charity. They do pre-selling of units at a reduced rate to keep bank loans down and to get more lending, therefore reducing the amount of cash they have tied up in the properties.

Personally, I am all in favor of it. Done it right

If you buy your home before its built, you could save money and secure the best one in the block.

Imagine buying bunch of bananas before it ripens or buying fish before it arrives to stalls, people normally get a bargain and a big discount, normally well-below the market value. Buying off-plan or properties on the pre-selling stage follow the same principle: it's buying a property before it has been built, and generally at a discount. Few years ago, only professional investors would do this, but now more and more people are looking for their own home are going down the off-plan route.

One of the main reasons why many Filipinos now find themselves considering this kind of purchase is because it is one way of getting a luxury condominium or a house for less, with buyers typically expecting to pay about 10 to 15 percent below the market value.

You will ask: "Why do developers do this?" Of course, they don't run a charity. They do pre-selling of units at a reduced rate to keep bank loans down and to get more lending, therefore reducing the amount of cash they have tied up in the properties.

Personally, I am all in favor of it. Done it right,

discount, normally well-below the market value. Buying off-plan or properties on the pre-selling stage follow the same principle: it's buying a property before it has been built, and generally at a discount. Few years ago, only professional investors would do this, but now more and more people are looking for their own home are going down the off-plan route.

One of the main reasons why many Filipinos now find themselves considering this kind of purchase is because it is one way of getting a luxury condominium or a house for less, with buyers typically expecting to pay about 10 to 15 percent below the market value.

You will ask: "Why do developers do this?" Of course, they don't run a charity. They do pre-selling of units at a reduced rate to keep bank loans down and to get more lending, therefore reducing the amount of cash they have tied up in the properties.

Personally, I am all in favor of it. Done it right

ssional investors would do this, but now more and more people are looking for their own home are going down the off-plan route.

One of the main reasons why many Filipinos now find themselves considering this kind of purchase is because it is one way of getting a luxury condominium or a house for less, with buyers typically expecting to pay about 10 to 15 percent below the market value.

You will ask: "Why do developers do this?" Of course, they don't run a charity. They do pre-selling of units at a reduced rate to keep bank loans down and to get more lending, therefore reducing the amount of cash they have tied up in the properties.

Personally, I am all in favor of it. Done it right

cause it is one way of getting a luxury condominium or a house for less, with buyers typically expecting to pay about 10 to 15 percent below the market value.

You will ask: "Why do developers do this?" Of course, they don't run a charity. They do pre-selling of units at a reduced rate to keep bank loans down and to get more lending, therefore reducing the amount of cash they have tied up in the properties.

Personally, I am all in favor of it. Done it right

charity. They do pre-selling of units at a reduced rate to keep bank loans down and to get more lending, therefore reducing the amount of cash they have tied up in the properties.

Personally, I am all in favor of it. Done it right, you can get a better price and choose the best unit for you early on. We have had growing amount of Filipino expats and OFWs buying units on a pre-selling stage. One advise: Be sure that you are dealing with accredited developers who are nationally recognzed and has a good track of record not just in selling units but also management, after-sales service. Also check their number of years in trading. You don't want to be dealing with a bogus "My Real Company Ltd" with no credentials. You can check with the Housing And Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) which can be contacted at:

HLURB Bldg., Kalayaan Avenue cor. Mayaman St. Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines.

Tel Nos. (632) 927-2723, (632) 924 3378

Email: esg@hlurb.gov.ph

Head: Director Wilfredo I. Imperial

The demand is so high, in fact, the first phase of one recent developme