08Feb
The Fast-Track to Homeownership: Simplifying the RFO Condo Buying Process in the Philippines
If owning a home is your life’s dream, then you know how complex the process of purchasing a property can be in today’s real estate landscape. But did you know that you can get on the fast lane of the homebuying process when you learn about RFO condo meanings, tips, and best practices?
With a ready-for-occupancy property, you can simplify the process of buying a condo and moving into a new home this year. While there are challenges to navigating the RFO condo life, you can rest assured that there are expert ways to mitigate these difficulties today.
This comprehensive guide to RFO condos has everything you need to know to enjoy a smooth transition to homeownership. Jumpstart your property purchasing journey right away by checking out this guide by DMCI Homes right now.
How do RFO condos in the Philippines work?
A ready-for-occupancy (RFO) condo in real estate is a unit that is already available for you to move into upon purchase of the property. It is a complete home, and it is a perfect choice for people looking to find a roof over their heads in a very short amount of time.
Because they are fully developed, these real estate properties usually cost a little more than other types of homes. However, their being completely constructed means that prospective homeowners like you can move in right away and avoid the hassle of waiting for the building to be finished in several arduous years.
RFO properties also offer savvy investors a better bang for their buck. Since turnover for these condos is faster than with regular pre-selling units, they provide you with the unique ability to gain immediate returns on investment. You can benefit from your new condo quickly, while also adding an ideal asset to your portfolio amidst rapidly fluctuating inflation rates and unstable economic times.
These one-of-a-kind advantages make RFO condos worth the financial investment. But if you really want to master the art of the RFO process, you can learn how to navigate this property type’s challenges in the next section.
Navigating condo RFO challenges
As previously mentioned, RFO units cost more than other types of real estate property due to their fully developed nature. They also have shorter payment periods, which means that you may need to pay off the cost of this property in a less flexible amount of time.
But if you know how to properly assess your financial readiness and budget, you may be able to own a Philippine condo within the time provided by your real estate agent or broker. By understanding your financial situation and saving up accordingly, you can reap the benefits of an RFO condo and achieve all your pertinent goals as a real estate investor.
As you venture into this process of buying a unit that’s ready for occupancy, you need to ensure you’re making the best considerations, such as choosing the right location or prioritizing your preferences. With the help of this guide, you can follow all the right steps to buy your dream home and enjoy a smooth buying experience today.
Ready to buy an RFO condo that’s right for you? Check out this next section for a step-by-step guide right now.
Buying an RFO unit: A step-by-step guide
Here’s a list of some of the most important steps you need to take when buying a unit that’s ready for occupancy this year:
1. Find a reputable developer
The first thing you need to do before making any real estate decisions is to find a developer that is reputable, reliable, and suited to your needs.
Conduct a background check on your chosen property developers and, if possible, pursue companies with a longstanding history of condo community development. This way, you can gain an industry-backed assurance that the unit you’ll be purchasing is of a higher quality, constructed by reliable developers in the Philippines today.
2. Conduct focused property research
The next thing you should do is to conduct a lengthy but focused research on the various types of properties your condominium developer provides. What locations do they offer? What themes, types, or styles of condo communities do they boast on their website, or on their social media?
In conducting this focused research, you also need to think of what you want from your future home. Do you want a condo near your school or workplace? Do you want a unit near public transportation, malls, or other central hubs? By researching and listing out all these options, you’ll have a better idea of what to save for with this real estate investment.
3. Outline your financing options
Saving up money for your home-buying journey is just half the battle - you also need to outline your financing options so that you can take out loans or spread out your property purchase over several years, as needed.
One example of a viable financing option is in-house financing. This is when you take out a loan from your chosen property developer and pay it off over a few years. You can usually ask your real estate agent to arrange this financing option so that you can close your coming deal with them right away.
If the arrangement offered by your chosen developer doesn’t suit your needs, you can also opt for a bank loan or mortgage. While this requires the involvement of another party, a bank loan may allow you repayment terms that range from 10 to 20 years, with lower interest rates than that of your chosen developer.
Whatever financing option you choose, just make sure to do the necessary research for the terms that best suit your needs. Never hesitate to ask questions from your loan officer or real estate agent, either.
4. Practice due diligence
Due diligence refers to the practice of taking all the steps necessary to satisfy a legal or financial obligation. When it comes to real estate, practicing due diligence means that you need to follow tips such as reading the fine print on contracts, preparing finances ahead of time, and knowing all the rules and regulations of your new condo home.
