Whether you want to renovate your home or office or simply start with a clean slate in your new place, buying furniture is one of the things to consider depending on what you’re eyeing for such as the brand, budget, functionality, the materials they are made of, and to match the aesthetic you’re going for your living space. But with so many recommendations from family, friends, and random people, you get overwhelmed as to which furniture store you should check out first to the point you become indecisive (and we know the feeling because it’s frustrating).
If you want to look for some local quality furniture online without struggling to get through the line (or if you simply don’t have time to go out), then you should scrap Shopee and Lazada for a minute as we’re here to recommend you some of the online furniture shops in the Philippines that take over online shopping to the next level!
If you’re looking for some furniture without breaking your piggy bank, you should check out Bonny Furniture, a pioneer for budget-friendly people for six years.
This furniture shop will give you good furniture deals with a wide selection of essential furniture for your bedroom, living room, dining room, and garden. You can also find some affordable furniture for your kid’s room and for your office set up, so this furniture store is perfect for a budget-friendly room makeover.
It has a physical store in the Philippines, which is located along Pedro Gil St. in Paco, but you can have it picked up or have it delivered as they deliver all over the Philippines! How cool is that?
This online furniture store in the Philippines is founded by the Villar Group of Companies, and it’s a one-stop furniture shop for home improvement, whether you’re renovating, constructing, or simply just furnishing your new haven.
Although they mainly cater to home builders because of their wide range of wallpapers, textiles, tiles, and other construction supplies, they also offer a collection of contemporary furniture if you want to modernize your place. They also have affordable office furniture such as office tables and office chairs that range from P1,000 – P2,000 and there are even some bundles of these that are less than P5,000 for those who are working from home. Talking about what you’re getting for these prices!
And that’s not all: They also deliver within Metro Manila and other parts of the Philippines such as Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu, Iloilo, and many others, making it more convenient for anyone to shop online with just a few clicks!
If you’re going for minimalism and functionality, then this furniture store is the one for you! From the name itself, this online furniture shop is all about the modern way of living by selling space-saving and pet-friendly furniture, making it perfect for people who are maximizing tiny space in condo units and apartments. These are available in modern and rustic designs, and these will cost you around P2,250 to anything under P40,000 if you want to live functionality in style!
The only downside of it is that they deliver within Metro Manila and in select nearby provinces, so you have to be a bit patient if you want them to come to you in the near future. Another one is the hefty delivery fees (especially for those who live outside of Metro Manila), so you have to be ready to see the bill and prepare your bank accounts and credit or debit cards so that anything can go smoothly.
If you think IKEA is pretty expensive for you, then Furniture Source Philippines is your answer with modern furniture that has the same inspiration from IKEA, except it’s more affordable and it’s for people who want to save on renovation costs. This one-stop shop has chic and trendy furniture that your pocket will be happy about, making your place stylish without worrying about the price! And the good thing about it is that it’s another online furniture shop that ships around the Philippines, so you don’t have to worry about their delivery fees and the things you’re going to buy! Another perk of buying furniture in this store is that they have a variety of payment methods, making your transactions with them convenient and flexible!
This online furniture store practically sells everything you need for every room of your house, condo, or apartment from bed frames, cabinets, study tables, and even a sofa bed that are on sale to having discounts that are offered on bulk orders of 12 items and above per Stock Keeping Unit (SKU). If you need some inspiration for bedroom, living room, or kitchen remodeling ideas, then you can just get anything by just through their catalog.
Like Urban Concepts, they only deliver within Metro Manila and in nearby provinces. But thanks to the pandemic, they’re quite flexible with their sea or cargo options for those living in Visayas and Mindanao, so you don’t have to worry in getting practical yet quality furniture with this online store!
Another great IKEA alternative is Mandaue Foam, a homegrown business that started in Cebu catering to your bedroom needs from bed frames to mattresses and pillows since 1971. They have expanded to home and office furniture later on and it now has 28 branches worldwide! They have stylish pieces and prices that will definitely make your bank account celebrate, plus a 25% – 30% discount on sofa beds, dining sets, and study desks and an additional 15% discount on imported products, and a 20% discount on local products for Mandaue Foam Loyalty cardholders.
Talk about a world-class local business with over millions of minimalistic and stylish furniture that have bargain prices and massive discounts!
The only downfall of this furniture shop is that they deliver in select towns and cities around the Philippines, so you have to pray to the furniture gods that this gem will come to you pronto!
MODLiving Furnishings is actually a restaurant furniture supplier that specializes in dining tables and chairs and it’s also an online furniture shop that sells to people who want to spruce up their tiny haven such as condos and apartments without breaking their budget. They have a wide variety of dining chairs ranging from P888 to P9,900 each and they are sold for P1,000 to P3,000 on sale. Dining tables are sold separately, so the tops are around P1,500 to P4,800 each and bases are around P1,700 to P9,000.
They deliver all over the Philippines too, but the only downfall that you would have to face is the hefty delivery fees. So get your bank accounts and PayPal ready to see the bill.
This online furniture shop offers unique furniture that are handcrafted by Filipino artisans, and they are made of rattan or wood to give your place a classic, rustic, and vintage vibe. What’s terrific about Yanna’s Home is that you can customize your orders by changing the dimensions, colors, or materials by filling out their customization form. Their furniture makers will do their best to make it yours according to your modifications, but if they think it isn’t feasible, they will suggest some possible modifications that will still fit the style you’re going for. Another thing is that they deliver all over the Philippines, making your rustic atmosphere come true wherever you are!
Decorating your place with furniture that says about you takes time, money, and effort because you have to make sure it matches the aesthetic and atmosphere you’re going for. These online furniture shops in the Philippines have taken online shopping to the next level when it comes to convenience and accessibility brought out by the pandemic. You can’t go wrong with mixing and matching your aesthetics to give your living space a variety of atmospheres so that you can still call your haven a home even if it has different pieces of furniture dedicated to different kinds of aesthetics because no matter where you buy your furniture (whether you buy them in one store or in many stores), decorating your haven has never been easier with just a few clicks on your laptop or taps on your mobile device!
If you’re looking for a sign to level up your redesigning, then this is that sign to transform your home into a place of your own!
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
When it comes to real estate investing, rental properties are one of the most preferred types due to their low-risk, high-rewards characteristic– yes by that we mean the profit. With that being said, there are various types of rental properties that real estate investors like OFWs and migrant Filipino workers can choose from. But how do you determine which type of rental property is best suited for your budget and financial goals? And aside from the physical property itself, you’ll also need to determine whether your investment property is open for short-term or long-term rentals.
