How to Sell Property in the Philippines While Working Abroad (2025 Guide)

Selling property in the Philippines while you're working overseas might seem complicated, but thousands of OFWs do it every year without flying home. The key is a properly executed Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and understanding the process.

This guide walks you through everything: the steps, the costs, the documents, and the common mistakes to avoid.

1. Can You Sell Property Without Returning to the Philippines?

Yes. You don't need to fly home to sell your property.

Through a Special Power of Attorney, you can authorize someone you trust—a family member, a lawyer, or a licensed broker—to sign documents and complete the transaction on your behalf.

The SPA must be:

• Notarized at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in your host country, OR
• Apostilled if your country is part of the Apostille Convention (most are)

Once executed, your attorney-in-fact can handle everything from negotiating with buyers to signing the Deed of Absolute Sale.

For a detailed walkthrough of the SPA process, see our Complete SPA Guide.

2. Types of Property You Can Sell Remotely

Titled Property (CCT or TCT)

If you own a condo with a Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT) or a house and lot with a Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT), you can sell it through the standard sale process.

Pre-Selling Units

If you bought a pre-selling condo that hasn't been turned over yet, you don't technically "own" it yet—the developer does. What you can do is assign your rights to a new buyer. This is called a Deed of Assignment.

Assignment requires the developer's consent and typically involves assignment fees. Contact us for guidance on the assignment process.

Inherited Property

If you inherited property from a deceased family member, you'll need to complete an Extrajudicial Settlement and pay estate taxes before you can sell.

This gets complicated when multiple heirs are involved, especially if they're all abroad. Talk to us if you need help navigating inherited property sales.

Co-Owned Property

If you co-own property with siblings, an ex-spouse, or business partners, all owners must agree to sell. Each co-owner needs to either sign personally or execute their own SPA.

3. Step-by-Step Process to Sell From Abroad

Step 1: Decide If It's the Right Time to Sell

Before listing, ask yourself:

• Do I need the cash now, or can I wait for better market conditions?
• Is the property appreciating or depreciating?
• Would renting generate better long-term returns?
• Are there personal reasons forcing the sale (divorce, debt, family issues)?

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

You'll need these documents ready before you can sell:

Property Documents

• Original Owner's Copy of Title (CCT or TCT)
• Latest Tax Declaration (land and improvement)
• Latest Real Property Tax receipts
• Association clearance and dues (for condos)
• Certificate Authorizing Registration (CAR) if applicable

Personal Documents

• Valid government-issued IDs (passport, driver's license)
• Marriage certificate (if married)
• Birth certificate
• TIN (Tax Identification Number)

If selling inherited property, add:

• Death certificate of previous owner
• Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate
• Estate Tax Clearance (BIR)
• Publication proof

Don't have some of these? Your attorney-in-fact can help secure copies in the Philippines.

Step 3: Get Your Property Valued

Pricing your property correctly is critical. Price too high and it sits for months. Price too low and you leave money on the table.

How to estimate fair market value:

1. Check comparable sales – What have similar units in your building or neighborhood sold for recently?
2. Review zonal value – The BIR publishes zonal values by location. Look up your property's zonal value here. Your selling price should typically be above this.
3. Consider condition – Renovated units command premiums. Neglected properties sell at discounts.
4. Factor in urgency – If you need to sell fast, expect to price 5-15% below market.

Want an expert opinion? Get a free property valuation from us — we specialize in helping OFWs sell remotely.

Step 4: Execute a Special Power of Attorney

The SPA is the most critical document. It legally authorizes someone to act on your behalf.

Your SPA for selling must specifically include:

• Full property description (title number, location, area)
• Authority to negotiate and agree on price
• Authority to sign the Deed of Absolute Sale
• Authority to receive payment on your behalf
• Authority to sign tax documents and transfer papers

Who to appoint:

Choose someone you trust completely. This person will have legal authority to sell your property and receive large sums of money. Options include:

• Immediate family member (parent, sibling, spouse)
• Licensed real estate broker
• Lawyer

For the complete SPA process, see our SPA Guide for OFW Buyers (the process is similar for sellers).

Step 5: Find a Buyer

You have several options:

Work with a broker

A licensed broker handles marketing, buyer screening, negotiations, and paperwork. Standard commission is 3-5% of the sale price.

List on property portals

Sites like Lamudi, Property24, and Carousell reach buyers directly. You'll handle inquiries yourself (or your attorney-in-fact will).

Sell to your network

OFW Facebook groups, balikbayan communities, and personal connections sometimes yield buyers faster than public listings.

Work with us

We specialize in helping OFWs sell property remotely. From valuation to closing, we handle everything while you're abroad. Talk to us about selling your property.

Step 6: Negotiate and Sign the Sale Documents

Once you have a buyer:

1. Agree on price and terms – Your attorney-in-fact negotiates on your behalf (within the authority you granted)
2. Sign Reservation Agreement – Buyer pays reservation fee to take property off market
3. Conduct due diligence – Buyer verifies title, checks for liens, confirms tax payments
4. Sign Contract to Sell – Outlines full terms, payment schedule, conditions
5. Sign Deed of Absolute Sale – Final transfer document, signed when full payment is made

Your attorney-in-fact signs all documents on your behalf using the SPA.

