Real Estate Scams Everyone Must Know

No one relishes in being deceived by a trusted realtor or partner in growing your real estate Cebu investments. Though every scam story points to the scammer, it is also essential to note that each has participation. The scam can be a result of negligence from the buyer, seller or agent. Either way, no one looks forward to the event.

There are several factors involved in executing the crime - the property, documents, lenders, sellers, buyers, agents, and third-party entities. All of these can perform the violations or be an accomplice. Hence, it's best to be aware of the real estate scams in the Philippines. Below are the crimes rampant in the industry and how they operate.

Abrupt Change in Lender

The property owner receives an official notice regarding the transfer of load to a different lender. Besides the change in the lender, the letter will also inform you that your remaining balance will be carried over a different account name.

If you didn't request for any changes on your loan structure or anything connected to it, it's best to disregard the letter. Moreover, you must verify instructions before accepting any of the terms.

Bogus Buying

A woman under the alias Virginia "Virgie" Manalang had gone around Manila to trick real estate agents and homeowners into giving her cash. She presents herself as a potential buyer of a property. She says she can purchase the unit or house and lot as she is married to an engineer in Australia who sends his monthly pension. To prove it, she issues a check worth hundred thousand as initial payment. However, she initiates to draft the deed of sale and handle the transactions from there. Her acts are questionable as she asks the agent or seller for cash so her lawyer can write the deed of sale. She asks additional amount to cover attorney and notarial fees. She also requests for photocopies of valid IDs and signatures which she uses to target other real estate agents and realtors. Her check is also a bouncing check and the bank account used for it belongs to a different entity.

Copycat Rentals

The person would post an online listing of his or her rental that seems harmless at first. The photos look valid as there are images of the rooms of the unit and its amenities. Fake agents use this tactic to ask renters for a deposit without meeting them in person.

Double Sale

It may be a case of an initial buyer of the property may neglect the registering and transferring the title, or a seller accepting a higher price thought a potential buyer already placed payment.

Fraudulent Schemes by Agents

Agents advertise properties that aren't for sale or currently handled by a different agent. They offer the properties at a low price to bait people. Once the client sends inquiries on the property, the agent will claim it as sold or unavailable. He or she will then offer their own listing which may have a higher price than the previous property.

Some brokers and realtors may take advantage of their skills in selling and building rapport. They may misrepresent a property and neglect to disclose the most important details. Though it is the duty of the agent to be transparent on the pros and cons of choosing the land, condo unit or house and lot, they may not comply to close a sale.

On the other hand, other agents connive to raise their commission fees. One acts as the listing agent, while the other represents the buyer. Both the seller of the property and its buyer aren't aware of the setup which distorts the value of the property. The practice violates the Code of Ethics and Responsibilities for Real Estate Service Practitioners.

Predatory Lending

Loan sharks and small time, unscrupulous financial institutions lure home buyers and house hunters to unfair and abusive loan terms. They coerce their victims through deceptive or exploitative actions to acquire a loan. Most of the time, the forced borrowers don't need, want or can't afford the mortgage.

Property Title Fraud

This type of scam involves the use of old property titles and use it to generate fake titles. The scammer provides supporting documents keep buyers from doubting the deal. Another way of doing it is by presenting a fake title over an existing an existing property regardless if it has an owner or not. People who neglect due diligence are potential victims of this scam.

Sale of Foreclosed Properties

This scam is rampant and likely to happen with Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) wanting to invest in a home in the suburbs like Vermosa. Scammers, who act as a homeowner or realtor, offer foreclosed properties to potential buyers who cannot check and inspect the property (due diligence). They forge the documents to make the transaction as real as possible. Once they close the deal and the buyers are ready to move in, they disappear. They are out of reach while buyers deal with the bank.

Unfinished Developments

Lesser known developers or names you haven't heard in the industry must be taken with a grain of salt. Scams involving unfinished developments include asking for reservation fees or amortization on a property without the advertised amenities and facilities. These add-ons can also be pending or abandoned by the developer. These developers may refuse to return the money leaving the owners empty-handed.

Part of this scam is pre-sold properties with low rated that remain unfinished until the turnover date. The developer promises a different period. They move it several times until the buyer gives up.

“Too-good-to-be-true” Real Estate Champions

Individuals advertise themselves as experts who can provide insights on the market and valuable pieces of advice. They sell themselves by conducting seminars promising quick returns and strategies. They market immediate success which is far from reality.

There are also individuals posing as real estate agents. They set up a website full of property listings copied from legitimate realtors. They trick home buyers by presenting forged documents and contact information to pay a security deposit or initial payment.


You can avoid these schemes by raising awareness and spreading them to communities. That way, other people recognize the signs and report them to authorities and institutions immediately. Moreover, you must conduct your research when inquiring in a real estate property in Cavite or any place in the South. You'll have your notes to compare with your broker which can prove their reliability on the transaction.

Note: This article was first published on May 5, 2015, as "Top 3 Real Estate Scams You Need To Avoid." It was updated to raise awareness of potential buyers and sellers of real estate properties.

