What's your experience building in the Philippines

I think you've asked about this topic on a previous thread. Is this the 65 sqm lot you said you were planning to purchase in order to build student housing?

We bought it today. I am looking to build as soon as the title get transferred.

Dealing with purchase does not give me any feeling of security. No escrow with banks (BPI). No assumed balance. It is truly a cash society even on buying properties.

I am hesitating to say the purchase process is 'primitive'. I did not mean that as an insult.

Next for me is building, it gives me the heebie jeebies.

We bought it today. I am looking to build as soon as the title get transferred.
Dealing with purchase does not give me any feeling of security. No escrow with banks (BPI). No assumed balance. It is truly a cash society even on buying properties.
I am hesitating to say the purchase process is 'primitive'. I did not mean that as an insult.
Next for me is building, it gives me the heebie jeebies.
-@Jackson4

Get used to it Jackson. Remember always this is a third world, developing country and extremely different to developed norms.

Well over 5 years ago we purchased a titled lot and a tax declared lot with a house and a lease in my name,,,,,,,, over 3 years later? The paperwork was eventually completed, what a fiasco and then some.

Building permits, clearances and all the other cr@p they kept throwing at us for fences and house extensions, 4 months, perhaps 5 months and finally cleared.

One more comment, be on the ground/on site with trades and work methods as you will end up paying for their mistakes, like running water, doesn't stop. Been there daily.

If you have faith in your builder/contractor, risk it. I have been on the ground here for years and the so called tradesmen? All rounders? Labourers? Don't know sh@t from clay. Very different worlds from my experience.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

Btw squatters have rights too!

We bought it today. I am looking to build as soon as the title get transferred.
Dealing with purchase does not give me any feeling of security. No escrow with banks (BPI). No assumed balance. It is truly a cash society even on buying properties.
I am hesitating to say the purchase process is 'primitive'. I did not mean that as an insult.
Next for me is building, it gives me the heebie jeebies.
-@Jackson4

You mentioned in your previous post that the lot size was 65 sqm. Have you verified if you can build on such a small area? You do need to comply with setbacks. Otherwise, Manila City Hall might order you to stop building or demolish your building if it doesn't comply with requirements.

You might have to put up a firewall left and right and 50% at rear side. But that would mean less ventilation for the building. And it's so hot in Manila.

We are engaging an architect to develop the plans. They now require ventilation chutes, fire escapes, fire alarm/suppressant, etc. Yes, this will have firewall on both sides. Next door is a 4 year old 5 story residential building too. I will also need a soil boring test on the property since this will be a 5-story residential building. The hard soil at the property is about 12 m deep. OMG! This build is primarily for student housing. About 500 feet from Espana corner Lacson right behind Earnshaw, near the University of Santo Tomas. Like the realtors tout: location, location, location. We are hiring a contractor to build the whole structure and let them deal with all the headaches. I think I will still have to hire my own set of eyes there and possibly make a few trips. I am hoping to get this done in 2023 and start renting out. I am hoping this will pay for itself and some income for our retirement. I am now counting years with the fingers on one hand.

Jackson writes, "We are engaging an architect to develop the plans. This build is primarily for student housing. About 500 feet from Espana corner Lacson right behind Earnshaw, near the University of Santo Tomas. Like the realtors tout: location, location, location. We are hiring a contractor to build the whole structure and let them deal with all the headaches.-@Jackson4

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Well done in buying your land Jackson. It's certainly an incredibly built-up area. Sounds like you got a bargain.

Regarding your purpose-built student-accommodation plans, one would think you will need to make very specific building plans. You would be very wise to study your intended occupant-market very thoroughly indeed, as your intended tenant population will obviously be THE major factor regarding your over-all building design, plans and interior-layouts.

What I mean is that student accommodation is a highly segmented and specialized industry. For example, my wife spent four years at Uni in Manila, and each semester she lived in a one bedroom flat with six other gals. This is probably the normal, and most popular way students do their accommodation.

Others live in purpose-built student dorms, others share larger multi-bedroom apartments, others commute a long way, and others just crash where-ever they can, etc etc.

Whatever market you choose to target, you will need very strict building management, but also with a fine, sensitive student-understanding.

