For first-time buyers, when it comes to finding the perfect place to call home, there are two primary options that often come to mind: an established home or a new development. Both have their own unique characteristics. But which one should you choose? In this blog, we will explore each option, helping you make an informed decision. This article will guide you through the factors to consider, ultimately helping you choose the right one.Advantages of Purchasing an Established Home:Because it has already been built, you can move in far more quickly than with an off-plan home. It can take a year or more for a house to be built when buying a house or a unit in the development project. Established housing has had time for upgrades to be added while maintaining a standardized design, so it tends to have a lot more character. Off-plan homes tend to be more generic.Established homes are more of a known quantity in terms of financial details. Thus, they are far less risky and more of a sure bet in terms of resale value and appreciation.Since the prime locations of any city tend to be developed first, established homes often have better locations, making them more attractive choices.What You Need to Know Before Making a DecisionIt can give you more time to save for the deposit while the house is under construction, especially since payment options like rent-to-own agreements have become more common in 2025.You lock in the price now but pay later. If it appreciates in value, this can result in substantial equity gains in even the short term.New homes typically have lower maintenance costs than older homes. This can help offset the typically higher purchase price.Loving an Off-Plan New Development. What Now?Consider the Risks:First, when buying a new development off-plan, be aware of the inherent risks such as potential discrepancies between the finished home and the brochure, or the worst-case scenario of the development not being completed. Due diligence on the company behind the project is essential before going investing. Also, if you are considering buying a new development off-plan, buyers beware of so-called "free" gifts, such as cars or holiday packages, which are not actually free. It will be added to the price one way or another.Check out the ultimate guide to buying off plan!Look around:First, if the developer has prior completed projects such as borey homes or condos, request viewing to gauge the quality of their work. Review all documents thoroughly, and don't hesitate to inquire about any claim that seems too good to be true. A sample unit is an excellent opportunity to experience the property first-hand, helping you to visualise what the finished product will look like. Brochures can be misleading, especially if you are new to the real estate market, so be mindful of comparing the cost per square meter to other properties in the area. By following these guidelines, you can assess if the price is fair and make an informed decision when investing in off-plan properties.Check out the Borey buyers guide!Get a lawyer:To safeguard your interests, it's crucial to enlist the services of an experienced property lawyer who has a deep understanding of the local laws and market practices in Cambodia. Your lawyer will be solely devoted to your concerns and won't have any conflict of interest, making them your most reliable protector throughout the buying process. Therefore, it's essential to have a trusted lawyer by your side who can provide you with the right advice and guidance.Ensure Quality:After the new development home is built, but before settlement, have it inspected. Hire a building inspector to do this for you. If anything is amiss, this is the time to catch it and try to get it remedied. Do not wait until after you have paid and moved in to make this final important check.  Stay up-to-date on the real estate industry in Cambodia and get real-time updates on real estate news as they happen. Download the Realestate.com.kh App now on both iOS and Android.

Why Is Cambodia An Excellent Investment Opportunity?The reasons to invest in Cambodia are many. Cambodia is a relatively young nation with a rich, old culture. It is a relatively untapped market, offering potentially substantial upside to foreign investors looking for green field investment opportunities. There is plenty of room for improvement in terms of the legal and judicial climate, but the current head of government -- Hun Sen -- has been in charge for more than 25 years, providing uncommon levels of stability in a country that was wracked by war not that many decades ago.  Rami Sharaf, Member of International Advisory Council, APCO Worldwide, and a well-known advocate for the Cambodian market, says that, “the major attraction for foreign investors considering whether they should invest in Cambodia is the ASEAN-member nation’s steady economic growth; phenomenally steady growth: 7.5 per cent average for the last 5 years, year on year. This puts Cambodia as the number 21 worldwide in growth, and number 1 in the region.” The Current Outlook:The country enjoys a relatively low cost of living, which helps keep wages low, thus making it a place investors can get their feet wet with relatively low risks. The government has liberal business policies and is actively seeking to attract additional foreign investment. It is a beautiful country with a rich heritage, fueling opportunities in tourism. It has an unusually good geographic position, giving it access to some of the largest, most active and growing markets in the world. Due to its membership in ASEAN, it has access to the ASEAN Free Trade Area.ASEAN is kind of like the European Union for the Southeast Asian Nations. For comparison, the countries of the European Union have 508 million people and the ASEAN countries have 625 million people and are a less mature market, providing vastly more opportunity for growth. Additionally, Cambodia has been designated one of the Least Developed Countries (LDC), which gives it preferential access to both the European and North American markets. Cambodia joined the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1999.This multinational organization has substantial goals of economic development for the group of countries located roughly between Australia and China, many of them island nations. If ASEAN were a single country, it would have the seventh largest economy in the world, after the US, China, Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Please note that Germany, France and the United Kingdom are all members of the European Union, the organization ASEAN is hoping to emulate to some degree.Additionally, Cambodia is midway between China and India. Very recently, India displaced China as the world's fastest growing economy. Due to its location, Cambodia has excellent geographic access to both of this huge, emerging markets. The wealth of the future is practically guaranteed to be determined by who has access to these extremely large and very fast growing markets. In 2010, the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) became a reality, giving member nations access to a trading block of 1.7 billion people. ASEAN also has an agreement with Australia and New Zealand that creates yet another free trade area in the other direction (AANZFTA).In addition, talks are under way between India and ASEAN, which could create a similar trade block. Last, Cambodia's LDC status gives it preferential access to some of the richest markets in the world for certain products.In 2003, the Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic Freedom ranked Cambodia 35th among 170 countries in terms of economic freedom. This puts in on par with Japan and places it well ahead of many of its neighbors in the ASEAN community. Thus, it constitutes one of the most open economies in the region. At that time, the Index of Economic Freedom commented on positive governmental policies.Obviously, the country's qualification as one of the Least Developed Countries has some downsides, such as limited infrastructure and widespread poverty. But, increasingly, there is evidence that foreign companies typically provide both better pay and better working conditions for local nationals. This means that investing in an LDC can be a case of doing good while doing well.You can feel good about the improvements your investment is bringing to the country while also being happy with the benefit to your own bottom line. In fact, the poverty rate in Cambodia has dropped dramatically from 47.50 percent in 1993 to just 23 percent in 2011. So while it is still a poor country, it is seeing incredible forward progress. This fact helps ensure that investment will be profitable for the investors.Cambodia has been noticed for its unusual degree of market-friendliness for an LDC. The areas of note include:Opportunities in Tourism: Unlike its neighbors, such as Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia explicitly desires to attract foreign investment in its tourism sector. Tourism is the area in which Cambodia rightly most wants to attract foreign investment. This goal is little different than its neighbors like Thailand , Vietnam and most recently even Laos. In recent years, tourism to Cambodia has exploded, enjoying double digit increases many years and hitting 4.5 million tourists in 2014. In 1992, Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument, was named a World Heritage Site. It attracts significant interest, fueling growth of hotels and other amenities in the nearby town of Siem Riep. While it is certainly the best known site in Cambodia, there is no shortage of cultural heritage and natural beauty for attracting additional tourism dollars to the country. Development of hotels, golf courses and other amenities are a strong market. The government has a track record of dealing progressively with this development segment, such as at the Phnom Penh International Airport.Agricultural Investment Opportunities:An abundance of water and fertile land combined with affordable local labor creates significant opportunity for agricultural investment and development, such as in organic farming and agro-processing. Foreign partners bring not only capital, but also essential knowledge and skill to the table. The combination of forces is very often a win/win for both sides. Although land cannot be owned by foreign investors, access to land is readily available via 99-year leases and joint ventures where a local partner owns at least 51 percent of the equity. Some hot agricultural areas include: fisheries, rubber processing, sugar processing, jute, palm oil refineries, and large varieties of tropical fruits and organic produce.Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Throughout the 1990s, Cambodia attracted increasing amounts of Foreign Direct Investment. Malaysia got in early and captured a great deal of "first mover" benefit, as well as concessions for their investments, such in mining and forestry. Cambodia has come a long way since Malaysia first took notice of the country in terms of internal improvements and development, yet there remains a great deal of room for additional growth. The good track record of improvement combined with so much remaining upside is a situation that is extremely attractive for investors.  Want to know more about Cambodia's real estate market? Keep yourself in the loop through news and updates from Realestate.com.kh!

