On Land, Legacy, and Listening to the Ground Beneath You

By Richard Valdez | San Francisco Realtor & Global Property Investor

Investing in Property Abroad: From San Francisco to Baguio City

San Francisco real estate has taught me that every parcel of land tells a story—one that deserves to be understood fully before any offer is made. That’s why, when I virtually toured a hillside lot in Buenos Aires, Dontogan, Baguio City, Philippines, I brought the same thoughtful lens I use when representing clients in San Francisco's competitive real estate market.

Touring Baguio Real Estate Virtually: A Zoom Call with High Stakes

Even though I wasn't physically present in Baguio, I explored the property via a Zoom video call with my Philippine-based architects and local real estate agent—joined by my husband and our four dogs watching from home. Through the screen, the views were breathtaking. But as a seasoned Realtor, I knew better than to rely solely on first impressions.

Due Diligence in International Real Estate: What Lies Beneath the Surface

Whether in San Francisco or the Philippines, one rule remains: never skip the due diligence. A geotechnical report revealed soluble limestone beneath the property—a red flag in Baguio, a city known for heavy rainfall. In my experience, you can’t build confidently on soil that may dissolve beneath you.

What Is Soluble Limestone, and Why Should Real Estate Buyers Care?

Soluble limestone can erode, creating dangerous voids beneath the ground. For hillside developments in areas like Baguio, this isn’t a small detail—it’s a structural game-changer.

Writing a Respectful, Data-Driven Offer on a Lot in Buenos Aires, Dontogan, Baguio City

The land was listed at ₱16,000 per square meter. After reviewing reports and calculating additional construction requirements, we submitted a fair offer of ₱13,000 per square meter. This wasn’t about negotiating for the sake of it—it was about ensuring safe and sustainable property development in Baguio City.

Smart Real Estate Offers Are Built on Facts, Not Just Feelings

My offer accounted for:

• Engineering upgrades

• Deeper, reinforced foundations

• Enhanced drainage infrastructure
  This wasn’t a lowball—it was an informed, responsible offer, backed by experience.

Zoning Laws Matter: R3 Development Impacts Property Value

The neighboring lot is zoned R3, meaning multi-story construction is permitted. This could affect natural light, noise, privacy, and long-term property value. It’s a reminder: always research adjacent zoning when investing in Philippine real estate or abroad.

Real Estate Without the Drama: Clarity, Commitment, and Integrity

We made it clear:
✅ We were ready to begin legal due diligence immediately
✅ Full payment could be released within 30 days
✅ No endless back-and-forth

As a Realtor, I value offers that feel like partnerships—not pressure tactics.

What San Francisco Real Estate Has Taught Me About Global Investment

The lessons I’ve learned in San Francisco real estate—about timing, transparency, and respect—served me well here. Real estate isn’t just about closing deals. It’s about starting the next chapter with confidence and clarity.

Final Thoughts: How to Approach International Real Estate Wisely

Before you make an offer—whether in Baguio City, the Bay Area, or anywhere in between—ask yourself:

• Have you researched the soil and infrastructure?

• Do you understand the zoning?

• Are you offering with respect and realism?

Because in this business, your principles are your brand.

Ready to Buy Property in San Francisco or the Philippines?

If you're looking to invest in San Francisco real estate, explore international property in the Philippines, or simply want a Realtor who puts thought into every offer, I invite you to connect.

👉 Visit www.RichardValdezRE.com
Let’s make sure your next real estate decision is built on solid ground.

Finding the Right Ground: Trusting Your Instinct When Buying Property in Baguio

by Richard Valdez - www.RichardValdezRE.com

Listening to What Life—and Real Estate—Teaches You

I’ve always believed that when things don’t go the way we hope, there’s a reason behind it. Life has a quiet way of redirecting us, even when the path feels uncertain. Sometimes, you just have to stop, look closer, and listen—to what’s not being said, to what’s waiting patiently to be revealed.

Buying property in Baguio feels a lot like that. Every lot has a story, every slope a whisper. And if you pay attention, you’ll learn that Baguio real estate—just like life—often speaks through intuition.

Every Lot Tells a Story

Even the most beautiful Baguio City homes require a discerning eye. The surface might look perfect, but the surrounding community, neighborhood trends, and local developments are just as important as the lot itself. For any serious Baguio property investment, these factors cannot be overlooked.

Trusting Your Gut When Buying Property in Baguio

In real estate, as in life, I’ve learned to trust my instincts. On paper, the lot in Buenos Aires, Dontogan, Baguio had its beauty—green slopes, crisp mountain air, and the promise of a view that could steal your breath.

