sustainability
The Thousand Ships
In cross-border real estate, relationships often begin warmly — meetings, meals, introductions, group chats, brand names and referral chains.
But serious work begins only after the deal is done.
A recent Manila condominium administration matter reminded me why overseas property ownership cannot rely on goodwill alone.
This matter involved a Robinsons Land Corporation-linked sales agent, Roxanne Regala, introduced through an ERA Singapore-linked referral chain involving Parry Tiwari, Director of ERA Singapore. Simon Lee was later identified as the person I was told to coordinate with.
The issue is not just a small repair cost. It is accountability.
There were owner-side funds / retained proceeds requiring reconciliation, plus documentation, courier, repair coordination, tenant move-in matters and condo charges that needed accounting.
When a basic breakdown, receipts, proof of payment and reconciliation were requested, the answers were unclear. A partial payment screenshot was shared, but it did not explain the full use of funds or remaining balance.
Separately, disappearing WhatsApp messages were enabled in the relevant agent communication channel. Later, when proof of transfers and records were requested, it was said that messages had already disappeared.
That should concern anyone involved in overseas real estate.
If agents or referral networks handle funds, keys, documents, tenant coordination, repairs or move-in requirements, records should not disappear. Disappearing messages may be fine for casual chats, but not for transaction records.
When an overseas owner asks for reconciliation, the answer should be simple:
- how much was received
- what it was used for
- what receipts support it
- what balance remains
- who is responsible for each charge
Would you dare to buy overseas real estate if post-sale administration depends on verbal assurances, informal chats, disappearing messages and personalities?
Trust is not just about the developer’s brand. It is also about agents, introducers, property managers and service providers.
Robinsons Land, ERA Singapore, Parry Tiwari, Roxanne Regala and the relevant parties are welcome to clarify their position with me directly.
This is why TSREN (Thousand Ships Real Estate Network) exists.
TSREN is built by owners turned property managers who understand managing property, tenants, repairs, documents and local coordination from afar.
We are progressing conversations with Shang Properties, Inc. and Ayala Land, Inc. because HNW and UHNW investors need more than sales presentations. They need a trust-backed operating layer after completion.
If you are allocating assets into Southeast Asia, work with people you can trust — not just verbally, but through a system that backs it up.
Good photos do not last; serious work does.
Trust must be documented.
That is what The Thousand Ships and TSREN are about.
