Mortgages (or home loans) are an essential consideration for most people buying, selling, or simply owning a home. While the concept of borrowing from a bank or lender appears simple - home loans can be a lot harder to understand than you might first think. However, realestate.com.kh is here to help with our “mortgage matters” series. And when you are ready to consider a loan more seriously, we can even put you in touch with Cambodia’s leading lenders.Inquire for a home loan here.Drawing on  the experience of others who have mortgages (any number of your friends and family who already have a home loan), and with a little extra homework, we believe that any body can make sound financial decisions.What is a Mortgage?A mortgage is a loan, quite simply, with your house and land used as security for that loan. That means, if you don't pay back the loan in the prescribed time frame, the lender (usually a bank) has the right to foreclose your home. Foreclosing means to take possession of a mortgaged property when the mortgagor fails to keep up their mortgage payments. Basically, the bank takes your home and sells it to settle the debt. The loan is secured by a “lien” (in other words, the "mortgage") against the property in question (your house and land). The lender still doesn't own the house, you do. But if you can't pay, they have the lien with your house as their collateral/security.  You still have full ownership rights - yet subject to the mortgage.When looking for your first mortgage is it most important to consider two things: What you can actually afford?What you can borrow?Why are these two questions different? Because, the lender/bank is never going to look at how much you spend in a month on partying with friends, or movies and dinner, or how happy you'll be with a big payment.Put in your loan requirements in realestate.com.kh's mortgage calculator now! In reality, they may well be willing to loan you considerably more than you think you can spend on your home mortgage. You must consider this seriously - because only you know how much flexibility your lifestyle and spending habits have, which ultimately determines how much you can afford when searching for a new home. If you miscalculate this - you risk not being able to satisfy payments and ultimately losing your new home.Learn more about how to budget better for you and your family here.A lender/bank will look at your income, and future income potential vs. your proposed debt, as well as your bank savings and credit history. Having considered these factors, the bank will then determine how much of a risk you'd be for the lender/bank to take on and issue a loan. Meanwhile, they look at the value of the house you want to buy, and potential future value, and compare against the interest rate of the loan you'll be getting. After this analysis, the bank/lender arrives at a loan amount that they consider a healthy risk. If all things go to plan, this loan amount will match (or potentially exceed) what you need to satisfy your down payment and the final price of the house you want to purchase.Read part 2 of Realestate.com.kh’s “mortgage matters” series. And when you are ready to consider a loan more seriously, get in touch with Cambodia’s leading lenders.

The latest boost for the kingdom’s booming property industry will kick off the prestigious industry awards programme in 2016... As the acclaimed Asia Property Awards officially launches in Cambodia Undoubtedly home to one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting and rapidly evolving property markets, Cambodia is set to receive the region’s real estate industry seal of approval when it becomes the latest country to be included in the coveted, decade-old Asia Property Awards series. Sponsored by TEKA, the first Cambodia Property Awards 2016 will recognise and reward the achievements of the country’s most successful, dynamic and innovative developers and developments, as well as introducing the market to a wider regional audience of affluent investors and major industry players. The Awards’ successful launch party was held on Tuesday, 6 October, at the Chinese House in Phnom Penh, attended by nearly 150 guests and members of the press. Nominations from industry players and the general public have now started to pour in for the Cambodia edition, and will close on Friday, 4 December. The glittering awards ceremony is set to take place on Thursday, 25 February 2016 at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra and will present more than 20 awards covering the condominium, housing, hotel, office, retail, green and mixed-use segments, all of which will be grouped into three main sections, namely Developer, Development and Design. While Cambodia’s property market may not yet be as established as its regional counterparts, the kingdom is stepping up in the development sector, with numerous low-rise and ambitious high-rise projects currently in the planning stages or under construction in Phnom Penh, which is undoubtedly establishing itself as a desirable investment destination due to the relatively low prices and average rental yields of 5.3 percent – very attractive for an emerging market. Industry analysts also expect the overall condominium market in the capital to increase its supply by 40 percent within the next three years, which is one indication of the growing interest in local real estate. Other destinations such as Siem Reap and Sihanoukville province are also showing on many local and foreign investors’ radars, thanks to the kingdom’s existing laws giving investment incentives, and an open and free economy. “Cambodia is a comparatively small market, but it is quickly emerging and is definitely deserving of the recognition it will receive at their very own Property Awards,” said Terry Blackburn, CEO of Ensign Media, event organiser and publisher of Asia’s industry leading magazine, Property Report. “Competing in Cambodia will give the winners of the top awards the opportunity to showcase their latest projects at our South East Asia Property Awards grand finale to be held in Singapore.” As is the case with all the events of the Asia Property Awards, successful entries will be supervised by BDO International, one of the world’s largest accounting firms, and assessed by an independent panel of highly-experienced judges led by chairman Simon Griffiths, associate director of CBRE Cambodia. “There is a definite market trend in Cambodia of a flight to quality,” Griffiths said. “If developers can truly distinguish themselves through innovative and truly quality developments, from design and architecture to construction, execution and operation and by winning an independent award it helps consumers identify those properties, it can only be a good thing for developers and design firms.” For more information on the inaugural Cambodia Property Awards, visit the website. Super early bird tickets for the gala dinner are available now at Ensign-Media.com, offered until 11 December only. Sponsorship and media partner opportunities for the kingdom’s premier real estate event are also available. For details, email info@asiapropertyawards.com or call +66 (0) 2662 5195. Follow #AsiaPropertyAwards to join the conversation about the Asia Property Awards series on social media.

