Finding a diamond in the rough: Tips in purchasing pre-owned homes

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A property seeker is always hesitant when it comes to buying second-hand homes. This is because such properties could eventually cost you a fortune in renovations if you are not cautious.  

Spare yourself from possible buyer’s remorse. PSBank, through its “Good to Know” campaign, help you spot a gem among wide choices of pre-owned houses with these tips:

Know where to look.  The best places to find pre-owned real estate properties for sale are banks and local government institutions such as the Home Development Mutual Fund or PAG-IBIG.  Check out their website and you’ll find the best property deals.  There are also property auctions that these institutions organize.  Some properties not normally listed in their websites are being auctioned here. 

Schedule a visit or inspection.  Determine the real condition of the house yourself by asking a professional inspector for help.  Check if the basic structure, floor plan and infrastructure remain sturdy and durable. Ensure that there’s electrical and plumbing system installed, rooms are well-proportioned and there are no bad cracks or serious leaks. A great buy would be one with no major fixes and you’ll be able to move in to your new home soon.

Consider the location. The location is just as important as the house itself. If it is located within a good school system, a nearby transportation, market or grocery, then finding a home priced to accommodate the necessary updates could be a good deal.

Verify documents. Check the title and latest property tax receipt. The title will not only tell you how old the property is but it will also let you know if the property had a chain of previous owners. 

Check the market value of the property.  To ensure that you will not be paying more than you should, go through the current price trends and get an estimate or seek an expert to help you evaluate the second hand property against similar properties in the area.

Buying an excellent pre-owned property or a second-hand home entails lots of patience and due diligence. However, getting it for a bargain price should be more than enough motivation and be able to convince you that what you purchased is more than what you paid for.  You really just need to know where to look.

PSBank is currently offering significant discount on its already low-priced pre-owned real estate properties for sale.

Buyers looking for quality and affordable pre-owned condominium units, houses and/or lots will enjoy 20% to 25% discount on selected properties when they purchase from December 4, 2018 to March 4, 2019.

Aside from this great deal, you are assured of “clean” pre-owned properties for sale.  This means that each property in PSBank’s list of Real Estate Properties for Sale has a registered title and a tax declaration consolidated under the Bank’s name.  Plus, all properties are free from any legal issues and are already in the possession of the Bank.

To avail of the promo, you simply need to submit a completely filled-out Offer to Buy form and Buyer’s Information Sheet to PSBank Asset Sales Department, at any nearest PSBank branch, or via the Bank’s accredited brokers.  You also have the option to make their purchase in cash or by applying for a PSBank Home Loan with Prime Rebate.

PSBank Home Loan with Prime Rebate offers low interest rates, convenient payment modes, and flexible payment terms.  Applicants will also get a credit decision within five banking days or less via SMS.  Borrowers can also save money by paying early or before the due date or by paying more than their monthly loan amortization.  PSBank Home Loan has the Prime Rebate feature allowing home loan clients to earn rebates in the form of “interest discount” on any advance or excess payments made on the loan. Over time, clients could use the rebates to lower the loan principal, shorten the loan term, or even both.

Check out the list of properties and download the forms at www.psbank.coml.ph/propertiesforsale. 

For more information on the promo, you may call the following:

• Properties located in Metro Manila, Rizal, Visayas and Mindanao: (632) 885-8208 local 8990
• Properties located in North Luzon: (632) 885-8335
• Properties located in South Luzon: (632) 885-8208 local 8016

Century Park Hotel offers a salvo of New Year offers

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Manila, Philippines – Century Park Hotel (CPH), one of the finest hotels in Manila, proudly announces its salvo of New Year offers this first quarter of 2019.

From January 20 to February 18, rooms can be availed from P5,500 net / night (Superior Room), P6,500 net / night (Deluxe) to P7,500 net / night (Jr. Suite Superior). Aside from the complimentary breakfast for two, the “New Year Salvo Promo” also includes a set lunch or dinner for two at Century Tsukiji.

