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Showing posts from August, 2018

What to Consider Before Buying a Rental Property in Davao City

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Buying a rental property in Davao City can just be the realization of a dream investment. This is because it virtually creates a passive income as it requires minimum effort from the investor to get the return on his investment. So what are the things that should be considered prior to purchasing a rental property in Davao? After evaluating one’s personal finances and capability to purchase a property, a prospective buyer should also keep some things in mind in relation to investing on a rental property. TheBalance.com mentioned in one of its published posts that prospective investors should take into consideration the expenses owning a rental property entails. “You can break property expenses into both fixed and variable expenses. Fixed Expenses – You will have recurring expenses such as annual property taxes, insurance, routine maintenance and repair items, and the cost of any property management services. Variable Expenses – Don’t forget to set aside funds for major unplanned ex...

Best Marriage Proposal Spots in Davao

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Marriage Proposals are now taken to a higher level with the advent of TV shows, social media, and amazing wedding videos that now include the surprise proposal. Fortunately for hopeful grooms who are planning to execute their Marriage Proposal in the city, Davao is home to many breathtaking spots to wow the future fiancĂ©e. Start with Jack’s Ridge which offers overlooking views of the city. Just choose a spot and presto, this great destination will be one of the best backdrops to have. According to its website, the place where Jack’s Ridge is nestled is a historical spot that dates to the Japanese era. “The land on which Jack’s Ridge now stand once formed part of the headquarters of the retreating Japanese forces towards the end of the World War II. The Americans had landed in Davao on May 1, 1945, forcing the Japanese to beat a path to Matina Hills where they had a commanding view of the Davao Gulf where the American ships were anchored.” Nature Inspired Proposal A Nature Loving ...

Factors to Consider When Buying a Land for Investment

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Buying a farm land can be a good investment, especially for those who are inclined to start a business involving agriculture. For some families who want a lifestyle change, a farm property can also help in slowing that pace, and at the same time teach their family old world values. But what should buyers consider when purchasing a farmland property? Illustrado Life Magazine came up with an article hoping to guide Overseas Filipino Workers who are planning to buy a farm property back home. In that article they mentioned several considerations the prospective buyer should check prior to pushing through with the deal. “I cannot over-emphasize the need to investigate with the Registrar of Deeds that the Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) is clean and that it really corresponds to the property that was shown to you. Generally, for agricultural lands, TCTs still need to be secured as most these types of properties are covered by just tax declarations issued by the local government unit...

Where to Take Instagram-Worthy Pictures in Davao

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In this day and age of social media, taking pictures worth sharing online will always be a pleasure that will come with a vacation. It is great to know that when visiting Davao City, there are a lot of Instagram-worthy spots for those selfie or group poses to share. First off is the Crocodile Park ! Take photos with the reptile exhibits in the backdrop, and most people will know that you are in Davao without even putting it in the caption. And while in the Crocodile Park, why not eat at their restaurant to eat exotic crocodile meat! Take a quick video of that food trip and surely, it is an exciting clip to share. Durian as Backdrop Nothing like having a photo with the King of Fruits on it to say that you are in Davao. One of the best places to take that shot or shoot that great video clip is in Magsaysay Park where there are stalls upon stalls of Durian stores. Eat right there too to get that perfect “enjoying the durian moment” shot. Samal Island Nothing says better than “Life i...

How to Increase your House’s Curb Appeal

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As most real estate professionals say, the curb lends a major first impression on any house that is up for sale in Davao. For this reason, it is important that homeowners be conscious of how their real estate property looks from the curbside. The home exterior, after all is the first thing a buyer sees. TodaysHomeowner.com says adding a bit of fresh features in the home’s frontage can instantly raise a real estate property’s curb appeal. “If it’s in the budget, hit up a local home and garden store to find some simple products to enhance existing elements. Maybe it’s a new mailbox, trendy yard decor, or even a shiny new fixture for the front door. You can also add a couple pieces of furniture to create a more welcoming atmosphere to the front porch. Consider a visit to second-hand shops or garage sales.” Improvements on the Landscaping Improving landscaping will always be on top of the list of ways to add to a home’s curb appeal. HouseLogic.com says a neater yard, as well as a spla...

Where to Buy Pasalubong in Davao City

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Pasalubong will always be part of the Filipino culture. When one visits a new place, he does not forget those whom he left behind back home and bring gifts for them. When visiting Davao, know that there are many places to find pasalubong fare – both edible and non-edible to bring back home to family and friends. Magsaysay Park for instance is home to fruit stalls that sell tropical and exotic fruits natove to Davao and the rest of Mindanao. Buy boxes upon boxes of Pomelo that are airline check-in friendly. By Durian by the box, or conveniently packaged frozen ones that are ready to be packed for your check-in luggage. Buy mangosteen by the kilo, and Marang by piece, plus bunches upon bunches of Lanzones in this area. The whole family will surely be delighted with these yummy and healthy finds! Check out the Rise of Davao City . Local Finds Head to Aldevinco Arcade to shop for Pearls, Malong, locally-designed artisanal Batik, beaded accessories and more. The good thing about this ...

