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How To Become An Expert in Pag-IBIG Housing Loan in 25 Minutes or Less

by Pag-IBIG Financing Admin

One of the requirements before a member can avail of a Housing Loan from the Home Development Mutual Fund or simply Pag-IBIG is to attend a housing loan seminar. If you have not been to that kind of seminar before, here are the essential things that they cover:

  • An overview of the Housing Loan Program. Luckily, most of the contents of this website are focused on this topic, too. That means if you have been browsing around for quite some time, you already have a good deal of knowledge about the Housing Loan in general.
  • Question and Answer. For those who are really serious about taking a home loan, you can ask the presenter of the seminar any topic that you want to raise that’s related to the program or your particular situation. If there have been questions bothering you regarding the housing loan, this is a good time to ask those and get official answer. So before to ever go to the seminar, it would be good if you prepare a list of your questions.
  • Membership Status Verification. Before you can even apply for a housing loan, the Pag-IBIG Fund has to take a look at the details of your membership. They will ask you to fill up this small slip and submit it to the Pag-IBIG staff who will be checking on your membership status while the seminar is going on. Just before the seminar ends, you then get a verification whether you qualify for a housing loan or not.


It’s really that easy. Take note that a big part of the seminar is spent discussing the details of the Housing Loan Program. Indeed it is very important that you know more about it.

But don’t you wish you can attend an online Housing Loan Seminar so you can do it from any place in the planet?

Good news: Now you can, right here on this very page! Thanks to Youtube, your wish is granted!

As a side effect of watching these videos, you can actually become an expert in Pag-IBIG Housing loan. You can be proud to discuss it with your circle of friends. Or, better yet, share this article with them.

Videos On The Pag-IBIG Housing Loan

Part 1:

Part 2:

Important topics discussed in the video:

  1. Eligibility Requirements. Things like age, years of membership, etc. You can also read them here.
  2. The Loan Amount You can Take. Please read this article for the details. The video also discusses concepts like Capacity To Pay and Loan-To-Value Ratio.
  3. Loan Document Requirements. Different types of loans require different documents. Read this to find out which one fits your needs.
  4. How to pay for your Housing Loan. Read this especially if you are based overseas or you salary deduction is not possible for you.
  5. Advanced Payments. There is no pre-payment penalty on your amortization, but do you know how to do it right? Here are some tips on how to retire your loan earlier than its designated term.

Special Notes:

  1. However helpful you find this video to be, this is not a replacement of the actual seminar, which is a requirement when you apply for a housing loan.
  2. Just recently, the Pag-IBIG Fund has raised the ceiling on Housing Loan Amount to P 6 million, from previous P 3 million. The interest rate on socialized housing loans has also been subsidized byPag-IBIG to encouraged low-income members to avail of the program. We’ll have more of this in the up-coming articles.

There you have it. Enjoy watching the videos. It’s like attending a Pag-IBIG Housing Loan Seminar from anywhere in the world.

Filed Under: Housing Loans, Pag-IBIG Fund QA, Real Estate Finance Tagged With: Documents, Eligibility, Housing Loan, Income, Loan Requirements, Loan-To-Value, Seminar, Video

Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Not Buy A House

by Pag-IBIG Financing Admin

I understand that most of you are visiting this website because, in one way or the other, you are contemplating a home purchase and that you want to use Pag-IBIG Home Loan to finance your investment. Indeed, we have come a long way in explaining the essentials of Pag-IBIG Housing Loan. From home buying preparation to the housing loan process and buying foreclosure units, we have already covered the most important stuff.

This article is a little bit different from the others we have made so far. It’s about not buying a house.

Yes that’s right. This is about NOT BUYING your piece of real estate. There are cases and situations when buying a house is a wrong move. As a matter of fact, there are people who should not even dare to look at a show house on display at a subdivision development or a condominium project. That’s harsh, I know. Bu if you belong to these groups of people, you would eventually thank me for giving that kind of suggestion. I’m doing this so you can keep your sanity intact and your money where it truly belongs: in your bank account.

