Buying Land in Cebu

[hilyfe 1,279]

Being a Pinoy, many of the problems associated with owning land here disappear, but not all.  When you buy property in Hawaii you probably had a title insurance company issue a policy to protect you in case undiscovered liens turn up on the property or other individuals make claims against it.  This does not exist in the PH, so getting clear title to any property is a crap shoot.  Just be aware of that, and be sure to examine the paper trail on the property very carefully.

 

thanx for this advice

 

 

 

A beautiful fantasy to have a bamboo house on the beach here for sure, but probably not more than that.  One word: termites!  They are ferocious and they eat bamboo.  This is why most homes are built of concrete here.  It's one of the few things they don't eat.  Even in a concrete house they will eat the wooden door frames, etc.  Termites are a real problem here, be aware of that.

 

I remember theres this old house

In ilocos

Those logs that hold the house

Was so hard that termite cant even

Eat it

Even Even tried nailing it

tried to cut it with an axe

And saw

Well the saw works but that's after a couple

of replacing the saw blade

I think it was called camagong tree

If im not mistaken

 

 

 

 

I love Cebu Island.  All in all, I think it is one of the best places to live in the PH.  However, land prices here are for the most part insane.  That said, if you are willing to get away from the beach and go into the mountains, land can still be found for 25p a meter or less.  Incidentally, land is not measured with the English system here.  Rather it uses metrics.  So the basic unit is the meter (about 39" on a side).  A hectare is the metric equivalent to the acre but there are about 2.5 acres in one hectare (10,000 square meters).  If you really do want land on the beach, be prepared to pay over 1,000p a meter for it and in some places over 2,000p.  Of course, the closer you get to Cebu City the higher the prices go for land.

 

Besides Moalboal, you might want to look further south.  The Santander area has beaches and mountain lands too.  Best of luck to you! 

Ill look around when I get home in november

Thanx

[hilyfe 1,279]

.... Why so much land? Unless one plans on being a farmer or a hermit I don't see the point.

I have my reasons

But there you go they already answered your question

hahahah

[hilyfe 1,279]

Why ????  only someone who doesnt live here would ask why !!      

 

Karaoke machine at 130 decibels [ volume limited only by the ability of the speakers to not shred on use !! ],  36 fighting cocks all staked out in the neighbours yard,  , 14 dogs [ all askals] constantly barking at intruders, other dogs, white ladies, shadows etc -  need I say more ??

Hahahahha exactly

back in ilocos when I was young

Had over 60 dogs running around the yard

WHich is about 2 hectares

so 2 acres is no biggy land

 

And I will make sure I have a fence around my land

 

trespassers will be shot

Survivors will be shot again

 

Hahhaha

[tomaw 1,341]

Hahahahha exactly

back in ilocos when I was young

Had over 60 dogs running around the yard

WHich is about 2 hectares

so 2 acres is no biggy land

 

And I will make sure I have a fence around my land

 

trespassers will be shot

Survivors will be shot again

 

Hahhaha

............ you guys are probably right. The subdivision seems like it might be a bit more civilized but I don't know anywhere on this planet were one has complete control over one's neighbors. A geriatric nursing home maybe but I hope it will never come to that.

[Skywalker 19,177]

Simple - buy an island, there are plenty for sale.  Perfect isolation.

[hilyfe 1,279]

Hahaha lol an island

[tomaw 1,341]

Ill look around when I get home in november

Thanx

......... You think real estate prices are expensive in Cebu? Try $300,000 to $800,000 for a beat up old one story, 3 bed, 2 bath house with a one car garage that's about 60 years old in California! You pay for that with 20 percent down and finance the rest on a 30 year mortgage! I'll be dead before the mortgage gets paid! I think I would rather have a brand new 2 story house in a gated subdivision with 24 hour security, several amenities including swimming pool, Clubhouse, tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds and parks on a hill overlooking the ocean and have it paid off in 5 years! Check out Crown Heights in Compostela. That's just one of the places I have in mind.

[tomaw 1,341]

has anyone been to Camotes lately? That place seems to have the white sand beach lots everybody's looking for at reasonable prices. What else it has now isn't much but I read on other threads that there are big development plans for the future including a mall, development of the airport, adding condos, a water park etc.

