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The year
that was
in property market
AS I write this last article for the year 2003, many things
have occurred to me regarding my thoughts about the real estate
industry in our country. I am really thankful for our dear
readers who have followed most, if not all, of our articles
in this section. I have received comments, suggestions, questions
and praises as short as one sentence and as long as five pages
of real estate stories and inquiries.
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Developer
offers 2nd
homes to city dwellers
THE ASIAN financial crisis of the late '90s has wreaked havoc
on the property market (as well as everything else) and forced
most developers to put their projects on hold.
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Pinoy
yuppies can
live 'Big Apple' style
IF you're one of those driven young and independent urban
professionals like the characters in the comedy sitcom "Friends"
trying to make a mark in the metropolis, and would like to
own a pad near your office and hangouts, a development at
the corner of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard could catch your fancy.
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Do
you really save
by selling on your own?
EACH one of would want to save money. If we can do something
on our own, then why do we have to pay for services that we
may never need? This thinking follows through when it comes
to the real estate transaction. When one sells real property,
there are always two paths to do it -- (1) sell on our own;
and, (2) sell it with the help of a professional that is through
a real estate broker or salesman.
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Living
the good life
need not be expensive
WHETHER it's a condominium or a townhouse you prefer, there
is one property in Metro Manila that can address your needs
without having to give up all your life's savings or go to
some far off place.
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| Why
people sell their homes
A READER of our article last week has sent me an e-mail:
"I am a regular reader of your column and was enlightened
to read the benefits and drawbacks of buying a used home.
I have been constantly looking for a used home but every time
I visit one, I am always embarrassed to ask from the seller
the real reason they are selling. I am afraid that if I buy
a used home, there is a defect in the house that the seller
did not reveal and I will end up spending much money to fix
it later. Could you discuss the reasons people sell their
homes?"
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Creba
honors founder,
7 others at 30th year rites
LAWYER Manuel M. Serrano, founder of the Chamber of Real
Estate and Builders Associations (Creba), and seven other
officers were honored last week with various awards at ceremonies
highlighting Creba's 30th foundation anniversary at the Manila
Hotel Floating Restaurant.
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Developers
say no to VAT
but yes to securitization bill
AN ORGANIZATION of subdivision and housing developers believes
the 10 percent value-added tax on interest payment on housing
loan payments and banking services negates some of the reforms
the Macapagal administration has undertaken to make housing
and housing finance more accessible and affordable to the
countless homeless Filipinos.
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Is a
used home
worth buying?
BUYING a used home can be a real estate investment option.
In doing so, one should be extra careful to look at the fine
details since the parts and components of the home may have
been worn out and are no longer functional. Listed here are
the advantages, as well as the disadvantages of buying a used
home.
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HCG
export sales
hit record high
HOCHENG Philippines Corp., manufacturer and distributor of
top bathroom fixtures here and abroad, recently announced
that it set a new record high for export sales in its first
10 months in 2003.
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Creba's
3 decades:
Epochs and prime movers
THE 30TH anniversary celebration of the Chamber of Real Estate
and Builders Association (Creba) might as well be a grand
coming-out party. Not for fanfare and flamboyant festivity,
but for reflecting on Creba's mission and what it has done.
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Edsa
Central
gets makeover
WHEN EDSA Central opened in the '70s, it pioneered the concept
of a "midway mall" where travelers who commuted
to their offices from their homes could make a convenient
stop before completing their journey. The shopping complex
was accessible to the public -- literally, since the establishment
was not "out-of-the-way" -- as it was built where
people actually converged daily, and figuratively, because
it offered value shopping and entertainment to a broad market.
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SPECIAL
REPORT
Squatter proliferation worsens
LLDA garbage dumping woes
LUPANG Arenda in Taytay, Rizal should not have been designated
as resettlement site for Metro Manila squatters, asserted
officials of the Laguna Lake Development Authority.
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| Building
a subdivision
LAST week's article covered the design aspects of a subdivision.
This week covers the various construction processes that are
followed to make the detailed design plans a reality. The
main process and subprocesses include actual construction
and selling the property.
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| Ponderosa's
garden of flowers
IMAGINE exquisite flower-lined pathways, trellised walkways
and Mexican-Spanish inspired houses speckled with bougainvilleas,
bromeliads, orange, pink and purple roses.
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SPECIAL
REPORT
Land reclamation eats
up portion of lake basin
THE LAGUNA de Bay shoreland, with an estimated area of 14,000
hectares, has stretched by nearly 100 hectares.
