I just came back from my hometown in Cebu. My sister and I checked out the new development of Avida Towers Riala that is located within Cebu Park District. The IT park used to be the old Lahug Airport that my dad used to bring us to when we were kids. Today there is a lot of development there in the spheres of business, banking, finance, I.T. and tourism services, among others, as well as residential and commercial developments to complete the live-work-play dynamics within the community.

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Three types of units are available in Tower 1: Studio units at 23 sq.m.; 1-Bedroom inits at 41 sq. m. and 2-Bedroom units at approximately 56.6 sq.m., with price ranging from P1.8M-P5.5M.

I got to visit the 41 square meters model unit and it is spacious enough for a couple to live in.

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Avida Towers Riala maximizes the mixed-use of the 21,246 sq.m. property, with additional shopping and dining outlets built into the property to provide convenient access to basic necessities.

The bathroom is quite spacious unlike some condo units I have visited.

If you are looking for a condo in Cebu, I recommend the Avida Riala. Good location , security and amenities. Visit Avida Riala website for more details.

Good thing I found out about HSBC latest home loan promo. Right now, the interest rate of my home loan is 9.5%. HSBC is offering 6.99% for 1 year period and 7.99% if you get a lock in period of 2 to 3 years.

For those of you who plan to buy a new home, this is a good rate. I remember the first home loan I got in year 2000 was from BPI Family bank. Interest rate was then 14% then it slowly decreased through the years. Buying your first home or upgrading your current dwellings is an exciting and daring venture for most. After all, buying or building a new home is a process that needs a lot of planning, patience, and most of all, money. But don’t let your financial limitations get in the way of your dream home – especially now that HSBC is offering an all-time low interest rate on their home loans.

If you apply for a home loan from HSBC between July 5 to September 30, 2010, you get to enjoy the following interest rates for 1-year, 2-year-, 3-year, or 5-year loans.

1 year: 6.99%
2 years: 7.99%
3 years: 7.99%
5 years: 8.99%

Aside from these amazing interest rates, HSBC will also waive the standard fees for the following:

Processing fee
Title verification service fee
Appraisal fee
Mortage Redemption Insurance premium *
Fire insurance premium *
Mortgage Registration Fee
Documentary stamp tax
Registry of deeds cancellation fees

* These fees will be waived for the first year only

Ask HSBC how they can help you attain the home of your dreams and achieve big savings in the process! Call (02) 85-800 or 976-8000 (Metro Manila), 1-800-1-888-8555 (provincial), or
+632-8580000 (abroad).

“In the West Tower, we are combining the comforts of larger, more thoughtfully planned living spaces, greenery and open spaces usually found in subdivisions with the conveniences of access only an urban location like BGC provides,” says Rex A. Mendoza, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing & Sales Officer of Ayala Land.

One Serendra is nestled in an urban oasis at the heart of the Bonifacio Global City, one of the most progressive commercial districts in the metropolis. Known as “The Home of Passionate Minds”, BGC fosters the harmony of work, home and play set in an open environment as rich in natural greenery as it is with the vibrancy of life.

To be a part of the One Serendra community is to live with the convenience and excitement of an urban lifestyle and to experience day in and day out the tranquility of a suburban neighborhood. The low-rise clusters of homes, the East Tower, and soon, the West Tower that make up One Serendra form a refuge for its residents from the busy world outside.

The green landscapes and flowering gardens surrounding One Serendra open up to the trendy commercial complex of The Shops at Serendra, continuing on to Bonifacio High Street. Here, fashionable retail and dining outlets give residents and well as visitors a place to dine, relax, mingle and even walk their dogs.
However, if one were to prefer to look for sanctuary, the grounds of One Serendra offer a variety of options. At completion, half a hectare of fitness and wellness facilities will be available: including an exclusive spa to residents, multiple pools, courts and a putting green, or one may simply decide to stroll around the gardens, or sit in th gazebo by the koi pond. Entertaining is also easy with multiple social venues available to host parties of various sizes.

Above all, the West Tower offers an enhanced sense of gracious suburban living. “With a home that rises 50 stories above the city, you can easily slip into your sanctuary in the sky at the West Tower,” Mendoza says.

Floor-to-ceiling windows in each living room and private balconies in almost every unit present a view of the cityscape below like no other, and also bring in plenty of natural light and ventilation into the homes. There is room to breathe as consideration for freedom of movement, and, ultimately, ease of living, is given to every layout.

“Each home feels spacious, light and airy — each home is detailed to provide homeowners a sense of abundance – in terms of light, natural ventilation and well-being,” Mendoza says.

The space and light enhance the premium finishes of each unit as well. Engineered oak and stone floors, granite countertops, homogenous tiles and bath fixtures from Kohler or Grohe, Blum pull-out drawers in main kitchens are just some of the carefully appointed features of the West Tower’s units.