Real estate agencies in the Kingdom are shifting their focus from traditional, low lying real estate market and are adapting in order to cash in on the condo boom. The local Khmer market is traditionally fixated on land, villas and borey homes. With prices between $1,500 to $3,000 per square metre for high-end condo units in the capital, the local market has been slow to respond despite international excitement.

Realestate.com.kh would like to present another of our featured agencies - Knight Frank Cambodia. Knight Frank was founded in United Kingdom in 1896 and since then has grown to become a truly multinational property consultancy. Knight Frank is today the world’s largest privately owned global property agency and consultancy. Knight Frank’s global network, including US based Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, encompasses over 370 offices in 55 countries. More than 12,000 professionals handle in excess of over US$800 billion (excluding North America) worth of commercial, agricultural and residential real estate annually. Knight Frank remains wedded to its core objectives of progressing global growth and capitalising on market share opportunities. It continues to preserve and attract talent in order to provide exceptional service to its clients.

Realestate.com.kh would like to present another of our featured agencies - IPS.Check out IPS's listings for rent and for sale on realestate.com.kh today Independent Property Services (IPS) was established in 2009 to market and sell real estate in Phnom Penh, and throughout Cambodia. Since then IPS has become the premier real estate company, and is the market leader in both expatriate and Khmer real estate. As Cambodia’s premier real estate company, IPS has grown quickly in its six years of operation and now has two strategically placed offices in Cambodia’s dynamic business districts of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. As such IPS is ideally placed to provide up-to-date information and advice on real estate in Phnom Penh as well as other parts of Cambodia, including some focus on Siem Reap. As a real estate company with strong local connections, IPS has a well-earned reputation for delivering real estate solutions that meet the diverse needs of people engaged in real estate in Phnom Penh as well as in other parts of the country. IPS has formed long lasting relationships with local business chambers, embassies and the broader Cambodian business community. [caption id="attachment_78656" align="aligncenter" width="398"] David Murphy - Founder and Managing Director of IPS Cambodia[/caption] Today, IPS stands out in the crowded Phnom Penh real estate field as the boutique Cambodia property and real estate company of choice because of our consistent track record in Cambodian and Phnom Penh real estate, our people and our focus on impeccable service. The team at IPS is made up of talented local and international staff with extensive experience in international and Cambodian real estate and are committed to sourcing the right properties for our clients. Our team of real estate agents brings unique skills and experience to IPS where we speak several languages, including English, French, Filipino and Khmer. IPS’s reputation in Cambodian and Phnom Penh real estate is underpinned by extensive local knowledge and international expertise, and a strong commitment to integrity in all that we do. Check out IPS's listings for rent and for sale on realestate.com.kh today

Are you a Cambodian based investor that wants to invest in the United Kingdom in a safe and socially responsible 10 year investment opportunity? Look no further...Introducing a very exclusive investment opportunity New Castle, United Kingdom, with Ivanna Capital Ltd, UK. Buy a unit of Learning Disabilities Center in Gateshead, UK, with guaranteed rental returns for 10 years, and sell-back opportunity after 10 years.Investment cost: £64,950 Yield:10%Guarantee phase with 10 years Deposit: £5,000 per room purchase 5% returns will be paid during development phase for people who pay the full £65k at exchangeMore information on the Investment Opportunity:  "The amount of quality spaces available for people with Learning Disabilities across England is massive below the required demand levels based on local and national figures. Many Local Authorities have to place residents as in other local areas because the facilities are just not available locally. This places a huge financial burdon on the local authority. The need for this type of accommodation in Gateshead Borough is massive. The Local Authority is working with our Care partners to try and reduce the need but to also design something that is truly unique and groundbreaking." "The 40 bed unit which we are building will be the first of its kind nationally and will provide not only supported accommodation but also access to the highest possible education. St. Camillus Care Group Ltd want to change the way people with learning disabilities are supported and this represents a fantastic investment opportunity. There is a legal duty on Gateshead Council to house people who have an assessed Learning difficulty. Gateshead Council has currently not got enough accommodation to accommodate and is a priority area of development." "Based on current accommodation trends and population growth, the research estimates that there will be 19,860 new registered care bed places and at 14,222 extra supported accommodation places in England and Wales over the next 15 years. "The research found that 172,000 people with a learning disability in England and Wales known to social services. This differs to estimates of over a million when combined with the people that are suspected of having a learning disability but are yet to be statemented." "Over the next 15 years, based on population growth of adults with a learning disability known to social services we will need to following provision in England and Wales: 19,680 new registered care places14,122 extra supported accommodation places10,766 extra general needs tenancies with local authorities and housing associations73% of people with a learning disability want to live in some form of independent living. This currently sits at 16% due to the lack of accommodation to support individual need.The research also found that it is likely an additional 33,000 people with a learning disability will continue to live with their parents even though both service user and parent would like to find somewhere which would promote independent living." "Gateshead is on the opposite to Newcastle across the River Tyne. The site we are building on has fantastic views up the Tyne River providing a tranquil and idyllic environment for service users to live and learn. Excellent central locationPerfect for students as Gateshead College is less than 1 mile awayWalking distance to City Centre, stations and parksSafe neighbourhoodWealth of local amenities including bars and cafesAward winning Sage Gateshead less than 1 mile awayThe need for this accommodation is based on in depth research and over 50 years’ experience in the field of social care and commissioning.The Local Authority are supporting the development and are willing to commission beds over a number of years safeguarding financial returns and the initial investmentThis approach sits firmly in line with the newly produced UK Care Act which places a duty on local authorities to do more to make sure that people do not need to travel away from their local area to receive the right kind of support "Securing your investment: Your investment will sit in a 3rd party client account until stage progress is signed off by a qualified Quantity Surveyor. Once this has been completed funds are then released for the next stage of the build. This protects the investor and makes sure that the investment is secure during the building stage of the process." "Guaranteed Buy Back Option: Guaranteed buy back option (at end of year 10) at original value £64950.Reserve your unit now for just £5,000.Your balance of first payment will be due within 28 days from receipt of reservation contract.Buyers solicitor will then be engaged.Financial return paid in arrears quarterly direct to your nominated bank account.5% interest given on funds received at exchange until refurbishment has been completed 1st September 2016.""NOW:Reserve your unit now for just £5000 deposit.UK solicitors instructed and contracts issued.First installment of £26000 due at exchange of contracts 28 days after reservation.Second installment of £26000 due February/March 2016Completion monies £7950 due July 2016"Please contact Immy at Ivanna Capital Ltd  for more information - UK : +44 7448588234 ipanjwani42@gmail.com

