Condo Hunting in Quezon City

Fancy a town house or a multilevel home? While a pragmatic answer might not be available all the time, the trick is to understand your need for space.

If you are single or part of a nuclear family, chances are that a town house is all you need. However, for larger space appeal it is better to gauge your need for condos. Interestingly, the current trend for choosing condominium as modest and pragmatic dwelling places is ideal to minimize home maintenance with collective resources.

Real estate stalwarts such as DMCI offers complete housing facilities under DMCI condo in Quezon City.

Key to Metro Manila

The geographical location makes the ever exuberant Quezon City complement Metro Manila, Philippine’s National Capital Region. Area wise, it is one of the largest cities in Metro Manila and compounds your choice for condos in the city.

With its’ historical city plan, approved by the Philippine authorities in 1941, Quezon City has transgressed boundaries into real estate retreats for dream homes and condominiums. The city is strategically demarcated into areas with the southern portion further divided into the popular landmarks - Diliman and the Commonwealth area.

The northern half called Novaliches coexists around the popular fringes of Fairview and Lagro. These are primarily residential areas with no specific boundaries that offer condo for sale in Quezon City as profitable investments.

Youthful Living

The city’s Polytechnic University, the Quezon City Academy and the prestigious premier science high school makes it a great educational destination.

Housing some of the prominent broadcast networks such as ABS-CBN, PTV, INC TV, RPN, UNTV GMA Network, Net 25, and IBC, the city has transformed itself into a lucrative centre for business, enterprise, educational and entertainment.

It is an accessible city for students and professionals and ideal for those always ‘on the go’. Living in condos is an easier way to acclimatise within the cityscape as these are centred on some of the most happening sights and convenient places around Metro Manila.

Lucrative Homes

Irrespective of your chosen budget, real estate companies can offer condo for sale in Quezon City at 12,000 PHP per month as well as those ranging between 9,803 PHP to 64,954 PHP a month.

Most of these condominiums are inspired with a resort-like feel within a gated community.

These condos have been strategically located to service residents via the urban rail transit systems giving access to some of the busiest business districts in the city. Shopping malls, restaurants and entertainment hubs too have been strategically located from some of the new and upcoming high-rise projects.

Look out for either high or mid rise condos, sub divisions and leisure apartments from DMCI condo in Quezon City.

A ‘Home Away From Home’ At Munoz Quezon City

The urban exuberance of Quezon City compliments Philippine’s National Capital Region-Metro Manila.

One of the largest cities in Manila, Quezon City is well linked to the international seaport and an international airport. This apart, the city is well connected via road and highway networks across its neighbouring provinces.

An educational and informational technology hub, Quezon City doubles up as an active spot for the media and entertainment sector in Manila.

Given its popularity, the city has metamorphosed into a real estate haven with some prominent realtors such as David M. Consunji group offering stylish and gated DMCI condos for sale.

Landmark Home Destinations at Munoz Quezon

Munoz Quezon City is a centrally located urbane location that promises home living spaces across various condominiums across the city.

With close proximity to various landmark sites, new age condo blocks such as Zinnia Towers, Quezon City redefine the status of quality luxurious homes with easy connectivity.

Travel is a possibility within short intervals via light rail connectivity such as LRT line 1 North Extension and MRT3. You can avail public utility vehicles along EDSA. The areas with proximity to the EDSA and the southern destinations of Makati, Fort Bonifacio and Manila are dotted with numerous home resort projects.

The location is popular for its nearness to some of the biggest malls such as Trinoma and the SM North mall. Medical and educational institutions are also well represented in Munoz which makes it a much priced location for real estate development.

A Home Away From Home

Residential condos across the city such as Zinnia Towers, Quezon City are ‘home away from home’, especially for suburban dwellers whose hometowns are not accessible via daily commutes.

Amidst concrete jungles, condo blocks provide a sanctuary like appeal within its boundaries for urban dwelling.