And, like the East Tower, limited edition units are available at the topmost floors Sky Pool or Sky Garden residences. A Sky Pool unit indulges its residents with a dip in a plunge pool in the privacy and comfort of their own home with a view of the horizon. The Sky Garden unit affords more space for relaxation, a place to ponder over views of the horizon or maybe a cocktail party at sunset.

The West Tower Garden units would be just as special as living on top. They come in a one-bedroom garden terrace, one-bedroom garden flat, one-bedroom garden loft or a one-bedroom atrium unit. Each unit is designed to maximize natural light and feeling of space, with some units having 13-foot high ceilings.

“One Serendra is the perfect setting for the rest of your life,” Mendoza says. Inside your home is a lush garden while the city awaits just outside your doors.” With the perfect balance of city living and suburban lifestyle, life couldn’t get any better at One Serendra.

For more inquiries on the West Tower at One Serendra, contact us here

For the last couple of years, Two Serendra has been one of the most desirable addresses in the Metro. And why shouldn’t it be? This development is features highly thematic and upscale aesthetics, residents will soon have a venue where family and friends can converge to pursue their interests together. Amenities cater to each resident’s diverse passions, goals and ideals. The introduction of The Meranti—the newest tower to rise within Phase 3 of Two Serendra—perfectly complements the tenets of one of the most innovative and pioneering developments under Alveo Land’s portfolio.

Recently earning approximately 700 million during The Meranti’s priority selling, the project is Two Serendra’s newest high-rise development in the thriving retail, business and lifestyle epicenter.

The Moranti Tower will have a number of amenities found nowhere else in the Serendra complex. For one, there is the The Living Museum—which will provide residents venues to celebrate occasions they can share with others. The Living Museum will include a Culinary Studio, which features a function and dining room equipped with a professional grade kitchen where aspiring cooks can share their latest recipes; a Tropical Garden, which is a lush landscaped garden enclosed in glass ideal for hosting grand parties and community festivals; an Enterprise Lounge that provides top-rate business facilities and serves as an ideal venue for relaxed meetings and get-togethers; a Discovery Hall that intends to provide parents and their kids the perfect bonding setting; a Fitness Club that boasts of complete gym amenities and panoramic views of the development’s lush grounds; and the Stellar Peak, a landscaped deck and function area.

The Meranti will also be in close proximity to modern conveniences provided by BGC. To be integrated with the Shops at Serendra and Bonifacio High Street, residents will have more options to pursue their diverse lifestyles while being close to places of work, educational and other institutions.

So if you can afford upscale living, consider a place at the Moranti Tower.

Alveo Land is Ayala Land’s standard-bearer for innovation in residential living. It builds balanced, harmonious communities where the living experience enhances the lifestyles and fulfills the aspirations of its customers. For inquiries, call (632) 848-5100 (Metro Manila) or 1-800-10-8485100 (Outside Metro Manila ), email info@alveosales.com.ph or visit www.twoserendra.com.ph.. Model units are available for viewing daily from 9 am to 8 pm at the Serendra Sales Pavilion along 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City.

Happy Chinese new year! According to feng shui experts, the Year of the Metal Tiger is a good year for the real estate industry. The earth will be the governing force of 2010, and real estate’s close association with the ground makes it off to a good start this year.

Non-feng shui experts also have favorable business forecasts for the year 2010. The Philippine real estate industry was fairly resilient in the face of the global financial crisis, and a number of developers boosted their budgets and launched a number of developments this year – many of them high end. For instance, Metrobank Group of Companies’ property arm will be constructing projects such as the third and fourth sector of the Marquinton Garden Terraces in Marikina, three more high-rise buildings in Binondo, Makati, and Fort Bonifacio. Eton Properties will be launching four to five new projects this year, including the Centris condominium, 8 Adriatico, and Eton Tower City. Finally, Robinsons’ Land Corp has the Signa Designer Residences in its lineup as well as affordable units at Gateway Regency.

Over the next four years, over 5,000 residential condo units will be completed in the Makati Central Business District. Outside this, around 20,000 condominium units will be available for selling and occupancy. With so many options and so many affordable payment schemes available, now is definitely a good time to invest in your own condominium!

Source

The passage of the Philippines REIT Act of 2009 sees the accelerated growth of the property section as more investors come to the country for new opportunities. There are also a number of income generating assets that can be converted into real estate investment trusts, such as residential condominiums, office buildings, apartments, and tourism related facilities. As far as new business districts are concerned, CBRE Philippines vice chairman Joey Radovan says that BPO (business process outsourcing) companies are looking for cheaper office spaces. Cebu might be the next big thing in terms of the development of business districts, with major developments starting in Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City. Ayala Land will also be developing a new IT park in Cebu City, in addition to the existing Asiatown IT Park and Cebu Business Park districts.

