BUYER GUIDE
Buying a condo in the Philippines
CCT titles, association dues, turnover and pre-selling — what a Philippine condominium purchase actually involves.
Last reviewed September 30, 2026 · All guides
Condo or house — know what you are buying
A condominium purchase in the Philippines buys you a unit plus an undivided interest in the building's common areas — lobbies, hallways, amenities and the land itself. Your ownership is documented by a Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT), not the Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) used for land. The distinction matters at due-diligence: a CCT should be checked against the project's master deed and the developer's own title, not just the seller's copy.
Condos also come with a homeowners' association and monthly dues — an ongoing cost that is part of the real price of the unit, on top of amortization.
RFO vs pre-selling
Ready-for-occupancy (RFO) units exist physically: you can inspect the actual unit, the hallway and the amenities, and turnover follows closing within weeks. Pre-selling units are bought off a floor plan before or during construction — usually cheaper per square metre, but you are buying a promise: check the developer's track record and the project's License to Sell issued by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
For pre-selling, ask for the projected turnover date in writing and what remedies apply if it slips. Reservation agreements spell out refund terms — read the cancellation clauses before paying any reservation fee.
Monthly dues and the real monthly cost
Association dues in Metro Manila typically run ₱50–₱150 per square metre per month depending on the building's amenities and age. A 40 m² unit can carry ₱2,000–₱6,000 in monthly dues — money that does not build equity but does maintain the building. On Upah.ph, sellers who declare dues show them on the listing; always ask for the current rate and any announced increases.
Budget dues on top of your amortization when checking affordability, and ask whether the unit is current on dues — arrears can complicate turnover.
What turnover actually means
Turnover is the handover of the finished unit — keys, a punch-list inspection and acceptance documents. On RFO resales it follows the deed of sale and payment; on pre-selling it follows construction completion. Inspect before you sign acceptance: water pressure, window seals, tile work and the fixtures promised in the contract.
After turnover you still need the CCT transferred to your name — the same BIR-and-Registry-of-Deeds trail as any Philippine property sale. The document checklist walks each paper in order.