Planning to invest in real estate?There’saproperty
that’sperfect foreveryone, says realtorMitetOrito,whooffers
practical tips forhousehunters
Buyingahome is oneof
life’s noblest goals. But
before you canmake it
come true, it’s important
todefinewhat “home”
means to youandwhat
youneed.Whodoyou
livewith?Howbigor
small will your living space
be?Will youneed to live
close to schools, ahospital
and commercial centers?
Youalready know to
choosea reputable
propertydeveloperwitha
good track record, but
here realtorMitetOrito
shares other basicguide-
lines for peoplehunting
for their ideal home.
FORSINGLESAND
NEWLYWEDS
Yourbestbet:
A
condominium
Whether you’re single
andhaveoutgrown the
family residence, or are
a coupleon themarket
for a starter home,Mitet
recommends condo
living.Aside from the
full suiteof security
benefits, theappeal of
a condominium is its
compact size, whichhas
everything youneedbut
inamoremanageable
size. People livingalone
can invest inaone- to
two-bedroomunit, while
newlywedswill benefit
from the spaceand
flexibilityof two- to three-
bedroomunits.
FORFAMILIES
Yourbestbet:
Ahouse
and lot
For coupleswith children,
a residencewithagarden
provides ample space
for the littleones to
runaround, saysMitet.
What’smore, if you
expect tohaveextended
family livingwith you (or
visitingoften) aswell as
pets, ahouseand lot ticks
all theboxes.
FOROFWS
Yourbestbet:
A
propertyyoucan
rentoutwhile
you’reabroad
Soyou liveoverseas,
but have your sights
set on retiring in the
Philippines oneday.Mitet
recommends shopping
around for developments
offeredat pre-selling
rates. Thismeans the
development has yet to
be constructed, hence
condominiumunits
areofferedatmuch
lower prices. Thereare
twobenefits to taking
advantageof pre-selling
offers. “For one, these
propertiesprovide the
buyerwithamucheasier
and longer payment
scheme. Second, you
canbargain for greater
discountsduring the
pre-selling stage,” she
says. Thegreater lead
timebefore turnover
of theunit also lets you
get your finances in
order.A condounit is
perfect because you
can rent it outwhile
you liveabroad, but
canopt tomove into
it once you’vedecided
to return to the
Philippines.
FOREMPTY
NESTERS
Yourbestbet:
A
condominium
withaview
Now that the kids
aregrownandhave
flown the coop, the
family residencemay
seem toobig for just
two.Downsizing toa
condominiumaway
frombusy cities is ideal
for emptynesters,
saysMitet.Condo
developmentsprovide
amenities like full
security, a swimming
pool, function rooms, a
gym, andeven sports
facilities like tennis
courts and jogging
paths—perfect for
retirees. Justmake
sure your investment
provides youeasy
access tomedical
services, hospitals
and shops topick
upgroceries and the
basics.
TEXTAND INTERVIEWBYMAYACALICACOLLINS
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