The Chroy Changvar area is a fast up-and-comer for the Phnom Penh residential market, offering fresh air and room to move compared to the inner city districts - an attractive proposition for both expats and local families. New development housing projects continue to launch month on month, hand in hand with commercial ventures - and land prices have been rising steadily year on year.During the 19th National Cultural Day in Phnom Penh on the 3rd of March 2017, Samdech Techo Hun Sen stated the location of the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA) would soon change from its current location next to National Museum of Cambodia in Sangkat Daun Penh, moving instead to Chroy Changvar. The prime minister said that the project will cost approximately $12 million.The new RUFA on Chroy Changvar will occupy a total area of ​​3 hectares. In addition, the government has set aside another hectare of land next to the University to build a cultural center for concerts and theater performances.The relocation of the Royal University of Fine Arts has irked some of the general public, who have raised concerns in regards to the university’s history in the area and argued that the relocation might change the school’s identity. Additionally, some students have expressed dissatisfaction due to the commute time from the inner city.Mr. Noy ​​Samnang, a 2nd year student at the RUFA, said that, “I started my learning here and I’m still studying here. I would be very sad if the university will relocate because I have lots of memories in this place. And it’s quite far for me. I will have to adapt to a new place again.”However, the government is convinced that the current Royal University of Fine Arts is very narrow and is planning to use the area of the university to expand the current space of the Museum.Mr. Nong Samedy, a former student of RUFA, said that he will be disappointed if the university is relocated to Chroy Changvar because this is the pioneer university of Cambodia and has been standing for in this area for 100 years.However, he also mentioned that if the government is aiming to expand the size of the campus and preserve the original buildings, he will support the government’s action. Samedy added that this relocation may be positive, if the new university will be equipped with a wider range of learning materials and facilities.Mr. In Sitha, Advisor at VTrust Property Co., Ltd., says that in terms of real estate, this is a good sign and will potentially boost the growth of the real estate market of the area.Norton University is also situated on Chroy Changvar - and according to Mr Setha - before Norton arrived there, there was no business and few people in general. But after the establishment of Norton University, a lot of businesses and economic activities have blossomed around this area.Mr. Setha also mentioned that this will also drive the housing sector outside the city towards the Chroy Changvar area, where housing and land prices remain low and relatively affordable for local families.Ms. Phoeung Sakona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, confirmed that this project will start its construction this coming April 2017 and it will take around three years to be completed.On the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of March 2017, RUFA will both celebrate its 100th year anniversary and hold a study exhibition that will bring to students a showcase from five faculties — the Faculty of Archaeology, the Faculty of Choreographer Arts, the Faculty of Visual Arts, the Faculty of Architecture, and the Faculty of Music.Ky Kosal, content writer @ Realestate.com.khCheck out the best Chroy Changvar listings on Realestate.com.kh

When it comes to inspections for a new rental property, 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.What to Rent property in Cambodia ? 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 landlords’ stipulate different reasons for being allowed to throw you out, so make sure you know what the landlord in question expects of you before you agree to stay.Everyone haggles!Always bargain the price with your landlord no matter how it makes you feel. 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.Check out part 2 of the rental checklist next Wednesday in the Khmer Times property section.Wish to Rent property in Cambodia? Check out these propertiesJames Whitehead, director of content @ Realestate.com.khWant to learn more about how you can make money by investing in real estate wisely? Get on Realestate.com.kh today, the best source of information for property buyers & Sellers in Cambodia.

Are you an Expat expecting just a temporary stay in the Kingdom? Are you nervous about signing long-term leases when you are not sure if you can satisfy the contract length? Are you finding that most Cambodian landlords are unwilling to have tenants stay for less than six months?Benefits of a Long Term Lease:Signing a six-month or year lease locks in a rental price in a market that is growing in leaps and bounds every year. Rental rates climb 10-15% annually in Cambodia, especially in the urban and tourism centers, and as new buildings offering all types of modern amenities continue to enter the rental market, these prices will continue to rise.Signing a long-term lease will also grant higher negotiating power: the landlord should be more flexible because they know you will stay for a longer period of time. They may add furnishings that you request, and negotiate on otherwise set rates.If you end up securing a lease for longer than you are able to stay in Cambodia, many expats are seeking shorter length, sub-lease agreements. This will give you the opportunity to finish your lease agreement payments through a sub-lease with a short term tenant. It pays to check with the landlord that will be possible before signing the leasing contract.Alternative, the landlord may allow you to transfer the entire lease to a new tenant that you have found – if you can’t satisfy the contract.Remember that most owners want to build and maintain a relationship with their tenants. A long term lease allows this trust to develop.If I do sign a long term lease, what sort of contractual and non-contractual terms can be negotiated with the landlord?Most importantly, the monthly rental price is negotiation – as despite what the landlord and agent may say, in the Cambodian market there is always flexibility!Consider requesting the installation of window screens, new or more fans, and new or improved furniture.Rates for services, such as water, electricity and rubbish collection may sometimes been thrown into the final rental price, at no extra charge.Remember, negotiation is about compromise. Consider the landlords objectives and unique circumstances – and try to compromise a rental agreement where both parties can feel satisfied.Want to learn more about how you can make money by investing in real estate wisely? Get on Realestate.com.kh today, the best source of information for property Buyers & Sellers in Cambodia.

Loans interests update: the National Bank of Cambodia's announced on the 3rd of March 2017 their decision to cut down interest rates of loans of all the banks and micro finance institutions (MFI) in Cambodia to 18% per year.Having set the interest rates to a low 18 percent a year or simply 1.5 percent a month, this contributes to the support of the Cambodian Royal Government policy regarding the protection of the interests of citizens, especially the underprivileged. It also helps prevent excessive debt of citizens, reducing poverty, protect customers from high interest rates for loans from any micro finance institution, and also to promote loan operation effectiveness and security through loan provisions from MFI.Previously, the interest rate was not explicit, and some MFIs set high loan interest rates of up to 3% a month or 36% a year, which has buried many people in debt.This announcement is a good sign of resolution to reducing the debt of the citizens. And it will also be advantageous for startups, small businesses, and all economic activities involved in the country.This announcement will be implemented effective 1st of April 2017 and marked as mandatory.A senior official of the National Bank of Cambodia clarifies that this announcement only applies for new customers. Existing customers will still make use of the old interest rate policy.Find the best real estate news on Realestate.com.kh