But something about it didn’t sit right with me. The shadow of Chavit Singson’s large undeveloped property nearby lingered like an unanswered question—casting uncertainty over the neighborhood’s future and affecting potential long-term Baguio property values.

Shadows Over the Neighborhood

Even for a seasoned buyer or seller, a large undeveloped parcel nearby signals risk. In my experience, both in Baguio real estate and San Francisco property investment, the surrounding area often impacts not only your home’s value but also the lifestyle it affords.

Lessons from San Francisco: Neighborhoods That Endure

I’ve always believed in taking chances on up-and-coming areas—especially when the price per square meter makes sense. In San Francisco, I’ve seen neighborhoods rise, fall, and rise again. But the ones that endure, the ones that hold both spirit and value, are those with deep roots—established, steady, and grounded in a sense of belonging.

Up-and-Coming vs. Established Neighborhoods

For homebuyers in Baguio City or elsewhere, understanding the distinction between developing neighborhoods and well-established communities is key. Stability isn’t just a physical matter; it’s a reflection of the people, infrastructure, and local economy that surround the property.

Building a Home with a Strong Foundation—and a Strong Community

If I’m going to build a home in Baguio City, I want it to stand on more than just a solid foundation of concrete and steel. I want it to rise within a community that feels anchored—where every sunrise doesn’t just promise beauty but also security and connection.

Whether you’re making a Baguio property investment or purchasing your dream home, choosing the right neighborhood is just as important as the lot itself.

The Importance of Community in Home Buying

A home is more than walls and a roof. It’s the sense of belonging you feel when you step outside, the neighbors you can rely on, and the stability that allows your investment to grow. For anyone navigating the Baguio real estate market, community insight is invaluable.

A Realtor Who Listens—Even Across Borders

I’m not a licensed realtor in the Philippines, but I am a licensed realtor in San Francisco, California. And I’ve learned that buying or selling property anywhere starts with listening. Knowing what matters to my clients, understanding the nuances of the market, and trusting instinct over impulse—these are the lessons I bring to every transaction.

Encouragement for Home Buyers

As we continue our journey to find the right property to build our retirement home, I hope this reflection encourages others who are also searching for a place to call home—not to lose heart. Keep looking. The right property will come. And when it does, you’ll know. Not because it’s perfect, but because it feels like home.

Connect with Me for San Francisco Real Estate

For anyone seeking guidance or representation in San Francisco, CA real estate, I invite you to connect with me. Your home, your investment, and your peace of mind matter—and that’s exactly where I focus my experience.

— Richard Valdez

The Secret Beneath the Soil

by Richard Valdez - www.RichardValdezRE.com

The report showed limestone. Soluble limestone. And that changes everything.

Now, limestone is a peculiar kind of rock. Strong when you look at it, but when water meets it—especially water carrying a little acid, like the rain that falls endlessly in Baguio—it begins to dissolve. Slowly at first, then more over time. And in a place where rainfall can reach 3,000 millimeters a year, that’s no small matter.

When limestone dissolves, it doesn’t just disappear. It leaves behind cavities, gaps, and weak spots beneath the surface. The ground can shift, settle unevenly, or in rare cases, collapse altogether.

That’s the truth hidden underfoot.

The Risk of Building in Dontogan, Benguet, Baguio

If you’re thinking of building a three-story home in Baguio City, this is more than a detail—it’s a foundation risk.

• Soil subsidence can cause walls to crack.

• Drainage issues can accelerate limestone dissolution.

• The structure may tilt or shift in ways no homeowner ever wants to imagine.

How Engineers Build on Limestone

But let me be clear: this isn’t the end of the dream. Far from it. With the right engineers, solutions exist:

• Deep piles driven into stable ground.

• Mat foundations that spread the weight evenly.

• Grouting to fill cavities before they cause trouble.

• Drainage systems that guide Baguio’s rains away from the foundation.

With foresight, preparation, and investment, limestone’s challenge can be met.

For Property Sellers in Baguio

And this is where the story matters most for real estate in Baguio City. If you’re selling land in Dontogan or anywhere the soil hides soluble limestone, transparency is key. Buyers deserve to know the truth. The value of your property depends on what’s beneath it as much as the view above it.

A beautiful lot without a soil report can look like gold. But once the limestone is revealed, only honesty and clear communication can hold the deal together.

Final Thoughts

Walking that lot, I couldn’t help but think how life itself is like limestone. Solid on the outside, weathered by forces we can’t always see. And in time, the rains carve their way through.

If you’re planning to build in Baguio, or sell a piece of its land, remember this: the mountains don’t lie. The soil speaks. And the strongest homes—like the strongest lives—are the ones that prepare for the truths hidden beneath the surface.