The urban planning and construction panel discussion held as part of the second Global Alumni convention (GAC) at the Intercontinental hotel on Saturday 30th January 2016 presented the figures of 151 borey projects currently underway, 186 real estate companies in operation in Cambodia and that there will be approximately 20,000 condos in Phnom Penh by 2018. This fell into a wider discussion about the proposed Phnom Penh City Master Plan 2035, and how the city can sustainably grow into the future...So what implications does this have for the sector and the investor?There were several questions raised at this year’s GAC event around construction quality control and the legality of the building and construction industry if the Royal Government seeks to achieve its vision of a Phnom Penh City Master Plan 2035. “How do you know that this building is built to standard?” asks H.E. Dr. Sok Siphana, legal advisor to the Royal Government of Cambodia, “There’s a lot of issues around quality of construction, especially if you are building 20-30 stories. How do you know who is qualified?” The government sought the assistance of the experienced legal drafter, Dr. Sok Siphana, to develop a comprehensive building and construction law to regulate the industry, and this experience has no-doubt influenced somewhat the Phnom penh city master plan. “Good construction is a business within itself and it’s good for the economy,” says Dr. Sok Siphana, “Quality class A building attracts reliable investors. How do you attract sub-regional companies to set up in Cambodia in low quality shoddy buildings? We have to regulate the industry and the practitioners within it. We have to introduce the concept of certification.” Dr. Sok Siphana says that public safety is paramount. “For example, in general, the current laws governing contracts for boreys do not protect the consumer. As the State, we have to think about the public... How to ensure that there’s no fraud and that the public are safe, and that buildings won’t collapse while you’re still paying the mortgage.” So how will people within the sector build their knowledge and understanding of the law and how will it be enforced? How will they be educated on real estate technical skills such as quality building codes, practices and property evaluation?That being said, the Phnom Penh City Master Plan 2035 seemingly must come as part of a wider regulatory reform framework. And, so it seems, tertiary and vocational training development throughout Cambodia. Kim Heang, CEO of Khmer Real Estate and current President of the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association (CVEA), says that the peak industry body plans to start a training institute after Khmer New Year with the view of providing essential technical vocational training for the real estate industry. “We plan to create a specialised institute - as the bulk of the dirty work is not done by the architect or engineer; it’s done by tradesmen. In Cambodian culture we value high position professions but forget about these trades such as plumbers and electricians. These people have a lot of value. This is where the role for vocational training lies. Not everyone can decide to be a crane operator and just go and do it”, he says. Kim notes that the CVEA has the full support of the Ministry of Banking and Finance to undertake their training institute project later this year, “We have the backing of the ministry for a real estate training school. Over the next year we plan to provide three months vocational training in agency work and property valuation.” Simon Griffiths, Associate Director of CBRE, believes along with technical training, realtors need to take the lead in upholding high standards. “Standards and quality all exist in Cambodia. We need real estate firms to take the lead to act responsibly while those valuation standards and new laws are being put in place. The industry as a whole needs to recognize the importance of valuation and not bend the rules when it suits because the impact it can have is very severe. ANZ and the other banks will know the risk of improper valuation.” “Cambodia has so much potential,” says Kim, “We have to compete with our neighbours now we are part of the Asean Economic Community (AEC). We hope our trainees will go out and even work abroad, then bring back this knowledge to Cambodia to advance the real estate industry as a whole”.

“Looking to invest in the abundant real estate market in Phnom Penh but not sure whether to purchase a villa or a condominium?Villas are the better choice”, advises Ms. Tang Hour, President of Amatak Property Services, “Investors will make more money in the short-term depending on the location.” Chee Yeong Yap, Project Director of Grand Phnom Penh International City agrees, “Ownership of landed property is better than condos, especially in underdeveloped countries like Cambodia.”  Tang suggests Boeng Keng Kang 1 (BKK 1) as the top location with those located around Monivong or Norodom Boulevard as the next best choices. BKK 2 and BKK3 as well as Toul Tom Poung and Toul Kork are also lucrative options.Stay tuned to Realestate.com.kh for all the latest news about the market!

信达集团是柬埔寨第一家也是最大的日本开发商，并于2015年在Bodaiju Residences广受欢迎的Bodaiju Residences之后爆炸成了物业发展现场。 成功日期：A proven track record in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and multiple other markets has been key to the success of Bodaiju Residences sales in Cambodia, already having sold 90 percent of both buildings A and B since launching.With only a limited time left to take advantage of the ‘early bird’ discounts, Bodaiju will be hosting a range of events for the industry and investors to communicate the benefits of investing in a world leading condominium project.The Creed Group have drawn on their extensive experience, research and deep understanding of the local and international real estate markets, and identified an opportunity for landed property projects in Cambodia - constructed to Japanese standards, whilst taking into consideration local Cambodian culture and market preferences. Great success with local investors with the Bodaiju Residences project were encouraging signs that the Creed Group construction standards appealed not only to an international market but the local Cambodian market as well.Introducing: Borey Maha Sen SokBorey Maha Sen Sok再次方便地靠近世界标准的国际学校，即将建成的百盛购物中心和金边国际机场 - 为所有关键设施提供潜在的投资者和居民世界级的生活水准。Borey Maha Sen Sok将由两个地产类型组成; “Satsuki”是一间2间卧室，3间浴室从低至47,500美元起。而第二种物业类型“Botan”是一间4间卧室，5间浴室连接房屋横跨地面，夹层楼和1层楼。在Realestate.com.kh上查看完整的列表

Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Land Management Urban Planning and Construction recently came to an agreement with Oknha Khov Sambath, a representative of Thai Boon Roong Group, in cooperation with a Chinese Construction company, to approve plans for a 133 storey twin tower project.The project shall equal around 500 square meters of new property for the high rise market in Phnom Penh, and will be located in Sangkat Chaktomuk, Khan Duan Penh, Phnom Penh. The high-rise will be named the “Thai Boon Roong Twin Trade Center” and is set to be developed on 5 hectares of land in Duan Penh. It is slated to become the tallest building in Asia, located next to the Dreamland amusement park, and in front Naga World.INQUIRE ABOUT THIS EXCITING PROPERTY TODAY!Mr. Loth Seng, representative of the Ministry of Land Management Urban Planning and Construction, announced the 133 storey Thai Boon Roong Twin Trade Center project is totally approved for construction and already passed on to the City Hall for their final seal. The twin tower project is the subject of around $1000 million investment. Loth Seng added that this huge development indicates confidence in economic stability and real-estate investment in Cambodia. This new development will continue to attract new investors into the Kingdom in the future.  The construction proposal is currently awaiting City Hall approval and it will be sent back to the Ministry of Land Management Urban Planning and Construction to make final announcements of the construction date shortly. The Thai Boon Roong Twin Trade Center project is said to begin in 2016 - and be completed in the next 3 years.

