Abstract
Despite growing research on perceived risk and investment intention, little evidence addresses OFW-specific real estate risk dimensions in remote cross-border transactions. This study examined perceived real estate risk and property investment intention among Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional quantitative descriptive-correlational and predictive design used cluster-assisted purposive sampling through Filipino community and workplace networks. Of 61 online submissions, 56 qualified responses were retained after eligibility and consent screening. A researcher-developed, expert-validated bilingual questionnaire measured five risk dimensions and five intention indicators; Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranged from .913 to .982 across subscales and composites. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank-order correlation (rho), ordinary least-squares multiple regression, and supplemental two-block hierarchical regression. Respondents reported high perceived real estate risk (weighted mean [WM] = 3.91, standard deviation [SD] = 0.90) and high property investment intention (WM = 3.88, SD = 0.90). Risk was positively associated with intention (rho = .673, p < .001), consistent with risk-aware, verification-oriented readiness rather than unconditional willingness to invest. The five dimensions jointly explained 58.7% of intention variance; the omnibus F ratio was significant, F(5, 50) = 14.24, p < .001. Within this collinear model, misrepresentation and information transparency risk had the largest standardized regression coefficient (beta = .679), but individual coefficient interpretations remain provisional. The supplemental model added 40.6% explanatory variance beyond demographic controls. Cross-sectional self-report data, purposive recruitment, intention rather than actual purchase behavior, residual non-normality, and multicollinearity limit causal and population-wide generalization. The findings support a practical OFW framework centered on verification, secure payment, complete disclosure, professional assistance, and project monitoring.