Housing Loan

Why This Question Is Wrong: “Can I Pay The Whole 24 Months Contribution One-Time So That I Can Avail of the Housing Loan?”

Yes, that’s a wrong question and later I will explain why.

The main purpose of this article is simply to tell you not to ask that question from now on, because it’s a wrong question. Enough of that question. Period.

The Right Answer To The Wrong Question

We have received that kind of question several times and the answer has already been put at the FAQ Page of this website. You can go visit that page if you don’t want to read a lengthy explanation.

But since you are already here, heck, let’s answer that.

Maybe someone already told you that you can pay the whole 24 months upon membership and right there and then apply for a housing loan. That used to be possible. But the management of Pag-IBIG Fund found out that it’s been abused many times with some members doing it just for the sake of getting a loan.
And so they fixed the loophole. A new rule was implemented and it is not anymore allowed do it. In other words, if you are a new Pag-IBIG Member, you really have to be actively contributing for a period of 24 months before you can begin applying for a housing loan.

So Why Is It A Wrong Question?

The very question itself shows that the person asking is in desperate need of a loan. Unfortunately, just because you are desperate need of a loan doesn’t mean you will get the money. As a matter of fact, the odds are against you if you display such a behavior.

It’s a wrong question because:

Pag-IBIG Fund Doesn’t Care If You Need A Loan.
Pag-IBIG Fund Doesn’t Know You Yet.
Pag-IBIG Fund Can’t Tell If You Have The Means To Pay For The Loan.

Okay, let’s tackle it one by one.

Reason #1: Pag-IBIG Fund Doesn’t Care If You Need A Loan.

One of the erroneous notions Pag-IBIG Members have is thinking that they are entitled to a loan. Unfornately, no. Just because you are a member of the Pag-IBIG Fund doesn’t mean you can apply for a loan any time and get the proceeds too.

Reason #2: Pag-IBIG Fund Doesn’t Know You Yet.

Most people who are asking such question are either not yet members or new Pag-IBIG Members. That means, these people have no proven records yet at Pag-IBIG. They are like strangers asking for a loan. They could be here now and gone the next day, who knows?

As a member, it is to your advantage if you maintain a clean, active and impressive record with Pag-IBIG Fund before you even attempt to apply for a loan. See to it that your records are updated and your contributions are up-to-date.

Reason #3: Pag-IBIG Fund Can’t Tell If You Have The Means To Pay For The Loan

Think about it. When you get loan, you are most likely to benefit from it and Pag-IBIG is taking a risk in granting you the loan. So to lessen the chances of making a mistake in granting the loan, and therefore losing money, Pag-IBIG has to make sure that they are giving it to the right guy — the one who has the means of paying the loan.

One of the ways Pag-IBIG checks for you are capable of paying the loan is by checking on your employment records such as employment history, contract of employment, salary, etc. So, before applying for a loan, see to it that your finances are in the right order.

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This article is written by Carlos Velasco to help Pag-IBIG Fund Members understand the importance of the 24-month period of active membership to the Fund. The question is also among the most asked by the website visitors and with this article we at PagIBIGFinancing.com hope to make things clear for all Pag-IBIG Members.

Benefits of Becoming A Pag-IBIG Fund Member

by Pag-IBIG Financing Admin

It’s a deplorable fact: A lot of Pag-IBIG Fund Members, especially the employees, are not aware of the benefits they can derive from becoming (forcibly, since it is mandatory) a member of the Pag-IBIG Fund. For some, getting a payroll deduction for Pag-IBIG contribution is an automatic acceptance of something that is unavoidable -– no questions asked, no complaint unless the net salary is already far too low to even pay for electric bill. After all, there must be some deductions to the salary just like Income Tax, SSS or GSIS, right?

Well, since you are already at it and since it is an inescapable fact that you (and your employer) will be deducted with Pag-IBIG contribution, wouldn’t it be good also if you know where your money is going and what you are getting in return? After all, that’s still your money.