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| Designing
a subdivision
MANY of our readers have inquired on how they can use the
idle lots that they have. Some of them have several hectares
of land and would want to develop them into saleable subdivision
lots. Yes, designing and building a subdivision may look simple
but it involves a lot of individual processes in order to
complete.
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2nd
Fuente Osmeña
tower nears completion
DESPITE the continued slowdown in tourism, Cebu-based real
estate developer J. King and Sons Inc. is optimistic its projects
would become viable.
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Where
daily life means
communing with nature
IT'S not every day when denizens of the metropolis can escape
from the repetitive demands of modern living, to the comforting,
liberating reaches of nature. Such an idea, however, isn't
an impossible one, as Montgomery Place, Ayala Land's venture
into premium townhouses, promises to make daily living a regular
commune with nature.
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Managing
soil erosion
vital to groundwork stability
DURING your travel you must have encountered portions of
a highway that have collapsed because the soil underneath
has been washed away. Similar result may also happen in pieces
of property located in slopes or near bodies of water.
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Building
communities,
not just homes for OFWs
THE REAL estate firm Property Company of Friends, otherwise
known as Pro-Friends, has a unique vision.
"We'd rather be known as a community developer than
as a developer of subdivisions," Pro-Friends executive
vice president for operations Gus Leonardo says. "We
want to go a step further, so that hindi lang namin naitayo
yung bahay (we didn't only build the house), but we also made
sure that there's a relationship among the residents."
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Financial
strategies
after buying your home
IN THE HOMEBUYING process that you may have just experienced
-- searching for the perfect location, preparing your finances,
talking to your lender, negotiating for the best price, closing
in the contract and finally moving in -- you may think that
the hard part is over and the good times are to come. This
can only be partly true for you will now have to face the
reality of making the monthly payments.
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Developers
defend
position on land use bill
AS the country strives to find solutions to the sprawling
pattern of land development that is leapfrogging across the
landscape, promising control measures, among them providing
for a rational, holistic and just allocation, utilization,
management and development of the country's land resources
as proposed in the pending bill -- the National Land Use Act
of the Philippines -- have been welcomed but with caution
by land developers.
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Buyers
get round-trip
ticket to United States
IN 1998, Golden Ridge Corp. vice president Randy Dizon tried
selling a piece of the family's Las Vegas real estate project
in the Philippines but his pitches were met with a mixture
of suspicion and derision.
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| Myths
about home ownership
FOR most of us, having our own home is the ultimate dream.
If you have the lifetime fear of not owning a home, here are
some of the erroneous beliefs that may never allow you to
own a home.
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AboitizLand
invests P400M
in real estate development
AMID the gloomy economic and political forecasts, AboitizLand
is displaying confidence over the future of the real estate
sector with its multimillion peso project.
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Filinvest
reviving
old Calamba township
CALAMBA, once a sleepy town in Laguna, became a city in 2001,
mainly due to progressive developments that started in the
1980s with the opening of South Luzon Expressway, the entrance
of various industrial locators, the mushrooming of commercial
and business establishments and the emergence of the Calabarzon
(Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) growth corridor.
The urbanization of Calamba then went into high gear.
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Housing
project mixes nature
views, convenient location
A THRIVING community developed by Laguna Properties Holdings
Inc., GDC and BAC at the foot of Mt. Makiling in Laguna is
setting new standards in the mid-income housing sector. With
the wooded mountain as a backdrop, San Antonio Heights offers
the unique combination of pristine surroundings, a very convenient
location and homes that are built to last.
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Prime
residential haven
imparts ideal Italian living
TO WAKE up to postcard-perfect Italian landscapes was how
Brittany Corp. has envisioned for its clients its latest prime
residential haven in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
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Damage
assessment
by forensic engineering
HOME damage can occur due to many factors and reasons. As
a homeowner, it is important to know these types and their
causes to ensure that you are safe in your own house. Visible
damage to homes, buildings and other infrastructure can be
categorized into five major groups.
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Lawmakers
urged
to prioritize housing
THE DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government, the Housing
and Urban Development Coordinating Council, the Subdivision
and Housing Developers Association and various local government
units (LGUs) supported a move to make housing a priority in
the National Land Use bill at present pending before Congress.
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Comparison
shopping
as practical buyer's tool
MOST buyers today buy real estate by means of "comparison
shopping." This is a way of assessing the value of a
piece of property by comparing it with similar property within
a certain location. Unknowingly, this is the process that
most real appraisers do when they also evaluate a specific
type of property.
