Condotel or Condo Hotel Property Investments in the Philippines

Located within the Lancaster Suites [Manila] Condominium Hotel located along Shaw Boulevard, Metro Manila, Philippines, offering Corporate and Individual Proprietary Membership Shares or Debentures to the public in an [Initial Offering] slated for October/November 2007.

Beth Collingz, PLC International Marketing Networks Global Director for Sales & Marketing said “Facilities of the Club will include, for members only, Spa, Massage and Gym, Fine Dining Restaurant, Piano Bar & Lounge, Cigar Room, Card Room, Business Center, Full Secretarial Facilities, Reference Library, Board Room, Meeting/Conference Room, with discounted benefits for accommodation at the Lancaster Suites Manila and Lancaster Cebu Resort Residences. Members of the Royal Lancaster Club International and their families will also have the concession to use the developments Swimming Pool.

Apart from the Exclusive Membership Club, The Lancaster Suites [Manila] Condominium Hotel [''Condotel''] also offers Fully Serviced Executive Studio, 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom, 3 Bedroom and Penthouse Suites for sale on cash, and affordable deferred payment or installment purchase terms.

Lancaster Suites is located within 3 minutes walk to the MRT Shaw Boulevard Station and 5 minutes to EDSA/Ortigas Shopping Centre where major shopping malls are located such as; SM Megamall, and the Shangri-La Complex that includes the Shangri-La Mall, the Rustans Superstore and the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. Yet a few minutes walk is the Ortigas Business Centre.

Within 5 to 10 minutes by car of Lancaster Suites are located the country’s best schools such as Poveda, La Salle Greenhills, Xavier School, and The Immaculate Concepcion Academy. You will also be surrounded by some of the most exclusive residential subdivisions such as Corinthian Gardens , Greenhills, Valle Verde, and Wack-Wack subdivision. A number of the country’s finest hospitals - Cardinal Santos, The New Medical City, The Polymedic — are also close by.

Pacific Concord Properties, Inc., Flagship Lancaster Suites Condotel developments are one of the hottest Condotel Investments in the Philippines. To be completed and ready for turnover from December 2010, the Lancaster Suites Manila Atrium Tower II will provide unit owners with premier residential condo units with the option of enrolling their units in the Lancaster Condotel Rental Pool where they can earn Rental Incomes [at current purchase levels] of some 12-16% ROI per annum as Owner Non-Residents when not using their units through Condotel Management and reciprocal arrangement with Lancaster Cebu Resort Residences.

All units at the Lancaster Suites have kitchen facilities. The standard unit price provides for the suite to be semi-finished but not fully furnished. Included in the current price are the interior finishing’s such as tiled & semi-fitted fitted bathrooms, bedrooms with simulated wood plank flooring, semi-fitted living and dining area with simulated wood plank floorings and lower kitchen cabinets/work tops installed. A complete Condotel Suite optional extra interior fit-out package including unit fittings and fixtures, furniture, furnishings, soft-furnishings, air-conditioning and appliances will be available towards the time the units are closer to being completed towards the latter part of 2010.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact:

Beth Collingz
PLC International Marketing Networks
Pacific Concord Properties Inc., Manila Head Office
Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City. Metro Manila. Philippines
Phone: Manila [632] 717 1958
Fax: Manila [632] 718 1828

People are beginning to catch on. A year or so ago, few people realized that they could manage their IRA investment portfolios themselves, and even fewer knew that they could invest their IRA retirement money in something other than stocks and bonds. As of last year, finance and retirement experts suggest that approximately 2% of the nations $3 trillion in IRA investment is stashed in real estate and other non-traditional investment vehicles. If you’re considering using your IRA savings to invest in real estate, there are some excellent reasons that you should choose Philippine Condotel Investment real estate to drive your retirement portfolio into high profit margins.

