THE BATHROOM TEST

The Philippines may not have a formal caste system, but class distinctions are often built directly into our homes.

Consider household staff uniforms. Some employers prefer them because they create a clear visual distinction between the family and the help. To be fair, some household workers also appreciate receiving uniforms because it saves them from having to buy or decide what to wear.

So perhaps uniforms are not the strongest example.

Here is a more revealing question:

Would you allow your household helper to use the same bathroom that you and your family use?

Many people would instinctively say no—even though they would readily allow relatives, friends, and other guests to use it.

There may be practical reasons for this. Privacy, household routines, and hygiene preferences can all play a role. But it would also be dishonest to pretend that social status has nothing to do with the answer.

Whatever your view may be, there is a practical real-estate lesson here.

When buying a two-bedroom or larger condominium, or townhouse, consider who the future buyer is likely to be. A family with children may eventually employ a yaya or another household worker.

That means a maid’s room without its own bathroom may become a significant drawback. The worker may have to share the children’s bathroom, use the powder room, or pass through private areas of the home—arrangements many families will find inconvenient.

So when assessing a family-sized property, do not just count the bedrooms.

Check whether the household staff have a proper bathroom too.

It may feel like a minor detail during the viewing, but it can materially affect the property’s livability, marketability, and resale value.