Investing in Philippine Real Estate: Lessons from Makati, Quezon City, and Baguio
What does investing in Philippine real estate really teach you? Beyond market fundamentals and growth projections in Makati, Quezon City, and Baguio, the real lessons lie in conviction, clarity, and disciplined decision-making. This firsthand account explores condo investment in Makati, forfeiting a deposit in Quezon City, and stalled property negotiations in Baguio — revealing how overseas investors can balance ROI with emotional intelligence, risk management, and long-term vision.
by Richard Valdez - www.RichardValdezRE.com
Investing in Philippine real estate taught me more than market timing, ROI, and property selection. From confidently reserving a condo in Makati, to losing a deposit in Quezon City, to navigating stalled opportunities in Baguio, each experience reshaped how I evaluate risk, alignment, and long-term vision.
This wasn’t just about buying property in the Philippines.
It was about discipline, clarity, and knowing when to move forward — and when to walk away.
Makati Condo Investment: When Certainty Is Clear
When I made my condo reservation in Makati, there were no second thoughts.
I had done the research. Studied the market fundamentals. Evaluated location, positioning, and long-term value. But when it came time to commit, the decision felt settled.
Not rushed. Not emotional. Just aligned.
That distinction matters in real estate investing. There’s a difference between excitement and conviction. Makati felt like conviction.
For investors — especially overseas buyers — that kind of clarity is rare. And when you feel it, you respect it.
Makati became my anchor decision.
Quezon City Real Estate: Losing a Deposit, Gaining Clarity
Quezon City looked promising on paper. Growth potential. Expanding infrastructure. Attractive positioning within Metro Manila.
I paid the reservation fees believing it was the right next move.
But after stepping back and reviewing the bigger picture, something didn’t sit right. The numbers worked — but the alignment didn’t.
Backing out meant forfeiting my deposit.
Financially, it wasn’t catastrophic. But psychologically, it was humbling.
No investor enjoys losing money — even a small amount. It feels like miscalculation. It feels like retreat.
But here’s the reality: sometimes you don’t lose money. You pay for clarity.
Walking away from that Quezon City reservation sharpened my discipline. It reminded me that alignment matters more than momentum. And the relief I felt after making that decision confirmed it was the right one.
In investing, relief is data.
Baguio Real Estate Challenges: Vision vs. Viability
Baguio represented something different — lifestyle, long-term legacy, cooler climate, a slower pace.
But unlike Makati, nothing in Baguio moved cleanly.
Negotiations slowed. Details grew complicated. Commitments shifted. Communication thinned. Deals that looked promising stalled repeatedly.
There was no dramatic collapse. Just consistent friction.
And friction in real estate is rarely accidental.
Baguio taught me to separate vision from viability. Just because something feels inspiring doesn’t mean it’s structurally sound.
Time, energy, and attention are investments too. And Baguio required more of those than the return justified.
That realization alone was worth the experience.
The Emotional Reality of Investing in the Philippines
From the outside, this journey looks practical:
One confident reservation in Makati.
One forfeited deposit in Quezon City.
Several stalled opportunities in Baguio.
But emotionally, it was layered.
Confidence.
Doubt.
Humility.
Relief.
Ten thousand joys. Ten thousand sorrows.
Not dramatic failures. Not headline wins. Just real-time decisions that required restraint, honesty, and self-awareness.
And that’s where equanimity became practical — not philosophical.
Calm when negotiations stalled.
Even when plans shifted.
Acceptance when money couldn’t be recovered.
Nonattachment when deals didn’t align.
Those aren’t spiritual ideals. They’re investor survival skills.
The Bigger Lesson About Overseas Property Investment
Investing in Philippine property as someone with global exposure adds another layer. You’re not just evaluating a market — you’re evaluating your relationship to it.
Makati gave me certainty.
Quezon City gave me clarity.
Baguio gave me humility.
Each city refined my instincts.
And eventually, the urgency faded. I stopped chasing the “next” opportunity to validate the last one. I stopped equating acquisition with progress.
That shift changed everything.
Coming Home After the Search
My search is over.
Not because there are no more deals worth analyzing.
Not because the Philippine real estate market lacks opportunity.
But because I found steadiness in the process.
My husband, my dogs, and I are coming home.
Not to prove a strategy.
Not to redeem a loss.
Not to chase momentum.
Just grounded.
Ten thousand joys. Ten thousand sorrows.
And finally — balance.