Real Estate in Cebu, Philippines

"One of the best ways to find a place to live in Cebu is to search online for rental listings. There are many websites that offer listings for apartments, houses, and other types of rental properties in Cebu. Additionally, you can search for rental listings in local newspapers and classifieds. You can also ask friends and family who live in Cebu for recommendations. Finally, you can visit the area in person and look for rental signs posted in the neighborhood," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Cebu.

"Expat homes and apartments in Cebu are typically modern and comfortable. They often feature air conditioning, high-speed internet, and other amenities. Many expats choose to live in gated communities, which offer additional security and access to amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, and playgrounds. Expat homes and apartments in Cebu are typically located in the city center or in the suburbs, providing easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment," said one person in Cebu.

"I don't know any other expand personally so I can't say what's "typical", but I can tell you about my home and others no found whole looking for it. I have a 3 bedroom, 2 bath townhouse in Mactan (near deny city). It came fully furnished for $460 per month. This was a good deal, better than most, but not incredible. Most homes here have showers rather than bathtubs. They do not have big tank water heaters like in the US. The only hot water is in the shower, and so there's a small water heater in the bathroom. Kitchen and bathroom sinks are cold water only. Homes are typically smaller than in the US. A one bedroom apartment is usually 500 square feet or so. 1000 square feet is considered a big place and you'll pay extra for it. Refrigerator is just like US, though typically smaller. Common to have a microwave. If it doesn't come with the place, you can buy one easily enough. Stove s are usually gas. But they don't pipe gas in like in the US. You have a big tank under the counter and when it runs out you call a gas company to refill it. Oh, you don't drink the tap water. It isn't filtered and processed here like in the US. Tap water is for washing. Drink bottled water. Most middle class and upper homes have a water dispenser with a big jug. Like offices used to have in the US. Ours has a hot water dispenser, it heats a cup or two of water at a time, which is really handy for tea or instant coffee. Internet is readily available. I'm paying $35 per month for 200 mbps. That's roughly typical in the cities," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Cebu.

"The cost of housing in Cebu varies depending on the location and type of property. Generally, the cost of renting an apartment or house in Cebu is relatively affordable compared to other cities in the Philippines. Prices for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can range from around 8,000 to 15,000 Philippine Pesos per month, while outside the city center prices can be as low as 5,000 Philippine Pesos per month," said one person in Cebu.

"I haven't done a study to find the average. But for anecdotal evidence: My wife and I looked for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment. (3 bedrooms so we'd have one for us, one for the housekeeper, and a guest room. 2 baths so if someone is taking a shower and you have to go, you're not left hopping on one foot until they get out.) Prices we found for such a place were around 20k to 50k pesos per month. Obviously depending on how nice it is, location, etc. We settle on a place for P23k with AC in every room, fully furnished, in a gated community with 24 hour guards. I think that was a good deal, but not a jump up and down and shout great deal. If you're a single person looking for 1 bedroom, or if you'll take a place that isn't furnished, you can pay less. If you want something big and fancy with a pool and a private garden, expect to pay more. Places farther from city center are cheaper -- my wife wanted someplace close to malls etc, so we're in the middle of Mactan. I've heard of expats getting 1 BR apartments for under P10k -- I think that's doable. Housing prices in the Philippines seem to vary widely. Two very similar places could have very different prices. I see much more range in price here than I saw in the US. So it can make a huge difference if you take time to shop around. Two things to consider: 1. Filipino apartments are often very small. If you're looking at on-line listings, pay attention to the size of the apartment. One bedroom apartments are often like 25 sq meters. 100 sq meters is a big place by local standards. 2. Landlords often ask for 2 months rent for a security deposit and 2 months rent in advance. So you have to put down 4 months rent to move in. I come from the US where it's common for apartments to have "move in specials" where the first month is free and there's 1 month security deposit, so this was a real surprise to me. Make sure you have the cash to move in. Also, this is often negotiable. I suspect the high move in cost is more of an initial negotiating position than they really expect to get that, but I don't have enough experience to know. I came here from Michigan, which has a fairly low housing cost. A 2 BR apartment in my area was around $1000 - $1500 per month. If you're coming from New York City or Los Angeles, $3000 a month would probably sound like there must be something wrong with it that they're giving it away so cheap! Rents here are WAY lower than in the US," said one expat who made the move to Cebu.

"Buying a home in Cebu can be a great investment, as the city is a popular tourist destination and the real estate market is growing. However, it is important to consider the cost of living in Cebu, as well as the availability of rental properties. Renting a home in Cebu can be a great option for those who are not ready to commit to buying a home, as it allows for more flexibility and can be more cost-effective in the short-term. Ultimately, the decision to buy or rent a home in Cebu should be based on individual needs and preferences," explained one person living in Cebu, Philippines.

"I am renting with an eye on building something on leased land. It is made difficult, mostly by cheap available rents," said one expat in Cebu City.

"When buying property in Cebu, it is important to research the area and the property thoroughly. Make sure to check the zoning regulations and any restrictions that may apply to the property. It is also important to understand the local laws and regulations regarding property ownership and taxation. It is also important to hire a reputable lawyer to help with the legal aspects of the purchase. Additionally, it is important to obtain a survey of the property to ensure that it is accurately described and that all boundaries are properly marked. Finally, it is important to obtain a title search to ensure that the property is free of any liens or encumbrances," explained one foreigner living in Cebu, Philippines.

"Yes, foreigners are allowed to own property in Cebu. The Philippine Constitution allows foreign nationals to own real estate in the country, provided that the property is acquired through a Philippine-registered corporation. Foreigners are also allowed to lease land and property for up to 50 years, with the option to renew the lease for another 25 years. However, foreigners are not allowed to own land directly, as this is prohibited by the Philippine Constitution," said one person in Cebu.

"In a rental property in Cebu, tenants can typically expect to find a refrigerator, stove, oven, and washing machine. Other common appliances include a microwave, air conditioner, and water heater. Depending on the property, tenants may also find a dishwasher, clothes dryer, and other small appliances," said one foreigner living in Cebu, Philippines.

"Expats looking for homes in Cebu can search online for real estate listings, contact local real estate agents, or look for rental postings on expat forums. They can also ask friends and family who are already living in Cebu for advice and recommendations. Additionally, expats can attend open houses and viewings to get a better feel for the area and the types of homes available," said one in Cebu.