If you are seeking for a gustatory adventure, Café in the Park dares you to try Century Burger, a ½ pound burger grilled to your liking! For those with hearty appetites, lunch and dinner buffet is available at P1,495net (adult) and P795net (children 6-10 years old) from 11:30AM to 2:30PM and 6:00PM to 10:00PM. Senior citizens get 50% off on buffets every Saturdays and Sundays.

For ramen enthusiasts, Century Tsukiji wants you to try its tonkotsu ramen garnished with pork belly, egg and vegetables.

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Head over to Atrium Lounge and avail of our featured drinks of the quarter: “Hi-Ho” / “High Hope!” (cocktail) and Trapiche Cabernet Sauvignon (wine) at P350 per glass.

Deli Snack offers a wide array of mouthwatering pastries and delicatessen. Torta Nacciole de Chocolato, a mix of chocolate ganache, Tanduay rhum, coffee flavoring and whipped cream, is the featured cake of the month. The delectable desesert is available at P1,080 (round) and P2,570 (rectangular). Meanwhile, the Pata Hamon or pork knuckles with raisins, pistachio nuts and chestnuts is available at P1,280/kg.

“We eagerly welcome 2019 through our attractive promotions and reasonable rates. May our New Year promos bring delight to all the guests and make them feel that they are home,” said CPH General Manager Anthony Tan.

Cruise the World with Chef Anton Amoncio

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Celebrity chef Anton Amoncio embarks on an exciting adventure to start 2019. See him and fellow hosts Patty Lee, Yvonne Man, and Michele Lean as they cross the vast ocean on a cruise ship while presenting coastal destinations that will leave the viewers in awe with the new TLC show, Cruise the World.

On the first two episodes of Cruise the World, Patty and Chef Anton meet each other while on a cruise. Forging new friendship, they travel together and introduce their respective countries, Taiwan and the Philippines. Fun and adventure await them as they head to their two getaways.

The pair starts their journey on Patty’s homeland Taiwan where Chef Anton and the viewers discover something new on the island state. Chef Anton and Patty later venture to the Philippines and explore Palawan, one of the country’s famous tourist attractions where they experience local culture and cuisine.

“Traveling with strangers is something new to me. Working with Patty is super fun and cool. We had great chemistry while doing the show,” shares Chef Anton.

Chef Anton is the grand prize winner and the first Filipino to win in the Asian Food Channel’s Food Hero Asia in 2016. He is the host of Asian Food Channel and The Food Network Channel. Meanwhile, Patty is a host, actress, singer, and model from Taiwan. She is the host of the TLC travel show, Fun Taiwan First Timer, and the Taiwanese dive show, 30 Meters Underwater.

The other two TLC hosts are Yvonne Man (journalist and host of Bloomberg TV) of Hong Kong and Michele Lean (television presenter, Asia Food Channel host, and TV chef) of China. They will be featured on the third and fourth episodes of Cruise the World. 

The four-episode show will premiere on January 19, Saturday, at 7:10pm (SEA and PH) and 8:00pm (TW) as well as January 20, Sunday, at 6:00pm (India). 

Chef Anton Amoncio is a talent of Asian Artists Agency. For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

EasyDebit: One of the Philippines’ leading fintech solutions celebrates significant growth with transaction volumes of over 1billion pesos processed since its launch in 2017

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• Growth of 466% in transaction value 2018 v 2017
• Growth of 375%  in transaction volume 2018 v 2017
• Over 100% growth in network locations across the Philippines 2018 v 2017

Manila, Philippines -  Fexco EasyDebit, one of the Philippines most innovative fintech solutions is today marking a significant period of growth having processed over 1billion pesos in transactions since its launch in 2017. The growth is further reflected in increases of cash withdrawal amounts (up 466% in 2018 v 2017) and transaction volume (up 375% in 2018 v 2017).