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Ayala
subsidiary bullish
on Cebu property market
AYALA Land Inc. subsidiary Cebu Holdings Inc. would be implementing
a major residential project next year to show its optimism
over the firm's prospects in the real estate sector.
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Computerized
land information
management system introduced
THE COMPUTERIZED Land Information Management System (CLAIMS)
has been launched by the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders
Associations (CREBA) to speed up information gathering and
decision-making on land, add value to Philippine property
and build up confidence in the country's real estate and help
boost the national economy.
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'Survivor'
firm named
developer of the year
CLARK FIELD, Pampanga--Honoring the "survivors"
in real estate inspires developers to propel economic growth
forward. President Macapagal-Arroyo visited the 4,000-member
Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations (Creba) at
the Creba-Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council
National Convention Saturday at the Holiday Inn, Clark Field,
Pampanga, to bestow upon 31-year-old Sta. Lucia Realty and
Development Inc. the title "developer of the year."
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New
Lipa property offers
larger lot cuts for farming
LOOKING forward to a life in the countryside? Property developer
Laguna Properties Holdings Inc. (LPHI) is even offering much
more -- one that would make you feel like hacienderos (plantation
owners).
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New
mall opens
in Lucena City
LAST month brought a significant milestone for residents
of Lucena City in Quezon province as developer Pacific Mall
Corp. (PMC) opened its latest project in that city some 135
kilometers south of Manila.
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| Home
of your dreams
IN LOOKING for the home of your dreams, there is a simple
acronym that I have devised, to remind the smart real estate
shopper on the qualities that they should look for in a real
estate investment.
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| SRP
attracts 3 firms
THE REAL estate industry continues to be in a slump, but
Cebu City appears to have a winner in its hands.
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Safe
and sound
in your own home
SAFETY is the top priority for the homeowner. We always want
to stay away from accidents, fire, burglars, air pollution
and noise. A safe home is a must so we can fully enjoy the
benefits of home ownership. Home security is a concern that
is as old as the first bolted door that was designed several
centuries ago. If you look at ancient houses, churches and
buildings, it is almost impossible for you to get out if ever
you are locked inside these structures. Just look at the main
doors of the Spanish era churches that we have.
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Exclusive
haven
launched in Carmona
DMCI Homes unveiled last week a new housing project at the
Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club ballroom in Carmona,
Cavite. Designed as an exclusive development, Villa Alegre
will offer only 210 lots as well as house and lots ranging
from 98 to 189 square meters (lot area) and a total of 157
sq. m (two-story, three-bedroom single-detached).
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Firm
educates students
on termite 'busting'
WHEN voracious and destructive termites strike, what do you
do? Spray on voluminous amounts of pesticides. Well, maybe
not. Gone are the days when pesticides reign over termite
colonies lurking in our homes, offices or schools.
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Situations
to avoid
in buying real estate
IN FINDING the right real estate property, you are sometimes
caught in a situation in which after spending several weekends
(and even months) searching for the right home, you still
just cannot find the right one. Finding the right home for
you and your family always requires a fit between your needs
and the fulfillment of these needs that can be delivered by
the property that you are buying.
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Baguio
Country Club
looks forward to centenary
BEFORE golf courses and country clubs were even trendy, there
already was Baguio Country Club (BCC).
Built in 1905, the BCC is one of the very few remaining historical
establishments in the city that epitomizes the relaxing charm
of the region.
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World-class
beachfront
spa resort on the rise in Albay
LEGAZPI CITY--A world-class beachfront spa resort, with a
long stretch of fine white sand and complete with modern facilities,
is now in full development in Barangay Misibis, Bacacay, Albay,
by prominent Bicolano businessman Elizalde "Zaldy"
Co.
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Deadly
myths
of homebuilding
I HAVE compiled a long list from our readers who have been
asking me regarding their beliefs (or should I say superstition)
about the construction process. It is best that we discuss
and clarify these myths for these are unfounded and oftentimes
deadly, only serving as a deterrent to quality construction.
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Women
urge cleanup
of construction material
THERE'S still some use for that old pile of unused construction
materials. Just ask the women.
Women leaders in the construction industry have observed
that construction waste pile-ups have grown to such huge proportions
that they've dubbed them as the country's biggest "garbage
pile."
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| Business,
retail hub of future
YOU may have noticed that the Araneta Center in Cubao is
in a state of flux.
