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	<title>Residences Manila &#187; Philippines real estate</title>
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	<link>http://www.residencesmanila.com</link>
	<description>Manila Home Buyers &#38; Home Sellers Guide</description>
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		<title>Conti&#8217;s:  A Comfy Space for Good Treats</title>
		<link>http://www.residencesmanila.com/2010/09/09/contis-a-comfy-space-for-good-treats/</link>
		<comments>http://www.residencesmanila.com/2010/09/09/contis-a-comfy-space-for-good-treats/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:22:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maita Siquijor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Alabang]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Articles & Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Search]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Makati]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Malls and Restaurants]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family restaurant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manila]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philippines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philippines real estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[restaurant]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.residencesmanila.com/2010/09/09/contis-a-comfy-space-for-good-treats/"><img align="left" hspace="5" width="195" height="110" src="http://www.residencesmanila.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/mangobravo-195x110.jpg" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" alt="Yummy, yummy Mango Bravo!" title="mangobravo" /></a>Whenever we look at communities to settle into round Metro Manila, we always eyeball the restos, stores and mall life nearest it.  And here's one place that makes one feel right at home.]]></description>
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		<title>Staging Your House to Attract More Buyers</title>
		<link>http://www.residencesmanila.com/2010/09/05/stage-your-house-to-attract-more-buyers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.residencesmanila.com/2010/09/05/stage-your-house-to-attract-more-buyers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:20:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maita Siquijor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles & Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Search]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Sellers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philippine Real Estate Guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Selling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[first time home sellers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home sellers guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philippine home selling tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philippine home staging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philippines real estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Residences Manila]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.residencesmanila.com/2010/09/05/stage-your-house-to-attract-more-buyers/"><img align="left" hspace="5" width="195" height="110" src="http://www.residencesmanila.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/03032010142-195x110.jpg" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" alt="03032010142" title="03032010142" /></a>Has your house been in the market for sale for some months now, yet you haven’t received any serious or acceptable offers? Or you’ve only had few qualified viewers for it? Repackage your house's look and feel, increase viewings by using this simple technique. ]]></description>
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		<title>What&#8217;s the Best Neighborhood in Metro Manila to Raise Kids?</title>
		<link>http://www.residencesmanila.com/2010/07/28/whats-the-best-neighborhood-in-metro-manila-to-raise-kids/</link>
		<comments>http://www.residencesmanila.com/2010/07/28/whats-the-best-neighborhood-in-metro-manila-to-raise-kids/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:56:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maita Siquijor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Alabang]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Articles & Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Best Neighborhoods in Manila]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Best-in-Class]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finding a Realtor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fort Bonifacio Global City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gardens & Landscapes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Search]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philippine Real Estate Guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rockwell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salcedo Village, Makati]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Schools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Condominiums for re-sale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[firs time home buyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[First time home buyers guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[First-time home buyers guide Manila]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home buyers and sellers guide Philippines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maita Siquijor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philippines real estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.residencesmanila.com/?p=328</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.residencesmanila.com/2010/07/28/whats-the-best-neighborhood-in-metro-manila-to-raise-kids/"><img align="left" hspace="5" width="195" height="110" src="http://www.residencesmanila.