Haha. Yes. This crazy person could offer some advice as well! I married my Thai wife and then we built a small cheap house 17 years ago. We have our own house, don't pay rent and the monthly out goings are really low. So its worked out really well for me. I would recommend to anyone who has a relationship with an Asian: get to know them, don't rush into anything, take your time. If it works out as a good long term relation then you succeeded (assuming that is what you want); if the long term relationship works out, then move onto the next step: get married, build/buy a house, etc. Generally you are better to marry BEFORE buying houses, land, etc, as you can get alot of it back should the marriage not work out.
I've been married to a lady from another country (besides the U.S.) for 40+ years, and I finally feel confident enough to just give her the money to buy the land and build her house there. Like Mae, she doesn't want a big place, but it has been expensive (well, I am not rich). The cost pretty much wiped my savings and I borrowed against my life insurance. But 40+ years generates a lot of love and trust. I want her to be secure, no matter what, after I die... and I am 77, so not much time left. She is a dual citizen and we have 4 children, all U.S. born. If she kicks me to the curb tomorrow (which I doubt), it has been a nice life and I love her and my kids. I wish you all the best. Mae appears to be a winner and she deserves all the security you can provide.
Hi Paul, This is more really compelling content right on target for Expats. Good on you for securing Mae's future. Yes, absolutely use a good, honest real estate attorney as #1. Title search and survey as #2. Verify that there is a good water source on the land. Also a good place for a septic tank and septic field on the land. Try to avoid any land that is predominantly on a slope, and land that is just at the bottom of a slope. Also if buying anywhere near a river, circle the neighborhood and ask how bad the last big flood was, and when it was. For this, it is best to talk to the oldest neighbors to get a 50 year history. Again, good on you! You and Mae deserve all the blessings. You both have contributed so much to the welfare of so many others, even beyond what you are aware of.
Paul, even with my first failed attempt with my Filipina asawa who I married in 2007, I would definitely buy land (in my next asawa's name, once I get annulled from the last one) , but I have Mechanical and Electrical Engineering experience. My experience is different from others, but my personal train wreck ended up being a "net positive" experience. I want my next asawa and my Filipino Family to have something when, like you, I eventually depart God's green Earth! Congrats again to you and Baby Mae, you are truly both generous souls deserving of the happiness you share together.😅
Hi Paul, as i stated before on one of your videos your a class act. Setting up your wife to be secure is a honorable thing to do and in my humble opinion your house plans sound solid. Best of luck to you!
What a Gentleman you are, Paul, very positive thoughts about Mae's future, for sure. Just a suggestion, approach the banks in the area you want to stay and find out if they do not have land which has been repoed, this way you could settle the outstanding amount and take over ownership with no hiccups. This is a better guarantee that the owner IS the owner.
Congratulations Paul and Mae.. My husband and I are still in Canada.btw I am Filipina and he is white. .lol we are going to retire in Valencia by November, we are done with the grind. My husband loves Dumaguete. We had been watching your channel and learned so much from you, thanks so much. During the pandemic its still lock down I was able to purchased an overlooking property up in Sagbang Valencia half way going to the Japanese Shrine. We got it surveyed prior to buying it. We were there last month to see it , went to the land multiple times to get the feel of it. We only have 1 neighbor to the right who are both elderly, we have the view of Siquijor to the front with concrete road and view of Cebu on the back of property. Since it was bought during the pandemic I got it for only 850 pesos per sqm. We got a lawyer too to do that 25 years renewable lease agreement for his protection. We hired geodetic engineers to do topography and soil testing now as part of the property is a ravine before we start building end of the year. I think you made the right choice to build a home, Mae will be very happy and you get to enjoy it too.. more success to you two.
Hey Paul, I ran into your channel in January. I was born in the Philippines and now been living here in the US for the last 30 years. I bought land (in the Philippines) in the year 2020 with the intention of going back and retiring there. I really like your content and your story telling is entertaining! I’m happy to see that you’ve manage to find true love there, knowing that it’s very challenging. I’m excited to see this episode that you and baby may are actually considering to build your own home. I’ll be watching and excited to see the progress. I hope to meet you guys someday when I visit again.
Paul, I have to say that TH-cam obviously is treating you well and YOU deserve it! You have a gift for just looking into the camera and talking and I am glad to see how far your Subs have grown! From a man who had to watch his 1500 budget, to now thinking of building a house, nothing but happiness for you and Mae. I really don't think that you fall into the category of building and then having the partner kick the old man to the curb scenario. You have been together with Mae for years, you are now married and most of all, you both get along really well. You want to purchase or build a home, go for it. Even if you were to look at the worst-case scenario, Mae tells you to get the heck out, ok no big deal, you still have your steady SS income and you still have TH-cam. So, you lose money that you mostly made from TH-cam, which was something you never thought of doing in the first place and became a nice bonus for you. Once again congrats and I really look forward to seeing you go through the process of finding or building a home.
Hey Paul, thanks for the wonderful video. Here’s something that is a good idea to check on. Water. Before you purchase any property, especially out in areas that they grow or have grown pineapple, sugar cane, etc. Davao, Malaybalay, Baguio, and quite a few other cities in industrialized agricultural areas, have tap water that is polluted with heavy metals and carcinogens. Pesticides and herbicides that are banned all over the world, including banned in the Philippines, are still being used and causing terrible problems for the local populations. “Hello, hello, hello” just did a TH-cam exposé about all of this based on surveys and reports from independent organizations.
It's a nice feeling to finish up your life knowing that your doing the right thing by securing a future for someone close to you and that you love. Live long together 👍👍
Paul you will succeed in this because your motive is to make Baby Mae happy and secure with your spousel benefits . I hope she can make it emotionally when you are gone .. She was sick missing you when you visited the States . Thanks for good show !!! Take care !🙏🤓
Paul, I've been a subscriber of yours for about two years now, I've always enjoyed your presentations and content. Through all that I have seen and heard from you I have grown to like you as a person. This new proposition of a house has defiantly raised my level of respect for you. You recognize the reality of mortality and recognize your responsibility and wish to care for the one you love. The definition of a real Man.
@@idaclement2994 I don't agree, I worked for a veyr long time in middle managment and administration in a female dominated proffession . I would say that 85 to 90% of humans will not take ownership of their responcabilities. They will do what's best for themselves, and leave others to fend for themselves. They will deflect blame or responcability for there own actions. Taking ownership of responcability is actualy a high level, and rarly done.
You have thought this all out well. I see no problem for you to proceed with a purchase of land or a home. For myself, I just fell into a good family and good deal. My nieces wanted to go to college (which I was paying for) and they wanted to rent a place close to the college. They found a place and rented it (I paid). Turned out to be on the beach. I saw the place a year later and said......this is a keeper ! Then my daughter falls in love with the owners son.....they are now married. The owner gave the home and land to the son. We have spend money and effort into improvements so that our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter have a nice home for the rest of their life. We now have a 3bd, 2ba home on an acre of land, sea in front, river in back, beautiful garden with vegetables and fruit trees. Oh and my daughter has a large Sari Sari store in the corner with an apt on top. Some times things just work out right
I bought 1 acre on the beach in Cebu for 20p. A square meter mabe 12 years ago..the world has gone nutts...ya you heard that right 20.. a square... Built the giant house on the beach.. learned my lesson.. whatever you estimate the cost to build a house the real cost will be two to three times more and take twice as long as you anticipate that's just the way it goes for everyone... The upkeep on the beach was a massive full-time job just to keep the mold under control and the jungle from taking the house over... Small is definitely better... I was lucky and I was able to sell my house.. because it was directly on the beach but most people really can't sell their house so keep that in mind specially out in the province where you want to do it. no one's going to buy a house out there... I'm sure you see all the abandoned houses in the Philippines just riding around... What usually happens people run out of money building because it cost .2-3 times more than your highest estimate and you'll see people living in them unpainted unfinished.. actually I've built two houses And a restaurant in the Philippines I know what I'm talkin about... You really better put some thought into it..... Just giving you the facts from experience...mk
Paul, we don't know each other, but I have seen some of your videos. You and Mae seem very nice. I went to medical school in the Philippines. There is something that you have not taken into account that I would like to see you do as part of your decision making process. I have noted by some of your comments that you come from good genes, longevity wise. Excellent :) But the fact remains that you are still 68, even as you are a very young 68! You really should think about being within a reasonable distance from the hospitals in town. Things happen in the Philippines - more than other places you have lived. Accidents happen in the Philippines to a greater degree. Diseases like Dengue and Leptospirosis (and many others) happen in the Philippines more so than where you have lived in the U.S. Your immune system, and bones and more are not what they were when you were 30. I have trained in 5 or 6 hospitals in the Philippines. I have seen more death than I could have ever believed. Be smart. Do this for yourself and for Mae! Take the proximity to the hospitals in town, as a factor in your decision making process. Live long. Live healthy. And may G-d bless you both for many, many years to come! Good luck.
