Certificate of Titles 101
In real estate, the term “Title” generally refers to the evidence of ownership a person has over a property. Title comes in many forms including the Tax Declaration and Deed of Sale, to mention just two. What we normally mean when we say Title is the Certificate of Title likewise known as Torrens Title. The Torrens System is an old, long-surviving system of land registration method developed by Sir Robert Richard Torrens and was originally used in Australia. It is highly reliable and has been adopted by many countries in the world, including the Philippines.
A Certificate Of Title is the best evidence of ownership of a piece of real estate, such as land or a condominium unit. It is also considered indefeasible, meaning it cannot be annulled, defeated, or made void by any past event, or error or omission in the title.
In other words, the owner of a piece of real estate is the one whose name is indicated in the Certificate of Title. It follows that this is a very important legal document.
Below are some tips you should remember if you are to buy real estate in the Philippines.
Tip #1: Buy Only Titled Properties
There are still vast amounts of land in the Philippines that have no Land Title under the Torrens System. Usually, the only proof of ownership that the seller has is a Tax Declaration. Buying this type property is a perfect recipe for a real estate disaster. As a buyer, you don’t want to get involved with this kind of real estate deal.
Ask the seller to hand you a photocopy of the Title. Take note of the Title Number and the indicated name of the owner. To verify the Title at the Registry of Deeds, you will need at least the Title Number and the Name of the owner of the property. The next tip, should be of great help to you.
Tip #2: The Title Must Be Authentic and Accurate
This part is very important. Take this step very seriously.
Always request a Certified True Copy of the Title from the Registry of Deeds that has jurisdiction of the property. You simply can’t trust the seller’s broker or agent to handle this part. You have to personally do it, or have someone you can trust do it on your behalf.
Once you got hold of the title’s Certified True Copy, compare this with the photocopied Title handed to you by the seller or his broker. There should not be any inconsistencies or discrepancies.
Tip #3: The Title Must Be Clean, Free From Liens and Encumbrances
A clean title simply means one that has no encumbrances or liens. Liens, Encumbrances, and other annotations are printed at the back portion of the title.
Take a look again at the Certified True Copy of the Title. Is the back page clean? It should not have any unnecessary words or sentences other than those related to the property’s technical descriptions.
Special Note: Some Titles have very long descriptions that span more than just the front page. If you are not sure about the things written at the back portion of the Title, please consult it with your lawyer or someone who is an expert in handling such cases.
Tip #4: Double Check If The Property Being Sold Is What Has Been Stated In The Title
This sounds crazy, but some unscrupulous sellers will show you a property and show you a completely different land title, which doesn’t correspond to it.
The Title will always indicate a technical description of the property, its exact location and its boundaries. It would help if you can tap the services of a Geodetic Engineer or a Licensed Surveyor. You can request that such professional verify the accuracy of the land being described and, if possible, make conduct a re-survey of the land.
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“Tips on Buying Titled Real Estate In The Philippines” is written by Carlos Velasco.
sir maraming salamat po sa inyong mag tips tungkol sa pag bili ng titled real state lupa or condo ! very informative malaking tulong po ito sa katulad kong baguhan ! at sa ibang mga baguhan na nag nanais din mag invest ! may idea na po ako sa iba pero ngayon i am completely informed ! maraming salamat po sa Pag Ibig Office at sa buong staff ! more Power Po and God bless sa inyo
romeo OFW from jeddah KSA
hi sir and mam.ppano ko po mallaman na nkaregistered ang pangalan ko sa pag ibig???ngparegistered po ako sa owwa dubai at ngbayad po ako 4months at until diko na uli nahulugan,at sa ngaun gsto ko na po hulugan uli ……so ppano ko mallaman ang tracking no.para mahulugan ko uli pag ibig.thank u po
sir,
I need some information from your good office about my side,
there is a house and lot for sale,in my place that i would like to buy, but this lot and house is own by a private property with lot title, not by real estate developer.
sir, this type of property can apply for a loan in pag-ibig office?
for your urgent advise is highly appreciated
more power.
f.a.rosales
Hi,ask lng ako.. Kng my bbilhin akong bahay n halagang 6 to 700thou. Lumang bahay. Pwd .ako mg loan cash s PAGIBIG? Then sa PAGIBIG n lng ako mgbabayad? Ng monthly ? Andito po ako s abroad. Kasi umuupa lng po kami s apartment .thank you and more power:):):)
@Vilma:
You can apply for a Pag-IBIG Housing Loan instead of the Cash Loan that you mentioned.
@Florencio:
Yes, but Pag-IBIG will still check and inspect the property if it is acceptable to them.
@charity:
You have to check your records at office.
@Romeo:
Thanks for visiting the website.
This is a very informative article especially real estate investing is becoming popular now in the Philippines. This is very for both buyers and sellers. I will post this to my blog to inform more people. Thank you.
Sir,
Thank you very much for your early reply about the information given to me (last march 23rd),for buying a lot property in the Philippines.
But however, this lot is own by a decease person her husband is (American)national and the lot is under her name., Sir, Her husband are allowing by the court for (him) to sales the lot to other people not by the relative of her decease wife?.
Please thank you in advance for given some information about this matter.
Best regards,
f.a.rosales
Good day! it is good you have some articles about this helpful tips of buying titled real estate. Sir, i would like to ask you some favor about my plan of buying the titled property/house and lot, it old house in Pateros, Metro Manila. Owned by my family relatives, and i am interested to buy thru your program- Housing loan for POP member. Sir i am a OFW, in Saudi Arabia for 7yrs now, and a member of POP for more than 3yrs now if i am not mistaken, aside from POP, I am a member also of Pag ibigI as what you mentioned in your other article. I have my very limited time in the Philippines every vacation, only 1mo. So i need to enlighten and gather some ideas thru your articles. Is there any possibility for me of buying that house and lot?i think the lot area is 180sqm. thank you so much!
This is a very good piece of information. Thanks a lot for giving us some good ideas on what we should be aware of first before buying a property in the Philippines.