Why OFWs Lose Money When Sellers Know Their Identity — And How to Protect Yourself
by Richard Valdez - www.RichardValdezRe.com
I lie awake at night sometimes, not out of fear, but out of clarity.
Planning ahead felt responsible—necessary, even. We thought that finding our forever parcel in Baguio City would be simple. But I learned quickly that in Philippine real estate, the danger isn’t always in the land itself… it’s in the details no one talks about.
Buenos Aires, subdivision in Baguio City taught us that. We invested in the topographic and soil studies—did everything the right way. But the biggest risk wasn’t the ground we tested. It was the undeveloped lot across from it, full of unknowns no study can prepare you for. When our offer wasn’t accepted, I didn’t feel disappointment; I felt relief.
Sometimes, the universe spares you from what you don’t yet see.
We have five years before retiring to Baguio City, and after decades managing global projects for LVMH and Bank of America, I thought I knew every rule in the book. But Philippine real estate has its own rulebook… and I learned the most important rule the hard way:
You never tell sellers who you are.
Not that you’re an OFW.
Not that you’re buying from abroad.
Not that you’re paying cash.
Identity becomes leverage. And leverage becomes someone else’s weapon.
To my fellow OFWs buying property back home: the moment a seller finds out the buyer is from abroad, the price grows legs—and runs.
On one property, the seller demanded a net sale—every fee, every tax, every peso on me.
On the next, despite having an unresolved encroachment issue, they still asked for more after our full cash offer.
We offered full asking price on both—with a smooth 30–60 day close. Both came back with higher counteroffers.
So yes, I walked away. Because when I agree to your God-given price, that’s the deal. And if you want more after that… you lose me.
But here’s what keeps me grounded:
despite the setbacks, my husband—and our four dogs—know one thing with absolute certainty: we don’t fold. We don’t break. And we don’t chase anything not meant for us.
The right property will come.
We will build our home.
Our home.
It’s our dream. It’s happening.
And I know it.
If you’re an OFW, a Filipino abroad, or someone searching for real estate guidance you can trust, visit my site:
Here, I share real strategies, real insights, and the truth behind buying property—without the sugarcoating.
Because every Filipino deserves to come home to something real. - Richard
