Condo Investing Tips

Many of the Filipinos here and abroad are dreaming to own the best condo in Manila for luxury and comfort and also for investment. Though there are other investment options like stocks, mutual funds, bonds, etc. it is still advisable to invest in a real estate property. But before anything else, panic buying or rushed into buying a property without any professional consultation would be a big mistake as an investor.

To start into condo investments, here some of the tips from the property expert Carl Dy which I read from ABS-CBN News site:

Reminder # 1: Make sure you have a steady flow of income.

First and probably the most necessary thing that you should have before engaging into buying a real estate property, starting a business or buying an insurance policy is by having a steady flow of income. You should have at least have the amount of the down payment to start.

Reminder # 2: Treat your property investment like a business.

Look at your property like it’s a product. You should understand its features well and think about how you can add value to it before putting it out into the market.

Reminder # 3: It’s always best to identify your market.

Identify your market. If your condo is near a school, then your tenants would be students. If your condo is near a hospital, then your tenants would be doctors or patients abroad. By knowing which market to cater, will help you prepare the unit for your tenant’s needs. Add value to your unit such as extra storage for clothes which female tenants would love. Add a play room if you are planning to rent it out to a family.

Reminder # 4: Like in any business, you will have a competition.

Just like any businesses, competition will always be available that’s why designing your condo is very important. Make sure that your condo will be unique such as having a big sofa, a big LCD TV, etc.

In competition, you should also know what is the average rental rate with the area. You should also be able to understand how much your target market can pay for the rental.

As for marketing, you should also know how to sell it online, word of the mouth or through classified ads.

Reminder # 5: Get your tenant a background check.

Last but not the least is have your tenant background check. Know if your tenant can pay on time, or is not involved on any illegal activities. Meet your tenant, have a chit chat with him and ask questions that you need to know.

Need condos in Manila? Visit Admiral Baysuites site here: http://www.admiralbaysuites.com.ph/

Tags:

roxas boulevard manila, condo along roxas boulevard, real estate manila, luxury condos in manila, 

The Past and the Present: Roxas Boulevard

I am fond of watching movies where its story revolves around going back to the past. Their main reasons why they are going to the past is because they want to save the world or either to change their present situation. But for me, my reason would be simple: to see the picturesque view of the famous landmarks in the Philippines. One of the recent photos that gave a nostalgic feeling is the old pictures of Manila.

One of the photos that gained my interest was an old school photo of the Roxas Boulevard Manila.

source:outoftownblog.com

Breath taking isn’t it? Before it was given its name as Roxas Boulevard, it was called first as the Dewey Boulevard where it’s taken in honor of the American Admiral George Dewey who led the Americans into a victory over the Spaniards in 1898. In 1941, it was renamed as “Heiwa Boulevard” and as “Roxas Boulevard” on 1960 to give honor to the late Philippine President Manuel Roxas.

Who Build it and Why was it Build?

As a request of Commissioner William Cameron Forbes, a former Governor-General of the Philippines, Roxas Boulevard was built by Architect Daniel Burnham which was called before as the Cavite Boulevard. It was mainly build for the purpose of connecting Manila to  Cavite.

This is what Roxas Boulevard looks like today:

source: gmanetwork.com

If it's main purpose is to connect Manila to Cavite, today it serves as an icon of tourism in Manila and in the Philippines where it is a home of the famous Manila yacht club, hotels, classy restaurants and park to view the famous Manila sunset.

Like this post? Visit Admiral Baysuite's site here: http://www.admiralbaysuites.com.ph/.

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Famous Landmarks in Manila

Famous Landmarks to Visit in Manila

What do you imagine if you think of the name city of Manila? I am thinking that you will associate Manila with huge corporate buildings, luxury condos in Manila like the ones from Admiral Bay Suites or maybe you see the face of Mayor Lito Atienza hosting the TV show Maynila. Yes, the facts mentioned are all true but on this post, what I wanted to emphasize are the famous landmarks in Manila which all contributed to the Philippines' rich history.

