14th April 2010

Condo-mania in the Philippines

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FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, THE PHILIPPINES HAS moved into the age of condominiums, changing not just our cities’ skylines but the way we live, and interact.

I have been following these housing developments, even visiting several, and I’ve come away with very mixed feelings. On one hand, it seems they’re inevitable, if we are to meet the housing needs of Filipinos. I know there are still some low-cost housing schemes offering plots of land of about 20 square meters with a tiny house (sometimes built three or four stories up) but these tend to be at the fringes now of cities.

Condominiums, without the cost of land, offer cheaper alternatives, and you’d be amazed at what they have, prices going from about P400,000 to P40 million and with all kinds of financing schemes where you end up paying the equivalent of monthly rents. The tiniest I’ve seen was a 14 sq.m. unit, with an option to add a 7 sq.m. mezzanine! Even condominiums targeting the upper classes will offer tiny studios, going from about 20 sq.m. upwards. Here I marvel at the skills of architects and interior designers: I’ve seen two bedrooms built into a 24 sq.m. unit.

The large units are usually penthouses. One condominium developer in Manila was offering 200 sq.m. units with their own private pool. Raffles, yes the Raffles of Singapore (but owned by a Dubai-based company), is building a 30-suite, 236-unit, high-end condominium which they haughtily advertise as “the first significant luxury branded residence in Makati.” Their largest suite is a 402 sq.m., 4-bedroom penthouse unit.

There are advantages to the condominiums, which often have their own amenities on site. Even middle-class condominiums offer some leisure spaces and as you go up-market, you will find add-ons like swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, gyms, function rooms, Zen gardens and walkways. Many reserve the ground floor for commercial units, or are connected to malls.

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14th April 2010

Investors Look at Philippine Apart-Hotel or Condotel Property Investments

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PLC International Marketing Networks has revealed that some institutional investors are trying to diversify their property portfolios through areas like Southeast Asia, China and beyond – with the Philippines heading the list, then Thailand, Japan, China, and Singapore property investments featuring in some portfolios.

In the UK, “Investors are moving to new areas to find value” said Beth Collingz, Global Marketing Director of PLC International Marketing Networks based in Metro Manila and Cebu in the Philippines. “More and more of clients for Condotel Investments are coming from the UK. There has been a distinct market shift from US based clients over the past few months and we see that trend continuing over the winter months of 2006 and on into 2007 has Sterling continues its increase in value over the US Dollar.

A lot of this interest is being driven by the relatively cheap market prices in the Philippines compared to Europe, specially UK Housing prices, and the easy payment options available for our Condotel Developments, but there are other factors, too.

Offshore Property Investors, Foreign baby boomers as well as overseas Filipinos, are looking for ways to maximize their return on investments as they approach retirement, and so are purchasing second homes, particularly Condotel Investments where they can use the Condo for vacations and rent it out through our In-House Condotel Management when they are not using the unit thereby gaining rental incomes that on todays purchase prices, give a projected ROI on their investments of some 12-16% depending upon the mode of payment for the unit

Metro Manila remains a popular choice with international buyers and institutional investors. Collingz says clients tell her that it makes more sense to buy in a year-round vacation destinations and business centers. Lancaster – The Atrium Condotel developments by Pacific Concord Properties located in Shaw Boulevard, Metro Manila – fits the bill with all it offers to International buyers.

Accessibility is also a factor. Flights from London to Manila, for example, average just 16 hours, add to that the many airline specials and its easy to see why this area is becoming an international community. Unlike other offshore rental properties, where the rental market is largely seasonal, in the Philippines there is a strong market for rental properties year round. This gives buyers greater flexibility in choosing when to use and when to rent their property. The strong rental/second home market also has resulted in a proliferation of professional property managers and rental agents, making property ownership and rental easy. Pacific Concord Properties Inc with its flagship Lancaster Condotel Developments fits the bill.

Lancaster Manila Atrium Tower A, Shaw Boulevard, Metro Manila, Philippines is a “Full Service” Condominium Hotel ["Condotel"] offering Studio, One, Two and Three Bedroom Suites for sale. To be completed and ready for turnover from December 2010, the Lancaster Suites Manila Atrium Tower II will provide unit owners with premier residential condo units with the option of enrolling their units in the Lancaster Condotel Rental Pool and earn Rental Incomes as Owner Non-Residents when not using their units through Condotel Management and reciprocal arrangement with Lancaster Cebu Resort Residences. This makes Lancaster Suites Manila, one of the Hottest Investment Opportunities in the Philippines said Collingz.

For further information about Philippine condo hotels please do not hesitate to contact us:

Beth Collingz
PLC International Marketing Networks

14th April 2010

Advantages Of Condominiums In The Philippines

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Looking to buy some condo for sale Philippines? Well lucky for you, because the number of condominiums for sale in the Philippine market has steadily increased throughout the course of its years, providing different benefits and advantages to its owners and tenants. But what are the reasons why many Filipinos would rather live in a condo rather than to buy a whole house or townhouse or rent an apartment?