Are you looking to invest in real estate but unsure where to start? You might come across terms like off-plan property or new developments without understanding the meaning behind them. In this article, Realestate.com.kh will walk you through everything you need to know about off-plan property investments, their advantages and risks, and where to find reliable projects in 2025.What is an off-plan property?An off-plan property refers to real estate that is sold before construction has begun, or while construction is still in progress. The concept of off-plan property is based on the idea that buyers can secure a property at a lower price than if they were to wait until it is completed. You sign a contract indicating a purchase price for the land and a house to be built from a specific set of architectural plans.Developers offer discounts and incentives to early buyers to secure funding for construction.These incentives often include flexible payment plans, guaranteed rental returns, and customization options. This type of purchase is particularly popular among investors looking for capital appreciation and homebuyers seeking affordable entry points into the real estate market.Benefits of an off-plan propertyThe key advantage of the off-plan property is that buyers have the opportunity to customize their property to their liking. This can include selecting finishes, fixtures, and appliances, and making changes to the layout and design of the property. Another benefit of the off-plan property is that buyers can benefit from potential capital appreciation. As the property is being built, its value may increase, providing the buyer with an opportunity to make a profit if they choose to sell before completion. This is particularly true in areas where property prices are rising rapidly, such as in emerging markets and in areas where there is high demand for new housing.Risks of an off-plan propertyDespite its many advantages, the off-plan property does come with some risks. For example, there is always the possibility that the development may be delayed or even cancelled, leaving buyers with a property that they cannot occupy or sell. Additionally, buyers may be required to make payments in instalments throughout the construction process, which can be a financial burden if they are unable to secure financing or if their circumstances change. It is preferable to have pre-agreements with the developer prior to signing your Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA), and legal advice. What does the process look like? This stage of development where buying-off plan deals get offered is called pre-launch. The developer is still in the process of confirming plans, obtaining permits, and performing an Environmental Impact Assessment. However, even at this early stage, they need money in order to move the project forward. Because buying at this point involves a long wait for the property to be completed and more risk than at a later stage, they typically offer incentives to early buyers. In addition to price breaks, they may offer guaranteed rental returns, financing options, opportunities to customize the early units and other perks.When the contract is signed, the buyer must make a deposit. The amount of the deposit may be 10-30% at this stage. Beyond that, the exact process differs from one country to another and even from one developer to another. This process involves a lot of flux. The plans may end up being changed, sometimes without the buyer's knowledge.The costs may end up going up for reasons that seem mysterious, especially if you are buying as a foreign national. Sometimes, the developer has at least one unit already completed as a showcase of their work. In such cases, they typically allow a walk-through so buyers can get a good feel for what to generally expect. It is wise to not expect your completed unit to be exactly like the showroom. How long before I can move in?You do need to be willing and able to wait a bit, but there is no hard and fast rule as to how long. Some developments get completed in as little as a year. Others can take up to four years. Your sales contract should spell out the expected date of completion, as well as details about what happens if that target date is missed. In some places, laws are in place that automatically require the builder to pay penalties even if the contract does not provide for them.Why you should get a lawyer Off-plan properties are more complicated than post-construction real estate deals. They involve more risk and more variables. Especially if you are a foreign national, there can be a great many laws and details that impact the sale and that you are unaware of. For starters, many countries have a cooling-off period. This means you have the legal right to change your mind after signing the contract and back out of the deal. The length of time you have to decide this can differ from place to place and how much it will cost you can also differ. The development may not actually be completed. Doing your own due diligence to see if the developer has a good track record and working with a lawyer are the best ways to protect yourself from this worst-case scenario.The finished unit may differ from the plans. Sometimes the difference is for a good reason, such as resolving a defect in the plan that the developer was unaware of at the time of signing. Sometimes it is due to human error or oversight. The contract may allow the developer to make limited, reasonable changes without your permission, but substantial changes without your permission are often prohibited.Talking to a lawyer about what is typical and customary in this jurisdiction can help you understand the scope of what to expect. Another tricky thing that should be discussed with your lawyer if offered to you is Guaranteed Rental Returns (GRR). In cases where the underwriting guarantee is merely a paper promise, they can be unreliable. A good lawyer can read through it and get an idea of whether this detail is something of real value or not. Read more about the best advice on GRR, from Realestate.com.kh here!A few additional practical details:If you are not very familiar with the real estate industry or are uncomfortable for any reason, it can help to look for a development with a pre-built show unit. This can give you a much better idea of the quality of their work.In real estate, valuation is determined by "comps" -- in other words, comparable properties that are as similar as possible to the one in question. However, when you buy off-plan, there are no comps to see. This can lead to inflated estimates of what people think the price will be, especially in areas with a reputation as a hot spot. In order to be as realistic as possible, check out the surrounding area with a critical eye. Find out as much as you can about the area and about other properties for sale. This is the only way to get a realistic idea of what you may be able to expect.In some cases, the real estate market depreciates between the time the contract is signed and the time the unit is finished. This can leave the buyer owing more than the unit is worth. This can be a problem if bank financing is needed. The unit may no longer qualify for a large enough mortgage to cover what is owed.It is critical to understand what your options are. A lawyer familiar with the laws, culture and customs of the location in question will make a big difference in how smoothly your buying experience goes. Therefore, it is usually best to find a local national specializing in real estate deals before you sign any contracts.If the goal is to invest in real estate with the expectation of generating rental income, it is important to keep in mind that buying off-plan can involve a substantial wait. If you cannot afford to wait two or more years, it is best to look elsewhere and invest in a completed property or a property close to completion.Before diving in, you can check out realestate.com.kh, which collaborates with licensed developers operating in the market to bring you reliable projects. Happy hunting for your dream investment property!

InternationalLiving.com's Annual Global Retirement Index has just named Cambodia as 1 of 3 top retirement destinations worldwide. The retirement index seeks to compare and contrast retirement destinations around the world - all of which are exhibiting relatively low costs of living by global standards.Retiring in weaker economies is becoming a global trend for expats from more expensive, developed economies, as the relative costs of living in cheaper retirement destinations guarantees a better quality of life for pensioners. In the past 10 years the Kingdom of Cambodia has become one of Southeast Asia’s most up-and-coming destinations for tourists and expats looking to enjoy the exotic charm of a country that also offers the most attractive cost of living in Asia. Cambodia has flexible visa requirements for citizens of Western countries who can obtain annual long-stay visas with a minimum of paperwork and a processing fee of just $285 per year. When you get there, everything from entertainment to renting is very affordable in Cambodia.Meanwhile, the Cambodian government looks set to make it even easier to retire in the Kingdom. The government has released plans to increase Cambodia’s attractiveness as a destination for foreign retirees, according to a draft policy obtained from the Ministry of Tourism Wednesday this week by the Cambodia Daily. "The draft includes a range of proposals to extract more income from Cambodia’s tourist industry by encouraging foreigners to buy property and stay longer in the country, with involvement from the ministries of tourism, finance and land management," said the Cambodia Daily report. The proposed policies are said to include measures such as the development of “special residences” throughout Cambodia with commercial tourist properties and a wide range of useful facilities. “Special tourists” such as retirees would have the right to buy, rent or sell property in these special residences, and also be entitled to longer-term and more flexible vi­sas, according to the draft of the policy.Find out why Chroy Changvar is becoming a development mecca!