Khmer architecture was very popular during the 1960s, especially the projects of Vann Molyvann, who built many architectural masterpieces in both Cambodia and abroad. During the 60’s, local architects such as Molyvann were heavily influenced by another Asian country, Japan.  To showcase the fusion of these two cultures, an exhibition on New Khmer and Japanese Architecture was organized through the cooperation between the Environmental Global Hub, the Kyushu University of Japan, the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the Cambodian National Museum, The Japan Foundation and with the support of Royal University of Cambodia.This exhibition was held on the 4th of March for its first showing, and will be open to the public again on the 16th of March at the National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh.The exhibition aims to reveal the role of the Japanese experts who were involved with Vann Molyvann’s and other Cambodian architects’ projects in the mid-twentieth century, from the design phase to the final construction, and broader urban planning initiatives underway at that time. It also aims to show the diversity of the collaboration occurring during the period of the 1950s and 60s.When explaining the purpose of the exhibition, Masaaki Iwamoto, assistant professor at the Kyushu University, said that this is their first exhibition in Cambodia, and will focus on the new generation, namely the youth and students -- especially, those who majored in architecture. By doing so, the new generation can learn from the 1950-60’s architectural styles and themes.The photography and information on display focusses on nine projects, seven of which have already been completed. The projects being exhibited are the Osaka Expo Cambodia Pavilion, the Chroy Changva Bridge, the Agricultural, Pastoral and Medical Centres, Preah Suramarit National Theatre, the Bassac Riverfront Masterplan (which includes the White Building), the Sihanoukville Master Plan, and the Chaktomuk Conference Hall.  And the two construction projects which have not been completed, include the Parliament -- under the partnership with Obayashi Corporation -- and the Olympic Stadium.Mr. Keo Sitha, a 3rd year student in architecture, in attendance at the exhibition said, “this was a good opportunity for him to see the different project design layouts of Molyvann.” He added that his interest for the design of each project is mainly on how designing works, since it is very detailed and complex, and not well taught at school.Somanith, another architecture student currently on his 5th year at the exhibition’s first showing on the 4th, was particularly impressed by the designs and commented, “What I really appreciate of Mr. Vann Molyvann is that he designed all these projects by only hand drawing.​ It is very hard to do on a PC, so I can’t imagine doing so by hand.”Mr. Hun Chansan, director of Re-edge architecture and design​, said that, “I think this exhibition is a good showcase that architecture is about collaboration, and we can learn a lot from those sectional drawings being exhibited. It already inspired me to look into designing my own projects with the layout and section concurrently.”Chansan continued, “it seems Japan and Cambodia have gone through a similar phase. Cambodia needs to take time to discover talents and produce human resource that will be needed to build another era of architectural masterpieces. I hope as the country is developing, we will discover the value of architects and what we can do for the country. As part of the new generation of architects in the country I hope to make an impact and inspire many to do so.”Ky Kosal, content writer @ Realestate.com.khFind the best real estate news on Realestate.com.kh

There are plenty of developments being built in and around Phnom Penh, and among these are pretty good investment opportunities. Along with the many attractive qualities of these new projects, is the promise of guaranteed rental returns that can go up to about 20% during the first two to five years after purchase. But experts such as the CEO of Huttons CPL, Sharon Liew, explains that “in general, anything higher than 20 per cent is likely too good to be true.”However, it is more than possible to find lower and more realistic guaranteed rental returns on the market right now. So, if you’re thinking of buying a space to rent out for future investment return, what do you need to consider first and how exactly do you calculate whether or not the promised guaranteed rental return is true?What are the Considerations for Return of Investment?Developers will promise investors a lot of things. But promises are just that if you’re not careful. So, here are a few things that you can do to protect your investment from going down the drain.Research - The first thing you want to do before talking to the developers and property managers is to make sure that the guaranteed rental return is consistent with market conditions. So, location, pricing, condition, and real estate forecasts will factor into the equation. If there’s an expected increase in demand in the future in a specific area, then that might be a good investment. But if a developer is promising a high guaranteed rental return and something about the data seems odd or off, look into it further. It’s also advised to follow trends that have been proven rather than influxes.Get a contract - When you’re finally sure that the guaranteed rental return is plausible and you sit down with an agent, a developer, or a property management representative,ask to see a draft of the contract. Check all the documentation and see if there is any mention of the guaranteed rental return. Otherwise, you don’t have anything to hold them accountable with. If you can, get a financial advisor and a legal advisor to look at all the paperwork.Ask - Make sure to also check the capability of the property management firm. If it’s possible, ask them about their financial estimates and plans for the property. Oftentimes, the first few years of management is great until they lose sight of their finances and the quality deteriorates. Making sure that they have a plan for the different scenarios that may play out means they did their independent study as well.How do I Compute for Return of Investment?Now that you’ve placed everything in order, it’s time to actually compute your actual return of investment. But how? There are two basic ways to do that, and it actually depends on whether you are planning to pay in cash or through a financing scheme.How do I Find Out Return of Investment if I Pay in Cash?This is probably one of the easiest ways to compute for return on rental investment. All you have to do is to divide the expected annual return by the original total investment. Take note that the expected annual return is the amount after tax has been deducted and the original total investment amount includes costs like remodeling.So, for example, you buy a unit for $235,000 and decided to add certain appliances. This brings up your cost to around $245,000. If you charge your tenant $1,800 a month, you have roughly $21,600 in a year. But you have to pay a yearly real estate tax of 0.1% and a 14% rental income tax. That amounts to $3,259 which brings profit down to $18,341.So, your Return of investment from the rental property is computed by dividing $18,341 by $245,000. That brings you to an 7.4% ROI a year.How do I Find Out Return of Investment if I’m FInancing the Property Through a Loan?Taking a loan or mortgage makes the process of calculating ROI more complex, but nonetheless possible. Taking the above example, assume you get the same unit. The terms of a bank state that you’re allowed a maximum loan of 70% with 8.25% a year interest rate for 20 years. Let’s say you already paid the first 30%, your total initial payment is $70,500. Let’s also assume you got $10,000 worth of appliances. Your total out-of-pocket so far is at $80,500.Next we have to take into consideration the ongoing costs associated with the loan. You took out a 20-year loan with a fixed interest rate of 8.25%. This would mean a monthly payment of around $1,402. That’s $16,824 a year.For loan computation assistance, you can use our Loan Calculator!We’ll then add the same yearly tax you have to pay at around $3,259 to the $16,824 you have to pay a year. Now, assuming you’re still asking for $1,800 every month and you subtract your yearly payment amount, you will be left with around $1,517 yearly.What’s left for us to do is to then divide the yearly profit by the original out-of-pocket costs to determine the ROI. $1,517 divided by $80,500 equal an ROI of 1.9% a year.So, is Buying With Cash Better Than Getting a Loan for Return on Rental Investment?There is a noticeably large difference after comparing the ROI rates using both method of payment. But choosing between the two financing options boils down to a matter of preference. If you’re in it for just the rental return, then paying in cash would make more sense. But for investors who are planning on resale in the distant future when prices have shot up but don’t mind getting rental returns in between, the second option seems like a better one.But What If I Plan on Letting Someone Rent It Out to Own It Eventually?If you’re planning on doing this and paydifference ing in cash, the return of investment will be just the same as when you resell. The only will be when and until when you get the returns. If you do this while you’re on mortgage, the renter will technically pay off the loan and pay you profit a month at a time.Use our online search tool at Realestate.com.kh to help you look for good investment properties now!Is There an Easier Way to Get a Computation?Yes there is! If you’ve taken a loan from the bank, then your bank may have probably already gotten a valuation of the property. This means they’ve already considered all the costs, the benefits, and the risks to ensure that they’re not going to lose any money or that there is minimal risk involved. Now, maybe you want to know the inherent risks, the potential of a property, and how much you may be able to make out of it. Well, you can avail of valuation services for personal purposes too.Not to say that the above ROI computations are not at all helpful, but valuation takes into account several things other than just tax, profit, and initial cost. It gives you a clearer picture of what you’re getting yourself into by also considering the geographic location, the nature of the property, the current usage and usability, disaster, insurance, construction quality, age of construction, approved documents from local authorities, and the maintenance of the property.With all of this, they’re able to give you an overview of the property’s current state and of what might happen the future, in case you are planning on reselling a property or maybe even live in it. This can be an overwhelming process sometimes for investors, but since valuation services are done by experts in the field, they can tell you whether you’re making a potentially great investment or not.There are a lot of opportunities out there to invest in Phnom Penh’s real estate, but knowing what to invest in and how to invest in them makes for a good return on rental investment. So, take a shot at it and browse through different properties now!For more information and news on valuation, visit Realestate.com.kh now!

