A property can look right in photographs and still leave important questions unanswered. Before you pay a reservation fee, take time to identify the project, understand the written terms and check the people handling the transaction. The aim is a decision based on documents as well as enthusiasm.
This checklist is a starting point for buyers considering a condominium, house-and-lot development or other property in Davao, Cebu and elsewhere in the Philippines. Requirements depend on the property and transaction. It does not certify a particular project or replace legal and technical advice.
1. Identify exactly what you are reserving
Write down the registered project name, developer or seller, phase or tower, unit or lot number, floor area and property location. A marketing name can differ from the name on official documents. Confirm which parking space, fixtures and other inclusions are part of the offer. If the unit is not yet available for inspection, ask which materials are renderings, model-unit photographs or actual photographs.
Keep a copy of the dated offer. Availability and promotional terms can change, so an old screenshot should not be your final basis for paying.
2. Ask for the relevant project and selling documents
For a development, ask the developer which project registration and selling authorizations apply, including a License to Sell where applicable. Confirm that the documents correspond to the specific project and phase you are considering. When there is uncertainty, seek clarification from the relevant Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development office.
A logo, an attractive brochure or the presence of other buyers does not answer this question. Avoid relying only on a forwarded image of a document. Ask how its details can be checked with the issuing body.
3. Know who is handling your transaction
Ask for the name and role of your contact, the responsible real estate professional and the developer or seller’s authorized representative. The Professional Regulation Commission provides an official online verification service for professional licenses. Its results should be read with the service’s own notices about possible updates or delays.
Do not assume that every person answering an inquiry holds the same professional registration. Clear roles help you know who can answer a question, provide a computation or escalate a concern.
4. Read the reservation terms before paying
Ask for the reservation form and any terms incorporated into it. Check the amount, payment recipient, validity period, deadlines, treatment of the fee, cancellation conditions and next required payment. Where something is unclear, request a written explanation before signing.
| Question | What to keep |
|---|---|
| Which unit and price are covered? | Dated offer and identified unit |
| What does the reservation payment cover? | Reservation form and terms |
| What happens next, and by when? | Written payment and document schedule |
| Who receives the payment? | Official payment instructions and acknowledgement |
5. Compare the full computation
Ask for an itemized computation showing the selling price, reservation payment, equity or down-payment schedule, expected financing balance and charges identified by the developer. Clarify which costs are included and which are estimates or payable separately. Ask about ongoing costs such as association dues and maintenance obligations.
If borrowing is involved, confirm the lender’s requirements and disclosures directly. A sample monthly payment is an illustration; it is not a loan approval. Compare the loan amount, term, rate, repricing conditions and charges rather than choosing on the smallest advertised installment alone.
6. Obtain your own document checklist
Requirements can differ by developer, buyer circumstances and financing route. Ask which documents are needed, who issues them, how they should be submitted and when they are due. Tell your coordinator if you are buying from overseas or need a representative so the appropriate requirements can be clarified early.
Keep a simple tracker with four columns: document, responsible person, deadline and acknowledgement. “Sent” and “accepted” are different milestones. Follow up rejected or incomplete submissions instead of assuming delivery completes the requirement.
7. Decide what still needs independent advice
Ownership questions, contract terms, financing commitments and site conditions may call for a lawyer, lender, engineer or another qualified professional. A sales presentation cannot settle every issue. List unanswered questions and decide which ones must be resolved before you proceed.
How HouselyPH can help
HouselyPH can help organize project information, coordinate a presentation and clarify the next documentation steps for your selected property. Ask us which documents are available and which questions require confirmation from the developer, lender or issuing agency. We will not treat a reservation as a substitute for a complete transaction.
Message HouselyPH with your preferred location, budget range and project name, or book a presentation.
Sources and scope
- BPI: its housing-loan application requirements
- PRC: official professional verification
- DHSUD: official website
Prepared by HouselyPH Team, 5 November 2026. General buyer education; current project terms must be confirmed in writing. Cover: AI-generated illustration, not an actual property, client or transaction.