Nuvali, Ayala Land’s latest development in the south, will soon be selling lots in the phase Santierra. With tree-lined roads and master-planned layouts, residents of Santierra will experience an orchestrated interplay between natural and suburban living. Aside from the pride of ownership that comes from owning a beautiful home from a premiere Ayala development, there are five other reasons why you should invest in Santierra Nuvali.

Natural urban refuge

Santierra is the perfect middle ground between urban and country living. Located right beside the residential district and future Nuvali commerical district, you’ll be located very close to shops and restaurants without giving up the natural beauty of the land. Most of Santierra will be wrapped around a contiguous park stretching over 5 kilometers, the longest of its kind among existing Ayala Land Premier communities.

Clustered neigborhood

The neighborhood is small, but seamless and private. Lots will be clustered in groups of 50 and 80 to control the traffic flow so vehicles can only pass within the immediate neighborhood, making life more serene and secure for the residents. With only seven residential lots per hectare, your home at Santierra will provide generous space while maintaining your privacy. Lot sizes range from 600 to 1200 sqm. with modal lot cut of about 700 sqm.

Perfect transition from urban boundaries

As mentioned earlier, residents of Santierra will experience an orchestrated interplay between natural and suburban living. Tree-lined roads will lead the perfect transition between future urban boundaries only minutes away, and exclusive private residences. Trees and plants lining the main road have different blooming seasons as well so that the scenery changes with the passing months. All the flora will be arranged in such a way that the owners will enjoy the views of lush greenery while keeping the clusters invisible from the main road.

Pedestrian and bicycle-oriented development

Living in Santierra will enable you to live a healthier, more eco-friendly lifestyle. All Santierra’s roads will have dedicated continuous circuit of walkways and bike lanes to encourage residents to walk, jog or use bicycles instead of cars within the village. Carriageways, sidewalks, and bike lanes will be canopied by trees to ensure walkers, joggers and bikers enjoy the outdoor experience. Ample safety measures such as warning signs, speed humps, handicap ramps, and sufficient street lighting will be in place to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

Integrated parks and open spaces

Aside from the contiguous parks that envelope the development, the village’s entire perimeter will be buffered from the outside by about ten-meter wide ribbons of greenery. Inter-connected pathways provide easy access to all points in the neighborhood.

Serious buyers and interested parties may ask for more information from Noemi Dado at noemidado at gmail dot com. You may also leave a message at the contact form.

Avida, the affordable housing arm of Ayala Land, offers a choice of five residential condominiums in Metro Manila and a number of residential subdivisions in six provinces. This month, however, Avida just launched a new promo for big discounts to buyers. The “Be ahead, Avina na” promo enables buyers to save as much as P35,000 when they reserve a unit. Aside from that, those who purchase property before December 25 have a chance to win a Manila-Sydney-Manila trip for three, including a two night stay and $1,000 pocket money. Second prize is a Manila-Hongkong-Manila trip for two inclusive of accommodation for two nights. Balikbayans who reserve units are entitled to additional gift cheques from Ayala Malls and still another set of Ayala Malls gift cheques upon signing a contract to purchase a unit. They simply need to present their passports.

For more information, visit avidaland.com.

Is this your first time buying a condo? Unlike a pair of heels or a stylish dress, buying property should never be done on impulse – especially if it’s your first. Of course, the first thing you should consider is the cost of the unit and the payment schemes; the affordable monthly fee is what made me decide to get a one-bedroom unit at Gateway Regency. But other than cost, there are a number of other details to look out for. Here’s what made me decide to choose mine:

For more information, availability, and sample calculations on units at Gateway Regency, contact Robinsons Land Corp Sales Manager Gigette Sia at 0922-8421096. Please mention Lauren Dado as your referral.

If your home was damaged by this year’s super-storms, you probably want to rebuild and make your house liveable once more. But you don’t have enough funds, so you approach Pag-Ibig and ask for their help. After all, they are the biggest calamity loan provider in the country. 600,000 Filipinos have turned to Pag-Ibig Fund to request for calamity loans and the good news is that most of their applications were approved. P9.3 billion has released by the home financing institution to date, and they anticipate disbursements to reach P10 billion by end of December 2009. So if you’re a card-carrying member of Pag-Ibig Fund, it’s very likely that you’ll get your calamity loan approved unless:

1) You have given less than 24 monthly contributions. This is the minimum number required for borrowers to qualify for a loan.

2) You have not been remitting your Pag-Ibig contributions and have become an inactive Home Development Mutual Fund Member. In order to qualify for a calamity loan, you should have made at least five monthly contributions in the last six months. If your loan gets approved, you and your employer need to keep remitting contributions throughout the duration of the loan term.

3) Your monthly net pay is lower than P3,000

If you do get your calamity loan approved, remember than the maximum term of loan repayment is 24 months.

Good luck!