Well, we’ve got you covered! Read on to find out the different types of rental properties, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the type of tenants they attract so that you can weigh carefully your options and land the best investment decision aligned with your goals!
Single family homes or SFHs are the most common type of residential rental property out there. They are widely available in the real estate market, making them popular choices for real estate investors to generate a positive cash flow. As the name implies, single family homes are structures big enough to house a family (or an individual), don’t share walls with any neighbor, and are free-standing on their own land.
Being the most common type of rental property, it will be very easy for you to finance SFHs as there are lots of banks that are willing to lend you money or approve you a loan. Your tenants will consider your property as their personal residence and will be most likely to stay for long periods of time. You don’t have to worry about your property being vacant and the monthly cash flow stopping.
With SFHs, it is very unlikely for you to find yourself ironing out disputes between neighbors sharing a common wall. If you are a budding real estate investor, then this rental property investment might be the best for you!
Multi family homes can be considered as an umbrella term for townhouses, duplexes, and apartment complexes. They are types of residential properties that have more than five housing unit that can be rented out to different families or individuals. The property owner usually lives in one of the units– which is called owner-occupied property.
Let’s not confuse multi family homes with single family homes as the former typically has more than five units rented out while the latter technically leases four units or less. Also, a property that has more than five units is sometimes considered as a commercial property.
One of the pros of choosing multi family homes as your rental property investment is that you can easily double or triple your rental income. Say you’ll add 500-peso increase in rent payment for a 10-unit building, then you already got yourself a clear 5000-peso income property on top of their original rent payment. If you implement this 5000-peso rental increase in an SFH, your tenant will likely pack his bags and say goodbye.
On the downside, while it is much easier to purchase a single family home, the same thing cannot be considered with multi family homes. Since you are dealing with multiple rental properties, the upfront fees could be skyrocketing. You’ll also have to deal with a larger down payment, hefty monthly mortgage payments, and bigger property taxes. It might be also hard for you to convince banks to lend you a big sum of money to finance your investment.
You might also have to act as a mediator between tenants who are caught up in arguments or disagreements. You also have to be there for every tenant’s complaint such as fluctuating light bulbs or a leaky faucet. Contacting a property management company or hiring property managers can give you a helping hand in managing your apartment buildings but this will also mean another dent in your wallet.
They are sometimes referred to as hybrids of single family houses and multi family homes. Condos and townhomes are privately owned units while tenants share common amenities like swimming pool, lounge area, and gym & fitness with other dwellers. These amenities are provided and maintained by the Homeowners Association (HOA).
One of the perks of investing in this type of rental property is that the maintenance and upkeep of the property are all handled by the HOA, in exchange for the monthly HOA fees that you pay. You also have a wide range of tenants to lease out to. For instances, if the property is located near commercial business districts, then your tenants might likely be professionals and office workers. Likewise, if the property is erected near schools and universities then you’ll be leasing out to students.
On the flip side, there may be restrictions on the home improvements that you can add to this rental investment. You might need to consult and seek approval from the HOA first before you can start on any home renovation project or that balcony garden you’re planning to make. Moreover, the HOA fees can slice off a significant amount from your profit.
If your target market are luxury renters and the privileged few, then investing in rental luxury homes might be the most sound option for you. However, take note that this investment strategy may require a large sum of budget as luxury homes are usually equipped with the latest home technologies and appliances. Prestigious rental houses like these usually have more utilities and upscale amenities than the other property types.
Moreover, luxury homes have the reputation of having low occupancy rates because of the skyrocketing rental rates. However, if you managed to get it done right then expect a lucrative return of investment.
If you are living in a tourist destination spot like Tagaytay City, Batangas, or Cebu, or you just want to capitalize on the country’s tourism industry, then vacation homes are the perfect options for you! These types of rental properties are considered “seasonal rental properties”—they may not provide you with a consistent cash flow throughout the year. However, when the peak or high season comes and the demands surge up, you can easily increase the rental price without sacrificing your occupancy rates.
Another advantage of this investment property is that you can personally use them as your vacation home if you and your family want a quick escape from the busy school and work life.
We cannot emphasize enough the benefits of investing in rental properties–whether be it residential or commercial. Perhaps the best thing about this type of property investment is the passive income that you can generate from it. This is a profitable venture with considerably lower risks compared to other types of investments. What’s more is that while you earn passive income, the market value of your property is also rising steadily up to the time when you decided to sell your property.
Your choice of which rental property you should invest into is dependent on your investment strategy, objectives, and financial goals. When done the right way, these investment properties can provide you with a hefty return of investment with lower operating expenses. That’s why it’s helpful to remember that a good rental property management means more than just purchasing out a four-walled structure with a roof on top and leasing it out to potential renters.
It’s about how you manage and maintain the upkeep of the property to make your renters happy and satisfied that they’ll stay for a long period of time. Filtering out your tenants is important too as you don’t want to rent out your space to delinquents who can’t pay rent and destroy your property. And most importantly, the money and budget you will need to keep the business running.
Once you’ve covered all the preparations needed, it’s time to land the big decision. So, have you decided what type of rental property you’re going to invest into?
Looking for an affordable property? Contact us today
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Purchasing and owning a house or a real estate property in the Philippines is considered a rewarding experience and it comes with lots of benefits. But with those privileges comes with responsibilities and civic duties you need to fulfill such as paying your real estate property taxes.
Whether you’ve owned a house before or you’re a first time homeowner, it’s important for you to know how to pay your real property tax here in the Philippines, but don’t worry, we’ve you covered with that!
Now, you might be wondering, what is a real estate property tax? A real property tax is a type of tax imposed and collected from property owners by local government units (LGUs). Locally known as amilyar, real estate property tax can also be referred to as real estate tax or real property tax.
Just a quick trivia: the colloquial term ‘amilyar’ is derived from the Spanish word amillaramiento, which means ‘assessment of a tax.’ Tax collection was first introduced during the Spanish colonialization whereas the datu (or head) of a barangay collected taxes from his jurisdiction in exchange for security and protection.
Real property tax covers all agricultural, residential, and commercial properties in the country.
I’m certain that you’d be asking why you should pay such property tax. The Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code gave LGUs the authority to impose and collect property taxes as a way to earn revenue and to fund public expenditure. Property owners or the person whose name is indicated in the land title or certificate is the one in charge of paying such tax.
The basic real property tax computation is as follows:
Real Property Tax = Rate x Assessed Values
The real property tax rates vary depending on the location of your property. For properties located in Metro Manila, 2% interest rate is added while 1% for properties in the province.
To extract the total assessed value, the local government unit determines the fair market value of the real estate property and multiplies it with the fixed assessment levels.
