Growth of horizontal units outside NCR continues; Sta. Lucia also remains bullish

There is definitely growth outside the National Capital Region (NCR) for the country’s property sector. Moreover, there is a strong demand for horizontal (house and lot/lot only development) units.

Joey Roi Bondoc, research head of Colliers Philippines, says seasoned investors would really look for potential sites outside Metro Manila because of the low yields in Metro Manila. “If you’re banking on yields, the returns are very low, around 3 to 4 percent,” Bondoc told the BusinessMirror in an interview held in Makati City.

“And if you are an astute investor at this point, it doesn’t make sense to still invest in Metro Manila, because prices aren’t really declining and the rents have softened substantially because of the exodus of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators. With the yields being very low, you’re now banking on the price appreciation of the lot only,” Bondoc adds.

Bondoc says the competitive pricing makes the investment proposition in the provinces, particularly the lot-only segment, far more compelling. For instance, there’s a project like Santa Lucia Land Inc.’s  Beverly Place in San Fernando, Pampanga, that has shown strong potential for price increases, which is a more sustainable investment right now.

The demand outside of Metro Manila is fundamentally different—it’s driven by the end-user, not the speculative investor. Furthermore, Bondoc says the shift towards areas outside the National Capital Region (AONCR) and lot only are sustained price appreciation, greater push for sustainability, bigger and more open space, improving road network to and from Metro Manila, and vacancy in Metro Manila condominiums remains elevated and its yields have gone down.

According to Colliers, the average take-up rates of H and L units end-Q2 2025 ranged from 86 to 98 percent. On a per region basis, Southern Luzon posted the highest take-up with 94 percent followed closely by Central Visayas (93 percent) while Davao Region and Western Visayas were tied in third spot with 92 percent and Central Luzon was in fourth with 91 percent.

Cavite bagged the largest takeout with 155,000 followed by Laguna (89,000), Batangas (84,000), Pampanga (65,000), and Cebu (61,000).

For the lot-only market in AONCR, Colliers Philippines reported that the average take-up rate of lot-only units in the end Q2 2025 ranged from 81 to 96 percent. Central Visayas led in the regional take-up with 94 percent. Southern Luzon were tied in the second spot with 93 percent while Davao Region and Western Visayas garnered 92 and 83 percent respectively.

Batangas got 31,000 take-outs followed by Cavite (30,000), Laguna (28,000), Pampanga (24,000) and Cebu (22,000).

Sta. Lucia sees opportunities outside NCR.

The Marbella Lake Residences in Victoria, Laguna, and Sta. Monica Lake Residences in  Manaoag, Pangasinan are prime investment opportunities from Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Furthermore, the fundamental value of these properties lies in the lake community concept itself. Both developments offer a mix of residential lots (including prime lakefront/lakeview lots) and commercial lots, providing diverse avenues for business and capital appreciation.

The soon to rise Marbella Lake Residences is the first lake community in Victoria, Laguna and occupies an estimated 73 hectares of land. Incorporating the gifts of nature in the development, Marbella Lake Residences is designed to be a verdant community where future residents are engaged to spend more time in outdoor recreation and embrace prime modern living elevated with greener features.

The prominent feature of the lake community is the man-made lake area built with a lighthouse. While other amenities include a community clubhouse built with a swimming pool, function hall and multipurpose basketball court. Home buyers have a variety of options with its selection of promising lots which are either regular lots or lakefront lots.

As the first lake community in Victoria, Laguna, Marbella is designed as a verdant community that encourages outdoor recreation. Prices vary according to lot type and location; and can range from P12,800 up to P25,200 per square meters. Select residential lots are also being offered at a discounted rate of P10,800 until December 31, 2025.

Meanwhile, Sta. Monica Lake Residences is Sta. Lucia’s first development in Manaoag, Pangasinan—the “Pilgrimage Center of the North”—a location that gives the community a strong cultural and historical identity. The property features a lake, lighthouse, and open jogging paths, alongside a multipurpose clubhouse with a function hall and basketball court

Price range starts from P 8,000 to P20,500 per square meter, offering competitive entry prices for investors.

Investing either in Marbella or Sta. Monica Lake Residences means securing a property in a meticulously planned, nature-focused community with a high potential for appreciation, supported by the extensive track record of Sta. Lucia Land Inc.