Happier Abroad Forum Community

Hi again. Crazy guy here or that's what they try to make me feel like in the U.S. Guess it's bc I, like many here, question silly, nit picking things like uh.. why is there fluoride being put in my drinking water & what's up w/ the alimony thing? Guess I just don't fit in; don't think I even have.

So, I see condos for sale there (in the phils) at reasonable prices. They seem convinient to things. I guess boots on the ground is better. Is there an international RE broker any of you have used? How is the quality of construction of these condo's. I realize it will vary. But can I find one that has good soundproofing between the units? Are there high maintainance fees?

How about renting. What are the usual pitfalls there? Is there a preferred site to look for monthly rentals? Constant brown out areas to avoid? Getting ready to go & still not sure what area I want to go to first. Manila seems too crowded for me.

In2dadark wrote:Hi again. Crazy guy here or that's what they try to make me feel like in the U.S. Guess it's bc I, like many here, question silly, nit picking things like uh.. why is there fluoride being put in my drinking water & what's up w/ the alimony thing? Guess I just don't fit in; don't think I even have.

So, I see condos for sale there (in the phils) at reasonable prices. They seem convinient to things. I guess boots on the ground is better. Is there an international RE broker any of you have used? How is the quality of construction of these condo's. I realize it will vary. But can I find one that has good soundproofing between the units? Are there high maintainance fees?

How about renting. What are the usual pitfalls there? Is there a preferred site to look for monthly rentals? Constant brown out areas to avoid? Getting ready to go & still not sure what area I want to go to first. Manila seems too crowded for me.

Your questions are good ones but they are sort of all over the map. Yes, there are many condos for sale in the Philippines but I am surprised to hear you say they are reasonably priced. Certainly they are not cheap in Manila or Cebu, dependent on area. And that's the point. Just as in your Western country, price is totally dependent on location, location, location! Many people find that owning a home is actually cheaper, but you as a foreigner cannot own a home but can own a condo.

Most people recommend renting first and plenty of people recommend never buying. One you buy you are stuck. Your neighbor sings karaoke at 3 in the AM - you're stuck!

Seems to me the 1st strategy ought to be visiting a couple or more times and deciding what city or area you want to live in, then consider whether you really can make the move, then rent, and then buy only if you really love the area and find that purchasing has an advantage for you.

As to real estate agents, I have worked with a few but no one that comes to mind for you. Remember, while you can find properties online, the prices are tailored to foreigners and therefore are very inflated. It's not unusual to see houses listed for millions of pesos more than they actually sell for.