But whatever changes you are now seeing are just the initial
phase of an ambitious 1.25-billion-dollar (68.5 billion pesos)
master plan to transform the area into a prime business and
retail center in 20 years.
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Housing,
urban dev't
tackled at CREBA confab
HOUSING and sustainable urban development issues and strategies
will take center stage at the joint national convention of
the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations (CREBA)
and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council
(HUDCC) from October 2 to 4 at the Holiday Inn Resort at the
Mimosa Leisure Estate, Clarkfield, Pampanga. The convention
theme is "Sustainable Urban Development: A Key Towards
A Strong Republic."
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Recreational
complex
out to preserve nature
AH, picturesque Tagaytay Highlands. If you ever have a chance
to tag along with a member of this exclusive (for members
only) community and catch a glimpse of the 900-hectare leisure
estate offering spectacular views of Taal Lake, then leave
your worries behind the urban lowlands. Stress does not belong
in this postcard-perfect setting. But there's more to Tagaytay
Highlands than just cleansing one's body and soul.
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Tempted
to build
your own home, Part 2
OUR previous article dealt with the difficulty and problems
of building one's home without the help of a competent professional.
Listed below are the skills and resources that an experienced
builder has. If you think that you have them, then maybe you
should start your contracting and homebuilding business. But
if you don't, then leave the construction of your house to
the professionals.
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Property
firm bullish
on mid-range market
DESPITE the continued sluggishness of the real estate market,
some niche markets have been performing well.
Andoni Aboitiz, AboitizLand president, noted that its middle-end
residential subdivision project has been doing well.
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Task
force bares success
in application approval
A TASK force jointly created by the Subdivision and Housing
Developers Association (SHDA) and the Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR) last April announced a breakthrough in several
of developers' pending conversion and exemption applications
before the DAR.
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Tempted
to build
your own home?
I HAVE received a lot of letters from our readers asking
me if they can manage the construction of their homes on their
own since they feel that they can save a lot of money by doing
so even though they do not have the knowledge, training and
experience for the task. Most of them reason out that since
the work is small in scope, maybe they can just make it on
their own.
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| Refuge
built for poor kids
IT'S almost 6 a.m. and some 40 young boys and girls are lining
up to enter the newly constructed building on M. Martinez
Avenue in Mandaluyong City.
Despite the place's resemblance to a fastfood outlet -- complete
with its red and yellow motif-the children here will not be
receiving burgers or even soft drinks.
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How
to avoid
financing traps
"I AM currently paying my housing loan and I am going
through a lot of difficulties and surprises. Various details
were not explained to me when I was applying for the loan.
What should I do?" This is a common letter that I receive
from a lot of our readers. I have compiled a list of the common
mortgage traps and the tips that I recommend for people wishing
to borrow money to finance their real estate acquisition.
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Spunky
showroom to add
silver lining to Westgate
MODERN structures are transforming a posh area of Alabang,
Muntinlupa, into a fast-rising satellite city in Metro Manila.
While lifestyle and service centers are mushrooming in this
changing mini metropolis, greeneries serve as breathing space.
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Megaworld
to develop
Villamor property
PREMIER property developer Megaworld Corp. has bagged the
right to develop the 245,966-square meter Villamor Gateway
Center in Pasay City that was bid out by the state-owned Bases
Conversion Development Authority.
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Remodeling
your home
YOU are comfortable with your new home but it's a little
worn out now. You have lived in it for so many years and you
are no longer satisfied with the space you have. It is now
time to renovate but you do not know how to go about it. If
you are in this situation, then read on. It is best that you
answer your questions and face all your fears about renovating
your home.
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A high-tech
glass house
IT might strain your neck, but gaze up at some houses in
upscale suburbs in Metro Manila and chances are you'd find
examples of jaw-dropping architecture.
Built with shatter-resistant glasses, equipped with cameras
accessed and viewed remotely (via laptop) and a burglar alarm
system, a three-storey glass house located in Sta. Mesa Heights,
Quezon City, sits on a 530-square-meter lot.
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Vacation
under the stars
A PROPERTY located in the mountains, far from the dizzying
lights of the city, is not just a great place for relaxation
and meditation. It can also be a place where one can enjoy
seeing stars-literally.
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Residential
property
mart picking up: firm
AFTER six years of downturn, the Philippine residential property
sector has finally picked up and is climbing back to levels
seen during the pre-Asian crisis peak, according to a new research
report by upscale local developer Megaworld Corp.