So, to compute for your total real property tax, let’s take a look at this example:
Let’s say you own a property in Makati City, Metro Manila that has a total assessed value of ₱1,000,000. We will then multiply this with the interest rate of 2%. Then, your total basic property tax will be ₱20,000.
Aside from the real property tax, local government units can also collect additional taxes like the special education fund. The special education fund is an added 1% tax on top of the total assessed value and serves as funding for the needs of the public schools in your local city or municipality.
So, going back to our computation earlier, the total assessed value of our property is ₱1,000,000. We will now determine our special education fund value by multiplying the total assessed value with the SEF rate which is 1%.
So that will be:
₱1,000,000 x 1% = ₱ 10,000
Then combine it with your basic real property tax which is ₱20,000. Your final real property tax will be ₱30,000.
Property owners have the option to pay real estate taxes in full or via quarterly payments. If you opt for the first option, the deadline will be on or before January 31st every year. For the second option, the dates are as follows:
You may be required to present some documents in order to get your real property tax declaration. These documents, depending on your local government unit, may be but not limited to:
Additionally, you may be required to pay the filing fee, registration fee, and annotation fee.
Remember, your tax declaration isn’t a conclusive proof of property ownership, it just shows that you have in fact done your monthly civic duty. A transfer certificate of the title will always be the solid proof of property ownership.
Failing to pay your property taxes on before the indicated due date will result in penalty amounting to a 2% interest of the unpaid amount per month. The maximum amount of interest is 72%, equating to 76 months or 3 years’ worth of unpaid real property taxes. So, to avoid high penalties, make sure that you pay your dues on time.
A responsible homeowner’s duties and obligations aren’t just limited to maintaining the upkeep of the property. You still need to fulfill your civic obligations like paying your real property tax promptly yearly. Not only that paying on time will help you dodge hefty penalties but will also make sure your hard-earned properties will remain yours.
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Let’s imagine this: You come home from a hectic day at work and greet your family to let them know you’re home. You would change into your house clothes, and play with your kids (or younger siblings) and pets as well as eating a good meal and maybe do a few last minute tasks that happen to be out of the blue. Come bedtime, you lie down on your bed and sleep ’til your heart’s content to get up for the next day. In short: You like where you’re currently living right now simply because you like the property and the people you’re living with because you feel safe and secure.
But let’s face it: The people you’re living with are growing up, and we’re pretty sure your needs and wants have changed since that day. You want to add a couple of more rooms (or replace the current rooms into another set of rooms or take off some of the other rooms) to make the most out of the square footage that you have in your place, so you start re – visualizing what your house would look like because you want it to look different and you want to upgrade your humble abode from its simple beginnings. But you don’t know what you want, and it can be frustrating to figure out what goes with the limited square footage you have.
Well, don’t worry! We’ve got your back with a bunch of ideas for you to consider to add in your place (and where to build them) if you want to upgrade your haven according to what you need and want without moving out.
You can take your home to the next level — literally. You can add a second floor or a second floor in your existing home, especially if it’s in a 1000 square meter one so that you can have more space to put additional things (and it’s a good area for a good attic conversion) and to add more rooms that you want to put upstairs.
Advantages
Whether you’re putting up a second floor or a third floor (or even a fourth if you can), you can put some extra living space under an existing roof without getting an axe to crash your savings for extending an extra square foot. You can put a master suite and call it a master bedroom suite, an exercising room, a private office, crafting or hobby rooms, a family room, study and reading nook, a garage addition, or even some standard bedrooms to serve as in-law suites for your guests or your in-laws that want to stay over for the holidays. If you live in a condo, you can also convert it into a loft apartment — all you need are the stairs and a bedroom to grace everyone’s presence in style!
Talk about that square foot game with high ceilings, huh?
Disadvantages
You need to consider some additional costs involved in adding rooms as well as adding a second story. You also need to think about the local building codes in your town or subdivision because most homeowners living in these places have limited allowable height capacities to let your place stand still without tipping it off during a heavy storm. And you also need to think about the stairs: They need at least 80 – 120 square feet of living space for you to put a staircase (especially if you’re converting your condo to a loft apartment).
This is the most cost effective solution when you want to add more rooms and save money. Investing on the ground floor can let you explore more possibilities of additional living space (and would generally save your home’s square footage) without creating a new foundation.
Advantages
Since having a ground floor addition can let you add more rooms, you can add some family rooms or an in-law suite if you’re inviting your grandparents to live with you. You can also add a master bathroom on the first floor or an extra bedroom with a new bedroom near the front door if you’re hiring a housekeeper that stays with you 24/7. You can also add a laundry room if you want to be near to the back to hang your clothes dry out to the sun. And you can add a basement if you don’t want to store up ancient treasures upstairs.
Basically, your holy grail for additional living space is on the ground level.
Disadvantages
Generally speaking, you need to consider safety if you’re investing in some more excavation costs as well as existing walls. Plus, you need to be on the watch for the weather because they can’t work their way down if it’s flooded with rainwater.
In an ordinary two story home (especially if you live in a townhouse), you would see a corner that is somewhere in the dining room, and that’s the basement. Most people who are living in a property line have an existing landscaping of a basement that is just below the staircase so that it sits within the existing foundation of the house to put more things into as storage.
Advantages
Having a basement downstairs is a lot safer and bigger compared to putting one upstairs. For one, it has an additional square footage to store more things in an existing house (and it’s easier to put things in and to take them out when you feel like donating them or selling them). It also serves as an extra room for things that you don’t need anymore (and if you’re lazy to put them upstairs, you can always store them somewhere downstairs) and some homes are functional enough to add a basement at the bottom of the staircase
Disadvantages
Some lots can’t have basements because of potential flooding, a solid rock in the ground, and excessive excavation costs. Another one is that you have to follow the rate for room addition costs as well as labor costs and you need to sacrifice the existing wall you have in order to create storage.
This is the second trickiest question because a general contractor would approve if you want to upgrade your simple single apartment to have a second story upstairs. Most architectural services beg to differ that building out is cheaper compared to adding another floor upstairs simply because you would have less yard space and you would need to have a permit approval to your building permits so that you can have your own demolition and additional square foot depending on what your place can accommodate. You would also have to face unexpected costs such as taking care of the insurance company if the workers get hurt or if you want to have additional living rooms that would extend your property to make it bigger, sacrificing your existing foundation and your foundation materials.
In short, building out is like having a new construction project and it can cost more a lot per square foot depending on how big you plan to have an extra room like a detached garage compared to the fixed price contract of the property.
But it really depends on you if you want to build up or out to make room for everyone.
