Thinking of applying for a BDO housing loan in 2026? BDO Unibank is one of the Philippines' largest banks and a trusted name in home financing — offering competitive rates starting at 6.00% p.a. for a 1-year fixed term, with loan purposes ranging from ready-for-occupancy (RFO) purchases to refinancing and renovation. Before you submit your application, it helps to know exactly who qualifies and what documents you'll need to prepare.
This page walks you through every BDO housing loan requirement in plain language — eligibility criteria, income thresholds, employment types accepted, and the complete document checklist. If you're also exploring other banks, Nook lets you submit one application and compare offers from BDO and other partner banks side by side — completely free. Use the BDO housing loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments before you apply.
To be eligible for a BDO housing loan, applicants generally must meet the following basic criteria:
- Age: At least 21 years old at the time of application, and not older than 65 years old at loan maturity
- Citizenship: Filipino citizens, or foreign nationals married to Filipino citizens (subject to additional requirements)
- Credit standing: Good credit history with no outstanding delinquent obligations
- Income: Stable, verifiable monthly income of at least 50,000 pesos
- Employment or business: Must be a salaried employee, professional, self-employed individual, OFW, seafarer, or government employee with at least two years of continuous work or business history
BDO evaluates applications holistically, so meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee automatic approval — the bank also considers your debt-to-income ratio (maximum 40%), the property being financed, and your overall credit profile.
BDO requires a minimum monthly income of 50,000 pesos for housing loan applicants. This income threshold applies across employment types — whether you are a salaried employee, self-employed professional, OFW, or government worker.
Your income is also evaluated against your total monthly debt obligations. BDO uses a maximum debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of 40%, meaning your total monthly loan payments — including the new housing loan — should not exceed 40% of your gross monthly income. For example, if you earn 80,000 pesos per month, your total monthly debt payments (including the home loan amortization) should not exceed 32,000 pesos.
For joint applicants or co-borrowers, BDO may allow income to be combined, which can help you qualify for a larger loan amount.
BDO accepts a wide range of employment and income types, making it accessible to many Filipino borrowers. The accepted employment categories include:
- Private sector employees — locally employed in a private company
- Government employees — including those employed by national and local government agencies
- BPO workers — employees in business process outsourcing companies
- OFWs and seafarers — overseas Filipino workers and those working on sea vessels
- Self-employed individuals — business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs
- Professionals — licensed professionals such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, and engineers
Regardless of employment type, applicants typically need to demonstrate at least two years of stable income in their current work or business, and must meet the 50,000 peso monthly income requirement.
BDO's housing loan is one of the more versatile products in the market, covering a broad range of property-related purposes. You can use a BDO housing loan for:
- Ready for Occupancy (RFO) — purchasing a house and lot or condominium unit that is already complete and ready to move in
- Pre-selling — buying a property that is still under construction or being sold off-plan by a developer
- New construction — building a new home on a lot you already own
- Reselling — buying a previously owned property from an individual seller
- Renovation — financing improvements or additions to an existing property
- Home equity / cash-out — borrowing against the equity of a property you already own
- Foreclosed properties — purchasing bank-acquired or foreclosed assets
- Refinancing — transferring your existing home loan from another bank to BDO for potentially better terms
If you are considering refinancing your current home loan to BDO, learn more about BDO refinancing options through Nook and see how much you could save on your monthly payments.
As a Nook partner bank, BDO currently offers a housing loan interest rate of 6.00% per annum on a 1-year fixed rate term. This rate applies to both standard home purchase loans and home equity (cash-out) loans.
After the fixed rate period ends, the loan will reprice based on prevailing market rates at that time. This means your rate in year two and beyond may be higher or lower depending on interest rate movements in the Philippine market.
For context, many Filipino homeowners are currently paying between 7% and 10% on their existing home loans — which means switching to BDO or another Nook partner bank could result in meaningful monthly savings. Please note that interest rates are subject to change and you should verify the latest rates directly with the bank or through Nook before applying.
