Cebu is a place where opportunities happen. This is why settling down and buying your first home in Cebu sounds like a bright idea. While many of us dream of the day when we’ll be able to buy our first home, we don’t think about the many steps involved in the process.

The process of buying a home is not easy for first-time buyers, and looking at listings online or attending open houses is only the beginning.

So, what are exactly the first steps we need to consider in buying our first home?

Without further ado, let’s discuss the phases and the bird’s eye view of the home-buying process in Cebu.

PHASE #1: PRESENTATION

Let’s say you have already contacted an agent for a specific housing project in which you are interested. If that’s the case then it’s more likely that you’d want to learn more about the project.

At this point, your representative will go through the fundamentals of the developer and the project. The agent will specifically go through the available house models, amenities, and financing choices for you to choose from.

The most favorable thing for you to do at this phase is to inquire about the subdivision project’s License to Sell. This is for your safety. Don’t be afraid to ask questions because doing so reveals a lot of information about the project.

During this stage, your agent will also inquire about necessary facts about you. They’ll ask you questions such as your reason for purchasing the home, your immediate plans to inhabit it, your budget based on your ability to pay, and so on. These questions are designed to help you locate the best house for your needs and lifestyle.

PHASE #2: SITE VISITATION

The site visit is significant because it allows you to observe the project’s accessibility, method of public transportation, traffic conditions, key establishments (malls, hospitals, markets, supermarkets, and so on), landmarks, and points of interest.

Take note of the entrance gate and the security guard’s treatment of guests. The entrance gate also provides you with a sense of the type of subdivision you’ll be living in for years. You can look for a landscape that resonates well with you. A good entrance could be something with evergreens planted along the vast roadways as you travel from the gate into the enclaves. In that way, you can breathe in the fresh air of the countryside, and you can pull over to the side of the road and take in the scenery.

When you arrive at the enclaves, most communities in Cebu will greet you with model homes. You can inspect the actual construction of the house, its space planning, and so on while your agent walks you through it. You can try and open the faucet to know the water pressure or flush the toilet to have a feel of how the drainage system works.

Because you are simply seeing the model home, you must inquire about what is included in the delivery unit. In most cases, the transportable unit includes the kitchen countertop and cupboards, as well as the fixtures in the toilet and bath. These are the items that are permanently affixed to the ceiling, walls, and floors in real estate. As a result, it must be included in the purchase of the house.

To make sure that you’re going through the right process, you may take this checklist as a guide:

✅ MARKETING BRIEFING

The majority of developers have their own marketing team. Typically, the marketing officer will handle the project briefing: the reservation procedure, the documentary needs, the step-by-step process before moving in or house turnover, the housing and administrative policies, and the time frame.

This is also your chance to ask any questions that you and your agent did not address. In most circumstances, these are minor concerns that are nonetheless critical. If you don’t understand something, always ask for clarification.

You reserve your unit after the briefing. The unit is now in your name after you submit the reservation form and pay the reservation fee.

✅ SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS

In most circumstances, you have 30 days to submit all of the necessary paperwork for the house acquisition. You can submit the necessary documentation to the developer’s marketing office immediately. Send them to your agency instead. Your agent will submit it to the developer’s office, along with the correct annotation of the submitted documents, to ensure that you complied within the time frame specified.

Some home buyers prefer to go it alone. This is acceptable as long as you document any documents submitted by email. However, keep in mind that your agent is ready and happy to assist you.

✅ MOVE IN AND TURN OVER

When the house is finished, the developer will call the buyer to schedule a house inspection. You had previously paid the down payment, transfer fees, move-in fee, and any other payments that were required at this point.

For the turnover, there is a checklist that would be handed to you by the developer. During this stage, you must double-check everything. If you have any issues with the unit, you can request that the developer solve them.

Take Note: Do NOT sign the confirmation document indicating that the developer has fulfilled all commitments unless you are generally pleased with the unit.

Final Takeaway

You must keep your expectations in check. No such thing as a flawless unit exists. However, you must demand the same level of quality from the developer.

If you’d love to read more about properties in the Philippines – from deciding to buy or rent houses to home design basics, check out more of our previous blogs here.