As more and more modern developments rise in Phnom Penh, the issue of city space and how to move around pops up even more frequently. And while, high-rise buildings have become a staple in the capital, it still has not managed to help ease the traffic woes in the area. Since the government has had enough of this situation, they are now looking to use some space that has not been used for almost a decade -- particularly, space that’s filled with water.So, what exactly has the government done and is planning to do with the vast water space? You might be surprised about what you are going to read next.TrafficJust recently the City Hall of Phnom Penh has taken steps to manage the increasing traffic in the area. There’s stricter enforcement on unpermitted road work by development companies to prevent damage that could cause heavy traffic. They’ve also installed roughly 600 new surveillance cameras and around 60 traffic lights along major roads in the capital to reduce  possible traffic jams.But additionally, Phnom Penh ’s waters have also been boiling long enough and has been ready for the government to cook something up with it. And the City Hall isn’t taking this to waste. That’s why, with the help of the LYP Group -- a company owned by CPP Senator Ly Yong Phat -- they’re looking to revive the waterway passenger transportation system through the usage of water taxis to help ease the traffic situation in the capital.TransportOnce the LYP group delivers a comprehensive study on the impact the water taxis will have on floating villages and determines that it won’t cause any harm, the $22-million project will be set to launch in early 2018.In a recent interview with the Khmer Times, the director of the capital’s public work and transport department, Saing Piseth, explained that the proposed route will cover 9 service stations across 25 kilometers of waterway. It will include locations from the Prek Phnov bridge all the way to to Takhmao City in the Kandal province. The water taxis will run via the Tonle Sap and Tonle Bassac rivers for this.A senior advisor to the government’s Supreme Economic Council, Mey Kalyan, also explained that utilizing the waterways would greatly improve logistics and connectivity in Cambodia. He added that the service will benefit the economy by lowering transportation costs across various industries.The project will produce around 20 boats that will travel at an estimated 30km per hour, carrying up to 90 passengers each trip. Once completely functional, it is proposed to run from 6am to 8pm each day.TourismMore than easing traffic and providing a more efficient transport system, the water taxis will also help the tourism sector.Despite plans being laid out, there is still uncertainty that comes along with this project -- just like in any other project. But one thing remains certain. And that’s the opportunities this will provide for various individuals and companies across different industries. And whether or not the success will satisfy the high hopes of people, this still remains to be a step forward towards Phnom Penh’s growth.For more news and updates, visit Realestate.com.kh now!

Cambodia displays a highly competitive real estate market. Within this crowded market, CPL Cambodia Properties Limited is trying to bring transparency, sustainability, and satisfaction to serve value to its customers.CPL is a pioneer in the real estate scene of Cambodia. It was established in 1997 through a partnership with an American professional realtor and Oknha Cheng Kheng who had great experience in real estate and appraisal.With continuous growth and increasing trust from customers, CPL has become a member/partner of international organizations such as the Pacific Appraisal Co., Ltd. (Korea) and the VPC Asia Pacific, in association with Cluttons.In order to find out more about the company, Realestate.com.kh talked to Mr. Soth Sokheng, Processing Manager of CPL Cambodia Properties Limited.When asked what the strengths of CPL are, Sokheng stated that “CPL Cambodia Properties Limited offers a full range of real estate services. We specialize in residential, commercial, and industrial property sales, as well as property valuation services. CPL has earned its reputation one property at a time as a talented and trustworthy organization that continually performs at the very highest level.”“Based on our professional experiences, CPL has always earned trust from financial institutions, draw upon developers, and international investors around the world,” he added.Mr. Sokheng also said that CPL has invested in the development of a cutting edge management system called “Portal” where property consultants have a full range of marketing, research, and technological tools available for use at all times. Working within a tightly-knit and highly-motivated team environment, customer support, and online services which they can draw upon are also very impressive.When asked in regards to the residential market of Cambodia, Sokheng revealed, “ Housing are still popping up. We have seen new projects growing, targeting the middle income bracket. The new construction along National Roads No. 1, 2, 3, 4 and No. 5 are targeting clients whose income ranges from $ 250.”Meanwhile, the high-income market seemed to have stagnated, with a looming oversupply. However, this did not result yet in a price drop. The current real estate market in fact, remains stable even with the shift from high-income families to middle-income families.There are also still good opportunities for real estate agents to work successfully and enjoy both the relational (clients services) aspect of the job, and the business and financial aspects as well.Mr. Sokheng also mentioned the unique selling point of CPL which consists in committing to assist and ensure that the client or business owners achieve their goals. He says, “We know that real estate clients want to deal with consultants who have additional knowledge, expertise, honesty, and integrity. We are very committed to achieve all these.”He added, “We understand that customers want to deal with real people. That's why we focus on creating a firm relationship and gain trust and respect from all our clients. This is our company’s philosophy which helps us in achieving personal satisfaction, high morale, and success.”We call ourselves “THE FIRST AGENCY OF CHOICE,” said Sokheng. We also work to be the leading company that provides best selling, renting, and valuation services in the real estate sector in Cambodia.Sokheng concluded that, “CPl also wants to announce to the public that we will celebrate our 20th anniversary on 7th of July 2017.  Our anniversary showcases our hard work, which has brought us from zero to where we are now. We would like to invite His Excellency, Oknha, and everyone to participate with us.”Check out CPL's hottest properties on Realestate.com.kh