Here, we’ll discuss the three benefits you can get by participating in Pag-IBIG Fund. This is applicable to any member of the Fund : employees, OFW’s under Pag-IBIG Overseas program, and voluntary members alike.

If no one has explained this to you in the past, please read it carefully and share it to any Pag-IBIG Member whom you care about.

Okay, without so much talk, here are the three basic benefits you can get from being a member of Pag-IBIG.

Housing Loan
Short Term Loan
Provident Savings

That’s it. Only three benefits so far and you need to remember and understand those. Detailed explanation of each one follows next.

Housing Loan — This is perhaps the most popular program benefit of the Pag-IBIG Fund. Any member knows a little bit about this. In fact, the mere mention of the term “Pag-IBIG Fund” almost always translates to Housing Loan.

One of the mandates of Pag-IBIG Fund is to be of assistance to the public in providing cheap financing for their housing needs. Pag-IBIG accomplishes this by working in partnership with the local Real Estate Developers and arranging affordable loans to real estate buyers (Pag-IBIG members).

An affordable loan means lower interest rate compared to the prevailing rate in the market and payable in longer terms. At the time of this writing, Pag-IBIG Fund offers a home loan at a low interest rate of 6% (for PhP 400,000 loan) with a loan term of up to 30 years. A qualified member can get a maximum loan amount of up to 3 Million Pesos.

Short Term Loan — Just like SSS and GSIS, Pag-IBIG Fund also offers financial assistance to qualified member by granting short term loan.

There is a Calamity Loan for members affected by unforeseen calamity like flood, fire, volcanic eruption and other similar cases. There is also a Multi-purpose loan that you can use for whatever reasons: financing a micro-business or buying the latest toy you have been dying to get.

So, the next time you need money, before asking from your friend (who has every doubt if you can ever pay him back), try your luck at Pag-IBIG Fund.

Provident Savings — This is something that a lot of members are not aware of. If you are one of them, pay attention to this part.

Another way of looking at your contributions to Pag-IBIG is to consider it as your savings, which you can withdraw at maturity date. Pag-IBIG Fund makes it very clear that your contributions, plus that of your employer will earn dividend. Now, you can get all that money, called Total Accumulated Value (contributions plus dividend), when it reaches maturity.

Unlike the money in a bank regular savings where the interest rate is given, your earnings in Pag-IBIG is not readily foreseen ahead of time. In other words, you are essentially participating in an investment and your earnings will depend on the overall performance of that investment.

Speaking about Savings under Pag-IBIG Fund, you may also want to check the Pag-IBIG II Program, which is another investment option from Pag-IBIG and is available only to its members.

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This article on the Benefits of Becoming Pag-IBIG Fund Members is written by Carlos Velasco.

Pag-IBIG Housing Loan Default and Foreclosure

by Pag-IBIG Financing Admin

Most real estate purchases and investments are made with the use of borrowed money; that is by mortgage loans.

In an ideal world, these mortgages are paid on time and are eventually fully paid including all the interest incurred by borrowing the money. But unforeseen circumstances do sometimes happen, which lead to loan defaults and, worst of all, mortgages being foreclosed.

Foreclosures are often painful on the part of the borrower and a hassle on the part of the lender. This is the reason why lenders are very strict in evaluating loan applications. It is not uncommon for lenders to ask for very detailed personal and financial information from their clients.

Why Loan Defaults Happen?

Given the fact that Housing Loan Default is something to be avoided, there are some reasons why they happen. Here are some common ones:

Personal and Financial Problems — the loss of a job, emergencies, calamities, or being assigned to another city.
Physical Flaws Of the Property — weak structure, dilapidated roads, flood-prone area, etc.
Legal Problems — land title disputes, marital problems

Loan Default Leads To Foreclosure

For regular Pag-IBIG Housing Loans, loan default happens when the borrower or any of his co-borrowers…

fails to pay three consecutive monthly amortizations
fails to pay monthly membership contributions
fails to comply other obligations of the loan

In the case of Pag-IBIG Rent-to-Own units, a default happens if you fail to pay three consecutive monthly rentals.

