General Info

[QUOTE=BaddHabbit;2180410] The real point of the posting was the more generalised point from the article about real-estate investment opportunities.[/QUOTE]Don't believe everything you read BH.

Come and live here for at least 4 to 6 months and see for yourself. There are literally 1000's of properties being built all over the place (but especially in Metro Manila), and most of us (including some RE agents that I know) are wondering who is going to buy them or rent them. The presumption is that returning OFWs will buy them, but a completed condo building near my place that has been opened for 18 months has 40% of the units still unsold.

I bought an older-style condo unit 11 years ago but did so purely for somewhere to live and not as an investment, so I have "saved" a huge amount of money that would have otherwise gone on rental fees. A bonus for me is that my property has doubled in value as it is in a highly desirable position, has car parking space (very important), and is much larger than the newer units being built that are pitifully small. Of course, doubling in "value" only means something if there is a buyer if and when I decided to sell.

I would caution anyone against buying property for investment especially if you are a foreigner WITHOUT trust-worthy local advice.

[QUOTE=RedKilt;2180435]Don't believe everything you read BH.

Come and live here for at least 4 to 6 months and see for yourself. There are literally 1000's of properties being built all over the place (but especially in Metro Manila), and most of us (including some RE agents that I know) are wondering who is going to buy them or rent them. The presumption is that returning OFWs will buy them, but a completed condo building near my place that has been opened for 18 months has 40% of the units still unsold.[/QUOTE]Exact same thing in Thailand RK. My main wingman (the guy who got me on ISG) bought a place in Pattaya. Well he paid for it 4 years ago, but since they wait to have a certain percentage of buyers before they start building, his place just got ready at the beginning of this year. I would have gotten my money back long ago. And like you said, these new places are match boxes compared to the older ones. He had to have his washing machine installed on the balcony. I mean there is not even enough space to change your mind in them.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2180448]Exact same thing in Thailand RK. My main wingman (the guy who got me on ISG) bought a place in Pattaya. Well he paid for it 4 years ago, but since they wait to have a certain percentage of buyers before they start building, his place just got ready at the beginning of this year. I would have gotten my money back long ago. And like you said, these new places are match boxes compared to the older ones. He had to have his washing machine installed on the balcony. I mean there is not even enough space to change your mind in them.[/QUOTE]I hear you on that one. I'm looking at picking up a place for myself in Singapore, and have ended up coming to the conclusion that it is better to buy one of the older places, because the new ones are just so damn small.

[QUOTE=BaddHabbit;2180502]I hear you on that one. I'm looking at picking up a place for myself in Singapore, and have ended up coming to the conclusion that it is better to buy one of the older places, because the new ones are just so damn small.[/QUOTE]Besides that you see what you are getting and the place has already settled.

[QUOTE=KabulGuy;2180399] (We were looking at about $3 k CDN each a month. That would be $5 k for the place and $5 k each lady, with a small reserve in case we had people drop out.).[/QUOTE]Are you talking about CAD here? Canadian Dollars? You were going to pay each lady almost 4,000 USD a month?
Are you talking about a condo in Canada or in the Phils?

"Link to Cebu Forum" has dropped from the (bottom of) the top set of threads, to the middle of the bottom thread (User Blog). Anyone know why? Disclaimer: I miss the occasional memo.

I'm planning my first trip to Philippines this year from India. The tentative plan is to land in Manila and take the Genesis bus to Angeles City. I only have Indian rupees cash and don't have any Indian credit / debit cards. How do I exchange these rupees for pesos? I've searched the forums and I understand that it's easy to convert major currencies like USD at the airport and local banks / stores, but am not sure if Indian rupees will be readily exchanged like USD. Any help to this newbie will be much appreciated.

[QUOTE=CamelToePokema;2183518]I only have Indian rupees cash and don't have any Indian credit / debit cards. How do I exchange these rupees for pesos.[/QUOTE]Exchange the rupees to $$ in India before you go. Then change $$ to pesos in the Philippines. Bring new undamaged $100 dollar bills. Maybe there is a black market in India that gives a better rate than the bank. You will probably find it very difficult to find a market for ruppes in the PI and if you, do the exchange rate will be horrific.

