Live in the Philippines

Live in the Philippines helps expats with visas, moving and other services regarding the Philippines.

The move is on!

Buy/Rent Property / by

As I told you in my Monday article this week, Feyma and I found a new house to move to here in Davao.  As I also stated in a previous article about personal security, with this new house, I will not be too specific about where I will be living.  I had also said that I would not post any pictures of our new house, due to security concerns.  However, as this house cannot really be seen from the street, we decided to go ahead and show pictures of it after all.  We do not believe that showing the picture will have any negative repercussions on security, so we decided to show it.

Our new home is in an area of Davao that we have never lived in before, but we do consider it a desirable area, though.  So, we are excited to try out a new part of town.  Of course, we are familiar with the area, we just never lived there, until now.  We have really enjoyed living in the area where we have been living, in Marfori Heights Subdivision, but over the years traffic in the area has become terrible, and other factors, like the neighbors have really soured us on living in Marfori any longer.  So, we are excited for our new place.

As I told you in my previous article this week, we had been looking for something with an upper limit on the rental price of P40,000 per month.  Feyma found this place, and the owners were asking for P40,000 per month, but Feyma was able to negotiate the rent down to P35,000 per month, so we will be paying a bit less than we have been paying, which is nice.  Also, Feyma through tough negotiations was able to negotiate a 3 year lease with no automatic increases in the rental price for the term of the rent.  Such auto-increases are quite common in many parts of the Philippines.  So, I am happy with what we got.

Our move in date for the house is November 15, although we already have full access to the house for doing some renovations, and moving some of our things over.   Thus, Feyma and I have already been spending considerable time at the house over the past few days.  Right now, we are getting the place cleaned up and ready to move in.  We have also been hauling loads of our stuff over to the place as well.  As we move some stuff in, I am starting to see that the house may be a bit tight on space, but we will make the adjustment!

One thing that we have noticed in our time there recently is that the neighborhood is so very quiet, something that we are very thankful for!  Where we have been living, with the heavy traffic and such, the place is very loud, and that gets tiresome.  We are also quite hopeful that there will be no neighbor problems at the new location.

So, over the next two weeks, we will be very busy getting the move done by November 15.  I actually think it is possible that we may end up moving in a bit early, and if that happens it is really no problem.

We are very happy with our new location, and hope that it will be a long term location for us!  We shall see!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Thanks Neal. Glad you like the place. The lawn is VERY small. I have a large lawn in the place we are at now. The new place is maybe 1/10th the size! Less grass to cut!

    • Bob

      Good Luck on your new house. I wish your family happiness there and hopefully no noisy neighbors or security threats. Also Feyma is a real asset in negotiating down on the price. She really did a super job. Thanks so much for the update. Be Safe

  3. Looks great Bob…Just hope you do not have any problems with neighbors…I my self hate noisy, unthoughtfull neighbors…so any way..good luck on the move and sure everything will fit ok there…

  4. Bob – Good morning. Very nice! White house. A happy holiday it would be for you and family. So you’re going to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New year in the new house. Is that a bungalow? I see the outside is pretty spacious. Residential area is usually pretty quiet. It’s good that Feyma found the right one. Moving is pain in the… you know so, good luck and savor the new found tranquility of the place.

  5. Hi Bob,

    Yay, how exciting! Congrats on the new place. For sure Yam and I will will be hiring Feyma for some consulting when our time comes.

    I’m looking forward to your Friday article explaining why renting often is smarter than owning. I have a rich brother who is a brilliant business man that has never owned a house. He can always make a greater return on his money with his business and investments than the increase in value in home ownership. So, although his heart may ache for of a house his own, he can never financially justify it.

    Yam says “Hi”. The lucky girl is vacationing in Boracay while I’m stuck here in the states.

  7. Bob;
    Helicopters! Bob you forgot about helicopter’s. (lol)
    The house looks great, I hope you and the family will have many happy years there. I don’t envy the moving part. The best to you all!!!