You should not buy a house if…

1. You are a new kid in town

People do this all the time: they move from one place to another. They relocate to a new city as a result of their work assignment. They have a new business venture from out of town and they decide to move there to live. If you are in this situation, you should not buy a house immediately. Give yourself six months to one year to become familiar with your new place, its landscape, its people, and its political climate. If you are a family man and your wife and kids will be moving with you, you have to involve them in the decision process. Get input from your family members and your friends. You should use your common sense as well as your power for “feeling” a particular place.

Home buying is not like shopping for your grocery items. It takes a keen observation and careful attention to details. In choosing a place to live, you should consider such factors are the flow of traffic, location of schools, where people are shopping, the toxic and noisy areas of town and other similar factors.

(See also: How To Select A Good Location)

My suggestion is for you to rent a place for six months to one year, before you jump into the home buying decision.

2. You can’t personally see the house

Consider the following messages we receive from Overseas Filipino Workers:

  • “Please help me buy a house in the Philippines. I’m still here in Canada, but I want to have my own house when I go back home for vacation.”
  • “Can I apply for a housing loan even if I’m here abroad?”
  • “Can you send me the Form to fill up when buying a condo?”

While it’s possible to buy a property even if you are based overseas, it may not be to your advantage. In fact, it invites a lot of surprises and frustrations later on when you have already made your commitment. Can you actually rely on the map sent to you by the real estate agent? How about the sleek brochures and presentations online on the developer’s website? Do you find them attractive? Can you tell which information and defects are not being shown to you?

Nothing beats actually seeing the property yourself.

(See also: 5 Great Tips for First Time Home Buyers)

3. Your marriage is down the sink

More Home Buying TipsIf your Facebook Civil Status says, “Complicated,” you should consider a second opinion, or even third, when deciding to buy a house. Well here’s my short opinion: Don’t buy. Put the reservation money back in your wallet.

There are couples who think that buying a home could somehow save their already dysfunctional relationship since it would require committed efforts from both parties. But isn’t sticking to a commitment the primary reason for the shaky relationship in the first place? While I am not a marriage counselor, I’ve seen enough marriage problems being finally brought up eventually when applying for a loan or transferring the land title to your name.

Like it or not, remember that we still don’t have divorce here in the Philippines. So, think twice before buying your dream house.

(See also: Take These If Your Housing Loan Application is Denied)

4. You are not financially fit to buy

Your home is one of the most expensive items you’ll ever buy in your lifetime. Can you buy in a single spot cash payment? For many of us, that’s unlikely to happen. That’s why we need a mortgage loan. And remember a loan will cost you money. It comes with an obligation you have to keep for a much longer time. Otherwise, the consequences would be dire and stressful.

(See also: How To Flex Your Financial Muscles)

Think about the 20% to 30% down payment. Where would you get that money? How much loan can you possibly afford to pay on a monthly basis?

(Related article: Income Requirement vs Loan Amount)

Are you aware of the other expenses that you need to prepare? We suggest that you prepare at least another 5% of the cash price for miscellaneous expenses and another 20% or so to buy your furniture and appliances.

Further Notes:

Perhaps for ethical reasons or due to the nature of their business, you probably won’t hear a real estate broker or agent give you any of the advice against buying a real estate. For them it’s always time to buy. But hopefully, after reading this article, you already know much better.

You have to know what you are doing. After all, you’re the one paying for the property.

Filed Under: Housing Loans, Tips and Traps Tagged With: Foreclosure, Housing Loan, Income

Email Exchange : Buying Preparation, Unpaid Amortization, Membership Reactivation, etc

by Pag-IBIG Financing Admin

Topic #1 : What You Should Know Before You Buy A Real Property

Subject: Preparation on Home Purchase

I have been a Pagibig member and was contributing voluntarily while I was in Philippines. I woulld like now to prepare myself in buying a home there. I have no relatives that I can send in your office. I also dont know my pagibig number and how much contributions I have made. Is there a number in Pagibig Cebu City office that I can call and an email address that I can send documents and follow up. Thanks

Here are some good links for you to consider.

