GRAPHICS BY RITCHE SABADO
I’m an old millennial who has yet to invest in real estate.
But all these stories about the growing number of people way younger than me already purchasing their homes plus the attractive offers of the country’s best real estate developers have led me to dream about owning my own place.
If I were to finally make that commitment and invest in my first property, what would I want?
Here’s my wish list.
Good location. I’d want to live somewhere accessible, where I can easily make plans and see my friends and loved ones when this pandemic is over (yes, it sounds like a total dream right now but this will be over one day). The lockdown has practically turned me into a hermit—I’d like to learn to be a social being again one day. I’d also like a place that would be easy to pin, so Grab riders wouldn’t get annoyed when they’re trying to find it. (This sounds like such a superficial thing but imagine having to give directions to exasperated delivery guys day after day—doesn’t sound fun, right?)
Pet-friendly. This is a non-negotiable. My life is ruled by a spoiled French bulldog. If he’s not welcome at a property, they wouldn’t be getting my money.
Connectivity. I need a good internet connection, I need a strong phone signal and I am not ashamed to say it. The eternal quarantine has shown us how important it is to stay connected, not just so we can get things done but also so we can stay sane. Our phones, tablets and computers have literally become our lifelines so having a stable internet and reliable cell service is a must.
Work space. After working from home for a year and a half, I realized how crucial this is. An important question I will be asking is: Can I live and work in this same place happily? Am I going to be okay if this became my whole world? Will I be able to achieve work-life balance within these walls?
Storage space. I own a lot of stuff (which should explain why I haven’t been able to buy my own place yet). I will need a home with ample space for my books, my toys and my shoes.
Happy mother, father and daughter cooking together isolated flat vector illustration. Cartoon family preparing food at kitchen. Happiness and food culture concept
A good kitchen. I lived in a 13-sqm condo for over a year where the kitchen was clearly just an afterthought. Actually, no. That’s being generous. There wasn’t even really a kitchen—it was just a little space beside the sink, a counter just big enough for one stove. We made that tiny space work (what other choice was there?). But if I were to buy a home, the kitchen needs to be one of the stars of the place. I cook and bake and I want there to be room for me to make magic.
A nice bathroom. Am I dreaming too much if I say I want a tub? But that’s the point of dreaming, right? Let me imagine a world where I can relax at the end of the day with a couple of bath bombs and a cold bottle of beer.
Windows. Let the sunlight in. The view doesn’t have to be fantastic, I just want to be able to see the outside world.
Green spaces. I’m no plantita so I probably wouldn’t have plants in my home. It would be nice if the property has some greenery around so I can stretch my legs, breathe fresh air and get close to nature despite having zero gardening skills.
Convenience. What’s nearby? As someone who doesn’t like to drive and no longer wants to waste time in traffic, I’d want to know—can I walk to a supermarket, a mall, a bank?
Security. Is it too easy for people to walk in and out of this property? Will I feel secure living here? As someone with anxiety (and a true crime obsession), this is important to me. I want to feel safe in my home. Or, at the very least, I want to make sure that there are security measures in place so that if a crime does occur, it can be solved.
Good neighbors. Ah, the one thing a real estate agent can’t promise. But yes, part of my dream is having good neighbors. Not overly friendly ones who would feel like dropping by all the time (I’m a hermit, remember?) but just nice ones who would be quiet and live their own happy lives.
A trusted developer. Who is building this place? What’s their track record? Do they care about me and the world we live in? Can I trust them with my money and essentially, my life?
Hassle-free transaction and good payment terms. As a first-time buyer, I’d want the process to be smooth and simple, with payment terms that wouldn’t feel like a burden. That’s not too much to ask, is it?