Thanks to the continued advancements in communication and technology, almost everything can now be purchased over the internet. Whether it’s booking hotel rooms, ordering food for delivery, or purchasing new clothes; there is indeed an online way to find and buy. And yes, this also includes real estate for sale.
Granted, property isn’t the simplest purchase, and it of course remains ideal to visit a property before buying (or renting) it. However, completing the transaction online also makes sense in certain situations. Among these is if you are moving from one place to another farther place; or are considering buying real estate for sale in the Philippines but are presently overseas, and have little to no time to make trips to and from the property you are interested in acquiring.
If you see yourself needing to do the same, the following are some basic steps of how you can complete your property acquisition online, as well as an introduction to a comprehensive real estate solution platform where you can do your new home search.
Where to look for real estate to buy in the Philippines
The internet has helped significantly change the way we buy and search for real estate. Long forgotten are the days when properties for sale were mostly found in the local newspapers’ classified ads, or through “for sale” signs posted on the properties themselves.
Now you can search, find, and even take a tour of a home that is presently available on the market right from the comfort of your office or current residence.
Ready to explore available homes across the Philippines? Use Ohmyhome to begin your search.
Searching: It’s that simple
Established with the simple goal of providing users a simple, fast, and efficient real estate app that they can freely access, Ohmyhome has evolved from a self-serve platform that buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants can list and search for free into a full-fledged property platform with a presence in Singapore, Malaysia and, now, the Philippines.
Featuring thousands of new listings and featuring new homes daily, Ohmyhome contains a vast amount of information and allows you to conveniently compare properties. The app or website allows you to search by location, as well as allows you to set parameters to narrow down your search. This includes selecting between buying or renting, the type of property, the number of rooms and bathrooms, and even specifics like the total floor area.
Found a home you like? Here’s what to do next
Now that you’ve found a home for sale or rent that you like, the following are the steps you can take to complete its acquisition even from a distance.
1. Connect with a real estate agent
A recommended way to gauge the home you want to buy is to have someone you trust who can visit the property to go and view it for you.
However, if the friend/s or family member/s you entrust to do this do not have adequate experience or know-how in buying real estate (or there isn’t anyone available to actually do this), it will be to your benefit to use real estate agent services throughout the process.
Apart from ensuring you get everything you need and want from the home you’re buying, and nothing that you don’t, working with an agent can help you in reaching a fair price for the property, and for making sure all requirements within the real estate process are met.
A notable difference that Ohmyhome has over other platforms is the availability of agent services, where you are not just left to complete the purchase of your home once you find one, but actually have a vetted and certified professional to work with to help you complete the process when you want or need to work with one.
2. Get a home loan approval
Unless you have the funding to pay for the property in full, you will likely be requiring a home loan to complete your real estate acquisition. Completing the application may not be the easiest thing to do remotely but, again, is not impossible.
Another service that sets Ohmyhome apart from standard real estate platforms is its Financial Advisory services, which can help you review the best home loan rates across all financial providers.
Working with your Ohmyhome agent and a designated friend or family member, a home loan application can be filed on your behalf. As the borrower, you’ll be designating who the funds are released to when the loan is approved, and since you are far away, you can choose anyone from your agent, chosen representative, or the seller of the property to complete the loan purchase.
3. Evaluate the property or properties
While you may be dead-set on a particular property, it remains good practice to go over all the options that you have and at least ensure that the home for sale you choose and/or the others you considered has everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Make the most of the Ohmyhome website and look at all you can, while also asking your chosen agent for their input. Create a list of all the ideal qualities you want your property to have, including the basics:
- Number of bedrooms and/or bathrooms
- Types of appliances if furnished
- Distance to certain schools/hospitals/commercial districts
- Local property taxes
- Distance to public transportation or available parking (if you have a car)
- Amenities such as a pool or gym
- The home’s overall condition-do you need a turnkey property or are you open to renovating or making repairs?
