Are Condos a Good Idea?
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- Buying condos as investments? - 44 Replies
- Apartments, Condos, or a house - 26 Replies
- Real Estate Brokers (Condos) - 16 Replies
- Is there a consistent return on real estate/condos in Philippines? - 13 Replies
- Are you renting out your condos for foreigners? - 7 Replies
1. If you're gonna live in the condo, choose the one that suits all your needs such as a fitness gym, nearby restaurant or mall maybe, a pool, a playground for the kids, a pet friendly one, etc. A condo is very ideal for starting families, retirement, or people who are always travelling (perhaps expats too) because you can easily turn off your electricity meter and lock your door without worrying about the security and maintenance of your home.
2. It's always a good idea to invest in real properties because Philippine economy is growing. Real Estate especially land always increases in value every year! It never depreciates. Tip: make sure you get buy condo from a trusted real estate developer that always deliver customer expectations. Check if they bought the land (perpetual ownership) so eventually you also own a part of the land aside from the condo unit you own. Some condominiums are renting the land thus the issue that after 50 years the unit will not be yours. The maximum length of lease in the Philippinea is 50 years so make sure it's Perpetual Ownership / land is bought by the developer too.
Hope that helps! Have a good day.
1.聽 the Philippine 'condo sales pitch' is borderline 'fraud'.聽 聽Meaning, first of all, you are buying 'air space' not really a building or access/land ownership.聽 聽
2.聽 Secondly, your GF or spouse and their family 'own it' in truth, not you.聽 While you can have your name on some papers, the native spouse has control.
In another forum question from someone:聽 "About BUILDING a home in the Philippines"聽 I gave an extensive breakdown of the costs, both real and 'commercial 10x overpricing' and the means for buying/building sensibly.聽 聽Check that out, it's extensive, first hand and accurate right down to the financial numbers.
So to save you time;;;.. here are some basics:
a.聽 ask yourself, have you 'lived' in the Philippines for 2 or more years yet?聽 聽If not, don't rush into buying 'anything' that is only 'semi-permanent'.聽 聽
b.聽 a wise option is to rent a house or high-rise; and with permission, 'decorating it as if it's your permanent home'.聽 Financially speaking, there is NO good sense or wisdom in buying, least and decorate with exit terms.聽 聽Some concrete 2 and 3 story homes; the owners WILL allow you to sign annual lease, and decorate as you wish with no problems.聽 Just remember, once attached to the house, it's no longer yours to take with you (avoid problems, leave it behind).
c.聽 a few (very very few) expats 'have' purchased land in 'certain' provinces, to start ranches, retreat businesses, and the like.聽 聽These are 'very rare' and to date; 'zero' have reported profit and ownership retention after 10 years.聽 聽 On this site, 3 of them with under 5 years 'in country with ownership' are still in their own 'development stages'.聽 聽So please, don't count on it for yourself.
NOW some 'happier projections' in the 10-17 year timeframe of the future:
Philippine laws for 'JVFE' (joint venture foreign enterprises) within the Philippines changes both with every 'change of the government' and with 'swings in economic alignments' with other nations.
.so... the current ' hate American ' attitudes will one day change, very likely.聽 聽The elite Filipino classes have yet to 'catch on' to the fact that this past spring, when the World courts ruled in favor of the Philippines 'rights to waterways and islands' currently under Communist China military control... the current Pres. reverses it.聽 Once resources are 'ocean drilled' and the losses to the people mount; then the sentiment from pro Beijing and anti Westerns; will swing.
..therefore, there will be a future 'window' of great opportunity....when 'land ownership rights' for foreigners, who do NOT have a Filipino spouse, will be 'permitted' and with a slightly stiff set of fees, clear permanent titles will be afforded non-nationals on a limited bases.
FOR THIS reason, I strongly advise you 'lease only' in 1 year terms with first right of refusal to renew annually, with exit terms...聽 a house or condo as you wish...
and... after 3-5 years, watch administrations, policies, laws and therefore title declarations change in favor of 'limited whole foreign ownership' with clear titles.
For those unfamiliar with changing laws and policies.. I'll share a few 'likely' terms when these changes take place:
1.聽 ownership of 'limited amounts of land' and 'single dwelling homes' will be permitted to non-nationals.