Paul, you are a very smart man with a lot of deep insight. I believe that you are more than capable of making the right decisions. At this point in time, you and Mae seem rock solid in your relationship. So the question is, “Why not?” Personally I don’t see a problem and encourage you to follow your dreams!
I built a house here in the Philippines for my wife and I soon after we were married in 1974. We're still together and still have the house. I built it with the idea that one day we would come back and spend at least 1/2 year at a time here. When we aren't here we have family who look out for the house. That brings up another story. A few years ago we bought beach property a couple of towns up from us. We made improvements, put in a well, a CR (outhouse) walled it in etc. However our mistake was we didn't have anyone watching it closely. We now have squatters and a lawyer. The squatters built a permanent structure on part of the land which is closest to the water and by law nothing permanent is suppose to be built there. So my advice to you and whoever else is thinking of buying property but not building right away, be sure you or someone you trust is keeping a close (daily) eye on it for any suspicious activity. Squatters got the lady you were talking about and they got us. Ingat kayo!
People may wonder why high solid fences are built around almost all the nicer properties in PH - exactly that, to keep squatters out and define the property lines.
Paul - I like your plan. You know Mae well enough to know if you can trust her with this and it is great you want to leave this behind for her later. A 2 bedroom 1 bath house with a carport and storage and a garden is plenty for anyone and a slice of heaven for most Filipinas. I say go for it !! The Filipina Pea had a house built for her family and she may have some helpful resources for you as you get into the process. Just a Thought. Please keep us updated as you move forward !!!
You’ve had really positive feedback from the crazies so that’s good! You can’t beat bricks and mortar for investment and you’ll not have to pay rent any longer for a place that doesn’t meet your requirements. You know the rules around location for sure so I’d say the only thing to also consider is the geo-political situation of the Phillipines and the role and place of expats. In broad terms it’s a damn great idea for you and Mae and will give you something else to bond over. All the best from New Zealand…..
You plan is how we built house in central New York in the 80s. No one had enough money, and could not afford 18% interest rates, so we followed The Garden Song (arlo guthrie/pete segar). Inch by inch, Row by row, We will make this garden grow. It is the only way forward, where you pay as you go. You have a great plan.....
Glad you made this video, Paul. Been waiting for someone to open this up. This is exactly the plan my wife and I have and we have thought it out, as you have, with those important steps of having an attorney from the get go. Important to me is leaving a legacy, a home, for my wife. She is 24 years younger than I. And for me, my own yard to plant things and chill under the trees, great! She also says who wants to pay rent forever? On another note, I have heard of purchasing an existing home, having an engineer/refurbisher look at it then make renovations as need be. We may brush elbows at some point as the locale you describe is where my search is taking me. Here in Maine, USA for a bit longer. 70 days till retirement, woo hoo!
Better to build so you can make it how you want it where you want it. Have a budget and know who are also the neighbors. They can claim that boundry property is wrong and that slows the process even if you have municipal plan documents and have a servayor. It gets worked out but a pain. Pick a location you will enjoy. Im going in April to start building.
Hello Paul First off I think its great that your doing this for Mae. Hello Mae. Couple of things that I found when investigating buying or leasing land in the Philippines. 1. Ransom strip. A filipina I was chatting to moved into a house dirt cheap rent in Cebu. When she did a video tour for me I noticed a hollow block wall across the front of the property. 8 or 10ft high . Turns out the original owners when selling the house kept back a strip of land along the entire front if the lot. After selling the main lot they then tried to sell the strip at a crazy high price. The buyers didn't go for it so the sellers built this wall across the front on the random strip. Blocking access and light to the property . Bad people everywhere I guess. 2. Re your lease after Mae's purchase idea. I looked into leasing and was told that it can't be done between spouse's. I wad told that the foreigner could lease the land at the sale price with a condition in the lease that the foreigner can at a later date transfer it to a Filipino Filipina. Worth checking these points out. I think I came across this when Pea had her attorney friend guest on her show. Anyway Really happy for you and Mae in all you do. Andy Old git UK
The most common construction in the Philippines for houses is concrete blocks,known here as hollowblocks. Be very careful when sourcing them because most are very low quality. We found a couple in Castillejos making very strong blocks. The common size is 4 inches but I prefer 5 inch for more lateral strength against the wind. If you drop a block from waist high and it shatters into a pile of sand don't even consider using it structurally.
I bought a piece of land and had a home built on a remote island of Cebu 8 years ago. The land prices here have also gone out of sight. I built for my wife and sons security also. I have zero regrets and very pleased with everything we have done. I drew up the plans and floor plan and my wife's uncle and his crew built my home. It is a US standard built home. I am glad you are looking to make your girl secure with her future.
Well done Paul. I'm sure that you are doing the right thing. You're a lovely couple and ensuring May is well looked after is the ultimate gesture of love and trust.
Paul, once you buy the land the first step should be to put a fence around it. Place private property signs on all over the fences otherwise squatters will take over your land. Also, think about solar panels and an inverter with battery back up. You may be able to power your entire house with a few solar panels 3K to 5K is the correct watts.
Definitely rule NO#1 Hire a lawyer to make sure the land is in the name of the person who is representing it. I learned this from another vlogger. Definitely do your research and do not be in such a rush to make drastic decisions. Great info. My plan has been to just buy a condo since I'm single, but I know that will not be forever. Just sitting down with a real-estate lawyer and paying for a consultation will help with future issues and bad decisions.
@@pattypadulas8879 Unfortunately owning any type of property has its pitfalls in the phil’s. Get ready to be rumped in some way, it really becomes tiresome to be honest ..to be seen as walking “peso”. The legalities are terrible in the phil’s, I bought land 2 months ago…with a lease in subic. The over complication of it all it’s mind bending…lawyers are bloody rubbish as they do not undertake the normal due diligence as the lawyers in the west. Basically they just notarise docs with little other confirmations of owners, titles etc. Suffice to say for the job done though…GLTA. always learning in the phil’s, especially how bent the police are lol 😂…amazing what 500 peso’s can do.
I think your plan is a good one, do each step as you can and as money allows. You know the risks and your not a stupid man and your desire to make sure your wife is looked after is exactly what I expected you to do. Good luck with the adventure, don't let the stress get to you. Realize that property transactions are always stressful, best of luck to the both of you.
Paul - I'm not an attorney. However I'll share my experience from back when I lived in Thailand where the laws are about the same considering land ownership, or lack thereof, for foreigners. IF you're going to build, you can bifurcate the title of the house and lot. Consider putting the lot only in Mae's name, or that of your local attorney, along with an agreement that gives you 100% of the "air rights" to the lot. That effectively makes the lot valueless without a concurrent transfer of air rights which of course cover the proposed house you'd be building. This worked great for me in Thailand, and might be worth looking into with your legal counsel.... Just an option to consider.
In my experience, once a person starts talking about building a house, there’s pretty much nothing that will stop them from doing it. It’s called “house fever”. So, my only opinion is that I think you’ll ultimately buy a piece of land and build. My wish is that it ends up being a blessing that both of you can enjoy for years to come. 🖖
Congratulation and thank you for sharing. One thing about buying land , one must make sure to have =The right of way =. Which means = Legal free access , stating on the deed, to his lot . Some times the path to ones lot goes through other people's properties , and they can block your access to your place , unless you pay them. I Really Liked the idea of getting a 25 years renewable lease on the place to protect yourself. Good job !
I'm 3 minutes into the video. Like you I know the risks and the motivation without having been to the Philippines. You are one of the people I learned from. You've been there for several years learned from mistakes YOU made. Found Mae spent 4 years with her made a commitment to spend the rest of your life with her and do your best to provide for her after you have passed. You married her. Providing the security of a home seems to be a logical step. My advice, for what it's worth, do what you think is best it's not like you have to get it finalised within weeks. I guess the major considerations are 1. Will you be happy there for the remainder of your life? 2. Will Mae be ok there after? I'm sure you'll figure it out. It will be interesting to see how the comments shape up and to see what you decide.😉
Sounds like a very good plan to me...and probably the best plan to meet your/Mae's needs. I'd say go forward with it just as you have laid it out, especially since you'll be taking every precaution to avoid any costly problems (land, title, deed, legal) along the way. Good luck, -- BR
Great video and content as always. My wife is in Luzon now finalizing our land purchase. You are correct in advising to retain a lawyer to investigate the title and ownership of the land. That is what we did and everything is kosher. The price of land is continuing to increase and it is getting harder to find the right spot. We have been looking for 4 years and now have the spot for us. Good luck. I admire your devotion to baby Mae and desire to set things up right for her.