A Phnom Penh Housing Market report release by VTrust Appraisal last week has revealed significant growth in investments in the construction sector of the capital -- amounting to a total of $8.5 billion in 2016 from foreign direct investments alone.However these factors in the landed housing market have stirred up questions as to the salability of these new and recently erected developments - particularly in the current demand outlook.The climate in Phnom Penh remains conducive for investment, in comparison to what it had been in 2002 when the first borey projects launched. The report indicates that the Phnom Penh landed housing market has gone a long way since the first landed housing cluster emerged during that time in Sen Sok. Supplies in different districts soon followed, and in 2017 the marketplace is frantic.But Miguel Chanco, lead analyst of Asean’s Economic Intelligence Unit, says that “there have been strong signs over the past few years that the housing market, especially in Phnom Penh, is in oversupply” because of all the developments that have been approved. This is particularly true for the condominium market of the country.In terms of landed housing, the supply reached around 100,278 units by the end of 2016.According to the Phnom Penh Housing Market report, around 28,097 more units will be adding to the supply by the end of 2017.This, Chanco believes, will cause sales to move at a lower pace in the coming years.Yet Chanco says the upcoming landed housing supply will still be filled in the next few years. And this is all thanks to the rising salaries of workers in the capital.Chanco says, “Phnom Penh’s population may be small compared to other capital cities in Asean, but salaries are rising rapidly.”Just last year, Cambodia was already declared as a lower-middle income country by the World Bank. According to them, “Robust economic growth averaging 7.6 percent per year in the past two decades has transformed Cambodia from one of the world’s poorest countries to a lower middle-income country today.”The government also shows no sign of slowing down to achieve high income status by 2050.Chanco, in a separate interview, has this to say about the government’s mission: “I don’t think Cambodia will reach upper-middle income status by 2030, especially given the intense competition of a lot of the countries in the region that are also looking for the kind of investment that would drive Cambodia up over the next 10 to 15 years.”But this may be enough to get investors buying more properties in the future. Chanco mentions, “I wouldn’t underestimate the long-run potential of Cambodia’s overall middle-class.”Other factors that equalise the potential oversupply includes the implementation of more flexible schemes, like a zero-down payment option. These terms are already being offered by various developers in order to extend the reach of the market towards the lower-middle income categories. This increasingly available finance should cause the demand to move upward in 2017."In term of real estate economics, housing markets during the last several years were weighed more by developers' side because of smaller market supply compared to high market demand, so prices increased markedly year-on-year, especially when the houses were erected, said Hoem Seiha, director of research at Vtrust Appraisal and the author of the report.Seiha continued saying, "With the surplus today, however, the market absorption takes longer than it did before, pressing the brake to slow down new supplies as well as prices. This shows an early sign of housing market to reach its equilibrium where supply, demand, and prices go along together in the next couple of years."The report states that prices will begin to stabilize throughout 2017 to 2018. First home buyers are now also offered a range of completed units alongside new developments, giving the market more depth and finance options.Please find out the latest news on Realestate.com.kh now!

