ERA REAL ESTATE REVEALS STRATEGIES FOR RECRUITING GENERATION Y

Research Outlines Roadmap for Attracting Millennials to a Career in Real Estate

PARSIPPANY, N.J. (May15, 2012) – ERA Real Estate, a leading global real estate franchisor, today announced the publication of an industry report “Generation Y: Rethinking Recruiting.” Recognizing that recruiting additional members of Generation Y was a necessary part of succession planning for the real estate industry, ERA Real Estate set out to research the industry’s appeal to this demographic with the intent of leveraging findings to help ERA^®brokers in recruiting Gen Y. Key findings include characteristics of real estate that appeal to Millennials and match what they are looking for in a career; recruiting messages that resonate with this generation; and tactics businesses can use to attract Millennials into their organization.

Demographic data points to the need for such research: according to the National Association of Realtors, the average age of a Realtor^® is 56; Generation X is not numerous enough to replace retiring Baby Boomers; and Generation Y can fill the growing need for new agents.
“Our findings indicate that there are actionable steps that can be taken to maximize recruiting efforts aimed at Millennials such as implementing innovative ways to overcome the financial barriers to entry, creating a mentoring plan than aligns junior agents with seasoned professionals and creating Gen Y-friendly offices,” said Charlie Young, president and CEO of ERA Real Estate. “In addition, we identified that Millennials are twice as likely to be interested in a real estate career if they know an agent their age or have previously worked on commission so focusing on those populations can increase recruiting success.”

Members of Generation Y, also known as Millennials, were born between 1978 and 1995. Referred to a “digital natives,” they have often been called the most connected generation for their embrace of technology and social media platforms. Despite common perceptions, compensation is not what drives Millennials when considering a career in real estate. Instead, they are more motivated by:

• Helping to build communities
• Developing extensive professional networks
• The opportunity to do different things every day
• Working independently, but with the support of a broker and a brand as back up

ERA Real Estate’s research also provided six areas of opportunity for recruiting Gen Y:

• Use social recruiting to connect with Gen Y
• Provide career support and an opportunity for collaboration
• Clearly identify a career path
• Promote a work-life balance
• Highlight community service
• Leverage existing Gen Y talent to recruit peers

To view the executive summary of the report, “Generation Y: Rethinking Recruiting.” visit the Research section of ERA.com.

About ERA Real Estate
ERA Real Estate is an innovative franchising leader in the residential real estate industry with 40 years experience in developing consumer-oriented products and services. The ERA network includes approximately 30,000 brokers and sales associates and approximately 2,400 offices throughout the United States and 35 countries and territories. Each office is independently owned and operated. ERA Real Estate is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services. ERA Real Estate information is available at: ERA.com.
Media Contact: Melissa Campbell
973-407-7904
melissa.campbell@era.com

Happiness by Manila Bay

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Category: Properties

Published on Tuesday, 20 August 2013 17:29

THE famous Manila Bay sunset no longer has the monopoly of making Metro Manila’s waterfront beautiful every twilight. Bay City, a master-planned community along the bay in Pasay City, now also adds luster to the splendid panorama as it hosts a variety of seaside restaurants, shops and entertainment hubs that delight families and leisure lovers.

Surprisingly, living in the area is a vision within reach. Property developer Federal Land’s subsidiary, Horizon Land, is ushering in Palm Beach Villas, a two-tower residential condominium within Bay City’s Metro Park. The development offers a roadmap to happiness anchored on seven quality points: HomeBuddy, HomeComing, HomeBase, HomeConnect, HomeCenter, HomeCourt and HomeCare.

Palm Beach Villas’s resort-type amenities are so inviting they will make residents a HomeBuddy.  Its first tower, aptly named Boracay, feels like a vacation home, making unit owners always wanting to stay at home and spend quality time with their families.

Great HomeComings await residents and their guests every day upon entering the elegant lobby and reception area, thus making homecoming and staying home always a happy one.