  8. Bob you crack me up. Sorry my man but you can’t have your cake and eat it to. As you said anyone that wants to find you (including the idiot who threatened you) could do so in about two seconds flat and frankly if anyone wanted to do you or your family serious harm there, they could do that for the price of a postage stamp. In over 15 years in the country I have never had a problem and being a somewhat public figure in your case is irrelevant. It’s how you act on a day to day basis in your environment that is more important. You are a very strong personality and can easily rub people the wrong way (as you do on this site from time to time) so I would be way more concerned about your day to day behavior than some internet wacko. In closing they have these things called guns. They can do the trick as soon as someone trespasses on your property. Attack dogs do good as well. Any Barangay would qualify that as well.

    • Thomad Gil,
      Chinese Geese (breed) even better than dogs,very protective and ferocous to strangers,if you have the ground space for them.Very few intruders know how to handle them,more so if you have a trio or more.
      regards,Chas.

      • Sounds great. When I finish my new place I will need some sort of property protection other than my shotgun, 9mm and alarm system. Was thinking about getting a rott from my future neighbor . Where are these geese available in the Philippines, their cost and what is the training or learning curve. I have a 3 year old daughter. Thanks

    • Every now and then I guess I rub somebody the wrong way, like you. It seems, though, like about 99% of my visitors on the site enjoy interacting with me, and consider me a friend. I thought you were a friend too, but lately, it seems not. Oh well….

      • Of course I am a friend but I suggest you stop being so sensitive and think everything is an attack on your person. You oftentimes seem very insecure and mask it with all this arrogance and beligerance. People tend to say nice things to a persons face and other behind their back. I am not that kind of person. Some of your business is dependent on people buying you first and then what you are selling. Just keep that in mind. I say this with all kindness and friendship. I don’t agree with anyone all the time and you are not an exception by a long shot.

        • Thomad – Nor do I agree with anybody all the time. I, however, don’t call people “stupid” when I disagree as you did to me in my Monday article. Whatever…. at least I know where things stand.

          I am not insecure, I can assure you.

          • No , actually you will know where I stand after Friday’s article in which you will try to defend the concept of renting versus buying in the Philippines. LOL Anyway, I enjoy your site and your gratuitous articles as they do provide good information even if we see that informaion in different light from time to time. Thank Bob.

            • I have no need to “defend the concept of renting vs. buying” nor will I try to do so. Renting is right for me at this point in my life. If you prefer to buy, no problem. But, why berate me for my choice in life? Frankly, it’s none of your business what I prefer to do. I have no problem with you buying, why would you care what I do, Thomad?

              • Wow. there you go again getting all defensive. You are impossible to have an objective conversation with. You obviously have many fans who enjoy your slant on things. I find them amusing at best and for someone that has lived in the Philippines for longer than you, it is interesting how we see the Philippines in such different light. I have many friends as you do but I am a pragmatist and you are a politician never wanting to offend either side of an argument. Nevertheless, I will continue to contribute to this blog and provide my lean on your various topics. I do thank you for that opportunity.

    • Thomad, let’s see.
      In your recent posts you insulted Bob’s wife’s English skills (and made two English errors yourself while doing so, ironically enough). You’ve lectured him on the future of the Internet business when it is what he does for a living, telling him like a child that he needs to being doing something else in the future. You said things like, “I enjoy . . . your gratuitous articles,” and “Bob is entitled to his opinions no matter how silly they may be,” and “I honestly don’t think Bob has the money to build (his own house.)” In the article about the house he’s going to rent, say, “renting is for fools,” (although you yourself are renting) And that’s just a sampling of your remarks.

      You practically tell Bob he’s an idiot for making even a small attempt for keeping some aspect of his living private, and follow with the veiled threat, “If anyone wanted to do you or your family serious harm, they could do that for the price of a postage stamp.” and finish with the snide remark, “congrats on your new home. Looks nice and private.

      In sum, you’ve entered Bob’s business, and in front of everyone reading his website, insulted his wife, called him stupid, called him a fool, tried to embarrass him by saying to everyone reading the site, he’s too poor to own a home, implied that you could harm him and his family anytime you felt like it for the price of a postage stamp, that his articles, which happen to be the heart of this website, are “gratuitous”.

      And somehow, when Bob asks you in a friendly way to tone it down a bit, you’re reply is “Wow. there you go again getting all defensive. You are impossible to have an objective conversation with.”