Register for FREE to attend the show!Cambodia’s real estate sector is attracting the attention of investors from around the region and the world. The property market has grown phenomenally in last 5 years, and major cities are demonstrating some of the highest urban expansion and population growth rates in the region.Despite remaining an “emerging market”, Cambodia is demonstrating lower risk than this label usually suggests - demonstrating strong fundamentals for property investors and regionally high yields, which has already attracted a multitude of international development companies from around the world to launch projects:Why Invest In Cambodian Property? The Fundamentals:US$ Investment Economy: Invest in the world’s most resilient currency as Cambodia has long been a dollarized economy and will continue to be.Virgin Investment Territory: Enormous growth potential and very positive appreciation trends in recent years.Strong, Sustained Growth in GDP: 5% average for the last 5 years, year on year. No. #21 worldwide in growth, and No. #1 in the region.Secure Assets: Freehold Foreign Ownership Laws that have been successfully supporting investor’s since 2010.Strategic Location: Sandwiched between two strong economies, Thailand and Vietnam; Midway between the world’s largest and fastest growing economies, China and India; and sitting between Australasia and Asia, with trade agreements connecting it to both.Political Stability: The country has had the same Prime Minister for more than a quarter of a century, the longest serving non-royal leader in South East Asia.Trade Integration & Regional Logistics Chain: Joined ASEAN for increased access to regional markets; LDC status gives tariff free access to highly developed markets in Europe and Americas; Cambodia is firmly part of China’s “One Belt, One Road” policy.Improved Logistics: Deep sea port, railways, roads and flight connections around the nation and Asia growing yearly.Retirees’ Mecca: Due to a unique, low-cost quality of life.A Cash Economy: Money flows inside and outside of Cambodia are simple and cost-effective for international investors.Developments of all varieties are rising fast across the nation, giving buyers a wide range of options to choose from, with investment properties suited to all budgets and needs. However, purchasing the right property is an important decision that requires diligence and a full survey of the strength of that financial investment - which can be difficult for those investors residing outside the country.For this reason, Realestate.com.kh, Cambodia most visited and most preferred real estate portal, is hosting the most comprehensive Cambodia real estate show in the nation’s history. The Realestate.com.kh Cambodia Real Estate Show will take place on the 5th and 6th of May 2017 at the country’s most famous Hotel and Casino: NagaWorld.The event will be a one-stop exhibition where buyers can simultaneous survey the country's hottest property offerings and learn the necessities of an informed and secure investment decision in Cambodia.The Creed Group, HLH Group/Camhomes and Graticity Real Estate Development (GRED), Habitat, NC Max World, J&L Property Development, EASTLAND, CORE PPSEZ, DH3, Royal HM trading, Sky 31, Vikirirom Pine Resort, among others, have already booked their booth space.Silver Sponsors of the event: LASTMILE WORKS Co., Ltd and Seara Sports Systems.Seminars and speeches by local consultants will be running throughout the two days to promote understanding of the legal climate in Cambodia and the best ways for investors to manage their property assets in country. Those seminars will have the objective of promoting knowledge and establish confidence in purchasing a property in the Kingdom.Realestate.com.kh’s unique partnerships with marketing channels such as the PropertyGuru Group (Asia’s largest and most visited real estate portal group) and Juwai.com (China’s #1 website for Chinese buyers looking to buy purchase property abroad) will attract serious international buyers for the two day show. Local marketing will also be comprehensive, targeting both the expatriate population and high-net-worth local property investors. The show is strategically being held at NagaWorld Hotel, the first choice for accommodation in Phnom Penh for Asian investors, dignitaries and business people.Mark the Cambodia Real Estate Show in your calendar on the 5th and 6th of May 2017 now and book your flights. Get ready for the biggest property show in Cambodia’s history.Business Cambodia, Bizkhmer, Khmernavi, Sin Chew Daily, B2B, Amcham, Britcham, Cambodia Constructors Association, Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agent Association PropertyGuru, PropertyGuru International, Juwai, Khmer Times and La Reine.For sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities at the Cambodia Real Estate Show, please contact us at info@realestate.com.kh or call +855 98 67 67 82Find the best real estate news on Realestate.com.khRegister for FREE to attend the show!

On the 2nd of March 2017, the General Department of Housing of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bun Ches Group co.,Ltd. The signing was presided over by His Excellency Chea Sophara, Senior Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction .The memorandum of understanding focuses on  development cooperation for affordable housing project for civil servants, the armed forces, and the general public who are considered to be in the low and middle-income bracket.The Bun Ches Group will be responsible for managing, preparing, and processing the development of the affordable housing project. It will be launched  on the 1st of  May 2017.This is the Bun Ches Group’s first affordable housing project in Cambodia. But the Bun Ches Group has years of experience in construction; they have also completed some projects in Cambodia such as the Toul Kork Warehouse and done townhouses like the Mekong and the Mekong View Tower.This second affordable housing project will be developed on an area of ​​822,160 square meters and will be located in Sleng Dey Dos Village, Prek Taten Commune, Punhea Leu district, Kandal province -- about 21 kilometers away from Wat Phnom, along National Road No. 5.This residential project will have 5,340 units in total which are divided into two different types. The range of units includes 4,476 units sized at 5.1m X 7.2 m and 864 units that measure 5.1m X 13m.The first affordable housing project is located 17 kilometers away from Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh. It had its groundbreaking last 7th of January 2017. And it will be finished in 2018.That project was developed by Worldbridge Land and it occupies a land area of 20 hectares. Within this total land area, about 10 hectares are dedicated to ​​residential housing construction and about 7 hectares are for roads and parks.  The first affordable housing project will have 2,400 residential units which are also targeted to low and middle-income bracket earners. The units will range from $250 to $500 per month and each unit can be sold from $20,000 to $25,000.As for the second affordable housing project, the unit sales prices has not been revealed yet.These two housing projects aim to provide affordable housing for Cambodia’s citizens, especially the middle income workers.Find the best real estate news on Realestate.com.kh