Knight Frank’s latest Cambodia Real Estate Highlights report released today says “the first nine months of 2015 investments in the real estate and construction sector had a combined worth of USD 1,752 million compared with USD 1,540 million during the corresponding period of 2014, equating to an annual increase of 13.8 percent,” with the top five investing countries being Korea, China, Japan, Britain and Malaysia.   Here are some key highlights from the report with their forecasts for 2016 and beyond:Phnom Penh office sectorWhilst Grade C office spaces continue to dominate the supply in the capital, upcoming developments such as the East Commercial Centre (ECC), The Gateway and Diamond Twin Tower will increase supply of Grade A and Grade B office areas in the near future. V-Trust Tower’s opening added 15,000 square metres of net lettable area of 284,448 square metres in the second half of 2015 to the Grade B office supply pool. Formerly known as GT Tower, V-Trust Tower has attracted multinational tenants such as Bosch, Japan Tobacco International, Admiral Markets, CIMB Bank and Phnom Penh Securities. ACLEDA Tower also opened in 2015 adding further to Grade B supply and is expected to be largely owner-occupied.Other notable projects such as The Peak, The Gateway, Diamond Twin Tower and the ECC, along with Exchange Square, are also expected to significantly increase the office supply of prime office space in Phnom Penh. Still under construction are Emerald Tower, City Tower Asia and Maybank’s headquarters on Norodom Boulevard. While occupancy for Grade A office remains low below 30 percent, Grade B and Grade C offices remain steady with occupancies of above 84 percent and 94 percent, respectively.Current asking rents for prime office space ranged from USD 19- 38 per square metre, while the average rental price across all office grades was recorded at USD 18.43 per square metre per month throughout 2015.Knight Frank predicts that completions of a few large projects from 2017 onwards such as Olympia City, a large mixed-use development due for completion by 2019, will result in downward pressure on rental prices for Grade A and Grade B offices.A sturdy supply of office spaces keeps the sector free from oversupply issues. Although Cambodia’s recent ASEAN integration does not appear to have had any noticeable impact on demand, a new online business registration system, recently introduced by the government this year is expected to boost registration of new companies by reducing processing time significantly from 87 days to less than 6 hours, which could have a positive influence on the office sector in the longer term. Phnom Penh Retail Sector“Rental and occupancies within the retail sector remained relatively stable in the second half of 2015,” notes the report, with the availability of stock estimated at 134,154 square metres, including 62,040 square metres classified as prime space. The latter part of 2015 saw the announcement of Aeon group’s second mall in Phnom Penh, as well as Orkidé The Royal Condominium’s launch, which will include two levels of retail podium. Both are set for completion in Sen Sok district. No new completions are expected until at least 2017, with additional retail space of 273,938 square metres expected by 2019 thus increasing the supply by 204 percent. Aeropod, Parkson City Centre, and Aeon Mall 2 account for the bulk of the future supply in the retail segment. The total number of retail malls is expected to increase from 10 to 27 within the next four years, inclusive of standalone malls as well as retail podiums. The much anticipated Parkson City Centre and Naga 2, due to be completed in 2017, as well as the Exchange Square, are all currently in various stages of construction and are expected to add 92,900 square metres to the retail stock.Aeropod, a 7-storey mall component of the mixed-use development operated by the Lion Group located across from the Phnom Penh international airport, is expected to be completed by 2018. Knight Frank estimates that the future supply of retail space in Phnom Penh will consist of 93 percent prime net leasable area and 7 percent secondary leasable areas.Average occupancies for prime grade retail malls have remained stable at above 95 percent throughout last year, with Aeon mall maintaining full occupancy throughout last year despite undergoing at least 15 turnovers with more affordable brands replacing the high-end brands since its initial opening. Rental prices remained stable for the second half of 2015, with no significant movements in demand. Phnom Penh Hotel SectorWith the entrance of several new airline carriers and an increasing number of routes operating both domestically and internationally, the aviation industry in Cambodia is developing in a positive direction. Additionally, improvements to infrastructure between the major tourist hubs of Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, bolsters significant medium to long term potential in the tourism sector.According to the latest Knight Frank report, “Increasing scheduled flights from destinations within Asia has led to growing demand for hotel assets, particularly in the coastal region of Sihanoukville”.The hotel market is evolving along with these trends. Although there is an abundant array of guest houses and boutique hotels available, there is currently a gap in the market for internationally branded, four star, business hotels which is particularly lacking in Phnom Penh. In addition, there are currently only three internationally branded, five star hotels operating in Phnom Penh, which includes the Sokha Hotel who opened its doors last year.  The five star Rosewood Hotel within the top floors of Vattanac Capital Tower is set to open later this year and as well as a further 1,000 keys due to launch at Phnom Penh’s only casino, Nagaworld. Two recently launched development projects, The Bay and The Peak, both being undertaken on a joint venture between Cambodian and Singaporean developers, have announced an agreement with both the Okura Prestige and Shangri-La groups, signaling the entry of two more internationally branded five star luxury hotels, however, these are not due for completion until after 2018.RESIDENTIAL OVERVIEWPhnom Penh serviced apartment sectorPopular amongst expats, serviced apartments are largely similar to condominiums in terms of the facilities they offer such as security, pools and gyms, but also provide additional services such as housekeeping similar to that of hotels. Nearly half of existing serviced apartments are located in Chamkarmon and recent developments include Skyline, Silvertown Metropolitan and Maline apartments. There are currently 3,535 serviced apartment units in Phnom Penh, with 1,832 units expected to become available by 2018 increasing the supply by 52 percent within the next two years, comprising mainly small and mid-sized projects.The average rental prices in high-end developments ranged from USD 1,194 – USD 3,233 per month, with the higher rates applying to centrally located buildings. When compared to rental rates in first quarter of 2015, the lower range showed an 18 percent increase while the upper range decreased by almost the same amount.The report predicts that based on current occupancy rates, indications show that the supply of serviced apartments is still higher than the demand, with no expectations of a significant demand growth in the short to medium-term. However the Knight Frank report notes “While there is no threat of oversupply in the serviced apartment sector, occupancy and rental prices are sure to be impacted by the sudden rise in condominium units within the next few years.”Phnom Penh Condominium sectorBetween 2009 and 2010, the first generation of low-to-mid-rise condominiums entered the Phnom Penh market with a total of 732 condominium units for sale. These developments have a practical focus with basic designs, facilities and management services. Thirteen additional condominium projects have been completed since, bringing the total to 2,836 units by the end of 2015.Existing condominiums in Phnom Penh fall within the high-end or the mid-tier classifications, which are categorised according to their selling price, which reflects all other attributes of the development such as location, accessibility, design, management standards and overall quality. Fourteen of the existing condominiums in Phnom Penh fall under the mid-tier category, which comprises 82 percent of the total existing units in Phnom Penh, with 56 more developments scheduled for completion by 2020. Assuming that all future projects are completed as scheduled, the future stock is expected to increase by 641 percent over the next four years. The Knight Frank report states that “the majority of launched projects have focused their marketing outside of Cambodia due to higher investor interest overseas,” with the main buyers of residential units coming from Taiwan, China, Singapore, Japan and Malaysia. However, more and more developers are building for the lower mid-tier sector, which has attracted more local buyers.Selling prices continue on an upward trend and have reached levels above USD 5,000 per square metre in high end penthouse-style condominiums.Looking ahead,  there is a threat of oversupply in the near future with the majority of units in most developments still expected to be sold to overseas investors in the short-term. Stricter building regulations largely determined by the city master plan and its enforcement may also influence future growth levels in the sector.Want to learn more? Download the report in full here.

Phnom Penh: Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. has just announced a contract with TEHO Development Cambodia Pte Ltd. to facilitate development and management of  "The Okura Prestige Phnom Penh," set to launch 2019. The 40 floor, 250 unit hotel will be part of The Bay project. Located just 17 kilometers from the Phnom Penh International Airport, the Bay complex will provide the hotel with lush views across the city, Tonle Sap and the Royal Palace. Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. is a big player in the hospitality-related industries. The Japanese company is also involved in hotel management through Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co., Ltd., currently operating three hotel groups. Hotel Okura will be the first Japanese hotelier to enter the high-end hospitality market in Cambodia, the nation seeing more and more visitors for leisure and work related travel every year.“We are greatly honored to bring our hotel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s vibrant center of economy and commerce and a hub between Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok,” said Toshihiro Ogita, President of Hotel Okura. "We hope that visitors and locals alike will love The Okura Prestige Phnom Penh and that our brand will flourish alongside the people of Cambodia and ASEAN,” said Ogita.Want to buy a unit in The Bay? Check out the full listing on Realestate.com.kh today!

