As global tensions continue to shape investor sentiment and economic outlooks worldwide, uncertainty has once again become part of the conversation surrounding real estate. But for Victor Consunji, long-term fundamentals still matter more than temporary disruptions.
PhilSTAR Property spoke with Victor Consunji, Founder and CEO of Victor Consunji Development Corporation (VCDC), about how the company is navigating today’s market environment, evolving buyer behavior, and the importance of discipline amid volatility.
For Consunji, resilience in real estate begins with clarity on what truly drives value.
“Global tensions tend to affect sentiment more than fundamentals,” he said. “In the Philippines, demand for well-located, land-based assets remains steady. We focus on building projects with real long-term value. Land, location, and quality execution. So they hold up regardless of external noise.”
His perspective reflects a broader shift in how developers are approaching growth today—not simply through expansion, but through careful positioning, efficient land use, and projects designed around actual market demand.
A more practical buyer
As economic conditions evolve, so do the priorities of homebuyers. According to Consunji, buyers today are becoming more deliberate in their decisions, placing greater importance on functionality and long-term usability over sheer scale.
“We’re seeing a more practical buyer mindset,” he shared. “Value, location, and usability matter more now.”
This shift has opened opportunities in townhouse developments and emerging residential locations beyond traditional city centers. At VCDC, this has translated into a stronger focus on efficient layouts, strategic locations, and land-based communities designed around everyday living needs.
Among the developments gaining traction are VCDC’s upscale townhouse communities under the M Residences brand, offering a balance of space, accessibility, and practicality for young families and professionals.
He added that even VCDC’s villas outside Metro Manila are seeing growing interest from buyers looking for more space and a different pace of living.
Discipline over reaction
While headlines and geopolitical developments may influence short-term sentiment, Consunji believes decision-making must remain grounded in measurable indicators and long-term viability.
“We look at liquidity in the market, interest rate direction, employment stability, and actual absorption—not just sentiment,” he said. “If end-user demand is strong and credit remains accessible, the market stays fundamentally healthy.”
That philosophy became especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when uncertainty reshaped industries and consumer behavior across the globe.
For Consunji, the experience reinforced the value of staying adaptable without losing focus.
“During the pandemic, real estate demand didn’t disappear; it shifted,” he said.
VCDC responded by strengthening inventory readiness, expanding digital engagement, and ensuring operational and financial stability across developments. But beyond strategy, Consunji emphasized that discipline became the company’s guiding principle during disruption.
“The key was staying disciplined, not reactive.”
Building with long-term value in mind
Even as market cycles change, Consunji believes the core drivers of Philippine real estate remain intact—particularly for developments grounded in location, quality, and real demand.
Rather than chasing short-term trends, he sees long-term value creation as the stronger foundation for resilience.
While uncertainty may continue to shape global conversations, Consunji believes the foundations of real estate remain tied to how people ultimately choose to live—seeking spaces that offer stability, practicality, and long-term value beyond market cycles.
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