If you are employed in the private sector, government, or a BPO company, you will typically need to prepare the following documents for your BDO housing loan application:
Personal identification:
- Two valid government-issued IDs (front and back)
Income documents:
- Certificate of Employment (COE) — must be dated within the last 3 months
- Latest one to three months' payslips
- Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) — BIR Form 2316 or 1700, stamped received
Property documents (depending on loan purpose):
- Photocopy of the Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) or Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT)
- Latest Real Property Tax (RPT) receipt and Tax Declaration
- Contract to Sell or Reservation Agreement (for pre-selling or RFO purchases)
- Floor plan and vicinity map of the property
Application form:
- Completed and signed BDO housing loan application form
Requirements may vary depending on the specific loan purpose (e.g., renovation or construction will require additional documents like building plans and cost estimates). Always confirm the latest checklist with BDO or your Nook loan advisor.
Self-employed individuals and licensed professionals typically need to submit more extensive financial documentation to verify income stability. Here is the standard checklist:
Personal identification:
- Two valid government-issued IDs (front and back)
Business and income documents:
- Latest two to three years' ITR (BIR Form 1701), stamped received by the BIR
- Audited Financial Statements (AFS) for the last two years, signed by a CPA
- Business Registration documents — DTI Certificate (sole proprietors), SEC Registration (corporations), or PRC License (professionals)
- Mayor's Permit / Business Permit (latest)
- Bank statements for the last six months
Property documents:
- Photocopy of the Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) or Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT)
- Latest Real Property Tax receipt and Tax Declaration
- Contract to Sell or Reservation Agreement (if applicable)
- Floor plan and vicinity map
For professionals such as doctors or lawyers, BDO may also request a copy of your PRC ID and proof of practice (e.g., clinic lease agreement or professional billing records). Your Nook advisor can help you organise your documents before submission.
BDO welcomes applications from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and seafarers. Because you may be abroad during the application process, some additional steps are needed. The typical document requirements are:
Personal identification:
- Passport (must be valid)
- One additional valid government-issued ID
Employment and income documents:
- Employment Contract (POEA-authenticated or original) — must show name, employer, position, salary, and contract period
- Certificate of Employment from employer or manning agency
- Latest three to six months' bank remittance records or bank statements showing salary credits
- Crew Agreement (for seafarers)
- OWWA membership certificate (if applicable)
Property documents:
- Photocopy of TCT or CCT
- Latest Real Property Tax receipt and Tax Declaration
- Contract to Sell or Reservation Agreement (if applicable)
Special note for OFWs: If you cannot be present in the Philippines to sign documents, you may need to execute a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) authorising a representative (usually a spouse or family member) to sign on your behalf. The SPA must be notarised in the Philippines or authenticated at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in your country of employment.
BDO's typical loan approval turnaround is approximately 30 days from the date of submission of a complete application with all required documents. This timeline covers the credit evaluation, property appraisal, and internal approval process.
Delays often occur when documents are incomplete, when additional information needs to be requested from the applicant, or when property appraisal takes longer than expected (particularly for properties in provincial areas). To keep the process on track, make sure all documents are complete, up-to-date, and clearly legible before submitting.
One practical tip: working with a mortgage broker like Nook can help you prepare a complete, clean application from the start — reducing the likelihood of back-and-forth with the bank. Nook's service is 100% free to borrowers and can also help you compare BDO's offer against other banks so you get the best deal available.
Yes — and it is actually a smart approach. Applying to multiple banks simultaneously lets you compare interest rates, loan terms, processing fees, and approval conditions before committing. Different banks have different appetites for certain borrower profiles, so casting a wider net improves your chances of getting the best deal.
The traditional challenge is that applying to multiple banks separately means preparing and submitting multiple sets of documents — which is time-consuming. This is exactly the problem Nook solves. As the Philippines' first digital mortgage broker, Nook lets you submit one application and receive loan offers from BDO and other partner banks in one place — completely free of charge to you as the borrower.
Whether you are buying your first home, refinancing an existing loan, or tapping your home equity, Nook streamlines the process so you save time and make an informed decision. See how BDO's 2026 rates compare to other banks and find out which lender is right for your situation.