Home is truly where one’s heart is, and Palm Beach Villas provides the best HomeBase there is, where residents get to savor the best that bayside living has to offer, day in and day out.

Your unit will have a convenient way to HomeConnect you to your loved ones. The development’s units will have infrastructure for tech-ready TelPad, a telephone-and-tablet-in-one powered by PLDT Home. The TelPad adds the joy of sharing photos or chatting with friends and family around the country and the world over from the comfort of one’s home. With a TelPad subscription, unit owners can enjoy clear and unlimited landline calls, unlimited high-speed Internet access and free TelPad unit, which can be used to make calls, surf the Web, access favorite social-media sites, play games, watch movies, and receive e-mails and more.

Being HomeCenter of everything, Palm Beach Villas is near Blue Wave Mall, SM Mall of Asia and Bluebay Walk, the upcoming shopping and entertainment center in Metro Park, where the family can indulge in a variety of dining pleasure and shopping experiences.

Metro Park is bounded by Edsa, Macapagal Boulevard, Roxas Boulevard and Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue in the Travel City of Pasay. This makes Palm Beach Villas very accessible to train stations, airports and a ferry terminal. The place is also a few minutes away from schools such as De La Salle University, College of Saint Benilde, Saint Scholastica’s College, Manila Tytana Colleges and UP Manila.

Aside from the vacation lifestyle at Palm Beach Villas, there is the HomeCourt advantage as it has even more reason to find happiness with its luxurious amenities and facilities to fill your leisure time.  There is a lap pool for adults and a kiddie pool as well. Other facilities include a clubhouse with function room, fitness gym/game room, changing rooms, outdoor play area, landscaped garden and alfresco dining area.

Shops on the ground floor will cater to daily conveniences and needs.  Its low-density arrangement of 17 units per floor will give residents ample amount of breathing space. Have a true vacation lifestyle right in your home.

Caring for one’s property is a must and Palm Beach Villas is no exception. The building is secured 24 hours a day, guaranteeing HomeCare benefits with a fire detection alarm system, automatic fire suppression system, two passenger elevators, one service/passenger elevator, a stand-by power generator, podium parking and mailbox. Also, the Palm Beach Villas administration makes it easier and worry-free in terms of property and rent management services.

Your Palm Beach Villas home is within reach.  Horizon Land, which caters to the middle-income home-seekers, offers a one-bedroom unit for as low as P9,000 per month. The amount of investment is surely something to be happy about considering that the family will have a wonderful, safe and secure home located in the beautiful area by Manila Bay. For Project Inquiry, contact 09173236123.

Two new communities in the heart of Calamba

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Category: Properties

Published on Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:29

TWO new housing projects under renowned real-estate developer Stateland were formally launched recently. These are the Gran Avila in Majada, Calamba City, and its neighboring subdivision, the Casa Laguerta, which will serve as the keys of realization to every Filipino families who wish to have well-designed and well-built houses of their own without compromising quality and at the same time having prices that suit their budget.

The grand open house took place in the Gran Avila site in Majada, Calamba City, and was graced by Delie U. Chua, Stateland first vice president for sales and marketing. The open house signaled a new beginning for the company, which starts the third quarter of the year with a blast. It was attended by the different group heads, brokers, sales agents, employees, staff and prospective clients.

“Of course, we are all very excited for this momentous project of Stateland. We will be able to provide another well-built and well-developed community in the Laguna area. We are once again privileged to serve our hardworking people with the houses they deserve at very affordable prices.” She also added that projects of Stateland adhere to the standards and quality of the industry. “We are very meticulous and very keen about every single detail. We want systems and order in our every project, which are Stateland trademarks,” Chua said.