Almost 100 professionals gathered on the rooftop of the Foreign Correspondence Club (FCC) last Thursday the 16th of September for the EuroCham’s second networking event of the year, this time sponsored by the Archetype Group. As the representative in Cambodia, Archetype officially launched during this event the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in Cambodia (CTBH), the world’s leading resource for professionals focused on the inception, design, construction, and operation of tall buildings and future cities. Learn more about CTBH here. Secretary of State H.E. Pen Sophal, was in attendance.

The UK Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICs) launched their first specialist course on Plant and Machinery Valuation, in partnership with IBC, on the 3rd September in Phnom Penh, The course, which represents a first for the Kingdom, taught local and international participants the fundamentals of Plant & Machinery (P&M) Valuation Standards, Valuation Methodologies, Code of Ethics, and Risk Management principles. RICS promotes and enforces the highest professional qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. The organisation accredits 118,000 professionals and any individual or firm registered with RICS is subject to it's quality assurance. Their expertise covers property, asset valuation, real estate management; the development of infrastructure; and the management of natural resources, such as mining, farms and woodland. Read another useful article about valuation standards in Cambodia here. In addition to the RICS course, BritCham, in partnership with IBC and RICs, recently organised a half-day forum on the promotion of building and fire safety standards. To-date Cambodia still does not have a set of Building or Fire Safety standards in the area of construction. Several initiatives within the Government are currently being developed, as well as by the private sector and relevant institutions. This led to the UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office and UK Trade and Investment to commission the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICs) to produce a report on the topic with a view to providing the Cambodian Government with assistance in developing building standards and ensuring better regulation. The Report's findings and recommendations were presented to and welcomed by the Government last year. The Report further provided the foundation for the country’s first Building ConstructionLaw, drafted by H.E. Dr. SOK Siphana. Following on from this, the purpose of the joint IBC and BritCham seminar was to bring together relevant stakeholders - both from the private and public sector - to examine the findings and recommendations of the RICs report and discuss a common approach to the developing building and fire safety standards for Cambodia. Read another article about fire safety standards in Cambodia here.

Is your air conditioning bill causing you financial stress? Do you want to reduce your home or office's’ carbon footprint but still keep your body cool? Realestate.com.kh spoke with Professor Dr. Karl Wagner, from the School of Business at the University of Kuala Lumpur, a world-renowned specialist on green building science, about some simple ways to cool down your buildings and your bodies, without turning up the air con!Evaporative Cooling: Whenever you feel hot when coming from outside the house back indoors, typically in temperatures of above 26 - 30ºC, take a more extensive cool shower of 2-3 minutes, and dry only what is socially necessary. This encourages evaporation cooling across your body, which will bring down your body temperature for longer.“Chill-In” Office Booths: In the commercial application of this, offices can provide air conditioned “chill-in” rooms at the entrance of the building - potentially with work stations and wifi. These cooling pens allow for staff to cool down when they first enter the office from the heat outside. Once all staff spend a few minutes in these designated “chill-in” rooms, they can then enjoy a warmer temperature inside their office space.Instead of pumping up the air con across the entire office space at low temperatures, or rising and lowering the entire office temperature based on weather conditions, these temporary “chill-in” spaces allow all staff to cool down their bodies before they enter the office, and be better acclimatized to warmer temperatures once inside their work space. This saves on energy costs for the office, and means cool air isn’t wasted. It also encourages body temperatures to adapt to medium temperatures in the longer term. NoHeavy Bed Sheets: In sleeping rooms, do not use thick comforters/duvets on the bed - because these do nothing but trap heat under you. Accepting tropical thermal comfort also means the demise of bed comforters! Duvets make sense to the colder temperatures of northern countries where they were invented - but not Cambodia, or other tropical climates. In an aircon cooled arena such as your bedroom, they create a vicious circle - the thicker the duvet, the lower we set the air con, otherwise we sweat under or even on top of the thick blanket. Take it off and replace it with a thin sheet.Escape During the Heat of the Day: If you have a typically un-insulated house in Cambodia, leave the house during the hot afternoon hours whenever possible. This is because, without heavy air con usage, it is impossible to keep it cool at these times. Offices, shopping malls, libraries and other public places are great getaways during the heat of the day. They are cooled down to digestible thermal comfort zones anyway, and going out for shopping and other daily needs will both increase your stamina and fight obesity (if this is an issue).Green Lifestyle Jives in Tandem with a Healthy Lifestyle: It is an old rule, independent of cultures, not to eat anytime up to 3 hours before you intend to sleep. Our digestion appreciates this and, instead of sweating due to late heavy meal, we can easily stand and appreciate a higher comfort temperature. We don’t have to be nutritionists to switch our eating clock forward. If we feel over saturated after a belated meal, a walk through the park or more intense evening exercises can work miracles to burn the inadvertent surplus of calories and cool your body down naturally.Want to learn more about Cooler Lifestyles in Green and Energy Efficient Buildings? check out or news page now!

