I have been reading a lot about Feng Shui. One of the interesting topics is on increasing the value of your home, as well as achieving emotional balance and harmony of the occupants thru Feng Shui
What is Feng Shui?
Wikipedia says Feng shui is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to use the laws of both Heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help a person improve life by receiving positive qi or energy flow.
The term feng shui literally translates as “wind-water” in English. It is deeply rooted in connection to …

What is the best way to sell a home?
This was the question of Jane to me, sent via e-mail. Jane is a real estate agent, and she is asking for my advice or tips on the effective ways to sell a house.
Generally, there are four basic reasons why any house for sale will sell or not sell. These are what we call in marketing as the 4 Ps, which we also apply in real estate selling, as follows:
1. Price. The price of the house is the first reason it will …

A reader named Martha sent me an e-mail, asking: “Who are qualified to be a licensed real estate broker?” Martha said she wants to be one because she likes to deal in real estate and make it her profession.
Actually any person in the Philippines can become a licensed real estate broker as long as he/she has the qualifications, as follows:
1). Must be at least 21 years old.
2. Filipino citizen.
3. Good moral character.
4. Has not been convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude.
5. Must have satisfactorily completed at least 144 units …

John, new real estate agent who sells subdivision lots, had a sad story to tell when he came to our office last week.
He accompanied a supposed couple to a subdivision because the couple told John they wanted to buy a lot to build their house on it, since they are starting a family.
The sale did not push through, but John lost his cell phone and money to the couple.
In reality, there are many con artists on the loose today who prey on people just to get what they want. If …

A new licensed real estate broker from Manila e-mailed us, asking for advice and tips on how to be a successful broker.
She introduced herself as Patricia and she’s particularly interested to learn how to secure a listing, or how to get a list of properties from clients for her to sell to her prospective buyers, so that she could derive income from commission.
Actually, there is no standard practices on how to get a listing and on how to sell real estate properties. It depends on the personality and ability of …

A reader asks:  “Is buying a house a good investment? If I buy a house my money will just sleep and it does not make any more money, compared to investing it in business. What do you think”
I meet people who have the same thinking as the reader, and they have almost similar question. From a realtor’s point of view, however, I could say that buying a home is really a good investment. Actually, we buy a house because we intend to live in it for a long time or, …

I received an e-mail from a reader, asking me for tips on how to look for a good real estate broker/realtor. He told me he wants to sell his residential lot and also his beach house and therefore, he is looking for a realtor to make selling easy and fast for him because he needs the money.
When you look for a realtor or real estate broker, first, you must inquire if he has a license, because there are many people today who act as real estate brokers, but in fact, …

Below are the following reasons why a realtor, who is a licensed real estate broker, is necessary:
1. Real estate brokers can make the job of looking for a house (and lot) very easy and worry-free for you. Unless, of course, if you want to spend your time, money and effort in wading through a jungle of classified ads and visiting house after house, block by block, or subdivision by subdivision, on your own.
2. Real estate brokers can help you prequalify for a loan with the banks and or in the …