  1. Tips for First Time Home Buyers
  2. Income vs Loan Amount
  3. The Pag-IBIG Housing Loan Process

Home Buying Questions

Topic #2 : What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Amortization?

Subject: Payment information

Hi! good day, I just wanted to know from your good office if it is possible that the housing loan is not paid for 1year or more will the pagibig will not forclose the property?

The grace period for any missed payment is only 30 days. If you are unable to pay for 3 months, the property is already subject for foreclosure, but it could take a long time for them to disposed of it. You are still given a chance to redeem the unit or restructure your loan.

If you are in that situation already, please read the article on Home Loan Restructuring to save your property. Here’s a link:

Home Restructuring Program

Please visit the branch handling your mortgage loan.

Topic #3: OFW Checking Membership Status

Subject: Inquiry

I was a member of PAG-IBIG I for almost 10yrs in the Philippines but I stopped my contributions when I resigned teaching. After 2 years, I became an OFW in US but before I left I paid a certain amount in POEA because they required us to pay as our contribution. When I asked the guy (PAG_IBIG representative) he told me that my payment goes to my old PAG-IBIG contributions(that was Feb. 2011).Now I want to apply a housing loan in the Phiulippines but i don’t know the status of my membership. Could you please explain my status and how could I avail housing loan?Do you have active office that I can visit or call in America most specially in California.

Please contact me using my email address.

You need to check it at the branch which keeps your records. If you are already out of the country, you may want to send in a representative to process it on your behalf.

Since you wanted to apply for a housing loan, it helps if have an idea of the process. Please read this article:

Pag-IBIG Housing Loan Process

As for the overseas office, please refer to this link:

Pag-IBIG Directory

I hope this helps.

Topic #4: Where To Pay For Housing Loan Dues

Subject: inquiry on where to pay

good day! i applied for pag-ibig online and have received my number. but i don’t know where to pay or what requirements i still need to present to pay.can you please give me detail? thank you very much. by the way i am a licensed physician woring as a moonlighter/freelance on voluntary payment. thank you

Here are some of the ways you can pay the Pag-IBIG Fund:

How To Pay The Pag-IBIG Fund

The best one is still to do it over the counter at the branch where your records are kept.

Filed Under: Buying Tips, Housing Loans, Membership, Pag-IBIG Overseas Program Tagged With: Amortization, Housing Loans, Income, OFW Membership, Requirements

Loaning With No Income Tax Return

by Pag-IBIG Financing Admin

Here’s another letter that we’d like to share to every reader of this website. It’s about the use of the Income Tax Return as a requirement in applying for a Housing Loan. The letter is shown below.

“I want to become a member of [the] Pag-IBIG Fun. My question is, is it possible na maging voluntary member ako kahit wala akong ma-present na ITR [Income Tax Return]? Hindi kasi ganun kalaki ang kinikita ko eh.

“Hope you respond to this.

“Thank you so much.”

With reference to the letter presented above, we’ll limit the discussion on this article on the following points:

  1. Membership To The Pag-IBIG Fund
  2. Income Tax Return and Other Requirements
  3. Income Requirement

Locally employed individuals, freelancers, practicing professional, and operators of a small business in the Philippines who are interested about the Housing Loan Program of the Pag-IBIG Fund should pay attention to this article as we elaborate on the details in the succeeding paragraphs.

Mandatory Coverage

By now, you should be aware already that under the Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009, the following are mandated to become members of the Pag-IBIG Fund:

  • Locally employed Filipinos who are compulsorily covered by the SSS and the GSIS
  • Self-employed Filipinos with an income of at least P 1,000 / month
  • Overseas Filipino Workers
  • Filipino Seafarers
  • Uniformed members of the AFP, BFP, BJMP and PNP
  • Household helper earning at least P 1,000 per month

For these groups of people, there is no other choice but to become members of the Pag-IBIG Fund.