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The Cold, Hard Truth Behind the 90/10 Rule of Real Estate Industry

Managing properties, gaining commissions, and meeting a bunch of clients with different needs are some of the activities of a real estate agent. The hefty paycheck is motivating factor despite running around the city during the open house of two properties. Thus, a lot of people want to work in the industry as the job seems natural.

It is at first glance. Once can become an agent as long as he or she can sell one 2br condo for rent Bonifacio Global City (BGC). If he or she influences a startup to go for a serviced office Makati CBD, then he or she does a swell job of using their marketing tactics. As the industry, more people look forward to making a profession out of it. Thus, the 90/10 rule exists.

Before the regulations existed, anyone who finished high school or passed Grade 12 can become an agent. At present, one study the curriculum and obtain a license to be a realtor. Since most don't want to give the time and effort to finish the course, only 10 percent of the total number of real estate agents are doing 90 percent of the work.

It's evident that a lot of agents fail in their profession. Below are some of the hard truths in permeating the real estate industry.

• The real estate curriculum lacks the scope of marketing and deal management. Some examples of topics that brokers must know and understand are:

1. Psychology of salesmanship
2. Art of selling and crafting deals
3. Networking
4. Creating listings
5. Presenting listings in a professional manner
6. Overcoming objections from buyers and sellers
7. Working with financial institutions
8. Dealing with appraisers and home inspectors
9. Communicating with utility companies and government agencies
10. Handling permits

Agents can learn these skills along the way, but they will become highly efficient in their tasks if they knew these things beforehand. They are likely to proceed and be motivated to pursue their individual goals if they know how to navigate the waters. Therefore, developers and real estate companies must provide mentorship, trainings, and seminars in their respective offices to minimize the agent failure and turnover rate.

• Realtors, especially beginners, undermine their abilities. Setting a timeframe for lead generation is acceptable. A 30 to 60-day real estate success may be correct for some and may not be for others. Lots of agents quit when they don't generate leads. They berate themselves and the market when they don't tick anything off their list. They leave early in the game without persevering and lose their confidence. When that happens, they become unlikely to take risks. They won't explore new strategies or try a new path yielding high returns.

• Real estate entrepreneurs neglect the power of advertising. Developers and housing realtors forget they are part of a business. A business needs investments to grow. Mixing traditional advertising and digital marketing increases the company or brand's outreach and, in turn, expands their market.

• Being greedy with opportunities destroys a realtor's career path. Real estate trades is and always was a job. Depending on the company's salary scheme, it is a reliable source of income. A lot of agents think that realty management doesn't qualify as a job, so they look for additional opportunities. Looking elsewhere places property selling on the sidelines and disrupts the focus on expanding the business.

Consulting a licensed yet non-practicing real estate agent is no different from getting surgery from licensed, non-practicing doctor. When in the game, vision becomes limited. One can only focus on what's in front. Business owners focus on income and realtors to their commissions.

No one wants to do the dirty work that's why the 90/10 rule exists.

Four Questions To Guide Your Financial Journey

A financial journey starts from the moment you receive a stable income. The salary from your first job, the earnings from your business after a year of operation, or the commissions from offering your skills and services to others are all sources of stable income. Though a majority of the adult population has a job, a lot of them still struggle with managing their money.

Starting as early as possible to manage finances will go a long way. It preps you for the future. You can establish an emergency fund, purchase a home in Cavite's Vermosa, or travel in style. Whichever are your goals, here are four questions to ponder on regarding your money matters.

1. "What do you want to do with your money this year?"

It helps to remember that money comes and goes. You can earn back what you lost. However, it's gone forever once you lose it. All you can do is double your effort to earn the same amount or more than that.

An adult with a stable job continues to earn their keep and receive their keep twice a month. The person will have a lot of cash at the end of the year assuming there are no expenses. Living with no expenses is the ideal lifestyle but far from reality.

To remain debt-free and keep your balances afloat, ask yourself what you wish to do with your money. Is there anything you want to achieve? Do you have a big ticket purchase on your sleeve? Do you want to travel? Think about the things you need, first then follow it with your wants. Identifying the activities involved in achieving your goal lets you create a picture of your path.

2. "Does shopping or purchasing a certain item relieve your feelings?"

Some people relish the high from finding a bargain. Others occasionally indulge in a few purchases to keep their stock in check or get ahold of the latest trends. If you excessively spend your time and paycheck on shopping, you need to assess yourself.

Shopping is fun, but it isn't a form of therapy. The rush of shopping is short-lived. On top of that, you can end up with debt that will take you awhile to pay up. You can also get into the habit of buying expensive things just to impress people.

When you know the reason behind your shopping trips, you will understand how to control your habits and spur our impulses. Moreover, you won't have to rely on spending to feel good about yourself.

3. "Do you spend more time outside with friends and colleagues than you do at home?"

The people with you can influence your spending habits. Going out to indulge in after-work feasts or late night adventures with friends can burn a hole in your wallet. It can also lead you to a costly lifestyle. Meanwhile, preferring to stay at home with family can minimize the incidences of unnecessary spending.