[hilyfe 1,279]

......... You think real estate prices are expensive in Cebu? Try $300,000 to $800,000 for a beat up old one story, 3 bed, 2 bath house with a one car garage that's about 60 years old in California! You pay for that with 20 percent down and finance the rest on a 30 year mortgage! I'll be dead before the mortgage gets paid! I think I would rather have a brand new 2 story house in a gated subdivision with 24 hour security, several amenities including swimming pool, Clubhouse, tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds and parks on a hill overlooking the ocean and have it paid off in 5 years! Check out Crown Heights in Compostela. That's just one of the places I have in mind.

well I live In hawaii

Everything here is expensive since most of it comes from the mainland

And yup houses here are ridiculous

the lowest for a brand new house here is about

Hmm 500k

And thats just one garage

3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms living room and dining connected

Would rather be living in phils.

with a pretty pinay

Maids and im happy

[hilyfe 1,279]

That's one of the reasons why filipinos always go back to philippines

When they retire

their retirment from sss goes a long way

But most of them end up being broke because of their relathieves(as I call it)

Always expecting a hand out

[LRK 42]

Not sure if you can really find what you're looking for here in Cebu, the majority of upper class schools and amenities are in cebu or vicinity.
And you'll not be able to find a nice relaxing spot that is still affordable, clean and has a beautifull beachfront close to the city.

A wooden house just needs maintenance. You fight the bugs with spray on or coatings. Keep this up and you'll have a lot of fun. Or just replace the (cheap) bamboo every once and a while.

The more beautifull and tranquil places are further away, they might offer you more peace and more land for your money.
But in the long run you're gambling your money on what is available in the area. Personally that doesn't bother me, but it truly depends on what kind of lifestyle you are looking for. In the more provincial area's you'll find cleaner beaches, cleaner area's and less overall populace pollution. Good upside to this is you're more likely to end in a little town community where you have more social control and don't have to be weary of stuff getting stolen or people breaking into your house. Just because people tend to be a little bit more 'caring' or aren't as greedy or poverty driven as city folks.

Plus point what is always, you'll be able to find a cheaper (and more reliable, cause jobs aren't widely available) household helpers/maids or drivers in the province.

Downside of provinces might mean, limited food availability (for special imported foods, or wide variety you'll have to travel further)

And availability in luxury goods, you'll be able to find most basic medicine and basic stuff like extension wires' etc in your vicinity. But some special luxury good, or tiny replacement part for your (example) bicycle might need you to travel to cebu.

Electricity might not be as stable as in the city (depends per province)

Internet might be drastically slow (if you work online these t hings might cause problems)

 

 

My biggest downside of the city or city-vicinity would be,

Pollution, Noise-Smell and actuall harmfull air pollution

Danger of physical harm, due to violence, burglary or getting caught in crazy traffic situations

Increase of spending on lot & municipal costs

Harder to find a perfect spot

Limited view on future prospective buildings. (imagine buying the perfect beautiful lot with beachfront view and a big empty forest next to you and after 5 years all of the sudden a subdivision development starts breaking the forest and your beautiful wide stretched view now is limited to a concrete wall/fence)

 

Pro's for the city

Wide availability of products, building materials and 'professional' employee's

more chances for a social life, clubbing, malling whatever floats your boat

easier acces to airport, other ways of travelling

greater chance of finding a suitable job or income

 

 

 

Personally, (after living in the city's vicinity for 3+ years) I would say if you have the cash and don't need to work and wanna have a good place to slow down, relax and live a private peaceful live. Is move to the province, maybe look further then Cebu. lots in bohol for example are dirt cheap compared to Cebu. Then just get yourself a car/vehicle some styro boxes and load up on stuff you need from the city every once and a while and go back to your little jungle get-away.
It's a lot easier to go to a city and enjoy city life for a bit then to yearn for that idyllic beach when your stuck in the city and before you can go out to the beach you'll be stuck in traffic for 2 hours.

