The Glens at Parkspring- San Pedro

I started focusing on properties in San Pedro because I was beginning to realize that location, location, location was not enough.  We needed CONNECTION. Internet connection.

Somebody was giving out flyers for this property in San Pedro that was being developed by Filinvest Land.  We met up with the agent and scheduled a visit.

Even if the place was a bit more remote than our current location, the Glens seemed to be accessible since public transportation was available even if it was a bit difficult.  There were also a number of potential access roads to Manila and the Expressway via Daang Hari, San Pedro and Susana Heights Exits. We liked the model houses that were shown to us. The place was very cool and windy.  I fell in love with the 2-storey 3 bedroom model house and it was within the upper-level of our budget. Association dues were PhP2 per square meter per month which includes grass cutting, shuttle service to Alabang and security.  Compared to how the turnover unit of Carmona Estates, their units are designed to be truly ready for occupancy.

One marketing ploy designed to make people buy the property immediately is anticipated price increase.  We were told that we had to make a reservation by the second week of February because the rates will go  up by 8% after that.

One the night before we scheduled the trip to the developer's office to make a reservation, I decided to check the internet again for anything about the Glens.  I found something that I did not like at Journal.com.ph and from DZRH interactive.

Carmona Estates: a faraway dream

So I started googling for houses.  I found Carmona Estates.

I got all excited because I could see our family living in a house that looked like this.  It had 4 bedrooms, 2tb and best of all, it was well within our budget.  I did not have any idea about where the kids will go to school or how hard the change in commute will be but I felt energized by the idea of my own house.

But I thought it best to check if there was already an existing community there.  I wouldn't want to be the only homeowner in that subdivision.  When I started checking out the forums, I was dumbfounded.

3 basic considerations in buying a house

We started talking about some search criteria.  Here they are:

1. Our rule of thumb for location is dependent on distance from our families: not too close and not too far.  You see almost all our relatives live in the same community so it´s basically one reference point.  The location should not be within walking distance but also should not take more than a 15-minute drive.  Anyone who is married long enough will understand this.  :)  So our options were properties in San Pedro, Binan, Sta. Rosa and Carmona.

2. Accessibility.  My husband and I both have jobs far from where we are living right now.  Our new home should not add more travel time and expenses.  We also had to consider access to good schools and hospitals.

3. Price. We first took a ballpark figure for how much we can dream of spending to buy and house and how to get the money.  Something between 2-3 million for starters.  We wanted a 3-bedroom two-storey house with two toilet-and-bath rooms. I also made a list of our monthly expenses and started looking at where we can get more savings.  I also started thinking about other ways to earn more money.  Like blogging :)

Here is one extra consideration that, much as we hate to admit it, has become very important to us: INTERNET ACCESS.  Not just internet access but fast internet access.

Who would've thought that this would be difficult?

Our story

My husband and I have been married for almost five years now.  We have two daughters with ages 1 and 3.  Based on our combined income, we can be considered part of the middle class.

We have been living in my in-lawś house since we got married.  My in-laws work in the Middle East and go home only during the December holidays so it works out just fine for us. 


However, my in-laws are retiring soon so my husband and I decided that we have to move out of the house as soon as possible.  Why? Let the bible verse Mark 10: 5-9 be enough explanation. :)


So begins our journey dealing with the ardous project of acquiring one of the most high-involvement purchases couple will have to face: buying a house.


God help us.