Located where the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers meet, to the north of the capital, the Chroy Changvar peninsula has undergone significant development over the last few years.Once a rural, marshy area, the peninsula is now seen as one of several future ‘satellite cities’ and accessibility has improved thanks to a second bridge opening last year, linking the suburb to the city center, and construction of commune and district roads and National Road No. 6A. With the much anticipated Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel opening its doors, along with some mid-rise and high-rise condominium developments completed such as Bellevue apartments and Galaxy condominiums, land prices have surged in recent years.According to VTrust Appraisal market research, the growth rate has been hovering around 20 percent over the past two years and is only set to continue. Current large scale project developments include LYP Satellite City, Borey the Flora, Borey the Royal Mekong, Mekong View II and III among others, and the advancement of the Chroy Changvar riverside boardwalk. Chroy Changvar district covers five communes, including Chroy Changvar, Preaek Lieb, Preaek Ta Sek, Kaoh Dach, and Bak Khaeng. An attractive calling card of the district is that it is less congested than those areas across the waterway and offers magnificent views of river and city skyline.A recent Vtrust land market survey from January 2016 found that land prices in the commune ranged from USD 420 to USD 1,750 per square meter depending on particular determinants such as significance of streets, zoning, and potentiality of development.“The land price is still lower compared to nearby districts such as Ruessie Kaev and Daun Penh,” says Mr. In Sitha, director of business development at VTrust Appraisal, “And only three kilometers from Phnom Penh’s city centre.”By contrast, the neighbouring district of Ruessie Kaev, located west and opposite the Tonle Sap River has experienced only a slight jump in land prices over the past two years, hovering around 8 percent.Chroy Changvar was found to be the fastest growing zone priced at USD 1080 per square metre in the second half of 2015 as compared to USD 670 per square meter in the same period in 2013. In says that land prices will continue to rise which is driven my major residential and mixed-use developments, and the peninsula realising its city master plans as mapped out by OCIC and L.Y.P Group.“There are several commercial developments underway and shop housing available at Borey Sopheak Mongkol and Young Commercial Supermarket. There is also potential to use existing commercial land for car showrooms, restaurants, banking and finance offices as well as office use for private companies,” adds In.VTrust also notes that there has been a slow market absorption rate influenced by a speculative demand deceleration due to an excessive supply of many large portions of vacant land that has seen a very slow pace of actual developments. However the evidence is clear that the district is packed with potential.Check out all properties for rent and for sale in Chroy Changvar!

Axis Residences is bringing a unique standard of quality to the Phnom Penh condo market. Already, whilst the Singaporean-inspired project is still under construction, Axis is becoming a pop culture icon among a new generation of Khmer's looking for their first home in central Phnom Penh. The Axis residences showroom, now open in Phnom Penh, is built to the exact specifications of the completed units, as per international standards. This authenticity gives visitors to the Axis showroom a perfect understanding of the look and feel of their new condo home-to-be. But not only are the Axis Residence's units impressing customers, with early sales off to a flying start, the sleek and contemporary design is also impressing Cambodian celebrities and film makers. Recently, the renowned film production company, Hong Meas HD TV, has been using the Axis Residences showroom to film various drama series and movies. The directors and producers of these productions are well-aware that the younger generation of Khmer are craving a higher standard of living, and a taste in design style that the market currently sorely lacks. Because the Axis showroom epitomizes the style and quality that the new generation of home buyers are craving, and feature brand name appliances and fixtures throughout, it is only natural that Axis Residences should be the ideal location to film these popular films and drama series. Spring CJW, the renowned Singaporean development company behind Axis Residences, however, is well-aware that many younger Khmer interested in purchasing their first condo home currently lack access to sufficient finance to make such a dream a reality... With that in mind, Spring CJW has created a very attractive 15 year end-financing package in partnership with Phillip Bank, uniquely designed for their customers. As the payment schedule for this loan is based on each construction stage, off-plan buyers will only have to pay as each stage of the development is completed. The Partnership between Axis Residences and Philip Bank The Phillip Bank loan package, available to Axis Residences buyers, only charges interest for the amount that is supposed to be paid. For example, if the sub-structural phase of construction is competed, just 10% has to be paid to the developer by the end-buyer. This means that customers who purchase via the Phillip Bank loan will only need to incur interest for that initial 10%. This is not a common practice at all in Cambodia, as most projects will charge the loan interest on the full sum owing, and few banks are willing to support condo buyers. Not only that but, again uniquely, the principle sum for the Phillip Bank loan will only be payable at the completion of the Axis Residences project in its entirety, which is around 2 years later. Customers who use the Phillip Bank loan option will thus be looking at only around a $90 installment payment per month for the first year. This is not only affordable for young buyers, but acts as a guarantee that the project is completed to the promised standards, in the promised timeframe. Although this is Spring CJW's first condo project in Cambodia, they have entered the market to stay - and customer-friendly initiatives such as this are a testament to that! At Axis Residences, younger buyers are offered a chance to secure a state-of-the-art home on finance terms that they can genuinely afford. This is a golden opportunity for young couples to own a new home with a lifestyle that will be the envy of their peers for many years to come. If you would like to learn more about Axis Residences, click HERE to check out the full listing on Realestate.com.kh today. Inquire directly with Spring CJW and join their friendly and knowledgable property consultants right here in Phnom Penh for a tour of the famous Axis Residences showroom. Don't forget to bring your camera! Click HERE to request an information pack today!

While expats and wealthy Khmer alike scramble to properties in the highly desirable Chamkarmon, Realestate.com.kh looks to Toul Kork: a highly underrated and competitively priced location for expats moving to Phnom Penh.Anthony Perkins, director of special projects, finance & investments at the Royal Group of Companies, says that, "If you have a family and are not particularly concerned about your travel distance to work, Toul Kork should definitely be considered as a prime place to find a home for rent or sale."Perkins notes that Toul Kork "appears to have far less electricity cuts than other parts of town, and the various "Boreys" (gated communities) dotted around Toul Kork also offer security and a guarantee of no ongoing construction adjacent to your house." For those choosing to live in BKK, you can safely bet your bottom dollar construction noise will become a part of your life... There are a host of schools in the Toul Kork area also, including international standard offerings, catering to all budgets and student age groups. Entertainment and shopping venues are also well respresented in Toul Kork, with the highly popular TK Avenue shopping plaza & surrounding area cinema/restaurants."Toul Kork is often a forgotten Khan for expats, but it shouldn't be," says Perkins, "particularly for those with a family." For expat renters, a decent 3-4 bedroom house can be secured in Toul Kork for under $1000 per month, with security provided, communal pools/gyms and the rarest of rare in Phnom Penh: wide pavements to walk on and trees!Interested in Toul Kork? Search from thousands of properties on Realestate.com.kh now!