These condominiums, inspired with a resort-like feel within a gated community at 12,000 PHP per month or those ranging between 9,803 PHP to 64,954 PHP a month offers access to some of the busiest business districts in the city.

The Perfect Condo Mix

Whether you seek a one-bedroom pad or a 3-bedroom home space, most condos around Munoz Quezon are well furnished with living and dining spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, private balconies and even garden spaces.

Shopping malls, restaurants and entertainment hubs too are strategically located from some of the new and upcoming high-rise projects.

Access to these modern apartments open into relatively quieter and peaceful areas of the city, far from the city activities that highlight the EDSA region. The security and surveillance systems offered by these high rises, similar to some of the DMCI condos for sale in the city is a definitely a relief.

Urban Dwelling across the Pasig River

Dream of an urban dwelling amidst cathedrals and across riverbanks?

But, unwilling to sacrifice potential business opportunities too; the City of Pasig could be your ideal residential, industrial and commercial destination.

To the east, Pasig shares its boundaries with Metro Manila, Philippine’s National Capital Region and is bordered by Quezon City and Mandaluyong City on the Western fringes. The Pasig River Ferry Service functions across seven ferry stations. The city is also serviced by the Manila Light Rail Transit System.

Well connected via roadways and a waterway network, the city’s proximity to the Pasig River to the east-end makes condos for sale in Pasig city a viable real estate investment.

Buyers Point

A one-bedroom apartment in Pasig could cost you around 1,890,000 PHP and rising higher with the increase in floor space and rooms. A three- bedroom could be anything around 6,000,000, PHP, especially in the prime Metro Manila region.

Lumiere Residences in Pasig, located close to EDSA in the West and c5 to the East and in the vicinity of important landmarks makes living in gated apartments an experience in itself with added lifestyle benefits.

Imagine, walking across your own neighbourhood and accessing a ‘slice of life’ with well equipped clubhouse, swimming pools, tennis or badminton courts and a gymnasium without leaving the security of your community.

However it is good to recognize certain criteria when selecting your ideal condominium.

Search Your Own Condominium

Ascertain Actual Space Needed: Calculate the need for a condo in comparison to town- houses. Gauge the importance of a home with 40 square meters of carpet space with a staircase and landing space and compare it to a spacious apartment suite ranging around 80 square meters. Finally, it is your lifestyle that has to adjust as per family needs and the furnishings that define your style statement. Most condos for sale in Pasig city offer a luxurious appeal within gated facilities.

Ascertain Parking Norms and Security: Check on availing your own exclusive parking lot and follow norms. Parking slots come with a price tag which is often not attached to the price of your apartment. Reputed realtors have norms to engage security services for all property holders. But, make sure they might differentiate non-mortgage holders who have to follow stricter rules in letting their property to visitors.

Check on Rates for Amenities Provided: Seek advice from land operators on the distance of the selected apartment from the work place, child’s school and other shopping amenities.

Property management services akin to that provided by realtors of Lumiere Residences in Pasig is an advantage too.

Do not forget to check credentials of either the property developer or efficiency of property management services. Also, ascertain norms for pets, repairs and maintenance.

Pre-Selling Condos: A Relief for First Time Home Buyers

Renowned for its economic and political versatility, Manila is a popular destination for its historical, business and cultural landmarks.

The real estate development in Manila reflects a lucrative blend of properties that promote ‘ready for occupancy’ (RFO) condos for sale in Manila and also pre-selling condo units.

It makes logistic sense to buy homes not more than half an hour commute from your work areas. This is reflective of Manila’s growing business potential in offering good jobs which further translates into good lifestyle manoeuvres.

Although property prices in the business districts are steeper than the suburbs, the premium attached to condos for sale in Manila offer a profitable re-sale value in later years.

‘Off-The-Plan’ Condominiums

Being a first time buyer in Manila might pose a price challenge. But, the unique opportunity of pre-selling condo units, offered by realtors in Manila can be a breather.

Pre-selling condominiums are home units that are sold either during the construction or the pre-planning phases. Such incomplete condo units for sale are also referred to as ‘off-the-plan’ or ‘pre-constructional’ units.

