TODAY’S preference of homeseekers has undoubtedly changed alongside these difficult times as they factor in the flexibility of their place of residence to do their daily activities at the comfort of their abode even under the “new normal.”
According to P.A. Alvarez Properties and Development Corp. (P.A. Properties) Chairman Romarico Alvarez, homes have indeed become not only a shelter to stay safe from Covid-19 pandemic, but are now serving as a workplace, a gym, a church, a restaurant, a theater, and a school.
He bared that there is now an increasing number of clients looking for housing projects that take into consideration stay-at-home productivity, such as visual comfort, presence of “breathing spaces” within the house, features that prioritize natural light, shield from noise pollution, and access to nature.
“Homebuyers now look for developments that respond to the new realities of home schooling and working, as well as a healthier, more self-sufficient lifestyle,” he said during the recent formal launch of Idesia Lipa in Batangas.
Fortunately, the real-estate industry has been open-minded and adaptive to changes, thus, indicating its resilience amid the unprecedented health crisis.
“The housing sector has enjoyed a strong, bullish run over the past decade and has in fact, managed to bounce back stronger after every crisis—the Asian financial crisis from 1998 to 1999 and the global financial crisis in 2009, just to name a few,” noted the founder of the Laguna-based community developer.
This property segment, he said, will surpass this unprecedented pandemic as attested by the launch of P.A. Properties’ third major project with its Japanese partner, Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp. (Hankyu).
Rural living at Idesia
SET for completion by the last quarter of 2023, a new modern sanctuary will rise at the heart of the progressive province of Batangas perfectly suited to those who prefer exchanging city life to a less stressful countryside lifestyle.
Idesia Lipa is a master-planned horizonal project that could provide future residents a vibrant community amid a picturesque and tranquil environment.
“We would like them to appreciate nature more, and breathe fresh air. At the same time, should they decide to work from home or connect with their friends and relatives, there is a strong infrastructure that would link them to the rest of the Philippines. This community also has a strong transport link should they decide to go out and explore more of the countryside and its interesting destinations,” explained Jonathan Lu, president of P.A. Properties.
The 11.37-hectare development is designed to offer 747 residential units suitable for every homebuyer’s preference, requirement and financial capability. The Aria Regular will have 227 townhouses, each with a total floor area of 42 square meters on 60-sq-m lot area. There’s also the Aria End composed of 136 units, each with 42-sq-m floor area on 60-sq-m lot area.
A more premium home design like the Talia Single Attached will have a total inventory of 191, with a floor area of 52.25 sq m on 80-sq-m lot area per unit. The more spacious is the Gaia Single Detached, wherein each of the 193 units will have 63-sq-m floor area on 100-sq-m lots.
Evoking the serene countryside ambience, Idesia Lipa boasts of top-notch amenities, such as the Serenity Zone that will feature Sakura Garden with Gazebos, Reading and Meditation Garden and Lagoon; the Wellness Zone, which will offer basketball court, tennis courts, children’s playground, jogging paths and pet park; and the Togetherness Zone that will have The Pavilion (Clubhouse) with a swimming pool, kiddie pool, indoor fitness area (gym), and amphitheater.
Following the success of Idesia in Dasmariñas, Cavite, Alvarez noted their apparent observation in this Lipa project that rural and suburban neighborhoods are becoming more attractive to today’s set of homebuyers, partly because they could now work at home, have less time to commute, and could easily access the transport road network that is being developed in case they need to go out.
In fact, it is just a stone throne away from the province’s major administrative, medical, commercial, financial, agro-industrial, and cultural centers, not to mention its ever-growing business-process outsourcing industry.
For homeowners who need to go to Metro Manila, there is the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road or Star Tollway that connects Lipa City to the South Luzon Expressway and Skyway. Adjacent Bypass road is now being constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways to further improve accessibility.
“While there will always be buyers who will prefer living within the city because their jobs don’t allow for remote work, there will be other homebuyers that will be tempted away from the madding crowd, the hustle and bustle of city life—to a place that is quite far but still enjoys modern-world amenities and within commuting distance from whatever things or services they might require. This is what Idesia Lipa is all about: live in a rural setting but have the luxuries of city living right on your doorstep,” Alvarez stressed.