Home › Buyer Guides › How to Verify a PRC-accredited Real Estate Salesperson in the Philippines
Who may legally sell real estate for others
| Role | Requirement | Can they act alone? |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate broker | Passed the PRC licensure exam, holds a PRC license, and is a member of the accredited professional organization | Yes. They supervise salespersons. |
| Real estate salesperson | Accredited by the PRC, working under a licensed broker | No. They must be under a broker's supervision. |
| Real estate appraiser or consultant | Separately licensed by the PRC | For appraisal or consulting, not selling |
Developers selling their own projects through their own employees are treated differently. Independent agents and sellers' "ahente" must be licensed or accredited. Unlicensed practice is penalized under RA 9646.
The five-step check
- Ask for details: full name, PRC accreditation or license number, and the supervising broker's name and license number. A real salesperson gives these freely.
- Check PRC LERIS: go to verification.prc.gov.ph and search by name or license number. Confirm the name and profession, and check the broker as well.
- Ask for DHSUD registration: brokers and salespersons selling subdivision and condo projects are registered with DHSUD. Ask for proof.
- Call the developer: use the hotline or email on the developer's official website (not the number in the ad) and ask whether this person or team is accredited for that project.
- Follow the money: reservation fees and all payments must go to the developer's official account or cashier, in the developer's corporate name, with official receipts.
Red flags: walk away
- Asks you to send the reservation fee to a personal GCash, Maya, or bank account
- Can't name a supervising broker or show accreditation
- Uses pressure: "price increase tomorrow", "last unit", "promo ends tonight"
- Prices far below the developer's official list
- Gives acknowledgment receipts or handwritten receipts instead of official receipts from the developer
- Avoids video calls or site visits, or meets only in public places with no site access
- Recently created Facebook pages with stolen project photos
Why it matters: a common scam pattern
A buyer finds a Facebook ad for a house and lot at a "promo" price. The "agent" sends real brochures and asks for a ₱15,000 reservation fee by GCash to "lock the unit". The buyer pays, receives a screenshot "receipt", and then the agent disappears. The developer has no record of the reservation. Every step of this scam fails the five-step check.
If you've been scammed
- Save screenshots, chat logs, receipts, and account numbers.
- Report to your bank or e-wallet immediately and ask to freeze the recipient account.
- File a complaint with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or the NBI.
- Report unlicensed practice to the PRC, and unlicensed project selling to DHSUD.
- Inform the developer so it can warn other buyers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a real estate agent is licensed in the Philippines?
Search their name or license number on PRC LERIS (verification.prc.gov.ph). For salespersons, also verify their supervising broker, then confirm with the developer that they are accredited for the project.
What is the difference between a real estate broker and a salesperson?
A broker passed the PRC licensure exam and holds a professional license. A salesperson is accredited by the PRC and must work under a licensed broker's supervision. Both are legitimate. Selling for others with neither is illegal.
Is it safe to pay a reservation fee to an agent?
Only if the payment goes to the developer's official account or cashier and you receive an official receipt from the developer. Never pay property amounts to a personal account.
Does buying through an agent cost more than buying direct from the developer?
For new developer projects, no. The developer pays the commission and the price list is the same. Make sure the computation you get matches the developer's official price list.
Related buyer guides
- How to Check a Developer License to Sell in the Philippines
- 10 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes in the Philippines (and How to Avoid Every One)
- OFW Guide: How to Buy a House in the Philippines While Working Abroad
- Property Due Diligence Checklist Philippines
Official sources and further reading
Reviewed for accuracy on October 4, 2026. Rates, fees, thresholds, and agency procedures change. Confirm transaction-specific details with the issuing agency, your lender, or a lawyer before you pay or sign.
About the author: Jeremiah Villagomez is a PRC-accredited and DHSUD-accredited Real Estate Salesperson based in San Pablo City, Laguna. He helps first-time buyers, OFWs, and relocating families buy house and lot homes with Pag-IBIG, bank, or cash financing. More about Jeremiah · Call 0976 302 6551
Have a specific situation? Call or text 0976 302 6551 and I will run the numbers for your exact unit, budget, and financing route for free.