Doing a remodeling project can take up your time, money, and effort, especially if you really put your dedication and vision into it. It’s already a complex project itself, but you can either build it up, down or out (or all of the above) to upgrade your humble abode to make your haven fresh with a new look. You can add a workout room, a new bathroom, an attached garage, an extra bedroom, a four season room, or anything under the sun with luxury fixtures. You just need to figure out what’s energy efficient, cost effective, and what the site preparation is so that you can find out the cost estimates per square foot as well as whether you can add a second story at a reasonable additional cost for an additional living space.
So if you’re still undecided whether to remodel your house or move out, it’s okay. But if you’re looking for a sign to upgrade your haven, then this is that sign! Go add that second or third floor, extend your space, or add as many rooms as you can! Your place (and the people in it) definitely deserves it.
Nowadays, having a Scandinavian or Nordic vibe has been popular with condo living, especially when there are so many things that you can find anywhere when you want to achieve a Nordic style living room! However, when it comes to achieving a Scandinavian style, it’s always about things that are made from natural materials such as wood and white walls, making it limited for some people to achieve it with these colors that you normally see with the Scandinavian interior design and the overall Scandinavian aesthetic with clean lines that allow natural light to seep through your abode.
Well, you’re in luck! We have some Nordic living room ideas for your condo (and for other living spaces) to achieve that Scandinavian style living room without ruining the chances of breaking it with the colors that you choose!
Most Scandinavian living rooms have a neutral color palette, an open space for natural light to brighten the room (and to make it uncluttered), and it has a bunch of furniture that are practical, functional, and stylish creating a warm, comfortable, and rich vibe (without telling anyone that you are) that will make you feel right at home. It’s no wonder that one of the popular design trends that came from Scandinavian homes became a screaming demand for everyone to live that minimalistic lifestyle fashionably!
Now that you have an idea about a typical Scandinavian design, here are some of the best Scandinavian small living room ideas (and some great Scandinavian decor) for you to scope out for if you want to achieve that minimal design — the Scandi style!
While white is the most common color that you can see in most Scandinavian living rooms, a normal Scandinavian living room color palette is made up of black, gray, and beige with touches of blue and pink. It isn’t really a sharp contrast between the usual black and white, but it’s a blend of those colors so that it’ll look safe for the eyes to see. A living room is a space for you to feel at home, so you’ll be able to achieve that Scandinavian style when you blend with these colors correctly in terms of paint and decor. Besides, this is the first step to a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and you don’t want to scare your visitors away with colors that don’t go together, right?
In most Scandinavian countries, they keep an open floor plan, meaning it creates a perfect balance of minimalism living while inviting Mother Nature indoors and achieving a clutter – free zone. This also means that you have to keep the house’s heart alive (along with the kitchen and the dining room) while investing in special and eye catching items that will definitely brighten up the room (and can get you a nice view if winning the lottery doesn’t cut it). We suggest that you should get furniture that would fit the minimalistic profile and are functional so that you can not only use them in more ways than one, but also to move around more. After all, a free flowing space is a happy home!
You have seen a lot of functional furniture online, and trust us when we say that functional is the new future for furniture. For example, there are coffee tables that can not only hold your magazines for your visitors to read, but you can also move them closer to you (and you can raise it at your level). A comfortable sofa can also be a bed (meaning you can sleep in the living room if you feel lazy going to your bedroom or work if you want to hustle with a view). A simple floor lamp. All while having a coffee table in the middle and lots of space for your living space to breathe. Having a Scandinavian living room with functional furniture is a futuristic fusion between most Scandinavian homes and the convenience of living functionally and in style!
Like what we’ve said, a typical Scandi style living room allows a lot of space for natural light to settle in so that the room can breathe. Lighting is the most versatile natural resource you can have access to, so you should tone down your wall decors and other window treatments such as curtains and blinds so that you can get a great view whether you’re working or simply relaxing on a lazy day and to make your wall space big with clean lines and aesthetics.
You can also invest in minimal overhead lighting so that it can still be well-lit at night (and safe for your electricity bill). After all, natural light is better than being exposed to artificial lighting all the time.
In any Scandinavian room you’ve been into, we’re pretty sure that you can see some indoor plants (especially large ones) to add some accent to your Scandi living room. If you’ve been reading our articles about indoor plants, you’d know that it’s beneficial because it increases the oxygen in your place (making it breathable) and it brightens up the place, giving it a refreshing look. So we suggest that you should add a large house plant or a couple of small to medium indoor plants in your Scandinavian room so that it adds as a refresher to your corner (and to even create a homier vibe).
Wool, wood, leather, cotton, and wicker make a great play for your Scandi style living room. It creates an earthly heaven place on Earth and it will remind you that your home should be your safe haven, not a place where you just get ready when you’re in a hurry. Scandinavian rooms fit with everything such as wood, stone, and linen, so we suggest that you should get a faux fur carpet that is fitted and you should get a coffee table with wooden legs (specifically light wood such as blonde wood or a semi dark one) to make a soft contrast within the wooden hue for a warm Scandinavian living room. All of the materials should be within the color range of white, beige, black, brown, nude, and other neutral tones (okay fine, add a splash of some blue, pink, and yellow accents, but don’t overdo them) so that you can achieve that Scandinavian vibe with a hint of color minus the guilt you’d feel.
Nowadays, you would see some black and white wall decors hanging up on most walls such as black and white (and sometimes wooden) photo frames with quotes and art as well as pictures and a chalkboard if you’re going all out for wall art.
Since the Swedish go for the practical and simplistic Minimalism, you could go for a large-sized artwork with a simple frame instead of collecting a small collection. And don’t be afraid to play around with symmetry to make a perfect balance. For instance, you’d want to place a large-sized artwork in the middle followed by a shelf of mini photo frames that are filled with quotes and pictures (and some indoor plants) on the left side and you can free the right side so that it has a perfect balance of the things you want and the breather you need.
You can tell a person by the space he or she is living in, and a cluttered space leaves the impression that you have a cluttered mindset. The number one concern that people have (especially when they have their own living space) is the clutter, and having a Scandinavian style living room is low maintenance and versatile, making it easier to clean! But you have to remember that you have to keep it clean as much as possible because having clutter around messes the vibe up, so you need to take care of your haven as timely as possible. After all, home is where the heart and soul are!
Having a Scandinavian living room is a great example of Minimalism because you don’t need a lot of things to say a lot about your home, especially your living room. Interior designers suggest a lot of Scandinavian living room ideas if you’re the type of person who wants the simplicity of a home and a light, homey, and airy vibe to come home to. Thanks to Scandinavians, people can now enjoy a minimalist design that can be versatile and functional for everyone — you just need to choose the right furniture and space to place them, and you’re all good with your Scandinavian home!
