A person you meet through Hanap Bahay Online may be a property owner, buyer, authorized representative, real estate professional, or service provider. Before entering into a transaction, it is important to know who you are dealing with and verify the information they provide.
We recommend working with a licensed real estate broker, especially for property transactions. A licensed broker can help verify the parties, property information, documents, and transaction details, and can help identify issues you may not notice on your own.
However, if you prefer to handle the transaction yourself, you can take the following steps to independently verify the person you are dealing with and reduce the risk of fraud.
Ask Who You Are Dealing With
Start by asking the person to identify themselves clearly.
Ask for:
- Full name
- Mobile number
- Email address
- Company or brokerage name, if applicable
- Their role in the transaction
- Whether they are the property owner, buyer, authorized representative, or real estate professional
Make sure the information they provide is consistent with their profile, listing, documents, and other information they give you.
If They Are a Property Seller or Owner
If someone says they own the property, ask for identification showing their full name.
However, an ID only verifies the person’s identity. It does not prove that they own the property.
Before purchasing or renting a property, independently verify the property’s ownership and relevant documents through the appropriate government office or a qualified professional.
If They Are Selling on Behalf of the Owner
A seller may be a relative, employee, attorney, authorized representative, or real estate professional rather than the actual owner.
Ask:
“What is your authority to sell or lease this property?”
Ask them to explain their relationship with the owner and, when appropriate, provide proof of their authority.
Do not assume that someone has the right to sell a property simply because they have access to the property or possess copies of property documents.
If They Say They Are a Licensed Real Estate Broker
Ask for:
- Full name
- PRC License Number
- PRC License Expiry Date
- PTR Number
- Brokerage or company affiliation, if applicable
- Authority to Sell the property
You may verify professional registration through the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Make sure the name and professional information correspond to the person you are actually dealing with.
If They Say They Are a Real Estate Salesperson
A real estate salesperson is different from a licensed real estate broker.
Ask for:
- Full name
- PRC registration details
- Name of their supervising licensed real estate broker
- Brokerage or company affiliation
- Authority to Sell the property
Verify the information and confirm the salesperson’s affiliation with the broker they identify.
If They Are an Appraiser, Consultant, or Other Professional
If someone offers professional real estate services, ask for their:
- Full name
- Professional license or registration, when applicable
- Professional identification
- Company or professional affiliation
Verify whether the person is properly licensed or registered for the service they are offering when the profession requires a license.
Remember:
Being a real estate professional does not automatically mean the person owns the property they are advertising.
If You Are Dealing With a Buyer
Sellers and property owners should also take reasonable steps to know who they are dealing with.
Ask potential buyers for:
- Full name
- Contact information
- Identification when reasonably necessary
- Company information if purchasing on behalf of a business
For significant transactions, parties may request additional information or documentation appropriate to the transaction.
Avoid sharing sensitive personal or property information until you have reasonable confidence that you are dealing with a legitimate person.
Check That the Person Matches the Listing
Compare the person’s:
- Name
- Profile
- Contact number
- Company
- Professional credentials
with the information shown on the Hanap Bahay Online listing.
Be cautious if different names, phone numbers, or identities are being used without a reasonable explanation.
Watch for Red Flags 🚩
Be especially careful if someone:
Refuses to identify themselves
Refuses reasonable verification requests
Uses different names on different documents
Claims to be a broker but cannot provide professional credentials
Claims to represent an owner but cannot explain their authority
Pressures you to pay immediately
Offers an unusually low price
Requests payment before reasonable verification
Asks you to send money to another person’s account
Refuses a reasonable property viewing
Provides inconsistent information
Sends suspicious or altered documents
Do not allow urgency or pressure to make you skip basic verification.
Remember: Identity Verification Is Not Property Verification
This is one of the most important things to remember.
Verifying a person’s identity does not automatically prove that they own a property or have the authority to sell it.
For example, an ID may confirm that someone is Juan Dela Cruz, but it does not confirm that Juan owns the property he is advertising.
You should separately verify:
The Person → The Property → The Authority → The Documents → The Transaction
About Hanap Bahay Online Listings
Hanap Bahay Online is an online marketplace and directory. Listings are posted by users and may be published immediately.
The platform does not guarantee the identity of users, ownership of properties, authority to sell or lease, accuracy of listings, or outcome of transactions.
A listing displaying:
Listed by a Licensed Real Estate Broker
indicates that the listing was posted by a user registered as a licensed real estate broker and who provided the required broker account information.
This does not mean that Hanap Bahay Online has independently verified the property, ownership, authority to sell, or documents relating to the listing.
Before You Pay or Enter Into a Transaction
Before paying a reservation fee, deposit, down payment, or any other amount:
Verify the Person → Verify the Property → Verify the Documents → Understand the Terms → Then Decide
For transactions involving significant amounts of money, consider consulting a licensed real estate professional or qualified legal professional.
If Something Seems Wrong
If you believe a listing or user may be fraudulent, misleading, or violating Hanap Bahay Online’s policies, report it through our Contact Us page.
When possible, provide:
- Listing URL
- User’s name
- Screenshots
- Description of the concern
- Any other relevant information
This will help us review the report.
⚠️ Important Reminder
Hanap Bahay Online does not verify the identity of every user. You are responsible for verifying who you are dealing with and conducting your own checks before sharing sensitive information, making payments, or entering into a transaction.
Search Smarter. Transact Safer.
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