Before the grand open house for the Gran Avila and Casa Laguerta, project orientations both for the in-house sellers and company brokers were held at the Gran Seville Clubhouse, another notable project of Stateland in Cabuyao, Laguna. The orientation was held to give the in-house sellers a brief yet sufficient background on the features and quality of houses in Gran Avila and Casa Laguerta. A general overview of the project site and products was tackled by Ryan de Guzman, head of the marketing development and research team, while the specifications and technical descriptions were discussed by architect Jerome Ilagan of the planning department. Stateland President Reynaldo T. Cometa was also present during the program and gave the sellers a brief analysis of the projects and an inspiring message that would keep them motivated and encouraged in selling the Stateland projects.

Various real-estate licensed brokers were also briefed about the newest projects of Stateland through the Gran Avila and Casa Laguerta Brokers’ Project Orientation at Cinema 2 of SM Santa Rosa in Laguna. This orientation was attended by over 500 brokers and sales agents who are interested in selling the latest projects of Stateland Inc.

Architect Grant Orbeta, first vice president of the planning and production group, discussed the technical description of the two new rising communities in Calamba. Both the in-house sellers and brokers are now equipped with enough knowledge about the soon-to-rise communities in Calamba, Laguna. For Project inquiry, contact 09173236123.

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In Photo: Gran Avila and Gran Avila model house.

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The Mactan Newtown poised to be Cebu’s next BPO hub

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Category: Properties

Published on Tuesday, 27 August 2013 18:31

MEGAWORLD, the country’s leading real-estate developer and biggest business-process outsourcing (BPO) landlord in the Philippines, announced that it is increasing its leasable office spaces for BPO companies within the Mactan Newtown on account of the favorable economic climate that the country’s BPO industry is experiencing, especially in Cebu. 

“Megaworld is keen on expanding its office spaces for BPO companies inside the Mactan Newtown mainly because we see the significant growth of the BPO industry in Cebu. This we have observed in recent years,” said Jericho Go, first vice president of Megaworld.

Megaworld is expected to offer around 150,000 square meters of office spaces in the more than 20-hectare Mactan Newtown within the next three to five years. “We can actually add up more leasable office spaces if the demand is really high,” said Go.

He added that these recent developments are just part of the plan to turn Mactan Island into Cebu’s primary BPO hub. The Mactan Newtown is expected to generate around 40,000 full-time BPO employees by 2018.

“Cheaper labor, abundant manpower, affordable location and right assistance from the local government make Cebu ripe for BPO businesses,” enthused Go.

Megaworld is bringing top international BPO companies to the township. One of the first businesses to set up office there is the Results Companies (Results Manila), the leading global provider of customer management and business-process outsourcing solutions for over 20 years.

Results Manila is set to open its fifth call center in the Philippines. It is also its first office outside of Metro Manila at the modern five-level One World Center. The company is expected to employ around 1,500 BPO workers.

“Cebu is home to a great pool of talented, educated people with exceptional drive for exceeding customer expectations. We expanded our office in Cebu to allow us to diversify our locations for our clients and internal business continuity planning,” said Kevin Betts, vice president for facilities development and administration, Results Manila.

The Mactan Newtown is Megaworld’s biggest township project so far in Metro Cebu. It promises to provide premier residential communities with the finest amenities, upscale hotels, premium commercial establishments and BPO office towers, to name a few.

“The urban landscape of the Mactan Newtown provides great opportunity for BPO companies to invest here in Cebu,” added Go.  

The Mactan Newtown has been declared a special economic zone by Aquino under Presidential Proclamation 407. This places the township development under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, which allows businesses inside to enjoy various privileges such as tax incentives and holidays.

Megaworld has earmarked P20 billion for the development of the Mactan Newtown in the next five to seven years. For Project Inquiry, contact us (032) 3181589 | 09173236123.

Latest SDA tally: P1.77 trillion

Details

 

Category: Banking & Finance

Published on Monday, 26 August 2013 19:26

Written by Bianca Cuaresma

FUNDS parked at the special deposit account (SDA) window of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) stood at P1.77 trillion on the week ending August 2 or already past the end-July deadline for trust entities to move out the facility.

Latest data from the central bank showed that cash in the special facility increased on a weekly basis, despite the pullout mandate deadline set by the BSP on July 31. On July 26, or five days before the phase-out deadline, the total SDA deposits hit P1.754 trillion. But this went up again by P 18 billion on the week ending August 2.