It can be difficult to move through Phnom Penh’s rental market especially if you are new to the market. Recently, various areas in Phnom Penh have been progressing with a wide range of rental houses, like villas with larger areas, apartments that include basic amenities, shop houses, and flats that can be converted either into a retail space or renovated into a modern home. Among the 12 Phnom Penh districts, the potential of each area depends on geography, land price, and surrounding facilities that support the resident’s lifestyle. Since rental agreements are usually at least for a one year period, you have to be sure that you research before signing a new contract. Realestate.com.kh has done the dirty work for you by digging through and compiling all the information you need for the popular areas in Phnom Penh. Chamkarmon Chamkarmon is currently the most popular residential area in terms of modern lifestyle and convenience. There are 12 communes in the Chamkarmon district as well. But the four that are the most popular are Boeung Keng Kang 1 (BKK1), Boeung Keng Kang 2 (BKK2), Boeung Keng Kang 3 (BKK3), and Toul Tom Poung. BKK1 is the most preferred residential area for both foreigners and locals. What type of houses are for rent in Chamkarmon? According to Mr. Roeun Veha of PinPoint Real Estate, there are three types of houses in the residential district of Chamkarmon. These include flat houses, apartments, and villas. What type of houses are for rent in Chamkarmon? How much does it cost to rent in Chamkarmon? The rental price of a flat in BKK1 costs between $700 to $1,800 a month. This is significantly higher than in the other top communes. A flat rental in BKK2, BKK3, and Toul Tom Poung ranges anywhere from $300 to $1,300 per month range. Flats on the inside and flats along the main road vary in prices. A one-bedroom apartment in BKK1 is at around $800, a two-bedroom apartment is usually more than $1,000, and a three-bedroom apartment costs anywhere from $2,500 to $3,000 a month. Meanwhile, BKK2, BKK3, and Toul Tom Poung rental prices for a one-bedroom apartment go for as low as $300 to $400 a month. Villas in BKK1, especially along streets 51 and 63, range from $1,500 to $10,000. Whereas rental prices in BKK2, BKK3, and Toul Tom Poung, are likely to range between $1,000 to $6,000, says Mr. Veha. Why is Chamkarmon a good location for rentals? BKK1, BKK2, BKK3, and Toul Tom Poung area brimming with restaurants, brand coffee shops, bars, karaokes, clubs, markets, malls, saunas, spas, fitness centers, international schools, high standard clinics, and hospitals. So, if you want to live in the real heart of the city, where everything is happening, you should consider taking a look at properties for rent in Chamkarmon. Learn more about Chamkarmon and BKK through our Chamkarmon Location Profile. Daun Penh There are 11 communes in Duan Penh. Four of them are filled with locals and expatriates who are renting houses for short-term and long-term periods. These include Phsar Chas, Phsar Kandal 1, Phsar Kandal 2, and Chey Chumneas. What type of housing is available for rent in Daun Penh? Flats and apartments are available to rent at any time in Daun Penh. Most of the rental houses around this area are renovated second-floor units or renovated flats that are suitable for rent. How much does it cost to rent in Daun Penh? Ms. En Chansreyleak, a sales representative for Yong Yap Property, says that prices in the top four areas are similar. The rental price of a one-bedroom flat is $350 to $800, a two-bedroom flat goes for $450 to $1,500, and a three-bedroom flat is at $1,500 to $2,500 a month. There are also a number of serviced apartments in the area such as the Season Apartments & Residence Co, Ltd and the Kiwi apartment. According to Ms. Chansreyleak, a one-bedroom apartment unit ranges from $600 to $1,200 a month, a two-bedroom apartment is roughly $1,800 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment goes for up to $2,800 a month. Why is this location good for rental? This location is along the riverbank and is near the Royal Palace. There are also a number of establishments that are in the area such as restaurants, bars, coffee shops, night markets, and many more. All these features make this area attractive to tourists. If you're interested in renting in Daun Penh, you can check out the latest properties for rent in Daun Penh. Learn more about Daun Penh through our Daunh Penh Location profile. Toul Kork Property experts speculate that Toul Kork will become the new BKK in the near future. Today, more and more people are moving to the district, especially since it will soon be the location where the Phnom Penh City Center will stand. The residential space in this area also has great potential for both residential and commercial opportunities for both locals and expats. What types of property are available for rent in Toul Kork? There are three types of houses prominent in Toul Kork. These are villas, apartments, and flat houses. As they say, your mileage may vary depending on what and where you want to rent in Toul Kork. How much does it cost to rent in Toul Kork? A rental flat in this area can range anywhere between $300 to $1,500 per month. A one-bedroom apartment can cost anywhere from $300 to $600 a month. Two bedrooms will set you back $800 to $1,000 per month. The rental prices for villas in Toul Kork generally start from $800  and can go all the way up to $6,000 per month. Why is this location good for rental? Toul Kork is the new development area of the city. There are now many new commercial developments rising here. The residential market is also making a shift towards this area. Most importantly, it has easy access to the Phnom Penh International Airport. If you're interested in renting here, you can check out the latest properties for rent in Toul Kork. Learn more about Toul Kork in the Toul Kork Location Profile. Sen Sok Sen Sok has become a star destination for many residential and property developers. This district is located in the northwest of central Phnom Penh and is one of the newest districts incorporated into the Phnom Penh municipality. Sen Sok is primarily known for its affordable residential projects and is the home of the city's largest shopping mall to-date, AEON Mall 2. What types of property are available for rent in Sen Sok? Sen Sok hosts villas, shophouses, and lately, more apartments available for rent to accommodate the growing interest in the area. How much does it cost to rent in Sen Sok? Apartments for rent in Sen Sok range from as low as $250 to as high as $1,500 per month. Shophouses and villas are also available ranging from $500 to $3,000 a month. Of course, there plenty of properties in between. We suggest taking a look at the Sen Sok Location Profile so you can find the right property for rent in Sen Sok for you. Don't be afraid to negotiate! When you want to rent a house in the city, even in popular locations like Chamkarmon, Daun Penh, Toul Kork or other areas, you must be sure of your budget. Landlords will most likely demand a high price. However, you should always be ready to negotiate! Build rapport and ask for a discount or try your best to ask for additional services or furniture. How to Find Houses for Rent in Phnom Penh? If you do not have a lot of time, you can easily use realestate.com.kh to check and compare the prices of the properties you are interested in. You could also consider relying on a real estate agent; they'll save you the headache of sifting through Phnom Penh's myriad of rental listings. Just make sure you do some research and pick a professional one! Don’t know where to start? Take a look at our list of partner agents all over Phnom Penh. Learn more about all the houses for rent in Phnom Penh! 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.  

Cambodia’s real estate sector remains strong and this is what gives investors and real estate agents confidence in the market. But with the abundance of success that agents have obtained, there is now greater competition in the industry, which is slowly becoming a threat to industry standards.Realestate.com.kh recently caught up with Mr. Sorn Seap, Director of Key Real Estate, to get his thoughts on the matter.Seap has worked in the real estate sector of the country for more than 10 years and launched Key Real Estate back in 2010. When asked about this career, Mr Seap said "I’ve been interested in the real estate sector since I was in college. From the very beginning, I saw big potential in this market and I thought that this could be the right business opportunity for me. At the beginning it was hard because people were not used to the role of a real estate agent, and did not know what was their function. Luckily things improved, the market evolved as well as the mindset of the people, which boosted our business.”He added, "the first service we provided was property valuation, and then we slowly added more services such as management and later sale and rental services."Cambodia is a free market, therefore businesses have equal footing in terms of competition. This has caused several issues such as lowering of agents’ fees and lack of vocational training -- especially with private dealers who call themselves estate agents.Additionally, there are not strict regulations for companies wanting to obtain a real estate license. This environment has allowed unprofessional practices into the industry which is slowly pushing the customers to lose confidence in the industry.As a real estate company in Cambodia, Key Real Estate retains its values and professional principles. Sure, some companies have stepped into this sector with a lack of training and ethics, but Seap explains, “We always provide results to customers who come for our services. We focus on long-term loyalty and relationship with by offering an affordable and high quality service.”But things may be about to change with Century 21 Cambodia’s initiatives to create trainings to establish common standards. Specifically, they signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Economics and Finance to enable trainings for Cambodia's real estate companies. With these trainings, they hope to give more confidence to foreign customers. It is also a big step towards a fair competitive market.Mr. Seap strongly agrees with the creation of training courses for companies and real estate agents. He says, “We are all located on the same road. So, we are all together, helping to make this sector better with developers.” He continued, "This is a good joint market for raising standards and improving the strength in the real estate market. For this reason, I decided to become a member of the Cambodian Association of Valuers and Estate Agents."The country's economy has maintained a GDP growth rate of 7 percent in the past years, with the real estate sector playing a huge role in boosting the economy. As the economy moves forward, we see more development projects establishing their presence in Cambodia. Some of these projects will also be acknowledged through the Cambodia Property Awards 2017 taking place at the end of March. As a matter of fact, Mr. Sorn Seap has been selected as one of the judges of this event. He stated that "It is a great honor to take part in this event. I believe that this event will help to build strong standards in the real estate and construction sectors, towards a better future. " Check out Key Real Estate's hottest properties on Realestate.com.kh