So, this is your sign to Marie Kondo the things that no longer spark joy, and invest in making your home a haven with the Nordic – Scandinavian design.
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Property finding here in the Philippines may be a bit difficult for our dear OFWs as they are working abroad to provide their family a better life. Finding a real estate agent to assist them can be time consuming as well.
Well, the good thing is, there are lots of real estate websites for OFWs and migrant Filipinos can visit and browse through to find the best investment property in the real estate market! There are no better means to look for affordable real estate properties in the Philippines than to search online.
With that, we’ve listed down the top real estate websites in the Philippines (and we’ve included apps as well) so that our dear OFWs have a wide array of means of finding their dream investment!
Established in 1999 and launched in the Philippines in 2020 by start-up giant Rocket Internet, Lamudi Philippines has claimed the top spot of being the most popular real estate platform here in the country. It is an easy to use platform where real estate developers, sellers, renters, and buyers can find or list properties online.
As of 2022, they have over 160,000 property listings available on their website, so whether it be commercial properties, affordable house and lots, apartments, or condominiums, our OFW home buyers are assured that they can find their real estate property in Lamudi! What’s more, is that you can also talk directly to one of their real estate agents for useful insights on the available properties for sale.
On the other hand, if you are a seller, you can easily list and manage your property on this website and reach a million people from around the globe who could be interested in buying your property.
Dot Property was launched in the Philippines in April 2015, and since then, this real estate listing platform has been providing ease for buyers, sellers, and renters in terms of property listing and buying.
Whether you are looking for a condominium unit in Makati City or an affordable house and lot in the suburbs of Metro Manila, Dot Property features filters such as price, property type, and location that can help narrow down and refine your search.
Dot Property also helps you keep up with the latest real estate news and trends, gives home advice tips and features a ‘Property of the month’ section to let you know what’s currently hot in the Philippines’ real estate market.
Being the first fully online real estate network and brokerage company in the Philippines, Hoppler gives you your own internal broker (from their pool of in house licensed brokers) to guide you throughout the property search.
Navigating through this site is very simple and user friendly whether you are buying or renting; just key in the type of property you are looking for, the area, location, city, and then hit search. You can also customize their filters according to price, floor area, availability date, furnishing, amenities, as well as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms for a more detailed, optimized search.
What’s more is that they also have an app that’s available to download in Google Play or the App Store so you can sell, buy, or rent real estate properties right through your fingertips!
Initially a standalone website, Property24 merged with Singapore-based buy and sell website Carousell last March 2022. So aside from finding electronics, clothes, or gadgets, users can now shop for their dream house and lot or condominium on the C2C/B2C website.
Just like other real estate websites mentioned in this article, Property24 makes it easier for you to find your property with their filters such as location, property type, your budget, as well as the number of bedrooms.
The website also features newly listed budget houses in Metro Manila and which properties are popular for sale at the moment. You can also find townhouses, memorial lots, and even foreclosed properties for sale!
Aside from the usual features of a property listing site, ZipMatch features a 360-degree virtual tour of the condo or house you’ve been drooling over. Inspect every nook and cranny with their easy to navigate virtual tours. They also have blogs, home buying and real estate investing tips for maximum user experience.
ZipMatch also provides its clients with professional consultants that will guide them throughout the home buying process– from choosing, deciding, and closing in on the actual project investment. ZipMatch strongly believes in empowering homeownership. With that, they developed a website that streamlines the process of acquiring or selling real estate investments.
A website curated for renters and tenants is what Rentpad is– you got the hint in the name already! If you are looking for a place to stay whether it be a long term occupancy or a quick overnight stay, Rentpad has lots of options to offer for you. Likewise, landlords can also post their properties for lease on the website for free as well!
Refine your search by choosing your location and preferred rental term. Take note that the available locations are only limited to 12 major cities which include Makati City, Taguig, Cebu City, and Davao. Still, it is a useful website for those who are looking for short term or long term rentals.
Planning to put up your property for lease? Let Berenta help you with that! Just like Rentpad, Berenta is a real estate website that allows tenants to find the best rental property that’s pocket-friendly and enables landlords to advertise their condos and apartments for possible renters.
Lazatu is a real estate app that enables its users a seamless way of buying, renting, or selling properties. Through this app, you can easily search for your preferred property, compare listing prices, and even talk directly to real estate professionals for tips and advice.
You can also post your property for sale and meet potential buyers via their booking platform. Their app is available to download on Google Play and the App Store.
With the advent of new technology, finding the dream property for OFWs has never been this easy. In just a few taps or clicks, you can easily land on that house or condominium you’ve been dreaming about.
On the other hand, if you are planning to start your own rental property business, then posting listings on these websites is good a way to give exposure to your property and attract potential buyers. With this list of real estate websites in the Philippines, we hope that you are compelled to start your real estate investment journey.
So grab your phone, tablet, or laptop and start looking for your real estate property investments!
Looking for an affordable property? Contact us today
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Ever wonder why they say ‘Life starts at 40’? Well, it’s because when you reached the magnificent age of forty, you have acquired significant experience, skills, and all the means for a more enjoyable life.
And since you’ve seen more than a glimpse of life at this age and had a wide array of experiences, you want to become wiser in managing your finances and building your portfolio before you head on for retirement.
So, here’s the million-dollar question: Is it worth buying a house in your 40s?
Well, we’re here to tell you why it isn’t too late to invest in real estate in your 40s–or at least buy a house of your own!
Real estate investing at this age gives you an edge in terms of financial capacity. Considering you’ve saved enough money at this point, then it won’t be hard for you to place a down payment for your dream home! Here are the other reasons why you should buy a home in your forties!
One thing to consider when buying a house in your forties: your job.
When you decided to purchase a house, consider looking for one that’s near your job. While they say that life begins at forty, it is also the time when your body starts to take on its toll. You are not getting any younger–you’re going to feel that arthritis, rheumatism, and will start to have faulty eyesight, so purchasing a home near enough for you not to commute long hours is a big factor to consider.
Another reason to consider buying a house in your forties is your growing family. Let’s say that you’ve bought a house in your 20s–that space is going to be outgrown as you start your own family. Sure, it might be big enough for a family of three at first but soon you will need a larger space as you welcome new members of the troop.
So, when buying a house in your 40s, consider looking for bigger spaces, more bedrooms, and extra living spaces to accommodate your growing family. Focus on practicality than your personal needs.
A change in your family status– marriage, divorce, or remarriage can also drive you to purchase a house in your forties.
