Philippines has different types of accommodations which are designed and reasonably priced according to ones requirements. Listed below are the residential types of accommodation which can be rented or purchased. Some of these properties can be owned by foreigners who are allowed to acquire properties as stated in the Condominium Act or those who have Filipino spouses.

Houses

The houses in the Philippines are based on the economic status and the demographical location of the inhabitants. The house denotes financial stability, authority and prominence in the society. In most cases, a well-constructed house indicates the owner’s financial status. On the other hand, a wooden hut implies impoverish state and well-being of the owner. This significant distinction is generally seen throughout the country where a gap between the rich and the poor is rapidly widening

The houses in provincial and agricultural areas of the country vary from nipa hut or bahay kubo to concrete-stone houses while, houses in urban areas are mostly well-constructed bungalows, duplex and mansion houses.

The construction costs may vary on the location and materials. A nipa hut may cost 30,000 Pesos for a 4 x 4 area, excluding the cost of land. A 54 sq. m., concrete bungalow with or without the cost of land, may cost 100,000 – 500,000 Pesos. A duplex house may cost 500,000 – 1,000,000 Pesos. And, a mansion may cost 5,000,000 or higher which may depend on the location, the size and the materials used. But due to the abundance in residential areas, there are real estate developers who sell houses from 100,000 Pesos to 28,000,000 who also provide legal titles of ownership.

In addition, there are people specifically in urban areas who are living in card-made or wooden shacks. This is the result of the fast growing population in the country and the increase in employment demand which compels most Filipinos from rural areas to migrate to the cities. However, these people may have intended to stay in these houses because of the following reasons:

1. They cannot afford the cost of living in the city; living in squatter’s area is free – free water, free electricity, free from tax and other government fees

2. They have nowhere to stay if they’ll return to their provinces.

3. There are no jobs for them in the province except farming or fishing, which some Filipinos think is a degrading source of income.

4. There are middle-income earners who rent out their houses or properties in other areas while living for “free” in squatter’s area. This method is more on generating income and minimizing the expenses.

The houses in the squatter’s area may be humiliating and pitiful to look but there are reasons why some people prefer to call them “homes”.

Townhouses

The townhouses in the Philippines are mostly built in the cities particularly in densely populated areas like Manila, Cebu and Davao because of its slim, elongated, vertical design.  A townhouse is a basically a house that is attached with other houses built in a single area in order to minimize the space and cut the construction expenses. A townhouse may cost between 2,000,000 – 10, 000, 000 Pesos depending on the location and style.

Apartments

The apartments in the Philippines may be houses, townhouses and condominium units which may be abandoned, old or spare properties that can generate monthly or yearly income. These apartments are exclusively for rent in short or long term period wherein the rental cost can be negotiated with the owner or a broker. The rental cost can be as low as 500 Pesos and as high as 30,000 Pesos

Condominium

The condominiums in the Philippines are mostly situated in big cities particularly in Metro Manila which are constructed into low, medium and high rise buildings. The prices may vary on the type of unit, location and even the name of the property developer which may range from 770,000 Pesos to 28,000,000 Pesos.