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/IMG00487-20100826-1147-195x110.jpg" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" alt="What&#039;s the best neighborhood in Manila to raise kids?" title="What&#039;s the best neighborhood in Manila to raise kids?" /></a>What do you think is the best neighborhood in Metro Manila to raise kids? Here are some things to consider.]]></description>
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		<title>3 Tips on Finding the Perfect Neighborhood</title>
		<link>http://www.residencesmanila.com/2009/07/21/3-tips-on-finding-the-perfect-neighborhood/</link>
		<comments>http://www.residencesmanila.com/2009/07/21/3-tips-on-finding-the-perfect-neighborhood/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:23:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maita Siquijor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles & Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[choosing a neighborhood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finding a Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[first time home buyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philippines real estate]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.residencesmanila.com/2009/07/21/3-tips-on-finding-the-perfect-neighborhood/"><img align="left" hspace="5" width="195" height="110" src="http://www.residencesmanila.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_5295-195x110.jpg" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" alt="Ayala Alabang&#039;s Makiling Park" title="Ayala Alabang Village&#039;s Makiling Park" /></a>As lifted from Architerra, here are tips on finding a neighborhood that meets your needs: 1. Make a list of all of the amenities that are close by in the neighborhood you are considering as your new residence.  Keep in mind what distances and routes to each of these places are acceptable and what are [...]]]></description>
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		<title>5 Things To Consider When Buying Your First Home</title>
		<link>http://www.residencesmanila.com/2009/07/18/5-things-to-consider-when-buying-your-first-home/</link>
		<comments>http://www.residencesmanila.com/2009/07/18/5-things-to-consider-when-buying-your-first-home/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:00:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maita Siquijor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles & Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finding a Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[first time home buyer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philippine condominiums]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philippines real estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Residences Manila]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://residencesmanila.com/?p=76</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.residencesmanila.com/2009/07/18/5-things-to-consider-when-buying-your-first-home/"><img align="left" hspace="5" width="195" height="110" src="http://www.residencesmanila.com/wp-content/plugins/thumbnail-for-excerpts/tfe_no_thumb.png" class="alignleft wp-post-image tfe" alt="" title="" /></a>Some sound advice from  Point 2 Homes&#8216;  information archive on buying your first home:   With interest rates relatively stable and special rate discounts available to overseas-based Filipino workers (OFW), many renters are starting to think about purchasing a home of their own. While simple rental cost vs. mortgage cost comparisons can be very attractive, buying a [...]]]></description>
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Start uga_filter: <p></p><p>As lifted from <a title="Our listings website" href="http://www.architerra.org" target="_blank">Architerra</a>, here are tips on finding a neighborhood that meets your needs:</p>
<p><strong>1. Make a list of all of the amenities that are close by in the neighborhood you are considering as your new residence</strong>.  Keep in mind what distances and routes to each of these places are acceptable and what are not.</p>
<p><strong>2. </strong><strong>Determine what the best features of the neighborhoods are</strong>.  This is especially helpful if you are deciding between a few different neighborhoods.</p>
<blockquote><p>Are there parks nearby?<br />
Is it scenic and visually appealing?<br />
Are there quiet areas, streets, culs de sac?<br />
Are the people friendly in the neighborhood?<br />
Is the neighborhood clean?  Yards, streets, parks?<br />
Are there nice trees and foliage?<br />
Do the lots have large or small yards?<br />
Are there walkways and are they easily accessible?<br />
Is it a safe neighborhood?<br />
What are the market values of the homes in the area?<br />