Paul you are a wonderful man - you’re plan for Baby Mae is very admirable and personally I would do the same thing. You are a gentleman and a generous one. I am in a similar situation as you are except my wife is 50 years old and I am 14 years older than her and we are living in the states. The planning scheme is very important to ensure that our love ones are financially secured when we leave this planet. I like your approach very much and keep up the good work. Your channel is very interesting and I have been following you for 2 years. Thank you.
Paul, I have built and closed over a thousand homes in America. I consider myself more knowledgeable than the average bear about home building. I lived in PI for only 18 months but being an old builder, I watched and listened about the building process there. It can be a complete nightmare. Horror stories are abundant. I decided to just say that I will not die or kill over trying to build and I will just buy from a reputable company. Do your research and hook up to a Demerol drip should you decide to build.
Everything in life has tradeoffs. If you proceed forward with buying land and then eventually building a house, that will severely cut down on your travel budget, which you said was a goal to travel out of the Philippines every 6 months to avoid the exit clearance. But I admire and share your desire to leave your Filipina with her own house after you've passed on. Another option is instead of leaving her property, you could just pile up cash in your shared bank account, and teaching her how to budget responsibly. Having a good sized bank account I think will leave your wife a lot more options than having a small house and garden.
Haven't heard of inflation.. that file of cash won't be much in the future. Save, invest. In this case he wants his wife to have a house to live in long after he passed. Upstanding man.
Hi Paul! You can be listed on the title, of the land and house, at 40% ownership, and you should be listed. If, May were to have something happen and unfortunately pass away, you would inherit and own the land and house through succession as she has no children.
I've built 5 houses here in the Philippines over the last 20 years. The biggest and best thing I did was hire a great contractor to do the management of the labor force, I bought all the supplies needed myself from the local suppliers and stayed on top of the work being done everyday to make sure they did the job right. When I say every day, I mean every single minute of every single day until they finished the job. I would call my suppliers and have my girlfriend go into town to pay for the materials. I never ever, EVER LEFT THE JOB SITE Until our house was completed to my satisfaction.
@@wmurphy62 I'm sure you can but then they won't be exactly how you want them to turn out and by I mean exactly I don't mean perfect... I had to stop the workers from preceding hundreds of times because they thought being off on some measurements of a half inch or more in some cases was ok. As an example. When your building a brand new home trust me you can be picky when your paying for it to be right and look good. The one house I remodeled I wasn't as picky because it was an older house, but still turned out nice we converted a 2 bedroom 1 bath to a 4 bedroom 3 bath. I did alot of the work myself and I liked the house before we bought it, I saw the potential. It's nice to invistion something and make it a reality. At the end of the day if I'm paying for it and living in it, it's going to look good as well as be built right or I won't be happy.
Leonard most of us who have retired want to get away from just what you're saying, good on you but none of us need a heart attack to finish things off worrying about building a house. I just sold one in Southern California to get away from homeownership!
Statistically, 50% of all first marriages fail and 2nd or more are much higher. Nobody ever thinks they will get divorced when first married. You put yourself at risk when the property is in her name. As long as you understand all the consequences, then good on you. Personally, I think the two of you are very solid and will stay married....but on the other hand, that's also what I thought with my last marriage. All the best to both of you! BTW, you could always buy property in a different country where its co-ownership and then rent it out.
@@andre1987eph I think your forgetting he’s in his latter days, Paul has changed his mindset ..which is certainly a good thing. Mae is a simple girl, Filipina have certain traits …good for Paul. Mae was wedded to him without marriage …but now married. Filipina are not like western women. Find a good one and it’s certainly for life.
@@Eric-qm5xw Filipino here but honesty it's nice you think highly of us however be careful because people change over time. Putting Filipinas on a higher ranking than western women is a dangerous mindset because there are plenty of bad apples all over the world especially here in Phils. We have plenty of our own problems here and I know personally Filipina girls in my age bracket (late 20s to mid 30s) who openly tell me they scam older guys for their money for their own interests knowing they haven't got many years left. Some even have 4 or 5 other guys secretly funding their lifestyle. One thing I love about western women when I was in the US was many were career drivin at least in my age range and money never really became issue with them. They had much control over their life and needs and wants. I see this as good life progression.
Paul, you and I are alot alike, in that I have taken care of my Filipina wife in all the ways your talking about and even more. My wife will not want for anything or have any payments for the rest of her life. My Filipina is 25 years younger than me and I have done well in my life, having many things all paid for and substantial savings. I hope to live many more years but also know I have more than I can spend even if I live past 100. Good of you to take care of Mays future, it shows your good character.
You’re a good egg Paul! Baby Mae is lucky to have you or you both are lucky to have each other for that matter! Excited on your next plans and projects of property ownership there on the islands.
Hi Paul. I admire your success in the Philippines. You and May portray a wonderful couple through the stories you share. I look forward to videos of happiness and success in both of your futures.
If you are buying raw land, make sure its zoned for residential. Plus, if you can afford it, get a large lot that can be sub divided, so you can sell a parcel or two to fund your house.
Ignore any of those "be careful" comments ... You know what you are doing. You guys are fine. Real thing. Anybody who is paying attention can quickly know that May is not a scammer. Your motivation is in the right place 👍 ... Maybe it is simply the right thing to do 🙂 I wish you both well and every success ... and may you live to 100+ ... which is probably what May is hoping for 😁
Build on vacant land - NO. Find an existing house - YES. Know that thought goes against the thoughts of many but .... - Building at today givematerial costs will B
I spent 33 days searching for land in zambales everything paul says is major facts it’s absolutely trivial trying to find clean titled properties in the Philippines 🇵🇭
You're 68. Forget the house. Keep saving and let your wife decide what to do with the money after you're gone. Don't understand why somebody your age would want to deal with this.
Do you really need the hassles of building a house at your age. The whole reason you went to the Philippines was to relax and enjoy life. Buy an existing house that's a few years old, then do a few renovations to your liking. Now if your bored and have nothing to do and you really enjoy construction, then go for it. Also with the world heading into further economic decline ( possibly into a depression ) you'd be better off owning your own home. Your purchasing power of your money is declining everyday with inflation. At least if you owned your own home, it would increase with inflation; better then keeping your money in the bank.
It’s a title search here which ensures proper ownership before the final agreement and sale…fer yerself just gotta go lookin’ for a property to build on or find a suitable house then weigh all your options accordingly…thx for the vid and good luck in your search 🙏🏻👍🏻🕊🇹🇭🇵🇭
It figures land is going up before I can get there 😂. Property is going up here in the states as well. I am moving there at the end of the 23-24 school year. Love all the information/advice you put out Paul. Especially how you tell true experience’s or lessons learned from other expats.
Yeah buddy that’s my luck too I’m with you on that one I heard a whole bunch of Russians gonna be moving over there hundreds of thousands just my freaking luck I want to go and all the Russians are heading over there God I hope I hope the world don’t ruin my dreams
What if........ Baby Mae dies first and the property changes ownership. Would a lease still protect you? You wouldn't be the first guy left a penniless old man by in-laws who don't have the same affection for you.
Paul, your advice is spot on. I have seen the problems happen that you describe. I have seen the mistakes made in property ownership and not doing due diligence. I have a home and land in Indonesia since 2004 and I am very happy with the situation. I was just a cautious as you are being. I tried to not have any surprises, etc.. I designed my home and with my wifes guidance built a home that will last for 150 years. Thanks for sharing your wisdom to others.
I can’t wait to get to the Philippines I just started making videos documenting my journey getting the hell out of America tired of it here I just can’t take it anymore I really just can’t take it anymore mother of God I’m so glad I found this channel it’s inspired me like you can’t believe 25 years I’ve been watching TH-cam and you know what now I started making videos all because I found this channel I can’t wait to get there God bless everyone it’s time we start living i’ll tell you I’m gonna have a stroke I’m so upset some days I hope I make it out alive 👀
Dont you see all the possible problems your going to put yourself into.... without thinking ahead if you fed up with those stresses in phil... you may want to return home
As usual the Old Dog has a good plan. Great content about the real estate. Go ahead and print your visa forms and instructions. Fill the form out and then apply online. Use the form for practice. Now is a good time to do it. The line is shorter because of covid.
Building, or buying a house in the Philippines, is a big mistake, with no upside for foreigners. I understand the foreigner’s desire to give a Filipina a better life, and security, by building her a house. The fact is that there are too many risks. The best option is to rent, because there is no long term commitment to a specific area. No need to tie up such a large amount of money, when the Philippines is a renters market. Provide for a Filipina, with opportunity, after she has a track record with the foreigner, and has earned it. Provide for her long term security, with access to funds after you are gone, through a will and legal documentation.
Sounds logical to me. The intention is to provide security for the Filipina in the future. The method of doing so should be to look for the investment which provides the least risk with the greatest return. The rents seem so cheap in the Philippines, that it appears to be a bad investment to buy real estate when you can rent cheaper than the cost to own, unless you anticipate this to flip at some point in the future.