Give this to your agent and ask them for recommendations of any properties which might work for you. The most committed agents will ensure everything you want is covered, and then some, possibly finding you options that may provide even more value than your initial choice. You can have them visit the properties you like and document any issues they find.
Remember, unlike buying new jeans or a hat online, you can’t ‘return’ the home because you changed your mind. So, you must be sure before you make an offer.
4. Submit an Offer
If you’ve decided on a home to buy, congratulations. You’d now be ready to make an offer. With the help of your Ohmyhome agent, you can craft an offer letter that not only indicates to the seller that you want to buy their property and at what price, but also under what conditions you’ll agree to the sale. These include certain repairs you want to be done before buying, as well as any of the taxes and fees you want the seller to cover.
Although you can produce this letter yourself, it is best to work on this with a real estate professional. An Ohmyhome agent knows how to communicate with a seller in a way that puts your interest first and knows how to use and understand legal real estate terminologies.
At this point, the seller will have three options:
- Accept your offer as-is with no changes to the terms
- Reject your offer. Here is when you decide if you’ll make a new offer or if you’ll move on to another property for sale.
- Give a counteroffer. The seller may just want the terms of the sale to be adjusted, and here is when you can also decide between moving on or continuing negotiations with the help of your Ohmyhome agent.
5. Get Ready to Close
Once you and the seller reach an agreement, you’re just about ready to close. Your home loan company will look to schedule an appraisal, where a professional estimates the home’s value. This is important for the bank to know they aren’t loaning you more money than your home is worth.
They will also finish underwriting your loan and verifying your financial info, so the bank and your agent may need to contact you for more information or documentation. Respond as quickly as possible to keep your closing on schedule
While you’ve likely had it done before starting this entire process, you should also schedule a home inspection again before you commit to closing. This is not the same thing as an appraisal, because an inspection tells you specifically what’s wrong with your home and what needs to be repaired.
The inspection is important when buying remotely because it tells you exactly what you’re getting into when you move in. Ask your Ohmyhome agent to forward inspection results to you via email and review them before closing.
6. Finalize your purchase
Now, all there is that is left to do is to finalize your home loan and take control of your property. Your bank will send a home loan disclosure detailing the final terms of your loan, which you can review and proceed to close afterward.
The process may vary between lenders. Some may allow you to sign electronically or require a special power of attorney to have your representatives finalize the process. It’s always best to consult with your Ohmyhome agent before closing to have these details ironed out so you know what to do to get your dream home.
Buying property online can be arduous, but it is not impossible. Searching on the right platform and working with the best people, combined with doing one’s own due diligence even when far away, if often all that it takes.
To learn more about Ohmyhome’s agent services, get a valuation on a property, find the latest in properties for sale, or receive financing advice, download the Ohmyhome app, or visit the Ohmyhome website.
Ohmyhome was launched in the Philippines in September 2020, following the company’s establishment of a tech team in the country in 2017. Ohmyhome was originally founded in 2016, and subsequently rose in Singapore as a leading PropTech solution and licensed real estate agency.
Ohmyhome expanded into the Philippines so that Filipino home seekers can have a real estate partner that they can trust to have their best interests at heart and can be relied upon to provide exceptional services throughout the entire property journey.
Featuring thousands of properties across many of the Philippines’ major real estate brands, Ohmyhome differs from other local platforms by going the extra mile and extensively helping buyers narrow down the choices and find the property that best suits their budgets, home needs, and lifestyle preferences.
The company’s Real Estate Agents not only help in the shortlisting of options but also provide professional services through the entire purchasing process. These include assistance in property inspections, negotiations, the finalization of the Conditions of Sale, deposit collection, the submission of property documents, as well as providing buyers regular updates.
Ohmyhome helps Filipinos find their dream homes, all while making sure each real estate transaction is complete and is an efficient and enjoyable experience.
+63 917 700 6497 
hi@ohmyhome.com 