Are there many houses for sale? How&#8217;s the vacancy rate in the condominium?</p>
<p>How &#8216;s the property management and maintenance?<br />
How long ago was the community developed?<br />
What is the average age of the people in the area?<br />
Are there families with small children in the area?<br />
What is the proximity to schools?<br />
Are there community events or organizations?</p>
<div class="mceTemp">
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3" src="http://www.residencesmanila.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2.jpg?w=300" alt="A Glimpse of Manila's Best Apartments and Residences" width="300" height="200" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">A Glimpse of Manila&#8217;s Best Apartments and Residences</dd>
</dl>
<p><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-40" title="One Serendra Fort Bonifacio_Residences Manila" src="http://www.residencesmanila.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/dsc00711.jpg?w=300" alt="One Serendra Fort Bonifacio_Residences Manila" width="300" height="225" /></div>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>3. Walk around in the neighborhood</strong>.  The best way to determine the cleanliness and friendliness of the neighborhood is to walk around in it and meet its residents. In the condominium, try to talk to the front lobby receptionist.  Observe how guards and personnel treat residents.  Determine the friendliness of the tenants by observing those who walk thru the lobby.   </p>
<p>I personally like the following neighborhoods:  <a href="http://www.architerra.org/Alabang_Villages/page_1810565.html">Ayala Alabang Village</a>, <a title="Bonifacio Global City homepage" href="http://www.bonifacioglobalcity.ph" target="_blank">Bonifacio Global City</a>, and <a title="About Southbay Gardens" href="http://www.architerra.org/Paranaque_Villages/page_2193280.html" target="_blank">Southbay Gardens </a>in Paranaque.  Do you know of a great condominium or village neighborhood you&#8217;d like to recommend? Let us know if you want us to feature it here on <a title="Go to Residences Manila" href="http://www.residencesmanila.com" target="_blank">Residences Manila.</a></p>

Start uga_in_feed
Ending uga_in_feed: 1
Ending uga_filter: <p></p><p>As lifted from <a title="Our listings website" href="http://www.architerra.org" target="_blank">Architerra</a>, here are tips on finding a neighborhood that meets your needs:</p>
<p><strong>1. Make a list of all of the amenities that are close by in the neighborhood you are considering as your new residence</strong>.  Keep in mind what distances and routes to each of these places are acceptable and what are not.</p>
<p><strong>2. </strong><strong>Determine what the best features of the neighborhoods are</strong>.  This is especially helpful if you are deciding between a few different neighborhoods.</p>
<blockquote><p>Are there parks nearby?<br />
Is it scenic and visually appealing?<br />
Are there quiet areas, streets, culs de sac?<br />
Are the people friendly in the neighborhood?<br />
Is the neighborhood clean?  Yards, streets, parks?<br />
Are there nice trees and foliage?<br />
Do the lots have large or small yards?<br />
Are there walkways and are they easily accessible?<br />
Is it a safe neighborhood?<br />
What are the market values of the homes in the area?<br />
Are there many houses for sale? How&#8217;s the vacancy rate in the condominium?</p>
<p>How &#8216;s the property management and maintenance?<br />
How long ago was the community developed?<br />
What is the average age of the people in the area?<br />
Are there families with small children in the area?<br />
What is the proximity to schools?<br />
Are there community events or organizations?</p>
<div class="mceTemp">
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3" src="http://www.residencesmanila.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2.jpg?w=300" alt="A Glimpse of Manila's Best Apartments and Residences" width="300" height="200" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">A Glimpse of Manila&#8217;s Best Apartments and Residences</dd>
</dl>
<p><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-40" title="One Serendra Fort Bonifacio_Residences Manila" src="http://www.residencesmanila.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/dsc00711.jpg?w=300" alt="One Serendra Fort Bonifacio_Residences Manila" width="300" height="225" /></div>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>3. Walk around in the neighborhood</strong>.  The best way to determine the cleanliness and friendliness of the neighborhood is to walk around in it and meet its residents. In the condominium, try to talk to the front lobby receptionist.  Observe how guards and personnel treat residents.  Determine the friendliness of the tenants by observing those who walk thru the lobby.   </p>
<p>I personally like the following neighborhoods:  <a href="http://www.architerra.org/Alabang_Villages/page_1810565.html">Ayala Alabang Village</a>, <a title="Bonifacio Global City homepage" href="http://www.bonifacioglobalcity.ph" target="_blank">Bonifacio Global City</a>, and <a title="About Southbay Gardens" href="http://www.architerra.org/Paranaque_Villages/page_2193280.html" target="_blank">Southbay Gardens </a>in Paranaque.  Do you know of a great condominium or village neighborhood you&#8217;d like to recommend? Let us know if you want us to feature it here on <a title="Go to Residences Manila" href="http://www.residencesmanila.com" target="_blank">Residences Manila.</a></p>