2.聽 there will be a 'stiff' closing cost, permit, certs and so on, required.聽
3.聽 one key rule will be the 'requirement' of the present owner to 'release or sell' the property ONLY to a Filipino native born national, should they decide to 'sell' their property.聽 This means that ownership will 'NOT' pass on to any family or estates what so ever.聽 Upon death, the property reverts back to 'state ownership' of the province in the Philippines for which it is located; who can then 'sell' the property.聽 聽((there 'may' be a very limited window to 'sell' the property before death or post-mortem, but this is unlikely))
4.聽 This may come with very limited licensing of a foreign owned/operated business on the land or building premises bought and owned with clear title.聽 This area, I'll not go into until someone asks later.
5.聽 A good news to all this, is the 'clear title to the non-national', can not be 'seized upon or assumed upon' by any future Filipino spouse, family or others.聽 This is a minor 'incentive' that cancels out the rather notable 'stiff titling charges' for which there will be 5 or more to get final title.
6.聽 Property taxes; this issue is 'likely' to be a part of the new legislation policy once 'foreign limited sole ownership' is passed.聽 聽in this area, a foreigner will pay 'slightly higher taxes', due the 11th month prior to each anniversary in full.聽 聽Partial taxes will come with penalties, and if taxes are not paid for 3 consecutive years, the property/title will 'end' and be liquidated back to the local government (provincial).
7.聽 there will be limits on both 'ligation' and 'negotiations', if any allowed at all.
... our point:聽 聽lease or rent.. do NOT buy... wait until you live there 3 or more years, and wait a while longer for 'the above policy' to be introduced and enacted.聽 聽It will be a 'hassle' but for the wise who jump upon the opportunity... a great new world of 'clear foreign title' to a house or parcel.
Now a side word to expats looking for a 'cheap good life AND house ownership titles'...聽 Cuba has been working with 'mega corporations' for over 2 years now, making deals and re-negotiating ...聽 one has to really watch the corporate news on cuba to realize this.聽 聽SO....聽 it is VERY likely that in 2-7 years (depending on delays to public offerings by US corporations who want most of the deals)... Cuba will allow under certain terms 'foreign title ownership' of again, house and small parcels or possibly a farm/ranch/orchard plot(s).聽 聽
.... honestly, while the west island inlet area is promising; who'd want the financial risks with the ongoing weather patterns?聽 聽(( although the black-tobacco area gets less of it ))
May you let the Lord bless you and yours!
I'm a Filipino-American New York based.聽 If you're interested, my family there is selling an Eastwood City Condo with 2 bedroom + 2 full bathroom and parking space included.
Since this is our own family property, we're selling it as a 'direct seller'.聽 The price is Php 5,990,000 and it's advertised in this website.聽 If your not familiar with Eastwood City, Quezon City (I think I'm not allowed to put a website link here), please Google it.
It's like a City within a City where you can work, live, play and not even have to go out of the Complex for everyday life's needs.聽 Almost everything are in the Complex like a shopping mall, supermarket, gym, 7Eleven, restaurants, banks, repair shops (except for cars) and lots more.
Reason : Will have to recommend in the business directory.
We invite you to read the forum code of conduct
I have been in PI on eight occasions over the past 12 years, so I have a reasonable idea of what to expect from the people and the environment.聽
Having said that, I would not recommend that anybody should move to the PI without first hand experience of living in the islands.聽 Even though the islands have a lot to offer, it can be a super culture shock to the unprepared (depending on your background).
Thanks
I have looked into the figures and have found the following:
That to rent a Condo at 30,000php a month your monthly costs, when you add in Elect, Water, Cable TV, WIFI, laundry and other small things such as a cleaner.聽 Would total about 48,000php per month, this equates to about 1,600php per day.聽 Plus the headaches of paying bills, and add on maintenance (headaches).
I would think that many hotels would offer a similar rate.
Any thoughts?
I have some experience with leasing. First off, after my experience, real estate brokers and unit owners, unfortunately, will lie thru their teeth about relevant leasing matters that westerners care about but maybe the locals do not.
Water Leaks:
SMDC's Mezza Residences for example in Quezon City leaks water whenever it rains. SMDC and unit owners have know about this since the complex was built in 2007 but have never done anything to fix the problem. When it rains, rain water seaps from the exterior walls in to the interior and drips from the ceiling. This problem is never disclosed when you lease and I doubt SMDC disclosed it to the unit buyers the first time. And this is SMDC! A large developer in Manila. How many other condos have similar issues??