Being out most of the time also places you under pressure. You need to pay for everything to achieve the conveniences that are only available at home. Overspending and maintaining a break-even status can set you a few years from your financial journey.

4. "Are family members aware of your financial condition?"

Single people can easily manage their finances as they don't have to worry about obligations. They can quickly pay off a debt, apply for a loan, and rely on credit. As long as they put their mind to it, they can take hold of their destiny. They can ask their parents or established siblings to help the rut during the early stages of their independence.

It's a different story for married couples and those with children. If one of the pairs undertakes a debt, both sides have to adjust. The other person needs the support and encouragement of others. Their financial decisions will vary as they improve their lifestyle.

Thinking of finances can be stressful, so it's important to take care of yourself. Better financial health may push you to shift your life choices, but you must not neglect eating well, exercise, and spending time with people important to you.

A financial journey is a journey of the self. Take care of your body, so it takes care of the rest.

Housing Tenure in the Philippines

It's a must to consider housing tenure when investing in real estate. The type of tenure determines the ownership of the occupants in particular housing unit. As settlers and inhabitants of the area, it informs you the extent of your legal status and duration of stay.

Tenure can be tricky as it varies by location, existing laws and, the nature of the structure. It also depends on mortgage terms, the economic and emotional connection between the unit and the household. Currently, there are four terms of tenure in the country. Some of them may apply in other housing locations.

Hybrid housing tenures are products of changing societal norms and community structures. They are a combination of the common types and other elements that affect dues, monitoring and stewardship.

The four common types of tenure are:

1. 1. Owned or being amortized
2. Rented 
3. Free settlement with the permission of the owner
4. Free settlement without the consent of the owner

When the settlers have the right to claim the housing unit, then they own the property. They have legal claims over the occupied are regardless if they are on mortgage or amortization. A house and lot for sale in Cavite, such as those in Vermosa, are examples of homeownership acquisition.

The next type of tenure is the rental. To utilize the unit, its occupants must pay rent in cash or kind. They have temporary claims on their settlement. Their right to occupy the area depends on a contract or drafted stipulation.

On the other hand, occupants may dwell in a location without payment. As long as they have the consent of the owner of the area, they may use it as their settlement. Rent-free houses and living quarters under private ownership can are examples of this tenure.

Contrast to these free housing units is makeshift houses and slums in various communities. Squatters and households with no permanent address who take over abandoned public and private properties are part of the fourth type of tenure. These residents settle on an area without the consent of an owner.

If you are investing in real estate properties, you use housing tenure as a guide to make decisions and sound judgment. Still, it's essential to consider other housing tenures. Non-profit organizations and the public sector came up with solutions to the widespread housing problem.

The remaining tenures target lack of housing units and decreasing land areas to develop. Examples of these are community land trusts, cooperative housing, mutual housing associations and government housing.

Cooperative housing, also known as limited equity co-ops, is synonymous with community land trusts. A legal entity such as a corporation or non-profit organization oversees and manages the residential buildings and complex. They are responsible for keeping the price of the units at an affordable price.

Entities are responsible for coop housing and community trust low to medium income households. Thus, shareholders of the development have the right to settle on a unit. They are similar to homeowners in this manner.

Mutual housing associations are prevalent in condominiums. Individuals have the right to own a housing unit. In this manner, they form a community of homeowners considering their joint ownership over the communal areas.

Last but not least, there are public settlements under the initiative of government housing agencies. Relocation homes and sites are examples of these. The public sector may partner with private entities and non-stock, non-profit organizations. The accommodations are free or offered as rentals at a low price.

A lot of communities have mixed types of housing tenures due to various economic and societal factors. Several influences determine the relationship of the housing unit to its owner. It's best to research the current housing tenures in an area before settling on a home.

5 Condo Hacks To Living in Luxury

People mistaken luxury for expensive tastes. However, luxury is all about comfort and quality combined with pleasing architecture or design. An example of luxury is the expanse of Bonifacio Global City. Almost everything you need for a great urban lifestyle is within a distance of condominiums and communities.

If your condo is in the area of BGC, it's only ideal to pattern its design to the aura of the city. Here are some ways to hack your condo and enjoy the feel of the modern lifestyle.

1. Fill an empty space.

To be more specific, fill an empty wall. Start by painting a fresh coat of white on plain walls. White walls are easier to work with in terms of design. They are friendly to various colors and prints. A clear wall is also similar to a blank canvas. It allows you to install shelves, cupboards, artwork and other kinds of wall hangings.

You can make a gallery wall in the living room by using different sizes of frames for family photos and mementos. You can hang sculptures, mirrors and other pieces of art to create a salon-like arrangement for promising hallways and bare center.

2. Make use of surfaces. 

A luxurious condo caters to refined tastes and simplicity. It makes use of the less-is-more approach and avoid clutter and over accessorizing the areas of the home. To achieve a simple look, keep the items with the highest value. These items and pieces of furniture may have sentimental value or string of positive memories attached to them.

