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In-House vs Bank vs Pag-IBIG: Which is the Best Home Financing Option?

Moneymax Editorial Team

Moneymax Editorial Team

Last updated May 23, 2023

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make—so you have to carefully consider the best home financing option for your needs. Should you choose in-house financing vs bank financing? Or should you buy a house through Pag-IBIG? 

All Filipinos who intend to buy a home should know their financing options. To help future homeowners like you choose the best option to pay off your mortgage, here’s a useful guide.

In-House Financing vs Bank Financing vs Pag-IBIG Financing: What is the Difference? 

If you’re not paying for a house in cash, you can choose from three financing options, depending on your situation and needs. 

📌 What is In-House Financing? 

in-house financing vs bank financing - what is in-house financing

What is in-house financing? It's when a company offers a loan to consumers so that they can purchase goods or services.[1] Property developers typically offer in-house financing to their customers.

Since you have to prepare only a few requirements, it's usually easy to get approved for in-house financing in the Philippines. The process is also quicker than other home financing options. Note, however, that in-house financing interest rates are usually higher than those of banks. 

When Should You Choose In-House Financing?

✔️ Your home loan applications from banks or Pag-IBIG were rejected

A lot of people try their luck with housing loans from banks and other lenders. However, due to low credit scores, these applications usually get denied. In-house financing is a mortgage alternative for those who can pay a housing loan but can’t get approved by banks. 

✔️ You want to move in immediately

Most developers will allow you to move in right after your in-house financing gets approved. In contrast, the entire process for bank or Pag-IBIG financing can be long and tedious, especially if you have incomplete requirements.

✔️ You don't want to deal with lenders and financial institutions

Some people prefer transacting directly with the property developer because they feel that involving third-party financers would only draw out the home-buying process. In this case, in-house financing is the best option. 

📌 What is Bank Financing?

in-house financing vs bank financing - what is bank financing

Bank financing is more commonly known as a housing loan or home loan. How does it work in the Philippines? Banks or financial institutions provide these loans to borrowers for the purchase of a property.

In general, bank financing has slightly lower interest rates compared to in-house financing. 

When Should You Choose Bank Financing?

✔️ You have a good credit score

Although Pag-IBIG and property developers also conduct their own credit investigations, the process of determining your creditworthiness is more stringent with banks. You'll need to pay off all your loans or have no delinquencies or late payments on record. 

✔️ You need a fixed loan term

Bank financing comes with a fixed monthly interest and monthly installment amount throughout the loan period. 

✔️ You want more options

Banks offer a variety of home loan options, some with lower interest rates and special promos. 

 

 

 

📌 What is Pag-IBIG Financing?

in-house financing vs bank financing - what is pag-ibig financing

Pag-IBIG financing is a home loan provided to qualified Pag-IBIG members who have made at least 24 monthly contributions. Through a Pag-IBIG housing loan, eligible members can purchase a house or get funding to pay any of the following:

  • Single or adjoining residential lots at a maximum of 1,000 square meters
  • Residential house and lot, condominium, or townhouse
  • Construction of a house
  • Refinancing of a house loan
  • Renovation of a house
  • Combined loan purposes

When Should You Opt for Pag-IBIG Financing?

✔️ You're a Pag-IBIG member

As a Pag-IBIG member, you can apply for different types of loans at low interest rates. 

✔️ You have time (and patience) to process your application

The edge of in-house financing and bank housing loans vs Pag-IBIG is that with the latter, you'd have to go through the tedious process of bidding, submitting documents, and securing your loan application.

Although you can begin your application online, you also have to appear in person at a designated Pag-IBIG branch. You'll have to wait in long queues and spend at least an entire day to complete everything. 

✔️ You’re willing to pay off your housing loan for a long time

In-house and bank financing usually offer shorter loan tenors. With Pag-IBIG financing, you can opt to pay off your loan for up to 30 years, as long as you’re not older than 70 at the end of the term. 

✔️ You're a minimum-wage earner
in-house financing vs bank financing - affordable housing loan

Pag-IBIG offers an affordable housing loan program for minimum-wage earners. For as low as ₱2,445.30 per month and a loan period of up to 30 years, you can own your dream home.[2]

See also: Pag-IBIG Acquired Assets: Homebuyer’s Guide to Getting Foreclosed Properties

Apply for a UnionBank personal loan via Moneymax

 

At a Glance: In-House Financing vs Bank Financing vs Pag-IBIG Financing

Choosing the best home financing option can be tough. You need to check not only the interest rates but also other factors that can affect your entire loan amount and repayment. 