Do you want your home or office to look like a designer pad? Of course you do. The problem is, and the problem for all of us, is that our budgets may not match our design aspirations.No matter how talented you might be, it is hard without a design budget. But, you need not fear... making your home look pricey does not always necessitate a heap of cash.  It is simply a process of taking the time and care to arrange your things and your house in an eye-pleasing way... By doing so, you can easily make small, inexpensive updates to your home or office space that have a big impact on its appearance value. In other words, it’s about using your brain - not your wallet.Here are a few tips to help you create the illusion of expense, thanks to Realestate.com.kh.1. De-clutter the space:Nothing says “this home isn't that expensive” like all your assorted bits and pieces left lying across the living room. Getting rid of anything that doesn’t fit well with your home's overall style is a great first step toward transforming your home from a state of average to exceptional - and this requires no budget whatsoever. Start by walking through each room of your home and "editing" items.You may need to make some difficult decisions... As much as you may love your grandfather's antique shotgun replica, it clearly doesn't jive with your otherwise modern styling. Please hide it away with your other family heirlooms in the attic. Don't forget to unload it! Meanwhile, move clutter away from where the eye turns. Put things in closets and wardrobes that look elegant from the outside, and hide any mess within. 2. Eliminate Grime:Whether or not you are a rigorous cleaner in every day life, the occasional "deep clean" is an easy way to make your home look much more expensive to the untrained eye. After all, how often do you see a billionaires mansion with greasy walls and dusty floorboards? Not often. If you are serious about making your home look a million bucks, it is time to get your hands dirty.3. Use the Light:Everyday, interior designers use and manipulate lighting as a way to define spaces and separate rooms within a house. If used effectively, lighting can make the a smallest spaces grand and expansive. Try to differentiate styles among the different areas of your house by using different kinds of lighting. In the living room, add a table lamp beside your comfortable reading chair and hanging lamps behind the sofa for conversation. A dimmer for overhead lights is a great tool to allow you to influence the mood of the room. Architects love them - and adding your own dimmers is not an impossible nor expensive task. Warm-colored light bulbs also allows you to create diversity of tones within your house, with tiny price tags.4. Hardware Updates add Prestige:Whether you have the budget to support a full scale renovation, by simply swapping out old, dated hardware for new, modern fixtures, you can make your home immediately more trendy. It also gives the impression that recent renovations have been done - whether or not they have. Finding attractive options for next to nothing in regards to fixtures, handles and door knobs is easy, and second hand pieces may be possible if you are looking for an antique feel. Changing the counter top and faucets is another thing to consider - for a little extra cash you can make your home look much pricier.5. Slap on a Fresh Coat:The easiest way to make an old home or office look new again is a fresh coat of paint - it is an instant makeover treatment for any building. Neutral colors are best if you are looking to sell, because you don't want to alienate house viewers with a personally preferred color. Minimalists will look for a bright white covering most of the interior combined with a single bold accent wall.If you have wooden floors or paneling, a sandy tone will accent this well. Don't forget that paint is not just for your walls and can be applied to other areas of the house - fell free to freshen up the front door, window trims, and even the wooden floors if there is a little cash left over in the budget.  But take your time, and get it right first time - or this cheap painting renovation can soon cost a lot more than you might have budgeted for.  Follow these simple tips for upgrading your home, and soon you can list it as the mansion it really is.Read some more useful tips here.

Mr. Kim Heang, CEO of Khmer Real Estate Co., Ltd, was awarded the honor of becoming the President of the Cambodian Valuers and Real Estate Agents Association (CVEA) at the presidential elections held at the Cambodiana Hotel last Friday, 25th of September. Kim has over 12 years experience in the Cambodian real estate industry, and has demonstrated leadership in several roles - the foremost being his position as CEO at Khmer Real Estate.  In his presidential pitch, Mr. Heang presented the members of the CVEA with promises for the direction of the Association under his leadership. "Firstly," said Heang, "I will gain the trust of the members and the general public and will set a goal for the organization which I can achieve during my term as President." Mr. Heang's promises included reaching out to sponsorship of the CVEA through various levels of membership. The majority of these sponsors will be Real Estate Developers, Construction Companies and Banks. Heang vowed to all members to see the CVEA, "work with the Ministry of Economic and Finance, or State University, in bringing an International School into Phnom Penh for a Real Estate and Valuation focused curriculum." Further, Heang wishes to see valuation services standardized in regards to price and quality: "We need to make the minimum charge at $170 per valuation report, as of January 2016, and increase this minimum rate to $200 per report, by January 2017." Realestate.com.kh wishes Mr Kim Heang the best of luck in bringing these initiatives to reality - and hopes the CVEA can continue to provide support for the real estate community.