You can place small items on coffee tables, desks, and countertops. If you don’t have a lot of items to display, you make the surface of the table the center of attention. A pastel marble coffee table, a glass top dining table or a sleek matted wooden desk are enough to serve as centerpieces.

3. Prioritize the sitting area.

After the kitchen, the busiest area in the house is the living room. The TV is usually in the living room. Other than that, people come in the foyer to socialize or relax. If you plan on spending a sum of money on decorating, you better spend it on the couch.

Most of the activities in the area will involve sitting on the sofa. Hence, it pays to make it a comfortable experience. Moreover, the couch is the most prominent piece of furniture in the room. It’s best to choose a sofa made of materials that last such as linen, wool, and velvet.

4. Identify the colors you want to include in your home.

The ultimate cheat to making a luxurious casa is in the colors of the elements of design. Tasteful and well-decorated homes are color coordinated. It follows a palette or a set of colors that run throughout the indoors of the house. 

Light colors are perfect for smaller spaces such as condos and lofts. Pastel hues and soft, muted tones allow light to enter the area. It also helps it appear larger than it is. Integrating a contrasting color or a slightly darker shade enables you to create an exciting palette you can use in the different area of your home.

5. Install additional light fixtures.

Natural light can be limited because of a tree, building or structure next door. It can also be due to wrong window placement. These factors can your home appear darker due to the lack of light. Enhancing the shadows and dark areas shrinks the appearance of your home.

Fortunately, these details can be fixed. Having proper ambient and task light fixtures provides instant design while increasing the brightness of the area. Each room can have a combination of both - several lamps and an intense hanging light. 

These hacks are simple and easy to integrate. They also won't cost you a lot. Though living in a business district like BGC can be expensive, the ways to make a luxurious condo is cheap and modest.

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The Living Nightmare: Working in Sales and Retail

Halloween is over, but for some people, the horror of dealing with the unexplainable and unknown happens every day. Most people look forward to catching up on the spooky and thrilling movies on Netflix, but people dabbling in sales or retail would instead take a shot of tequila or vodka to forget the day’s horrors.

There are lots of unforgettable stories when you work with people. Some stories bring chills and raise the hairs on the back of the neck while others just have the shock factor. They make you forget to form the right words because of the extreme emotions it produces. A haunted office space for rent in Quezon City sure has more appeal than dealing with inconsiderate or rude customers daily.

Of all the industries in the world, there’s nothing crazier and more chaotic than Sales and Retail.

Customers

Some people are just insensitive and mean.

On a clothing retail store, some customers tend to try on a lot of stuff and ask about everything. Later on, they come up to say they want nothing from the pile. These customers don’t understand how difficult it was to pull out a pair of jeans under the mass of clothes. You had to twist and extend your body to reach the box of size 9 shoes only to find out they dropped the order.

On top of that, some people leave their trash in dressing rooms. All the gross stuff that shouldn’t be there all over the floor. Soiled diapers, napkins and fast food wrappers are examples of things that shouldn’t be in changing cubicles. 

Meanwhile, this happens in any store. Snoopers probe a lot of questions about the product condescendingly and tell you they are just “looking.” Then, there are “frequent shoppers.” They boss around and act like they own the place because of their loyalty to the brand or store. If they love it so much, why don’t they work there? Also, if they are loyal shoppers, they should know the company’s policy of asking for i.d. A lot of people still complain about this.

Of course, who would forget the live-fast-die-young people? These people will shop like there’s no tomorrow only to return the items by Monday. Unfortunately, some of these shoppers replace or exchange the stuff in a less-than-stellar state, which makes the job ten times harder. 

Don’t forget the teenagers. The young crowd is excellent for attracting crowds. Their high energy and unrefined tastes are great for marketing the basics - food and clothing. Sometimes, their energy gets out of hand that they are starting to bother other shoppers. Moreover, they TOUCH everything and wreak havoc in the store.

Children are cute, but once they start to open their mouth, annoying cries and loud screams come out. Toddlers who are beginning to walk or like to run around the shop are also prone to breaking stuff and cover everything with saliva.

The Crouton Lady

If you think you’re done dealing with children, there are those who act like children. Children are not into responsibilities so those the kind of shoppers who enter the store before closing time. These people don’t think that store employees and shopkeepers are human too. What’s worse, they specifically ask you for help after you’ve clocked out. The same goes when people give the exact money after you’ve entered the amount they gave you on the register.

One thing that would add to a great day is when clients and customers ask for the manager, and they won’t talk to you because you are too YOUNG to be a general manager.

Management

There are days you doubt there’s someone out there who plays tricks on you especially when you have to work on your day off. It’s only been a year since you’ve been in this job and you like you’ve gained years because of stress and exhaustion.

If you’re the middleman, you’ll eventually get tired of customers complaining about management and the quality of service they got. If they want to change something about the company or service, they should go ahead and complain to the manager. They should go ahead and do it because no one can hold their pee that long.