Exchange Square by Hong Kong Land, a new Grade-A office space building, will be launched in greater Phnom Penh. Along with this is the optimism of real estate experts that the office market space demand will see growth in 2017.Ann Sothida, associate director of CBRE Cambodia and leasing agent for Exchange Square, said that the 20-storey office building is set to open in the first quarter of 2017. The building is divided into two— the first section has 4 storeys for retail and shopping. The office building covers a total area of ​​18,000 square meters."The company that developed this plan is an expert and is successful in this field. So, there's no need to worry about competition," she said. She adds that "the project’s situated in a good location because it’s nearby both the CBD and the Phnom Penh International Airport."The office building and shopping mall of Exchange Square is located at #106 Street, Wat Phnom commune, Daun Penh district - behind the US Embassy in Cambodia.Sothida said that until now the building is around 60 per cent booked, retail and office space. She continued, "The market building will have potential for 2017 because there are big businesses, expanding markets, and international investors stepping into Cambodia."Pen Phearun, general manager of the Canadia Building, said that demand for office building late this year seems relatively quiet compared to the early part of the year. But so far, demand for office space saw a growth of 10 per cent, compared to the same period last year. He remained optimistic that the 2017 demand for office buildings will rise higher as he saw a lot of investors from China enter Cambodia.“For the Canadia office building, the office space covers approximately 17,000 square meters, and the occupancy rate so far has covered approximately 90 per cent. Office space in the Canadia building is from the 16th floor to the 27th floor and several floors below," Phearun said.This office space was rented for $25 plus service management fee of $5 per square meter, he said.Managing director of real estate firm VTRUST PROPERTY Co, Ltd – Mr. Hok Meng Heang – said that the demand of office space this year really saw slow growth compared to a year earlier. But so far, demand for office buildings in VTRUST TOWER saw a growth of 15 per cent, compared to the same period last year. He added that VTRUST TOWER has a height of 15 floors and covers a total area of ​ 18,000 square meters and goes from $16 to $20 dollars, plus a service management fee of $4 or more.He said that "for 2017, he’s optimistic about demand for office buildings and I expect the occupancy rate will increase by 90 per cent."This story was featured in the January 2017 print edition of PROPERTY VIEW magazine, produced by the CVEA.Realestate.com.kh is very proud to support the CVEA’s Property View publication. For more information about joining the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association (CVEA) please click here. And, if you are interested in advertising placement or advertorial in the next edition of Property View Magazine, please contact Mr. Virith via email:virith007@yahoo.com Or call: 078 959 567  or 098 66 26 68Find  out the latest real estate news on Realestate.com.kh!

Toul Tum Poung -- Russian Market to expats -- has long been a food and shopping destination for tourists and locals. It has a large centralized traditional wet and hard market that displays a wide range of items like electronics, spices, silk, herbs, motorbike parts, souvenir, food, and many more. It is ideal for people looking to do some serious shopping.Toul Tum Poung has been one of the four potential residential markets in the Chamkarmon district. The residential market in this area is continuing to move forward and displaying an increase in both local and international buyers and renters.But if you are considering to rent a property near the Russian market, you may ask yourself what types of housing is available, if the price is affordable, and if it has the facilities that you are looking for are available. Realestate.com.kh is here to answer all your questions.What types of housing is available for rent near Russian Market?Houses for Rent at Russian Market include different designs that are just as eclectic as the country's culture. These include Khmer style properties, mixed-designs, and European-style houses. Mr. Yim Socheath, the director of CDN Property Co. Ltd, said there are three types of houses for rent near the Russian market, these include: flats, villas, and apartment houses. You can find either commercial houses or residential houses in the front streets or the secondary street, respectively.Flats:Socheath said there are two types of flats, commercial and residential. For 1 to 4 bedrooms, the rental price is from $600 to $1,000 per month. While the commercial flat will cost around $800 to $1,500 per month. Prices may vary also, depending on the house condition.Villa:Some villas near the Russian market can be used for both residence and office space. You can get a four to eight-bedroom villa standing on 15 x 26 meters or 16 x 27 meters of land for $1,500 to $2,500 per month.Serviced apartments:Serviced apartments are also widely available in Toul Tum Poung. One-bedroom renovated serviced apartments range from $200 to $400 per month.Rental prices for a normal three-bedroom serviced apartment will cost around $1,000 to $1,500 per month. One-bedroom units for a newly developed serviced apartment ranges from $350 to $800. For a three-bedroom unit, it will set you back $1,500 to $2,500 for 3, according to Socheath.quality, rooms, and amenities such as swimming pools, car parks, security, maintenance services, and internets will play a role in price as well.Why is the area near Russian market good for renting?Socheath explains that Toul Tum Pong is the most popular area after BKK1 because the cost of living is lower by 30% to 40%.He also says that many people move to the Russian market area because the quality and standard of life is similar to the one in BKK1. He also believes that in the future, Toul Tum Poung and BKK1 will be the same in terms of residential market.What does a good rental house look like?Looking for good house for rent can be difficult, especially if you have a tight budget for your monthly expense. This is why focusing on what is essential matters when you go get rental houses. Once you have the basics, good interior design makes a lot of difference to your rental house. You can play with paint color on walls or window, floors, and furnishes. These are simple solutions you can try.Are there many amenities near the Russian Market?The Russian Market is characterized by its diversity. It offers both historical value and modern infrastructures. At the moment, Russian market is also filled with construction of modern establishments.There are a mix of local and international restaurants such as Long After Dark, Divine Pizza and Ribs, Roots and Burgers, Sesame Noodle Bar, CrossFit Amatak Kettlebell Cafe, and other seafood restaurants. There are also a number of hotels in the area such as the Somet Hotel and Apartments and The Frangipani Living Arts Hotel and Spa. Bars, fitness centre, business centers, medical center, international standard schools,and condominiums are also located around phsar Toul Tum Poung.In the next 4 to 5 months, brand companies such as Brown Coffee, Starbucks Coffee, and Pizza company will be added into the Russian market area, Socheath said.Learn more about Toul Tum Poung!How can you find Houses for Rent at Russian Market?It’s complicated to look for a rental house in Toul Tum Poung because you’ll need enough time and connections -- especially if you’re a newcomer in the city. Generally, there are plenty of ways to find houses for rent near the Russian market. This includes using online search engines, newspapers, magazines, and brokers or agencies.Socheath advices to rely on a trusted real estate agent to help find the most suitable housing. He continues to explain that it’s good practice to search for real estate agents who are under licensed companies. Using the services is free of charge for the renter, and by arranging several visits in one day, they can really  help you to save time. “We,provide services in a very efficient and trustworthy manner to our clients,” Ms. En Chansreyleak, Sales representative at Yong Yap Properties said. She explains, “We understand the needs of the clients. In addition, we provide counseling and help solve problems they might face during their stay. Honesty and professionalism, this is what you should look for in real estate agents, to help find homes for rent or sale.”What are you going to spend beyond monthly fees?If you’re looking for a new house for rent near the Russian Market, it’s also important to consider extra costs you might encounter. Those expenses may include maintenance and utility fees such as electricity power, kitchen gas, internet, and cable.For serviced apartments, all these fees may be included in the rental fee, except electricity.An increasing number of housing developments are also popping up around the Russian Market, which is proving very popular with local buyers and renters who are seeking shop houses, villas and apartments with sound infrastructure and a safe, peaceful, neighborhood environment.Learn more about all Houses for Rent at Russian Market!