Since the BSP issued a memorandum banning investment management accounts (IMAs) and ordering a 30-percent withdrawal of these accounts by the end of July, SDA deposits fell by P108 billion. SDA level stood at P1.88 trillion on May 24, the week when the BSP released the new guidelines on SDA deposits.

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Executive Vice President Maria Theresa Marcial-Javier earlier said the decline in the SDA deposits would be more significant later this year as the BSP ordered a complete pullout of IMAs by the end of November.

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According to the BSP circular, only pooled accounts of banks are allowed to be parked at the SDA facility. BSP officials also said the retail accounts removed from the high-yielding and relatively safe facility were seen migrating to time deposits instead.

Javier also said SDA deposits might also shift to the short-term money-markets as funds that make the placements “are very conservative.”

The BSP said the stricter guidelines in the facility are part of an effort to push the funds out of the banks’ vaults and hopefully invested in the more productive sectors of the economy.

The central bank earlier hinted of retaining the interest rates and other guidelines related to the SDA facility as it continues to monitor fund shifts in the economy. 

Bianca Cuaresma

Latest SDA tally: P1.77 trillion

Details

 

Category: Banking & Finance

Published on Monday, 26 August 2013 19:26

Written by Bianca Cuaresma

FUNDS parked at the special deposit account (SDA) window of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) stood at P1.77 trillion on the week ending August 2 or already past the end-July deadline for trust entities to move out the facility.

Latest data from the central bank showed that cash in the special facility increased on a weekly basis, despite the pullout mandate deadline set by the BSP on July 31. On July 26, or five days before the phase-out deadline, the total SDA deposits hit P1.754 trillion. But this went up again by P 18 billion on the week ending August 2.

Since the BSP issued a memorandum banning investment management accounts (IMAs) and ordering a 30-percent withdrawal of these accounts by the end of July, SDA deposits fell by P108 billion. SDA level stood at P1.88 trillion on May 24, the week when the BSP released the new guidelines on SDA deposits.

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Executive Vice President Maria Theresa Marcial-Javier earlier said the decline in the SDA deposits would be more significant later this year as the BSP ordered a complete pullout of IMAs by the end of November.

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According to the BSP circular, only pooled accounts of banks are allowed to be parked at the SDA facility. BSP officials also said the retail accounts removed from the high-yielding and relatively safe facility were seen migrating to time deposits instead.

Javier also said SDA deposits might also shift to the short-term money-markets as funds that make the placements “are very conservative.”

The BSP said the stricter guidelines in the facility are part of an effort to push the funds out of the banks’ vaults and hopefully invested in the more productive sectors of the economy.

The central bank earlier hinted of retaining the interest rates and other guidelines related to the SDA facility as it continues to monitor fund shifts in the economy. 

Bianca Cuaresma

Moody’s sees brisk growth in Q2

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Category: Banking & Finance

Published on Tuesday, 27 August 2013 19:17

Written by Bianca Cuaresma

The Philippines was seen persisting on a growth path rated brisk by Moody’s Analytics in the second quarter, citing the strength of domestic demand and the success of the business-process outsourcing (BPO) industry during the period.

Moody’s Analytics, a division of Moody’s Corp. that provides expert economic and consumer credit analysis, sees the Philippines to further ‘thrive’ in the second quarter to hit 7.2-percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth year-on-year.

“The Philippines likely recorded another smashing quarter in the three months to June. Despite softness in the global economy, we look for 7.2-percent year-on-year GDP growth, following the March quarter’s 8 percent. We expect full-year GDP growth to be around 6.5 percent in 2013 and 2014, making the Philippines one of the world’s fastest-growing economies,” Moody’s Analytics said.

Moody’s Analytics said the BPO industry played a key role in keeping the country’s economy afloat despite the weak global growth projections.

