Why homeownership today looks different than it did 10 years ago

For so long, the Filipino ideal home was relatively easy to picture.

It was either a bahay na bato (concrete house) located in a subdivision on the outskirts of  the city or a condominium unit within reach of one’s workplace, and owning one represented an ideal state of stability, security, and investment.  

One’s own home was not merely where life happened; it was proof that life was moving forward. Parents tearfully left their families with in-laws to work abroad and pay for it. Newly married couples willingly stretched their salaries to afford it.

Today, owning a home is still a goal for many Filipinos. Yet its meaning and the path toward it have changed.

Rising property costs, demographic shifts, changing work environments, and escalating energy prices are reshaping the way Filipinos think about where they live, what they need from a home, and how they plan for the future.

A 2024 publication from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) captures this shift clearly: as residential prices surge, more Filipino households are finding homeownership increasingly out of reach, with young adults aged 24 to 35 delaying marriage, postponing having children, and staying longer with their families of origin rather than striking out on their own.

The result is a new generation of aspiring homeowners that often spends more time weighing options, delaying purchases, or searching for homes farther from city centers where prices are more manageable.

For many, the question is no longer just when and where to buy a home but rather, whether the home they want aligns with what they can realistically afford and their changing needs: a work-from-home setup, enough space for starting or growing a family, and a household built for the long term.

That shift in priorities is also reshaping how homeowners think about energy. With electricity costs on the rise, solar panel installation is no longer seen as a luxury, but as a smart, practical investment—one that can lower monthly bills and help future-proof the home. Today, the question is no longer just whether to own a home, but how to make it work better for you.

BDO Home Loan continues to respond to evolving market demands, constantly enhancing its services to better support every aspiring Filipino homeowner. Now, to make owning a home more attainable, BDO Home Loan is offering its newest promo until September 30, 2026.

**Lower Upfront Costs  **

• Waived fees of up to ₱25,000, covering mortgage registration costs

• Free fire insurance for the first year, helping protect the property from day one

**Flexible Payment Options  **

• Additional loan for home furnishing, with an option to finance solar panel installation, allowing homeowners to move in comfortably without upfront costs.

• Loan terms of up to 25 years, making monthly payments more manageable and aligned with long-term financial plans

• Interest-only payments for the first 6 months, providing a smoother financial transition during the initial repayment period

So, whether you are eyeing a new property, a house under construction, or upgrades like solar panel installation that can lower your energy bills and reduce your household’s carbon footprint, BDO Home Loan is ready to finance the investments that make your home work harder for you, today and in the years ahead.

Ready to take the next step? Apply online anytime, anywhere at www.bdo.com.ph/homeloan or visit any BDO branch nationwide for personalized assistance.

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