I buy or rent a home in Philippines?

If you have not spent a lot of time in Philippines, you should rent before even thinking about buying. We asked expats there about the buy vs. rent decision:

"Bought a nice 2 bedroom home, but the title had liens dating back to 1965 so it was not conveyed. We have a lawyer working on that who will petition the court to expunge these encumbrances and issue a new clean title," explained one person living in Prudential Village, Daliao, Davao City, Philippines.

"I am renting with an eye on building something on leased land. It is made difficult, mostly by cheap available rents," said one expat in Cebu City.

"Whether to buy or rent a home in the Philippines is a decision that should be made based on one's individual circumstances. Buying a home allows for more stability, as monthly payments remain the same and may even decrease as a result of amortization. On the other hand, renting a home can be more convenient, as one can switch properties more easily and have less responsibility with maintenance and repair costs. Both options have their merits, and the decision should be based on factors such as lifestyle, budget and expected length of stay in the country," remarked one member in Philippines.

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What do I need to know when buying property in Philippines?

When we asked expats what advice they would give a foreigner before buying a property in Philippines, they said:

"Research on the ground. Listen for dogs next door (oh there will be!). Roosters (not if but how many and how far away!?). Obviously crime (Iloilo is very cool in that department). Use a lawyer, check title, make sure you are buying in the name of a Filipino (foreigner cannot own land here which is why they can own condos). DO NOT expect the process to be fast or "like home". You aint in Kansas Toto," wrote one expat who made the move to Iloilo.

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Are foreigners allowed to own property in Philippines?

When we asked expats what advice they would give a foreigner before buying a property in Philippines, they said...

"Yes, there are restrictions. As a foreigner you can not own property in your name directly. However, you can own a condominium with the added advantage of obtaining Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) as a result of a qualified investment. Do research this option. Note: YOU NEED NOT MARRY TO STAY IN THIS COUNTRY!!!," explained one person living in Palawan, Philippines.

"Yes, foreigners are allowed to own property in the Philippines. The Philippine Constitution allows foreign nationals to own real estate in the country, provided that the land is acquired through hereditary succession or by purchase of a condominium unit. However, foreign nationals are not allowed to own land directly, and must instead enter into a lease agreement with a Filipino citizen or corporation. The lease must be for a period of at least fifty years, with an option to renew for another twenty-five years," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Philippines.

What appliances are typically included in a rental?

We asked foreigners in Philippines what appliances are typically included in a rental, and, if there is anything else included or not included that a newcomer would not expect. Replies included:

"Rental properties in the Philippines often come with basic kitchen appliances, such as a refrigerator and a stove. Additionally, washing machines, microwave ovens, and water heaters may be included in some rental properties. Generally, air-conditioners and other electrical appliances are not provided in the rental properties and are the responsibility of the tenant," said one person in Philippines.

Additional Information about Searching for a Home in Philippines:

We asked foreigners in Philippines what appliances are typically included in a rental, and, if there is anything else included or not included that a newcomer would not expect. Replies included...

"Expats can search for homes in the Philippines by looking online for real estate listings, contacting a local real estate agent, or searching for expat-specific housing websites. They can also look for expat forums or Facebook groups to get advice from other expats who have already gone through the process of finding a home in the Philippines. Additionally, expats can look for classified ads in local newspapers or online to find potential homes," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Philippines.

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About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.

Cebu, Philippines
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