23-year-old developer starts building homes

January 10, 2011, 11:47pm

Perez

MANILA, Philippines – He’s president of his own real estate development firm. He deals with architects, engineers, contractors, and construction workers. He designs modern living spaces. He is Gabriel Perez, and he is only 23. How did he get there?

“It was a whirlwind of events,” said Gab in the conference room of his company Green Asia, an office whose interior espouses the “quality is the highest form of luxury” aesthetic he strives for — clean, stark, crisp and linear details have an uplifting effect on employees and guests alike. “But once I got the full grasp of the industry, I realized it was best to strike immediately as the real estate market is currently up.”

Indeed, while classmates at the Ateneo de Manila University were looking forward to a much-deserved break after graduation, Gab, who holds a degree in Management Economics, was kept busy processing the SEC papers for Green Asia. Thanks to an investment from his family, the would-be developer then set off to tackle his first projects: a couple of houses designed for starting families in Filinvest, Quezon City; and the Angelica Manor, an eight-floor, low-density-population condominium located in Ortigas Avenue.

Close to completion, the building, which was named after his mom, has already attracted a number of prospective homeowners to invest in its units — from a tidy 21-sqm studio for students to a more spacious two-bedroom affair. The terms are friendly to refuse – no down payment, no interest, and ready for move-in.

Though he makes it sound so easy, the venture has not been without its challenges. As a self-described “hands-on” head of his start-up company, he’s always out in the field, sourcing materials in places like Binondo or visiting hot and dusty construction sites. He also had to face realities like dealing with the tedious bureaucracy.

And then of course there is his youth and inexperience: is this 23-year-old, who, prior to heading Green Asia, interned at Discovery Suites and St. Lucia Realty’s marketing arm, Orchard Property Marketing, taken seriously by the seasoned developers?

“I think I am!” he said. “I don’t pretend to know everything so I’m not shy to ask people for advice.”

Gab, who at the beginning would write down every unfamiliar construction term to later ask experts to explain their purpose, said with a chuckle, “this a hands-on school now. But I love it.”

Building a successful business, according to Gab Perez:

Love what you do. Even a generous capital on a sure-fire venture won’t guarantee a thriving business if you’re not passionate about your work. For Gab, who always liked “luxurious surroundings”, the idea of “picking out materials” as well as the instant gratification of “seeing my construction ideas materialize the next day” are what attracted him to real estate development.

Take risks. Entrepreneurs rely more on instinct, he said. Age may have something to do with his derring-do attitude; this is the time to try new things and learn from your mistakes.

Surround yourself with good mentors. Gab’s family gave him more than the financial backing for this real estate development venture. From his engineer dad, he learned “to always give clients more than their money’s worth.” Meanwhile, his mom (a physician with a keen eye for design) advises him constantly on construction tricks of the trade. As supportive as they are, the Perezes also know when to hold back. When it comes to his business, Gab is left to make decisions on his own.

Master your market. Acknowledging the emerging “green market”, Gab included “A Life in Green” to give homeowners tips on how to save energy and help Mother Nature in the company website www.greenasia.com.ph. Aside from going environmental, Green Asia’s living spaces are specially designed for young professionals and starting families who want the same things: “to move-up in life, to stop renting and actually have a home to call their own.”

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

Source: Manila Bulletin