Philippines · Property Consulting

Property consulting services in the Philippines

Philippine property rewards careful buyers and punishes careless ones. We source, verify and transfer property so what you pay for is what you actually own.
Understanding Philippine property

What buyers and investors need to know

Philippine property runs on the Torrens system: the certificate of title, kept at the Registry of Deeds, is the near-conclusive record of ownership. That makes verification both possible and essential, because what the seller shows you and what the registry says can differ, and encumbrances annotated on the title follow the land, not the seller.

Foreign participation has firm rules. Foreign nationals cannot own land directly, but they can own condominium units within the 40% foreign quota of a project, hold long-term leases, or participate through a Philippine corporation observing the 60/40 ownership rule. Choosing the right vehicle before committing money is the difference between a sound investment and an unwindable one.

Transfers are also a tax event: capital gains tax, documentary stamp tax, transfer tax and registration fees all fall due on a timeline, and titles do not move until the taxes clear. Sequencing the payments and filings correctly is most of what makes a transfer fast.

How we support you

From sourcing to a clean title in your name

We support the full acquisition cycle, and the special cases that surface when titles, estates and land classifications are not straightforward.

Acquisition support

Property Sourcing, Site Selection and Due Diligence

Properties identified against your brief and screened early, so you only pursue sites that survive scrutiny.

Market Research and Property Valuation

Independent research and valuation so your offer reflects the market, not the seller's ambition.

Property Due Diligence

Title, encumbrances, tax status and ownership history verified at the Registry of Deeds before you commit.

Title and Ownership Transfer

Transfer taxes, BIR clearance and registration handled through to a new title issued in your name.

Sale Contract Review and Preparation of Deed

Contracts to sell and deeds of absolute sale reviewed or drafted to protect your position at signing.

Special cases

Land Reclassification or Land Conversion

Agricultural land reclassified or converted for your intended use, managed through the LGU and DAR process.

Estate Acquisition and Extrajudicial Settlement

Property held by estates settled and acquired properly, with heirs' settlements documented and taxes cleared.

Cancellation of Mortgage / Encumbrance

Annotations that cloud a title cancelled at the Registry of Deeds so the property transfers clean.

Land Titling Application (Judicial or Administrative)

Untitled land brought into the Torrens system through the judicial or administrative route that fits the facts.

How it works

From search to a title in your name

Verified before you pay, registered until it is truly yours.

1

Brief and sourcing

We source and shortlist properties against your requirements, or take a property you have found into screening.

2

Due diligence

Title, encumbrances, tax status and ownership history verified at the Registry of Deeds and the assessor's office before any commitment.

3

Valuation and negotiation

Independent market evidence assembled so the price you agree reflects the market.

4

Contracts and closing

The contract to sell and deed of absolute sale drafted or reviewed, and signing and payment structured safely.

5

Taxes, transfer and registration

BIR clearance, transfer taxes and registration completed through to a new title and tax declaration in your name.

Why buy property with ILA

Verified before purchased

Due diligence happens before the deposit, catching fake titles, liens and disputes early.

Clean transfers

Taxes, clearances and registration sequenced correctly so the title actually moves.

Hard cases handled

Conversions, estates and titling problems worked through rather than walked away from.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Philippine property

Can foreigners own property in the Philippines?
Foreigners cannot own land directly, but can own condominium units within a project’s 40% foreign quota, take long-term leases, or invest through a Philippine corporation that observes the 60/40 rule. Which vehicle fits depends on the property and your plans, and we advise before you commit.
The title’s authenticity and history at the Registry of Deeds, annotations such as mortgages and liens, real property tax status, the identity and authority of the sellers, and whether occupants or tenancy claims affect the property. Findings come to you before money moves.
Typically capital gains tax of 6% and documentary stamp tax of 1.5% on the higher of the price and the zonal value, plus local transfer tax and registration fees. Who shoulders what is a matter of negotiation and contract, and deadlines apply from notarization.
With clean documents, expect the BIR, treasurer and Registry of Deeds steps to take a number of weeks; complications like estate settlement or encumbrance cancellations extend it. We give a realistic timeline once we have seen the title.
Often, yes, through judicial confirmation or the administrative route, depending on the land’s classification and how long it has been possessed. Titling takes patience, but untitled land is worth materially less and is harder to defend, so it is usually worth the process.

Buying or holding property in the Philippines?

Book a free consultation and we will assess the property and the path to a clean title.