Other Best Posts in Thread: Bacong vs Valencia

So very true and it makes a 'firesale', whilst still possible, less likely here than in many other countries.

My father-in-law owns land on Siquijor but has no idea where the Deeds are! How much land is in a similar situation or owned by so many that it is virtually unsaleable. A revamp of property laws would benefit the country BUT probably never happen.

And I love seeing a chipped porcelain mug with no handle on sale for 49 pesos instead of the original price of 50 pesos!

 

To me, it's a choice if you are attracted by mountains with the cooler climate or the sea and beach. I live in Bacong because I'm attracted by the sea and beach. I would have no problem with living in Valencia, a nice area and many places to visit just outside the door, I go there often, 10 min away. The discussion where most high or low rank expats live is a joke, are we in the kindergarten again

 

We have built or are starting to build 3 homes in Bacong. The builder was responsible to obtain the permits, with us providing “all” the proper paperwork. Takes 4-6 weeks. Just received a new permit two weeks ago.

 

It seems to me Valencia's LGU has (had?) a somewhat larger budget to concrete barangay roads. Maybe they had some windfall profits connected to the electricity plant contracts, I don't know, but it seems to me that the concrete runs out around Bacong a lot faster than around Valencia. Obviously, because generally people prefer living on a concreted road rather than on a dirt road/path, that means higher prices for lots. Other than that it would seem to me there's not much difference in terms of available services for residents, apart maybe from the "free water" thingy in Valencia. Oh, and PLDT has connected much of downtown Valencia with their FTTH (fibertothehome) project. Not sure how that is in Bacong.
As for individual preferences, well, some prefer to live close to the city (Dumaguete), some prefer the slightly cooler nights and more precipitation in Valencia, some want to smell the ocean when they wake up, nothing wrong with any of those.
As far as lot prices go, 2-2.5k per sqm along a concreted road not too far from downtown seems to be the going rate for Bacong/Valencia, going toward Dumaguete from either of the two land gets pricier the closer you get. Where we are in Bagacay the going rate seems to be around 4k per sqm now, Daro is closer to 7k.
Mind you, if you're not in a hurry to buy it might pay to wait around a bit before buying.

 

I built a house in bacong. It was a nightmare getting permits. I will never build in bacong again. You can get a permit in valencia in a few days. It took several weeks in bacong. Be sure to get permits before starting construction.

 

We have built a 3 story house in Bacong but that was in 2003 and two years ago built a guesthouse that we rent out to supplement my measly UK state pension.
Not a problem with permits, why should they be it's bring in money to the economy.

 

'Fire sale' prices depend on sellers selling. Many Filipinos seem even pre-crisis not interested in selling (or are unable to) land in existing subdivisions. I know of a circa 1000 msq lot worth about P3.5 million which has on it a 'shed-like' home of about 50 msq - the occupier says he cannot sell it as another family member has joint ownership.

I know people quoted here the starving who will HAVE to sell - but the starving often do not own land, certainly not in good, concrete-road, locations.

If a good lot comes on the market soon at P1,500 per msq, I will jump at the chance to buy it. Every disaster to date has been followed by recovery.

And if others do the same, the 'fire sale' soon becomes an auction and lot prices rise again due to market forces. However, I do think lot prices are over the top in many parts of the Philippines and an adjustment will come - Daro at P7000 means 7 million for a 1000 msq lot and that puts lot + house built on it in the price range that becomes very difficult to sell again. Or, I suppose, we all end up in 100 msq lots with 5 storey houses!