“The Philippines accounts for 15 percent of the global BPO market… . Three years ago, the Philippines became the world’s largest provider of offshore voice services. The rise of BPO has widespread benefits for the economy, including employment opportunities for the university-educated, who have tended to move abroad because of the lack of prospects at home,” Moody’s Analytics said.

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The research and analysis unit added the BPO industry were to hit more or less 6.8 million in employment numbers by 2020, about 15 percent of the country’s total employment.

It also said the manufacturing industry should prove strong amid solid domestic demand, offsetting the weakness seen in exports. Private consumption is also getting an additional boost from strong remittances, which, according to Moody’s Analytics, held up well through weaker global demand.

The research arm also lauded the Aquino administration for economic reforms and bringing back investor confidence in the country. It added that a crucial part of the economic sustainability of the growth and reforms that the country is now experiencing lies greatly on the back of the next Philippine president in 2016.

“President Aquino is rightly credited with helping turn the Philippines’ economy away from perennial disappointment. Since taking helm in 2012, [Mr.] Aquino has set the economy on the right course via infrastructure development, with a focus on upgrading transport links, an anti-corruption push, a drive to halt tax avoidance and improved government coffers. Continued success will depend on who takes the reins when [Mr.] Aquino steps down in 2016,” it said.

PDIC’s DIF ratio within target

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Category: Banking & Finance

Published on Tuesday, 27 August 2013 19:18

Written by Genivi Factao

The state-owned Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) on Tuesday gave assurance it has enough resources at its deposit insurance fund (DIF) to act as buffer against financial failure.

PDIC President Valentin Araneta said the DIF equal 5 percent of aggregate deposits as of latest and within the level considered prudent.

According to Araneta, total DIF stood at P84.236 billion as at end-2012, while the estimated insured deposits (EID) total another P1.61 trillion.

As of December 2012, the country’s total bank deposits reached P 5.7 trillion.

“The ideal DIF ratio is 5-percent and we are within that target,” Araneta said at Tuesday’s seminar hosted by the tax and audit firm Reyes Tacandong & Co.

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He said as the banking system becomes stronger and deposit the base grows, the need for deposit insurance grows with it.

“On a global basis, we compared the Philippines-PDIC to deposit insurance target of other countries and you notice we are there on the mark,” he said.

He also said the 5-percent DIF equivalent is a good benchmark for an investment rated country as the Philippines.

“As economies get more advanced in terms of credit rating, their [DIF] targets are much lower,” Araneta said.

PDIC has enhanced its ability to manage and ensure the adequacy of the DIF and improve the surveillance and oversight capabilities over member-banks and mitigate risks.

He also said the development of a uniform core-banking system for rural banks is underway to strengthen their management and accounting capabilities.

This will likewise allow for better monitoring of their financial condition and provide better service to clients down the line.

To be more operationally efficient, PDIC is also proposing a legislative amendment creating a quick-resolution mechanism for problematic banks as part of its legislative agenda.

Araneta said this will enhance PDIC’s authority to establish a flexible mechanism seen to help preserve critical banking functions by facilitating the acquisition by an appropriate body of the assets and the assumption of liabilities of a failed banking institution.  

Want More Agents? Recruit them Online, here is how

 

Real estate agents, just like home buyers and sellers, search for things online. Agents check out new listings in their area, new real estate offices, and yes they lookup their competition and other brokerages.

Research shows that real estate agents, especially top producing agents, keep an eye open for new opportunities; especially those opportunities that will help them improve their business.  And the internet has made it easy and convenient to check things out; hence, to see what other brokerages and agents are doing.

Thereby, with more agents searching for information via the internet, real estate companies are making it a higher priority to recruit those real estate agents online. Here is how successful brokerages are doing it.

Recruit Real Estate Agents Online

1.  Dedicated Recruiting Website - setup a website that is dedicated to recruiting real estate agents for your brokerage.