      Dude, if you ever did all those things to me in my own place of business, I’d be reminding you about your own remark that in the Philippines anyone could be harmed for the price of a postage stamp.

  10. Hi Bob,
    Cool house,i hope you,Feyma and the family will be very happy there.
    Good negotiating by Feyma,music to my ears.The fixed 3yr rent is a good bonus,congrats.
    It also seems to be a quiet and peaceful area.

    Peace and quiet is the very reason,we so much enjoyed,where we stayed in Davao.
    Apart from the mild chatter of other guests,we could sit out at night and just listen to the chatter of the Gecko’s and the chirping crickets.
    Completely opposite to our stay in the province,where for company we had crowing roosters,barking dogs,a neighbours 2 grunting and sqealing pigs,not to mention the acrid black smoke off the regular burning of plastics in the neighbourhood.
    To be fair,not all at once,and not everyday,apart from the roosters,lol.

    Moving is when we really find out what we have accumulated over the years,and usually in my case,much of it uneccessary,and time for a good clear out.

    Just a thought,
    I noticed the cages to accomodate window style aircon units on your new home.
    I read a while back,that the new split air inverter aircon units are far more efficient than the window type,cutting electric consumption by a good 33%.
    Although initially more expensive to buy,more cost effective over the longer term.
    regards,Chas.

    • Hi chasdv – I think we will be quite happy there. So far, all is going well, and it’s looking like it will be a great place to live. We already have aircon units, so for now we’ll stick with what we have. Perhaps as they need replacement, we could consider the split type.

  11. Hi Bob – All the very best with you new house. Despite the above comments we hope you have a long and peacful tenure.
    Best wishes.
    Jim & Marilou.

  13. Congrats, Bob – Hope the move-in goes smoothly. I’m sure that everything will have its place – perhaps a little closer to other things, but its own, individual place nonetheless.

    So when can I bring over the aerial bomb, firecrackers, party favors and karaoke machine (in my muffler-less SUV) for the house warming party?
    😆

  16. Hi Bob,
    Best wishes for your new home, and the peaceful neighbor hood.
    I have a question for you. Your home appears to be one story high.
    How are you with a 1 story height?
    Our small house in the Atienza compound is 2 stories high.
    Living in humid Florida, a second story bedroom has been my favorite.
    My house in Florida is all on ground floor level. Would rather have a second story bedroom.
    Was 2 stories a factor?
    Just curious…
    Best wishes with the move.
    Jade

    • addendum: actually I wanted a 3rd floor patio, but the thoughts didn’t get through to the biilder…:p

    • Hi Jade – I personally prefer a one level if possible. The house we are moving to, though, is actually two levels. Most of the house is on one level, but it has a loft for the second floor.

    • Maybe amusing. the quote for the day in (the world’s greatest newspaper) the New York Times a few days ago, “I guess he’s not shy about showing that he is wealthy” (said by an Indian man in Bombay about the owner of a 26 story HOUSE. so be happy with your one-story house.

  17. Hey, that’s great, Bob! Aside from the actual moving aspect, it will be exciting for the entire family & staff to turn to a new page! Isolation from traffic & neighbourhood construction is invaluable, and is why I will prefer to live on Samal, rather than in Obrero. Of course, we all lament the loss of the Deluxe Mindanao Bob BBQ Grill! (May the new tenants of your Marfori home use the grill to dry dirty socks, for the benefit of the call center!)

    • Hi Mike – Most of the Mindanao Bob grill will be going with us. The grill itself and the risers and such. Only a concrete and brick shell will remain here at the old house. The new grill will be built soon!

  18. Hi Bob,All the best to you & Feyma & the rest of the family on your new move! It kind of stinks,that you have to kind of hide your location…..Oh well….I DO understand! Keep plugging away!

    • Hi Joe – Thank you! Security is not something I really worry about often, but after that last incident, Feyma and I decided to try to be a little more cautious. In the past, I have been very open about where I live, where I can be found, etc. We just decided it would be best to hold back a bit now.

  19. Wow looks very nice Bob, would love to see some inside pics posted….Good on ya, hope you and fam enjoy your new place.