[Skywalker 19,177]

You don't quite understand the culture.  White guys and OFWs are viewed as money growing farmers who cultivate the money trees overseas, where the weather is more conducive to harvesting reasonable amounts of the folding stuff.

 

Their job in the Philippines is to act as distributors.  It's called wealth re-distribution.  Talk to a Socialist, they will explain that no matter how hard you work, it's not your salary, it belongs to everybody - particularly those who actively choose NOT to work.

 

A fool and his money are soon parted.  You can choose to be a socialist, or you can sleep soundly in the bed that YOU paid for.

[hilyfe 1,279]

Not sure if you can really find what you're looking for here in Cebu, the majority of upper class schools and amenities are in cebu or vicinity.

And you'll not be able to find a nice relaxing spot that is still affordable, clean and has a beautifull beachfront close to the city.

 

A wooden house just needs maintenance. You fight the bugs with spray on or coatings. Keep this up and you'll have a lot of fun. Or just replace the (cheap) bamboo every once and a while.

 

The more beautifull and tranquil places are further away, they might offer you more peace and more land for your money.

But in the long run you're gambling your money on what is available in the area. Personally that doesn't bother me, but it truly depends on what kind of lifestyle you are looking for. In the more provincial area's you'll find cleaner beaches, cleaner area's and less overall populace pollution. Good upside to this is you're more likely to end in a little town community where you have more social control and don't have to be weary of stuff getting stolen or people breaking into your house. Just because people tend to be a little bit more 'caring' or aren't as greedy or poverty driven as city folks.

Plus point what is always, you'll be able to find a cheaper (and more reliable, cause jobs aren't widely available) household helpers/maids or drivers in the province.

Downside of provinces might mean, limited food availability (for special imported foods, or wide variety you'll have to travel further)

And availability in luxury goods, you'll be able to find most basic medicine and basic stuff like extension wires' etc in your vicinity. But some special luxury good, or tiny replacement part for your (example) bicycle might need you to travel to cebu.

Electricity might not be as stable as in the city (depends per province)

Internet might be drastically slow (if you work online these t hings might cause problems)

 

 

My biggest downside of the city or city-vicinity would be,

Pollution, Noise-Smell and actuall harmfull air pollution

Danger of physical harm, due to violence, burglary or getting caught in crazy traffic situations

Increase of spending on lot & municipal costs

Harder to find a perfect spot

Limited view on future prospective buildings. (imagine buying the perfect beautiful lot with beachfront view and a big empty forest next to you and after 5 years all of the sudden a subdivision development starts breaking the forest and your beautiful wide stretched view now is limited to a concrete wall/fence)

 

Pro's for the city

Wide availability of products, building materials and 'professional' employee's

more chances for a social life, clubbing, malling whatever floats your boat

easier acces to airport, other ways of travelling

greater chance of finding a suitable job or income

 

 

 

Personally, (after living in the city's vicinity for 3+ years) I would say if you have the cash and don't need to work and wanna have a good place to slow down, relax and live a private peaceful live. Is move to the province, maybe look further then Cebu. lots in bohol for example are dirt cheap compared to Cebu. Then just get yourself a car/vehicle some styro boxes and load up on stuff you need from the city every once and a while and go back to your little jungle get-away.

It's a lot easier to go to a city and enjoy city life for a bit then to yearn for that idyllic beach when your stuck in the city and before you can go out to the beach you'll be stuck in traffic for 2 hours.

Seems like we have the same problem with the city life

Its almost always traffic noisy hot polluted

[tomaw 1,341]

well I live In hawaii

Everything here is expensive since most of it comes from the mainland

And yup houses here are ridiculous

the lowest for a brand new house here is about

Hmm 500k

And thats just one garage

3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms living room and dining connected

Would rather be living in phils.

with a pretty pinay

Maids and im happy

...... I agree with you totally. I love Hawaii but it's probably one of the most expensive places to live in the US. I think it's tied with or second only to New York City. I'd live in Hawaii if I could afford it but I wouldn't live in New York City even if I had Trump's money. Edited July 16, 2013 by tomaw

[hilyfe 1,279]

Im pretty much set up in hawaii

own 2 houses a business and an apartment

but I still miss my home land

I guess its true when they say

theres no place like home