    The website
    - can be a sub domain/component of your existing site;
       example:
          career.yourbrokerage.com  or yourbrokerage.com/career

    - should provide information on your brokerage, business plan,
       and assessment for a successful real estate career
      
    - should let person apply online to join your brokerage
      same form can be used as your contact us form:

           (ask for basic info -name, phone, address, email,
            do you have real estate license, questions...)

2.  Promote Your Recruiting Website - submit your recruiting website to online directories, search engines, social media, etc.

    - Add a Career link from your primary brokerage site to
       your recruiting website
      
    - Use Google and/or other cost per click (cpc) advertising to
      promote joining your brokerage
      
    - Promote your recruiting website on your social media sites

3.  Conduct Webinars - host webinars that provide valuable and trust worthy information. 

    Example
    - How abc realty (your brokerage) does business
    - Things new agents should know
    - Taking your real estate business to the next level

4.  Send Newsletter to Recruit Prospects - for those persons who has contacted you about joining your brokerage, keep in touch by sending a newsletter that provides information that would be helpful to their real estate careers.

5.  Respond Quickly & Invite for Coffee - designate a person that is responsible for responding to online inquiries, and be sure to respond promptly.  Invite recruits to coffee to discuss what they want from their real estate career.

Follow-up is important, because agents want to know that joining your brokerages will be the best thing for them.  So be sure to make contact to express your sincerity in providing them with a win-win solution.
 

source: http://www.realtybrokeroffice.com

How to Recruit Experienced Agents

 

Experienced real estate agents know their business.  They know about marketing, getting referrals, calling clients, and closing deals.  To get them to join your brokerage you have to show that you know your business.

So what do you show to experienced agents that will get them to make you a serious consideration, and to eventually make the change to your brokerage.  One of the best ways that successful brokers have been able to get agents to join them, is that they started by first asking themselves, "If I was an experienced agent would I hang my license here?  If so, why?  If not, why?"

In finalizing their "this will get them to join" list, research shows that brokers use the following during their recruitment of experienced agents.

Recruiting Experienced Real Estate Agents

1.  Announcements & Publications  

Establish a simple professional portfolio of articles, accolades, columns, photos and other media material that talks about your brokerage.

Experienced agents want to know that you have the background and expertise to handle the job.  They want to know what you have done; and why are you in this business.

Look at it this way, if you are going to take your clients, leads, contact, and your means of making a living to another company; wouldn't you want to know that that company has what it takes to deliver the goods.

Therefore, be sure to include things like:

 - Office Opening Celebrations

 - Acknowledgement from Chamber of Commerce, Mayor

 - Award ceremonies honoring your contributions

 - Quotes from newspapers & magazines
 

2.  Office Sales & Pipeline Projections  

Package your sales volume in a clean professional graphic format, showing the amount of business that your brokerage has done over the last five years or more.

Provide information on how your brokerage have performed during peak selling season, in different cities, and in neighborhoods.  Also show how well your agents does, in comparison to industry standards. 

Utilize information published by companies that track the real estate market sales and trends, as a source of verified information.
 

Therefore, be sure to include things like:

 - Graphic depicting sales volume and growth projections

 - Map of major areas serviced by your brokerage

 - Publications listing your brokerage sales

 - Publications discussing your increased agents recruitment
 

3.  Happy & Making a Difference  

Being an experienced agent means you have put in the time and effort, and that you understand that you must have a healthy balance in your life between work, family, and time for yourself.

What you also understand and expect is a healthy functioning work environment; where you are greeted with smiles, and the office has a sense of professionalism and respect.

Experienced agents also know that it is about helping others to achieve their dreams and goals; and thus they want the work that they do to make a difference; and to be in an environment that is about positive impact.

Therefore, your brokerage should show :

 - Testimonials from current agents

 - Pictures / Video from company gatherings & events

 - Notes & Letters from happy clients
 

Do not make your "experienced agent marketing packet" a large binder of information.  Keep it concise and easy to read. Use bold attention getting heading; and include just enough information for the agent to digest quickly; still understand the value proposition of your brokerage; and wanting to contact you to find out more.

source: http://www.realtybrokeroffice.com

Facebook aims to get more of world's people online

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

NEW YORK — Facebook wants to get more of the world's more than 7 billion people — all of them, actually — online through a partnership with some of the world's largest mobile technology companies.

