03/08/2026
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from real estate investing…
As I’m now on my 6th real estate investment (3 house-and-lot properties and 3 condominiums)—excluding the 3 units I’ve already flipped and sold for a profit 🙂—I’d like to share something that has personally worked for me.
If you want to grow your money through real estate but don’t have the $$$$ to pay in cash, this is for you.
One of the smartest strategies, in my experience, is to reserve a pre-selling condo or house and lot—but only from a reputable and established developer.
Why?
Because instead of paying millions upfront, you may only need to pay around ₱5,000–₱7,000 per month during the pre-selling stage. After 1–2 years, you may have paid only around ₱60,000–₱140,000, yet your property’s value may have already appreciated by ₱500,000 to ₱1 million.
Personally, I don’t know of any other investment where ₱60,000–₱120,000 invested over 1–2 years can potentially result in that level of appreciation in asset value the way pre-selling real estate can. Not in a savings account, not in most bank products, and generally not in the stock market. That’s one of the reasons why I love investing in pre-selling properties.
At that point, you may choose to flip the property by selling your rights with a ₱100,000–₱200,000 profit, while still offering the buyer a price that’s lower than the developer’s current selling price.
The key is patience.
Don’t flip it immediately. Give yourself 6 months to 1 year to market the property and find the right buyer. Just like in the stock market, HOLD while continuously marketing it. Time is one of your greatest advantages.
Why would buyers choose your property?
Because your price is usually lower than the developer’s current selling price, making it a win-win. The buyer gets a better deal, while you benefit from the property’s appreciation.
The principle is simple:
Reserve early. Hold. Let time and appreciation do the work.
Another advantage of pre-selling is that you’re still in the down payment stage, so banks are usually not involved yet. Payments are staggered and more manageable, giving many buyers time to improve their finances before bank financing becomes necessary.
Real estate doesn’t usually make people wealthy overnight. But if you buy early, choose the right developer, and give your investment time to grow, time can become your greatest partner.
Disclaimer: This is my personal experience and testimony based on my own real estate investments. I do not represent all real estate investors, and every investment carries risks. Results vary depending on the project, developer, market conditions, timing, and individual circumstances. Nothing in this post should be taken as a guarantee of future profits.
I don’t have all of this money as reflected on the price of the property- since im only paying monthly staggard, and not in full cash 🙂 🙂
John Santia
Your Trusted Realtor | Investor