By practicing due diligence, you can ensure you’re following all legal and financial requirements for your unit purchase. So make sure to review all of your contracts and constantly communicate with your broker or property agent - these tips will help you avoid fines, penalties, and violations as you pursue your RFO purchase today.
5. Negotiate as needed
Not every offer will be perfect. As you search for the best possible home for your needs, you may find yourself needing to make some concessions and compromises throughout the unit-buying process.
So connect with your broker or agent and constantly ask them probing questions. By forging a relationship with your chosen developers, you’ll be able to push for terms and negotiate a deal in favor of your priorities and preferences.
Of course, negotiate within the terms of the contract they offer you. If you’re able to meet them halfway, then you can both find satisfaction in a closed deal that’ll reward them with a sure sale and you with a fully furnished home.
6. Close the deal
Closing the deal on your new condo will entail signing your contract, processing your payments, and going through the lengthy process of a unit turnover. As you are guided through these steps by your real estate agent, remember to document everything and practice the previously mentioned due diligence as well.
There are a few other things that you’ll need to think about after you close the deal on your new unit. Continue on to the next section of this guide to learn more about these considerations after your big home purchase today.
Things to consider after closing the deal
Your home-buying journey isn’t over yet. Remember to take note of these important considerations after you close the deal on your new condo:
Property handover
When your unit’s developer turns the property over to you, you can expect to undergo an inspection and documentation process to ensure everything is ready to go. The developer should facilitate this process onsite so that you can properly assess that everything is up to your standards before you move in.
Condo associations and their fees
Apart from considering your general purchasing costs, you should take note of the condo community’s association fees too. The monthly association fee is a cost all residents pay to cover the maintenance of common areas in the building; this shared responsibility ensures that your amenities remain in tip-top condition throughout the duration of your stay.
Home insurance
This next fee is a crucial expense that you need to account for, even before you close your deal. Home insurance ensures that you and your property are financially protected against crises like fires, earthquakes, burglary, and more. Don’t skimp out on your insurance, as it genuinely protects your interests in any worst-case scenario.
Interior design and personalization
Even if you’re purchasing a fully furnished condo, you’ll still want to design and personalize your space with your own furniture, sheets, pillows, appliances, and more. Make sure to take these expenses into consideration so that you can design your unit how you want, without worrying too much about the cost or logistics of said process.
Moving in
Moving into a new place can be tough if you don’t plan it out ahead of time. To enjoy an effortless transition into a new home, enlist the help of your family and friends for all the heavy lifting. Organize belongings based on how urgently you’ll need them after moving in, and make urgent items easy to unpack. Lastly, label everything so that your things are easy to find throughout the move-in process.
Maintenance
The ongoing maintenance and care for your unit is also important if you want your home to last for as long as it’s worth. You can easily start your condo maintenance by making a daily list of chores to clean your space regularly. Then, set a specific day for deep cleaning, and assess whether your unit needs professional cleaning help or not.
Property resale
The last consideration you need to make for the long run is the potential resale of your home. Life is unpredictable, and you may undergo big changes that require you to move out of your current unit. As long as you have kept your home in good shape, you should be able to sell this asset so you can still get the best value from this long-term investment.
By this point, you should be able to assess whether or not you want to buy a unit that’s ready for occupancy. But if you want a few more tips to ensure the smoothest purchase possible, check out the next section for some additional bits of advice today.
Additional tips for a smoother process
Homebuying is a huge financial and legal responsibility, no matter what type of property you purchase. If you want to ensure a smooth journey towards homeownership, you should always seek out legal assistance and financial support from expert advisors so that you don’t make any big mistakes throughout the whole process.
Support is always available from the experts at DMCI Homes. These real estate pros can help you choose the right property, plan out your financial journey, and recall any missing documents, alongside supporting you in your path toward home ownership. So always remember to get acquainted with us at DMCI Homes to enjoy the smoothest process possible for your RFO journey today.
Key takeaways
Confidently embark on your path to owning your own home when you discover the numerous RFO condo options at DMCI Homes today. Take these final tips with you to enjoy a streamlined homebuying experience this year:
- Research everything. From best locations to legal requirements, make sure to thoroughly research all aspects of the property purchasing process so that you don’t miss out on anything for this long-term investment.
- Be honest about your finances. Avoid going into debt or incurring additional costs from penalties by being honest about your financial capabilities and asking for help when you need it.
- Always ask questions. By constantly inquiring about each step of the process, you can gain answers to your questions and foster a great relationship between you and the experts at DMCI Homes today.
Questions? Don’t hesitate to comment below, or to engage with us on our Facebook. Remember to download the DMCI Communities app on Google Play or the App Store to stay up to date with the latest news and offers too.