San Jose del Monte: Affordable Houses North of Metro Manila

The city depends on road and rail links to Metro Manila, and traffic is heavy at peak hours. A planned rail extension would improve this, but timing should be checked. Subdivisions often offer government-assisted Pag-IBIG financing for Filipino employees, which is not available to most foreigners. Flood risk varies between subdivisions along rivers, so ask neighbours about heavy-rain history. Overseas Filipino workers form a big share of the buyers.

For central locations see Quezon City, Pasig and Makati.

Foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines, so house-and-lot packages are generally closed to them, except by inheritance. Foreign buyers can own condominium units, within a 40% foreign cap per building, and lease land. A Filipino spouse can hold title. Get a local lawyer to verify the Transfer Certificate of Title, developer licence and tax clearances. See the Philippines guide, financing and consultation.

Ask for the Transfer Certificate of Title, tax declaration, latest real property tax receipts and the developer's licence to sell and certificate of registration. Subdivision homeowners' associations charge dues and have deed restrictions. Look at the water supply, as some subdivisions rely on private providers. A site visit during heavy rain will show how the street and drainage cope, which reveals more than any brochure.