Features In-House Financing Bank Financing Pag-IBIG Financing
Interest Rates per Annum 14% to 18% 5% to 12% 5.75% to 10%
Loan tenor Up to 25 years Up to 20 years Up to 30 years
Loan purpose Purchase property planned and built by the developer Purchase property from a developer or from any other seller, home improvements, renovations, refinancing of an existing loan, and more  Purchase property from a developer or from any other seller, home improvement, construction, refinancing of an existing loan, and combined loan purposes
Loanable amount Up to 80% of the property value Up to 80% of the property value Up to 100% of the property value
Processing time Up to 2 weeks Up to 2 weeks or longer, depending on how quickly you submit the requirements Up to 2 months

 

At a glance, the loan tenors for in-house financing, bank financing, and Pag-IBIG financing look almost the same, despite the differences in interest rates. 

 

Requirements In-House Financing Bank Financing Pag-IBIG Financing
Credit Check Yes Yes Yes
Employment/Business Employed or with other sources of income for at least 2 years Employed or with other sources of income for at least 2 years Employed or with other sources of income for at least 2 years
Co-Borrower or Guarantor No No No
Down payment and processing fees Yes Yes Yes

 

All three financing options require credit checks. Banks, though, are stricter in screening applicants for delinquencies and bad loans. 

You need a stable source of income to ensure that you can pay off the loan. With in-house financing and bank financing, you need to verify your employment or business information. But Pag-IBIG is more lenient with first-time borrowers and even accepts remittance receipts from applicants who earn from freelancing gigs. 

Before applying for any of these options, fix your credit history and pay off your outstanding balances first. A good credit score increases your chances of approval.

Plus, you have better chances of negotiating discounts. Check your credit profile by inquiring from the Credit Information Corporation.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between in-house financing vs bank financing vs Pag-IBIG financing will depend on many things. Compare these home financing options to understand how they work, what each option requires from you, and what they can provide. 

Homeownership is a life-changing decision that can’t be decided overnight. Take time to research and inquire from different banks, developers, property agents, and people you know who have tried out these options. Consider the location and the type of house you’re planning to purchase.

Most importantly, consider your financial status. If you have doubts about repayment, defer the purchase and try renting a house first. But if you’re confident that your finances can cover the installments and renovations, it's time to turn your dream house into reality.

Compare Loans and Find the Best One Here!

Aside from housing loans, another way to fund home purchase, construction, or renovation is through a personal loan. Here are some of the best options from topnotch lenders in the Philippines.

Personal Loan 
Loan Amount

Monthly Add-on Rate

Minimum Annual Income

Approval Time

UnionBank Personal Loan
unionbank-logo-300x92
Compare Now
Up to ₱2 million
1.29% 
₱250,000
As fast as 5 minutes
UNO Digital Bank Personal Loan
uno digital bank
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₱10,000 to ₱200,000
2%
₱180,000
As fast as 7 banking days
Metrobank Personal Loan
metrobank
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₱20,000 to ₱1 million
1.25% to 1.75%
₱350,000
7 days
BPI Personal Loan
bpi logo
Compare Now
20,000 to  ₱3 million
1.2%
180,000
5 to 7 banking days
RFC Loan
easyrfc-1
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10,000 to  ₱150,000
4%
120,000
As fast as 24 hours
Tonik Quick Loan
tonik
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₱5,000 to ₱50,000
Starts at 4.26%
₱180,000
As fast as 1 hour
Tala Loan
tala

Compare Now

₱1,000 to ₱15,000
15%
None
24 hours
HSBC Personal Loan
2560px-HSBC_logo_(2018).svg
Compare Now
30,000 to ₱500,000
0.65%
168,000
5 to 7 banking days
CIMB Personal Loan
CIMB-Logo-1
Compare Now
30,000 to ₱1 million
1.95%
180,000
As fast as 24 hours
Maybank Personal Loan
Maybank logo 2011-1
Compare Now
50,000 to ₱1 million
1.3%
300,000
5 to 10 banking days
RCBC Bank Personal Loan
rcbc-logo-2
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50,000 ₱1 million
1.3%
360,000
5 to 7 banking days
SB Finance Personal Loan
SB-Finance-e1631324202933

Compare Now
₱30,000 to ₱2 million
2%
₱180,000
5 banking days
CTBC Bank Personal Loan
ctbc-Mar-28-2022-12-20-39-62-PM
Compare Now
₱500,000 to ₱2 million
1.39% to 1.79%
180,000
1 to 5 banking days
PSBank Personal Loan
PSBank-300x207-1
Compare Now
₱20,000 to ₱250,000
1.75% or 2.5% 
₱180,000
5 to 9 banking days

 

Sources:

The Moneymax Editorial Team consists of talented and experienced writers, editors, investors, and subject matter experts on a mission to help Filipinos build healthier financial lives. Browse the Moneymax blog for information and advice on credit cards, loans, insurance, investments, and other personal finance topics. For more financial news and articles, follow Moneymax on LinkedIn.

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