Sunday, April 27, 2014

Selling Houses, Condos, Land Philippines.

 

House For Sale in the Philippines

Retired Real Estate Broker


I was a real estate broker in the USA before coming to the Philippines to meet my wife in person in 2007.  We met first online. A friend of mine picked me up at the Manila airport and took me to his mother's home near Bacoor, Cavite. I checked into a hotel and called her from there.

She explained how to get to her place by jeepneys and several buses. It was so complicated I asked if she could come to Cavite to meet. The next day we arranged to meet at a mall in Cavite. It was love at first sight! 

To make a long story short, we now have three children, a home in Cavite and one live in housekeeper.

Almost nobody uses the MLS here


Real Estate business is very different to the USA. There is a fledgling Multiple Listing Service (MLS) here. But apparently most Filipinos try their best to avoid paying any fees. 

There are quite a few property listing services online. Most people wanting to buy or sell are forced to use these. To find properties one must drive an area one likes and write down numbers on signs to contact the owners directly. Or search many listing services.

If a property is in a secure neighborhood (gated and guarded) an employee of the HOA may escort you around to see properties which are for sale. Otherwise, you will need to contact an agent who will show you properties.

You will probably want to rent for your first year here. Narrow your search down to an island or a major city.
Manila, for example, is full of high-rise condos.

A multiple listing service makes it easy to find properties in Florida, USA. Foreigners are permitted to buy properties in the US.

(Coming soon: more details about selling.) 

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This post will be expanded upon. Check back for more information about Selling Houses, Condos, Land in the Philippines. Uploaded. March 30, 2024.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Cable TV Philippines


Cable TV in the Philippines

We lived in Magalang, a smaller farming town, North East of Angeles City.

Downtown Magalang, Philippines
Downtown Magalang, Philippines

The only decent cable TV service in Magalang was ComClark. In fact they were the only provider that had cable into our subdivision. They provided bundled Internet and Cable TV packages. For internet access we chose a Smart Wireless prepaid plan (find store locations.) They installed an antenna on the roof of our apartment. Each service cost us 900 pesos. That equated to about $20.30 each at today's exchange rate (April 20, 2014); a total of $40.60 per month for TV and Internet. The cable package we selected included HBO, Star Movies, Disney, National Geographic and a lot more. Try to match prices in the US!

There are cheaper services, but neighbors said that the lowest cost providers had lower quality of reception and sporadic service.

Cable and Satellite TV and Internet providers in Metro Manila area.

So, it appears, no matter where you choose to live in the Philippines you will be able to enjoy television. Even on the smallest island or in the most remote village (assuming electricity is available).

High speed Internet in the Philippines.


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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about cable TV or cable television providers in the Philippines. This page last updated June 3, 2022.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Advertise Cars Here

Advertise your car "For Sale" here with a FREE Ad.



Three or more pictures of your car or other vehicle may be featured.



Advertise your vehicle FREE

on this site.


Many people visit this blog. Since it began in May 2012 people have viewed these articles over 892,100 times. My article about buying and the ones about selling cars have been viewed over 53,708 times (combined as of May 2, 2022). If you want excellent visibility for your vehicle get it featured on this site. Send a message to me. Include your name, email address and a brief description of your car or other vehicle. I will contact you to plan your ad. It can be online soon.

Check out my page about buying a used or second hand car in the Philippines.

Find more places to advertise your used car, secondhand car, van, motorcycle or motorbike in the Philippines. Just click here.

Read about driving in the Philippines from an expat's viewpoint.

Cheapest cars to maintain in the Philippines. 


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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about advertise your car or other vehicle for sale in the Philippines. This page last updated June 3, 2022.

Conflicts and War in the Philippines

Conflicts and War in the Philippines 
Conflicts and War in the Philippines

Conflicts and War on Mindanao, Philippines




Watch the video above about tension, fighting and occasional "war" on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.

I spent about 1 and 1/2 months with my Filipina wife visiting chat mates on the island of Mindanao. Visited the cities of Cagayan de Oro on the North coast and General Santos City, the Southernmost city on the Island. See my page about Flying in the Philippines. And, check out hotels in the Philippines. We stayed at several hotels on Mindanao. We were stopped at military checkpoints in General Santos City and in South Cotabato.  We were on the way to a friend's family farm which is about 5 kilometers from North Cotabato. There have been occasional clashes between rebels and the Philippine army in North Cotabato. On the way to the farm we passed a Muslim school. After we returned to Manila there was a conflict near a pineapple plantation we passed on our trip.

Give it a go. Visit Mindanao. But stay alert.

See what the Australian government advises about travel to Mindanao. See what the USA government advises. What the Canadian government advises.
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UPDATES (excerpts from Australia's Smart Traveler site):



  • On 3 November 2016, the US Government warned that terrorists are planning to conduct kidnappings in areas frequented by foreigners on the southern part of Cebu Island, specifically the areas around Dalaguete and Santander (including Sumilon Island). See Safety and security.
  • On 23 May 2017, the Philippines Government declared Martial Law in Mindanao for 60 days. Measures imposed under Martial Law may include the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, the imposition of curfews and establishment of checkpoints. Monitor media reporting and follow the instructions of local authorities. 
  • There is a very high threat of kidnapping in the southern Philippines, especially along the Zamboanga peninsula and in the Sulu Archipelago. Tourists in southern Palawan, southern Negros or Siquijor could also be targeted.
  • The deterioration in security in Mindanao has resulted in a more volatile security environment in the Philippines. Travellers are reminded of the high threat of terrorist attack in the Philippines, including Manila. Exercise heightened caution at this time. Be vigilant about your surrounds. Monitor the media for information that may impact on your security. Follow local authorities' advice. 
See what Canada says about Safety and Security in the Philippines.

If you are the daring, adventurous type, while you are on Mindanao be sure to visit the beach at Dolores Tropicana Beach Resort on Sarangani Bay at General Santos City. Dine there too!

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about conflicts and war on Mindanao in the Philippines. This page last updated June 3, 2022.