Condotel investments are the only way forward in the Philippine property market

Philippines (SANEPR.com) November 4, 2008 -- The Philippines could offer a safe haven for property investors looking to escape the effects of the credit crunch according to Beth Collingz, PLC International Marketing Networks’ Sales Director for the Lancaster Brand of Condotel Investments in the Philippines, with the country's capital, Manila, particularly well placed to ride out any global downturn in property values.

'Based on other Asian capitals, now established markets like Bangkok, and those that began their growth cycles before Manila, like Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 25 per cent annual capital appreciation is easily achievable for Manila,' she said.

Collingz added that while the country has relatively high rates of capital gains tax for foreign nationals whom are non-resident investors, she is confident that those investing in Manila should double their money in four years, even after deductions.

There is also a high level of activity in the country's mortgage market, which indicates the confidence that people have in the property market, she concluded.

Asia as a whole is predicted by analysts to be the world region most likely to see continued and strong growth throughout the turmoil endured by the global economic infrastructure, but the Philippines is even exceptional for being within Asia despite construction costs seen to increase by more than 35% this year due to record oil, steel and cement and global shipping price rises on the back of US Dollar devaluation.

Nearly all construction materials used in the development of Philippine high-rise buildings are imported. With the strong depreciation of the US Dollar value in the South-East Asia combined with record high oil prices that may see crude hit 150/160 USD per barrel in July and August 2008, construction materials exported from China, Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan, together with their shipping costs, continue to increase in price at a phenomenal rate as exporters of steel reinforcement bars, electrical wirings, aluminum, copper based components and Portland cement in the region set upwards of 40/50% price increases.

Anyone considering Philippine Real Estate Investments should move now and lock in at current price levels said Collingz who’s Lancaster Condo Hotel brand offer the security of International Standards of Trust Account Escrow Banking facilities for all buyers’ payments. We are looking at another round of 10% price increases within the next 30 days [effective July 16, 2008"> on all our inventories of Condo Hotel units at both Lancaster Suites and Lancaster - The Atrium Manila. Buyers whom reserve now can take advantage of current prices locked in for their units and see an immediate equity return on their investment.

Lancaster Suites Tower I unit owners have seen their original investments increase by 120% over 4 years and Collingz projects the same rapid appreciation for Tower II unit buyers.

Lancaster Manila Atrium Tower A, Shaw Boulevard, Metro Manila, Philippines is a "Full Service" Condominium Hotel ["Condotel""> offering Studio, One, Two and Three Bedroom Suites for sale on up to 12 year ‘In-House’ developer extended no pre-qualification payment terms available to non-resident foreign nationals and investors with the option of enrolling their units in the Lancaster Condo Hotel Rental Pool and earn Rental Incomes when not using their units through our own Lancaster Hotels Condo Management. This makes Lancaster Suites Manila, one of the Hottest Investment Opportunities in the Philippines said Collingz.