Legal basics for foreign buyers
Buying real estate in the Philippines follows clear legal rules that differ significantly from Western standards. The most important point: foreigners cannot own land, but may use or hold property under certain structures.
Foreigners can own houses or villas, but not the land they sit on. In practice, the land is handled through lease arrangements or local structures. Details and costs are on our page about buying a house.
Condominiums are significantly easier for foreigners to acquire, since up to 40% of a building may be foreign-owned. More on our condo page.
The Philippine land registry is based on the Torrens system, with clearly defined documents (OCT, TCT, CCT). Careful verification is essential before any purchase — more on our land titles page.
Genessa Nacional is your personal point of contact — a Real Estate Consultant in the Filipino Homes network, one of the largest real estate networks in the Philippines, working nationwide with a focus on Dumaguete, Valencia, Bacong, Dauin, and Sibulan. Behind the scenes, several Philippine lawyers support the review of land titles and contracts — so you are never on your own during the process.
Buying real estate in the Philippines is safely possible, but requires clear legal review and an understanding of the local structure. It is especially important to distinguish between owning the building and holding the land.
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Tell Genessa what you are looking for – she often knows properties that are not online yet. Video viewings for buyers abroad.