Beth Collingz, PLC Global Marketing Director for the Lancaster Brand of Condotels in the Philippines, said “Investing in foreign real estate is neither as risky nor as tricky as a lot of people would have you believe. While land and housing prices in the U.S. have soared astronomically in the past decade, the world real estate market is a far different story. It’s still possible to buy a preconstruction Condotel suite at Lancaster – The Atrium located in Metro Manila, Philippines, for less than $50,000”.

Lancaster Manila Atrium Tower A, Shaw Boulevard, Metro Manila, Philippines is a “Full Service” Condominium Hotel ["Condotel"] offering Studio, One, Two and Three Bedroom Suites for sale. To be completed and ready for turnover from December 2010, the Lancaster Suites Manila Atrium Tower II will provide unit owners with premier residential condo units with the option of enrolling their units in the Lancaster Condotel Rental Pool and earn Rental Incomes [at current purchase levels] of some 12-16% ROI per annum as Owner Non-Residents when not using their units through Condotel Management and reciprocal arrangement with Lancaster Cebu Resort Residences. This makes Lancaster Suites one of the Hottest Investment Opportunities in the Philippines.

“The beauty of holding property in the Philippines is the low cost of property taxes and maintenance. A $50,000 Condotel suite may set you back $200 in property taxes per year, and maintenance costs are similarly low. When you add in the tax-protected status of investments made in your IRA, and the 12-16% returns through rental income through the Condotel advantage, you have an incredible ROI on a purchase of Philippine Condotel investment real estate” enthused Collingz.

What’s the downside about owning Philippine Condotel Investment real estate as an IRA investment? You cannot reside at your investment property as long as the IRA retirement account is titled as the owner of the property. The self directed IRA rules about benefiting personally from your IRA investments are strict - you are not allowed to make use of any property owned by your IRA, or you risk losing its tax-protected status and worse yet you could face penalties from the IRS. You can, however, rent out your IRA investment for steady income - putting the profits and cash flow into your IRA, or sell your Philippine Real Estate Investment for immediate profit, as long as those profits remain inside the IRA.

If you’re looking for an unusual and high earning investment for your IRA, then take a serious look at owning Philippine Condotel investment real estate. It can help kick your IRA earnings into high gear.

Global Life Management, Inc., PLC Internationals Marketing Partner based in the U.S recently announced its Self-Directed IRA Affiliate Program Available to US buyers of the Lancaster Brand of Condo Hotels in the Philippines.

With the impending slowdown of the U.S. housing market and failing pension plans, many investors are turning to using their IRAs to invest in overseas properties and earn tax-free or tax-deferred income. This creates an outstanding opportunity for by offering self-directed IRAs to invest in the Lancaster Suites Atrium Tower preconstruction units.

With preconstruction property appreciating at some 20-30% per annum not only does the Real Estate Appreciation look good but the rental income is in excess of what many IRA and Pension Plans offer for the same or similar investment.

Jeffrey Clarke, President of Global Life Management, a company specializing in Philippine businesses and investments, is now offering its affiliate program to interested clients based in the U.S, announced that “We handle all the paperwork, answer any client questions and can even setup a LLC driven IRA with checkbook control – all for a price $1,775 less expensive than our major competitors.

“We’re finding clients, who previously were undecided, are now very interested in using a Self-Directed IRA to purchase a Condo Hotel unit. Not only can they qualify for the 20% discount, in many cases, but they are excited to learn they can earn rental income tax-free or tax-deferred, saving them tax dollars on capital gains”; says Jeffrey.

Beth Collingz says that many new investors are looking to replace failed pension plans and other future saving schemes with a solid investment in Real Estate. “Clients are looking for investments that will give them an income for retirement as an alternative to traditional private pension plans that have failed. Most company pension plans are insufficient as are Government Pensions. Bank rates for Savings accounts are at record lows. Savvy investors are now looking for a more solid investment with potential for monthly income. Condotels in the Philippines fit the bill”

This potential, high rates of rental returns from Condotel Investments, currently from 12% up to 16% per annum, opens up a huge market not traditionally looked at by Real Estate Agents and Brokers whom all so often run around looking for normal residential profile “buyers” without looking at the by far bigger picture of investments, investing and retirement. “We’re here to help our clients, educating our clients and advising them of emerging investment opportunities. Self-Directed IRAs and the Lancaster Suites Atrium Condotels, fit this bill exactly”; adds Jeffrey.