Smoking:
Every high rise condominium has a no smoking policy but associations and property managers do not enforce it. So, if you do not like inhaling smoke in your unit, good luck. Smoking coming from other units will travel to other units. This may sound like a minor matter but it will get old quick. More critical is the fire safety matter. Practically all condo are strict with not using any gas cooking appliance for this reason. What do they think a cigarette is?
pej1111 wrote:Renting a Condo/apartment or using a hotel?
I have looked into the figures and have found the following:
That to rent a Condo at 30,000php a month your monthly costs, when you add in Elect, Water, Cable TV, WIFI, laundry and other small things such as a cleaner.聽 Would total about 48,000php per month, this equates to about 1,600php per day.聽 Plus the headaches of paying bills, and add on maintenance (headaches).
I would think that many hotels would offer a similar rate.
Any thoughts?
Php30k is on the high side but also depends on location. I would at least check AirBnB or VRBO. You will find them more reasonable. Other places to check is OLX which is similar to Craigslist but Craigslist is also a good one to browse. There are also other lodging that are much cheaper that may have minimal amenities. But again, lodging cost is very dependent on location, location, location.
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽We did check out a more rural barangay house for rent for only 10,000 pesos a month, but we saw many dogs, heard roosters and the owner was not available to show us the 3 bedroom house.聽 Looked quite worn from the outside.聽 So we are doing more research and email questioning before October, but I am sure this will have to be investigated in person.聽 I believe little of what I see and even less of what I am told.聽 It is hard to tell these people I am NOT looking for an investment, just a place to live for a few years.
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated.
samahantayo wrote:Mugtech,. What advise or info are you looking for? How to deal with realtors? Where to look in Tagaytay?聽 ????
Both, thank you
Your recent experience with the realtor is very typical. Switch realtors if you do not like the one you are dealing with. Filipinos like to "refer" someone whether its a realtor, insurance agent, travel agent, etc... who they will say is good to deal with or is God-fearing, or is a relative, etc. That may work in the other countries like Australia or the US but I have found those relationships do not mean anything. They are just tactics to get business. I can tell you a lot of first hand stories related to this. Part of what you are dealing with is the superstitious nature of Pinoys.聽 You are the holder of the purse so stand your ground and trust your instincts. Nothing binds you to anyone until you say so. And don't commit to anyone or sign anything.
When you find a house, drive around and look at the neighborhood. The house may be beautiful but if there are squatters nearby, good luck. The better ones are usually the ones in gated developments. It really depends on how particular you are.
Tagaytay is in the province of Cavite.
There are many nice developments in Tagaytay. Check Craigslist or OLX. below is a link on houses for rent on CL in Tagaytay. You can filter CL anyway you want.
this one is from OLX. I typed "house for rent" to search.
This topo map will give you elevations. Find the Philippines and zero in on Tagaytay. It looks like there are plenty of areas at 500m and higher.
There are many other resources online.
pej1111 wrote:Renting a Condo/apartment or using a hotel?
I have looked into the figures and have found the following:
That to rent a Condo at 30,000php a month your monthly costs, when you add in Elect, Water, Cable TV, WIFI, laundry and other small things such as a cleaner.聽 Would total about 48,000php per month, this equates to about 1,600php per day.聽 Plus the headaches of paying bills, and add on maintenance (headaches).
I would think that many hotels would offer a similar rate.
Any thoughts?
Interesting comparison, only that 1600p hotel room isn't going to come close to the roomy condo I rent for 30K up on the hill in Cebu, with great views, gardens, beautiful pool and a nice balcony. Maybe Marco Polo would compare to it.. at 5000/day. But not an average hotel in the city.
I personally think nothing beats renting for us expats. It's a great value and you can keep your money invested in the States or wherever. There are many empty condos in Cebu and Manila purchased for investment that rent only a few days per month on AirBnB. The only way buying makes sense to me is if you are going to live in it. And don't do that unless you've made a few trips and spent time here to know if you can take it.
samahantayo wrote:. The Philippines needs to adopt a 1 or 2 child policy like China to reduce their population. So my answer is - not a good idea to live there.
Doubt聽 if the Catholic Church has lost enough power to allow any kind of enforced or unenforced birth control.聽 Philippines biggest export is people, so why would they cut back on their best commodity?
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