You have enough in the savings for a down payment. You have been pre-approved for a home loan. Now it is time to start looking at houses. Before you do that, you need to think a little more about what kind of house you need and want.Most first time buyers in Cambodia choose a detached house with land in the suburbs. This was well suited to first-home buyers in the past because housing was generally less expensive than it is currently and transportation to and from major urban centers such as Phnom Penh was also less of a problem. These days, however, costs are generally higher and life is more complicated.  In response to a changing world, the housing market has diversified in Cambodia. This opens up more options, but it also means the first time buyer has to do a little more thinking about the kind of property that will work best for them. With this in mind, Realestate.com.kh has thrown together a guide to choosing your first home! Tips On How to Think About This Question: First and foremost, try to let go of the idea that a detached house is necessarily "best" property type for you! Instead, think of this as an apples to oranges comparison. If you think that a detached house is "best" property type, then you will think of other options as inferior simply for being different. This is very likely to lead to disappointment, especially if budgetary constraints are a large factor in your home-buying decision.Instead, stop and make a list of lifestyle choices, tailored to you and your families life. Try answering some of the following questions before you read any further. Then evaluate different housing options in light of how well they fit your unique needs, rather than how they compare to a detached house on a suburban estate:Do you have children?Do you want children?Do you have or want pets?Do you own a car or do you prefer walking, bicycling and taking public transport?How close do you want to be to your job? Once you answer these questions, look through our general overview of what property type might be good for your needs. They are the following:1. Detached houses/Villas on a suburban estate:Good points:Houses like this, whether inside or outside a borey community, are typically relatively spacious.You have your own yard, which is great if you have children or pets.Boreys generally nurture community life - and have common areas for you and your family to enjoy time spent with neighbors.Price per square foot is relatively low for this kind of property type in Cambodia.There is a good supply of such homes, and the market is seeing more and more coming online in the next few years.Buying pre-construction or off-plan means you can get a better deal as an early-bird buyer.Detached homes have good privacy from their nearest neighbors.Bad points:You will need a car if you plan to work in the city, which drives the cost up in real terms for this property type.Nosy neighbors in a suburban estate may pay more attention to you than neighbors in the city, thus reducing your actual sense of privacy, despite the extra space.It can be a long commute to work - this will ultimately affect your life in many ways - and lifestyle considerations can be as important as costs.Some people see maintaining their garden/outdoor areas as a burden.If you secure hard title, you get the benefits of owning land, and a fairly safe investment for resale appreciation.2. Duplexes or row houses.Good Points:You will still have a yard, albeit a bit smaller with this property type.The yard's small size reduces the amount of maintenance it requires.They are typically more affordable than a detached house.You will not have additional fees as you tend to have with villas and apartment homes.If you secure hard title, you get the benefits of owning land, and a fairly safe investment for resale appreciation.Bad Points:Shared walls with neighbors can be a source of noise.They tend to be small, so might outgrow it if your family expands.You still have yard work to do.3. Centrally-located Townhouses:Good points:Shorter commutes are common with this property type.They are often more affordable than detached houses, row house and duplexes.No need for landscaping. You don't have to mow a lawn or clean a pool.If you secure hard title, you get the benefits of owning property in the city, and a potentially highly profitable investment for resale appreciation.Bad points:They can feel cramped, and often lack natural light.Lack of parking.There are additional fees and restrictions on what you can do with the property.Their value tends to increase more slowly, making them less of an investment property.4. Apartment unit in a smaller, lower-standard building.Good points:They are typically close to the central business district, giving you easy access to shops and restaurants.Easy access to public transport.No need to maintain a garden.Shorter average commute to work.Generally, co-owned buildings are secure.If you are a foreigner, you can still own if strata titles are available.Bad points:Additional fees can be incurred within the apartment management policy.Cost of repairs is shared by the owners of the units.They tend to be small. If your family grows, you may quickly outgrow it.If you want pets, the owner may not allow this.If you don't get on with your neighbors, you have no-where to hide.5. A high-rise condo unit in the urban center:Good points:Extremely short commutes and good access to public transit.You may be able to live without a car, thus making this choice more affordable than it may appear at first glance.On site amenities may include spas, pools, gyms and cafes. These offer a unique lifestyle, compared to non-communal arrangements such as villas and detached homes.These units have good availability in urban areas, and the supply of condo units in Phnom Penh is rising extremely quickly.Amazing views and fresher, cooler air.No garden maintenance to do.Now that strata title is available, even foreigners can own a condo.Bad points:Potentially much lower appreciation than a landed property.Additional fees to pay for maintenance and management.If you are afraid of heights, this is not the home for you.If you love to garden, this is not the home for you.Depending on the size of the condo unit, you might not be able to house the extended family.Different properties appeal to different buyers. The best property for you depends on details about your life and the lifestyle you want to have.If you have an established family or plan to start a family soon, having space both indoors and out may be critical to your decision. In which case, a detached house, villa, row house or duplex may be ideal, assuming you can afford it.If you are young and carefree, being closer to amenities and freed up of maintenance responsibilities may have more appeal. Living close enough to walk to pubs and restaurants can free you up to have a drink without worrying how you will get home safely. For people who love the nightlife, this can mean that an apartment or condo unit close to the CBD is ideal. Got a loan? Learn how to pay back your mortgage faster at Realestate.com.kh now!