GLM is a global investment consulting company, specializing in educating its clients on emerging investment opportunities, metals, currencies and self-directed IRAs.

For further info please do not hesitate to contact us:

Beth Collingz
PLC International Marketing Networks
Pacific Concord Properties Inc., Manila Head Office
Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City. Metro Manila. Philippines
Phone: Manila [632] 717 1958
Fax: Manila [632] 718 1828

Think of a Condo Hotel (also called a Condotel or hotel condo) as a condominium, although one that is part of a hotel facility. As a Condotel unit owner you’ll get all the benefits of more services and amenities than you’d get in a typical residential condominium. At Lancaster Suites we took that one step further and threw in a Mini Mall and Exclusive Businessman’s Club.

2. What types of services and amenities are found in Condo Hotels?

If you can imagine the niceties you’d find in most hotels, then you can picture a condo hotel. Among the features are often resort-style pools, spas, fitness centers, restaurants, concierge services and room service.

At Lancaster Suites Manila and Lancaster – The Atrium Manila apart from normal Hotel amenities including a resort style pool on the podium deck, numerous restaurants and guest services, there is a self contained Mini Shopping Mall integrated into the building design providing guests and residents alike to purchase everyday necessities from various grocery and convenience stores and a variety of services from dry cleaning to salons and clinics within the confines of the building. A fully self contained and integrated business center is provided and even a private, exclusive, members only Businessman’s Club.

3. What is the difference between a Hotel and a Condo Hotel?

The big difference between a hotel and a condo hotel is that a hotel typically has one owner, but a condo hotel is sold off unit by unit. Therefore, a 300-room condo hotel could have as many as 300 unit owners.

Moreover a Lancaster Condo Hotel unit is not time sharing. All Lancaster Condotel unit owners own the property in fee simple on a freehold title deed basis.

4. Is it evident to hotel guests whether they’re staying in a Condo Hotel or a Hotel?

A hotel guest will likely never know that the hotel has multiple owners because the property is operated just like a traditional hotel and often under the management of a well-known hotel companies like Marriot, Hilton, Hyatt, Trump. Also, each of the individual condo hotel units will look identical in design and décor to every other, just as they would in a traditional hotel.

5. Who typically buys Lancaster Condo Hotels in the Philippines?

They’re primarily sold to people who want a vacation home in either Metro Manila or Cebu but do not want to deal with the hassles typically associated with second home ownership such as maintaining the property or finding renters in the off season and property investors whom just want the rental income without all the hassles of being a landlord.

6. What is the demographic of the typical Philippine Condo Hotel buyer?

The spectrum of condo hotel buyers in the Philippines is pretty broad. There are both local Filipino families and Overseas Filipinos and a growing number of International clients that want a second home in a either Cebu, as a vacation destination, or the capital Metro Manila for investment purposes or both. There are a growing number of baby boomers from all parts of the world whom, are at or nearing retirement and want somewhere they can “winter” and there’s no better place than the Philippines with its English speaking population and ease of access from Europe or the United States. There are also plenty of overseas investors who purchase condo hotel units or buy to let suites with little intention of ever using it; they’re in it solely for potential appreciation of the real estate and higher rates of rental income.

7. Can you live in a Condo Hotel?

Yes. At Lancaster Suites Manila a unit owner can live in his or her condo 365 days a year as a primary residence. What could be better than living permanently in a Hotel with all the amenities and facilities at your fingertips? Lancaster Unit owners have the ‘option’ of enrolling their units into the Condo hotel rental pool at any time. Similarly, if enrolled in the Lancaster Condotel Pool the unit owner may withdraw same for personal use by giving adequate advance notice.