*that we have seen. Chinese developers are breaking records in the speed of construction for new developments.In recent news, a developer in China launched its 57-storey, 838 meter skyscraper in Changsha City, alongside the Xianjiang River.The skyscraper was built, from foundation to completion, in less than three weeks using prefabricated modular technology developed by a company called Broad Sustainable Building. One of the fastest buildings yet. The fastest residential and commercial building, named ‘Sky City’, was originally planed to be completed at a rate of five storeys per day, with exteriors and interiors, finished within 90 days. The modified version of the actual Sky City comprises 800 high- and low-income apartments, and office space for an estimated 4,000 occupants. The Sky City tower covers a total area of180,000 sqm, and will also have places for a variety of shops, restaurants, and possibly hospitality, educational and commercial spaces. These are not being filled quite so fast. Here is the video of the super-speedy construction. [embed]http://cdn.theguardian.tv/mainwebsite/2015/04/30/150430timelapsechina_desk.mp4[/embed]

Whenever renting a new house or commercial space for business, the things that grab our attention first and foremost are the location, price and the supporting lease clauses. However, we often miss out on and overlook certain small but equally important things. You should remember that your final lease agreement is not going to include a lot of important stuff that will ultimately make or break the rental agreement, and this could well be the same stuff that even your landlord or broker won’t reveal pre-contract. Read another Checklist for Securing your Dream Rental Here.Here is a few extra things to consider above and beyond the rental agreement, thanks to Realestate.com.kh:How's the Landlord?Always do a background check of your landlord to make sure everything is above board. This need not be a difficult one, or necessarily call on any official records. Neighbors and grocery shop owners in the vicinity are often the best sources that can help you ascertain your prospective landlord’s nature and his ownership over the property. Also, you should check how far or close he or she lives from the rented apartment. A  landlord who is too nosey is sometimes equally as bad as an extremely laid back one. A lot of good apartment rental experiences are ruined because of landlords - so work out fast whether or not yours in a keeper. Also, try to speak with past tenants. The landlord may be able to provide contact details of the last tenant. If he or she does, call them - and get the down-low on the property and the landlord before agreeing to sign on.Meet the Neighbors:Similar to the above regarding landlords, a bad neighbor can ruin your rental experience. Try to meet your neighbors before finalizing the house agreement and find out whether they will have an overbearing influence on your life. Consider their set up too - is it a family living beside your house or a bunch of young guys? This will make a difference to your satisfaction once the contract is done - so find out before the point. Visit at night:Visit the area where your new residence resides at night to check its safety. A neighborhood that’s calm during the daytime can turn into a very noisy place at night time. Does a KTV open next door after 7pm? Is the entrance to your prospective home lighted sufficiently? Do you feel safe in the new area? If you don't, you can bet your family won't.Is your pet allowed?Find out your landlord’s stance on pets, if you have any. Many landlords don’t allow pets, so finding one which does can often be a challenge for the renter with fluffy friends.Consider the local commute:Try and get to work, or school, from the new house - before agreeing to live there. Many times,  our commute related research is merely based on the rough distance between your home and destination. Walk through your travel route and see how easy and efficient it really is.You’re now ready! Get on Realestate.com.kh/rent today and start the search for your dream rental! Of course, Realestate.com.kh’s 6000+ rental listings make it effortless to see what is available across the Cambodian rentals market. Read another Checklist for Securing your Dream Rental Here.