Have you checked out places such as below .. hope these urls show on expat.com forum .. if not, suggest you google 'manila student accommodation' early in your planning .. and pick your architect carefully, there's hundreds on offer.

https://dorms.ph/ and

https://www.nestpick.com/manila/ and

https://www.anyplace.com/student-housin … nes/manila

Anyway, here's a photo of the area your land is located .. haha, built-up doesn't begin to describe your location .. and the very best of luck, our fellow expat friend

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Well done in buying your land Jackson. It's certainly an incredibly built-up area. Sounds like you got a bargain-@PalawOne

Yes, a real bargain. LOL.

Thanks for links!

As it turned out, there are architects buying old houses in Manila. Literally houses, not the whole property. They'll demolish and take the debris for you for free. There is a market for old wood and other materials repurposed for art or other things. I did not know this so I told the owner, as part of the sale, he will have to demolish the house and take the debris away. It depends when the 'old' house was built and the materials in it of course. If you will be in a similar situation, ask around before giving away what you thought is worthless or junk.

We are engaging an architect to develop the plans. They now require ventilation chutes, fire escapes, fire alarm/suppressant, etc. Yes, this will have firewall on both sides. Next door is a 4 year old 5 story residential building too. I will also need a soil boring test on the property since this will be a 5-story residential building. The hard soil at the property is about 12 m deep. OMG! This build is primarily for student housing. About 500 feet from Espana corner Lacson right behind Earnshaw, near the University of Santo Tomas. Like the realtors tout: location, location, location. We are hiring a contractor to build the whole structure and let them deal with all the headaches. I think I will still have to hire my own set of eyes there and possibly make a few trips. I am hoping to get this done in 2023 and start renting out. I am hoping this will pay for itself and some income for our retirement. I am now counting years with the fingers on one hand.
-@Jackson4

OMG, what a project! Dude, you have balls of steel.

@pnwcyclist

I did not buy this property.

She came home from the Phils vacation and told me she bought it. Now, we'll pay for it. Ugh!

Anyway, she brings home half of the bacon in the household that gave her the right to 51% vote. 🙄

OMO, but, if my wife came back from a foreign country and told me she had bought property in said country without saying a word / discussion beforehand- I'd be looking for a new wife.

You are going to spend a big bucks on this HOPE!

Good luck to you sir!

Best,

Joe

OMO, but, if my wife came back from a foreign country and told me she had bought property in said country without saying a word / discussion beforehand- I'd be looking for a new wife.
You are going to spend a big bucks on this HOPE!
Good luck to you sir!

Best,
Joe
-@Nightfish

I wouldn't go that far. . . . In our household minor purchases are not really necessary discussed (less than P1500) anything over is discussed.

Bringing home half the Bacon? That doesn't sound Kosher.

I wouldn't go that far. . . . In our household minor purchas are not really necessary discussed (less than P1500) anything over is discussed.

This purchase definitely falls in the more than 1500 peso category!

Taken at face value my reaction may seem draconian, except i also read between the lines.

As the OP stated, they are likely on the hook for cash to purchase. Let's say they actually survive the building process  - long distance no less, LOL

and end up with their 5 story building on 65 sq meters

Who is going to manage this business? A relative? Someone they hire? Good luck on both counts. Guess that leaves the OP. So, whatever plans the OP had for retirement are now on the trash heap. In all likely hood he will be a slave to a postage stamp size piece of property in

Manila. Thats called long term commitment.

My wife does not get to make those financial and  or life plans for me or us without Discussion.

But hey, thats just me.

I would ask the OP if he/they intend to take up the first and possibly second floor as their residence and manage the balance with students, rent and parties or employ management for the whole complex? As a landlord myself for over 30 + years it will be pain full  and even worse with an agent that doesn't care.

As pnw states "you have balls of steel" especially if you are not at ground zero. I wish you both luck Jackson.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

You got the synopsis, of course there's consent and financial planning. It is not something out of the young and the restless episodes or other soap operas out there. I was more into buying rental properties in the US but everyone's paying more than it would make for a decent ROI. Buying income property in the philippines isn't high on my list but it is the lesser of evils right now. Besides, this isn't taking moolah out of my retirement funds. Once our youngest finishes college, I'm turning in my badge. We'd be in the philippines part of the year (winters) and this will keep us occupied.

Soap operas, Tsismis is the life/story here Jackson, keeps the locals going it seems. Boots on the ground wins the day.

Cheers, Steve