8. Who gets the money when your Condo Hotel is rented out?

The hotel management company splits the rental revenue with the individual condo hotel owner. While the exact percentages vary from property to property, at Lancaster Condotels the typical rental split is 60%-40% in favor of the unit owner

9. Who finds hotel guests and then cleans and maintains the condo hotel units?

The hotel management company markets the property and books hotel guests. It also maintains the unit and ensures the smooth operation of all of the hotel’s services and amenities.

10. What are the advantages / disadvantages of purchasing a Lancaster Condotel over purchasing typical rental properties in the Philippines?

Advantages include:

• Hassle-free ownership; No landlord issues
• Rental revenue to offset some or maybe all ownership expenses
• A vacation home available for use whenever you want
• A real estate investment at a time when other investments may seem less attractive
• Strong likelihood of appreciation specially when purchasing at preconstruction stage
• Pride of ownership
• Easy to resell units through the Condotel operator

Disadvantages include:

• Pets are not welcome.
• Advance reservations are required to guarantee availability in case owners unit is rented.

11. Are Lancaster Condo Hotel units difficult to finance?

Not at all, Pacific Concord Properties offers all buyers of Lancaster Suites Condotel units a very easy and affordable ‘In-House Buyer Friendly Payment Plan’ with or without any down payments and up to 6 years repayment period with no interest. Mid term 12 year financing is also available through Pacific Concord’s own no prequalification ‘In House Financing’ with or without down payments. A longer term 15 year Bank financing is available only completed units but 30% equity is typically required.

A Currently Available – Studio at Lancaster Suites Manila Tower I that has a Floor Area of 27.23 square meters [293sqft] at $1,721/sqm. Total Contract Price: USD 46,862.83 [Tax Exempt] and may be purchased with a 30% Down Payment [with 10% Discount on the down payment Saving USD 1,405.88] of USD 12,652.96 and the balance payable over 36 equal consecutive monthly installments of USD 911.22. Interest Free. Alternatively, Pay Cash and take a 10% discount on the Contract Price. Save USD 4,686.28 Pay 90% of the contract price now [USD 37,958.90] and the remaining 10% balance [USD 4,217.65] on unit turnover from July-August 2007….

Studio Suites are also available through Bank Financing. Minimum Equity required is with a 30% Down Payment [with 10% Discount on the down payment Saving USD 1,405.88] of USD 12,652.96 and the balance payable over 15 years [180] equal consecutive monthly installments of USD 383.28 [at 11.5% per annum] Please Inquire For Availability….

For clients intending to enroll units in the Condo Hotel Rental Pool a complete Condotel Suite “Fit-Out” package including all required items of furniture’s, furnishings, appliances, air-conditioning, kitchen utensils, dinnerware’s, linens etc is now available for Studio Suites ranging from USD 8,589.67

Whilst a Preconstruction Condotel Suites at Lancaster - The Atrium Manila are now available on very affordable and competitive payment plans that provide for Suites to be purchased on a No Interest No Down Payment basis with 67% of the payment payable over 60 equal consecutive monthly installments without interest and the 33% balance payable upon turnover of the unit or to be paid over an additional 5 years from turnover through our hassle free no prequalification “In-House” Finance Plans

Lancaster Suites Manila Atrium Tower II Executive Studio Suites. Average Floor Area 28.17 square meter [304sqft] at $1,615.00/sqm. USD 45,494.55. These units are either facing towards Ortigas Center overlooking Pasig towards Laguna de Bay and Antipolo, Samat Street overlooking Mandaluyong, Makati and towards Manila Bay or the Swimming Pool Deck. All units are within the Lancaster Suites Manila Atrium. The Current Price for a Studio Suite provides it may be purchased with a Reservation Fee USD 500.00 and the Balance then Payable without interest over 72 consecutive equal monthly payments of USD 624.92.

Alternatively Save USD 2,699.67 by making the Reservation, USD 500.00 then within 30 days a 30% Net Discounted Down Payment of USD 10,798.70 and Balance payable without interest over 72 consecutive equal monthly payments of USD 437.45.

