Can Websites Replace Real Estate Agents?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Odilon (Ody) dela Merced on October 10, 2009 at 5:09pm

I recall in the past, I was asked by an American to take a look at a Ready for Occupancy residential condominium project by a developer. So I did take a look and found out that it is located in a flood prone area and access to the property is difficult because of the normally heavy flow of traffic. Besides, another broker swore not sell for this particular developer anymore because of his sad and painful experience of having to knock on the doors of the highest officials of the developer just to have the property title released to his clients despite the fact that the properties have long been fully paid.

So I frankly told this American so. Unfortunately, my advice was not heeded. I reckon he concluded and, logically so, that it is better to buy a property that is ready for occupancy than to buy something that has not yet even been built. Besides the project is beautiful and very attractive.

Lately, and only because of typhoon "Ondoy", it is now proved that the area and its neighboring towns and cities is one big catch basin of water coming down from Antipolo and the Sierra Madre mountains. I hear that the typhoon which is rare brought in flood water more than eight feet high in and around the area.

Regarding title insurance, I was also informed that a relatively new association called CREBA (Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association) tried to go into this kind of service using geographic information system but has not yet succeeded because of lack of cooperation from government and the fees were exorbitant.

Perhaps when the implementing rules and regulation of the new law called Real Estate Service Act is implemented and an umbrella organization covering all professional practitioners is identified by the Professional Regulation Commission, we the practitioners can finally have effective solutions not only about unethical practices but finally about the problem of corruption in real estate.

Oh yes, Alvah, allow us to have your sister in-law that has cancer to be included in our prayers. Please let us know her first name. (a different but interesting reading on cancer: Dr. Wu).

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Realtor® Anna Nisperos on October 11, 2009 at 11:08am

Ody is totally correct. As he eluded to above, the Philippines is very slow with changes. The signing into law of the new RESA bill in September is the largest step the Government has taken to professionalize and actually monitor and regulate the Real estate Industry here. Now that the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) has been tasked with the formation of a new board within it to do that, it has exactly 6 months from the signing date last month to get everything up and running. There are a few copies of this new Act elsewhere on this site that anyone can refer to that shows what will be done by this new law. However if anyone wants a copy, let me know and I will email it to them in either word or pdf format.

I think our profession is definitely headed in the right direction and in time, many of the suggestions and thoughts that Mike has entertained here, will be addressed and acted upon. Our parent association PAREB is in the forefront of pushing for all these changes and regulations. So, I see nothing but progress ahead, although it may be slow at times.

Change is needed and it is just around the corner.

Anna

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alvah Buckmore on October 11, 2009 at 1:04pm

Dear Ody:

Although I don't have your extensive experience on this particular subject, I nevertheless have recognized some real-estate developers are lazy, incompetent and criminally irresponsible in the way they develop their projects.

One case in point is a half-completed development, or sub-division, in Iloilo. I noticed that each client has very low water pressure every day and almost every day has no water at all for several hours at a time.

When I investigated, I discovered their "water pump" was connected to a 5-inch diameter pipe met to support almost 10 houses in this sub-division, precisely the kind of water pump we use to supply water to a paper-making machine in America. Needless to say, it is totally inadequate and absurd for any developer to think a 5-inch water pump would be adequate to supply more than two or three houses.

It wasn't stupidity as much as it was greed. They did not want to spend the money on a proper water-supply system.

Then there is a consistent problem with adequate water drainage and drinkable water for human consumption.

Again, the bottom-line is profit. Hot and cold running drinkable water destroys their profit margin; hence, it is available only on the higher price houses. Besides, it is not a legal requirement by the local governments.

The solution, in my opinion, is for a stronger government to enact the appropriate laws to improve the living standards of the average Filipino, as is common and standard procedure in the United States and much of western Europe.

Respectfully,

Alvah Buckmore, Jr.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Odilon (Ody) dela Merced on October 12, 2009 at 1:33am

I agree with you Alvah. A stronger government is the key to a better Philippines.

We will try to do better this time around with the May 2010 general elections.

Ody

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alvah Buckmore on October 13, 2009 at 5:35am

Dear Ody:

Her name is Imelda and she lives in Manila.

Alvah

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alvah Buckmore on October 11, 2009 at 10:22am

Dear Rodolf:

Actually, I have had several experiences of sending out e-mail messages to dealers concerning a particular problem or question with a particular piece of property without getting an answer.

Truthfully, I think some of them simply do not bother to read their mail. It has been my experience it is the seller who responds quickly -- not the broker, agent or dealer.

Also, why do some people invest in real-estate? Are they that stupid they fail to perceive the damage they do to the average person who has to LIVE in the house he buys?

I have noticed over the last two years many common mistakes with math, photography and the general descriptions of property. When I try to bring it to the attention of the dealer, broker or agent, I am ignored. I wonder what they do with their spare time!

In addition, I would think these people would take the time to standardize their advertisements of real-estate property. With some exceptions, every piece of property I have seen in advertisements on internet is different from each other; many of them of absolutely useless. They don't say anything about the property.


Respectfully,

Alvah Buckmore, Jr.,

▶ Reply to This

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page