Home Decorating 101: Simple Tips For Transforming a Dull Wall

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Whether you realize it or not, there will always be a beauty in a big blank and clean wall. Agree? Of course, this is the time when you can actively and creatively imagine what things to put to fill in your big empty wall. For some, this is one of the common problems they faced especially when they don't know anything about decorating at all. However, when you know what you are going to do with your wall, then a wall décor challenge is just a piece of cake.

Basically, it doesn't matter where you live. Whether you live in any of the most prestigious Nuvali homes or any other properties, decorating your wall is now within your reach. There are actually plenty of options you can do with your wall. Of course, it will always be an up to you on what décor you want to have that fits on your wall. To give you an idea, then below are some simple and doable examples you can apply.

The gallery wall

If you are a kind of person who likes to take pictures or paintings, then the gallery wall might suit your taste. You can have your wall combined with your photos and paintings with different sizes and color and/or framed or unframed artwork. You can also fill your wall with textiles and other wall decals. Of course, it is also important for you to consider mix matching your decals on the paintings of your wall. Make sure that the color and shapes, sizes can go along with your wall.

If you are not sure about the color combinations, then you can go neutral yet bold, sophisticated and creative in many ways

Statement art

Aside from the pictures and paintings, you can also have statement art on your wall.  Installing a striking piece of statement art can definitely be eye-catching to the viewers. Moreover, isn't it nice to wake up in the morning with a piece of interesting piece of art on your wall?  Well, hanging one or two statement arts on your wall would be enough.

Build a bookshelf

If you have a lot of things or books yet you don't have enough space in your home, then you might want to have a bookshelf installed on your wall. Instead of having or putting decorations, make the bookshelf as part of the decorations you have on your wall. With that, you're not just saving up more space but also, you just made an excellent and stylish way to have a bookshelf.

Installation of bookshelf may be hard on your part. Of course, you also have to make sure that the shelves are properly installed on the wall to have a safe and durable base.

Wall coverings

One of the struggles most homeowners have is that they don't have anything to decorate at all. Perhaps, they are one of those homeowners who invest in a property with no furniture to fill the empty spaces yet. Well, you can go with wall coverings or wallpapers. Fret not! Wallpapers are easy to install on your walls. You just have to make sure that there will be no lumps on the surface. There are a lot of styles when it comes to wallpapers.  And it will always be up to you on what style of wallpaper you want to use.

Well, if you are one of those people who is trying to decorate their big empty wall, it would be easier if you know what you really want to do with your wall. Just make sure that you love what you do for as not to have some regrets later on.

7 Qualities of All Top Performing Real Estate Brokers

Owning a personal land property is a dream come true to a lot of people. But if you’re having some troubles looking for the best deals in your area, hiring a third party entity who can do the legwork for you helps.

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There are a lot of professionals who can help you locate the best real estate Cebu offers. The real challenge comes with finding a reliable agent who has the experience, connection, and attitude to deliver the best options.

To get the best estate list, better look for brokers who possess the following qualities:

Rich local knowledge

It’s a given requirement for all brokers to be highly knowledgeable when it comes to land properties that are available for sale in their area. To get the best deals, it’s best to work with those who know the locality well to give you a detailed list of properties you might be interested in.

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Wide Industry Connections

One thing that sets aside a good broker from an excellent one is the quality of network they built for the years of service to various stakeholders.  A trusted agent is one that does not only know the key personnel to contact for a potential property sale but also those who can take care of the legal matters.

Professionals who deal with land deed transfer, mortgage, tax requirements, repairs, inspection and more are only some of those who are part of their business network.

Customer-centered

While land brokers are generally the go-to people for finding the best properties in town, their work revolves mainly on addressing client concerns. All of the best ones are those who put the interests of the client a priority.

They use their connections and technical expertise to get the job done but work according to the specifics provided by the client. A top broker is one who is also willing to educate the client to help him or her arrive at an informed choice.

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Excellent verbal communication skills

Since they work with people, it’s a given for them to have a good PR.  Clients know this by the first time they set a meeting with an agent. An approachable and well-groomed look is usually a good sign of someone who communicates really well.

Proactive and attentive to details

As top brokers, you can trust them to do much of the legwork on your behalf and present you with the best offers. They don’t just wait for their contacts to inform them of new deals. They go out there, visit actual property sites, interview owners and negotiate for you.

They are highly professional and are very keen in terms of noting down salient points that you might find interesting.

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Positive recommendations from past clients

Those on top of their league are personalities who are trusted by a lot of clients whom they worked with in the past. They are the names that often come out when you start asking for recommendations from past customers.

If you bring your search online, you will most likely find their names on real estate forums and social media sites.

Solid brokerage profile

Lastly, their actual portfolios speak for themselves. In this digital age, a lot of these professionals are now bringing their successful works through professional social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter.  

Client recommendations, work experience, and successful brokerage deals are all laid out for you to check. Some also keep hard copies of documentation detailing the past works they dealt with.

Your dream house is just out there, waiting for you. Call the top brokers to help you scout for the best properties and lay down your specifics. At the end of the day, you’re still the boss. Seek for recommendations from other homeowners and get the best deal for sale in the market! 