The Lancaster Atrium Executive Studio Suites are also now available on the very affordable and competitive New Payment Plan that provides for Executive Suites to be purchased on a No Interest No Down Payment basis with 67% of the payment payable over 60 equal consecutive monthly installments without interest and the 33% balance of the contract price payable upon turnover of the unit or to be paid over an additional 5 years from turnover through our hassle free no prequalification “In-House” Finance Plans… Pay only USD 500.00 Reservation for a 28.17 sqm [304 sqft Executive Studio [Contract Price USD 45,494.55] then 60 consecutive monthly payments of only USD 502.44 with the balance of USD 14,848.20 either payable in cash on turnover or to be financed over another 60 months payment plan…..

Cash Payment option, take a full 20% discount [Save USD 9,098.91] on the unit price…. Pay 90% Now [USD 32,756.08] and the remaining 10% [USD 3,639.56] on unit turnover

12. How long have Condo Hotels been around in the Philippines?

Condo hotels have been around for several decades, but the surge of four-star condo hotels that have been making their way across the country, started around year 2000 in Metro Manila. Cebu is now another up-and-coming area for Condotels in the Philippines.

13. How much do Lancaster Condo Hotel units cost?

That’s like asking how much a car costs. There are different quality condo hotels. Some require greater amounts of money than others, obviously.

There are inexpensive Condo Hotel suites at Lancaster – The Atrium, Metro Manila, Philippines from as little as $36,395 for a Studio. From $73,350 for One Bedroom Suites and $109,500 for larger Two Bedroom Suites.

There are new and exciting luxury five-star properties or high end developments planned in Cebu Philippines next year that will be sold by invitation only and may start in the $150,000 to $200,000 range, but can go all the way up to $600,000 for 2 bedroom Penthouse suites and $800,000 for a Grand Penthouse. Of course, International gateways from Europe, South East Asian and the United States to Cebu-Mactan International Airport is within 10 minutes and, all units have sea views, beach toys and other lifestyle amenities such as spa and fine dining restaurants and will come fully furnished and finished to the highest European or US standards with fully fitted kitchens, fitted bedroom suites and every unit will be sold including all appliances, split type central unit air-conditioning, plasma TVs’ and state of the art condotel management systems. Units will be significantly larger in size than a typical hotel room yet still a much better value for money investment option than paying $800,000 for a studio suite in maybe Dubai or Panama or a cool million dollars for a condo in Chicago.

14. What are typical monthly maintenance costs?

On current average [in the Philippines] of about $0.15 cents per sq. ft per month

15. Do you buy Condo Hotel units after they have been built, or can you purchase Lancaster condo hotels in pre-construction?

Unless you are in a hurry to get started vacationing, it’s best to buy Lancaster condo hotels in pre-construction as early as possible. That’s when prices are lowest and unit selection is greatest. You will likely wait two to three years or longer before closing and taking possession of your condo hotel unit, but you will have locked in the price and will get the benefit of maximum appreciation which has shown in Lancaster Suites Manila to be 80-100% on turnover.

16. What do I get for the standard price of the Condo Unit ?

All units at the Lancaster Suites have basic kitchen facilities. The standard unit price provides for the suite to be semi-finished but not fully fitted and furnished. Included in the current price are the interior finishing’s such as tiled & fitted bathrooms excluding accessories, bedrooms with simulated wood plank flooring, semi-fitted living and dining area tiled floorings and lower kitchen cabinets/work tops installed excluding appliances. Cielings and walls are painted cement finish.

For clients wishing to enroll in the Lancaster Condotel Rental Pool they required to purchase, at additional cost, a complete Condotel Suite optional extra interior fit-out package including unit fixtures, accessories and fittings, bathroom fixtures upgrades, kitchen and cieling enhancements, light fittings, air-conditioning, furnitures, furnishings and appliances. Currently [as of April 2007] an example of the Condotel ‘Fit-Out’ package for Tower I units is from $8,589.00 that provides a ‘Fully Fitted Ready for Occupancy Suite’. Condotel packages for Lancaster - The Atrium will be available towards the time the units are closer to being completed towards the latter part of 2010

17. Is there anything else investors should want to know about Condotels?

There is more to buying this type of real estate than the old phrase, “location, location, location.” While most condo hotels are located in desirable resort and business area locations, what is most important is a good franchise with a strong reservation system.