EasyDebit is a unique service that uses a mobile Point of Sale (or mPOS Pin Entry Device) and a mobile phone allowing customers in the Philippines to withdraw cash using their ATM card at any number of local accredited merchants including; payment and remittance centres, retailers, rural banks and cooperatives instead of having to travel to an ATM.

EasyDebit is a ‘plug and play’ solution requiring minimal installation for merchants who simply download the EasyDebit Mobile App. The solution has the capacity to reach over 100million people, many of whom are disconnected from the limited ATM infrastructure in the Philippines. Through merchant uptake and participation EasyDebit promotes financial inclusion by providing more secure access to cash withdrawal for the millions of unbanked Filipinos. Uptake of EasyDebit increased by 100% in 2018 (v2017) and the solution is now live with over 700 merchants across the country.

Speaking about the growth seen by EasyDebit this year, Ann Chan Foley, CEO at Fexco Philippines, Inc. commented, “2018 represents a significant year for the business. We have seen hugely positive growth trends across the county in terms of transaction volume, value and merchant growth demonstrating the robustness of the solution. We are excited to continue this growth in 2019 as we further expand the EasyDebit network helping to reach more unbanked and underserved Filipinos.”

About Fexco

Recognised as one of the world’s original and most established fintech organisations, Fexco employs over 2,300 people across its suite of companies headquartered in Killorglin, Co. Kerry located in the South West of Ireland.  Founded in 1981, Fexco now has operations in 29 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, North America and Latin America.

Fexco serves some of the world’s biggest brands across multiple industries, predominantly in the payments and FX sectors, through a wide range of innovative products and services including; Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), Multi Currency Pricing (MCP), Tax Free Shopping and Retail FX. Fexco also offers bespoke Managed Business Solutions and Outsourcing services as well as a full suite of payment management solutions through its Corporate Payments business.

Since inception, Fexco has been driven by an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. This ethos has brought the company to new regions and industries of growth, connecting customers with exciting new opportunities. Through its commitment to partnership and innovation, the company has built an international network of customers. To find out more visit www.fexco.com 

About EasyDebit

FEXCO has developed a microATM card solution for merchants which allows merchants to offer cardholders cash out and balance inquiries. The EasyDebit solution acts as an additional revenue stream for merchants who earn a fee from each transaction. The solution is safe and secure, accredited to the highest security standards - PCI DSS and EMV Level 1 & 2 compliant. To find out more visit www.easydebitasia.com

Email Marketing - Some Information on Permission

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There are a lot of email marketers who are aware that permission is important but they do not understand why this is a vital part of email marketing. Do you know that email marketers who know how to do it often get emails that are clicked and opened by their subscribers? If your company would also get high revenues, then this is a sure sign that your email marketing works. 

What about businesses who do not understand what permission is for? They have a greater chance of having emails that are not opened. They miss out on things that might possibly increase their revenue and their overall sales. 

What is Permission? 

This is the process wherein you would like to get consent from your subscribers to make sure that they agree that you will be allowed to send them email messages regarding your brand. There are times when you can only get implied permission when you already have some sort of relationship with the person that you are sending the email to. 

If not, you may allow people to subscribe with their own free will to gain permission to access your newsletter. They may do this by signing up on your website. Usually, this would be done by entering their email address in a subscribe form. 

Make the Most Out of Permission 

You have been given permission to provide newsletters to your customers. What are you supposed to do then? You need to make the most out of it. Since it will always be their choice if they would continue receiving emails from you or not, you have to make sure that they would always like to get your emails. If not, they would surely unsubscribe. 

What happens when you send people emails even if they have not given any permission? One thing that can happen is they will completely ignore the email. They will send the email to trash without checking what you have to say. The worse option is if they label your email as spam. This will make it harder for you to send emails not only to that email address but the other emails on the same list. 

The more that you understand what permission is for email marketing, the better.