How to Ruin Your Floors Without Even Realizing It

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Yes, we have heard a lot of homeowners who are concerned about what to do to make your floor last longer. Obviously, who would want to damage their floor, right? However, there are times that we don't realize that even a minor thing we unconsciously do, we are already damaging our floor. And mind you, it is definitely not nice to look at when you have a damaged floor. Right? That is why it doesn't matter if you are living in a 2BR condo in Makati, BGC or Mandaluyong, the thing is you still have the need to take care of your floor.

But sad to say, not all homeowners are aware of it. As a result, they don't appreciate much their floor. However, if you are one of those homeowners who is concerned when it comes to the beauty of their home, then you might as consider taking good care of your floor by not doing these things below that can ruin it. And yes, these things below may be an everyday activity we usually do. But we don't realize that it contributes to the damages on the floor. So, you better avoid doing these things mentioned below.

Don't use furniture pads

Have you ever noticed that there are furniture marks on the floor? Perhaps, you usually drag your furniture to whatever arrangement you want to have. And since you are not using furniture pads, then you will definitely get scratches and marks on your beautiful floors. If you continue to ignore these scratches and marks, it will go deeper and deeper as you go along with the arrangements you have for your home. And aside from dragging your furniture from places to places, every time you sit down on a sofa or chair, the legs will mark the floor since you are not using furniture pads. And it will surely stay if you will not do anything about it at all.

Don't sweep regularly

This is one of the common unhygienic things for you to do. Of course, who would want to live in a place where the floor is covered with dust and other dirty stuff on the floor? I bet, nobody. Unless you are away from your home too long, then not sweeping your floor regularly would definitely ruin its beauty. Basically, the dust and other things that are cluttered on the floor can create damage, especially when the floor is wet. And yes, aside from not regularly sweeping, not mopping regularly can also damage your floor.

Use the wrong rug pad

Whether you realize it or not, there are actually different kinds of rug you can buy at the store. And if you are not careful in choosing the right rug for your floor, this might give your floor a scratch or marks from the rugs. Moreover, instead of making it shine, it can do some discoloration of your floor. That is why you have to know which of the rug are good for your floor and not just with any rug you saw at the market.

Don't have a mat near the door

Generally, this is one of the practices for most homeowners. Of course, you don't want to let the dirt from the outside be brought in the inside, right? That is the reason for you to have a mat near the door. However, if you don't have any mats, this can definitely damage your floor since all the dirty stuff can get inside. Moreover, the dirt you leave would possibility make some scratches and marks on the floor. That is why mats are there to protect the floor from any dirt from the outside.

Don't trim your pet's nails

If you are one of those homeowners who just love pets, their nails can also damage the floor. Of course, they like to roam around the house which can sometimes lead to scratches and marks on the floor. And if you are just going to ignore this matter, these marks will definitely make your floor dull and ugly in the long run.

For Landlords: 5 Safety Requirements to Follow

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If you are a landlord, you have responsibilities to your tenants. Your duties are not just about the collection of their monthly dues, but with their safety as well. Some of the landlords are managing Manila condos for rent, and some with other real estate properties. Basically, it doesn't matter what property you're managing, it doesn't change the fact that there will be responsibilities you need to take.

Generally, working as a landlord is not that bad and as you think it is. For as long as you know your rights and responsibilities of being one, then you will not have any problems on executing at all. Moreover, you will eventually realize that it is also nice to be a landlord.

Well, if you are one of those landlords who still don't have any idea of what they are supposed to do, especially when it comes to the safety of their tenants, then below are some requirements you need to follow.

1. Smoke alarms

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This is one of the most important things you should never forget to have – installing smoke alarms in their home. This is one of the many ways where people or authorities can respond as quickly as possible when they hear the smoke alarm rings. Of course, when it does, it means danger and needs to be attended immediately. However, if you haven't yet installed such, then there are possibilities that respondents can't take actions immediately.

2. Safety switches

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Aside from the smoke alarms that you should install, you should also not forget about the safety switches for power outlets, lighting circuits, and power circuits. With that, if anything goes wrong, the tenants can immediately prevent any fire accidents from happening. Moreover, they can safely switch the power off whenever they are not around the house to ensure safety in their homes.

3. Electrical safety

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Not all landlords know about electrical stuff. Agree? That is why, if you are one of those landlords who doesn't have any idea at all on the wirings, it is a must for you to call the expert for help. Before you let your tenant stay or move in, you have to make sure that the electricians have already checked if there are no open wires or circuits that can pose a risk to us. Moreover, you have to make sure that all the wirings are new to prevent grounding.

4. Fire safety

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Fire accidents are one of the most common accidents most people experience. That means they don't have enough knowledge and fire equipment to prevent the fire from getting bigger. Of course, this is also one of the responsibilities landlords should not miss having. When we talk about fire safety, you have to make sure that you have fire extinguishers, fire exits, and other materials that can prevent fire. Moreover, to ensure that the place is safe for your tenants to live, as the landlord, you also have to make sure that the house itself is safe enough that follows the guidelines for safety measures.