Finding the perfect rental can be a taxing experience. Of course, Realestate.com.kh’s 6000+ rental listings make it effortless to see what is available across the Cambodian rentals market. Yet, when it comes to inspections, the bulk of your search and consideration usually revolves around technical aspects of the new home, such as proximity to your office or your kid’s school, your budget, the number of bedrooms and the like – it is easy to overlook some of the smaller but equally important details during the heat of the viewing. Here’s a checklist, thanks to Realestate.com.kh, to ensure you’re not forgetting anything! Additional costs: Most rental rates are exclusive of extra monthly charges. Monthly maintenance, waste collection, gas and water rates, electricity bills, bond payments etc. can add to the monthly rental price significantly – so make sure you inquire about all extra expenses while you are viewing. And confirm them in the rental contract before signing. Expect to pay no more than 1000Riel/$0.25 per Kilowatt for electricity, $5 per month for water charges & trash collection and $5 per month for TV cable connection. Read the contract: Seems like a no-brainer – but read your rental agreement with care and attention. Learn the ways in which you can be liable for a breach of your contract, for example having pets or parties – different land lords’ stipulate different reasons for being allowed to throw you out, so make sure you know what the land lord in question expects of you before you agree to stay. Get the right title!Everyone haggles! Always bargain the price with your landlord no matter how it makes you feel. Learn how to haggle here. The same goes for your real estate agent. Remember, that while your real estate agent is acting in your interests to some degree – they are ultimately acting on behalf of the sale, and their commission will be higher if the final agreed price is higher. If you are applying for a long term rental, 1 year or over, use this as a bartering tool. Also, while the landlord may not be flexible on monthly rental price, you may still be able to push them for additional services or home furnishing/appliances for free as contract sweeteners. An upfront advance on your first few months’ rent may also be an enticing bartering point for landlords looks for a fast cash injection in the short term, but ensure everything is receipted correctly. Here's some tips to finding the perfect agent.Safety First: Regardless of what your agent tells you, be personally responsible for you and your family’s safety when considering any new rental property. Walk around the neighborhood of any property you are considering renting, speak with neighbors (and other tenants if it is a shared building) and come back to the area at nighttime and make sure no hidden threats appear when the sun goes down. Also, always consider the potential for flooding. A 24 hour review is necessary to note any noise hazards too – there may be construction in the afternoon that you never noticed at the morning viewing, or a night club could open at night next door. For a little extra attention before agreeing to the rental contract, you can truly understand the pros and cons of the property. Little Things: Check faucets, door hinges, locks, door knobs, power points, appliances, water heaters and gas cookers before agreeing to rent. Most of the time these things look perfect until further investigation - but if you catch minor problems now, you can ask the landlord to fix them before the agreement is settled. Here is a pre-purchase property checklist.Bug Free? Keep your eyes peeled for any signs of a bug infestation. It is not uncommon and it’s easy to miss signs that your new home is shared by a family of cock roaches, termites, mice or other pests. Unless it’s a critter co-lease you’re looking for, find out before it’s too late. Photo Evidence: Before agreeing to the bond payment, take photos of every room in the house while it is empty. In these pictures, make sure you evidence any preexisting damage to the property. This way, when your contract eventually ends, the landlord has no grounds to deduct wear and tear damages from your deposit that in fact you weren’t responsible for. You’re now ready! Get on Realestate.com.kh/rent today and start the search for your dream rental!

The borey life is the dream of countless families across Cambodia. However, not all boreys are equal. Here is a checklist from Realestate.com.kh to make sure you are in fact securing the right property for you and your family - and a sound investment.What is a borey?Essentially, a borey is a gated community of flat houses, twin villa houses and single villa houses, including public areas, gardens and full security services. Those who want to buy a borey home are looking for privacy, a safe place for their family to grow, areas where communities can develop, and a place where all modern amenities are assured. They are they prefered first home of newlywed Cambodian couples looking to start a new family. Not Cambodian? Not sure if you can buy a borey? Learn about foreign ownership laws here. Learn more about Phnom Penh Residential Space here.Is it a registered borey you’re buying?Before purchasing any “borey” home, or any gated community home which calls itself a “borey,” you must first ensure it is infact registered as a borey and has all the correct licenses. Ask your real estate agent, or the property owner, to provide all certification before considering purchasing the property.Here is what you need to see:Correct Hard Title:  The borey development owner must first have hard title for the entire project property, and it must be divided into individual hard titles for each housing unit within the borey. Learn more about Cambodian land titles here.Registered Development Company: The owner/developer must be a registered Cambodian company.Master Plan Approval: Before any construction begins on a borey development, the Ministry of Land Management must first approve the developer's Master Plan.Construction License: Having approved the master plan, the construction company is scrutinized. In order for a gated community development to call itself a “Borey,” it must be built by a single, registered construction company, with a license to construct from the Ministry of Land Management. This ensures the buildings are built to an adequate standard, and necessary amenities and infrastructure are guaranteed.Borey License: If everything is in order, the Ministry of Economics and Finance issues a borey license - which means that the Government is satisfied with the quality of the development’s design and sales plans, and the correct land titles for that housing project are in order. Each property within the development will have an independent hard title, meaning the future home owner has full ownership rights on purchase. This means the development can legally be called a “borey”.Buying a registered borey home means due diligence has been done for you by the Government - at a national level - and you can guarantee that the correct construction and legal processes have been followed.In comparison, Cambodia hosts many large developments of flat houses which look exactly the same as a borey community in their design, and sometimes even called a borey in their marketing. However, those developments have not been scrutinized or licensed. Developers avoid registering as a borey because of the additional expense and scrutiny over their construction and legal standards. To build and sell a flathouse development, not titled as a borey, means less licensing is required, and official permission for construction and selling is only needed at a Khan or Sangkat level. Your title may not be valid, and the quality of the house’s construction and its Sales and Purchase Agreement is not certain. Avoid unregistered flathouse developments, or risk investing in a insecure asset that may not match pre-sale descriptions.Check out Cambodia’s latest and greatest borey homes for sale and rent on realestate.com.kh today!

