Cebu-based Filipino Homes gets Dubai trade license, expands in the Middle East

Filipino Homes, a Cebu-based real estate company, said it secured a trade license to open an office in Dubai, allowing the company to conduct business and investment transactions legally in the Middle East where there is a large concentration of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

This will enable Filipino Homes to strengthen its presence in the Middle Eastern market, particularly in real estate investment opportunities, according to Anthony Gerard Leuterio, founder of Filipino Homes and the 2024 International Realtor Awardee.

Leuterio said a trade license is crucial for facilitating larger-scale investment meetings and transactions in Dubai. He explained that in Dubai, a trade license is required to conduct investment meetings, especially involving large-scale transactions.

"With our official office and license, we can now hold property expos organized by Filipino Homes and streamline operations for developers," he said.

With the expansion in the Middle East, Filipino Homes can host daily presentations for developers in Dubai, helping them save costs and providing a fully operational office space.

[Left] Alejandro Manalac, Executive Publisher of Real Estate News Philippines (realestatenews.ph) and [Right] Anthony Leuterio, CEO and Founder of Filipino Homes 

"All developers can now tie up with us and legally conduct presentations using our trade license," Leuterio said. "We now have leaders in Dubai. They can now set up schedules to conduct operations or use the office for business," he said.

Leuterio said the Dubai office solidifies Filipino Homes' position as a key player in the global real estate market.

"This is a positive development for our property sector because there is now someone who can professionally promote our products," he said. "Our goal is to produce world-class Filipino real estate professionals."

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) remain the primary market for real estate in the Philippines.

"They are increasingly looking at investment income opportunities, and real estate is one of them," Leuterio said.

Remittances from OFWs grew 2.7% in October, reaching $3.42 billion, up from $3.33 billion in October 2023. The increase was driven by steady remittance inflows from both land-based and sea-based workers.

Data show that in the first 10 months of 2024, remittances rose 3 percent to $31.49 billion from $30.57 billion in the same period last year.