RCPC Director, Willhelm Bolton, whom will be responsible for the Lancaster Condotel business development comes from a family of restaurateurs in South Africa. He graduated from famous hotel institutes such as Glion, Cornell and Wits, with working experience in South Africa, Europe and Asia. Mr. Bolton occupied senior posts in prominent hotel, resort and club companies in South Africa and the Philippines. His inventory of international affiliations includes Leopard Song Game Ranch – South Africa, Southern Sun Group of Resorts & Hotels – South Africa and Sun International resorts & Hotels.

Also, do not be fooled by an aggressive rental split. One way or the other, the developer of the property will have to staff, maintain and operate the hotel and its services like the restaurants, bars, spas and pools from his share of the proceeds. If he’s giving you a very favorable share of the rental, he’s also more likely to be charging you a higher monthly maintenance fee. Of course, this goes both ways. If the maintenance split that is offered is closer to 60-40, then your maintenance should be more reasonable too.

18. Any suggestions to investors in choosing which Lancaster Condo Hotel to buy?

Get good advice. Talk with a broker who specializes in Lancaster condo hotels and who knows and understands the entire condo hotel market in the Philippines, not just the facts pertaining to a single property. He or she will listen to your wants and needs and then offer recommendations as to which properties best match your requirements. You’ll have an opportunity to comparison shop and consider the pros and cons of each available property.

For those looking for somewhere to live or for rental returns in 2007, the Lancaster Suites Manila Tower I fits the bill. Nearing completion early 2007 and set for Condotel Operations by middle of the year, a few resale units are still available. Preconstruction investments are now available at Lancaster – The Atrium Manila.

A good broker can be the difference between your buying a condo hotel that will be problematic and not live up to your expectations or one that will provide you with years of great vacations, good annual revenue and a substantial profit when you sell.

19. Does it cost more to use a real estate broker to purchase rather than buying a unit on one’s own?

No. With Lancaster condo hotel properties, the prices are always set by the developer and are exactly the same whether you buy directly onsite or using a broker.

The broker’s commission is always paid by the developer and is already built into the price regardless of whether an outside broker participates in the sale or not. Since a Lancaster Condotel broker’s representation is free to buyers, it does make sense to enlist their aid and get the benefit of their advice before making a purchase.

20. How can prospective buyers find a good Lancaster condo hotel broker?

If you are reading this then you have !

PLC International Marketing Networks together with PLC Global Filipino Agency is a Real Estate Marketing & Investment Company based in Metro Manila with Branch Offices in Cebu, Philippines, serving thousands of Filipinos and Real Estate Agents across the Globe.

The company, as Lead Marketing Partners with PCPI, specializes in International Sales and Marketing for the Lancaster Suites Manila and Lancaster Atrium Manila Condotels [Condo Hotel] or Buy to Let investment income opportunities in the Philippines consisting of Three 42 Storey Towers located in Shaw Boulevard, Metro Manila and the Lancaster Cebu Resort Residences in Matcan, Cebu, both Condotel Developments of Pacific Concord Properties Inc by direct marketing and through it’s extensive International Network of Realtors, Brokers, Agents and Accredited Marketing Partners across North America and Europe

PLC International sees the strength of its 1,500 strong Global Network of Marketing Partners and sole focus on Philippine Condotel Investments, particularly the Lancaster Brand of Condo Hotel developments in Metro Manila and Cebu, as foundation for its year on year awards as consistent Top Producers for Pacific Concord Properties Inc.

21. How can buyers learn about new and existing Lancaster Condo Hotel properties coming on the market?