[QUOTE=Mogwai;2180542]Are you talking about CAD here? Canadian Dollars? You were going to pay each lady almost 4,000 USD a month?
Are you talking about a condo in Canada or in the Phils?[/QUOTE]This was in Canada and was for two of the most highly rated local ladies who would be into full interactive 3 somes. One had had a really bad date and wanted to leave the profession but liked the lifestyle and the money so she thought that having a very small clientele with a guaranteed income would work for her.

[QUOTE=CamelToePokema;2183518]I'm planning my first trip to Philippines this year from India. The tentative plan is to land in Manila and take the Genesis bus to Angeles City. I only have Indian rupees cash and don't have any Indian credit / debit cards. How do I exchange these rupees for pesos? I've searched the forums and I understand that it's easy to convert major currencies like USD at the airport and local banks / stores, but am not sure if Indian rupees will be readily exchanged like USD. Any help to this newbie will be much appreciated.[/QUOTE]I do not think Indian currency is convertible anywhere at the official rate. You need to get usd somehow to travel anywhere. Even when I take usd 100 dollar bills I make sure it is undamaged and crispy.

Can you take rupees to local bank to get 100 usd bills? Do not use airport money exchange because their rates for any currency is horrendous.

The Australian newspapers have been running a series of articles about so-called "romance fraud".

The interesting thing about most of the discussion is that all of the duped people all maintained that they knew what they were doing and that this sort of thing "would never happen to them".

I thought this list was worth reproducing for the newbies online who fall for the clickbait lines.

Tips for avoiding romance fraud (adapted from Scamwatch).

• Never send money to someone that you have met online.

• Never agree to carry packages, or accept suitcases or bags from someone you have met online.

• Always assume that the person you are communicating with may not be genuine.

• Consider carefully any requests to travel (domestically or overseas) to meet someone you have met online.

• Don't feel pressured to respond in the moment. If in doubt, stop chatting and block the number.

[QUOTE=RedKilt;2186913]Tips for avoiding romance fraud (adapted from Scamwatch).

Never send money to someone that you have met online.

Never agree to carry packages, or accept suitcases or bags from someone you have met online.

Always assume that the person you are communicating with may not be genuine.

Consider carefully any requests to travel (domestically or overseas) to meet someone you have met online.

Don't feel pressured to respond in the moment. If in doubt, stop chatting and block the number.[/QUOTE]Try telling that to a loner guy with his dick on hard sitting at home where he can't get any pussy or even a chick to give him a hug. All that common sense shit goes out the window.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2186937]Try telling that to a loner guy with his dick on hard sitting at home where he can't get any pussy or even a chick to give him a hug. All that common sense shit goes out the window.[/QUOTE]Totally agree Mr E. One thing I omitted to mention in my OP was that this warning was intended for WOMEN who were meeting guys online.

I am amazed at the number of women who tell me about guys who are asking them for air fares and other support online. It seems there are plenty of loner women too who fall for all manner of scams.

Have not read the whole thread but I cannot agree more and am stupefied by what I hear and see. These girls are from all walks of life and treat most guys like shXt but are conned out of big bucks by what I can only assume are silver tongued casa novas. Known several women conned by Indian / Pakistani / African guys over the Internet.

In the PI, there are plenty of kuyas doing the same thing and taking advantage of the WG, DH, or semi pro. Likewise with women executives or trust fund babies. Go figure.

Latest I heard was around 3 mil US. In a way it is just, in that both sexes are cheated almost equally.

[QUOTE=RedKilt;2186944]Totally agree Mr E. One thing I omitted to mention in my OP was that this warning was intended for WOMEN who were meeting guys online.

I am amazed at the number of women who tell me about guys who are asking them for air fares and other support online. It seems there are plenty of loner women too who fall for all manner of scams.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=RedKilt;2186913]The Australian newspapers have been running a series of articles about so-called "romance fraud".

The interesting thing about most of the discussion is that all of the duped people all maintained that they knew what they were doing and that this sort of thing "would never happen to them".

I thought this list was worth reproducing for the newbies online who fall for the clickbait lines.

Tips for avoiding romance fraud (adapted from Scamwatch).

Never send money to someone that you have met online..[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=RedKilt;2186944]I am amazed at the number of women who tell me about guys who are asking them for air fares and other support online. It seems there are plenty of loner women too who fall for all manner of scams.[/QUOTE]I have been online since there was an online to be on and I never seem to find chicks like this. And coming from me it would not even be a scam. Some guys have all the luck.