Let’s face and accept it– one day you’ll wake up and decide that you’ve done enough working and it’s time for you to quit for good and enjoy the other finer things in life. We’re not implying that you’re going to retire immediately after you turned forty, but every candle blown off is a year closer to that retirement scene to happen.
So, before you take off that corporate attire permanently, make sure that you are prepared for the retirement life you are heading for by purchasing a place
A budget is needed for any type of investment property. Buying a house, in particular, will require a budget for a reservation fee (in some cases), down payment, and even closing fees.
In choosing your home, it is best to list down all the features you want and rank them according to your needs and wants. How many bedrooms and/or bathrooms do you prefer? Would you like a townhouse or a two-story family home? What kind of amenities you’d like to include in your property?
When it’s time to browse and decide what property to buy, this list will serve as a guide and help you create better and practical investment decisions. It is worth noting that your income may decline in your forties so you’ll want real estate properties and investments that won’t hurt your pocket.
And even though you might have a solid financial portfolio at this point, this doesn’t mean that you should purchase the most expensive house out there. There are still other financial obligations you have to consider such as the monthly mortgage payments,
We cannot emphasize enough how a strategic location is necessary when buying a property. Real estate agents and professionals agree that location is one of the primary factors that can affect, not only your way of living, but the appreciation of your property.
Will your future abode fit the lifestyle you envision after retirement? Are you going to travel a lot or stay at home during your retirement? Aside from lifestyle, you need to take note of the changes in your body and mobility so you need to make sure your home will cater to such changes.
One way of generating more income in your forties is to start a rental property business and generate passive income in the form of rent.
Whether be it residential properties or a commercial real estate, you can expect a monthly steady cash flow in the form of rent. This is what we call ‘passive income.’
‘Buy low, sell high.’ That is the basics of flipping houses. This means that you are going to purchase a property at a lower price, apply some home renovations and improvements and then sell it for a higher price for a hefty return of money.
If done the right way, you can improve your financial portfolio in your forties through house flipping.
Unlike rental properties, real estate investment trusts (REITs) allows you to invest in the real estate market without actually buying and maintaining a physical property.
According to Nareit, REITs “are companies that own or finance income-producing real estate across a range of property sectors. These real estate companies have to meet a number of requirements to qualify as REITs. Most REITs trade on major stock exchanges, and they offer a number of benefits to investors.”
Just like other public stocks, you can purchase a share in REIT, and get your share of the income of the said investment. There are various types of REITs you can invest in.
A lot of people may mistakenly think that buying a house or investing in real estate is best done during your twenties or thirties. Thing is, there’s no ‘perfect age’ when it comes to real estate investing.
A budding yuppie looking for ways to improve his/her portfolio and a retiree who has been through and has seen a lot in life can both become real estate investors if they will to.
The perfect time to invest in real estate is when you’re ready to take the dive.
Looking for an affordable property? Contact us today
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
It is inevitable for your small family to grow big as the years flew by. And sooner or later, your family will outgrow the current home you are residing in. A growing family calls for bigger living space and more rooms for every additional member of the family.
Moving into a new, bigger house could be an option but not every family could afford to switch homes in an instant. Why not try adding home additions to your current house instead of searching and moving into a larger house? Not only that it will add extra living space for your family but will increase your property’s value as well!
Home addition is a type of major home improvement project that adds extra living space into an existing house. As mentioned earlier, home additions are made to address the property owner’s need for extra living space or if they just want to upgrade the style of their house.
For instance, taking care of aging parents may require you to add an in law suite. Others need extra rooms for their kids, want to remodel their dining room or build an entertainment room for the whole family to enjoy.
Whatever your purpose may be, home additions hit two birds with one stone by answering your call for extra space while at the same time increasing value appreciation of your home.
To give you an insight about the potential costs of your chosen home addition project, consider the following factors:
This traditional way of home addition is basically adding a new structure divided into rooms onto the side of the house with direct access to the main house. When planned and done right, this house addition can seamlessly blend into the existing house, creating a whole new, larger living space.
The extra square footage could be a family room, a dining room, a laundry room, a guest bedroom, a primary bedroom, or even a master bedroom. Kitchens are usually out of the list unless you are aiming for an apartment suite or want a bigger kitchen.
Take note that this type of home addition is considered as a major addition and requires lots of construction work: from excavating, foundation work, wiring, plumbing, to adding HVAC. It may be tear-jerking to finance this type of project but its impact on your property value is eye-watering as well– for a good reason this time.
Bump outs are perfect if you just want to add a room with a single function to your house. Say the siblings who once shared a room together now want a separate room for themselves– then bump outs are the perfect solution! Basically, a bump out adds a new livable space to an existing room. In this case, an extra bedroom!
They are called bump outs because they literally ‘bump out’ from the walls of the house for additional space. Bump outs aren’t limited to bedrooms; they could also be a bathroom, a home theater or entertainment room, or even a home office. You can also use them to add natural light inside of your house.
Compared to conventional house addition, a bump out addition is usually cheaper but isn’t immune to building permits.
If you’re looking for ways to add more square footage to your house, then why not start building upwards? This is one of the most popular types of home additions as it will not only give more storage space and living spaces will also double up your home’s resale value because of the additional second floor.
Before you start working on this project, make sure to hire a building inspector to check if the current foundation of your home is sturdy enough to support another weight on top. It is also advisable to consult an architect for the structural plans of the home addition.
Imagine yourself sipping a hot mug of chocolate under the pouring rain without actually getting wet. Yep, that scenario is possible with sunrooms.
Sunrooms are made up of glass walls and wooden frames to get more natural light as much as possible. They are great additions as covered recreational spaces and relatively cheap as you don’t have to build a new foundation– you just have to fill in the spaces and gaps in between studs and use the existing roof.
You can start a small plant nursery inside your sunroom without worrying about the harsh outside weather like storms destroying them and stray animals knocking off the potted plants out of their shelves. Aside from that, you can also use this single room structure as a place to bond with your family or friends over an afternoon tea.
Do you know that your garage space can be converted into an instant in law suite or family room? Garage conversions are one of the cheapest home additions as the basics of a home structure like a roof and walls are already present. Electricity and windows are usually present as well. You just have to transform that garage door into a solid wall and you got yourself an additional livable square footage that can serve as a living room or a guest room, depending on your need.
The only setback of this home addition is you still need to install other necessities like plumbing and HVAC.
Aside from converting your existing garage, you can actually add another floor on top of your garage for that added significant square footage. Before you start building over your garage, make sure to consult with your local builder as there may be safety elements that needed to be added like vapor barriers in between floors or a fireproof drywall.
