Can You Buy This House In The Philippines If You're A Foreigner?

Pea tours a luxury property for sale in Bacong with real estate agent Elma, walking through the house room by room while explaining the practical realities of the property and the legal framework foreigners face when buying land in the Philippines. The video doubles as both a property showcase and a crash course on foreign ownership workarounds including lease agreements, usufruct arrangements, and special power of attorney.

Property overview and lot details ​

• Located in Bacong, a provincial area surrounded by greenery, few neighbors, and a cow across the way
• Total lot area is 1,449 square meters, split across two titles — one for the house and one for the pool area
• House floor area is 220 square meters with four bedrooms and five air conditioning units
• Comes with a sparkling swimming pool enclosed by high walls for privacy — Pea jokes it would be perfect for a "naked but not afraid party" since no one can see in
• Backyard includes a small bahay kubo (nipa hut) that's movable, useful as a guest sitting area

The property grounds and fruit trees ​

• Multiple fruit-bearing trees: banana (technically rooted on the neighbor's property but fruiting on this one — Pea and Elma joke about who owns it), jackfruit, coconut, and lemongrass
• The jackfruit tree is enormous — Pea reacts with "that's what she said" when Elma points out how huge it is
• Jackfruit can be used ripe for iced candy (mixed with milk and frozen) or unripe as a vegetable dish — Elma explains Filipinas love it
• Dwarf coconut trees short enough to harvest without climbing and risking your life — Pea tries to climb one anyway

Zero utility bills — a major selling point ​

• 20 solar panels on the roof provide all electricity; the house pays nothing for power
• Owner has a deep well for water, so no water bills either
• The entire property has its own water pressure system
• Only recurring cost is internet: PLT at 2,999 pesos/month plus Starlink at 2,700 pesos/month
• Brownouts (common in the Philippines) don't affect this property due to solar

Interior tour highlights ​

• Open concept living area
• CCTV room that doubles as an office — originally a bedroom the owner converted; Pea jokes about being a "Peeping Tom" legally within your own property
• "Daddy's Room" — the master bedroom with a California king bed and direct sliding door access to the swimming pool; notably lacks an en-suite bathroom, but Elma notes a future buyer could easily remodel a door to connect to the adjacent bathroom
• Kids' bedroom with split-type aircon, cabinets, and enough space for bunk beds or a study area
• Guest room with an en-suite bathroom — beds are pushed against the wall, which Pea questions; Elma suggests it's to prevent falling off during dreams
• Kitchen is being remodeled — the owner plans to renovate it in October
• World map on the dining area wall — Pea makes a political quip about territorial disputes before catching herself

Shoes off at the door ​

• Elma and Pea remove their slippers before entering — Pea notes this is "a Filipino thing" then corrects herself: it's an Asian thing, not just Filipino

The price and financials ​

• Asking price: 16.5 million pesos, roughly $280,000 USD
• Pea compares it to California prices and notes it offers a lot of value
• Price is "slightly negotiable" — Elma emphasizes everything in the Philippines is negotiable
• Furniture is NOT included in the sale price but can be negotiated separately with the owner
• Property taxes are very low because the land is still classified as agricultural: roughly 2,000-3,000 pesos/year for the land and about 7,000 pesos/year for the house — total around 10,000 pesos/year (approximately $200 USD)
• No homeowners association fees since it's a private property, not inside a subdivision
• Clean title with only one person to sign

Legal framework for foreigners buying property ​

• Foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines — this is a firm legal restriction
• Foreigners CAN own the building/structure on the land
• If married to a Filipina: the land title goes under the wife's name, and because they're married, the foreigner is listed as "married to" on the title, making him a partial owner/heir
• For unmarried foreigners, there are legal workarounds:
  • 25-year land lease, renewable for another 25 years (50 years total)
  • Usufruct arrangement — Elma recommends foreigners research this or consult a trusted lawyer
  • Special Power of Attorney (non-revocable): the Filipina girlfriend grants the foreigner authority to sell, sign documents, accept cash or checks, and act on her behalf even in her absence — this protects the foreigner's investment if the relationship ends
• Elma strongly advises all foreign buyers to consult a trusted lawyer in the Philippines for specific legal guidance

Home insurance ​

• Not a common practice in the Philippines, but available through banks like PNB, MetroBank, or BPI
• Options include storm damage coverage and similar policies

Pea and Elma's banter throughout ​

• Running jokes about not being able to afford the property themselves ("maybe after 100 years of working")
• Elma explains the Filipino habit of women holding a pillow on their lap — it's for comfort, modesty when wearing shorts or a dress, and hiding the stomach
• Pea teases Elma about forgetting to mention the pool so they could've worn swimsuits

📺 Watch the full video on YouTube

🔔 Subscribe to The Filipina Pea