From a reluctant buyer to a savvy investor

Imelda is an admin professional who has been working and living in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for over 30 years with her husband and four children. She was admittedly intimidated when she was invited to buy a condominium in Lions Park Residences in 2008. In her mind, condos are only for the rich.

She said, “‘Pag sinabing condominium, ang iniisip ko mayaman lang puedeng bumili ng condominium. Hindi kami puede diyan.”

But after the presentation and knowing the price, she said, “why not?”

When she overcame her self-limiting beliefs, she was on track to becoming a multi-property owner with housing loans from Pag-IBIG. Along the way, she learned about the important real estate concept of capital appreciation.

“Nung nabili namin, it was P2 million (in 2008) and ngayon (2015) it’s P2.2 or P2.4 (million). Talagang hindi siya nababa kundi pataas,” Imelda shared.

It is for this reason that she encourages friends and family to act fast. She added, “So kailangan talaga, as soon as marinig mo, bumili ka na agad. Huwag ka ng magdalawang-isip. Dahil kapag nagdalwang-isip ka, tataas at tataas ang presyo. Sayang.”

From a reluctant buyer, Imelda has grown to become a savvy investor. In addition to their two-bedroom residence in Lions Park Residences, she also owns two more units in Manila Rivercity Residences in Sta. Ana, Manila which she rents out.