Voluntary Membership To The Pag-IBIG Fund

However, for the rest who also wanted to join as members, a Voluntary Membership to the Pag-IBIG Fund is available. If you should want to take this opportunity and become a voluntary member, take note of the following.

  1. You are self-contributing – That is, there is no employer counter-part to your membership contribution unlike the case for the locally employed members.
  2. Salary Deduction is NOT an Option – This should be obvious from #1 above.
  3. You may or may not be granted a housing loan. It’s important that you can demonstrate a proof that you are earning. More about this later.

(See also: Benefits of Becoming A Member of the Pag-IBIG Fund)

Income Tax Return and Other Document Requirements

Here’s a recap of the basic document requirements for the Housing Loan Application:

  • Housing Loan Application
  • Approved membership Status Verification Slip
  • Transfer Certificate Title / Condominium Certificate Title – Must be a certified true copy
  • Tax Declaration – Photocopy of the updated one
  • Location plan and vicinity map

In addition to the above documents, the following are also considered as basic requirements…

Housing Loan Document Requirements For The Self-employed or Business Owner

Now, if you happen to be a practicing professional (dentist, architect, accountant, etc), an owner / operator of a small business (more specifically a business structured as a single-proprietorship), or self-employed, the Pag-IBIG Fund says you need the following when applying for a Home Loan Program:

  • 1 year Income Tax Return (1 yr)
  • Audited Financial Statement
  • Official Receipt of Tax payment from the Bank, DTI Registration, Mayor’s Permit

As such, there’s no escaping the ITR for self-employed and voluntary members.

Housing Loan Document Requirements For The Employees?

For the locally employed, ANY of the following must be presented:

  • Notarized Certificate of Employment and Compensation (Pag-IBIG Format)
  • Notarized Certificate of Employment and Compensation (Employer’s Format) and 1 month latest Payslip/Payroll (certified by the employer)
  • Income Tax Return / Certificate of Tax Withheld (W2-Form 2316) and 1 month latest Payslip/Payroll (certified by the employer)

In other words, for the locally employed, the ITR is only optional. In lieu of that, you may use a Certificate of Employment and Compensation from your employer.

For a complete list of requirements, please visit this article.

Income Requirements

The letter sender above must a little bit worried about getting loan when she declared, “Hindi kasi ganun kalaki ang kinikita ko eh.”

Having a large income is certainly advantageous in almost any business dealings when you apply for a real estate loan. That is, a bigger income gives you a better chance of getting a bigger loan amount also; and therefore, a bigger house.

But take note, Pag-IBIG Fund was created to make it easier for the low- and mid-income Filipino families to own a decent home by gaining access to a housing loan program that offers a lower rate and longer payment terms compared to the other financing institutions like banks.

(See also: Income and Loan Amount Entitlement)

When buying a real property and financing it using the Pag-IBIG Home Loan program, the following tips should be helpful to you:

  • Determine Your Budget for the House – As much as possible, it should not exceed 30% of your combined household income.
  • Loan Term – How much is it going to cost you on a month to month basis if you will be paying the loan in 15 years, 20 years or 30 years?
  • Consider Getting a Co-Borrower – This must be avoided as much as possible. But if you really need that property, this is an option to take. (Follow this article for more options.)


“Loaning With No Income Tax Return”
is written by Carlos Velasco.

Filed Under: Housing Loans, Membership, Pag-IBIG Fund QA, Tips and Traps Tagged With: Co-borrower, Housing Loan, Income, Income Tax Return, Membership

When Is The Right Time To Buy?

by Pag-IBIG Financing Admin

“Please let me know the document requirements for buying a property and using Pag-IBIG Housing Loan. I want to buy my first home when I go back to the Philippines for my annual vacation leave.”