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Biggest
townhouse
dev't project in Manila
WITH the real estate sector seen to be finally rising out
of its slumber, real estate giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has
decided to move aggressively into tapping new markets to add
to its portfolio.
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When
location alone
is not complete story
THE REAL estate saying "The three most important things
in real estate investments are location, location, location"
is more complicated than it seems. If you are investing purely
on this notion, then you may be putting yourself in a difficult
situation since deciding on location alone can turn out to
be a bad investment.
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2 young
inventors produce
cement from sugar waste
FOR these two young men -- both 21 years old -- from the sugar-producing
town of Musuan in the province of Bukidnon, Mindanao, necessity
is indeed the mother of invention.
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Retirement
community
to rise in Subic freeport
REPRESENTATIVES of various retirees' groups in Japan have
chosen this freeport as the potential site of a retirement
community for Japanese citizens.
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Filipino
identity
in architecture
PEOPLE go to Japan and appreciate Japanese architecture. They
go to China and become inspired by Chinese architecture. Tourists
go to France and marvel at French architecture. If people would
come to the Philippines, would they be able to find touches
of Filipino architecture? The answer is, hardly.
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The
environmentally
responsible builder
ANY construction project, especially a large one, can have an
effect on the surrounding environment. An environmental management
plan is necessary to enhance the positive effects of a project
as well as to lessen the adverse impacts.
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Acropolis
a regional
attraction in Cabanatuan
IF you are scanning the local tourism landscape for new family
getaway spots away from the congested destinations, you could
set your sights on the Acropolis North Water Camp and Country
Club in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. It is a new water adventure
oasis constructed by Sta. Lucia Realty & Development Inc.
and joint-venture partner Anamel Builders Inc.
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Buying
your second home
SELLING your present home and buying a new one to upgrade can
be more complicated than buying your first home. Current homeowners,
after using their first home for many years, eventually end
up selling their home in order to upgrade. The reasons for selling
one's home can be many but the most common one is that the current
home can no longer meet the needs and lifestyle of the family.
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Spanish-inspired
homes
at Vista de Lago Villas
A NEW urban community rises in Taguig Global City highlighting
Spanish-designed homes, clubhouse and entrance gate.
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When
architectural designs
commune with nature
ORGANIC architecture, art noveau, biotecture (or biological
architecture). These terminologies, along with the visuals that
illustrate these, are appreciated even by nonarchitects.
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Understanding
blueprints
BLUEPRINTS are a set of documents that illustrate the details
of a structure that has to be completed or constructed. These
details include the dimensions, location, orientation, materials
to be used and how they are going to be constructed. Since a
blueprint is a technical illustration of the plans for a house
or building, then looking at it for the first time (especially
for a non-technical person) can be difficult and frustrating.
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Architectural
designs
taken from nature
IF YOU look at today's sophisticated man-made structures, you
would find that some of them are patterned after nature.
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Where
to get design
ideas for your home
A HOME starts with a plan and a plan starts with a design concept.
If you are dreaming of "designing" your home, this
article will guide you through the exciting (and sometimes depressing
and confusing) process of getting design ideas for your home.
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Ideal
residential farm lots
with best view of Taal Lake
WITH so many attractive residential farm lots now being developed,
how will home buyers know which is the best to invest in?
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Sunset
living at Manila Bay
WATCHING the sunset at Manila Bay has always been one of the
most favored activities of many Filipinos and foreigners alike.
The city prides itself for having the most beautiful sunset
in the world, which you could see along the stretch of Roxas
Boulevard.
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The
Sultan's crop master
SAM Juan doesn't just have a green thumb. He gives royal treatment
to all types of plants, particularly those that feed hungry
families. And he has that regal flair for landscaping. You may
say his talent was "inherited." Sam has worked at
the sultanate of Brunei Darussalam's two palaces: the family's
castle and the government's stronghold as a landscape maintenance
supervisor. He brought art to the sultan's household horizon
for two years.
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10
reasons contractors
mess up their business
A CONTRACTOR'S success depends a lot on how well they prevent
problems that can easily occur during the construction of a
project. There is never a lack of chances or opportunities in
which contractors can destroy their business and eventually
reduce their profits.
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Architects
want buildings
to rely more on nature
ENERGY shortage influences how designers create modern buildings.
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Rice
possible building
material, says architect
CAN we actually create building materials out of rice parts
with the application of biotechnology? Architect Geronimo M.
