■ PROPERTY DEVELOPERS TRY TO DRUM UP INTEREST AMONG SINULOG GUESTS
Among the thousands who fly to Cebu during the Sinulog are balikbayans and overseas Filipino workers who come not only to pray but also to find property investments. Grand Land Inc. president Ryan Bernard Go said marketing efforts done during the rest of the year typically get closed during the Sinulog season, when prospective buyers based abroad find the time to check property locations. Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) project development officer Archie Igot confirmed that in the last five years, they’ve scheduled major milestones in their projects and organized Sinulog-inspired activities “so that we can capture all possible prospects coming here in Cebu.”
Real estate brokers say the upbeat atmosphere of the Sinulog is a good time to promote real estate projects Many overseas Filipinos who return to pay homage to the Sto. Niño also drop by to check properties they can buy
Beyond the merrymaking, property developers are also taking advantage of sales opportunities that the Sinulog festival can bring them.
Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) project development officer Archie Igot said the company has consistently held some of their major property events during the Sinulog festival.
“In the last five years, we have coupled Sinulog activities with major milestones of our projects so that we can capture all possible prospects coming here in Cebu,” Igot said.
Last Saturday, FLI held the ceremonial groundbreaking of the second phase of One Oasis, a con- diminum enclave along F. Cabahug St. in Cebu City. Upon completion of the four buildings, this will bring to 1,250 the total number of existing condominium units. The plan for the project is to have five buildings to be completed by 2021.
Igot said that before January ends, FLI is slated to hold a groundbreaking ceremony of the sixth condominium building in San Remo Oasis at the South Road Properties (SRP).
The FLI official said the move aims to capture the influx of tourists, both domestic and foreign, who are scheduled to visit Cebu for the Sinulog festival.
For local developer Grand Land Inc., its president Ryan Bernard Go said that aside from tourists, Sinulog is also an op- portunity for the developers and brokers to sell their projects to a good number of overseas Filipino workers returning to Cebu to pay homage to Sto. Niño.
“It is the the time that our buyers take a look at the project and make their final decision. Marketing efforts are done during the year and some will close when they see the actual location,” Go said in a text message.
Brokers and agents also see opportunities during this season.
According to Leuterio Realty and Brokerage founder Anthony Leuterio, Sinulog aids the real estate industry.
However, he said that even on non-Sinulog months, sales remain upbeat.
“Sinulog is the best time to promote (real estate projects). But sales wise, it depends if there are enough (good) projects,” he said, emphasizing that aside from good location, competitive pricing also comes into play when clients choose to buy.
Wise buyers, according to Leuterio, are convinced not only with the the developers’ marketing strategies, but also on location and reasonable prices.