AFFORDABLE housing is expected to push up residential sales during this pandemic-battered business environment as Filipinos look for stable, decent-quality and easy-on-the pocket properties.
“Our six operational sites in different cities received 10 to 20 percent new inquiries from people who want to transfer to another house where they can have a home-office,” said Anthony Gerard Leuterio, founder of Filipino Homes.
Since the lockdowns were imposed in the country last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and jobs moved to homes, people have looked for houses that were enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)-friendly.
“A lot of homeowners discovered that the house they once comfortably lived in can no longer serve their needs today. Now that they have to spend more time in their homes, they are looking for other options like a house that is more ECQ-friendly with a smart home-office and a backyard garden,” Leuterio said.
He added that the high demand for affordable housing is also buoyed by the fact that Filipinos now realize the importance of having a stable, decent-quality and safe space to keep them from contracting viruses and other chronic illnesses.
Earlier, Leuterio said they are now preparing new home designs to meet the new demand under the “new normal” living concept to be executed by Filipino Homes Plus.
“We are coming up with designs that are now acceptable as a new normal in living,” said Leuterio, adding that they will take into consideration the work-from-home concept in the crafting of the new home designs.
Filipino Homes Plus is the construction management firm under Filipino Homes that specializes in custom-made houses.
Leuterio said quarantine-friendly inspired homes will initially have a built-in small gym and a small office space, among others.
He believes that even after this viral pandemic, new ways of doing business will arise, even the vast adoption of the work-from-home arrangement.