Welcome to The Grounded Nomads

Dreaming of your own tropical home — but already feeling buried under paperwork, red tape, and random “fees” that seem to appear out of nowhere? You’re not alone.

When I first decided to build here, I had no idea how complicated it could get. From confusing land laws and unexpected taxes to contractors who swear “no problem sir!” before vanishing mid-job — it was a crash course in patience, pesos, and proper planning.

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That’s why I wrote A Foreigner’s Guide to Building in the Philippines — the book I wish I’d had when I started. It’s a no-nonsense, brutally honest guide packed with everything I learned the hard way (and a few laughs to keep you sane).

Inside, you’ll find:

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✅ How to buy land safely — including how ownership works, what a Tax Declaration really means, and how to avoid ending up with landlocked or unstable property.
✅ All the hidden costs — from capital gains tax to those sneaky “processing fees” no one mentions until it’s too late.
✅ Step-by-step construction process — permits, materials, contracts, and the real price of building here (yes, I include our full cost breakdown and all our house plans).
✅ What actually works in the Philippine climate — building methods, roofing, insulation, and flood prevention that’ll save you a fortune in repairs.
✅ How to sell later — because if you ever decide to move on, the selling process has its own set of landmines.
✅ Designing smart — incorporating Filipino architecture and sustainability without losing modern comfort.

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