Real estate selling and dealing with the rainy season here in the Philippines
We were struck again by another devastating southwest monsoon rains (habagat) a few weeks ago and some parts of Metro Manila and Cavite was really affected by flooding.
I still remember when "Ondoy" struck a few years ago, luckily and thank goodness that the flood in our house here at Sampaloc Manila was only hips deep and that was the first time it happened. Of course as a real estate agent; a few days after "Ondoy" I checked some new ads from brokers and co-agents and as expected most of the ads already have a "flood free" that comes with their ads. There's no argue this is a natural response because floods really do affect the housing market here in the Philippines.
Then a strong southwest monsoon struck Luzon a few years after "Ondoy" and those areas who were not affected by Ondoy was affected by the southwest monsoon "habagat". This is also very evident in this recent "habagat" were Cavite area was really affected. We all know there are lots of housing projects in Cavite and I also have projects in the Cavite area. Typically clients will be aware that if they will hear "Cavite" they will have this idea that all of "Cavite" was flooded with the recent onslaught of (habagat) southwest monsoon rain and just the same if we say "Marikina" because of "Ondoy"
Photo courtesy of westernpacificweather.com
Above is the area surrounding a mall in Bacoor Cavite recently affected by the southwest monsoon rains.
As real estate agents, how do we deal with these comments or how do we neutralize this objection. We have our own training in dealing with these kind of objections and for me these is what I always point out to clients:
We cannot control nature. Places who are not flooded today maybe affected by floods in the future because of climate change
Yes the area was flooded because of the amount of rain dumped on that particular area and then site other examples but it doesn't mean the place is always flooded.
Always honestly answer the client's inquiries and do not worry that the client might not buy because of his / her perception that the area is not a flood free area. The more you will be honest the more you will close sales.
I'll tell you my secret; did you know that for the past 5 years that I have been a real estate agent, I have never close a deal during the rainy season and that includes this year. Usually my sales start to pick up during October going to summer next year. I don't know why this is the pattern of my real estate selling career. Probably clients are too lazy to view during the rainy season or not much clients from abroad going here during the rainy season; honestly I do not have a definite answer.
The real estate agents in the Philippines and the US Government shutdown
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