AboutBill and Lorna Collings Expertise Feel FREE to ask us about traveling, living, relocating, retiring and investing in the Philippines. Guests from 83 countries make our place in Manila an incredible meeting place for world travelers who exchange travel stories and information. We understand both the joys and the hardships of living and traveling in the Philippines.
Experience I arrived in the Philippines in January 1980 to travel for 2 months; I stayed 4 months before reluctantly leaving. I met my Filipina wife, Lorna. an incredible stellar, "one in a million" individual in 1983 in Seoul and we moved to the Philippines in 1986 and opened our 3BR house to world travelers on a budget. After welcoming thousands of guests from 83 nations our place has grown to 30 bedrooms but will never lose its "Home away from Home" atmosphere. Almost everyday at The Townhouse Hotel there's a party-like social scene with vibrant, almost magical energetic conversations between our guests who have the pleasure to meet each other and share their life's many experiences. Sometimes. three groups with conversations in different langauges are going on at the same time.
So we've been exposed to every kind of person from all over the world and shared their experiences.
Publications Suite101.com, eDreams.com, expertcentral.com ( who asked me to apply with allexperts.com since About.com has bought both companies and are in the process of integrating them)
Education/Credentials some college 2-1/2 years - no degree - I've been traveling since I was 18, almost 30 years.
Awards and Honors Luckily, my wife and I have been semi-retired since we were 30 years old, more than 15 years.
Expert: Bill and Lorna Collings Date: 6/8/2008 Subject: Boracay or Port Barton Palawan starting a resort
Question Hi Bill and Lorna,
I am thinking about starting a small resort in boracay or west coast of palawan (port barton) I need to know the pros and the cons. I know that boracay is much nicer and more money would be needed but palawan is more to my liking not so crowded.Less moneys would be needed..What do you think and do you know of any body who is selling beach front property on boracay or palawan??
Thank You for your Time.
Michael
Answer Mabuhay Michael, I think if you are considering a significant investment of U$100,000 to U$500,000 anywhere in the Philippines you need to stay in a rental for a few weeks in each location during both high ( Dec. through June )and low seasons ( June thru Nov ) to OBSERVE the TRUE REALITY of occupancy rates and tourist arrivals. And you need to inspect EACH & EVERY room and the rates in EACH & EVERY resort so you learn more about your COMPETITION and can calculate your RETURN on INVESTMENT realistically. In Boracay it's nearly impossible to find a beachfront resort nor beachfront land for sale at any realistic price. But if your INTENTION on Boracay is to invest in some sort of business or become involved in a shorterm project where you can make a profit while living in a "tropical paradise" then there are other types of investment you might want to think about doing.
In Port Barton, Palawan you need to consider the fact that it is NOT thE primary tourist destination as the great majority of tourists going to Palawan stay 1 to 2+ weeks but choose to move around staying at at least 3 or more destinations around Palawan meaning they may stay in Port Barton 2 or 3 nights only. And you NEED to REMIND yourself the THREE MOST IMPORTANT rules of real estate investment, LOCATION, LOCATION LOCATION. Of course if you choose the less hectic, more provincial scene in Palawan as a place you prefer to LIVE, choosing to stay in a long term rental as a retiree then these issues are NOT important. MABUHAY! ENJOY LIFE!
Recently my wife and I have decided to focus on real estate and property management here on Boracay and nearby mainland, Caticlan since the market situation is SO HOT and has been over the last few years. Of course we already own Casa Camilla- Boracay a 2000sqm beachfront resort ( our 2nd )with 27 rental units and 3 commercial spaces so we have a decent cash flow already. So we have purchased two parcels of land and will be buying a third piece of land and will be reselling 2 out of the 3 pieces, investing in developing one piece ourselves. You might be interested in the elevated 2000sqm at P4000/ sqm we are selling since you could build a house or from 4 to 7 smaller houses for resell or as rentals as holiday / retirement homes with MUCH BETTER value for money than the condos presently being advertised and sold all over the island. http://asiabill.pages.web.com/id17.html feel FREE to email us at: bill_lorna@yahoo.com
