Philippine real estate firm, KMC MAG Group has released its real estate market report Philippines or the real estate market research Manila for the Q3 of 2011.

The report contains summaries of the trends in commercial and residential real estate, as well as an office market overview in Metro Manila .

According to the report, the trend for the Q3 of 2011 are that rental rates of commercial spaces rose due to the increasing demand and low vacancy rates while the demand for residentials spaces surpassed the supply in the luxury residential market due to investments of the OFW and expat community. Also, the continuous construction of residential real estates has increased the overall vacancy rate in Metro Manila.

KMC Solutions, a sister company of Makati-based real estate brokerage firm, KMC MAG Group, recently opened a 1,050 square meter business center in Fort Bonifacio, Metro-Manila. This business center was specifically created to cater to the unique needs of Philippine companies looking to avail of seat rentals and serviced offices in major Metro-Manila business districts. KMC’s business center also targets foreign-based multinational companies setting up business operations in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. The office complex, located at the 20th floor of the Picadilly Star Building in 4th Avenue corner 27th street, Bonifacio Global City, boasts affordable rental rates and exclusive amenities, including Internet-enabled workstations, VOIP PBX for local and international calls, high-tech security systems, on-site technical support and complimentary beverages, among others.

Cyber Parks (Techno Parks, IT Parks, Ecozones) are ideal destinations for setting up a BPO or call center in the Philippines. Outsourcing companies prefer to locate business operations inside technoparks, mainly because of the large number of tax incentives and government exemptions available in these areas. Businesses established inside IT Ecozones are eligible for numerous benefits, including income tax holidays from 5-8 years, permanent residency status to foreign-based business owners and investors, as well as the payment of 5% tax on gross income after the company’s income tax holidays have expired. Government exemptions on capital equipment, the employment of foreign nationals, and gross income remittances are also readily available to foreign and locally-owned BPO companies in these areas. Metro Manila, considered as one of the top BPO destinations in the world, is home to a large number of these Cyber Parks, some of which include the Eastwood City Cyber Park in Libis, the McKinley Hill Cyber Park near Fort Bonifacio, UP-AyalaLand Technohub in PHILCOA, and the Northgate Cyber Zone in Alabang.

Serviced offices offer a much needed convenience to foreign and local companies setting up business in the Philippines. These offices usually come fully-furnished, and are equipped by a separate facility management company. The managing company purchases the individual desks, office space, and operating equipment, then rents them out to client companies. Also referred to as executive suites, managed offices, business centers, or executive centers, serviced offices boast a large number of benefits, including plug and play options, prominent business adresses, and flexible short term contracts. These types of offices often have more flexible rental terms, compared to conventional leased office space, which are subject to more restrictive leases. Additional office space is easily allocated within short notice, making it more convenient for client companies in general, should a particular business change in size. Serviced offices are also more cost-effective, owing to the fact that client companies do not require to set aside capital for start-up costs and solicitor’s fees.