@@wjebel Rents do appreciate. If in the future, Mae couldn't get a job, it would be nice not to worry about where she's gonna get the money to pay next month's rent.
That is correct Paul we as foreigners cannot own a home, no matter what another foreigner tells you I’m talking to a few foreigners that claim they can get around that law by leasing land into the second cousins name, and throwing it over to the third nephew, and all this fancy stuff, and in the end, if the relationship doesn’t work out with the Filipina, you lose that home, I don’t care how smart of a foreigner you think you are so if you do build a house understand if things don’t work out, you will lose that home and all your money will be down the tubes, but as long as you can except that as a foreigner, then what the hell go ahead and build the home I mean, after all, it’s their money
I'm going to Panama. No typhoons. Quick and easy retirement Visa (Pensionado). Many senior discounts. Friendly and helpful people. I can own land and become a dual-citizen. I do have to bone up on my Spanish though. I'd be happy in either country, but I'm headed for Panama first. 😊
@@KC-in9px I've been to Panama twice. While knowing Spanish is not absolutely required, it is prudent to become as fluent in the language as possible. Outside of Panama City, Boquete and perhaps Coronado, I've found that English-speakers are far and few between. I enjoy learning Spanish and I won't ever stop learning it.
We built our home in 2013, took 2 years… huge foundation, 12 feet high solid concrete, that added more cost, but flooding is an issue here. Home was finished in 2015, $70K US. Today it would cost triple to build the same home here. My wife’s family has owned this land for over 50 years. God has Blessed us 💞
I'm on the same path as Paul. Just further down the path. I got married in 2017 and finally retired and returned in September '22. We purchased an unbuilt home in 2017 and now we are living in it debt free. There is 17 years difference between myself and the Asawa, I'm a healthy (I hope!) 64yo man. My wife has a good career where we are able to travel did to her job (in Davao City for a month). We been together since 4/15, so I feel like it's a solid relationship. Thanks be to God for bringing us together.
Definitely build the house, as long as the picture you held in the thumbnail isn't the builder's architectural plans for it!!! Only the dog looks good.
I say go for it. Over the last 20 years, I have bought two properties in the local's name. I didn't get the 20 year lease to protect myself. I treat the purchase as an assurance of a better life for my loved ones. Making the lives of others better is always my motivation. Knowing and accepting that something can go wrong and a total loss may occur is the key to being content. I never expect anything I give to come back. Everything in this life is a gift. So what? It will give Paul peace of mind knowing he is providing for Mae's future.
Nice idea to take baby steps when you have the money to build it.. Only suggestion I would give you in addition is to try and search out some properties where someone has already started building and the property isn't completed.. Like the foundation is poured and the walls are up and the owners gave up or ran out of money and just need to sell it.. It might save you a few steps and some money in the building process and help you get it built faster so you can stop paying rent ... I know it might be harder to find but I see many properties around that are partly built.. Might save you money and time to take over someone's broken dream and make it your dream house..
Paul very smart to do a title search on any property before you buy. Knowing who the lawful owner is so that you are buying from the person who owns the lot FREE AND CLEAR. A title search should tell you of any liens, easements or other encumberances. For example, the owner may have promised an access easement to an adjacent lot owner but that agreement hasn't been exercised yet or the property may contain an easement for a stream or other natural resource where building within is prohibited. Also know if zoning districts and regulations are a consideration as well. You may be subject to building setbacks off of property lines, so get a survey to certify boundary lines. Other zoning considerations may be lot size and coverage, building size and height, permitted uses, differing regulations if sewer and water utilities are public or private. Many of these things may not be applicable like they are in the states, but as they say knowledge is power. Good luck, knowing what you are getting yourself into will remove the need for luck.
Hey Paul My Wife has bought 3 properties in the Philippines. Our latest is an old farmhouse with 1000 meters. The advantage is we have established fruit bearing trees. Jackfruit, mangoes, banana, and even Almond. She purchased during the pandemic at very low price. You would be surprised how easy it is to upgrade everything, plumbing , electrical, roof, floors etc.. anyway, the other properties are Camella gated community Tagaytay. And beach front overhanging the Ocean. If you want to need some oversite, I would be happy to help.
Thanks for the content Paul. I am turning 56 this month, retiring August 25, flying to PH August 31. My decision is in part due to your content. Along with many others. Thanks for the valuable information.
Invest on land property first, then build your house slowly starting from foundation when you have the money ,you can save your money spent on renting and put it on building your house
Paul 3 things if may wants something small purchase land buy a small boxabl manufacturer home. Invest in Tesla for mays future and set up a lawer to help her in the future.
I would keep renting and purchase several land properties in different island's so she can sell them later in life. You are in a position that you can see what future settlers may want to live.
Paul- I normally don’t make any comments, however this is an exception. I grew up here in the US, but my husband and I will be retiring there in my providence Occidental where I was born . I think you are a responsible and thoughtful for providing that for your new wife.
Design and build your own. You can then guarantee the quality, the plumbing, electric and the materials used. If it's in the budget, build without using wood trusses, ceilings, soffits, cabinets, etc. You'll thank yourself in the long run when you have no termite or wood borer problems. 1. Land not zoned agricultural 2. Clear title as you mentioned, and land surveyed. 3. Does not flood 4. No right of way through your property for adjoining land. 5. Utility reliability and availability. 6. Is adjoining land farmed and going to be burned off constantly with the smoke going into your home? 7. How deep do you need to drill a well and the cost if needed. 8. Are the neighbors friendly, quiet, clean? 9. Is the soil good for building? Sandy, loamy, muddy, rocky, etc. Mae in the states. My wife and I used Visa journeys to help get her to the states, very helpful people. Terry stayed in the states long enough to work a few years and get a Social Security number. She recently turned 62 and qualified for spousal benefits which she is now receiving. If I go before her she will then get a bump up to my level of benefit. I would strongly suggest getting in touch (patience) with the SS office in the U.S. Embassy in Manila with any questions as I was recently told by an acquaintance that his wife (14 years his junior) would qualify for survivor benefits when he goes even though she has never been to the states? At the very least it's worth confirming and may save you a trip to the states.
Paul, I've been following you for a few years. You remember why you left the USA, you found true love (and happiness) in your now wife, and you are now doing the manly, responsible, and correct thing. Nothing else matters.
![[MV] A leap of faith...ความเชื่อใจครั้งสุดท้าย (From "Petrichor the series")](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U1piZH2CNXA/mqdefault.jpg)
You're asking crazy people for their opinion. What could go wrong?
Haha. Yes. This crazy person could offer some advice as well! I married my Thai wife and then we built a small cheap house 17 years ago. We have our own house, don't pay rent and the monthly out goings are really low. So its worked out really well for me. I would recommend to anyone who has a relationship with an Asian: get to know them, don't rush into anything, take your time. If it works out as a good long term relation then you succeeded (assuming that is what you want); if the long term relationship works out, then move onto the next step: get married, build/buy a house, etc. Generally you are better to marry BEFORE buying houses, land, etc, as you can get alot of it back should the marriage not work out.
@@armunro -Good advice, which seems to go out the window for most crazies. haha
Hilarious, Comment of the Day!
😜😜😜👍
👍🤣👍
I've been married to a lady from another country (besides the U.S.) for 40+ years, and I finally feel confident enough to just give her the money to buy the land and build her house there. Like Mae, she doesn't want a big place, but it has been expensive (well, I am not rich). The cost pretty much wiped my savings and I borrowed against my life insurance. But 40+ years generates a lot of love and trust. I want her to be secure, no matter what, after I die... and I am 77, so not much time left. She is a dual citizen and we have 4 children, all U.S. born. If she kicks me to the curb tomorrow (which I doubt), it has been a nice life and I love her and my kids. I wish you all the best. Mae appears to be a winner and she deserves all the security you can provide.
Hi Paul, This is more really compelling content right on target for Expats. Good on you for securing Mae's future.
Yes, absolutely use a good, honest real estate attorney as #1. Title search and survey as #2. Verify that there is a good water source on the land. Also a good place for a septic tank and septic field on the land. Try to avoid any land that is predominantly on a slope, and land that is just at the bottom of a slope. Also if buying anywhere near a river, circle the neighborhood and ask how bad the last big flood was, and when it was. For this, it is best to talk to the oldest neighbors to get a 50 year history.
Again, good on you! You and Mae deserve all the blessings. You both have contributed so much to the welfare of so many others, even beyond what you are aware of.