Start uga_filter: <p></p><p>Some sound advice from  <a href="http://www.architerra.org" target="_blank">Point 2 Homes</a>&#8216;  information archive on buying your first home:</p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="0" width="625">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>With interest rates relatively stable and special rate discounts available to overseas-based Filipino workers (OFW), many renters are starting to think about purchasing a home of their own. While simple rental cost vs. mortgage cost comparisons can be very attractive, buying a home is a serious commitment, and there are many factors to consider:<br />
<strong>1)  How long you plan to live in the home.</strong><br />
Selling a home costs money.  If you potentially may have to move in the short term, the value of your home may not have appreciated enough to cover the costs of buying and selling.</p>
<p>The length of time that it will take to cover those costs depends on various economic factors. Average appreciation tends to sit at around 5% per year. In this case, you should plan to stay in your home at least 3-4 years to cover buying and selling costs.  The real estate market can be particularly volatile, however, and dramatic swings up and down are not uncommon.<br />
<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>2)  How long the home will meet your needs.</strong><br />
What features do you require in a home to satisfy your lifestyle now? Five years from now? People tend to remain in homes longer than they initially intend, primarily due to the work and expense associated with moving.  Therefore it is worth considering a home with room to grow. Could the basement be turned into a den and extra bedrooms? Could the attic be turned into a master suite? Having an idea of what you&#8217;ll need will help you find a home that will satisfy you for years to come.</p>
<p><strong>3)  Your financial health &#8211; your credit and home affordability.</strong><br />
Is now the right time financially for you to buy a home? Would you rate your financial picture as healthy? Is your credit good? While you can always find a lender to lend you money, people with poor credit tend to pay far more to borrow.</p>
<p>Some say that you should refrain from borrowing as much as you qualify for because it is wiser not to stretch your financial boundaries. The other school of thought says you should stretch to buy as much home as you can afford, because with regular pay raises and increased earning potential, the big payment today will seem like less of a payment tomorrow. It is, however, important to stay within your comfort zone.  Purchasing a house involves many up-front and ongoing costs, and the stress of worrying about those costs often outweighs the satisfaction that may come from owning a slightly nicer home.<br />
To determine how much home you can afford, talk to a lender or go online and use a home affordability calculator. Good calculators will give you a range of what you may qualify for. Then call a lender. While some may say that the &#8220;28/36&#8243; rule applies, in today&#8217;s home mortgage market, lenders are making loans customized to a particular person&#8217;s situation.</p>
<p>The &#8220;28/36&#8243; rule means that your monthly housing costs can&#8217;t exceed 28 percent of your income and your total debt load can&#8217;t exceed 36 percent of your total monthly income. Depending on your assets, credit history, job potential, and other factors, lenders can push the ratios up to 40-60% or higher. While we&#8217;re not advocating you purchase a home utilizing the higher ratios, it’s important for you to know your options.</p>
<p><strong>4)  Where the money for the transaction will come from.</strong><br />
Typically, homebuyers will need some money for a down payment and closing costs. However, with today&#8217;s broad range of loan options, having a lot of money saved for a down payment is not always necessary &#8211; if you can prove that you are a good financial risk for a lender. If your credit isn&#8217;t stellar but you have managed to save 10-20% for a down payment, you will still appear to be a very good financial risk to a lender. High-ratio mortgages can be a good option for those who haven’t managed to save a large chunk of money (who has?), but naturally, these have additional costs associated with them.</p>
<p><strong>5)  The ongoing costs of home ownership.</strong><br />
Maintenance, improvements, taxes, and insurance are all costs that are added to a monthly house payment. If you buy a condominium or townhouse, a monthly homeowner&#8217;s association or maintenance fee will be required. If these additional costs are a concern, you can make choices to lower or avoid these fees. Be sure to make your Realtor® and your lender aware of your desire to limit these costs.</p>
<p>If you are still unsure if you should buy a home after making these considerations, you may want to consult with an accountant or financial planner to help you assess how a home purchase fits into your overall financial goals.</p>
<p>Did you find this article helpful?  <a href="mailto:msiquijor_mhs@Yahoo.com.sg">Let us know!</a></p>