Home Remodeling Projects that Increase a House’s Value

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Home renovation projects definitely raise the value of a real estate property. There however are areas that outweigh the other portions of the home in terms of elevating the value of the whole property. Time.com for instance shared that spending to change the color scheme of a home, will definitely cash in some returns. The fresh coat of paint apparently helps entice the prospective buyer to purchase the property. “More than two-thirds of real estate agents recommend repainting the inside of your home before putting it on the market, according to a 2017 survey by home-renovation website Houzz . Other studies have shown a fresh coat in the right shade can add thousands to your sale price. In recent years, neutral tones like gray, beige, and “greige,” a mix of the two, have been popular, according to the National Association of Home Builders .” Check out the rest of their recommended house renovation projects in their post here . Renovating the Bathroom Bathroom renovations also hel...

Cheap Eats in Davao City

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Davao City may be home to the best restaurants, and even luxurious buffets and fine dining places, but the city also boasts of cheap eats. The locals will always be the best guide in eating through the best and the most affordable gastronomic gems Davao has to offer. Roxas Avenue is home to the yummiest and cheapest food finds in Davao. Grilled food and meat barbecue are aplenty in this famous street, plus of course street food grubs, drinks, and native desserts galore. Come evening, the Roxas Night Market transforms into a busier foodie avenue enjoyed by people of all ages and pocket sizes. P50.00 to P100.00 would be enough to fill tummies in this food stop. Wet Market Finds Any huge and decent wet market will always have a long-running food stall locals keep coming back to. In Agdao Public Market it is at Baby Puto. One can have their tummy filled with less than P50.00 be it kakanin, pancit or the usual carinderia merienda fare. Seafood Fare Seafood will always be thought of ...

How to Stage Your House for Sale – Sell Your Home Quicker

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Staging a house for sale has become an essential aspect of selling a real estate property. After all, it is like putting one’s best foot forward as the house will be at its best when prospective buyers take a look at it. The National Association of Realtors has said that Home Staging helps a lot in expediting the sale of a property. “ According to a report from the National Association of REALTORS®, 62 percent of seller’s agents say that staging a home will decrease the amount of time it spends on the market. Buyers also need to be able to picture themselves living in a house, and 77 percent of buyer’s agents say that staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize a house as their future home.” Read the rest of the report here . What is House Staging? In their official website, Washington Based Realtors advocated house staging as both the seller and the buyer get to benefit from the exercise. The seller can easily attract a prospective buyer, and the buyer on the other hand can ...

Best Tourist Spots for Kids in Davao

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Davao is one city that offers wholesome family bonding experience with the many kid-friendly tourist spots that dot the city. So when in Davao with kids in tow, know that children will never get bored because of the many attractions the city has to offer. Top of mind destination for children is the Crocodile Park in Maa. The park gives children and their families a closer glimpse of Philippine Crocodiles, as well as saltwater crocodiles. The park also has other attractions such as a Koi Fish Feeding Show and an exhibit of a Tiger climbing for food. In their official website, The Crocodile Park emphasized that their main objective is to help the public appreciate nature and wildlife even more, such that they will help conserve the environment. “The Davao Crocodile Park is an establishment that showcases a ‘state of the art ’ crocodile farming system in the Philippines. It has the most recent crocodile farm design equipped with modern facilities and equipment. The presence of other ex...

Buying a Beach Property 101

Top Seafood Restaurants in Davao

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Eating seafood in Davao will be one of the best decisions a tourist will make when in the city. This is because Davao is home to the freshest and yummiest seafood prepared by only the best Davaoeno chefs and cooks. Blue Post Boiling Crabs and Shrimps is one restaurant that will leave any customer filled to the brim. Their seafood-in-a-bag cum boodle fight theme makes their patrons coming back for more. This restaurant was even featured in ABS-CBNNews.com  as one of the best local restaurants tourists should try. “Davao has a number of crab restaurants, with several of them competing to be proclaimed the city’s best. One restaurant that can definitely aspire for this title is this unassuming restaurant. In fact, many have already judged it as their favorite in Davao. While seafood boil restaurants are now sprouting in Manila as well, Blue Post is hard to beat.” Homegrown Family Favorite Yellow Fin Tuna Restaurant is a classic favorite among seafood-loving Davaoenos. This home-...