5. Gas safety

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Although landlords may sometimes be busy, it doesn't give you the reasons as to why you cannot check the gas level of the place from time to time. Of course, gas is one of the things that is dangerous to our health. Your tenants can be suffocated when they inhaled gas on the place. Basically, landlords are required to maintain an adequate level of gas safety at all times. Moreover, this also includes gas fitting, flues, and chimneys well maintained.

Well, these five safety requirements are the primary ones. But it is the most important thing that you need to remember for you to prevent any accidents, especially with your tenants. Moreover, you will have no problem at all when you try to ensure all the things before you let your tenant move in to ensure everybody's safety.

To Have Pools or Not: Pros and Cons of Backyard Pools

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Pools are appealing to the eye! For some, it's already a dream come true to have one in their backyard. When you have a pool at home, you'd definitely feel the fun and excitement that comes with it. But before you can have your own pool, you have to remember that it takes a huge investment – not just with money, but also your time and effort as well.

When you plan of having your own pool, most real estate brokers would advise that investing in Ayala land lot Cebu or any real estate lot is a good idea in order for you to own your pool. And as a homeowner, it is a critical thing for you to understand that installing a pool in your backyard is a permanent condition to your home. That is why, you should be certain when it comes to the decision making on whether or not to install a pool.

Of course, having a pool on your backyard doesn't just have an advantage, it also have some disadvantage that you might want to avoid. However, if you are a person who is willing to take some risk on having one, then you might as well know the pros and cons on installing and having a pool on your backyard. Of course, that is for you to avoid regrets later on.

Pros of backyard pools

Aside from the fun and excitement of plunging yourself in the clear water, there are actually a lot of advantages when you have one:

Perfect for parties

Talking about parties, it's definitely more fun when you got to include swimming pool. If you want to have a formal party on your home, pools are there to add beauty to the venue. It attracts people to enjoy more even if it's a formal event. Of course, pool parties would definitely not be called such when there is no pool at all. This is the time where you got to be wet while enjoying the party. And of course, kids are not just the only one who got to enjoy it, adults, too!

Great for exercise

Swimming is a kind of exercise, and it is such an advantage when you got your own pool. You don't need to go far just to swim. Whenever you feel like swimming, you got to swim anytime for as long as you want. With that, you are not just having fun swimming, but you are also exercising as well.

Be the cool house

Believe me, when you have your own pool, your friends and relatives would definitely love to visit your house again and again. Of course, what else? – that is to enjoy the pool. You definitely can't say "NO" to that since it is going to be fun too, that unless you are going to be out of town.

Home investment

When the time you decide to sell or rent out your home, the value will be much higher than an ordinary house. Thanks for having the pool, you can definitely raise the rent and/or price of your home higher without hesitating since you know that the house is worth the price.

Cons of backyard pools

 
Installation cost

Before you can decide or whether or not you are going to have a pool on your backyard, you have to make sure that you have enough budget for installing it. Of course, it doesn't just end up with the materials used for the installation, but you also have to have the budget for the fee on the people who will install it. Moreover, you should also know that you should have enough space on your backyard for you to have your own pool.

Daily maintenance

You definitely don't want to swim in a pool full of dirt, right? However, it is not enough that the water in the pool is just clean. You have to check the pool's pH balance daily to check on the acid and alkaline levels. Plus, you also have to consider the maintenance especially when your pool is made of concrete, which is more prone to cloudy water and algae growth. Well, you better check your schedules for you to have the time in cleaning your pool.

Pool accidents

Accidents are inevitable, especially when you have a pool at home. When you have your kids, you have to secure the area for the kids not to immediately go near the pool. And when it comes to pool parties, you have to make sure to announce that parents with kids should be careful for them not to be slipped and drowned. You definitely don't want to see someone's drowning. Definitely not!

Brilliant Idea: Bringing Coffee Shop Inspired Designs to the Comforts of Your Home

Transforming your home into a coffee shop inspired designs? Why not? Yes! It's possible! Coffee lovers going to love this!

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Aside from the obvious thing as to why we go to coffee shops, it is also a place where we can unwind and feel relax. For some coffee lovers, they considered coffee shops as their "second home". They find peace and contentment whenever they find an opportunity to go to cafés.  Of course, the smell of your coffee plus the music playing can also be addictive. Don't you know that you can also be productive with that kind of ambiance? Well, we just can't deny the fact that there is something special when it comes to it. Agree?

Some of us here go to coffee shops every day just to get a cup of their favorite coffee mix. While others stay for a couple of minutes just to be inspired to do better on their work. If you are that enthusiastic enough to go to cafés every single day, why don't you try bringing coffee shop inspired designs to the comforts of your home? With that, it is one of the most convenient ways to enjoy your morning coffee. Of course, choosing the right design for you home also matters.

