Best Posts in Thread: Real estate prices rising strongly

When we went to the DENR, due to our case, we were sent to a Private Attorney who worked for them for around a decade. She branched into her own private practice after realising advising clients at work was a conflict of her interests, and she is very well respected and really knows her way around the Government Dept. having many contacts there who can help her and speed up the process, as well as external Legal contacts where she will contract out applications then decide which is best for her Client, so you have options instead of only one course of action to take. She really opened up the can of worms we found ourselves caught in and pulled no punches, she was open, direct and called it exactly as it was despite the violent tantrum thrown by one of the male family members of the Seller when called out on several lies, she stood her ground and we got RESULTS! THAT is what counts! NEVER take the word of the Seller to be how they tell it! TRUST ME! DO THE CHECKS!

 

Ah they tried to sell you a piece of lot which get then cut by the road widening? Good that you did not bought that lot. Incredible how some sellers are attempting to rip off other people.
I'm not fan of lots located directly at the highways. Too much noice even with the benefit of direct access to more reliable and available public transport. One street away you can have much less noice.

 

Just bear in mind that the ambulance isn't that reliable during emergency. Currently, I'm paying 2 slots in a gated community (land only) 4000php/sqm for five years. It's my partner's choice but I know problems could arise like members not paying their monthly dues that is why I'm not selling my inherited property which is along a concreted barangay road just in case he won't like it there.

 

Not too safe in "off highway" locations. I remember Jack Peterson saying that he can't even get his car down the "right of way" any more due to people encroaching on the road and a sacred tree that cannot be cut down. But "right of way" works if you are walking or taking a motorcycle. Other than that I would buy near a public road and not a barangay road, but that's just my opinion.

 

We're just checking things out in case we ever tire of renting... Things we've learned to look out for (and talk to a lawyer): DAR Considerations (Dept of Agrarian Reform); Tenants Rights; Local Neighbor Farming the land rights; ALL owners listed on Title (any relatives have hidden veto?); Who is the decision maker during negotiations; Owner lot size limits, residential and agriculture; Relocation Survey; Future city plans; future plans on neighboring lots (another "resort"?). Like other folks say, not all will be a problem, just be sure the checklist is done.

 

Good points Gord. For my house, the house build cost was 62% of the total with the rest being the items you mentioned plus landscaping and a drainage canal. Another cost option is the type of roof you choose.

 

Unless the Barangay Captain is the encroacher or is a relative of the encroacher.

 

I have to agree with Dave regarding "right of way". Even if guaranteed in the bill of sale/survey and/or title, for practical purposes, Philippine rights-of-way have a way of "shrinking" over the years. Our personal experience, wife/asawa purchased several small budget-priced non-titled lots many years ago strictly for family members, with small (motorcycle or pedestrian) rights of way. We understand the risks involved, but considered them appropriate vs the price considering we're not building anything substantial on them. We've received a couple of complaints over the years that the right of way has narrowed due to plantings, natural overgrowth, a new fence, etc. In some cases, these complaints from family were accompanied with a message that " the owner will expand the right of way for more money". We've always pushed back with - "you live there - you deal with it". But I would be EXTREMELY cautious about right of way issues regarding property on which I wished to build my own home.
Just a couple of other thoughts:
- No matter what country, a "right of way" that is regularly exercised is more likely to be respected. Meaning, if you buy lot/land in the Philippines and don't build/occupy fairly quickly, right-of-way (or other) problems may arise.
- I always assumed for property with a border/access to a barangay road, that access was OK legally (aside from issues with the quality of that road). If that's incorrect I'd appreciate anyone's perspective.