Danilo Antonio: Consistently Making a Positive Impact

In today’s real estate industry, companies cannot settle for incremental improvement, but must rather undergo vital transformations to be on top and stay on top. One way to implement such a shift is to find the right person who carries an extensive knowledge, a vast experience and most of all the right connections in all the right places. Once that person with the aforementioned qualities gets on board your company, you can be assured of great things to happen.

Hoppler takes great pride and pleasure to have found such an individual in Mr. Danilo Antonio. Fondly known as D.A. by friends and colleagues and Prof D. A by his students, Danilo brings over 25 years of experience in Philippine real estate under his belt that will give the company that added expertise which is essential for growth and success. His impressive resume speaks in volumes in terms of leadership, management and overall know-how of the industry. DA started his real estate career in Ayala Real Estate Group in the late 1970s, heading cinemas, shopping centers and Business development for a decade. He then embarked on his own real estate development career through Landco, which developed the Punta Fuego and Canyon Woods projects, for another decade. He has since then and up until now, acts as consultant, manager, or CEO/COO to various real estate companies such as SM, BDO Realty, Filinvest, Rockwell Land, Eton, Fort Bonifacio Development Corp, Sta Lucia Realty, amongst others. He continues to be active in the academe where he has been teaching entrepreneurship since 1988, first with AIM till 2008, and currently with Ateneo Rockwell. He cites being part of the post-Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery, as OPARR (Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery) Usec, the highlight of his career.

I had the chance to talk to D.A. and get his expert insights on some the more relevant topics in the real estate industry. Here’s what he had to say:

What’s in store for the real estate industry in 2016?

This year will be a good year for real estate in general, since it is an election year. Most businesses will do well since it’s election season and the new administration will experience the usual birth pains.  More election spending will also create the usual windfalls in terms of real estate investments by those sectors that are “enriched” by such largesse. In particular, residential sales should pick up, as well as commercial sales and leases (notably BPOs). Leisure and resort projects should prosper, particularly hotel/ condotel projects.

Does the real estate bubble exist here in the Philippines? If yes, then how is it affecting the market/industry?

There is no real estate bubble. Each segment of the market has excellent growth potentials.  For the higher end market, there is always a drive to upgrade and expand their asset base, so the market remains buoyant, particularly for unique products which this market must have. They are also not too eager to unload their existing assets unless they get their asset appreciation yields. The low end market will always be there. In fact, demand always outstrips supply in this segment. The challenge to developers in this product set is cost and delivery period related, in view of the thin spreads of these products. The middle end market might be where there is a momentary glut, but this is self inflicted by some developers who somehow constructed too many units without proper consideration of product and market fit. Units were sold to unqualified buyers who ultimately defaulted, resulting in massive foreclosures by banks and the subsequent increased pressure to dump these inventories. But the secular need for these types of housing will ultimately wipe out these so called surplus inventories in a short while.

Nowadays, what do you think is the best type of home Filipinos should invest in?

We define the markets as the Gen X market, who are now the key economic drivers, and the Gen Y market (millennials), who are slowly maturing into responsible adults. For Gen X people, the drive towards real estate acquisition is that of improved and upgraded products to suit their fast paced lifestyle. At the same time, they would have amassed some wealth so as to transform these into income yielding and value appreciating real estate assets.

For Gen Y people, there is now an increasing consciousness to use their limited savings into end- use housing, converting rental expense into monthly amortization of their starter homes. They are now appreciating the logic of real estate as an alternative mode of investing. The best home is therefore different for each segment, but is always an interplay between looking at real estate as both as an “end use” play versus an “investment” play.

Pre-selling condos are popping left and right. Does it really come off as a good investment?

Real estate is always a good investment base and a store of value. Increased supply of real estate products is a reflection that of the market’s increased appreciation of its various intrinsic features. Take a look at the increased demand for upscale living. There is a clamor because it is seen as a way of life required by the Gen X market and the ‘dream” of the Gen Y market.

When is the best time to buy a home?

ASAP. Make the decision to acquire real estate while values are still low. Sacrifice “consumption” spending in favor of “real estate investing”. As your income improves, your current home can be sold for capital gains as you acquire an upgraded home, or simply earn passive rental income in the meantime, or use the asset as a bankable base to get capital for a new business or to acquire new real estate, thereby expanding your net asset value.

What’s best advice you can give to first time home-buyers?

Don’t be too idealistic in saving up for your dream house. Get started early, make more money then ultimately, your dream house will happen.

Does the Philippines have enough resources and land area to create more homes?

Definitely. A lot more areas remain undeveloped, but this time, growth should not be unregulated and without regard to the environment. Responsible development should be the guideline followed by the real estate sector.

Will disaster-ready structures boom in the country?

The industry is now looking at that more seriously. The country is the most disaster prone country in the world, so we should be a lot more ready to withstand future disasters, and set the international standard on how to prepare for, and mitigate, the adverse impact of future disasters.

What encouraged you to join the Hoppler team?

I saw plenty of upsides in it. As a web based marketing company, what it needed was to reach a wider base of real estate practitioners (developers, property owners, brokers, and other real estate players) to achieve its true potentials. That’s what I can provide with my over 25 years of exposure to the business.

As Hoppler’s co-CEO and consultant, what is your vision for Hoppler for this year?

To help Hoppler achieve its vision and mission as the next wave real estate marketing company, with the widest listings, largest selling associates, and as the number one “go-to” site by real estate enthusiasts.

One last question. In your busy schedule, how do you maintain a work-life balance?

I teach in my spare time- my way of enjoying like other guys enjoying golf. Plenty of travel time allows me to broaden my real estate horizon aside from enjoying the tour itself with the family. Traveling while one is still very healthy should never be exchanged for working some more. Time is precious. Enjoy life while you can, while still logging long hours during the time allotted for your economic activities. ” Work hard play hard ” is my mantra.

There you have it, straight from the brilliant mind of a dynamic idealist. Hoppler will keenly rely on his extensive knowledge of the field and his kind personality to lead to loyal and successful business relationships. Furthermore, he will add a new and more effective direction to the company in its quest for lasting success.

Welcome to your new home, Mr. Danilo Antonio.