Sometimes called an anteroom or a vestibule, a mudroom is a small space or an entryway where you can store shoes, coats, and bags. This is very common in the rural areas where farmers use this extra space to remove their muddy shoes after a long day of work– hence the name mudroom.
Add a touch of luxury (and functionality) to your mudroom by adding complementing built in cabinets where you can store footwear, wall hooks to hang your family’s clothes, a bin for wet umbrellas, and a small bench to sit on when taking your shoes off.
Though kitchens aren’t usually candidates as home additions (as a house only needs one kitchen), bigger and spacious kitchens are becoming more popular these days. If you are looking for ways to attract more potential buyers then it’s time to tear downs those walls and extend your kitchen or dining space. You can also utilize your deck or patio for an outdoor kitchen.
Besides, you can just convert your old kitchen into a storage room or pantry area to give use of the space. Take note that repurposing your kitchen is one of the projects with high renovation costs due to plumbing, additional appliances, and new countertops.
The simple answer is yes.
But that value still depends on the type of project you chose. Home additions can also create a huge dent in your wallet and will take some time to finish. In choosing the right home addition for your property, it’s best to consult a licensed professional home addition contractor to guide you through the process legally. However, take some time to learn the building codes by yourself so you can easily detect when something is out of place.
Though home additions may be a bit costly, it is still a rewarding investment for you to take on as you see your property appreciate over time. Every home addition has its own challenge and benefit, so you have to undergo careful planning so that your project won’t flop and your budget won’t be put to waste.
And the best thing about home additions? You get to unleash your own creativity and style with every project! So start personalizing and upgrading your home with these home addition ideas!
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vista Land International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vista Land International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Perhaps you’ve finally decided to put your real estate property up for sale after waiting for it to appreciate after a few years. In order for your property to attract a lot of potential buyers, you have to make sure it is prepared and beautiful enough for every scrutinizing eye. Key in home staging!
You are probably wondering what on earth is a home staging and how it will help you sell your property faster and probably with a higher selling price. Well, worry no more! In this article, we will guide you through the home staging process for a successful and profitable home selling venture!
To put it simply, home staging or staging a house is a real estate marketing strategy done by real estate agents, brokers, or realtors which involves arranging some of your home’s furniture to make it more pleasing to the eyes of home buyers. Remember those aesthetically pleasing photos of living rooms, bedrooms, or dining rooms you see in magazines, catalogs, and even on the TV? Well, they are all products of home staging. They are arranged and decorated intentionally that way to persuade lookers into buying that home!
Home staging is essentially ‘preparing the stage’ so that prospective buyers can picture themselves living in that space and will consider the property their future home!
A study published by the National Association of Realtors revealed that 77% of buyers can easily visualize themselves living in a property for sale if it is staged.
Essentially, there are four options you can choose from when staging your home. You can either go DIY, ask your real estate agent for some help, or you can opt to avail some home staging services.
The fourth one is a combination of any of the three options mentioned above.
There are numerous packages that home staging companies offer to best suit your style and budget. They could go from 250 to 3,300 pesos per square meter, depending on the type of package you will avail. It is important to note that these rates vary depending on a lot of factors such as size, price, and location of the house. You will also have to pay your professional home stager or company a consultation fee.
If you decided to stage your house on your own, it is important to list down repair and maintenance costs like painting and cleaning supplies, organizers and extra storage units and boxes for decluttering, additional décors and furniture, and floral arrangements.
Now that we’ve covered the definition and importance of home staging, let’s now comb through every room of your house and transform every dull space into an inviting one in just a few minutes with these home staging tips!
To give more light to your living room, replace your dark curtains with neutral-colored ones so the space won’t look dull and dingy. The same thing goes for your living room walls. Inspect all the lights and replace bulbs that have already burned off their embers. You can also open the windows or blinds to let more natural light stream into the entire room. Remove any personal items that may peek through your real estate photographs. Remember, you want your potential buyer to picture your home his or her dream home.
Looking for ways to elevate that good ol’ bookshelf? Why not replace them with floating shelves instead? Not only that it will give your living room an upscale look, but will also make a tight space look roomy. To give depth to any space, try adding large mirrors or reflective arts that will serve as the focal point and statement piece.
A modern-looking kitchen draws in the most potential buyers than any part of your house ever will. It is due to the fact that most buyers want a kitchen that doesn’t need remodeling. Invest in high-end appliances to make your house move in ready! These electronics and appliances don’t have to be really high end and expensive– they just have to look like one!
Like what you did in your living room, open the windows and blinds in the dining room to let all the light shine through. Remove table leaves (if you are using any) to make the space look bigger.
You can set up the table (for ambiance), add a bowl of fruit or small potted plants on top of your dining table for additional décor.
Change the bed sheets, pillowcases, and blankets in your children’s bedrooms as well as in the master bedroom. Declutter your room from any litter and personal items lying around. Peek through your closet and organize your wardrobe— try to use the same hangers if you can!
Here’s a tip from an article published in The Close entitled 17 Clever Home Staging Tips From Top Agents (+ DIY Shopping Guide): replace old table lamps and nightstands with sconces for that instant luxurious hotel feel! According to Ashlei De Souza, an Associate Broker in Serhant and host of the Youtube channel LISTED, “Not all sconces feel dated! Embrace the luxurious hotel feel and pick some fun wall mounted lighting on either side of your bed. In smaller bedrooms, this trick allows you to go with nightstands that are more petite to keep your room feeling as spacious as possible!”
Heading on to your bathroom, check your pipes and faucets if there are any leaks and replace old shower heads and faucets. Add a fresh coat of paint to your drawers and cabinets to remove that outdated look and any visible chipping. Replace the shower curtain and hang towels with a neutral palette. Clear sink from any personal items like toothbrushes or combs. Last but not the least, wipe mirrors and glass sparkly clean!
Let’s not forget the curb appeal of your house’s exterior. Start by trimming overgrown bushes and trees, mowing the lawn, and removing dead leaves scattered around. You can also add some outdoor furniture to your patio or deck for that extra appeal. Cover any bare spots with potted plants or flower boxes.
Sure enough, home staging requires an ample amount of your time (and money) but rest assured that all of your staging efforts will be worth it once you see the fruit of your labor translate into inquiries and eventually sales. Home staging is like ‘putting your best foot forward,’ highlighting the best features of your home for every curious eye to see.
These are just some of the tips that you can use to spruce up the curb appeal of your home, but there are a lot more ideas that you can incorporate to transform your humble abode into a profitable investment. Remember, it is still important to consult real estate agents or experts to know the right way to stage your home, and which areas need some facelift and which one are fine the way they are. So start planning now and give your home a glamorous transformation!