How to Quickly Sell your House

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There are instances when a homeowner would have to sell their home quickly. It could either be due to a need to transfer house location because of work, financial considerations, or some life event that would prompt a quick move. But as most people know selling a house quickly is not that easy, unless the house will be sold at a price lower than what the seller intends it to be. Fortunately there are several ways to expedite the sale of a residential property. Realtor.com for instance came up with a write-up on the best way to sell a home quickly. Topping their list is selling the home at a conservative price. They explained that selling it a tad lower than its perceived market value can invite more prospective buyers into purchasing the property. In addition, they mentioned that giving such an offer a time limit, may even encourage more to draw up offers to buy the residential property. “You can make this clear in your listing by saying you will be accepting offers only until ...

Best Local Coffee Shops in Davao

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Coffee lovers will; surely have their caffeine cravings filled when travelling in Davao City. This is because Davao is home to a good number of local and artisan cafĂ© that serves great tasting brews. Blugre CafĂ© is one of the must-try coffee shops in the city, as it is homegrown and has been loved by its locals. One of the top of mind recommendations of locals in Blugre CafĂ©’s menu is its Durian Cappuccino. Truly a great after-meal coffee for any durian lover. In its official website, Blugre CafĂ©  recounted how it started in the local industry and what made them famous. “Established in June 1998, BlugrĂ©’s claim to fame is its signature drink, the Durian Coffeccino, a hot cappuccino concoction that wonderfully blends espresso and the durian fruit. It is dubbed as the “The King of All Coffee’s” (Durian being the king of All Fruits.)” Brew with a view Karlo’s Gourmet and Coffee is a restaurant that offers specialty coffees in one of Davao’s famous tourist spots – Jack’s Ridge. S...

What to Consider Before Buying a House in Davao City

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Buying a new house is an exciting and nerve-wracking milestone in a person’s life. First it definitely comes with a lot of considerations, and second, it has a long term effect on finances, environment, and generally the lifestyle of the property owner. This is the reason why buying a house is a very crucial decision to make. Financially-wise, the buyer must be prepared to pay for the down payment, the mortgage, the closing expenses, as well as the home maintenance among other expenses that come with owning a home. It is a financial responsibility that should never be taken lightly, lest the consequences can be so huge it can even affect a person psychologically. Future Plans Forbes.com for instance reminded those who are in the market to buy a new property in Davao City to also consider their future plans prior to inking their purchase contract. “Before you agree to buy what you think might be your dream house, consider your long-term plans. Are you planning on staying at your cur...

Where to Eat the Best Durian Desserts in Davao

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Durian is probably the most famous fruit in and around Davao City. In fact, most local restaurants and coffee shops have their own version of a Durian-based dessert that keeps their patrons coming back for more. Durian Ice Cream for instance is one of the must-try desserts in Davao. This is because while durian flavored ice cream are already being sold by mainstream ice cream manufacturers, the local artisan-produced dessert has a stronger, richer, creamier and more authentic flavor. Places to try Durian ice cream is at Gioardino Gelato, Crocodile Ice Cream Shop, and at the Creamery CafĂ©. Durian-Based Pastries For Pie-Lovers, Durian Pie is also among the many Durian-based desserts being offered in local restaurants in Davao City. Sagay Ilonggo Restaurant inside Casa Leticia has one of the most sought after Durian Based Pies in the City. What makes patrons coming back for this pie is its authentic taste as if one is eating durian flesh in a pie crust. Cecil’s Bakeshoppe also offers o...

How a Kitchen Renovation Increases the Value of a Real Estate Property

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For most families, the kitchen is the heart of the home. This is why a working kitchen that is clean and fully organized will always be attractive to prospective buyers for a real estate property. For this reason, older homes with a renovated kitchen will always have a higher property value than a home of the same age that has yet to have a remodeled kitchen. Personal Finance website DaveRamsey.com explains why an upgraded kitchen raises the value of a residential property. “It’s no shock that buyers are willing to pay more for high-end finishes and thoughtful upgrades. According to a recent survey, 80% of homebuyers placed the kitchen in their list of top three most important spaces. And of buyers who bought homes without certain features, 69% of those surveyed said they would have paid more for new appliances and 55% said they would have paid more for granite counters.” The continuation of the explanation can be found here . Caution in the Renovation The increase in real estate ...

Best Fruits to Buy When in Davao City

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Davao City is synonymous to Durian simply because most people will claim that the best Durian in the country grows in the province. Moreover, Durian is cheaper in Davao than most metropolitan areas in the Philippines, hence visitors who love durian bring it home for “pasalubong.” Durian may be pungent and weird looking but it comes with a list of health benefits. Mercola Food Facts wrote about the many nutritional benefits of Durian Fruit. “It offers phytonutrients, water, protein, and beneficial fats. While very low in cholesterol and sodium, it is rich in dietary fiber and is a good source of antioxidant vitamin C, which helps scavenge harmful free radicals and assists in your body’s resistance against infection. Durian is also considered an excellent source of B vitamins, including niacin, riboflavin, B5, B6, and thiamin.” Read about all of the benefits from the original article here . Apart from Durian, Davao is also rich in the supply of other tropical fruits. These fruits can...