Homeowner's Testimonial: Ria Rose Del Rosario

Meet Ria Rose del Rosario, a 31-year-old sales manager of Sunriser Realty and a proud Lumina homeowner. Her story went viral in Home Buddies, a Facebook Page for home enthusiasts with a whopping 2.8 million members. Many Filipinos can relate to her Bahay Goals Achievement because, after 15 years of renting a house and a ton of hard work, she now has a place she can call her own through Lumina Homes.

With our interview with her, she let us get to know her a bit more and shared how she could achieve her dream of owning a house and lot after years of rent trap that would spark inspiration to all of us.

Home Buddies Viral Story

Nag-trending sa Home Buddies ang iyong post tungkol sa iyong bahay. How did you feel about it?

"Actually, last month lang ako naging member ng Home Buddies. So, parang ordinary member ng group, nagtitingin tingin lang ako ng mga iba pang idea or magandang design para mai-adapt ko sa bahay ko.

Dahil marami din po kasi akong nababasa na success stories na pinopost dun po sa group na yun, kaya nag-try po ako na mag-post then hindi ko po sukat akalain na magte-trending po ito or magustuhan ng other member. So, sobra po akong na-overwhelmed dahil marami pong naga-add friend sa akin, nagme-message na yun nga po na hindi sila makapaniwala na 45 sqm lang yung bahay ko.

Yun nga po, gusto ko lang din po mai-share po sa kanila yung kahit 45 sqm, kung talagang gusto mo syang i-maximize, ma-maximize mo po sya. And also, gusto ko rin pong i-share yung success stories ko na after 15 years po na renting ng bahay, ngayon ay nagkaroon na po kami ng sariling bahay."

Also Read Ria's Latest Trending Story in Home Buddies:

From 15 Years of Renting to Two Brand New Homes—This Millennial Believes Investing in Real Estate Makes Good Profit

Ano ang story behind your dream house?

Most of us, when we say dream house, ito yung malaki, malawak, magarbo, at minsan may pool. But for me, a dream house is a home where your family can live comfortably. Then, the stories behind this dream house is against yung family ko sa pagbili ng bahay na ‘to. But, I stand for my own decision. I pursue na mabili yung bahay na ‘to. I worked hard, really really hard talaga, and in God’s Grace, less than two years na kaming nakatira ng family ko dito.

Renting journey.

Ano ang pinagkaiba ng pagrenta vs. may sariling bahay?

Fifteen years of renting. Fifteen years na pala akong walang proof of billing. Seriously, renting versus owning. Pag kasi nagre-rent ka, may monthly naniningil sa’yo then kung hindi ka makapagbayad on time, may maririnig ka pang paggalit or something at kung may gusto kang i-customized sa bahay ng may-ari, kailangan mo pa syang ipagpaalam. Maraming restriction. Unlike na meron ka ng sariling bahay or sarili ko na yung bahay, naco-customize ko o napapaganda ko nang without consent ng may-ari dahil sa akin na sya. Malaya ko nang nagagawa yung gusto ko.

How long it took to get their own house and lot?

It’s been a very long long fifteen years of renting before I finally own my house and lot.

Ano ang naging signal ng iyong pamilya na ito na ang "right time" upang bumili ng house and lot?

Napaisip ako dahil lumalaki na yung mga anak ko. Kasabay nung paglaki nung anak ko, yun din yung paglaki nung bayad ng monthly na renta. And dumating na rin kasi yung time na, napagod na ko kababayad na wala naman kinapupuntahan.

Kailangan po bang marami munang "savings" bago bumili ng bahay?

Akala ko nung una, kailangan mo ng maraming savings para makapag-avail ng house and lot. Pero nung dumating ang Lumina dito sa Cabanatuan, nag-offer sila ng pre-selling, which is yung downpayment nya, hulugan. Pasok na pasok sa budget. Magaan sa bulsa. Sobrang affordable eh.

May mga challenges ka bang kinaharap during your home buying journey? Paano mo ito nalampasan?

Ang pinakanagustuhan ko sa Lumina, yung location. Very accessible sya sa mall, sa hospital, and especially sa eskwelahan ng mga anak ko. Hindi na ko magwo-worry sa travel time nila kasi malapit lang yung bahay namin dito.

Bakit sa Lumina napili ng iyong pamilya na bumili ng bahay?

I choose Lumina Homes because so far affordable and quality homes. Na-avail ko yung unit ko while on its pre-selling price. So, yung monthly amortization ko parang same lang ng monthly rental fee ko. Super affordable talaga.

Kamusta ang iyong home buying process sa Lumina?

As far as I recall, very smooth yung transaction during my reservation. Very accommodating yung mga staff nila. Na-orient nila ko sa process ng loan ko sa Pag-IBIG hanggang sa ma-loan takeout ako. Nasasagot nila lahat ng concern and queries ko hanggang sa makapag-move in. Less of a hassle talaga.

Magbigay ng tips para sa mga may planong bumili ng sariling bahay.

Two tips for future property finder. Number one, consider your budget. Always consider your budget. Then, second, trust your gut feel. Kung gusto mo nang mag-purchase ng house and lot, kahit ano pang negative and naririnig mo dyan, umpisahan mo na. Dahil hindi mo mayayari or makukuha yung gusto mong bahay hangga’t hindi ka pa nagsisimula.

You’re also one of the top-performing real estate agents of Lumina. Pakikwento ang iyong career journey sa Lumina.

I am a sales person of Lumina for five years now. Nung una nagre-refer lang ako hanggang sa nagpa-accredit na ako as a sales person. Dahil dumami at gumanda yung reservation sales ko, I was promoted as a sales manager. Then ngayon, nagha-handle na ako ng group.

Paano nakatulong ang Lumina Homes sa iyong buhay bilang isang real estate salesperson?

I’m very grateful and thankful sa Lumina dahil naging malaking part sya ng plot twist ng buhay ko. Financially, naging stable ako. Na-sustain ko yung needs ng family ko at the same time, nakakapag-invest ako. Very fulfilling na maging way ako to inspire my clients na ma-achieve nila yung dream house nila. So with that, thank you so much Lumina!

You, too, can get your ideal home on a budget, just like Ria. With Lumina Homes' low-cost housing, any Juan may have his ideal house and lot, since one of the company's aims is to create affordable housing in the Philippines that makes the dream of having a house and lot a reality.