Before you start property hunting, there’s one important question you need to answer honestly: WHY are you buying?
Your reason determines everything — what type of property to look for, what location makes sense, what financing to use, and how quickly you need to move. In my experience as a broker, buyers who are clear on their “why” close faster and are happier with their purchases years later.
So let me walk you through the 4 types of property buyers I encounter — and help you figure out which one you are.
📌 Why This Matters
Many buyers make the mistake of buying a property meant for a different type of buyer. An investor buys an end-user property. An end-user buys in a location meant for rentals. Knowing your type saves you from costly mismatches.
🏠 Type 1: The End-User
Who they are: You’re buying this property to live in. It’s your home — your family’s home. This is the most personal type of purchase, and the decision is as much emotional as it is financial.
What they prioritize:
- Proximity to schools, work, and church
- Safety and security of the community
- Layout and livability of the unit
- Future resale value is secondary to comfort
Best property types: Townhouses in gated communities, single-detached homes in subdivisions, RFO (Ready-For-Occupancy) units.
“For the end-user, a house is not just an asset — it’s where life happens. Buy with your heart, but verify with your head.”
📈 Type 2: The Pure Investor
Who they are: You’re buying property strictly for financial return — either rental income, capital appreciation, or both. You may never live in it. Numbers drive every decision.
What they prioritize:
- Rental yield (target: 5–8% gross per year)
- Location with high demand from renters (BGC, Ortigas, QC near universities)
- Capital appreciation potential over 5–10 years
- Low maintenance, easy-to-manage property type
Best property types: Pre-selling condos near CBDs, commercial lots, multi-unit townhouses for rental.
💡 Investor Tip
Don’t fall in love with the property. Fall in love with the numbers. A property you personally love but has poor rental demand will underperform versus one you wouldn’t personally live in but generates steady cash flow.
✈️ Type 3: The OFW / Expat Buyer
Who they are: You’re working abroad and want to invest your hard-earned money back home. You’re buying for a combination of reasons: a future home when you return, an investment while you’re away, or a gift for family.
What they prioritize:
- Trusted developer with strong track record (no fly-by-night builders)
- Hassle-free process they can manage remotely
- Near family back home
- Properties they can rent out while still working abroad
Best property types: Pre-selling townhouses from established developers, properties with professional property management services.
“OFW buyers work the hardest for their money. They deserve a broker who will work just as hard to protect that investment.”
— Broker Reynan de Guzman
🔄 Type 4: The Upsizer or Downsizer
Who they are: You already own a property, but your needs have changed. Either you need more space (growing family, work-from-home setup, aging parents) or you want something smaller and more manageable (kids have moved out, retiring, want to simplify life).
What they prioritize:
- Smooth transition — ideally sell existing property to fund new one
- Timing the market for best resale value on current property
- Not being “in between” homes for too long
- Lifestyle fit — same neighborhood or nearby preferred
Best property types: Depends on direction — upsizers often go for larger townhouses or single-detached homes; downsizers often move to well-located condos or smaller townhouses.
📋 For Upsizers & Downsizers
Get your existing property appraised before committing to a new one. Knowing exactly what you can get from your sale gives you clarity on your actual budget for the next property. We offer free property appraisal for qualified sellers.
So… Which Type Are You?
Here’s a quick self-check:
| Buyer Type | Primary Goal | Key Question to Ask |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 End-User | Live in it | Will my family be happy here? |
| 📈 Investor | ROI / Rental income | What’s the gross yield and appreciation potential? |
| ✈️ OFW / Expat | Invest remotely / Future home | Can I manage this from abroad? Is the developer reliable? |
| 🔄 Upsizer/Downsizer | Right-size to current life | What can I get from selling my current property? |
Many buyers are actually a combination of types — like an OFW who is both an investor AND planning to eventually live in the property. That’s perfectly fine! The key is to be honest about your priorities so your broker can match you to the right property.
Let’s Find the Right Property for Your Type
Whether you’re an end-user, investor, OFW, or making a move to a bigger or smaller home — I have properties across Metro Manila that fit your specific goals. Let’s have a quick chat.