Paul, even with my first failed attempt with my Filipina asawa who I married in 2007, I would definitely buy land (in my next asawa's name, once I get annulled from the last one) , but I have Mechanical and Electrical Engineering experience. My experience is different from others, but my personal train wreck ended up being a "net positive" experience. I want my next asawa and my Filipino Family to have something when, like you, I eventually depart God's green Earth! Congrats again to you and Baby Mae, you are truly both generous souls deserving of the happiness you share together.😅
Hi Paul, as i stated before on one of your videos your a class act. Setting up your wife to be secure is a honorable thing to do and in my humble opinion your house plans sound solid. Best of luck to you!
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What a Gentleman you are, Paul, very positive thoughts about Mae's future, for sure. Just a suggestion, approach the banks in the area you want to stay and find out if they do not have land which has been repoed, this way you could settle the outstanding amount and take over ownership with no hiccups. This is a better guarantee that the owner IS the owner.
Congratulations Paul and Mae.. My husband and I are still in Canada.btw I am Filipina and he is white. .lol we are going to retire in Valencia by November, we are done with the grind. My husband loves Dumaguete. We had been watching your channel and learned so much from you, thanks so much. During the pandemic its still lock down I was able to purchased an overlooking property up in Sagbang Valencia half way going to the Japanese Shrine. We got it surveyed prior to buying it. We were there last month to see it , went to the land multiple times to get the feel of it. We only have 1 neighbor to the right who are both elderly, we have the view of Siquijor to the front with concrete road and view of Cebu on the back of property. Since it was bought during the pandemic I got it for only 850 pesos per sqm. We got a lawyer too to do that 25 years renewable lease agreement for his protection. We hired geodetic engineers to do topography and soil testing now as part of the property is a ravine before we start building end of the year. I think you made the right choice to build a home, Mae will be very happy and you get to enjoy it too.. more success to you two.
Hey Paul, I ran into your channel in January. I was born in the Philippines and now been living here in the US for the last 30 years. I bought land (in the Philippines) in the year 2020 with the intention of going back and retiring there. I really like your content and your story telling is entertaining! I’m happy to see that you’ve manage to find true love there, knowing that it’s very challenging. I’m excited to see this episode that you and baby may are actually considering to build your own home. I’ll be watching and excited to see the progress. I hope to meet you guys someday when I visit again.
You're a good man, Paul. I salute you for your sense of responsibility to your new bride. Most honorable!
Great plan for Baby Mae for securing her future like a survivor benefit. 💓
Paul, I have to say that TH-cam obviously is treating you well and YOU deserve it! You have a gift for just looking into the camera and talking and I am glad to see how far your Subs have grown!
From a man who had to watch his 1500 budget, to now thinking of building a house, nothing but happiness for you and Mae. I really don't think that you fall into the category of building and then having the partner kick the old man to the curb scenario. You have been together with Mae for years, you are now married and most of all, you both get along really well. You want to purchase or build a home, go for it. Even if you were to look at the worst-case scenario, Mae tells you to get the heck out, ok no big deal, you still have your steady SS income and you still have TH-cam. So, you lose money that you mostly made from TH-cam, which was something you never thought of doing in the first place and became a nice bonus for you. Once again congrats and I really look forward to seeing you go through the process of finding or building a home.
I wish you the best Sir Paul & Ma'am Mae. Buying property in the Philippines can be a daunting task .
Hey Paul, thanks for the wonderful video. Here’s something that is a good idea to check on. Water. Before you purchase any property, especially out in areas that they grow or have grown pineapple, sugar cane, etc. Davao, Malaybalay, Baguio, and quite a few other cities in industrialized agricultural areas, have tap water that is polluted with heavy metals and carcinogens. Pesticides and herbicides that are banned all over the world, including banned in the Philippines, are still being used and causing terrible problems for the local populations. “Hello, hello, hello” just did a TH-cam exposé about all of this based on surveys and reports from independent organizations.
It's a nice feeling to finish up your life knowing that your doing the right thing by securing a future for someone close to you and that you love. Live long together 👍👍
Let’s call it “The John” story
Paul you will succeed in this because your motive is to make Baby Mae happy and secure with your spousel benefits . I hope she can make it emotionally when you are gone .. She was sick missing you when you visited the States . Thanks for good show !!! Take care !🙏🤓
Paul, I've been a subscriber of yours for about two years now, I've always enjoyed your presentations and content. Through all that I have seen and heard from you I have grown to like you as a person. This new proposition of a house has defiantly raised my level of respect for you. You recognize the reality of mortality and recognize your responsibility and wish to care for the one you love. The definition of a real Man.
your definition of a real man set a very Low benchmark. N'est-ce pas ?
@@idaclement2994 I don't agree, I worked for a veyr long time in middle managment and administration in a female dominated proffession . I would say that 85 to 90% of humans will not take ownership of their responcabilities. They will do what's best for themselves, and leave others to fend for themselves. They will deflect blame or responcability for there own actions. Taking ownership of responcability is actualy a high level, and rarly done.
@@robinborkowski5598 Wow what a response. You must be a lonely person. good luck
Hi Paul. Agree with you 100%. Buy land or small house already build on property. Right thing to do for Mae future.
You have thought this all out well. I see no problem for you to proceed with a purchase of land or a home. For myself, I just fell into a good family and good deal. My nieces wanted to go to college (which I was paying for) and they wanted to rent a place close to the college. They found a place and rented it (I paid). Turned out to be on the beach. I saw the place a year later and said......this is a keeper ! Then my daughter falls in love with the owners son.....they are now married. The owner gave the home and land to the son. We have spend money and effort into improvements so that our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter have a nice home for the rest of their life. We now have a 3bd, 2ba home on an acre of land, sea in front, river in back, beautiful garden with vegetables and fruit trees. Oh and my daughter has a large Sari Sari store in the corner with an apt on top. Some times things just work out right
I bought 1 acre on the beach in Cebu for 20p. A square meter mabe 12 years ago..the world has gone nutts...ya you heard that right 20.. a square... Built the giant house on the beach.. learned my lesson.. whatever you estimate the cost to build a house the real cost will be two to three times more and take twice as long as you anticipate that's just the way it goes for everyone... The upkeep on the beach was a massive full-time job just to keep the mold under control and the jungle from taking the house over... Small is definitely better... I was lucky and I was able to sell my house.. because it was directly on the beach but most people really can't sell their house so keep that in mind specially out in the province where you want to do it. no one's going to buy a house out there... I'm sure you see all the abandoned houses in the Philippines just riding around... What usually happens people run out of money building because it cost .2-3 times more than your highest estimate and you'll see people living in them unpainted unfinished.. actually I've built two houses And a restaurant in the Philippines I know what I'm talkin about... You really better put some thought into it..... Just giving you the facts from experience...mk
Paul, we don't know each other, but I have seen some of your videos. You and Mae seem very nice. I went to medical school in the Philippines. There is something that you have not taken into account that I would like to see you do as part of your decision making process. I have noted by some of your comments that you come from good genes, longevity wise. Excellent :) But the fact remains that you are still 68, even as you are a very young 68! You really should think about being within a reasonable distance from the hospitals in town. Things happen in the Philippines - more than other places you have lived. Accidents happen in the Philippines to a greater degree. Diseases like Dengue and Leptospirosis (and many others) happen in the Philippines more so than where you have lived in the U.S. Your immune system, and bones and more are not what they were when you were 30. I have trained in 5 or 6 hospitals in the Philippines. I have seen more death than I could have ever believed. Be smart. Do this for yourself and for Mae! Take the proximity to the hospitals in town, as a factor in your decision making process. Live long. Live healthy. And may G-d bless you both for many, many years to come! Good luck.
Paul, you are a very smart man with a lot of deep insight. I believe that you are more than capable of making the right decisions. At this point in time, you and Mae seem rock solid in your relationship. So the question is, “Why not?” Personally I don’t see a problem and encourage you to follow your dreams!
I built a house here in the Philippines for my wife and I soon after we were married in 1974. We're still together and still have the house. I built it with the idea that one day we would come back and spend at least 1/2 year at a time here. When we aren't here we have family who look out for the house. That brings up another story. A few years ago we bought beach property a couple of towns up from us. We made improvements, put in a well, a CR (outhouse) walled it in etc. However our mistake was we didn't have anyone watching it closely. We now have squatters and a lawyer. The squatters built a permanent structure on part of the land which is closest to the water and by law nothing permanent is suppose to be built there. So my advice to you and whoever else is thinking of buying property but not building right away, be sure you or someone you trust is keeping a close (daily) eye on it for any suspicious activity. Squatters got the lady you were talking about and they got us. Ingat kayo!
It's why I just paid $4,000 to a title company and Escrow Company to sell my house in California!
People may wonder why high solid fences are built around almost all the nicer properties in PH - exactly that, to keep squatters out and define the property lines.
@chronicreader Wow!
