Imus, Cavite Real Estate: Houses South of Metro Manila

Imus is a residential and commercial city on the way to the rest of Cavite, with the Aguinaldo Highway and Cavitex linking it to Manila and the Bacoor-Las Piñas corridor. Traffic is heavy at peak hours, which is why buyers consider distance and road access first. Malls, schools and hospitals serve the local population, and many residents commute to Makati or Ortigas.

Buyers are mostly Filipino families, including overseas Filipino workers. Foreign investors tend to look at condos in Manila instead. Compare Bacoor, General Trias, Dasmariñas, Las Piñas, Parañaque and Muntinlupa.

Foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines, which means they cannot hold title to a house-and-lot in a subdivision. They may own condominium units, provided foreign ownership in the building stays within the 40% cap. Long-term residential leases are generally available for 25 years, renewable for another 25 years; longer terms are for approved investment projects only. Some former Filipino citizens can buy limited land.

Typical taxes include a documentary stamp tax, transfer tax and the seller's capital gains tax (approx., verify locally). Our Philippines guide, financing and market overview provide detail.

Verify the title with the Registry of Deeds, check subdivision developer permits, and avoid nominee structures that skirt the land rule.