Manahan, Ph.D., sparked interest from a crowd of construction
technology architects and engineers recently at a forum on the
future trends for environmentally sound building technology
and materials when he said this was possible. He added rice
straws resistant to fire, vermin and rotting could even be developed.
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Hiring
designers
and contractors
WHEN a property owner decides to build a construction project,
one thing that should be considered is the type of approach
to follow in building a team that will be responsible for its
design, management and construction.
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Using
design-build
construction services
UNLIKE in the traditional method of project delivery in which
a designer is hired separately from a contractor, the design-build
method focuses mainly on only two entities -- the owner, and
the designer-builder. The owner talks only to one firm. The
design-build firm, chosen by the owner either through bidding
or direct negotiation, is tasked to take the owner's requirements
for the project, provide the necessary contract documents (detailed
plans, specifications, construction schedule, etc.) and carry
the responsibility of its construction.
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New
amenities drive sales
of Tamarind Cove lots
DISTINCT innovations in land development are driving sales at
Tamarind Cove, the last phase of the highly successful Ayala
Alabang community in Southern Metro Manila to be offered to
the public by Ayala Land Inc. Within a week of being opened
for sale, half the lots in this development were quickly taken
up.
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Hiring
designers
and contractors
WHEN a property owner decides to build a construction project,
one thing that should be considered is the type of approach
to follow in building a team that will be responsible for its
design, management and construction.
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Dream
home amid foliage
JUST a 45-minute drive from Makati City will lead one to Sta.
Elena Village, a 260-hectare residential resort community in
Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
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Gov't
to earn P60B
from untitled home lots
UNDERPRIVILEGED residents, particularly landless Filipinos,
stand to benefit from "untitled homelots" all over
the Philippines.
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Knowing
the real
estate life cycle
IF you think that there is a specific house that would suit
the needs of everyone, you may be wrong because different people
have different needs and tastes. This is greatly affected by
one's age, career and lifestyle.
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Shanties
undergo
'makeover' for P50,000
EIGHTEEN people live in the newly-built two-story house of widow
Filipina Escusa, 61, a neighborhood hilot. She shares the house
with her three children, nine grandchildren and two daughters-in-law.
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Getting
the best
financial deal
HAVING decided that you have to take a loan to finance your
home, knowing how and when to get it would ensure that you get
the most loan value for the property that you are offering as
collateral. Our readers during the past two weeks have sent
me specific questions on how they should go about obtaining
a loan.
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Nurses,
entertainers keep
Davao property sector alive
DAVAO CITY--Nurses working abroad and entertainers from Japan
are keeping alive the city's real estate industry, which greatly
suffered in the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis and
economic uncertainties hounding the country these past months.
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Digital
proof of lot
in 72 hours or less
IT has become a cruel fact of the Philippine property market.
Property buyers sometimes end up purchasing not quite what they
expected: a supposedly prime spot that turns out to be in the
middle of a swamp, or beside a riverbank that's about to erode
or flood into oblivion, or on a shaky fault line.
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From
renter to owner
EACH of us dreams of having our own home. When one starts his
or her adult life, the first step usually is to rent a small
place. As we move on in life and eventually have our own families,
we come to a point when we ask ourselves if we are ready to
acquire a home of our own. Having rented for so years, we finally
would want to cross the line: from renter to owner.
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Keeping
pests away from homes
IT is an established fact that most disease-causing germs can
be transmitted by small animals like rats and insects like mosquitoes
and cockroaches.
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Market
posts keen
interest in Tamarind Cove
MARKET pressure to make available more lots has been intense
but Ayala Land no longer has any inventory in the area to appease
demand.
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ABCs
of buying
and selling real estate
BUYING and selling real estate may not be as easy as ABC but
this short guide will help you have a smooth transaction. Whether
you are transacting for an empty lot, a house and lot, a commercial
building, a beachfront property, or any real property, it is
important that you know and understand the terms that are used.
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Makati
condo girds
for 2004 opening
BY next year the two towers of Oriental Gardens Makati will
be nearing completion and will be the most visible structure
at the corner of Chino Roces and Export Avenues (beside Export
Bank building on Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue).
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New
residential, office condo
gives better view of Manila
THE VIEW of Manila is much better from up here. Standing on
the balcony of one of España Tower's model units at the
33rd floor, one gets an obstructed view of the city's skyline
and surrounding environs.