Paul - I like your plan. You know Mae well enough to know if you can trust her with this and it is great you want to leave this behind for her later. A 2 bedroom 1 bath house with a carport and storage and a garden is plenty for anyone and a slice of heaven for most Filipinas. I say go for it !! The Filipina Pea had a house built for her family and she may have some helpful resources for you as you get into the process. Just a Thought. Please keep us updated as you move forward !!!
You’ve had really positive feedback from the crazies so that’s good! You can’t beat bricks and mortar for investment and you’ll not have to pay rent any longer for a place that doesn’t meet your requirements. You know the rules around location for sure so I’d say the only thing to also consider is the geo-political situation of the Phillipines and the role and place of expats. In broad terms it’s a damn great idea for you and Mae and will give you something else to bond over. All the best from New Zealand…..
You plan is how we built house in central New York in the 80s. No one had enough money, and could not afford 18% interest rates, so we followed The Garden Song (arlo guthrie/pete segar). Inch by inch, Row by row, We will make this garden grow. It is the only way forward, where you pay as you go. You have a great plan.....
Glad you made this video, Paul. Been waiting for someone to open this up. This is exactly the plan my wife and I have and we have thought it out, as you have, with those important steps of having an attorney from the get go.
Important to me is leaving a legacy, a home, for my wife. She is 24 years younger than I. And for me, my own yard to plant things and chill under the trees, great! She also says who wants to pay rent forever?
On another note, I have heard of purchasing an existing home, having an engineer/refurbisher look at it then make renovations as need be. We may brush elbows at some point as the locale you describe is where my search is taking me. Here in Maine, USA for a bit longer. 70 days till retirement, woo hoo!
Better to build so you can make it how you want it where you want it. Have a budget and know who are also the neighbors. They can claim that boundry property is wrong and that slows the process even if you have municipal plan documents and have a servayor. It gets worked out but a pain. Pick a location you will enjoy. Im going in April to start building.
My filipina created the conditions in which my best self could blossom. Clearly, your Mae is doing the same for you. Bless you both.
👍🏼 i’ll tell you what this is my favorite channel past few months so inspiring to me 🏝
Hello Paul
First off I think its great that your doing this for Mae. Hello Mae.
Couple of things that I found when investigating buying or leasing land in the Philippines.
1. Ransom strip. A filipina I was chatting to moved into a house dirt cheap rent in Cebu. When she did a video tour for me I noticed a hollow block wall across the front of the property. 8 or 10ft high .
Turns out the original owners when selling the house kept back a strip of land along the entire front if the lot. After selling the main lot they then tried to sell the strip at a crazy high price. The buyers didn't go for it so the sellers built this wall across the front on the random strip. Blocking access and light to the property .
Bad people everywhere I guess.
2. Re your lease after Mae's purchase idea.
I looked into leasing and was told that it can't be done between spouse's. I wad told that the foreigner could lease the land at the sale price with a condition in the lease that the foreigner can at a later date transfer it to a Filipino Filipina.
Worth checking these points out.
I think I came across this when Pea had her attorney friend guest on her show.
Anyway
Really happy for you and Mae in all you do.
Andy
Old git UK
The most common construction in the Philippines for houses is concrete blocks,known here as hollowblocks. Be very careful when sourcing them because most are very low quality. We found a couple in Castillejos making very strong blocks. The common size is 4 inches but I prefer 5 inch for more lateral strength against the wind. If you drop a block from waist high and it shatters into a pile of sand don't even consider using it structurally.
And make sure they use rebar.
I bought a piece of land and had a home built on a remote island of Cebu 8 years ago. The land prices here have also gone out of sight. I built for my wife and sons security also. I have zero regrets and very pleased with everything we have done. I drew up the plans and floor plan and my wife's uncle and his crew built my home. It is a US standard built home. I am glad you are looking to make your girl secure with her future.
Well done Paul. I'm sure that you are doing the right thing. You're a lovely couple and ensuring May is well looked after is the ultimate gesture of love and trust.
Paul, once you buy the land the first step should be to put a fence around it. Place private property signs on all over the fences otherwise squatters will take over your land. Also, think about solar panels and an inverter with battery back up. You may be able to power your entire house with a few solar panels 3K to 5K is the correct watts.
Definitely rule NO#1 Hire a lawyer to make sure the land is in the name of the person who is representing it. I learned this from another vlogger. Definitely do your research and do not be in such a rush to make drastic decisions. Great info. My plan has been to just buy a condo since I'm single, but I know that will not be forever. Just sitting down with a real-estate lawyer and paying for a consultation will help with future issues and bad decisions.
Lawyers are not the same in the phil’s as in the west ..you’ll find that out.
@@pattypadulas8879 Unfortunately owning any type of property has its pitfalls in the phil’s. Get ready to be rumped in some way, it really becomes tiresome to be honest ..to be seen as walking “peso”. The legalities are terrible in the phil’s, I bought land 2 months ago…with a lease in subic. The over complication of it all it’s mind bending…lawyers are bloody rubbish as they do not undertake the normal due diligence as the lawyers in the west. Basically they just notarise docs with little other confirmations of owners, titles etc. Suffice to say for the job done though…GLTA. always learning in the phil’s, especially how bent the police are lol 😂…amazing what 500 peso’s can do.
Go for it Paul, peace of mind for Baby Maes future . Good on you!
I think your plan is a good one, do each step as you can and as money allows. You know the risks and your not a stupid man and your desire to make sure your wife is looked after is exactly what I expected you to do. Good luck with the adventure, don't let the stress get to you. Realize that property transactions are always stressful, best of luck to the both of you.
👍🏻
Paul - I'm not an attorney. However I'll share my experience from back when I lived in Thailand where the laws are about the same considering land ownership, or lack thereof, for foreigners. IF you're going to build, you can bifurcate the title of the house and lot. Consider putting the lot only in Mae's name, or that of your local attorney, along with an agreement that gives you 100% of the "air rights" to the lot. That effectively makes the lot valueless without a concurrent transfer of air rights which of course cover the proposed house you'd be building. This worked great for me in Thailand, and might be worth looking into with your legal counsel.... Just an option to consider.
In my experience, once a person starts talking about building a house, there’s pretty much nothing that will stop them from doing it. It’s called “house fever”. So, my only opinion is that I think you’ll ultimately buy a piece of land and build. My wish is that it ends up being a blessing that both of you can enjoy for years to come. 🖖
Congratulation and thank you for sharing. One thing about buying land , one must make sure to have =The right of way =. Which means = Legal free access , stating on the deed, to his lot . Some times the path to ones lot goes through other people's properties , and they can block your access to your place , unless you pay them. I Really Liked the idea of getting a 25 years renewable lease on the place to protect yourself. Good job !
I'm 3 minutes into the video.
Like you I know the risks and the motivation without having been to the Philippines. You are one of the people I learned from.
You've been there for several years learned from mistakes YOU made.
Found Mae spent 4 years with her made a commitment to spend the rest of your life with her and do your best to provide for her after you have passed.
You married her. Providing the security of a home seems to be a logical step.
My advice, for what it's worth, do what you think is best it's not like you have to get it finalised within weeks.
I guess the major considerations are
1. Will you be happy there for the remainder of your life?
2. Will Mae be ok there after?
I'm sure you'll figure it out.
It will be interesting to see how the comments shape up and to see what you decide.😉
? Why worry ? - Be happy ! Life is about living in "The Moments" ❤
Exactly my thinking 👍
Sensible comment
Who gives a shit. He's going to croak soon anyway....
Sounds like a very good plan to me...and probably the best plan to meet your/Mae's needs. I'd say go forward with it just as you have laid it out, especially since you'll be taking every precaution to avoid any costly problems (land, title, deed, legal) along the way.
Good luck,
-- BR
Great video and content as always. My wife is in Luzon now finalizing our land purchase. You are correct in advising to retain a lawyer to investigate the title and ownership of the land. That is what we did and everything is kosher. The price of land is continuing to increase and it is getting harder to find the right spot. We have been looking for 4 years and now have the spot for us. Good luck. I admire your devotion to baby Mae and desire to set things up right for her.
Paul you are a wonderful man - you’re plan for Baby Mae is very admirable and personally I would do the same thing.
You are a gentleman and a generous one.
I am in a similar situation as you are except my wife is 50 years old and I am 14 years older than her and we are living in the states. The planning scheme is very important to ensure that our love ones are financially secured when we leave this planet.
I like your approach very much and keep up the good work.
Your channel is very interesting and I have been following you for 2 years.
Thank you.
Paul, I have built and closed over a thousand homes in America. I consider myself more knowledgeable than the average bear about home building. I lived in PI for only 18 months but being an old builder, I watched and listened about the building process there. It can be a complete nightmare. Horror stories are abundant. I decided to just say that I will not die or kill over trying to build and I will just buy from a reputable company. Do your research and hook up to a Demerol drip should you decide to build.