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The Kitchen

One way or another, our kitchen is the most attractive part of the house. Why? Well perhaps, it is where we usually make our favorite coffee mix – be it brewed or instant. And it makes a good and satisfying ambiance when we add some coffee inspired designs in our kitchen. Designing your walls with bricks, for example, can add the vintage aura of your kitchen. Of course, it is not just about the beauty it can offer, but also, bricks can help neutralize the temperature of your kitchen. It makes your kitchen cooler in summer and warmer in cold days. And it's a low maintenance; you definitely don't need to fix a peeling wall. There's a caveat, if you don't know how to install a brick, ask some assistance from the professionals to achieve the desired outcome.

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Aside from the walls, you can also have a vintage dining chairs and tables. The older it is, the better – just make sure that it can still be of use. If it's possible, the design of your dining chairs and tables are the same. If not, then a variety would do. You don't have to be strict with the design actually; you can play with it, for as long as it still fits with the "café ambiance" theme.

And speaking of the ‘ambiance', a regular coffee cup/mug is a no-no. As I've said, you have to play with the designs, and that includes with the kitchen wares. There are actually a lot of coffee mug that fits with your theme that you can choose from, just choose and pick the right one for your use. Well, it doesn't have to be antique though, for as long as it looks vintage and all, then it's your call.

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Don't ever forget the kitchen counter, add some features in it. You can definitely display your coffee grinder, glass coffee mugs/cups, coffee beans, and/or any other things that you want to include. Basically, the things that can be found on your counter doesn't have to be expensive, you can actually buy and have it in an affordable price. So, fret not!

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Other Rooms

Generally, most coffee lovers love to decorate the "café ambiance" specifically on their kitchen. However for some, they also want to have the design on their other rooms. Of course, you can also pull that off. Well, you can always start with the decals. You can have picture quotes about coffee drink and how it can boost our energy, and all. Putting it on your wall would be a better idea for you to make. Also, try adding some flavors on your room. You can add a real bicycle and hang it on your wall, or just merely putting it on the corner.

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Your relaxing moment will never be complete when you don't have a space for entertainment. Of course, you have to make sure that you have a space for coffee table books or a TV screen. With that kind of ambiance, you will be more inspired to get ready for work or school. And one of the must-haves you definitely should consider is the color scheme of your home. If you wanted it to look like a real coffee shop, then you better choose a color that matches with the theme that you like.

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Generally, for some coffee lovers, if not all, having this kind of home design is something that they want to achieve and have. Of course, who would not want to be inspired every day? How about you? Are you a coffee lover? Want to have these designs on your home?

Why We Always Have a Messy Home?

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One of the problems most homeowners encounter is having a messy home. It applies to all even if you are living in a house and lot in Cavite, Laguna or any township in the Philippines. Even if we clean our homes every now and then, it is just undeniable that our home will eventually become in a messy state. Well perhaps, some of you have kids who always run around the house and tend to mess things up, or you are just too busy to tidy things up one by one. Of course, it's not just you, but we all do experience having a messy home. Who hasn't?

But have you ever wonder why we tend to have a messy home? Why is it that it keeps getting messy even if we do our cleaning regularly? Some of you here might disagree, but having a messy house is just normal. Especially when you are living with someone, you have to expect that things would definitely turn out to be in chaos. And sometimes, this is one of the reasons why we feel embarrassed having our friends and/or families come over to our house.

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Just because your house is in a messy state, it doesn't mean that you are also a messy person. Agree? Well, it is definitely not always be the case. Moreover, it will always depend on who are we referring to, right? For instance, when you are a businessman, and you have a tight schedule, and there is a need to strictly follow it, then there is a possibility that you don't have enough time to clean up your own home. Moreover, when you are living alone, finding time to clean your home is also one of the things that we find it hard to achieve. Since our mind is so focused on the things we need to do at work or in school, tidy up things is the least we have in our minds.

How much more when you have kids. When you are a parent, finding some time to arrange whatever things that you need to organize might be difficult to have. Cleaning their mess every single minute can also be dead tiring. Sometimes, there are even parents who tend to let their kids roam around for as long as they want, and when the kids are tired, that is the time parents would clean up the messy things in their home.

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We may not know what your daily routine is like – waking up, having some breakfast, preparing for work or school, then you are out of the house. Well, unless there is someone who will be left at home, then there is a reason to clean and tidy things up. But if you are alone, no one will do it for you – then it is one of the reasons why we sometimes have a messy room and/or house. Why is that? TIME – we just don't have that.

Yes, we all do have our own reasons as to why we don't and can't find the right time for us to clean our home. However, it is still not reasonable and acceptable enough not to clean your house. And yes, we usually have the time management as one of the reasons why we can't achieve the desired outcome. However, if you just know how to manage your time – when to do a particular task in a given time, then you will definitely be able to organize your thoughts on to what things you need to do; whether that task is for your work, school or your daily routine at home. Finding time would be easy for you to have.

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Generally, if you are a kind of person who hates to see a home that is too messy and you don't usually have enough time to clean a messy home, then it is your call to tidy things up one by one. If you see a particular thing that is not in their proper place, then you have to put it in the right place where it belongs. Also, isn't it nice to see and feel that your house is really a home? The feeling of satisfaction, whenever you see that the things you have at home are all in order, is one of the best experiences that we want to have.