  21. Bob: Good luck on the move! Looks really nice. Hope the kids’ school commute is OK.

    Only nice thing about the moving process is that it is always a good excuse to get rid of junk and clutter. It has always forced me to become organized, if only for a short time.

    • Hi John – For the boys, school is walking distance! For Jean, it’s a bit further than before, but still manageable.

      You are sure right about cleaning out the junk a bit!

  22. Thomad, let’s see.
    In your recent posts you insulted Bob’s wife’s English skills (and made two English errors yourself while doing so, ironically enough). You’ve lectured him on the future of the Internet business when it is what he does for a living, telling him like a child that he needs to being doing something else in the future. You said things like, “I enjoy . . . your gratuitous articles,” and “Bob is entitled to his opinions no matter how silly they may be,” and “I honestly don’t think Bob has the money to build (his own house.)” In the article about the house he’s going to rent, say, “renting is for fools,” (although you yourself are renting) And that’s just a sampling of your remarks.

    You practically tell Bob he’s an idiot for making even a small attempt for keeping some aspect of his living private, and follow with the veiled threat, “If anyone wanted to do you or your family serious harm, they could do that for the price of a postage stamp.” and finish with the snide remark, “congrats on your new home. Looks nice and private.

    In sum, you’ve entered Bob’s business, and in front of everyone reading his website, insulted his wife, called him stupid, called him a fool, tried to embarrass him by saying to everyone reading the site, he’s too poor to own a home, implied that you could harm him and his family anytime you felt like it for the price of a postage stamp, that his articles, which happen to be the heart of this website, are “gratuitous”.

    And somehow, when Bob asks you in a friendly way to tone it down a bit, you’re reply is “Wow. there you go again getting all defensive. You are impossible to have an objective conversation with.”

    Dude, if you ever did all those things to me in my own place of business, I’d be reminding you about your own remark that in the Philippines anyone could be harmed for the price of a postage stamp.

    • Yes Kevin I did indeed say all those things. And I stand by them. Perhaps my delivery was not politically correct but the message was clear. The postage stamp comment was simply a statement that unfortunately life is cheap in the Philippines and all Foreigners and Filipinos alike are in the same boat with that sad fact that someone can go and get someone to terminate the life of another human being for a few dollars. This is reality and it has a scary overtone. Precautions should be taken but with full understanding that if someone wanted to get to you they easily could. Foreigners are guest in this country that has many double standards for foreigners in particular so we need to conduct ourselves accordingly despite being right on a matter. I disagree with many of Bob’s observations about this country. Remember, I have lived here happily and peacefully for 15 plus years. I know the Philippines better than most. Do I know the language no but I know the culture and the people and how to live here to great advantage that only happens with time and learning. Tell me where you place of business is and I will be happy to come by and say hello and ask you what you mean by your postage stamp comment as it pertains to me. I am in the States now!!! Or if you are in the Philippines I will be happy to visit you there as well to say hello. Thanks Kevin

      • Thomad,

        Insulting a man’s wife for no other reason than to make fun of her, in public, and in her husband’s place of business, is something you call “not politically correct?” Condescendingly calling Bob’s articles, and by extension his very website, “gratuitous,” is merely “not politically correct?” Trying to embarrass or at least insult Bob by announcing, “I honestly don’t think Bob has the money to build,” is something you think adds constructively to the conversation?

        I don’t have to be oblique like you about your own postage stamp remark. If you insulted my wife in front of others just to make her feel bad, I’d punch you in the face. What decent man wouldn’t?

        • I didn’t do it to make her feel bad. That’s not my nature or intention. I simply pointed something out. I simply could not understand the articles and wished someone could check them for grammar or readability so I could enjoy them. If people are too sensitvie to deal with it. MAN UP lol. I did it to simply point out I couldn’t undertstand what she was trying to say. As for Bob not having money to build a house this is a very good reason to rent and easy to justify it that way rather than the truth. Most people work their lives and dream of property ownership. It is only natural. Over 66% of Amercians are home owners. Makes no difference in the Philippines. Most Filipinos also cherish ownership of house and lot even if it isn’t theirs LOL I am entitled to my opinion and you yours. There is nothing shameful in not having money. Many of my friends are struggling on measly monthly SS payments and it really sucks. So Kevin where are you located and what’s for lunch. I’m done with this discussion

          • Life’s short and I have no intention in making an enemy of you. I apologize if I mischaracterized your remarks about Feyma. Bob’s finances is none of my business, so I won’t speculate on it. Financial investments can be compared by rate of return and associated risk, and although those can be quantified to a certain degree, they are still subject to individual expectations and sensitivity to perceived risk. Let me know when you are in Pinas and we can do lunch.

