HomeReady™: A Family’s Practical Path from Renting to Future Ownership

Spouses Rogel Patrick and Mary Joyce during the turnover of their two-bedroom HomeReady™ unit.

For years, spouses Rogel Patrick and Mary Joyce were renting somewhere in Ortigas Center. The location was convenient and accessible, but the arrangement always felt temporary. 

 

When they began searching online for a more permanent solution, they came across DMCI Homes’ HomeReady™ Rent-to-Own Program — a pathway that allows homeseekers to lease a unit first and work toward ownership over time. 

 

They eventually chose a two-bedroom unit at Allegra Garden Place in Pasig Boulevard, Pasig City, a ready-for-occupancy condominium that perfectly matched their family needs. 

 

“My husband and I wanted to find a permanent settlement because for the longest time we have been renting. It feels like a waste because the rent we are paying would not go toward owning the property, so we decided that rent-to-own was the best option for us,” she said. 

 

For Mary Joyce, a banker by profession, the decision was grounded in both emotion and financial prudence. Owning a home had always been the goal. Patrick, who was a seafarer, was usually away from home and promised to someday provide the family with a place that they could call their own.  The challenge was managing the upfront cost. 

Lap pool, Kiddie Pool, and Leisure Pool

“We definitely intend to purchase it after the lease period. It’s just that right now we don’t have the capacity to pay the down payment in one shot, which is why we chose rent-to-own,” he revealed. 

 

HomeReady™ offered a way forward — one that aligned with their financial readiness without postponing their plans indefinitely. 

 

Weighing Every Option 

 

Before deciding, the couple explored multiple properties and carefully reviewed their payment terms. 

 

“We actually went through several properties of other real estate developers, but DMCI Homes was the best fit for us in terms of budget and our priorities — meaning the location and the space. Since we have a child, we wanted a homey place for the family,” Mary Joyce said. 

 

Some offers initially appeared attractive but came with significant lump-sum payments. 

Upgrade Model Unit

“What other developers offer are not truly rent-to-own. We viewed a property in Cubao. The promotion was move in within two weeks and it was also labeled rent-to-own. The rent was only P23,000 a month, but there was a lump sum of P300,000 every 10 months. We felt that was something we couldn’t afford. It was marketed as affordable rent-to-own, but there was a catch at the end,” Mary Joyce shared. 

 

For a young family balancing expenses and long-term goals, clarity and predictability mattered. 

 

“DMCI Homes’ offer is by far the best rent-to-own we’ve seen,” she beamed. 

 

How HomeReady™ Makes It Possible 

 

Unlike conventional arrangements that require buyers to immediately enter a Contract to Sell, HomeReady™ begins with a lease of up to 36 months. This gives homeseekers the opportunity to live in the community first — to test the commute, enjoy the amenities, and experience how the property is managed — before fully committing to ownership. 

 

With at least 60 percent of total lease payments credited toward the unit price should the resident decide to buy, renting becomes part of the ownership journey. By the end of the lease period, ownership can be secured with as little as a 10 percent down payment. The remaining balance may be financed through bank or in-house options. 

Indoor Basketball Court

The program also includes a Price Protect feature, which locks in the property’s value during the lease term, and an option to opt out if priorities change. There is no spot down payment required at move-in — only the monthly lease. 

 

For the couple, the logic behind the structure was clear. 

 

“That’s the beauty of HomeReady™ — you get to have a feel of the property without the full commitment. Technically, you’re paying higher rent compared to a usual rental, but on the other hand, there’s the advantage that the rent you’re paying forms part of your down payment when the time comes that you decide to purchase the property,” she explained. 

 

The application process also reassured them. 

 

“The application was very smooth. Our agent was very, very helpful, responsive, and accommodating. The application process was really smooth.” 

 

A Space That Feels Like Home 

 

Beyond the numbers, what truly sealed their decision was the experience of the unit itself at Allegra Garden Place. 

 

“We are excited about everything about our new home. We found the amenities exceeded our expectations. The unit layout is large enough to accommodate our requirements now that we have a family, plus the ventilation and natural lighting. We’re really excited about the amenities especially the swimming pool,” Mary Joyce said. 

 

Their balcony faces the amenity side — open and full of light.

Roof Deck

“Our unit’s balcony is facing the amenity side, which is something we are very eager to experience. Our current unit is enclosed because it’s an inner unit. There’s no cellphone signal. You can’t even tell whether it’s morning or night. But here at DMCI Homes, at least we somehow get to feel nature because it’s open. That’s what we’re most excited about,” she said. 

 

The contrast was striking. From enclosed and dim to open and bright, the shift felt meaningful for the family. 

 

From Curiosity to Commitment 

 

Interestingly, their journey began long before the decision to apply. 

 

“When we first visited Allegra Garden Place, that was actually the first time we saw a DMCI Homes property up close. For the longest time, we would just pass by it along C-5 and see it from the outside. For some reason, we were really drawn to the building. We were very curious about how it looked. But when we finally visited, that was the first time we truly saw what a DMCI Homes property looked like. It’s different. It really has a pull.” 

 

What started as curiosity eventually turned into action. 

 

Today, through HomeReady™ at Allegra Garden Place, Mary Joyce and her family are no longer simply renting for convenience. Each payment brings them closer to ownership — a steady, structured path toward finally having a home they can call their own. 

 

To learn more about DMCI Homes’ HomeReady™ program, log on to www.dmcihomes.com or call (632) 5324-8888 or +63917-880-8800. News and other updates are also posted on the company's official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.