Some developers prefer just selling units instead of units and lot. Think about it. if you're the landowner, why not keep your land, build a structure on it and sell units (notice I'm not saying house or condo, but units, which can either be a house or condo).
I worked with property construction and management firms in various countries. Main reason for developers to keep the land is not to dismante it but to incrrease the lease Iwhich in turn, increases the HOA. This is why certain properties are cheap to buy but has high HOA. So always check for lot owneship.
Now, I'm not saying don't do leasehold. Some of the best properties out there are on leasehold lot. Who are the target market of these? Foreigners. This is because foreigners can't own land. So if a foreigner really prefers having a house instead of a condo, then a house with leased lot is the answer. We built some of these in Pampanga before next to the golf course.
I wonder how many of you guys who prefers house and lot over a condo actually do not own the lot simply because you assumed house and lot means you own the lot? You might be surprised after 25 years that the landlord is claiming back his lot already and you need to leave because the lease contract is up.
The other thing that muddies this are the agents. Their goal is to sell and would keep quiet on who owns the land. The worst ones even lie and say you own it even if not. Heck, as long as they get their commission and no recorded evidence of them lying, the scums will do it. Be warned guys.