          • I have always been able to understand all of Femya’s posts that she has made here on the LIP site.I think she writes the way she likes to and has a very cute way about what she writes and the way she shares and I am happy that her husband Bob lets her write here the way she likes to.She adds her own personality to the LIP mag and to me its great…

              • Yes Bob I kinda knew that English was not her 1st Language…But! the way she writes her English as I said is cute and adds a lot to this LIP site…I always love reading her stories and posts….Of courese I know you could edit all she writes to make it perfect for those that love perfection, but then by doing that it would not be Feyma’s story or post any longer it would be Yours…and of course I know that you want her to be her…

              • Hi Dan – Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that you didn’t know about that… was mainly saying that toward others who were critical of her English skills.

          • I’m sure Thomad didn’t mean to insult Feyma. I’m sure Thomad’s basically a decent person.

  26. Congratulations to you and your family on your new home.
    Was it difficult getting Power, Water and Internet services up and running easily?

    I also like the quiet life, but I’m quite a way outside of Davao, but as I have found the penalty is now suffer from poor internet and cell phone coverage! I need to get a signal booster and Aerial I think.

    I received some somber news today and its caused me to rethink about wanting Justice or letting sleeping dogs lye. I was just told by my wife that her Aunt was killed yesterday. She had recently been in court to testify against her (presumed) husband’s murderer, but the accused was acquitted (not got all the details). Maybe the two events are unrelated and maybe its better to turn the other cheek, as my wife says to me frequently.

    • Hi Paul – We have not moved in yet, the move in in progress. So, as of now, we have not gotten Internet up and running there. But, with Smart Bro, or Globe Tattoo, those are portable anyway, so making the move is very easy. I am also currently working on getting a DSL connection at the new house.

      Very sorry to hear about your wife’s aunt! That’s terrible!

  28. Hi Bob, your new crib looks good. Congrats and wishing you a smooth transition. Eager to see the “New and Improved BBQ Grill ” plans.

    Mars

  30. BTW, Bob I’m sending you a link for the Johnsonville Big Taste Grill….but I don’t think it will fit in your driveway. I saw this traveling grill @ the Armed Forces Open House few years back and it could grill hundreds if not thousand of sausages, chicken, etc. Hey you can drive all over Mindanao with this thing!

    Mars

    http://www.bigtastegrill.com

      • Well, you know, Bob, if the whole Internet entrepreneur thing doesn’t work out, you can always get one of those shipped to the Philippines and that could be your new business!

        • I’m thinking the shipping price might be a bit high… let’s see, I could get P5 for a stick of pork BBQ. Divide that by…… oh, I think I’d be barbecuing for years to just pay the interest! 😯

          • Hi Bob, you can save on lodging, too. That monstrosity of a grill I believe has room for the crew….a self-sustaining portable grill. Would any ferry carry that semi for island to island touring? When I went on it, it has this walkway from the rear to the front of the truck!

            Mars

  33. Bob and Feyma: Hope you enjoy your new abode. Feyma your english is fine with me.

    The best of good wishes: Roberto

  36. Looks like a nice place, i hope you have enjoyable family times there, however you will have to build you another Mindanao Bob Grill (lol)
    God Bless

  38. Very nice looking house Bob. Hope you and the family will be very happy there for many years to come. Feyma must be quite the negotiator to get a 3 year lease, I couldn’t get a 2 year lease in the states.

  39. Very nice looking house Bob. Hope you and the family will be very happy there for many years to come. Feyma must be quite the negotiator to get a 3 year lease, I couldn’t get a 2 year lease in the states.