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Different
types of homes
YOU have many choices when it comes to the type of house you
can own. Looking at the various choices can confuse you and
it would be best that you fully assess your real needs and real
priorities (and your budget) in order that the buying or building
process will be smooth and less stressful.
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Forbeswood
Heights 50-percent sold
FORBESWOOD Heights, a six-tower luxury residential project of
property giant Megaworld Corp. and Bonifacio West Development
Corp. in Bonifacio Global City, has sold out its first three
towers and opened a fourth tower for sale just a year after
its launching.
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Tree-like
design next
step in urban planning
WHAT'S the next logical step after rapid urbanization? This
question has been an architectural challenge for many mass housing
designers. The challenge involved creativity, technical expertise
and a heart for nature.
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Assess
your real
needs before you build
A GOOD design plan is always a prerequisite to a successful
construction project. So when the time comes to build your home,
it is best that you design it properly to ensure that there
is a fit between your needs and your home.
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Megaworld
Int'l to open
more sales offices abroad
MEGAWORLD International, the overseas marketing arm of property-based
conglomerate Megaworld Corp., has announced plans to open seven
more representative offices in Asia and the US as part of its
expansion campaign this year.
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Forbeswood
Heights offers
value-for-money features
FORBESWOOD Heights Luxury Garden Residences continues to attract
clientele in the face of a weak property market due to its value-for-money
features, according to an official of Megaworld Corp. The project's
first two towers have been sold out while the recently launched
Tower 3 has almost been 100-percent taken up.
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Why
property values go up
REAL estate may still be one of the best investments in the
world. Great men have created wealth by continuously investing
in real estate. Generations have survived because of their investments
in real estate. In almost any endeavor, real estate plays a
vital role.
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Mindanao
solution
to housing backlog
NOTWITHSTANDING the tense political and ideological situation
in Mindanao, developers still regard the island as a viable
option in solving the country's housing backlog.
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Managing
value
engineering program
IN LAST week's article, the process of value engineering, which
is a scientific process on how to reduce the cost of construction
projects, was discussed. I would like to share with you my answers
and advice on one of our reader's questions and inquiries about
the subject.
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Cavite
retirement
homes project lauded
TOURISM Secretary Richard J. Gordon, Cavite Gov. Ayong Maliksi
and Silang Mayor Reuben Madlansacay expressed strong support
for the proposed multimillion-dollar retirement homes project
that will soon to rise on the rolling hills of the Silang-Tagaytay
area in Cavite province.
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Sta.
Rosa growth benefits
Laguna BelAir residents
WITH Sta. Rosa in Laguna emerging as one of the fastest growing
and urbanizing centers in Southern Luzon, township developer
Empire East Land Holdings Inc. expects residents of its landmark
community project Laguna BelAir to reap the benefits of the
town's rapid progress.
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East
Ortigas Mansions
introduced in Pasig
A CLUSTER of town homes and six residential condominiums collectively
known as East Ortigas Mansions rises on Ortigas Avenue extension
in Pasig City giving middle market buyers a new standard in
modern living.
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Value
engineering
for cost reduction
HARD times and increasing cost of material, labor and overhead
make it necessary to get the most value out of our construction
projects. Various infrastructure projects from small houses
to big commercial buildings may be value engineered in order
to give the maximum benefit for its owners or investors.
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Youth
Build needs
more volunteers
WHAT can young people do? A lot, according to Habitat for Humanity
Philippines (HFHP) that launched another year of gathering young
volunteers to participate in its Youth Build project.
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Site
team to build
your dream house
THE JOB site team of the contractor requires a group of personnel
that will deliver to you the house of your dreams. After the
design of the house is complete and the contractor has done
all the necessary permit applications, schedules, estimates
in the office, it is now time to execute the project.
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Buildings
that support food
growing, repel attacks
CONSTRUCTION professionals all over Asia will learn more about
"green architecture" and the latest building technologies
from their counterparts in Britain, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia,
Philippines and the United States at the three-day Philippine
World Building and Construction Exposition at the Philippine
Trade and Training Center in Pasay City starting March 20.
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Gov't
employees may soon
choose homes they like
SOON government employees may have the option of choosing the
house model they like in a location they deem most convenient
for them.
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Having
your own
farm on a small lot
CAN one actually move a whole farm and put it smack in the middle
of malls, skyscrapers and subdivisions?
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Housing
permits delayed
A LEADING organization of private subdivision and housing developers
in the country has expressed disappointment over the government's
failure to enforce Executive Order (EO) 45 which prescribes
a period for the issuance of housing-related certifications,
clearances and permits.