It is an attractive proposition if you are keen on buying properties a little less than the market price or, are a first-time buyer with little or no choice for real estate investment.

Pre-selling homes are also a boon for those looking at ‘buy- for-rental initiatives’ and can pre-sell potential tenants in advance for appropriate rentals in the future.

It is a challenge to buy and sell such properties as the risks involved are hidden and needs to be well understood.

Pros and Cons of ‘Pre-Constructional’ Condos

The Pros:

• Extended Down Payment Schemes: Realtors are able to offer generous extended down payment intervals for attracting customers in the pre-constructional phase. Such offers are a good deal for first-time buyers with fund crunch. Sometimes these are available at 30 % lower than the prevailing market rates.

• Price Protection from Market Volatility: Investing during the ‘off-the-plan’ stages helps to protect buyer from volatile price hikes in the real estate market. This could get translated into earnings on equity as and when property price appreciates.

The cons:

The risks involved are multi-fold and therefore check on the following before you invest in pre-built units.

• Seek reputed builders and look for their triple ‘A’ certification.

• Verify if the realtor is legally licensed to sell the ‘pre-constructional’ project and locate its listings under the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).

• Employ a licensed real estate agent for guiding you through the sale process.

• Deploy a trusted lawyer in case you run into a legal mess; especially with paperwork even before you sign the contract.

‘Tiger City’ of Mandaluyong Beckons Housing Options

Seeking opportunities in the banking sector in Philippines is a good enough nudge to look out for investment and housing options in and around the City of Mandaluyong.

With a strong historical lineage resting on the popular folklore of ‘Luyong’s’ love for ‘Manda’, the Barangay chieftain’s daughter; adds a romantic allure to the city’s fame.

Mandaluyong is centrally located around Metro Manila and shares strategic boundaries with the Capital city of Manila to the West. This makes the city accessible to the commercial and business districts in the Philippines metropolis and also links Pasig and Quezon City on its eastern borders.

The ‘Tiger City’ of Mandaluyong is also tagged as the ‘Shopping Capital’ of Philippines which also shares favourable boundaries with San Juan City to the north and the southern city of Makati.

Operations in the pharmaceutical sector via Unilab, the Ortigas Centre, headquarters of the Asian Development Bank and the San Miguel Corporation – the Banco De Oro makes Mandaluyong a favourable destination for work-related opportunities.

Acquiring one of the much touted condos for sale in Mandaluyong is therefore a dream investment for buyers. Naturally, the buying trend translates to profitable promotion for sellers in high rise constructions such as the sheridan towers, Mandaluyong.

Triple ‘A’ Property Developer or Not?

Without doubt, Mandaluyong, an industrially and commercially viable city has many takers in the buyer’s market and so also in the property selling domains.

Selecting appropriate property developers in Mandaluyong therefore calls for sound checks on credentials of developers to ascertain their Triple ‘A’ quality codes and construction liabilities.

Reality Checks on Realtors

• Look beyond landscaping and lifestyle amenities in condos for sale in Mandaluyong. Instead seek real-estate benefits in quality, location of the property and long term investment possibilities of your chosen apartment.

• Check for warranty policies of property developer specially those related to long-term maintenance and repairs of infrastructure and amenities.

• Ideally, ensure your realtor has Triple ‘A’ certification which adheres to a strict quality program to sustain the worth of the property for long-term living or selling purposes.

• Check on ‘field-test’ warranties of all condos in various building blocks within gated communities.

• Understand the proprietary 102-point inspection due by real estate developers in Philippines for design definition, construction and turnover of the property.

• Check if the developer adheres to the two-pronged national standards and industry practices.

• Also ask your developer if they run specific tests for in-process property inspection and other regulatory set of tests for testing and commissioning of the project.

The official launch of Sheridan Towers, Mandaluyong on March 1, 2013, adds yet another home project to the city - promising lifestyles beyond shelter and recreation.