If the borrower defaults on a loan, the outstanding loan, accrued interest, penalties, fees and other charges become immediately due and demandable. Aside from that, Pag-IBIG also imposes that the “unpaid monthly payments shall continue to be charged with a penalty equivalent to 1/20 of 1% of the amount due for every day of delay.”

What To Do If Foreclosure Is Underway?

A foreclosure is a very stressful situation. Once you are at a point near that, knowing the options to take can greatly help.

If you find yourself unable to continue to make the scheduled payments on a mortgage loan, consider the following alternatives before it’s too late:

1. Sell the property and repay the loan. If you are lucky to have a friend or relative who has ready cash to pay for the property, this is the way to go.

2. Have someone assume the loan. Announcing to the whole world that you are in financial distress may help after all. Who knows, someone down there might be a good candidate and he could be interested in assuming your loan.

3. Restructure the loan. Discuss this with the lender; the Pag-IBIG Fund, in this context. A Loan Restructure might help reduce the payments temporarily.

4. Just let it be. That is, just allow the lender to continue with the foreclosure. Some properties really deserved to be foreclosed, most especially those that are really giving you a lot of headache instead of a roof over your head.

Prevent Foreclosure By Avoiding Loan Defaults

As a member of Pag-IBIG Fund, loan defaults and foreclosures are things to be avoided like a dreaded virus. Remember that once you have faced a foreclosure in your Pag-IBIG Housing Loan, you may be denied housing loans in the future.

One of the ways of preventing loan default is by first being honest with your finances. Before deciding to use a housing loan, consider your monthly expenses, you may have to do away some if your house is on top of your priority list. This requires a lot of discipline.

It is also very important that you know how to buy the right property that fits your needs. Don’t even consider buying in depressed areas and unsecure or unsafe neighborhood.

Note From The Website Administrator :

This website is not just about giving you inside information on Pag-IBIG Financing. We also intended to help everyone who is facing a foreclosure. If you know someone who has a property financed by Pag-IBIG and is on the verge of a foreclosure, please refer him / her to this website. The property can be listed here FREE of charge for every web visitor to see.

Again, that’s a FREE listing offered to distressed Pag-IBIG Members.

To avail of the FREE service, please send the details or leave us a message using the contact form provided on this website.

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This article on Pag-IBIG Housing Loan Default and Foreclosure is written by Carlos Velasco.

Pag-Ibig Housing Loan Requirements

by Pag-IBIG Financing Admin

So you’ve finally decided to invest in real property using Pag-IBIG Housing Loan?

You figured that it’s about time that you apply for that Pag-IBIG Loan after all those years of faithful contributions to the Pag-IBIG Fund.

Now you ask yourself: “What are the requirements to avail of Pag-IBIG Housing Loan?”

There are standard requirements asked from the applicant upon Loan Application and prior to Loan Approval.

Additional requirements will also be asked from the applicant when deemed necessary by the Pag-IBIG Fund.

Documents Required Upon Loan Application

Housing Loan Application (HLA) notarized with ID photo – original copy
Approved Membership Status Verification Slip (MSVS) – original copy
Certified true copy of Transfer Certificate Title (TCT) of the property by the Registry of Deeds (latest title)
Photocopy of updated Tax Declaration
Location plan and Vicinity map

For Employed Pag-IBIG Members:

Notarized Certificate of Employment and Compensation (Pag-IBIG Format)
Notarized Certificate of Employment and Compensation (Employer’s Format) and one month latest Pay Slip
Income Tax Return/Certificate of Tax Withheld (W2 – Form 2316) and one month latest Pay Slip

For Self-Employed Pag-IBIG Member:

