Imagine owning a farm just outside city limits that comes with professional farming assistance, a fresh produce market, supply depot, and amenities such as a swimming pool, a clubhouse, landscaped walkways, playgrounds, beautiful picnic grounds, and 24-hour security. It’s the perfect weekend getaway for those who would like to escape from the polluted confines of the city and enjoy the fresh air and green scenery of the countryside.

All this is promised when you purchase a lot in a farming estate — the latest form of property investment presented by real estate firms. It is also a new way of investing in realty as farm lots provide buyers a different form of leisure that will appeal particularly to those who enjoy the countryside and would like to pursue gardening and farming as hobbies.

Farm estates allow you to reap the fruits of your labor -- literally

Packaged as an investment, a means of leisure and relaxation, and even as a small enterprise, farm estates represent the innovative approach by which property companies are selling real estate in today’s depressed property market. One of the country’s premier property consulting firms believes in the potential of this project. Benedict C.T. Miranda, Associate Director of FPDSavills, states: “In view of sluggish property market conditions, this project format is an innovative and creative way to package and move property inventory. There is potential in this type of real estate product which capitalizes on the weekend get-away patterns of urban families to outlying areas outside of the metropolis. This is also a variant and a more affordable version of second-family homes set in an agricultural community setting.”

Thus, we now see a variety of these projects just recently launched by the country’s top property firms. Ayala Land subsidiary Laguna Properties Holdings is luring buyers to the countryside with its “country estates” project, particularly the Hacienda Sta. Monica in Lipa, Batangas. Landco Pacific Development likewise has its aptly-named Leisure Farms in Tagaytay, and Filinvest Land is persuading urbanites to enjoy the “gift of the earth” in Nusa Dua, its farm-lot project located in Tanza, Cavite.

Undoubtedly, part of the appeal of these property ventures is that one can enjoy and explore the simple and natural pleasures of country living without giving up the modern amenities and facilities central to urban life. One can garden, raise vegetables and ornamental plants, consume and sell fresh produce, as well as enjoy the pool or relax in the gardens and nature trails. Adds Miranda of FPDSavills: “The project attracts clients to a different and alternative experience outside urban living, engaging in both refreshing and productive activities.”

Hacienda Living
Laguna Properties Holdings harkens back to the simple but leisurely life of hacienderos with its first farm estate development, the Hacienda Santa Monica. Marketing its farm estate lots as “country estates” to those who wish to become “gentlemen farmers,” Laguna Properties’ first project is a 95-hectare mixed farm and residential community set in the cool clime of Lipa City, Batangas. Lots range from 750 to 5,000 square meters, providing ample space for farming activities as well as spacious country homes. Project Manager Rhoel Nolido states that “so far, the first phase of Hacienda Sta. Monica has been selling well. In fact, we are now in the process of getting all permits for the second phase.”

One can choose from a variety of residential, farm, and hacienda lots. Four kilometers from the Lipa town proper, Hacienda Sta. Monica can be accessed from Metro Manila through the South Luzon Expressway and Star Tollway, and is estimated to be an hour and a half away from Makati City.

Becoming a weekend farmer is made easy by the fact that agricultural consultants are on hand to help through the Family Farm School which provides basic farming knowledge. An interesting variety of fruit-bearing and palm trees as well as ornamental plants can be provided by suppliers within the estate. Of course, one can sell the produce of one’s land — and even use the profits to offset the monthly payments on the land.

Leisure Farms
Launched in 2001 and to be completed in 2005, Landco Pacific’s Leisure Farms project is being touted as “the country’s first and leading agro-tourism village” that combines residential resort features with high-value modern farming. Appealing to “hobby farmers,” the 200-hectare Leisure Farms aims to become a self-sustaining agricultural community. Located inside Metro Tagaytay — Lemery, Batangas to be exact — Leisure Farms can be accessed through Diokno Highway.

In a mode of development similar to Hacienda Santa Monica as well as Nusa Dua, Leisure Farms aims to provide amenities and services that will make weekend farming a new and refreshing experience. Demo farms, an agricultural school, and contract management are all means by which one can become a more productive farmer and also allow one to leave the day-to-day management of the farm to professionals.

Landco Pacific partnered with Buro-Buro Spring Farms and Harbest Agri-Business for this farm estate project. All necessary supplies will be provided by a depot while a produce market will allow the weekend farmer to profit from his crops. Marketing Manager Mylene Mendoza explains: “Our Farm Management Services will enable the gentleman farmer to enjoy hassle-free farming. We can take care of the crop mix, layout, supplies, schedules, and others. This is what makes hobby farming hobby farming. The hobby farmer doesn’t have to worry about the technical details. He can just enjoy the farm whichever way he chooses to.”

At the same time, his family can enjoy the estate’s other features such as a swimming pool, basketball court, campsite, and a variety of nature trails. Activities such as harvest festivals, country fairs, and a weekend market are likewise planned.

The demo farms even use hydroponics, whereby crops can be grown without using soil. Sumptuous produce such as greenhouse Israeli tomatoes, Holland bell peppers, and Harbest honey dew melons are just some of the crops to be harvested from these demo farms.

Back to Basics
Filinvest Land invites us to “recharge by plugging into the potency of the earth” with its 200-hectare farm estate development in Tanza, Cavite. The Balinese-inspired Nusa Dua provides the gentleman farmer with a variety of farming possibilities — from vegetable growing, horticulture, to aquaculture. For the first phase of this project, 20 hectares will be developed into 152 farm lots ranging from 750 to 2,000 square meters.

Nusa Dua’s farm homes are to be built in the style of Balinese homes with their cool, open and free-flowing architecture. Furthermore, easily accessible from the farm lots are the various amenities of Nusa Dua — the showcase farms, produce market, seminar rooms, picnic grounds, walkways, swimming pool, and children’s playground. Farming experts are also available for know-how and support from pre-planting to post-harvest, and a variety of tools, equipment and supplies are available in the estate. In addition, hobby farmers and their families can enjoy special events such as cooking demos and harvest fests.

Easily accessed via South Super Highway or Coastal Road, Nusa Dua promises not only a weekend getaway for the family but also a “new lifestyle for the gentleman farmer.”

Indeed, these farm estates aim to provide the urban family with a means to get away for the weekend or holiday in the refreshing environment of the countryside. These property projects will appeal particularly to those who want to return to the basics of living and who appreciate the simple pleasures of working with the soil and harvesting fresh produce. This unique property package thus combines investment and enterprise with leisure and pleasure.