A few house hunting tips

REAL ESTATE
(The Philippine Star) Updated November 06, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Thinking about finally buying a place to call your own, but don’t know where to start?

Indeed, the booming Philippine real estate market can leave the first-time property buyer a bit overwhelmed; with numerous property development projects vying for the market’s attention, how does one begin the house hunting process?

Because buying that new home is a big step that involves significant financial investment, it is important for first-time buyers to consider their choices carefully. The following are some tips for the novice home property shopper:

1. Determine the location

This means selecting a community that will best suit your lifestyle and that will be accessible to your place of work, public transportation, or good schools.

For those contemplating living in Makati City, Eton Properties Philippines Inc. senior assistant vice president for Business Development Janette Cordero details how Belton Place is a good option for first-time homebuyers.

Belton Place is perfectly situated a few steps from Makati’s two main thoroughfares: Ayala and Gil Puyat Avenues. With the Makati CBD as your next-door neighbor, all the privileges of a business-centered lifestyle are at your command. Makati’s famous commercial centers, leisure destinations and circle of elite learning institutions are also in close proximity.

2. Know your lifestyle

If you are an office executive who values time very much — wanting everything within easy reach - a self-contained residential development best suits your lifestyle.

Belton Place has retail and leisure choices at the tower’s ground level podium for your utmost convenience. This 40-storey residential condominium is also part of Belton Square, a one-hectare development master-planned to a BPO office facility, a businessman’s hotel and other cosmopolitan amenities.

3. Consider your budget

Your pencil pushing must include the following factors: down payment for the property, your mortgage capacity and financing method, and other loan expenses. Average monthly expenses must also be factored in.

Budget-wise, Belton Place is a great deal. It is available in the most easy payment terms - studio units come at an affordable P10,000+ per month. Flexible financing schemes through partner financial institutions are also being offered.

4. Research on the developer

Buying a property is a serious investment. You should have full confidence on the developer to make sure that your investment is in good hands. Research on the developer’s track record and check its portfolio of projects. Being able to identify its partners and sister companies is recommendable as well for you to have a better gauge of its business processes and systems.

Belton Place is a quality project of Eton Properties Philippines, Inc., the property arm of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies. A sister company of Philippine Airlines, Philippine National Bank and Allied Bank, Eton is an established brand in Hong Kong and mainland China with world-class luxury properties under its name. For more details, call 845-3866 or 0917-8943866 or visit www.eton.com.ph.