Realestate.com.kh offers a range of products for property developers in Cambodia to build their brand, increase inquiries for their apartment, condo or office units, and ultimately sell their new development project faster than ever.We are not agents here at Realestate.com.kh, and we do not take commission – but we do seek to provide the best possible online real estate buying and selling experience for both home buyers and property sellers. including property developers.The Realestate.com.kh developers online marketing packages are designed to help Cambodian property developers expose their properties to the widest possible audience of buyers - inside and outside of Cambodia - and create ongoing hype within the local and international market. Realestate.com.kh can help your new development stand out from the crowd. Traffic to Realestate.com.kh is highly targeted.People come to Realestate.com.kh for one reason – to search for property – and for this reason, they stay on site for a long time, checking the latest properties that suit their search criteria. For developers, there is no need to waste your time and money listing property on other classified websites where user traffic is not related to property.Property developers put their listing on Realestate.com.kh where everyone that visits it is a potential customer. We are ranked number 1 for search results on google.com and google.com.kh for almost all property search keywords related to Cambodia. Our website is also mobile and tablet optimized, which is perfect for Cambodia where this type of traffic has increased over 414% since 2014. Meanwhile, we harness social media marketing to push your new development listing to a wider audience.Realestate.com.kh’s new development listings appear on our dedicated “New Developments” section of the website, one click from the homepage, which means new development property listings don’t get mixed up with the thousands of other residential property listings. All “New Development” listings are “Featured” which means 200% larger listings, larger photos and the developer’s logo included. You can also upload 3D Renders of floor plans, maps, information brochures and various other sales materials to the online listing.How do we push your property listings around the globe?At Realestate.com.kh, through our “Featured Listings” package, we easily and automatically help Cambodian property developers enter the lucrative international property market, make international real estate connections, and, ultimately, sell property to wealthy international buyers – all without leaving thier computer chair. While 65% of traffic to Realestate.com.kh is from Cambodia, the balance of visitors are from countries with a strong interest in Cambodian real estate. We also help international property agents share their listings with Cambodian’s interested in investing in international real estate.Realestate.com.kh has a partnership with the Property Guru Group.  PropertyGuru Group is Asia’s leading online property portal group used by more than 11 million property buyers, viewing over 104 million property pages and generating over 500,000 enquiries for real estate developers and agent advertisers – every month – across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.Content marketing is a powerful way to position your development company as a market leader and create hype for your new development. Realestate.com.kh can make a custom content marketing plan to suit your needs with our professional in-house real estate journalists that produce high quality real estate advertorial. This advertorial will be seen by tens of thousands of property seekers on Realestate.com.kh’s dedicated real estate news blog and weekly email.Our writing is respected throughout the industry, by agents and property seekers. Meanwhile, we push your advertorial to new audiences in Cambodia and abroad through our extensive social media network – which includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Line. Banner advertising on Realestate.com.kh is another great way to drive highly relevant traffic to your new development.If you are a developer wishing to list your property on Realestate.com.kh and take advantage of our comprehensive online marketing solutions, please contact us today at info@realestate.com.kh or 017436756 and we will be happy to meet with you and tell you all the different ways we can showcase your new development to the world.Harness the online revolution that is spreading across Cambodia – and get your latest project sold on Realestate.com.kh today!

Exclusive property listings are becoming more popular in Cambodia as local and international agencies increase their capacity to handle the burdens of exclusivity. But in an unregulated market that lacks clear specialization, they can accrue losses while unlicensed agents reap the awards.  While international companies generally prefer exclusive listings, many local agents still assume that casting a wide net with maximum exposure is the key to finding investors. But in some cases, too many chefs can certainly spoil the broth, explained local experts. [caption id="attachment_78465" align="alignleft" width="577"] "The Bay" is the exclusive listing of Furi Real Estate.[/caption] When agencies are granted an exclusive contract, they focus on the listing first and foremost, said Desmond Yap, general manager of Yong Yap Properties. “Your agent is your salesperson for your property - what they say and how they say it has an important role in the success of the sale,” says Yap. Exclusive listings benefit from access to and control of the latest information concerning a property. Without this, competition can lead to confusion and mistrust among potential buyers and sellers, he explained. When it comes to exclusive listings, the sale price and time frame to complete the sale must be agreed on before exclusivity is granted, says In Sitha, Vice President of World Trust Estate. “The agent’s commission is totally protected from outside sellers,” he added. Yet, exclusive listings in Cambodia, typically include a sharing clause, notes Sitha. This means that if another non-contracted agent beats the exclusive agent to a sale, they split the commission in half. The average total commission is 3 per cent of the selling price. Nevertheless, the exclusive agent has carried the burden and cost of marketing the property and drawing up the final contract. Because the market is unregulated and anybody can become a private agent in attempt to sell, ‘Commision Cowboys’ do not accept liability if the contract collapses before full payment. Sellers are tired of ‘fly by the nighters’ like this, believes David Murphy, managing director of IPS. Sellers are increasing looking for agencies that demonstrate integrity, sustainability and a continuing commitment to the client. “In this respect,” explains Murphy, “exclusivity over their property becomes a partnership.” While agencies put their reputation at risk to gain exclusivity, Sitha believes that it is not always worth it. “Most exclusive listings will not bring benefits,” he said. “If an agency is unfit to handle the listing - or if the property is overpriced, or in some other way unsellable.” An agency must ensure the property is accurately valued, has the correct land title and is safe for buyers, before considering exclusivity, he noted. Sorn Seap, CEO of Key Real Estate, notes that with only a handful of new development projects looking for exclusive partners, those that do gain the contract usually throw in property management services to sweeten the deal. Yet, international developers still lack trust in local agencies to meet sales targets and don’t generally offer a marketing budget to the agency. “Many developers are trying to manage all marketing - yet, these internationals don't understand the real estate sales market like a local agency does,” says Sorn. “As our agencies gain the trust of new developers through sales and marketing success with exclusive listings, Cambodian project marketing will soon move to a point when our resources are more efficiently divided,” he said.  “Let the real estate agents sell and manage all marketing, and let the developers build. Let’s grow rice in the land where rice grows best, and grow corn where corn grows best,” concludes Sorn. To establish trust, Sam Kiers, director of sales and marketing at Elevated Realty, believes that specialization is key. “They must be well engaged with the target market the seller is seeking in order to succeed,” says Kiers. “If an agency can’t do this, they can't sustain exclusive listings - and sellers won't entrust their listing exclusively with them,” says Kiers. Murphy agrees and adds that by including property management services, agencies can become a one stop shop for the property owner. For an offshore investor who wants their development sold and then managed this is very attractive; “We handle all problems, sell all the units and simply deliver the money to the investor,” remarks Murphy. Ultimately, it's a matter of trust and professionalism throughout the industry, believes Sorn, but these are two things growing very quickly in Cambodian real estate.