Realestate.com.kh spoke to the leaders of the Cambodian real estate market to find out what type of trends we are likely to witness in the property market in 2016.Sunny Soo, managing director of Keystone, Savills Cambodian associate: “For the last 6 months, the speed of apartment transactions have softened significantly in Cambodia, especially those projects heavily targeting foreign buyers - and one would only assume this trend to continue into 2016, especially when the volatility of regional economies continue to be a challenge and the Cambodian economy as a whole moves slower than the real estate market boom, the market will eventually face adjustment. The coming election in 2018 may also prompt some developers to start considering holding onto their development plan for now, unless 2016 proves to be a good year for transaction. Nevertheless, it seems that landed developments as well as projects targeting locals will continue to see higher demand as the middle income group continues to grow bigger. All in all, there are still good opportunities for real estate developments in middle-end offices and hotels. The Cambodian market will continue to remain significant for investment consideration among the countries in this region in 2016.”   Simon Griffiths, associate director at CBRE Cambodia:“For 2016, confidence in the Phnom Penh real estate market, with particular reference to the condominium market, will be low within Cambodia with commenters stating oversupply and too-rapid growth causing oversaturation, ultimate leading to exposure to risk.Interestingly, this sentiment will not be reflected outside of Cambodia, in particular relating to Taiwan and China where inbound investment is expected to grow from consumers and developers alike. However, Singaporean investment is likely to cool.Developers who have not launched schemes pre-2016 are likely to continue to progress with development plans but unlikely to consider exclusively condo developments.  Mixed-use schemes, as well as freehold strata title office and retail space, are likely to become more popular as the potential returns in these sectors are realized both locally and internationally.Hongkong Land Development’s “Exchange Square” shall be ready for tenants to fit-out in November 2016, bringing a second high quality Grade A building to Phnom Penh and a very interesting life-style mix for tenants.”   June Zeng, investment adviser at Da Yu Real Estate:“In my opinion, 2016 will be a rather different year for property developers and real estate agents alike. The major fact everyone has to face is that gone are the days when anyone who had a piece of land in town could make a fortune simply by building something on it. The age of professionals have come, which consequently means Adios to the amateurs.In the city of Phnom Penh, market performance will strictly favour the few projects that score high in two aspects: excellent product and professional marketing. Anything short of either, I'm afraid, is very likely to bring about disappointment.The immediate question Phnom Penh is soon to face within this year is not whether or not there are too many condo units in the market, but why aren't there enough small-sized and affordable units for the young middle class and expats.So, 2016 is the year for many to re-examine demand, which isn't a bad thing at all as that's how a market learns to mature. Despite Phnom Penh's new challenge, the nearly uncharted waters of other provinces are still fresh. 2016 is also the year we might hear major success stories from other fast-growing cities - Sihanoukville, to name the most potential one.”    VA Vireak, chairman of Century 21 Fortune Investment:“Cambodia’s property market in 2016 is very challenging and it’s very hard to predict about its future for this year and beyond.On one side, there are some challenges with increased supply (houses, condos, apartments, offices, …), and the possibility of global economy impacts (mainly from China and the region), the interest rate and bank loan policy (which may be changed), the exchange rate from US Dollars to other currencies (the strong US Dollar), etc.On the other side, Cambodia’s economy can maintain the growth of around 6.9% till 2018, the population growth rate in the urban areas as well, and the AEC (ASEAN Economic Community) integration.Economic growth means more income to the country and to the people as well, therefore the GDP per capita will be increase, so people can have more money to buy the property - of course if there is not too much inflation. Population growth in the city triggers the demand for the housing, as most developments are based in cities only. The AEC integration will bring more skilled workers and specialist, so this new labour pool can help to boost the demand, especially for the condo, apartment and office space.All these factors can help to balance on the real estate market.”   Van Chanthorn (John), managing director of TownCity Real Estate:“The property market in Cambodia will be better than in the previous years for the following reasons.The ASEAN Integration will bring more expatriates to Cambodia. When expatriates come, whether tourists, investors, employees, students, workers or interns, the first thing that they need is accommodation, a place for business, an office, or hotel for a temporary stay. So when they come, it is not only a direct benefit to Cambodia but indirect as well. Cambodians can earn more money and will have the purchasing power to buy other products. When this happens, finally the locals will have enough money to invest in property.Cambodian Returnees who have stayed abroad for a long time have now graduated in their adopted countries and look to Cambodia with new, innovative ways of doing business. When the new businesses enter the market, the properties and offices are their first requirement. These returnees and expats will also seek a higher standard of living, meaning condo demand should pick up also.Bank policy is also changing, and this will boost the lower income real estate market. For the previous 5 years, the banking sector has increased year by year, and still more banks will come. As more competitors come, the policies of the banks are becoming more and more accommodating to Cambodian investors and young couples seeking their first home loan. More appropriate loan policies will drive up demand for low to middle range flats and villas across the market.Government Policy to encourage international and local Investors will also develop in 2016. When the government implements new policies to encourage the private sector, more businesses will come - and when businesses come, people have jobs, better salaries and a higher standard of living. Thus, there will be greater demand for property investment and homes for stay as well. In particular, the real estate sector is monitoring the government's plans to expand the city, and develop infrastructure in suburban areas."   Sharon Liew, ceo of Huttons CPL:“2016 will be a very challenging year for the property market in Cambodia. With owners and investors spoilt for choices for condominium and the country's upcoming elections, buyers are getting more cautious on their purchase. Personally, I feel this is a better start as cautiousness leads to more informed buyers, and this also helps to prevent the exploitation of over-promising developers. The market has upgraded more to commercial properties as is the current trend, and this is another challenge for local buyers needing to absorb the commercial investment value which is rather new in this market. Overall, through experience, I always believe that "Prime property will hold it's value" and "the Early & well-informed bird always catches the worm".”   Chee Yap, project director at Grand Phnom Penh International City:“Currently, there are so many unknown factors within the country, and both regional and global issues.First of all, I suggest the “actual” absorption and digestion of exponential land price growth in 2015 will be something very interesting to watch in 2016.Meanwhile, various factors will exert pressures on the local real estate market, in uncertain ways: such as minimum wages rising to USD 160 per month; local undercurrent political issues; Cambodians adjusting to improving regulations ( i.e. Traffic Law, Tax Law, Forestry Law etc.); the dropping of oil prices below USD 30 per barrel; the appreciation of the USD currency against other major currencies in 2016; and the regional influence of a booming Jakarta and increasing demand in other major regional centers. With these things on the horizon, be prudent and conservative for 2016.Last but not least, Grand Phnom Penh’s Fantastic Water World Waterpark will be completed in mid-February this year and will be the talk of the town during Khmer New Year.”   Ross Wheble, country manager of Knight Frank Cambodia:“With signs of softening in certain sectors, some developers are diversifying. Whilst the supply of retail and office space will approximately double by 2018, the supply of condominiums will increase by more than six-fold. This has led to a recent slowdown in sales rates of condominiums and developers are looking at alternative asset types to appeal to investors.TC Royal Asset Manor was one of the pioneers in this area with the launch of stratified office units in their TK Royal One development. This has been followed by a raft of new stratified office developments as developers seek to diversify away from the condominium sector and we expect this trend to continue into 2016.Equally, with more funds being allocated to infrastructure improvements, we are seeing increasing investment in the industrial sector as multinational companies assess the benefits of setting up operation in Cambodia, particularly along the border with Thailand. We also expect to see growing demand for agricultural land as foreign companies seek to take advantage of a more mechanised approach to farming, providing higher crop yields and better returns than the more traditional methods currently used in Cambodia.”   Alex Evengroen, general manager of Khmer Real Estate:“My forecast for the property market in 2016 is that there will be a large shift from buying properties to investing in land.Cambodia became part of ASEAN and this means that the country will be flooded with highly skilled and hungry Real Estate professionals and investors with a lot of inside knowledge. The M2 price keeps going up and so it is inevitable that at one point people start to look at other and more creative options….This is in my opinion land. There will also be a change in demographics regarding the land market. More will look for (low priced) land in the other provinces like Kep, Kampot, Sihanoukville and others closer to the borders. One of the issues I expect is the oversupply of mostly condominiums which will at a certain point lower the prices and will have an effect on the investments people make to buy these properties.  If this is not well monitored and guided many people could get into financial difficulties. One very important positive change that I see will be the unification of the official Real Estate companies under the scepter of the CVEA. This will result in a better understanding and sharing of upcoming and expected changes and needs within the Real Estate industry, and will also eventually eliminate the people who do Real Estate on the side without the proper papers or required knowledge. We do have to understand that we have to work hard and smart to keep going in the right direction, the direction that will benefit the people of Cambodia and safeguard their investments in the industry. This also means that it is important to keep communicating frequently and act on decisions made to reach the required upgrades.”   David Kim, ceo at Informax Property:“The core sector of new developments will shift from pure residential toward mixed commercial and residential developments in 2016, a trend we are already beginning to see.Due to new residential shifts during 2014 and 2015 to the suburbs of Phnom Penh, these areas now need commercial facilities such as shopping centers, hospitals, offices and schools.Expect to see a rush from mainland China. While Singaporean and Taiwanese developers were the main developers for 2015, now mainland Chinese developers with large capital are starting to launch projects in Cambodia. When they start promoting these projects in China, more and more Chinese investors will consider investments in Cambodia.Industrial development along the borders of Cambodia will enjoy the benefits of the AEC. Cambodia has a good business environment for regional expansions such as low tax, low labor cost, freehold property, and prime logistical connectivity to other member countries of the AEC. When the AEC goes through, the biggest handicap of Cambodia - namely it’s small domestic market - will not be handicap anymore.These 3 issues will be main things to watch in Cambodia's real estate market in 2016.”   Kim Heang, president of the CVEA:“I name the Year 2016 as “the Year of Condo Construction” as you can see the construction of Condos across the City, especially in Khan Chamkarmon, Daun Penh, 7 Makara and Khan Toul Kork.There will be around 18 000 to 20 000 Units of Condo by 2018, this amount is too much for the local market but it is still a small amount for the ASEAN Market. Developers need to find out their own market or create their own market for their product. Also, the Cambodian Government needs to attract more investors to help the Condo industry.The land price has increased too much in 2013, 2014 and 2015 - so the price in 2016 will not increase too much. It should be just 5 to 10% for land in down town, and still around 20% for land outside the city.Boreys for the Middle Class and High End clientele have reached their limits, so it is better for the developers to focus on the lower income and new family markets, especially for the flat house at around 30 to 45K - instead of flat houses at 80 to 100K for the middle class, or 200 to 300K for the high end client.Warehouses need to be moved from downtown as the price keep increasing for their land. The savvy warehouse owner needs to sell their land for big money and shift their business elsewhere!Serviced Apartments in prime locations such as BKK1 and nearby areas are doing good business. However, lower standard apartments will disappear and be replaced by higher end apartments.There will be investors coming to buy factories in Cambodia as we have great advantages for industry. In particular, no tax to the EU, USA and other Asian countries, and low labor costs. However, there are too many demonstrations in the industrial industries recently - thus, the Government needs to take the action and find a solution to the issues of workers.”   Desmond Yap, general manager of Yong Yap Properties:"Cambodia will continue to be an investment hotspot - especially with its continual integration into ASEAN and the government enforcing laws to ensure a cleaner business environment."               Check out a 2015 info-graphic review from Realestate.com.kh here...