Income Tax return (one year) with Audited Financial Statements and Official Receipt of tax payment from Bank
DTI Registration
Business or Mayor’s Permit

For Pag-IBIG Overseas Program (POP):

Employment Contract or Employer’s Certificate of Income, duly certified by the employer (with English translation if in foreign language) or other valid Proof of Income
Special Power of Attorney (SPA) notarized prior to date of departure or duly certified and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the country where the member is staying, for members abroad

Additional Requirements

pag-ibig housing loan application
Depending on the purpose of your housing loan, Pag-IBIG may ask that you submit the following upon Loan
Application.

Purchase of Lot or Purchase of Residential Unit

Contract to Sell Purchase Agreement – original copy.

House Construction or Home Improvement

Building Plans, Specifications and Bill of Materials duly signed by the Licensed Civil Engineer or Architect
Real Estate Tax Receipt

Refinancing of an Existing Loan

Statement of Account on the outstanding balance and also indicating the purpose of the loan
Any of the following documents:
- Official Receipt for the past twelve months
- Subsidiary Ledger
- Any proof of payment for the past twelve months

Lot Purchase and House Construction

Comply the requirements for lot purchase and for lot construction.

Note: Pag-IBIG Fund reserves the right to require additional requirements
to facilitate the loan evaluation process.

Documents required prior to Loan Release (upon approval)

TCT in the name of the borrower with proper mortgage annotation in favor of Pag-IBIG Fund (Owner’s Copy)
Certified true copy of TCT in the name of the borrower with proper mortgage annotation in favor of Pag-IBIG Fund (RD’s copy)
Photocopy of New Tax Declaration in the name of the Borrower and Updated Tax Receipt
Proof of Billing
Loan Mortgage Documents
- Loan and Mortgage Agreement with original RD stamp
- Notarized Promissory Note
- Disclosure Statement on Loan Transaction
For The Employed Members : Collection Servicing Agreement with Authority to Deduct Loan Amortization or Post – Dated Checks
For The Self–Employed Members: Post–Dated Checks

Additional Documents Prior to Loan Release Depending on Loan Purpose

Purchase of Lot or Purchase of Residential Unit:

Deed of Absolute Sale with original RD stamp.

House Construction or Home Improvement:

Building, Electrical, and Sanitary Permits duly approved by the building officials
Occupancy Permit.

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Pag-IBIG Housing Loan Requirements is written by Niel Kyro Jo.

NOTE: Due to a large number of comments on this particular article, any new comment are not allowed anymore.

What Is Loan-To-Value Ratio?

by Pag-IBIG Financing Admin

A key concept in helping home buyers assess how much they can borrow to finance their real property investment is the Loan – To – Value Ratio.

The Loan–To–Value Ratio (LTV for brevity) is the amount of the borrower’s loan divided by the appraised value of the property.

LTV = (Loan Amount) / (Appraised Value)

To illustrate, assume that Mr. Delos Reyes purchased a new house by the countryside worth PhP 3,000,000. He plans to borrow Php 2,400,000 from a local bank to finance his real estate investment.

Applying the concept, we get a Loan–To–Value Ratio of 80% for Mr. Delos Reyes.

LTV = (2,400,000) / (3,000,000)
LTV = 80%

Take note that in this example, we are assuming that the selling price is also the appraised value. In reality, banks will conduct their own appraisal of the property. The resulting Appraised value is used instead of the selling price, to divide the loan amount to finally determine the LTV ratio.

Equity and Loan-To-Value

Actually, the LTV ratio is the reverse of a borrower’s equity. Therefore, in our set example, since Mr. Delos Reyes has an 80% LTV ratio; he has equity of 20%.

By equity, we mean “how much a borrower owns in the value of his / her real property investment.”

So in Mr. Delos Reyes’s case, he only owns 20% of the value of his investment and owes 80% of it.