Step 7: Pay Taxes and Transfer Title

Seller's responsibilities:

Buyer's responsibilities:

Step 8: Receive Your Proceeds

After taxes are paid and title is transferred, you receive your money.

How to receive funds abroad:

• Bank wire transfer – Direct to your overseas bank account. Fastest but may have fees.
• Remittance services – Wise, Remitly, or similar services offer competitive rates.
• Peso account – Keep funds in a Philippine bank if you'll need pesos later.

Timeline: Expect to receive funds within 1-2 weeks after the Deed of Absolute Sale is signed and taxes are paid.

4. Costs and Taxes When Selling Property

Here's the complete breakdown:

Example Calculation

If you sell a condo for P5,000,000:

• Capital Gains Tax: P300,000
• Documentary Stamp Tax: P75,000
• Broker Commission (5%): P250,000
• Notarial/Misc: ~P50,000

Your net proceeds: approximately P4,325,000

5. Selling Pre-Selling Units (Assignment)

If you bought a pre-selling condo and want to exit before turnover, you can't technically "sell" it—you assign your purchase rights to another buyer.

How assignment works:

1. Check your Contract to Sell for assignment provisions
2. Request developer consent (usually required)
3. Pay assignment fee (typically 5% of contract price or P50,000-100,000 flat)
4. Find an assignee (new buyer)
5. Execute Deed of Assignment
6. Developer transfers contract to new buyer

When assignment makes sense:

• You can't continue monthly payments
• Property has appreciated and you want to cash out
• Your plans changed and you no longer need the unit
• Developer has delayed turnover

Contact us if you need help with a pre-selling assignment.

6. Selling Inherited Property From Abroad

Inherited property adds complexity because you must settle the estate before you can sell.

Required steps:

1. Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate – All heirs must agree and sign. If heirs are abroad, each needs an SPA or must sign at their respective embassies.
2. Estate Tax Payment – 6% of net estate value. Must be filed within 1 year of death (extensions available).
3. Estate Tax Clearance – BIR issues this after estate tax is paid.
4. Transfer Title to Heirs – Title is transferred to heir names before sale can proceed.
5. Then Sell – Follow the standard selling process above.

The challenge: If you have multiple siblings abroad, coordinating everyone's signatures and SPAs is logistically difficult. This is where having a trusted local representative—or working with a broker who handles OFW transactions—becomes essential.

7. Common Mistakes OFWs Make When Selling

1. Giving SPA to the Wrong Person

Your attorney-in-fact will have legal authority to sell your property and receive millions of pesos. Horror stories abound of trusted relatives who disappear with the money.

Protect yourself:

• Consider appointing a licensed broker or lawyer with professional liability
• Require that proceeds be deposited directly to your account
• Include specific limitations in your SPA

2. Not Verifying the Buyer

Scammers target OFW sellers because you can't easily verify things from abroad.

Red flags:

• Buyer wants to pay in installments with no collateral
• Buyer can't show proof of funds
• Buyer pressures you to sign quickly
• Buyer wants title transferred before full payment

3. Underpricing or Overpricing

Pricing wrong costs you money either way. Underprice and you lose equity. Overprice and your property sits unsold for months while you continue paying association dues and taxes.

Solution: Get a professional valuation. We offer free valuations for OFW sellers.

4. Forgetting About Unpaid Obligations

Before you can sell, you need clearances. Outstanding items will delay or block your sale:

• Unpaid real property taxes
• Association dues in arrears
• Utility bills
• Existing mortgage or liens

Have your attorney-in-fact verify all obligations are settled.

5. Not Budgeting for Capital Gains Tax

CGT is 6% of the selling price or zonal value—whichever is higher. On a P5M property, that's P300,000.

If you're selling because you need cash urgently, make sure you budget for this. The BIR must be paid before title can be transferred.

8. How Long Does It Take to Sell?

Every sale is different, but here's a realistic timeline:

Factors that speed things up:

• Property is priced competitively
• All documents are complete
• No title issues or liens
• Cash buyer (no financing delays)
• Working with experienced broker

Factors that slow things down:

• Inherited property (add 2-4 months for settlement)
• Multiple co-owners abroad
• Missing documents
• Buyer financing delays
• Local government backlogs

9. Should You Sell or Rent Instead?

Selling isn't always the best choice. Consider:

When to Sell

• You need a lump sum of cash now
• Property isn't appreciating (or is declining)
• Managing tenants from abroad is too stressful
• Personal reasons require liquidation (divorce, debt, inheritance dispute)
• You have better investment opportunities elsewhere

When to Rent

• Property is in a high-demand rental area
• Rental yield exceeds your cost of capital
• Property is appreciating and you can wait
• You want passive income stream
• You might return to the Philippines someday

Still unsure? Talk to us — we can help you analyze both scenarios based on your specific situation.

Related Tools

• Net Proceeds Calculator — Calculate your take-home amount after selling
• Document Checklist — Generate your personalized document requirements

Related Guides

• How to Sell Inherited Property as an OFW
• SPA Guide for OFW Property Transactions
• How to Buy Property While Working Abroad
• OFW Condo Buying Guide by Country

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Consult qualified professionals for your specific situation.