Pinay nurse finds success in real estate

CEBU, Philippines - “You should not limit yourself to one particular area. You could explore other opportunities and step out from your comfort zone. You will never know where it will take you.”

This is the mantra to success that 44-year-old Zaida Lee applied when she unexpectedly ventured in the developing contracting industry and built her own name in the booming real estate market in Cebu.

Staying open to new opportunities that come along her way, Lee, a registered nurse, saw the potential of the growing market demand for real estate and founded HomiLee, Incorporated.

Lee and her husband Jeffery were constantly on the move abroad and temporarily stayed in California, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Rotterdam, London, and Chicago due to the nature of Jeffery’s job.

With an initial investment of P10 million, the couple got started with their first house in 2004 by purchasing a lot in Maryville Subdivision, Talamban, Cebu City.

They designed and constructed a two-storey house with 250-square meter floor area by themselves which they subsequently sold as they decided to build a bigger house in the same community.

In the process, Lee assisted the buyer in getting a loan, organized all the paperwork and learned a lot about real estate.

“We surprisingly sold it in less than a month and it proved to be profitable. Under those circumstances, I can hold my head up because the quality was there,” she added.

Currently, Jeffery works as the South Asia & Middle East managing director of a global logistics company while Lee chose to stay in Cebu with her son and settles down with her business.

Since then, HomiLee has aimed to build and sell quality houses for its customers and cater to either pre-designed or custom designed demands as preferred by its clients.

“Initially, I would start by buying a lot, coming up with a design, building a house and then marketing it once it is finished. We also tailor fit our projects to our client’s needs. Compared to the traditional approach of building first then selling, we also have this unique concept of finding a customer first and getting what he wants before building or starting a project,” she stated.

To date, HomiLee has sold nine houses in less than three years which are mostly located in Maryville.

Although she was challenged at first since she did not have any professional background about real estate, Lee was determined to educate herself and eventually learned the ropes along the way.

She graduated Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Southwestern University in 1989, spent three years working as a nurse at Cebu Doctors’ Hospital and seven years at a hospital in Chicago. 

She is also grateful to have her family and friends around who have supported her endeavors from the start.

Lee has her father Ponciano “Boy” Vercede and her brother Alvin Vercede as contracting managers, Doro Barandino as her business partner and consultant, Valentino Vergara and Vergel Vergara as her architects, Joseph Omamalin as structural engineer, and her husband Jeffery who continually inspires her every day.

“Everything was accidental but I learned to love the craft. It seems more successful. With all the support I receive, I am really enjoying what I am doing,” she said.

In 2009, general manager Annie Osmeña-Aboitiz announced the partnership with HomiLee as the exclusive contractor of the said developer to serve the buyers’ need for custom-made home construction.

HomiLee’s latest project from the joint venture agreement is the newly-rebranded Maria Luisa North-The Heritage which is an exclusive 13.6-hectare subdivision in Jagobiao, Mandaue City.

Lee has an entire construction crew working for HomiLee, employing 55 to 60 employees at present.

Whenever customers are too busy to come to the project site, they could visit the company’s website where Lee posts weekly project updates with photos and videos to keep her clients abreast of the development of their homes.

She further noted that HomiLee envisions being better and bigger in the years ahead.

She then advised aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, to try something new and pursue what they love doing.

“Doors are open and they are expecting you to come in. Make sure you are very careful in choosing what resonates your passion,” Lee concluded.  (FREEMAN)