Tag Archives: urban

Big turnout at Complex property valuation seminar in Cebu

Appraiser Agosto, lectures on Complex Property Valuation-Valuation Masterclass II. The seminar workshop, held in Castlepeak Hotel in Cebu City,  was organized by PAREB Cebu Real Estate Board.

The seminar participants reached to more than 80 real estate practitioners, including real estate appraiser and brokers not only from Cebu but also from Negros, Cagayan de Oro and Leyte.”I was stunned by the turnout of participants”, Gus told the organizers of the seminar. “It just showed that practitioners values the seminar”.

In the 2-day lecture, participants learned from different case studies actual application of solving appraisal problems using discounted cash flow method, opportunity cost, replacement value and market studies on township development.

“Thank you for sharing your expertise on us”, one of the participant shared in the lecture room. “Very knowledgeable in the topics discussed”, another participant shared.

The valuation masterclass is a project of PAREB Academy for its members. Its objective is to raise the level of PAREB Appraiser-members professional practice through seminars, workshop and provide linkages through appraiser’s directory.

Appraiser Gus Agosto has conducted lectures already in different areas of the country. Hosted by different local board, he traveled Iloilo City, Dipolog City, Cagayan de Oro, Pasig, Caloocan, Lucena, Puerto Princesa, Baguio, and other areas.

 

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Importance of Analyzing Market Trends in Real Estate Appraisal

value-riseA market is different from a neighborhood. In choosing comparables and reconciling values, it is worthy to consider the distinction between the two in analyzing market trends. This is vital in real estate appraisal.

A neighborhood is a grouping of complementary land uses. This is a geographical term and includes residential, commercial and even industrial uses within a neighborhood. Meanwhile, a market is the sum total of all competing properties of buyer and sellers in a given area or region under consideration. A market study is focused on competing properties. Therefore, in conducting market analysis one should not limit themselves in analyzing properties in a given geographical unit.

Most appraisers can easily identify appreciating market indicators. Some of which are the undersupply of competing properties and listings; reduced marketing time; an increase in list price than the previous sales price.

The presence of one or all of the indicators would be a signal of market appreciation and the appraiser should consider it in making adjustments and choosing comparables to produce credible reports.

The other method in analyzing the market trend is to distinguish the market if it’s a seller’s market or a buyer’s market.

In a seller’s market where a high level of competition exists, a seller will make concessions which are either non-existent or very minimal. This is in contrast to a buyer’s market where an abundance of competing properties exist and sellers are motivated to offer concessions to stimulate contracts.

A reliable appraisal, especially in dynamic and growing markets such as Metro  Manila and Metro Cebu, must consider real estate trends to offer the most insightful and complete valuation. When in doubt, consult with quality-oriented and experienced valuation professionals that specialize in market analysis.

Due Diligence In Real Estate Transactions

811-Due-Diligence-When-Buying-Real-EstateReal estate transactions involve a significant amount of money and rights of individual. The due diligence process minimizes the risks and provides safeguards against determinable issues that may affect  real estate transaction.

Making the right decision in real estate transactions can be a challenge without complete and accurate information. A traditional legal maxim  “caveat emptor” or “buyer beware” gives more emphasis on the importance of the conduct of due diligence. This is from the traditional rulings that courts would make the buyer stuck with whatever he or she purchased and would have limited recourse. Due to this likely result, buyer had to be extra cautious when making buying decisions.

Due diligence provides  a thorough investigation in a transaction. It helps the buyer have a better understanding about the property, the documents, environment and operational fundamentals of the transaction. This process help in avoiding surprises after the transaction and when the remedies may be limited.

The actual scope of the due diligence process depends on the buyer’s needs and the transaction itself. If the buyer is a developer, he or she may have very different needs than the buyer in purchasing the property for lease or investment. There are individuals who have a pending court case and interested in knowing the property to determine the site and use as evidence in court.

The due diligence process begins by determining the expected use of the property and make this information as a framework. Due diligence seek to address a number of issues and identify important information for buyers. This information includes determining the property’s owners, boundary lines, the rights that come with the sale, the expected future use of the property and highest and best use as development options. The process should identify any issues related to the property title, easements, encumbrances, liens or other hurdles to complete ownership. Additionally, the due diligence process can reveal if there are any restrictions that might affect the use of the property or its development, such as environmental issues, zoning restrictions or legal compliance matters such as abiding by Agrarian Reform Law, NIPAS Act, Agriculture and fisheries Act, road right of way act, government programs and more.

The due diligence process can also reveal information as it is uncovered. For example, the technical description plotting cannot be close may pop up after the document analysis is conducted. Additionally, it is important to determine the real estate market and demographic data to predict the future demands in the area.  Site inspection will determine the actual topography, terrain, shape, boundaries, neighbourhood and existence of any occupants or informal settlers in the property.

Last but not the least is the environmental assessment, to uncover any daunting environmental hazards or issues of the property such as gas leak, wet lands, or use of the property as manufacturing in the past.

Due diligence process is very important. Adequate time must be reserved for this process for thorough and careful study. Party in a transaction should be encouraged to provide specified documents and information to ease the transaction. Be aware of all interests, liabilities, expenses and possible uses for the property.

Due diligence will give parties in transactions to arrive in an informed decision.

EnP. Gus Agosto conferred Fellow status

Urban Planner  Gus Agosto, a faculty of the University of San Carlos, was conferred  with Fellow Status by Social Watch Philippines and People’s Public Finance Institute at the University of the Philippines, Lahug, Cebu City,

Social Watch Philippines is the network of hundred non-government organizations that initiated direct citizens’ participation in national and local budget processes through the Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI), while People’s Public Finance Institute is a center that educates the general public, civil society organizations and individuals on national and local public finance processes working under the framework of citizens’ participation.

Fellowship is an honor bestowed upon individuals that contribute in further strengthening citizen’s engagement in public finance. The new Fellows are drawn from academe, practitioners and graduate students across Central Visayas.

“I feel quite honored that Social Watch bestowed Fellow Status upon me,” Planner Gus said. “By doing so, they have acknowledged my teaching work in public finance and its contribution in important ways to students, professionals and the broad public. It is both gratifying and humbling at the same time.”

As a faculty, he is teaching public finance at the University of San Carlos, Cebu. “I’m very interested with the topic, being an urban planner and economist; I’ve been involved in various ways in public finance.“ Planner Gus also has a professional interest in the role that a Fellow can play in supporting and improving public involvement in government finance.

Prior to the conferment, a two-day discussion on the development of public finance and citizen’s engagement was held in collaboration with Social Watch Philippines, United Nations Development Program and University of the Philippines-Cebu.