These days, many potential property buyers in Cambodia use the internet and social media to search for properties... Hence, their very first impressions of a property are made from the photographic appeal of the real estate listing. As an agent, you tell your clients about their property's "curb appeal", and ask them to clean it up and make their property look more attractive to prospective buyers when it comes time for inspection. But, who is responsible for the online appeal? The agent has one chance to impress the potential client with a listing. You need to grab their attention in the first 20 seconds before they skim over your listing and move on to the next property listing. So, while the owner needs to clean the house - you, the agent, better keep the listing crystal clear. Even with this knowledge, most real estate agents are happy to take the listing photographs themselves. The photographs are sometimes grainy, walls and floors are tilted, colors are off, reflections of the agent appear in the walls and mirrors, and rooms are not made camera ready.The result? That newly renovated colonial apartment looks dark and dingy instead of warm, cosy and inviting.  That beautiful, breathtaking view over the Tonle Sab River is just a bright white burst of light. This is not the first impression that any property seller wants to convey.These sort of photographs may hurt a property as the potential buyer will more likely skip over it in favor of another one which grabs their attention.HIGHER PRICES: There are studies conducted in the US real estate market which indicate that property listings that use professional photography tend to sell for higher prices. MORE APPEAL AND ATTENTION: When high-quality photographs are used on the listing, they will help grab the buyer's attention, giving the listing more views and exposure. When the listing is viewed more, more potential buyers are having a closer look at the property. A buyer may be lost as they skim past a listing using low-quality photographs. In this competitive market, having a listing with more 'pop' will give your listings a distinct advantage over your competitors.WE HAVE THE TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: A professional real estate photographer has the experience and technical knowledge to photograph and show a property at its very best. We use composition and editing techniques, as well as lighting, to help grab and focus the buyer's attention on the property's primest selling points. Professional real estate photographers have spent countless hours practicing and refining their skills and techniques. We are on a continual learning process to bring out the best in a property that we possibly can. Many agents have bought expensive cameras and the use "Auto" mode to take their listing photographs. Just owning an expensive camera does not make one a good photographer. You need to be able to see the best composition and have an array of techniques at your disposal as each photograph is different. This only comes after years of experience, practice, and learning.With that in mind, contact Bruce today from BDV Photography for a free quote on your next property photo shoot: bdv@bdvphotography.net Want to see real life samples of photos taken by agents, browse through our list of properties up for sale and rent now!

On the heels of its first housing development success – Embassy Residences, which has sold 90 per cent of its units – local developer Urbanland is wasting no time in establishing its second project, Embassy Central. Being at the pulse of Boeung Keng Kang 1, and within strolling distance of renowned restaurants like Topaz Restaurant, Malis Restaurant, and Eric Kayser Bakery, with retail stores along the nearby Preah Sihanouk Boulevard such as Charles & Keith, Pedro, and Mango, and more cafés and bars interspersed around, there is no area more bustling and convenient than where Embassy Central is located. Thriving hub aside, Embassy Central itself is a building to behold; its discreet brilliance is reflected through its minimalistic and sleekly structured design. Only 25 storeys tall and 119-unit strong, Embassy Central holds its own in dedicating its composition to the importance of an urban lifestyle that is in sync with modernity, yet maintaining a green lifestyle with its outdoor landscape features. Check out the full Embassy Central listing today on Realestate.com.kh! With only 119 units, Embassy Central has a more private and intimate feel, with four sky gardens in different parts of the building that residents can fully utilise to their liking. These open spaces provide a tranquil respite from the hustling bustle of the city; spaces where you can exercise or do yoga amidst the rising or setting sun, sit and read a book by the trees, or simply bask in the crispness of the air. Besides its multiple sky gardens, another distinctive feature of Embassy Central is its vertical green wall garden that runs through the building from the 4th floor to the 25th, with the main purpose of brightening up usually enclosed hallways with natural sunlight. The condominium’s swimming pool is surrounded by lush greenery, as it is on the same floor where the vertical garden begins. The impressive architecture of this condominium comes from the same masterminds behind Cambodia’s most popular coffee chain – Brown Coffee. The same attention to detail, quirky steeled structures, and top-notch finishing seen in all Brown Coffee outlets across Phnom Penh are mirrored in Embassy Central’s building and showroom. Hok Kang Architects, who wholly designed Embassy Residences and Embassy Central, and are also the people behind Urbanland and Brown Coffee, aptly sums it up: “Embassy Central is a very special project for us. We want to design a building that responds to a hot tropical climate such as Cambodia. Vertically designed elements and oversized balconies help to shade the building from the harsh tropical sun. The building is punctuated by pockets of green gardens, giving it a more iconic architecture, and also its residents a more liveable space that is close to nature. Upon its completion, Embassy Central will be the emblem of contemporary urban living at its finest in the heart of BKK1.” Urbanland and Hok Kang Architects comprise a small but diverse team, and being local adds value and trust among Cambodians – that a relatively small developer is able to bring to the Kingdom international standards of ideas, design, and product. Urbanland is committed to investing in its home country, and seeing it thrive as an urban cosmopolis. The company prides itself on catering as much as they can to their niche clientele’s needs, offering interior design services or suggestions that will complement the overall flow of the building units’ designs. Embassy Central’s showroom is fitted with high-end furnishings, with cleverly streamlined storage spaces and enclosed air-conditioning, while everything that is attached to the walls such as the lights, cupboards, console table, and appliances come together with the unit. Singapore investment firm, Terrasia Capital Investment, has said that the quality of interior fittings and finishes is a game-changer that sets a very high benchmark for other developers to follow. In Urbanland’s Marketing Manager, Victor Huot’s words, “what you see and feel in our showroom will be the same experience you will get when you walk into your Embassy Central home.” “The most prestigious address in Phnom Penh, crafted with design and high-quality materials, Embassy Central is a gem of investment that will only increase in value over time,” Terrasia Capital Investment concluded. Check out the full Embassy Central listing today on Realestate.com.kh!

TA Corporation Ltd. is an established property and construction group with a track record of over 40 years' experience in the Singapore construction industry, and over 15 years' experience in real estate investment and development. As an integrated business group, TA Corporation is also involved in the provision of workers’ training and accommodation as well as the distribution of lubricants and commercial vehicles, tyres and spare parts. At the dawn of 2016, the company is slated to launch its first mixed-use real estate Cambodian project: The Gateway.

Yong Yap Properties have officially moved into their riverside office...And it is a beauty! At this momentous juncture, the Yong Yap Properties team would like to say thank you to all their valued and loyal clients for the support over the years. It is an exciting time for the Yong Yap Properties team and the new office will be their home base for the coming years.The new address is #95A st 118 cnr st 17 - but phone numbers are still the same 023 223 712 / 017 400 700.The Yong Yap team look forward to seeing you all shortly!And don’t forget to check out Yong Yap Properties’ listings on realestate.com.kh today.

Total value of Cambodia's new construction projects approved by the Government increased by 33 percent in 2015. This brought new construction to a total value of approximately $3.33 billion for the year, as compared to 2014, according to a recent Cambodian Daily report based on documents received from the Government. The report suggests that 2,305 projects were approved by the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. And these projects will ultimately cover a construction area of around 7.7 million msq! Condo supply is naturally booming too. Check out CBRE's latest findings!