Upon searching the net for famous landmarks in Manila, I came up with this list:

Manila City Hall Clock Tower

source:marksenubio.wordpress.com

Located in Ermita, Manila, the Manila City Hall's Clock Tower is the largest clock tower in the country. It was built by Antonio Toledo in the 1930s and can be considered as the emblem of Manila. It can be seen best at night because the whole tower lights up.

source:gizeyxd.wordpress.com

Several aerial shots of the Manila City Hall circulated the internet where many netizens see the City Hall as coffin. From my self point of view, it really looks like a coffin but it is actually built shield-like symbolizing Roman Catholic's protection and power in the Philippines.

Malacanang Palace

source:www.youtube.com

Derived from the words “May lakan diyan” which also mean “there is an aristocrat inside”, Malacanang Palace was built in 1750 by a rich Spaniard businessman Don Luis Rocha. In 1825, it was bought by the government and was a home to the country's famous and influential people ever since. Now, it serves as the official residence of the Philippine presidents.

To see more about Malacanang, you can visit this link: http://www.ironwulf.net/2009/07/30/manila-malacanan-palace-tour-with-ivan-man-dy/

Rizal Park

source:ayosaoi.wordpress.com

 Located in Roxas Boulevard, Manila, this park was a historical site where the Philippine's national hero was executed. It is a famous landmark for tourists and even locals. On holidays and weekends, it serves as a leisure spot for Filipinos.  

Thanks for reading my post!

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Real Estate in Manila: Yearning for Old Manila

Yearning for the Old Manila

In spite of the breathtaking backdrop the mesmerizing sunset makes, Manila Bay is now surrounded of condos, corporate buildings, restaurants, shopping centers, residential areas and any kind of structure or establishment you could think of. It is like a “plague” that infects the rest of Manila all for the sake of modernization. It makes the future promising and erase in our memories the past entirely. Past is in the past, right? This article was brought to you by: http://www.admiralbaysuites.com.ph/ - a leader in real estate manila. 

How this modernization changed the city we used to adore or admire? Manila was once dubbed as the “Paris of Asia” or the “Pearl of the Orient Seas.” Unbelievable because the Manila today is always jammed with traffic, crowded, full of commuters, and polluted. Sad but true, it is incomparable of how Manila looks like in the past. The terms pristine, clean and spacious were the adjectives you could describe the Old Manila.

You still can’t imagine it, I bet. Well, I can’t blame you as I also witnessed it, lived with it, and breathe the very air during my childhood days. I remember the musky odor of books in Recto to buy something secondhand or “new”. The monthly visits at the Manila Post Office to send a mail for our late grandma who then lived in the US. The birthday celebrations my sister and I had while we dine in with my mother at Jollibee Blumentritt.

The intense fascination I had (until now) whenever I took a glimpse of those places because of its grand architectural design. The wonderment sprung up in my chest as I observed the different landmarks and derelict buildings we passed by during our train rides on the maroon or red-painted LRT. I didn’t know then the significance of each structure and how it stood proud during the glory days of Manila. I am just simply amazed.

If only the government has funds and void of corruption, restoration would be possible but it isn’t enough to revive the original “Paris of Asia”. Why? The dirty and polluted environment must be eliminated as well. As Palaisip pointed out, “There were no Metro Aides, Bayani Fernando Cleaners, and stores cleaned their areas. Pedestrians were also very disciplined. Very little “hukays” and manholes were clean and were clearly visible to pedestrians. People were so disciplined… The streets were shiny, much like the streets of Singapore now”.

The claim sounds fiction but it is true, was true. The blogger also said that we could beat Paris of what we had during 1950s to the mid-1970s. I saw the pictures and mistaken it as a scene in an old movie, then I backtracked a bit, this was Old Manila with an air of formality and sophistication. It is unlike the deteriorating city we lived in now. Perhaps flood, clogged esteros, and litters were non-existent. So, what happened? When did it start going down the hill? All right, stop the blame game. The big question is how much political will and concern each of us must have to restore the “Pearl of the Orient Seas”?