From the lender’s viewpoint, the higher equity you have tied up on your property, the less risky you are as a borrower.

A high loan-to-value ration also means that a home buyer owes more than he owns in the value of his investment. Therefore, banks will see the home buyer’s loan as one that is risky.

Low Down, High Loan-To-Value

Pag-IBIG Fund is a leading company in the Philippines that offers lower down payment and a high loan-to-value ratio, as high as 97.0% is some cases.

Other financial institutions are offering the same. But you will be required to pay for a private mortgage insurance to lessen the impact of the risk that they are placing on you as a borrower.

Financial Leverage and Loan-To-Value Ratio

Financial Leverage means the use of borrowed money to finance a real estate investment. From an investor’s viewpoint, the higher the leverage, the better because of the following reasons:

Their risk is minimized
More Cash available for other investments

The Importance of Loan-To-Value Ratio

Financial institutions generally look for three vital factors when qualifying you for a loan. These are:

credit score
debt-to-income ratio
loan-to-value ratio

These factors are the benchmarks that helps the banks determine the following:

the amount of loan to give you
the interest rate of the loan
the loan term
whether the borrower is required to pay for a private mortgage insurance

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This article on Loan-To-Value ratio is written by Niel Kyro Jo.

Mortgage Loan Fundamentals

by Pag-IBIG Financing Admin

Real estate properties are seldom bought on spot cash. The vast majority are purchased with a little down payment and mortgage loans on the balance.

A mortgage loan is a form of secured financing; that is, the lender gives you the needed financing and in return you pledge the property as collateral.

In a mortgage loan, there are two very important documents that you will be committed to:

Note – is a promise to repay the loan on a timely basis
Mortgage or Deed of Trust – is a pledge to secure the loan with the real estate in question in case the borrower fails on his loan obligations.

A mortgage creates a lien on the property, which gives the lender the right to foreclose the property in question.

A loan default happens when you fail to repay the loan “on time” as stipulated on the contract. If that happens, the lender can foreclose the mortgage and take on the property.

Interest Rate and Loan Term

A mortgage loan has two very important components that you need to be aware of.

Interest rate – is the price of using the lender’s money and is applied to the principal balance. A lower interest rate means a cheaper use of the lender’s money and should be good for you.
Loan term – the time it takes to pay off the whole amount borrowed. Loan term usually spans a number of years.

These two factors primarily affect the installment payments, which is usually on a monthly basis.

The amount shown on the monthly installment schedule always remains constant. When you pay off a loan, a portion goes to the interest payment and another portion goes to pay off the principal amount. In other words, the principal balance is reduced with each payment that you make. And as a consequence, the interest is also reduced as the loan matures. Early installments mostly go to the interest payments while later installments mostly cover the principal.

Down Payment and Mortgage

Most lenders will not grant you a loan that is equivalent to the selling price of the property. In many cases, they will have to appraise the property and you will be asked to put a down payment and loan the remaining balance of the appraised value.

The down payment is sometimes referred to as equity on the property.

The standard down payment is 20% of the appraised value of the property; 80% being your loan or the financed amount.

The more money you put as down payment, the lower your loan will be. And always remember that the loan bears an interest.

Now comes the question: Which is better of the two?

A low down payment and large loan.
A large down payment and small loan.

There are arguments favoring one over the other. It’s all up to you and your circumstances. But sometimes, the lender will force you to take on lower loan (with large down payment) to lower their risk of loaning you the money to finance your real estate purchase. That’s just pure business.

Pag-IBIG Mortgage Loan

Depending on the property and where you are buying it, Pag-IBIG Fund may give you a large amount of loan which is almost equal to the selling price of the property. But always bear in mind the maximum loan amount the Pag-IBIG Fund can grant you. If you find the amount too small for the property you are considering, you may need to come up with a large down payment or you may use an alternative financial institution.

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Mortgage Loan Fundamentals is written by Carlos Velasco.