Comparing real estate with other forms of investment

View from DMCI Homes’ Brixton Place condominium in Pasig City.

Buying a property is usually the first suggestion for someone looking to invest their hard-earned money. 

It’s a widely accepted fact that real estate is an ideal investment — its value continues to appreciate even after you buy it. 

Property has multiple uses, too. You can live in it or rent it out depending on your needs. 

Let’s compare real estate with other forms of investment:

Stocks vs real estate

Investing in companies listed at the Philippine Stock Exchange may give you a huge profit but is not guaranteed. 

Stocks trading is considered a high-risk, high-reward investment – meaning the prospect of making a lot of money comes with an equally sizable threat that you lose a lot, too. Share prices, or the value of the stocks of a company where you invested in, constantly moves up and down depending on market developments and this dictates how much you earn (or lose) from your initial investment. 

In contrast, property prices generally pick up and are usually repriced quarterly or yearly. Housing prices in the country have climbed by 22.5% over the past five years, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Profits are competitive, but you need to wait for a couple of years to realize a profit compared to stocks, where it’s possible to bag the same yield in an overnight rally. The downside there is a big-time plunge in share prices may also occur, and it’s up to you to know the right time to trade. 

Photo by Mr. Jay Jallorina.

Crypto vs real estate

Many are tempted to invest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum because of the prospect of an exponential increase in value. However, these digital currencies are the most volatile form of investment and are not regulated by government. Financial experts caution investors about crypto placements, saying they should study the market and accept the possibility of big losses before getting into it.

Digital currency investments require agile trading to ensure profits. Property assets, meanwhile, continue to appreciate even when left alone — just make sure to pay the annual real estate tax. 

Luxury goods vs real estate 

Some investors diversify their assets by buying luxury items such as designer bags, high-end cars, and jewelry. These goods are portable and are for personal use, meaning it can quickly depreciate unless preserved in excellent condition. 

While there is a market for resale, it’s usually limited to niche groups like fellow collectors. This is not the case for real property, which is universally accepted as a store of value. Real estate is often accepted as collateral for bank loans, which is not the case for some luxury goods. 

Artist’s illustration of Fortis Residences, DMCI Homes Exclusive’s upscale development in Chino Roces, Makati City.

Bonds and bank deposits vs real estate

Parking funds under a regular savings account is most suited for people who need easy access to cash in case of an emergency. This is also the “safest” form of investment as your deposits are insured for up to P500,000 in the remote possibility that your bank suddenly goes out of business. 

Placing your money under a time deposit or bonds such as a unit investment trust fund or UITF –– wherein you don’t withdraw your funds until after a certain number of months or years –– will fetch a slightly higher interest rate. These two options give the least returns on your money, and you are more likely to earn more by acquiring property like a plot of land or a condominium unit. 

Get started with investing in real property with DMCI Homes, the country’s first Quadruple A real estate developer known for building quality resort-inspired communities in Mega Manila, Baguio City, Boracay, and Davao City.

To learn more about DMCI Homes’ pre-selling and ready for occupancy projects, units for lease, and special promos, call (632) 5324-8888. You can also visit leasing.dmcihomes.com to know more about opportunities in leasing and rent-to-own programs of DMCI Homes. News and other updates are also posted on the company’s official website and social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.