The Philippine real estate sector is regaining its growth momentum amid improving business and consumer confidence, and a recovering economy.

Industry experts have expressed optimism about prospects in the local real estate market this year, as they anticipate a more robust level of activity among developers, homebuyers and investors. Land values, too, are expected to rise this year—a development seen to be a significant indicator of the sector's recovery, according to Colliers Philippines. In Metro Manila alone, land values are forecasted to rise by 5.1 percent in 2022, Colliers said.

Heightened demand

And this recovery is seen extending further outside the metro given the steady demand for residential projects in the provinces.

One of the reasons for this is the growing popularity of second homes or vacation homes in the suburbs, provinces and leisure destinations such as beaches and mountains, among the affluent home seekers, according to an earlier report by Santos Knight Frank. This preference can be attributed to the pandemic, during which many had sought to find homes that are in less dense locations, with wide open spaces as well as access to nature and fresh air.

Colliers also pointed out a heightened demand for housing—whether vertical or horizontal—in Cavite, Laguna and Batangas in the south, as well as Bulacan and Pampanga in the north. Key locations like Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Bacolod continue to be attractive, viable real estate investment hubs, as evidenced by the steady demand for residences, offices and commercial spaces in these provinces.

Biggest market in Visayas

Metro Cebu, in particular, is seen to record a healthy demand from residential investors and end-users this year, fueled by a recovery in office leasing, an improving economy, and sustained remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFW), according to Colliers.

"Even with the challenges posted by COVID-19, Cebu will remain the biggest and most potent market for residential developments in the Visayas region. As the economy recovers and borders reopen, demand is likely to gradually return—driven by increased commercial activity, demand for leisure properties, and remittances from OFWs," explained Karla Domingo, Colliers director of Advisory Services.

Domingo said that "to seize the opportunities in the future, developers should be proactive in assessing gaps in the market to provide the proper product type that will capture pent-up demand." In the same way that developers are being urged to be strategic, so should homebuyers and investors seize these promising opportunities in the market today.

Real estate, after all, has always been one of the safest, most reliable investment options in the market, whose resilience was further tested and proven by this pandemic. Over the last two years, even at the height of the pandemic, developers continued to launch projects while investors snapped up available inventory.

Ideal location

Metro Cebu—which includes the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay and Lapu-Lapu—clearly makes the cut as the location of choice for your next property investment.

Here, Colliers expects condominium prices to grow by 2.5 percent in 2022. Demand for condominium units is also seen picking up over the next several years—a demand that may be served by upcoming supply from projects such as Aruga Resort and Residences-Mactan.

Located along Punta Engaño, this premium residential-resort development by Rockwell Land offers opportunities to own a vacation home in a pristine part of this tropical island destination, as well as earn from this potentially lucrative investment via leasing.

The 5.2-hectare Aruga Resort and Residences-Mactan presents an exceptional proposition that easily tells you it's a sound choice—Rockwell's expertise, brand of service and signature lifestyle in a laidback, easygoing setting surrounded by the unsullied beauty of nature.

Home in paradiseFind yourself coming home to paradise and into any of the spacious units offered by Aruga Resort and Residences -Mactan—from one- to large four-bedroom cuts as and the more exclusive beachfront villas for those who want to be literally a few steps away from the beach.

Residents and their guests would surely be in awe of the expansive 270-meter beachfront as well the upscale amenities they can enjoy such as the lounges, pool deck, swimming pools facing the sunny shores and glistening blue water of Mactan, a gym and yoga studio, children's play area, and lots of open spaces for you to breathe in fresh air. Not to mention of course the gorgeous views of the Magellan Bay and Hilutungan Channel that some residents will get to enjoy from the balconies of their units.

Despite the location of this beachfront marvel, modern conveniences are highly accessible, thanks to the continued improvements in infrastructure in the province. This makes it easier for you to go to the heart of Lapu-Lapu City or venture to the different establishments, offices, retail and leisure hubs, and institutions located in Cebu City. Even the impressive Terminal 2 of the Mactan Cebu International Airport is nearby.

Of course, Aruga Mactan will also be the embodiment of the Rockwell promise—top quality craftsmanship, impeccable service by its property management office (PMO), stringent security, and provision of backup water and electricity.

Once it turns over units to its buyers and investors starting next year, many would finally come to know first hand how Rockwell has elevated the island getaway experience to a whole new level, and why investing in a paradise destination for a second home such as Aruga Mactan will pay off in more ways than one.