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
Get started with your property investments! Contact us today and follow our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Being a landlord takes a lot of time, money, and effort to bring out some of the best practices that you’ve learned during your real estate management days (which is a real thing) and understood all of the local landlord tenant laws. Whether you’re a current one or thinking about becoming a landlord, the first thing that you need to know is that being a landlord is like being a property manager because you’re managing the rental properties or investment properties that you’re putting out there for prospective tenants to either make rent payments or to buy your investment property through mortgage payment or a one time payment deal.
We know that being a landlord is tough with all the mumbo jumbo of words and terms, but it’s actually quite simple! We’ve prepared some of the best landlord tips for you to know everything about being a landlord from the skills to the duties so that you’ll become a good landlord.
Aside from property taxes, you also need to consider saving up just in case of surprise costs such as landlord insurance for accidents, sudden loss, and liability as well as the typical maintenance and repair costs, rental licensing, mandatory inspections, annual registration fees, property, and rental income tax.
You also need to set aside money for mortgage payments, utility bills, marketing or advertising fees, bookkeeping or accounting fees if you hired a bookkeeper, property management fees if you hired a property manager, and legal fees for lease review and in case an eviction happens (yes, this means even if your properties are vacant, so you have to decide whether the properties you have are worth investing or not).
We know that these expenses are quite overwhelming especially if it’s your first time hearing about them, but this is one of the many skills that you need to master to become a landlord.
Your landlord is also the person who helps you in doing background checks so that you can do some major repairs and maintenance costs if needed. They make sure that your place is ready for potential tenants to move into and to also make sure that the property is livable for these tenants by having the necessary documents and making sure everything is settled from the down payment or the rent payment to the security deposits and the entire rental process.
As a part time property owner, you should also make sure that you agree on everything with the actual owner so that it can go smoothly.
Determining rent prices in the local market is a challenge for new landlords as one of the skills a landlord requires is a sharp eye for properties that attract renters and can obtain a positive cash flow from collecting rent payments (especially with online rent collection) as a source of passive income. Many landlords make sure to find you the best properties according to your needs and demands as well as what stands out in the rental market, so you need to master this skill so that a lot of people can recommend you when you’re looking for a property to move into.
Some previous landlords market their properties in local newspapers while some do it online. Whatever your strategy is, a good landlord should be strategic on where they market your rental property to attract prospective renters and tenants. Besides, this is about where and how you’ll market your property, so you need to be a critical thinker to become a strategic and smart landlord so that you’ll be able to market the property quickly.
The best landlords find and screen the best tenants as finding tenants is another challenge for landlords and property managers because they have to do a background and credit check from the familial status they come from to whether they have a good credit check and not have a criminal background to settle the rental agreements and the lease agreements.
After all, doing some credit and background checks and making sure these prospective tenants are qualified to live in your property are your key factors in finding good tenants (and to understand landlord tenant laws), so you need to be meticulous in finding and screening good tenants in order to become a good landlord.
Aside from making your property move in ready for potential tenants, you also need to make sure your rental properties and investment properties are in great condition by investing in maintenance and major repairs as well as paying the utilities, property taxes, and many other fees that you need consider in order for the property to be maintained if it’s worth investing (aside from just owning rental properties) according to the local ordinances and state laws when it comes to fair housing.
As a new landlord, you need to fix everything from property management to marketing to finding tenants according to the fair housing laws. Aside from these, you’ll also be the one in coming up with a lease agreement or a rental agreement so that you’ll help seal the deal between the potential tenants and the owners faster and more smoothly compared to ones that do everything on their own
A landlord is a people person to the owner, the property management company (if you don’t do the property management on your own), and the potential tenants that they attract, especially if it’s a property in multi unit buildings. You need to have good written and oral communication skills so that you can persuade more buyers and renters into investing in the rental property or investment property quickly and to establish fewer open houses because there are a lot of people who want to invest in the owner’s property.
In relation to good communication skills, you also need to establish excellent customer service so that a lot of people can recommend you whenever someone wants to look for a property to move into. A lot of landlords make this mistake because while property hunting is hard enough as it is, they shouldn’t be complacent to make sure your needs and demands are met with possible properties that you can offer your clients that are fit within their budget (or to those who aren’t worried about the budget).
They are also particular with the amenities and the location that they can enjoy and make the most out of so that they can enjoy the property and go wherever they need and want to go.
This skill is also important because you have to dedicate your time, money, and effort to sell or transfer the property to a potential tenant or renter. A good landlord should be able to research the demographics to check who can buy or rent the property and he or she should be persuasive and strategic in marketing your property by establishing open houses to attract potential tenants as well as making your place move in ready to promote online and in person.
Of course, the expenses just don’t go away in a snap. Aside from budgeting and handling maintenance costs and utilities to maintain the property, you also need to list the expenses from the communication expenses to the marketing and advertising expenses as well as the documents that you need to settle and pay to the BIR. You have to make sure that you have accurate accounting and finance skills so that the gross, net worth, and expenses are balanced before, during, and after going through the buying or rental process and so that you can see how much you’re earning through rental income.
Becoming a landlord is one thing, but being a successful landlord is another with lots of practice, time, effort, and money. Being a landlord is almost the same as being a property manager because you help the owner take care of the property, but it’s more holistic because you’re a messenger and a middleman to both the owner and to potential clients.
It may be hard and overwhelming at first because of a lot of things to remember (especially with the landlord tenant law), but when you pick up the best practices on how to become a landlord in a competitive market, it also pays off because it leads you to more potential clients who need help in looking for properties that they can live in, whether it’s for renting or buying.
We know that becoming a landlord is a challenge itself, but if you’re thinking of a way to earn more passive income through rental income or mortgage payments, then being a landlord is the sideline for you as you’ll not only learn how to manage your finances properly and decide which properties are an investment for you to put out for people to live in, but you also expand your social life as well as make big decisions no one else can.
A lot of Filipinos dream of owning their first apartment or house and lot. With today’s booming real estate opportunities, there are so many options to choose from.
Here at Vistaland International, we have a roster of affordable property listings from several locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to live in Manila, Cebu, Davao and etc, we’ve got you covered. So contact our real estate agents today!
Vistaland International was primarily created to bring OFW closer to their dream of finally acquiring a home in the Philippines. And with the rising cost of living in the country, OFWs and their families are looking for ways to earn extra cash flow to support their daily needs. Luckily, you can also join the global network of Vistaland International as a real estate professional and earn a commission!
Vistaland International Marketing, Inc. (VIMI) is the international marketing division of Vista Land. Aiming to provide OFWs and migrant Filipinos a home in the Philippines, VIMI has established long-lasting relationships with brokers and clients around the world.
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