Buying property in the Philippines is one of the largest financial decisions most families will ever make — and the Deed of Absolute Sale is the document that makes it real. Before you sign anything, verify that the Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) or Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT) is clean and matches the seller's ID.
Verify the title first
Request a Certified True Copy of the title from the Registry of Deeds. Confirm the technical description, encumbrances at the back page, and check for any adverse claims or lis pendens annotations.
What happens after signing
Once the title checks out, the Deed is signed and notarized. The taxes on the sale are then paid at the BIR, followed by the transfer of title at the Registry of Deeds and the update of the tax declaration at the City or Municipal Assessor.
- Notarize the Deed of Absolute Sale
- Pay Capital Gains Tax at the BIR within 30 days of notarization, and Documentary Stamp Tax by the 5th day of the following month
- Transfer title at the Registry of Deeds
- Update the tax declaration at the City or Municipal Assessor
Skipping any of these steps can delay ownership by months. Work with a property lawyer who has closed similar deals in your city — timelines vary between LGUs.