<p>[polldaddy poll=1789613]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Start uga_in_feed
Ending uga_in_feed: 1
Ending uga_filter: <p></p><p>Some sound advice from  <a href="http://www.architerra.org" target="_blank">Point 2 Homes</a>&#8216;  information archive on buying your first home:</p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="0" width="625">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>With interest rates relatively stable and special rate discounts available to overseas-based Filipino workers (OFW), many renters are starting to think about purchasing a home of their own. While simple rental cost vs. mortgage cost comparisons can be very attractive, buying a home is a serious commitment, and there are many factors to consider:<br />
<strong>1)  How long you plan to live in the home.</strong><br />
Selling a home costs money.  If you potentially may have to move in the short term, the value of your home may not have appreciated enough to cover the costs of buying and selling.</p>
<p>The length of time that it will take to cover those costs depends on various economic factors. Average appreciation tends to sit at around 5% per year. In this case, you should plan to stay in your home at least 3-4 years to cover buying and selling costs.  The real estate market can be particularly volatile, however, and dramatic swings up and down are not uncommon.<br />
<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>2)  How long the home will meet your needs.</strong><br />
What features do you require in a home to satisfy your lifestyle now? Five years from now? People tend to remain in homes longer than they initially intend, primarily due to the work and expense associated with moving.  Therefore it is worth considering a home with room to grow. Could the basement be turned into a den and extra bedrooms? Could the attic be turned into a master suite? Having an idea of what you&#8217;ll need will help you find a home that will satisfy you for years to come.</p>
<p><strong>3)  Your financial health &#8211; your credit and home affordability.</strong><br />
Is now the right time financially for you to buy a home? Would you rate your financial picture as healthy? Is your credit good? While you can always find a lender to lend you money, people with poor credit tend to pay far more to borrow.</p>
<p>Some say that you should refrain from borrowing as much as you qualify for because it is wiser not to stretch your financial boundaries. The other school of thought says you should stretch to buy as much home as you can afford, because with regular pay raises and increased earning potential, the big payment today will seem like less of a payment tomorrow. It is, however, important to stay within your comfort zone.  Purchasing a house involves many up-front and ongoing costs, and the stress of worrying about those costs often outweighs the satisfaction that may come from owning a slightly nicer home.<br />
To determine how much home you can afford, talk to a lender or go online and use a home affordability calculator. Good calculators will give you a range of what you may qualify for. Then call a lender. While some may say that the &#8220;28/36&#8243; rule applies, in today&#8217;s home mortgage market, lenders are making loans customized to a particular person&#8217;s situation.</p>
<p>The &#8220;28/36&#8243; rule means that your monthly housing costs can&#8217;t exceed 28 percent of your income and your total debt load can&#8217;t exceed 36 percent of your total monthly income. Depending on your assets, credit history, job potential, and other factors, lenders can push the ratios up to 40-60% or higher. While we&#8217;re not advocating you purchase a home utilizing the higher ratios, it’s important for you to know your options.</p>
<p><strong>4)  Where the money for the transaction will come from.</strong><br />
Typically, homebuyers will need some money for a down payment and closing costs. However, with today&#8217;s broad range of loan options, having a lot of money saved for a down payment is not always necessary &#8211; if you can prove that you are a good financial risk for a lender. If your credit isn&#8217;t stellar but you have managed to save 10-20% for a down payment, you will still appear to be a very good financial risk to a lender. High-ratio mortgages can be a good option for those who haven’t managed to save a large chunk of money (who has?), but naturally, these have additional costs associated with them.</p>
<p><strong>5)  The ongoing costs of home ownership.</strong><br />
Maintenance, improvements, taxes, and insurance are all costs that are added to a monthly house payment. If you buy a condominium or townhouse, a monthly homeowner&#8217;s association or maintenance fee will be required. If these additional costs are a concern, you can make choices to lower or avoid these fees. Be sure to make your Realtor® and your lender aware of your desire to limit these costs.</p>
<p>If you are still unsure if you should buy a home after making these considerations, you may want to consult with an accountant or financial planner to help you assess how a home purchase fits into your overall financial goals.</p>
<p>Did you find this article helpful?  <a href="mailto:msiquijor_mhs@Yahoo.com.sg">Let us know!</a></p>
<p>[polldaddy poll=1789613]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

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