Facebook Inc. announced Internet.org on Wednesday. In addition to the world's biggest online social network, the group includes South Korean electronics giant Samsung, Finnish handset maker Nokia and wireless chip maker Qualcomm Inc.

Facebook said the group's goal is to "make Internet access available to the two-thirds of the world who are not yet connected" — about 5 billion people.

Google Inc., which is not a part of the Internet.org effort, launched a similar undertaking earlier this year with the goal of getting everyone on Earth online. Called Project Loon, the project launched Internet-beaming antennas abroad giant helium balloons into the stratosphere

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Internet.org's plans include developing cheaper smartphones and tools that would reduce the amount of data required to run apps. For Facebook, the move would add more users to its current 1.15 billion, but CEO Mark Zuckerberg paints it as something bigger.

"For nine years, we've been on a mission to connect the world. We now connect more than 1 billion people, but to connect the next 5 billion we must solve a much bigger problem: the vast majority of people don't have access to the internet," Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page, along with a paper titled "Is Connectivity A Human Right?"

He points out that the people who already use Facebook "have way more money than the rest of the world combined." That means it may "not actually be profitable for us to serve the next few billion people for a very long time, if ever. But we believe everyone deserves to be connected."

Javier Olivan, vice president of growth and analytics at Facebook, said the move continues what the company has been doing to get more people online. This includes "Facebook For Every Phone," an app that launched in 2011 to let people with simple, non-smartphones use Facebook.

Wireless equipment company Ericsson, Web browser developer Opera Software and MediaTek, another wireless semiconductor company, are also founding members of Internet.org. (AP)

Primary Homes unveils Astele, community in Mactan Island

By Jessica S. Losorata

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

CEBU-BASED property developer Primary Homes, Inc. (PHI) unveiled on Friday its seventh project in Mactan Island this year, a suburban community designed to complement the local tourism sector.

Following Alegria Palms Uno, Brookfield and Collinwood, PHI launched Astele, an exclusive gated housing development of 64 single detached units in a three-hectare lot on Buyong Road in Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City.

Six model houses were showcased, namely Myrtle, Hazel, Mahogany, Aspen, Linden and Lombardy. Floor areas and lot measurements range from 56 to 288 square meters and 150 to 251 square meters, respectively. Each house and lot combo is sold for P3 million to P15 million.

“The development is nestled in Mactan to reflect the island’s modern and vibrant international community,” said PHI vice president for sales and marketing Ramero Espina.

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Espina said that based on PHI’s latest market study, Mactan has emerged as a progressive address or a second-home destination sought after by long-stay tourists like Koreans, Japanese and Europeans. He said majority of these foreigners intend to move to Mactan for investment or retirement purposes.

“Lapu-Lapu’s preserved nature and culture and also its developing modernity lure visitors to come. There’s no stopping the growing affluence of foreigners to the city or to Cebu province in general. Eventually, the industry is a primary recipient of the upbeat tourism in southern Philippines,” Espina said.

Espina identified the Mactan-Cebu International Airport as the “ground zero” for Cebu’s commerce and “gateway to business opportunities.”

According to Espina, Astele is included in the P1.5-billion budget for PHI’s seven projects in Mactan for 2013. He said the company, which has about 23 existing subdivisions and eight condominium developments in Cebu, is targeting one project a month to match the evolving demands of the market.

Astele is set for completion in 18 months. Officials said the subdivision bears the concept of Asian contemporary living and displays a clean minimalist approach in its exterior. Architectural features include floating steps on a Zen pond, huge windows and upper verandas. Its amenities include a fitness gym, swimming pool and playground.

Espina said PHI is looking into the tourism sector as a market for the company to focus on. He said Astele will test the market in the north. For more project info, pls call +639173236123.