Realestate.com.kh offers a range of products that help real estate agents in Cambodia build their brand, increase inquiries and ultimately sell more property.We are not agents here at Realestate.com.kh and we do not take commission – but we do seek to provide the best possible online real estate buying and selling experience for both home buyers and property sellers.Realestate.com.kh has many ways to help Cambodian real estate agents professionalize their business – at very little cost.Realestate.com.kh can design and build your agency a modern and highly functional website, tailored to real estate agent needs, at very competitive prices – and we also offer leading CRM technology to manage your listings and your real estate sales team. For this reason, Cambodia’s best real estate agencies already have accounts on Realestate.com.kh. To make matters even easier, your listings can be automatically exported to Realestate.com.kh’s listing database at the same time they are uploaded to your agencies website.People come to Realestate.com.kh for one reason – to search for property – and for this reason, they stay on site for a long time, checking the latest properties that suit their search criteria. For agents, there is no need to waste your time and money listing property on other classified websites where user traffic is not related to property.Meanwhile, make more money from your listed properties by inviting international investors to view your listing. Realestate.com.kh has a high level of traffic from international investors, around 30-40% of all traffic, and for those agents that choose “Featured Listings” on our site, we can export that listing to international property portals around the world. ListGlobally, a partner of Realestate.com.kh, is the largest international real estate advertising network in the world and publishes property listings on leading property portals around the world – including all featured listings from Realestate.com.kh.Furthermore, when an agent decides to “Feature” a listing on Realestate.com.kh, we do not allow another agent to request to feature the same listing. This allows you to act as the exclusive agent for that property – as it will automatically be the highest on the property list. Banner advertising on Realestate.com.kh is another great way to drive relevant traffic to your agency’s website.If you are an agent wishing to list your property on Realestate.com.kh, contact us today at info@realestate.com.kh or 017436756 and we'll be happy to help you grow and professionalize your real estate businessthrough our website.

See the ECC Featured Listing on the New Developments page The East Commercial Centre (ECC), slated for completion along Norodom Boulevard in late 2017, seeks to create a hub for new business in Cambodia. The interior layout of ECC will reflect the demand of start-ups and international business entrants as office space is available in compact and affordable units, between 33msq and 66msq per unit, with rental pricing as low as $15 - $20 per square meter, and managerial fees less than $2 per square meter. All common areas lighting will be solar powered to further reduce managerial fees and the building’s carbon footprint. The East Commercial Center shall offer affordable and highly practical office space in the heart of Phnom Penh. However, the ECC, a single tower of 38 floors, is part of phase one of a much larger development project. East View, the development that will host the ECC Office tower, will include three 38 floor towers in the first phase of the project, all developed by Eastland (HK) Ltd. The two other 38 floor towers that will complement the ECC tower are entirely residential - the East View Residences. The advantage of having one office tower, ECC, and two residential towers in the same development, the East View Residence towers, is that businesses that buy or rent office space in the ECC tower will be able to live within the East View Residential towers. Living close to your business headquarters is a competitive advantage in downtown Phnom Penh, where traffic congestion is a growing consideration. Also, no time and money spent on transport to your place of work means more time and money for your family, friends and pursuing new business opportunities. The East Commercial Centre (ECC), slated for completion along Norodom Boulevard in late 2017, seeks to create a hub for new business in Cambodia. Since the announcement of the construction of the first phase of the East View Development, namely the ECC tower and the first two Residential towers, Eastland has received great feedback from the local and international market - businesses want to reserve office space in the commercial center and families and business people want to buy units within the first two residential towers. In light of this very positive response and the sense responsibility this has evoked in the developer, Eastland intends to start the second phase of the Eastview development shortly. The second phase will include a business hotel and supporting facilities to meet the ECC’s demand. Some of these additional facilities will include a high-end club, a swimming pool and a full health and gym center. A lot of real estate agents have also shown great interest in the ECC and East View development, and Eastland has confidence that over half of the development will be able to be sold to locals within the Cambodian market.  See the ECC Featured Listing on the New Developments page

Come and chat to the team from Realestate.com.kh at our VIP expo booth at the Cambodian Property Expo 2015 - this Thursday to Saturday at the Diamond Island (Koh Pich) Exhibition Center - and win an all inclusive dinner at the luxurious Sokha Hotel, Phnom Penh.If you can't make it to the expo, never mind - you can still win a night at the Sokha Hotel - enter by joining our mailing list right now!**Winner drawn Saturday the 12th of September!**