  42. Hi Bob and Feyma
    Let me and Jenny just add our congratulations on your new home. You are moving on November 15th, our 21st wedding anniversary!
    Best of luck for the future
    Malcolm and Jenny ( UK)

  47. It MAY take some shopping around to find an owner who respects the Golden Rule, “He who has the gold makes the rules”. HOWEVER, I have a five year lease, rent is fixed in American dollars, and NO RENT INCREASES for the life of the lease.

    The Peso dropped from 48-1 to 43-1. My rent in dollars is still the same, as it will be if the Peso jumps to 55-1.

    Living on a fixed income, it is wise to “fix” your fixable expenses.

  49. I couldn’t agree more, Mike! I was negotiating on another house and had agreed on a fixed US dollar price, but he still insisted on an annual increase, so I walked!

  52. I see your Neighbor starting to creep up? If your familiar with the game “Plants and zombies”. Imagine your neighbors as zombies attacking your house and your vulnerable. Try planting some plants in your back yard or outside your house. You never know you can’t hear their noise anymore because there already busy eating your plants and fruits… just kidding Bob… ^_^… I like your house and it’s kinda spacious?

  54. Nice place Bob……As I get older the need to climb stairs gets less and less….if I were ever to buy here it would definitely be a one level. Look forward to your opinion on renting vs buying….I am in the renting camp, but I understand why some want to build or buy.

    On a side note……I have no hard time reading and understanding Feyma…..When someone apologizes for their English I just tell them ….Your English is WAY better than my Cebuano!
    Joy can speak English very well, and knows a few dialects that I will never master. I know I provide a few laughs when I try my Cebuano on people.

    Have a great day!!

    • Hi Greg – Like you, I prefer a single level, it is just more comfortable for me. It can be hard to find a single level here, but if you find one, it’s a good thing in my book!

    • Hi Merdy! Thanks, I like the color too! You know what… I thought we were going to be neighbors, but I just found out from Feyma that you guys moved to another part of town! Shucks! I was looking forward to seeing you again!

      • yes Bob from fuente de villa abrille in tulip we moved to nova tierra last sept 10 coz we opened a showroom/office along km 8 lanang just outside the village and very convenient for us to visit anytime. Actually that house in Nova Tierra is our former office/residence for the past 4yrs but this time we have to move to a commercial area to have a showroom to invite more walk-in customer. So nova tierra is plainly our residence now with 4BR+2TB in fact the owner is selling it at php2.6M (270sqm) price is quite high for us 🙁

  57. Bob, Congrats and best wishes to you and your family. The house looks very nice and I hope you can find your peace and quite there. Thanks for all you do Bob, I enjoy reading your blog on a regular basis.

  58. Hi Karl – No, we rent. For me P30k is reasonable, but it depends on where you are. For a place like Davao, Cebu or Manila, I would consider 30k reasonable.

  59. Hi Bob,

    Congrats on your new home! It has been a while since I last commented on your website, my situation here has been very hectic. I must tell you something though, your new home looks very familiar to me and when you said that it has a loft, it kinda confirmed my suspicion. I also calculated the 15 years you said as the age of the house and I think my suspicion is right. I know that house. But, do not worry Bob, I will not disclose location or any information that might make you feel security risk. I am happy that you are living in my city and I wish many more like you will come to Davao City. I also like the promotion that you are doing for the Philippines, particularly Davao City. If I am right though, that house was built by my civil engineer friend (administered the construction), and I tell you, that house has a very solid foundation. I have seen a lot of concrete houses built from the ground up, there, but I have never seen another one built with a foundation like that. If I remember it right, the master bedroom’s flooring are wood tiles. The paint is “automotive” finish. That house was built very well and I hope everything in it is still in good order. Again, congratulations and enjoy your new home.

    • Hi Lito – It sounds to me like you have the same home in mind as where we live! The Master Bedroom, indeed has a wood parquet floor, and it has sliding doors that open into another large room, which is my office. It’s a really nice home, and in a nice part of town!

  61. Why don’t you buy your own house in installment bob? paying 40,000 a month is a huge awful lot. Rather you could easily get one in installment too. What neighbor problem were you facing?