NEWS SNIPPETS & MORE

Buying a home is almost always intimidating for first-time buyers, especially for those who plan to invest their hard-earned money to a real estate property. There seem to be so much to process-from reviewing terms and agreements to considering locations, developers, and payment methods.

But hard work pays off. One must do proper research, site visits, computations, and do comparisons to know whether he is getting a good deal or not - do you need a big space or not? Can you afford it? Which area is best for your lifestyle?

But in recent years, interested buyers are considering condominiums more than house-and-lots for various reasons. They deem condos to be more convenient and flexible when it comes to terms, and ideal for their home and work life. Purchasing a condo may be more affordable versus buying a stand-alone home, but may still involve millions of pesos. So for first-time condo buyers, here are some tips and factors to consider before affixing your signature on a sales document.

• Know Your Budget
• Compare Prices
• Access Property Location
• Seek Help From a Real Estate Agent / Broker
• Explore Amenities and House Rules and Regulations
• Go For a Reputable Developer

To help you narrow down your search, Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) is a reputable real estate company that has residential condo developments, catering to the middle affluent segments of the society, in some of the premier locations across the country. RLC offers a good investment opportunity where you can put your hard-earned money, considering its world-class facilities and infrastructures that adhere to the highest standard of real estate developments.

Indeed, buying a condo is never an easy choice to make. But with informed decision, you can always turn a big deal into a good deal.

|PRO TIP: Always deal with a professional and trusted LICENSED Agent / Broker who will prioritize your best interest during the overall coordination, price negotiation, and paperwork in purchasing your first unit.

Article by: Discover Living, a publication of RLC-Residential Division | Issue 32 * JAN - MARCH 2020 | page 19 -20

By: Morexette Marie B. Erram, CDN Digital
Published: October 08, 2020
Full Article: Cebu named as ‘best island in Asia’
Snippets: CEBU CITY, Philippines – The island of Cebu has been named once again as a popular tourist destination in Asia by a prestigious international magazine.

Condé Nast Traveler (CNT), the luxury and lifestyle magazine of Condé Nast Publications, revealed on October 7, 2020 (Philippine Standard Time) the winners for the 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards.

‘Cebu and Visayas’ topped the list of the Best Islands in Asia 2020 category. It was followed by Sri Lanka at second and Ko Pha Ngan in Thailand at third.

“Located in the center of the Philippines, Cebu draws nearly 2 million travelers annually for its pristine beaches and diving off the island’s northern coast. Spanish and Roman Catholic influences permeate Cebu City; Basilica Minore del Santo Niño houses a small statue of Christ that was presented by Ferdinand Magellan,” the magazine said.

In a follow-up statement, the Department of Tourism in the Philippines (DOT) clarified that Cebu and Visayas were ‘lumped as one entry’ during the votation.

CNT also recommended readers to visit Kawasan Falls located in Badian town of southwestern Cebu.

“Kawasan Falls, a swimming hole and series of three waterfalls near Cebu’s southwest coast, is popular with locals and tourists alike. Really popular—avoid visiting on weekends, and hike past the first of the falls to find a quieter spot,” they noted.

Aside from Cebu, two other favorite tourist spots in the Philippines made it to the coveted. These are Palawan, Siargao, and Boracay which ranked fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

Condé Nast said that over 600,000 readers were given the chance to vote for their favorite picks for the 33rd Readers’ Choice Awards.

“Our 33rd Readers’ Choice Awards represent the first time that you, the voters, made your picks when almost no one was traveling. So the names in this year’s edition are the ones that brought you comfort, that you still connected with long afterward, that got you through the months without travel,” they explained.

DOT, for its part, welcomed this development.

“The Philippines is indeed blessed with the best of nature, as exhibited by the consecutive accolades we are receiving from reputable and prestigious publications for our islands and beaches,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said in a statement.

“This latest citation from CNT gives us in the Department of Tourism (DOT) a boost of confidence, as we continuously carry out our strategies to gradually reopen domestic tourism, to once again welcome travellers from other countries when things become better,” she added.

By: Sunstar Cebu Business
Published: October 1, 2020
Full Article: Philippine peso to continue strong performance while imports stay low
Snippets: THE general story of the global economy in 2020 has been bleak, one characterized by sharp downturns and pessimistic outlooks for the future. However, the Philippine currency appears to be reading from a different book entirely. The Philippine peso has provided a rare tale of success in Asia during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the currency in a unique position to thrive in the otherwise tough circumstances of the coronavirus outbreak.

In August, the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed data from June on the nation's status for imports and exports. Following a 26.9 percent annual decline in May, exports reduced by 13.3 percent in June. This compares favorably with a 24.5 percent fall of imports in June, which followed a 40.6 percent reduction in May. With imports falling more aggressively than exports, the Philippines' currency account was sent into surplus and gave the peso a platform for growth.

The best-performing currency in the region

The Philippine currency outperformed all of its regional contemporaries in terms of their performances against the US dollar throughout 2020. As of Sept. 10, the Philippine peso had climbed 4.3 percent against the US dollar, taking advantage of the greenback's uncharacteristic weakness during the pandemic.