Developer breaks ground on new condo

By Jessica S. Losorata

Thursday, July 25, 2013

A LOCAL real estate developer broke ground on its second condominium in Cebu that is set for completion by the first quarter of 2015.

Landtraders World Properties Corp. (LWPC) held a groundbreaking ceremony for Royal Garden Residences on F. Cabahug St. in Brgy. Kasambagan, Cebu City on Wednesday. The project is the second condominium for the company San Marino Residences, the company’s flagship project introduced last September.

The company said Royal Garden Residences offers convenience, proximity and affordability.

The one-tower residential condominium of 12 floors that will be built on a 593-square meter lot will house 165 one-bedroom units, each of about 20 square meters or 22 square meters at P1.3 million and P1.4 million, respectively.

According to LWPC chief executive officer Michelle Yu, Royal Garden is targeted for the middle class market segment. She said it is a dominant market but its demands are not served by real estate players.

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Yu identified Royal Garden’s clientele as young professionals, investors, retirees and out-of-town residents that are here in Cebu for studies, leisure or business.

LWPC corporate consultant Roger Gopaoco described Royal Garden as an alternative to
buying houses in subdivisions that are located away from the metro.

“Cebu has undoubtedly emerged as an attractive destination in the south for business and recreation. Condominiums are becoming the trend. They sell like hotcakes because working in the city yet living outside it defeats the purpose of urban living,” he said.

Gopaoco said 60 percent of Royal Garden’s sales will likely be with buyers outside the city while the remaining 40 percent will be accounted for by those in the city.

Gopaoco said that with only two years in the industry, LWPC is taking it one project a year.

The first two floors of Royal Garden are allocated for parking and lobby areas while residential levels will start at the second floor. Each floor will have about 16 units. Features and amenities include tiled flooring, finished walls, cable-ready units, a roof deck, gym, reception and commercial strips and individual mailboxes.

Gopaoco said units may also be converted into a small office or home office (Soho).

He also emphasized the structural warranty of the condominium which is 15 years
through the contractor.

“In real estate, building insurance is as important as its foundation. Convenience and safety must go hand in hand,” he said.

Gopaoco said LWPC is also considering a Soho development on AS Fortuna St. in Banilad by next year.

Housing Developers convene on Aug. 28-29

By Cheneen R. Capon

Friday, July 19, 2013

THE Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP) will hold its 4th National Convention on August 28-29 at the Marco Polo Hotel.

Sonny Ducay, OSHDP secretary general and convention chair, said they are expecting about 250 to 300 real estate developers and other practitioners advocating for socialized and low-cost housing. It will also be participated by various government agencies.

The Congress will be supported by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Ducay said the event will be also attended by the Vice President Jejomar Binay, concurrent chair of HUDCC.

Lawyer Christopher Ryan Tan, national president of OSHDP, said the four concerns of the real estate developers and advocates of low-cost and socialized housing will be discussed during the congress. These include permitting, financing, regulatory, and production.

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Tan said new technology will be introduced to the participants which can be utilized to lower the cost of construction.

Speaking in Tuesday's Bizforum, Ducay said they are also set to discuss proposal to increase the pricing for vertical and horizontal housing unit.

The said proposal was submitted in October 2012 and is being reviewed by HUDCC and the National Economic and Development Authority.

Ducay said that for horizontal housing projects, a house and lot package, with the government mandated of 18 square meters as standard floor area, should be increased to P450,000 from P400,000.

For vertical housing projects, which include the low-rise and high rise condominium in National Capital Region (NCR), Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, it should be increased to a maximum price of P850,000, and P750,000 for the other highly-urbanized cities in the country .

"We arrived at the conclusion the price is no longer effective of the goods we obtained," said Tan.

He said that they need to put into consideration the increasing prices of construction materials, land to be utilized, as well as the value of the labor.

He said that they don't want to compromise the market with the use low quality construction materials.

He said if the proposal will be approved they will be able to help more the Aquino administration in achieving its goal.