Alfonso's dream home

MANILA, Philippines - The mark of success for most developers is seeing their project as a thriving community filled with residents who consider the confines of their home as a safe, nurturing environment. 

Compare this to unfinished, unoccupied residential projects that merely deteriorate through time, and one gets the idea of how certain companies create developments not to satisfy the end users but only their investors. 

For DMCI Homes, the country’s only triple-A builder/developer backed by a construction heritage of more than 55 years, the company is consistent in its objective to provide a wide variety of residential projects designed for the use of young professionals and start-up families with modest income and discerning tastes.

In fact, the company even refers to their target market by name: “Alfonso,” clearly humanizing the beneficiaries of their projects instead of being regarded as mere demographics.

Alfonso now has more options to choose from, with the certified ready-for-occupancy status declared for at least eight DMCI Homes communities: Illumina Residences Manila in Sta. Mesa; Ohana Place in Las Piñas; Tivoli Garden Residences and Dansalan Gardens Condominium in Mandaluyong; Cypress Towers, Royal Palm Residences, and Magnolia Place in Taguig; and Willow Park Homes in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Tivoli Gardens: Medium-density living at its best.

These projects represent the unprecedented rise in status of DMCI Homes from a fledgling company to a recognized leader in the medium-rise segment. With the company’s impressive portfolio of projects, there is no mistaking their place in the property industry today. Competitors are now imitating their every design, pricing scheme, even marketing strategies, but followers can only dream about matching the success of an original innovator. How can another company replicate a 55-year heritage?

“We believe that after 10 years, we are now enjoying a solid reputation in the market,” says Elmer G. Civil, DMCI Homes director for design and construction. “We started in 1999 during the economic crisis. As a new player, we could not rely on pre-selling, which is why we focused on a strategy of building first and then selling. After building, we studied what adjustments were required in each project such as which amenities were frequently used or not, and came up with a way to balance these factors.”

Eventually, the company came up with an ideal formula for its product of medium-rise condominiums, characterized by such advantages as contemporary architectural theme, resort-style amenities, medium-density living, generously spaced units, property management services, plus an affordable pricing scheme.

“By 2004, we were already selling more than building because of the growing demand for projects. This was dictated by the rise in confidence for the DMCI Homes brand,” Civil adds. 

He also emphasized that the company’s philosophy of focusing on the needs of their end users paid off well, since on-time delivery is critical to this segment.

Engineer Elmer G. Civil, DMCI Homes director for design and construction

“We don’t over-promise. We just over-deliver. In fact, most if not all of our projects are turned over ahead of schedule for at least six months for the mid-rise and one year for the high-rise. We know that for our end users, they need to move-in to their home as soon as possible, and we encourage this so that the community can be more livable,” Civil notes.    

Another practice started by DMCI Homes that is radically changing the real estate business is the priority completion of common amenities, like the clubhouse area, to coincide with the turnover of the first building. Prior to this, developers usually put the least priority on the common amenities, which, in the first place, is one of the factors that convince homebuyers to finalize a purchase. 

“For us, the first residents to move in will already enjoy what we promised. If possible, we complete all the amenities like the swimming pool, the clubhouse, and recreational features.   We take into consideration the fact that their condo unit is compact so we want them to have extra space in the amenities area,” Civil explains.

The focus on customer satisfaction is extended even after turnover, since DMCI Homes also runs the Property Management Office in each development. As builder, developer, and property manager, there is a hands-on system that is continuously put into place by the company to ensure the satisfaction of residents by giving not only their needs, but also “some of their wants.” 

Such industry experience can only be achieved through the heritage of DMCI Homes’ mother company, DMCI Construction.

“Our chairman, David M. Consunji, taught us that construction is a noble profession. That is why we are passionate in our job and we are always challenging ourselves to do better in each task. Quality is not even a requirement; it’s already a given for us. We will not deliver anything less than what we have delivered in our previous developments. Our best project would always be our next project,” enthuses Civil.

Aside from the eight ready-for-occupancy projects, DMCI Homes is focused on 12 ongoing projects with four launched in the last three months. Such achievement, along with the growing confidence of the market, is setting up DMCI Homes to join the big league, and settle in its rightful place in the industry.

For inquiries, call 324-8888 or visit www.dmcihomes.com. Clubhouse and model units are ready for viewing.