Advantages of Condominiums

Condominiums are known for their many advantages which is why many have come to own a condo unit rather than house. But what is a condominium? A condominium, or condo, is the form of housing tenure and other real property where a specified part of a piece of real estate is individually owned. Although a unit is owned individually, facilities such as hallways, heating system, elevators, and exterior areas such as recreational facilities are jointly owned by all the unit owners in the building.

Although apartments may seem similar to condominiums, both in units and facilities, condominiums are known to provide a sense of permanence. This is because condo units are usually sold to individual owners while apartments are rented or leased to tenants. Another popular advantage of condominiums from other types of housing is its location.

Most condo for sale Philippines today are found in areas near or inside a business or commercial district. Being in close proximity to these areas, residents could easily get to work while avoiding rush hour or to relax while strolling down commercial areas. However, the real reason why condominiums became popular is because of its affordability.

Compared to buying a house or a townhouse in today’s market, condominiums are known to be far less expensive. Townhouses, though provide a more luxurious life, are more expensive that houses. Condominiums are known to provide the same type of luxury found with townhouses but with a price more affordable to the middle class of society. However, there are condo for sale Philippines which can cost as much as houses or even higher. These places are usually known for their luxurious facilities such as swimming pools, gyms, spas, and recreational areas.

Other advantages

Other advantages of owning a condominiums is with its maintainability. Compared to owning a house, condominiums has their own maintenance personnel that keeps the livability of their condominium. Security is also one of the few reasons why condominiums are popular. For more information visit our site at http://www.atayala.com.

29th January 2010

Re-sale of rights TOWER 1 of THE BEACON-Combined studio

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Re-sale of rights TOWER 1 of THE BEACON-Combined studio.

Looking for a buyer for a combined studio at the beacon, first tower. Buyer will just have to cash out around 800k,then 80% will be applied
for loan. Please contact us and we'll give you the seller/owner number.

More details will be discussed.

6th January 2010

Online furniture shopping in the Philippines

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1. You are not subjected to pushy sales pitch of the salesman-saleslady.
2. Because items are described pretty well, dimensions are posted and specs are given, buyers are able to make intelligent decisions. And if the pieces happen to be photographed well (styled) that will help as well (like what Leoque.com does). (more…)

19th November 2009

Concepcion – Carrier Service Centers in the Philippines

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1.  402 SERVICE CENTER.INC. Address: 1405 Tayuman cor. Ipil St., Sta. Cruz,Manila Phone: (02) 254-9509 or (02) 254-9513

2.  ACRONE INDUSTRIES, INC. Address: 61 Malaya Street, Plainview, Mandaluyong City Phone: (02) 533-1322 OR (02) 532-2259

3.  AR APPLIANCE SERVICE CENTER, INC. Address: Ground Floor CAC Bldg., National Hi-way Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City Phone: 861-7855 / 861-7858

4.  AR APPLIANCE SERVICE CENTER, INC. Address: Km 54 Nat’l Hiway, Real, Calamba City, Laguna( near Petron Gas Stn) Phone: (049) 834-0524 OR (049) 834-0532

5.  ATL SERVICE CENTER. INC Address: Unit 107 Magat Bldg., 9th Ave. cor. 4th Street, Caloocan City Phone: (02) 361-0368 or 362-0453 / 361-4836

6.  CONDURA EXPRESS MAKATI,INC. Address: Unit 1610 Hererra Tower, 98 Rufino cor. Valero St., Salcedo Village, Mkt. City Phone: (02) 845-1013 or (02) 845-1015

7.  CONDURA EXPRESS QUEZON CITY, INC. Address: Door 7 Michael Arcade, Marcos Hi-way, San Roque, Marikina City Phone: (02) 6452080 or (02) 6452741

8.  EFS SERVICE CENTER Address: 7-A Scout Borromeo, South Triangle, Quezon City Phone: (02) 372-9357 / 372-9358 or 374-2991 / 411-7379

9.  JT SERVICE SPECIALIST, INC. Address: 2461 Topacio St., San Andres Bukid,Manila Phone: 563-7973 / 563-8039 or 561-1301 / 561-1272

10.  MJ SERVICE CENTER, INC. Address: Suite 103-A Hillcrest Cond., 1616 E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., Cubao Q.C. Phone: 721-2322 / 721-2330 or 721-2091 / 416-5923

11.  MORLYMN AIRCON SYSTEM Address: 2443 Unit I, Park Avenue, Pasay City Phone: (02) 833-2876 OR 834-5243

12.  MVRJ AIRCON & REF SERVICES, INC. Address: 1816 Concepcion Street., Brgy Valenzuela, Makati City Phone: (02) 890-2794 OR (02) 896-55-49

13.  TRISTAR APPL. SERVICE CENTER, INC. Address: 802-H Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City Phone: (02) 531-0170 or 532-1353 / 532-3564

14.  TSB SERVICE CENTER, INC. Address: B2 L3 Diamond Street, Bernabe Subd.,San Dionisio, Sucat, Parañaque City Phone: (02) 820-8272 or 820-8275 / 820-8276

15.  TSB SERVICE CENTER, INC. Address: B6 L4 UN Ave. cor. Canada, Veraville Classic Townhouse, Talon 5, Las Piñas City Phone: (02) 800-4584

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