In the face of the current economic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia- Ukraine war, investors all over the world are being extra cautious and observant in their investment decisions. Some are decreasing their exposure in industries negatively affected, while there are also some who are speculating on big returns with more risks. In the local scenario, the Philippines joins other countries in battling fuel price increases and inflation. For real estate, however, pricing points indicate that the industry is still stable and resilient. The housing industry remains active with bright prospects for investors looking for upscale house and lot for sale or condominium for sale.
For investors and property owners, especially business owners who may have encountered cash flow difficulties as a result of gloomy financial revenues, an option that is probably available or convenient is flipping a property. Just like deciding on investing in a property, selling or disposing a property is also a big decision. For seasoned real estate investors, the main consideration of course, has been the return on investment or ROI. Below are some key points that may help those who want to reap the rewards of a property investment that they bought.
What was the primary purpose for purchasing the personal property?
Housing or shelter has been a basic human need since time immemorial. For investors with vast property owned portfolio the purpose for investment has been to flip the property in the future, listing one or two may not present a problem. However, for those with only one house and lot for sale or condominium under their name, listing the property is a very big decision.
If the property was bought to be a primary home, liquidating the investment may be not the best alternative. One has to think first of maybe buying or relocating to a different house. Alternatively, renting may also be an option or explored. A lot of things should also be prepared like the legal title before pursuing selling the property.
Is the real property already fully-paid?
At the onset of the pandemic, those affected by the due to unemployment or decreased business income have resorted to “pasalo” or assume-balance. Since they may be having difficulty paying monthly obligations, some installment buyers or those who availed financing via bank and other financial institutions decided to “let go” of their investment. Still in this scenario, some have successfully made profits with a higher asking price than their investment cost.
For cash buyers and those who have fully paid real estate investments, checking the documentation and transfer certificate of title (TCT) for house and lot and condominium certificate of title (CCT) for condominiums is the next step. The same applies for those who inherited properties. If a property in the real estate market is shared by several heirs, then a thorough discussion must be made between the interested parties prior to listing in the market.
How much should I sell the private property I own?
While most investors want to maximize the returns on their investment, timing also plays an important factor in setting the price. Some real estate practitioners would attest that a property priced lower than market value tends to be sold faster, holding other factors constant.
Should one want an expert opinion on the value of their property, one can avail the services of a real estate appraiser. The appraisers base their assessment on several factors like the zonal valuation and prices of comparative properties in the area, among others. The appraisers are different from the assessors who are employed by the local government.
In this day and age, information has become more available and it easy to look at current prices in an area. Still some property owners fail to do this and as a result, there is a foregone income with their lower pricing. An example would be a house and lot for sale Ponticelli in Daang Hari sold only at P20,000 per square meter while the current market rate is at more than P70,000 per square meter.
Finally, taxes, registrations, unpaid HOA dues, and other expenses such as repair or improvements must be incorporated in the price if not shouldered by the buyer.
Do I need an agent to sell my property?
The benefits of having a registered and duly licensed real estate broker cannot be overemphasized. The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) maintains a database of registered brokers and a quick visit will help verify the status of your broker. A similar database limited for project sellers are updated by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
The real estate service act allows owners themselves to sell their properties. The advantages of seeking a professional to help with selling a property include vast network of buyers and sellers, exposure on different listings, saved cost of time and effort, and expert handling of documentation. On the other hand, one can save on professional fees (usually around five percent of the price) if one will not avail the services of a broker.
Where shall I sell my property?
While the traditional referral network is still a big help and remains reliable, there are a lot of free property listing sites online that may help generate interested buyers. Examples of such are Carousell (Read: Crown Asia wins Carousell Property Awards), Lamudi, DotProperty, One Propertee, MyProperty, and Signet, among others. Ads in Facebook Marketplace and Instagram may also help. Some subdivisions and homeowners associations uphold strict implementations of the format of the physical signage that may be installed on the property.
How do I save on taxes?
When selling a property, we are required by the law to pay a Capital Gains Tax or CGT. This is paid to the concerned Revenue District Office or RDO of the Bureau of Internal Revenue where the property is located. The tax rate is usually six percent. If one is selling his or her principal residence and plans to use the funds generated to buy a new one, an exemption may be filed with the BIR within 30 days of the sale. However, this exemption is limited to once every ten years.
For Real Property Tax or Amelyar, advanced payment for the calendar year may also present discounts from the City Assessors office. The bottom line is to make sure that property taxes are paid.
As long as the property is not a government-owned property it has the potential for you to gain some income from investment!
You have made a real estate investment and when you are ready to reap the rewards, make sure to carefully examine your decision factors and most importantly, your overall goal. For trusted developers like Crown Asia, do not forget to incorporate the future value and potential of location and community masterplan of the house and lot for sale being marketed.
Related Blog: How the Projected Economic Recovery for 2022 Impact Your Real Estate Investments