Yeah, I've watched a lot of videos of house builds in the Phils. You think in a Hurricane zone, they'd be more substantial.
I think that this would be the right thing to do, Paul. Absolutely.
Everything in life has tradeoffs. If you proceed forward with buying land and then eventually building a house, that will severely cut down on your travel budget, which you said was a goal to travel out of the Philippines every 6 months to avoid the exit clearance. But I admire and share your desire to leave your Filipina with her own house after you've passed on. Another option is instead of leaving her property, you could just pile up cash in your shared bank account, and teaching her how to budget responsibly. Having a good sized bank account I think will leave your wife a lot more options than having a small house and garden.
Haven't heard of inflation.. that file of cash won't be much in the future. Save, invest. In this case he wants his wife to have a house to live in long after he passed. Upstanding man.
great idea Paul i have mentioned on your channel a couple of times about buying and not renting so that mae,s future is secure
Hi Paul! You can be listed on the title, of the land and house, at 40% ownership, and you should be listed. If, May were to have something happen and unfortunately pass away, you would inherit and own the land and house through succession as she has no children.
Awesome Paul I would do the same thing for my wife you are a good man.
I understand where you’re coming from Paul but man building a house from the ground up is a lot of stress man, especially in the Philippines!!
Boy you got that right it’s stressful here in America I can only imagine what you got to go through over there 👍🏻
I've built 5 houses here in the Philippines over the last 20 years.
The biggest and best thing I did was hire a great contractor to do the management of the labor force, I bought all the supplies needed myself from the local suppliers and stayed on top of the work being done everyday to make sure they did the job right.
When I say every day, I mean every single minute of every single day until they finished the job.
I would call my suppliers and have my girlfriend go into town to pay for the materials.
I never ever, EVER LEFT THE JOB SITE
Until our house was completed to my satisfaction.
@@leonardmarlin4330 OMG, that’s crazy, I’m sure there are plenty of houses out there we could get cheaper and without all those headaches
@@wmurphy62 I'm sure you can but then they won't be exactly how you want them to turn out and by I mean exactly I don't mean perfect... I had to stop the workers from preceding hundreds of times because they thought being off on some measurements of a half inch or more in some cases was ok. As an example.
When your building a brand new home trust me you can be picky when your paying for it to be right and look good.
The one house I remodeled I wasn't as picky because it was an older house, but still turned out nice we converted a 2 bedroom 1 bath to a 4 bedroom 3 bath.
I did alot of the work myself and I liked the house before we bought it, I saw the potential.
It's nice to invistion something and make it a reality.
At the end of the day if I'm paying for it and living in it, it's going to look good as well as be built right or I won't be happy.
Leonard most of us who have retired want to get away from just what you're saying, good on you but none of us need a heart attack to finish things off worrying about building a house. I just sold one in Southern California to get away from homeownership!
I think it’s an honorable plan. She’s fortunate that your heads on straight and you care about her future well being.
Statistically, 50% of all first marriages fail and 2nd or more are much higher. Nobody ever thinks they will get divorced when first married. You put yourself at risk when the property is in her name. As long as you understand all the consequences, then good on you. Personally, I think the two of you are very solid and will stay married....but on the other hand, that's also what I thought with my last marriage. All the best to both of you! BTW, you could always buy property in a different country where its co-ownership and then rent it out.
Her attitude is a good indicator that she is stable and not after his money and the that she really appreciates what he does and loves him😊
@@andre1987eph I think your forgetting he’s in his latter days, Paul has changed his mindset ..which is certainly a good thing. Mae is a simple girl, Filipina have certain traits …good for Paul. Mae was wedded to him without marriage …but now married. Filipina are not like western women. Find a good one and it’s certainly for life.
@@Eric-qm5xw Filipino here but honesty it's nice you think highly of us however be careful because people change over time. Putting Filipinas on a higher ranking than western women is a dangerous mindset because there are plenty of bad apples all over the world especially here in Phils. We have plenty of our own problems here and I know personally Filipina girls in my age bracket (late 20s to mid 30s) who openly tell me they scam older guys for their money for their own interests knowing they haven't got many years left. Some even have 4 or 5 other guys secretly funding their lifestyle. One thing I love about western women when I was in the US was many were career drivin at least in my age range and money never really became issue with them. They had much control over their life and needs and wants. I see this as good life progression.
@@phil-be-health Yeah I get you point, I live in the Subic Freeport zone with my ex banker Filipina …going strong. God bless 🙏
@@charlesphilhower1452 Her attitude now is a good indicator, what about when it changes later on? lol
Yes Paul, you guys should buy a lot w/clean title. One that's not too far from town, but away from barking dogs & loud music 🎶
Paul, you and I are alot alike, in that I have taken care of my Filipina wife in all the ways your talking about and even more. My wife will not want for anything or have any payments for the rest of her life. My Filipina is 25 years younger than me and I have done well in my life, having many things all paid for and substantial savings. I hope to live many more years but also know I have more than I can spend even if I live past 100. Good of you to take care of Mays future, it shows your good character.
You’re a good egg Paul! Baby Mae is lucky to have you or you both are lucky to have each other for that matter! Excited on your next plans and projects of property ownership there on the islands.
Hi Paul. I admire your success in the Philippines. You and May portray a wonderful couple through the stories you share. I look forward to videos of happiness and success in both of your futures.
Wow, thank you
If you are buying raw land, make sure its zoned for residential. Plus, if you can afford it, get a large lot that can be sub divided, so you can sell a parcel or two to fund your house.
Ignore any of those "be careful" comments ...
You know what you are doing. You guys are fine. Real thing. Anybody who is paying attention can quickly know that May is not a scammer.
Your motivation is in the right place 👍
... Maybe it is simply the right thing to do 🙂
I wish you both well and every success ... and may you live to 100+ ... which is probably what May is hoping for 😁
Build on vacant land - NO. Find an existing house - YES. Know that thought goes against the thoughts of many but ....
- Building at today givematerial costs will
B
I spent 33 days searching for land in zambales everything paul says is major facts it’s absolutely trivial trying to find clean titled properties in the Philippines 🇵🇭
You're 68. Forget the house. Keep saving and let your wife decide what to do with the money after you're gone. Don't understand why somebody your age would want to deal with this.
Nice video on a very important topic. Thanks, Paul.
Do you really need the hassles of building a house at your age. The whole reason you went to the Philippines was to relax and enjoy life. Buy an existing house that's a few years old, then do a few renovations to your liking. Now if your bored and have nothing to do and you really enjoy construction, then go for it. Also with the world heading into further economic decline ( possibly into a depression ) you'd be better off owning your own home. Your purchasing power of your money is declining everyday with inflation. At least if you owned your own home, it would increase with inflation; better then keeping your money in the bank.
It’s a title search here which ensures proper ownership before the final agreement and sale…fer yerself just gotta go lookin’ for a property to build on or find a suitable house then weigh all your options accordingly…thx for the vid and good luck in your search 🙏🏻👍🏻🕊🇹🇭🇵🇭
It figures land is going up before I can get there 😂. Property is going up here in the states as well. I am moving there at the end of the 23-24 school year. Love all the information/advice you put out Paul. Especially how you tell true experience’s or lessons learned from other expats.
Yeah buddy that’s my luck too I’m with you on that one I heard a whole bunch of Russians gonna be moving over there hundreds of thousands just my freaking luck I want to go and all the Russians are heading over there God I hope I hope the world don’t ruin my dreams
Oh wow!
Mae is trustworthy and not a gold digger . If you buy her a house it won’t change your relationship. She is a genuine sweetheart.
Build don't buy. This way you design what you want and like. Of course, you will need to supervise the daily work crew.
True yes
Really awesome video something to think about an make plans for also.
What if........ Baby Mae dies first and the property changes ownership. Would a lease still protect you?
You wouldn't be the first guy left a penniless old man by in-laws who don't have the same affection for you.
Paul, your advice is spot on. I have seen the problems happen that you describe. I have seen the mistakes made in property ownership and not doing due diligence. I have a home and land in Indonesia since 2004 and I am very happy with the situation. I was just a cautious as you are being. I tried to not have any surprises, etc.. I designed my home and with my wifes guidance built a home that will last for 150 years. Thanks for sharing your wisdom to others.
I can’t wait to get to the Philippines I just started making videos documenting my journey getting the hell out of America tired of it here I just can’t take it anymore I really just can’t take it anymore mother of God I’m so glad I found this channel it’s inspired me like you can’t believe 25 years I’ve been watching TH-cam and you know what now I started making videos all because I found this channel I can’t wait to get there God bless everyone it’s time we start living i’ll tell you I’m gonna have a stroke I’m so upset some days I hope I make it out alive 👀
I have17 days until I retire. 🤗
Good for you! What's your channel?
@@terryashley4674 I'm jealous. have at or around 385 days.