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This
team will build your dream
THE TERM "general contractor" is used in describing
the professional responsible for coordinating and performing
the construction activities for a specific project.
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Working
with your
real estate broker
MY last two articles explained how a real estate broker works.
Our readers have asked whether there are certain qualifications
for real estate brokers or if anybody can just become a real
estate broker.
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From
rubble to hotel
TACLOBAN, LEYTE--There must be something about the number 40
that it has figured in many major events in the Bible.
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From
shanties
to steel homes
SOME families will now be missing their old tires on their roofs,
their bancas and their "home along da riles."
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How
a real estate
broker works, Part 2
LAST week we discussed our relationships with real estate brokers
and how to deal with them. After one has firmed up a purchase
decision on a specific property, it is time to go through the
negotiation process. Your broker can be your partner and advisor
in this process and can serve as a cushion for all the stresses
that are experienced during the negotiation process. The objective
of all parties is to have a transaction that is smooth and stress-free.
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'Green
revolution'
highlights building expo
IT'S the time for being green. From farm estates, to vegetarianism,
to fruit shakes and clean air acts.
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Getting
best view
of Manila Bay sunset
GOLDEN, fiery orange, ocher and pale gray sunsets are the colorful
sights you'll see at this soon to be completed high-rise residential
property overlooking the world-famous Manila Bay.
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Cheap
steel, sugarcane
houses gain mixed following
STEEL frame and sugarcane pulp houses are in high demand since
the technology was first featured in the Inquirer on Nov. 3,
2002.
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Old
structures get
new lease on life
FILIPINO repair engineers have a new option when extending the
life span of several aging and poorly constructed structures
around the country.
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How
a real estate
broker works, Part 1
A REAL estate broker is your partner and adviser in your real
estate transactions. Knowing the process in which the broker
works can make one understand them better and therefore make
the most of the relationship. As with any relationship, trust
is very important and before this trust can be developed, the
process on how brokers work can make us understand them better.
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Feng
shui-friendly
residential complex
LAST Wednesday must be an auspicious day to formally launch
a property that will soon rise at the corner of Ayala and Buendia.
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House
construction, Part 2
LAST week we focused on the different steps in constructing
the structural components of your house. You can imagine the
house as it would look-complete with its columns and beams,
roof and everything you'll need to see to make up a house. Some
finishing activities will follow to complete the project.
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House
Construction step by step
IT takes more than just a few steps to build a house, and these
steps have been listed and broken down into a number of activities
and processes that builders carry out during construction. This
list gives you, the owner, a quick glimpse at the major activities
that goes on in a typical house construction project. After
you complete the detailed plans of your house, then construction
can begin.
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Batangas
resort needs
to fast-track renovation
THE LOCATION has all the potentials of a summer beach blockbuster.
The view of the sun, the feel of the sea and sand is complemented
by the trappings of a perfect vacation hotel and condominium.
The structures' colors -- earth-based -- and Mediterranean architecture
are in unison with nature.
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To
buy or not to buy property
WOULD you want to add real estate to your list of business options?
It is the start of the year, possibly a time to start new businesses.
But how do you make sure you start things right and not on the
wrong foot? How do you make sure a particular real property
investment would, indeed, yield exceptional returns?
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Building
your dream home, Part 2
IN LAST week's article, the house design process was briefly
discussed. This week's article aims to give an insight about
house construction. Getting the services of a knowledgeable
and trustworthy contractor or builder may be the best way to
build your home. It is a lot more advantageous in terms of time,
money, effort and quality of work.
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Land
conversion
and agrarian reform
THE COUNTRY'S largest organization of subdivision and
housing developers once again assured farmers groups that land
conversion for residential use can co-exist with the provisions
of agrarian reforms.
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Building
your dream home
YOU'VE just bought, inherited, or in whatever way, acquired
an empty lot where you'd want your house to be built and where
you and your family can spend their lives in. The question is:
Will you experiment and build your own house? Or will you entrust
it to someone who has plenty of experience in house design and
construction?
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How
to attract good
luck with your home
FOR FENG shui experts and believers, the house determines
the future. If the house has "bad vibes" -- meaning
it isn't built according to the rules of feng shui, then the
future of the house dwellers would also not be favorable. If
the house was built in consultation with a geomancer -- or a
feng shui expert -- with every detail of the design, lot and
the construction process consulted with the expert, then the
future's all set for the family.
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Property Focus