That’s taken from a letter sent to us by an OFW visitor. Most probably, you too are on the same boat. That is, you want to take advantage of your time in the Philippines to look for a property to buy – or, invest as what the real estate dealers would want you to believe.

(Quick Check : Document Requirements for Pag-IBIG Housing Loan)

December is fast approaching. Nothing beats celebrating the Christmas seasons in the Philippines. And when you come home in the country, you will definitely see a lot of offers to buy a house or condo.
Should you bite the offer?

Is December the right time to buy a piece of property?

Many savvy real estate investors believe that there is such a thing as the right time to buy real estate. We’ll discuss some of them in the following lines.

Buy At the Buyer’s Market

Lacking access to the right information, not many Filipinos are aware of the two kinds of real estate market conditions:

  • Seller’s Market – There are more buyers than available properties in the market. Sellers, of course, are happy with such conditions. For anyone who is into build-and-sell business, this is the time for celebration.
  • Buyer’s Market – There are more properties for sale than there are buyers who would take them. Rush Sale, Discounted Offer, Low Down… these signs will be all over the place. Unfortunately, the buyers are not biting the offer.

Sounds like the Law of Supply and Demand in your Economics 101?

It’s a universal law the affects real estate as well.
A good advice worth remembering: “Buy when everyone is selling. Sell when everyone is buying.”

Buy Low (Sell High?)

Most real estate investors operate with this mindset: “Buy. Hold. Sell.”

real estate market philippinesIt works this way: They buy a piece of property, which is usually in a form of subdivision lot that is to be developed in some future time. Hold it for a couple of years or so, while waiting for the subdivision project to be completed and properly developed. Sell high at the current market price, which is usually higher than the cost of acquiring the property.

Buying low and then selling high leads to profit, right? This technique is sometimes referred to as real estate speculation. There could be inherent dangers with this approach, but for most investors who know what they are doing, this one works.

But even if you are not into buying and selling real estate for business, there is some wisdom in buying at a low price. If one is available and you think it is a good deal, go for it. There is nothing wrong about getting more for less.

Buy When You Are Ready

Forget about real estate investment techniques and all.

Real estate brokers and agents are crazy people. In a down market, they would say, “Now is the right time to buy while the price is still low.” When prices are rising they would say, “Buy now before the price goes even higher.” For them, it’s always time to buy. Why not? That’s their job. After all, they are licensed to do it.

It’s time you tell them to shut up.

This one had to do with good old common sense… and very useful at that.

Buying when you are ready means:

  • Your employment or business is stable. This is very important. Don’t buy a property if your employment or business is a little shaky. That’s why we have been advocating that you forget about asking if paying 24 monthly contributions to the Pag-IBIG Fund is enough to get a loan. There’s more to the getting a Pag-IBIG Housing Loan than just your contributions. Your employment track record and salary play an even bigger role.
  • You have saved enough for the down payment. So you think you can afford to pay for the monthly amortization on the house you are eyeing to buy? After all, Pag-IBIG allows you up to 30 years in loan term and you are eligible for that. Wait until you see the down payment. Remember, this is one area which you should prepare too.
  • You can afford to pay the loan. Make sure that the scheduled monthly amortization on your loan is not too much of a drain on your budget. Remember that you have other expenses too.
  • You are sure about the property you are buying. Owning a home entails a lot of responsibilities. Sometimes renting is even more beneficial than just buying a home. Make sure that you know the differences. Get your priorities in order. As a general rule, ask yourself if you will be staying in the property for five years or even longer. If the answer is yes, you are better off buying.