Dont you see all the possible problems your going to put yourself into.... without thinking ahead if you fed up with those stresses in phil... you may want to return home
Good riddance! Dont coming running back when you need America again! Change your citizenship and cut any/all monetary entitlements you recieve!
As usual the Old Dog has a good plan. Great content about the real estate. Go ahead and print your visa forms and instructions. Fill the form out and then apply online. Use the form for practice. Now is a good time to do it. The line is shorter because of covid.
Building, or buying a house in the Philippines, is a big mistake, with no upside for foreigners.
I understand the foreigner’s desire to give a Filipina a better life, and security, by building her a house. The fact is that there are too many risks. The best option is to rent, because there is no long term commitment to a specific area. No need to tie up such a large amount of money, when the Philippines is a renters market.
Provide for a Filipina, with opportunity, after she has a track record with the foreigner, and has earned it. Provide for her long term security, with access to funds after you are gone, through a will and legal documentation.
They’ve been together for like 5 years. You don’t think she’s “earned” it putting up with Paul that long?🤷🏻♂️
Sounds logical to me. The intention is to provide security for the Filipina in the future. The method of doing so should be to look for the investment which provides the least risk with the greatest return. The rents seem so cheap in the Philippines, that it appears to be a bad investment to buy real estate when you can rent cheaper than the cost to own, unless you anticipate this to flip at some point in the future.
@@wjebel Rents do appreciate. If in the future, Mae couldn't get a job, it would be nice not to worry about where she's gonna get the money to pay next month's rent.
I agree with your plan and it shows that you do in fact love Mae, this I have respect for, God bless you and Mae!
That is correct Paul we as foreigners cannot own a home, no matter what another foreigner tells you I’m talking to a few foreigners that claim they can get around that law by leasing land into the second cousins name, and throwing it over to the third nephew, and all this fancy stuff, and in the end, if the relationship doesn’t work out with the Filipina, you lose that home, I don’t care how smart of a foreigner you think you are so if you do build a house understand if things don’t work out, you will lose that home and all your money will be down the tubes, but as long as you can except that as a foreigner, then what the hell go ahead and build the home I mean, after all, it’s their money
I'm going to Panama. No typhoons. Quick and easy retirement Visa (Pensionado). Many senior discounts. Friendly and helpful people. I can own land and become a dual-citizen. I do have to bone up on my Spanish though. I'd be happy in either country, but I'm headed for Panama first. 😊
@@terryashley4674 You'll be fine. English is widely spoken in Panama.
@@KC-in9px How is the cost of living in Panama? Cheaper than the Philippines?
@@RealGaryGibson About the same. Imo both are third world countries in comparison to the US. You get what you pay for.
@@KC-in9px I've been to Panama twice. While knowing Spanish is not absolutely required, it is prudent to become as fluent in the language as possible. Outside of Panama City, Boquete and perhaps Coronado, I've found that English-speakers are far and few between. I enjoy learning Spanish and I won't ever stop learning it.
It sounds like the purchase combined with a 25 year lease paid in full protects both your interests. Good thinking.
We built our home in 2013, took 2 years… huge foundation, 12 feet high solid concrete, that added more cost, but flooding is an issue here. Home was finished in 2015, $70K US. Today it would cost triple to build the same home here. My wife’s family has owned this land for over 50 years. God has Blessed us 💞
I'm on the same path as Paul. Just further down the path. I got married in 2017 and finally retired and returned in September '22. We purchased an unbuilt home in 2017 and now we are living in it debt free. There is 17 years difference between myself and the Asawa, I'm a healthy (I hope!) 64yo man. My wife has a good career where we are able to travel did to her job (in Davao City for a month). We been together since 4/15, so I feel like it's a solid relationship. Thanks be to God for bringing us together.
Real estate is often the best investment tool you can have and it will certainly benefit Mae when you do depart this earth. I'd go for it.
Definitely build the house, as long as the picture you held in the thumbnail isn't the builder's architectural plans for it!!! Only the dog looks good.
I say go for it. Over the last 20 years, I have bought two properties in the local's name. I didn't get the 20 year lease to protect myself. I treat the purchase as an assurance of a better life for my loved ones. Making the lives of others better is always my motivation. Knowing and accepting that something can go wrong and a total loss may occur is the key to being content. I never expect anything I give to come back. Everything in this life is a gift. So what? It will give Paul peace of mind knowing he is providing for Mae's future.
Nice idea to take baby steps when you have the money to build it.. Only suggestion I would give you in addition is to try and search out some properties where someone has already started building and the property isn't completed.. Like the foundation is poured and the walls are up and the owners gave up or ran out of money and just need to sell it.. It might save you a few steps and some money in the building process and help you get it built faster so you can stop paying rent ... I know it might be harder to find but I see many properties around that are partly built.. Might save you money and time to take over someone's broken dream and make it your dream house..
Paul very smart to do a title search on any property before you buy. Knowing who the lawful owner is so that you are buying from the person who owns the lot FREE AND CLEAR. A title search should tell you of any liens, easements or other encumberances. For example, the owner may have promised an access easement to an adjacent lot owner but that agreement hasn't been exercised yet or the property may contain an easement for a stream or other natural resource where building within is prohibited. Also know if zoning districts and regulations are a consideration as well. You may be subject to building setbacks off of property lines, so get a survey to certify boundary lines. Other zoning considerations may be lot size and coverage, building size and height, permitted uses, differing regulations if sewer and water utilities are public or private. Many of these things may not be applicable like they are in the states, but as they say knowledge is power. Good luck, knowing what you are getting yourself into will remove the need for luck.
Hey Paul
My Wife has bought 3 properties in the Philippines.
Our latest is an old farmhouse with 1000 meters. The advantage is we have established fruit bearing trees. Jackfruit, mangoes, banana, and even Almond. She purchased during the pandemic at very low price. You would be surprised how easy it is to upgrade everything, plumbing , electrical, roof, floors etc.. anyway, the other properties are Camella gated community Tagaytay. And beach front overhanging the Ocean. If you want to need some oversite, I would be happy to help.
You are a stand up guy Paul. She is giving you her best years. She deserves to be cared for. Make haste. At our age nothing is guaranteed.
Thanks for the content Paul. I am turning 56 this month, retiring August 25, flying to PH August 31. My decision is in part due to your content. Along with many others. Thanks for the valuable information.
Invest on land property first, then build your house slowly starting from foundation when you have the money ,you can save your money spent on renting and put it on building your house
Paul 3 things if may wants something small purchase land buy a small boxabl manufacturer home. Invest in Tesla for mays future and set up a lawer to help her in the future.
Bring Mae to the US, create a little mini you as she has always wanted. Mae will have the kid to stand by her after you're gone.
I would keep renting and purchase several land properties in different island's so she can sell them later in life. You are in a position that you can see what future settlers may want to live.
Good Idea .
Take your time and look for a bargain.
Paul- I normally don’t make any comments, however this is an exception. I grew up here in the US, but my husband and I will be retiring there in my providence Occidental where I was born . I think you are a responsible and thoughtful for providing that for your new wife.
Your planis great. Great minds think alike. Love you man be with you since the start Old Dog.
I wish you guys success. Paul, you have a good heart man.
I like your planned for baby Mae.
First thing to do after the land purchase is final.......build a fence around it. It has a legal reason in Phils to do it.
You're leaving her better off, IMO, Paul. Glad you're happy.
Design and build your own. You can then guarantee the quality, the plumbing, electric and the materials used.
If it's in the budget, build without using wood trusses, ceilings, soffits, cabinets, etc. You'll thank yourself in the long run when you have no termite or wood borer problems.
1. Land not zoned agricultural
2. Clear title as you mentioned, and land surveyed.
3. Does not flood
4. No right of way through your property for adjoining land.
5. Utility reliability and availability.
6. Is adjoining land farmed and going to be burned off constantly with the smoke going into your home?
7. How deep do you need to drill a well and the cost if needed.
8. Are the neighbors friendly, quiet, clean?
9. Is the soil good for building? Sandy, loamy, muddy, rocky, etc.
Mae in the states. My wife and I used Visa journeys to help get her to the states, very helpful people. Terry stayed in the states long enough to work a few years and get a Social Security number. She recently turned 62 and qualified for spousal benefits which she is now receiving. If I go before her she will then get a bump up to my level of benefit.
I would strongly suggest getting in touch (patience) with the SS office in the U.S. Embassy in Manila with any questions as I was recently told by an acquaintance that his wife (14 years his junior) would qualify for survivor benefits when he goes even though she has never been to the states?
At the very least it's worth confirming and may save you a trip to the states.
Paul, I've been following you for a few years. You remember why you left the USA, you found true love (and happiness) in your now wife, and you are now doing the manly, responsible, and correct thing. Nothing else matters.
Great plans, God speed to you and Baby Mae.!