All purchase decisions start with either a need or a want; there’s a big difference between the two.

Economic Glossary defines need as a “physiological” or “biological” requirement to maintain life. Whereas want is a “psychological” yearning that makes life more enjoyable but is not necessary to maintain life.

It’s important for you to determine if your decision to own a house is based on what you need or on what you want and what your lifestyle is.

• What’s the point for a family of three to own a 5 or even a 6-bedroom house if the spouses no longer plan on having anymore children?

• What’s the point of buying a house and lot in a subdivision if you already own a lot somewhere (assuming it’s not so far away and relatively decent)?

• What’s the point of buying an expensive lot in an upscale subdivision if you don’t know where to get the money to build a house that will be comparable to the other houses in the neighborhood? (The last time I checked, they don’t allow a tent to be pitched in Ayala Alabang).

• Will your house be a comfortable abode for your family or is it going to be a trophy to announce to the world that you are made? Is it going to be a status symbol?

• What’s the point of yearning for a house if you haven’t saved a single centavo because you spend every paycheck on the latest gadget, the latest fashion and frequently spend under two hundred pesos on frappucino at Starbucks?

For these spendthrifts who live from paycheck to paycheck, their dream house will remain exactly that… a dream.

For them, I will quote from my favorite preacher, Bo Sanchez:  “Some of your dreams are meant to die to tell you that you need to grow up.”

I’d rather see spouses earning modest income, let’s say, as government employees, but force themselves to save a significant portion of it towards owning a modest house. It may take them a little while, but eventually, they will get there.

I’m not forcing anyone to buy a house based solely on what he needs. No one will stop you from owning a house that you want no matter how extravagant or impractical it may appear to some; no matter what your reason is. This is especially true if you belong to the top five percent of the Philippines’ rich and famous. It’s really a matter of personal choice.

But for most of us, owning a house based on what we need is more realistic and achievable especially when combined with a workable plan and a modest lifestyle.

Want to be inspired? Click this.

Thank you so much.

P.S. For those who are awaiting the continuation of the series Best real estate in the Philippines, rest assured that the series (which will be up to part 7) will be published as promised.

I  encountered a minor problem regarding copyright issue on one of the pictures that I borrowed from another site and which I used in this site. To avoid a repeat of the same problem, all my forthcoming images will be personally taken by me.

Also, I am almost done with the questions that I hope to personally ask the mayor of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, the Honorable Mayor Arlene Arcillas-Nazareno. When I am, I will ask for a one-on-one interview; I’ve already spoken with her assistant, Mrs. Michelle Mapua, about this.

Lastly, I will ask Mayor Nazareno to give me permission or authorization to take photographs of the various subdivisions and commercial and industrial developments in Sta. Rosa. Believe me, this is not an easy work. Taking pictures of commercial and industrial developments is not only time-consuming, it is usually prohibited. I’ve been accosted many times by security guards while doing this. I don’t want to be mistaken as a remnant of the Alvin Flores Gang doing surveillance work.

P.S.S. Thanks again.