( See also : 5 Great Tips For The First Time Pag-IBIG Home Buyers)

~~~

“When Is The Right Time To Buy?” is written by Carlos Velasco.

Filed Under: Tips and Traps Tagged With: Documents, Equity, Income, Pag-IBIG Loan, Real Estate Market, Tips and Traps

Housing Loan Preparation: How To Flex Your Financial Muscle

by Pag-IBIG Financing Admin

“Get your finances in order.”

You have probably read that statement several times on different pages of this website. Usually, it is the response we give to visitors who are asking for guidance on how to get, and eventually be approved for, a housing loan from the Pag-IBIG Fund.

The phrase is very brief but it means a lot of things, which I will attempt to elaborate here in details.
Essentially, I’ll be talking financial talks that relate to the following topics:

  • Employment or Business Track Record
  • Level of Income
  • Credit History

That’s it — just these three things are enough to help you flex your financial muscles so that you’ll be ready to face your loan officer. If you get them right, you’ll be smiling for making such a preparation. And take note, the same concept is applicable also to any loan application from any financial institution like the bank and credit cooperative.

Okay, let’s take them one by one.

Employment or Business Track Record

Quite simply, this is revealed by such question as, “How long have you been in business or in your current work or profession?”

The answer to this question is very important to the lending institution because it tells something about the stability of your income.

There are many ways a private lending institution can get a handle of this information. Depending on your source of income, some banks will be asking you the following:

  • Your contract of employment — with stated terms of contract and salary
  • Remittances in the Philippines (For OFW)
  • Bank Statements
  • Financial Statements for the past 2 years (for businesses)

Pag-IBIG Housing Loan Preparation ChecklistIn the case of Pag-IBIG Fund, one of the ways they can check this is by simply looking at your membership records with the Fund. Ever wonder why the Pag-IBIG Fund requires its members to have contributed at least 24 months of contributions? The very reason is that, they want to make sure that you have a steady source of income for the past two years. Somehow that gives them a hint of your employment record.

So the next time you are thinking about getting a loan, remember to take more time to reflect first on your employment, professional or business history. Stability in your work or line of business is the key. The longer you are in your work, profession or business, the more chances you have to being qualified for the Pag-IBIG Housing loan.

Pag-IBIG Financing Tip #1: Learn about Loan Pre-Qualification and its importance.

Level of Income

This one is very obvious. The higher your income level, the better chances of getting qualified for a housing loan, and the higher the loan amount entitlement also.

Question: If my income is P 35k per month, am I qualified for a housing loan with Pag-IBIG amounting to P 1.5 M?

Answer: Yes, but you should probably try to settle on a lesser amount of loan or strive to come up with an augmented income. Remember, your monthly amortization will also take a toll on your family’s budget. You don’t want to tie up a bulk of your expenses just paying of your home loan.

The answer to the question above is based on Pag-IBIG Fund’s Guidelines relating the income and member’s contributions to this loan amount entitlement. For more details, please check on the article entitled “How Your Income And Contributions Affect Your Housing Loan Entitlement“.

Pag-IBIG Financing Tip #2: As a general rule, you are safe if you select a loan amount and term where the resulting monthly amortization is less than 1/3 of your net monthly income.

Credit History

A borrower’s bad credit history really turns off any lending institution. Be careful about having a history of cancelled credit card because it will haunt you down once you apply for a loan from any bank in the country.

The current Housing Loan Application Form of Pag-IBIG already includes fields about the loan applicant’s credit cards. But some borrowers who have a bad credit history can simply skip on those blank items so that the Pag-IBIG staff won’t bother. But someday soon, it will become a critical part of the housing loan qualification process.

Essentially, what this means to all Pag-IBIG Fund members who want to apply for a housing loan is that, they should not make any Pag-IBIG Loan they can’t make up. Any unpaid loan you have made with Pag-IBIG can definitely affect any loan application you will make with the Fund.

Pag-IBIG Financing Tip #3: Don’t be careless even on small amount of loans. It can make or break your reputation with the Pag-IBIG Fund.

See also: The 5 Cs of Credit.

~~~

“Housing Loan Preparation: How To Flex Your Financial Muscle” is written by Carlos Velasco.

Filed Under: Housing Loans, Tips and Traps Tagged With: Documents, Income, Pag-IBIG Fund, Pag-IBIG Loan, Pag-IBIG Mortgage, Requirements, Tips and Traps

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