Partnerships can be a powerful tool for the of a successful business; 360 Ads & Events has organized a public forum, with both local and International companies, in order to fulfill a collective calling towards better collaboration for Cambodian businesses.On the 16th and 17th of February 2017, 360 Ads & Events held a forum called Wealth Building at Sokha Hotel.This forum was the first platform in Cambodia that aimed to assist various groups such as youth, students, startups, real estate experts, and general public. The goal was to better educate them on financial and business matters so that they could reach their business targets in the most meaningful way.Ms. Dary Dek, Managing Director of 360 Ads & Events, said that the Wealth Building program was an event that combined three fairs in one single forum: wealth, marketing, startup. The objective of the event was to create a new platform for financial education for the public, to display the potential of new startups and to promote networking among business partners, and investors. It also aimed to bring associations, businesses, and the Junior Chamber International together to promote dialogue and cooperation.The two-day forum was divided into eight seminar sessions to provide different perspectives from several speakers. The topics of the forum included “Should You Quit Your Job and Start a Business?”, “How to Create Multiple Incomes”, “How to Recruit the Right Sales Team”, “E-commerce and How You Can Benefit”, “Basics of Real Estate Investment”, “How to Benefit from Startup Supporters and Investors”, “Practical Tips in Setting Up a Strong Marketing Team”, and “Building Personal Brands Using Social Media”.The speakers, did their best to motivate and encourage young students and entrepreneurs to start their own business and create business plans.Mr. Phul Puthy, the co-founder of Small World Cambodia suggested to the public that “if you want to start a business, first make sure you know what you like to do and what your interests are. Once you know these, try to build your business around it.”Chy Sila, the CEO of Sabay Digital Corporation, also shared the same ideology. He said, “If you are thinking of starting a business, make sure that fits your interests and your passions, otherwise you are likely to run into failure.”The young crowd participating at the event seemed very interested and motivated by the topic covered. Mr. Sok Sinat, one of the many students who joined the event, with his friends. He said, “I like to take part in this types of forums since I think that is very beneficial as I can learn new things that are not generally taught in the classroom. More importantly, it helps me to gain knowledge about the current market, new business concepts, and opportunities.”A staff member from a real estate company, Mr Van Vichet, said, “This forum helped me to understand how to set up a new business and a good sales team. I also, had the chance to meet successful business entrepreneurs, who shared ideas and tips about their businesses.”In conclusion, the forum successfully completed its two-day run with more than 200 participants who visited the 40 stands and attended the seminars. 360 Ads & event will be running more events and forums in the upcoming months.Find the best real estate news on Realestate.com.kh

One of the leading Real Estate movers of Cambodia, Knight Frank, has once again released a Cambodia Real Estate Highlights report for the 2nd half of 2016. Ross Wheble, Country Manager of the firm, gives us an overview of what changes occurred and what we might expect in the near future due to these changes, especially in Phnom Penh.Wheble sets the tone of the report by saying that even with international events such as Brexit and the Trump win and “whilst the global economic outlook is one of short to medium-term volatility, Cambodia continued on its upward trajectory underpinned by investment from China as part of its ‘One Belt, One Road’ policy.”But what else has been going on in the Cambodian Market? Wheble takes a look into both commercial and residential sector to give you the answer.Office SectorThe office sector will benefit most from the One Belt, One Road initiative of China. Knight Frank reports that outside investment from this initiative will provide a “steady inflow of Chinese companies that are likely to occupy space in purpose-built offices.” And the future supply of offices is projected to increase to around 77% by 2020.For now though, average rental prices were consistent at $18 per sqm a month in the 2nd half of 2016. This is the average measured by Knight Frank across all office grades. The report also mentioned that “Prices for stratified office units remain flat from US$2,100 per sq m for Grade B units to as high as US$4,500 per sq m for Grade A units.” Asking rental prices are not expected to stay consistently flat in the short-term as many major office buildings are anticipated to come to completion.No significant change in demand is expected to happen in the office sector for Grades B and C-type units though. The report indicates a steady occupancy level of 85% and above. However, the demand for unit with a size ranging from 100 to 200 square meters for $15 per square meter a month remains the highest.Retail SectorThe supply of retail spaces reached 138,154 square meters across 11 retail malls. Anticipated retail projects weren’t completed on time. So, there are no significant changes that were seen in the sector. Rental prices remained the same since the opening of major retail establishments such as the Aeon Mall and the retail podium of Vattanac Tower. The occupancy rate remained high as well at 90%.The report also mentions that “Prices are likely to fluctuate closer to 2018, following the completion of large projects such as Parkson City Centre and Aeon Mall 2.” But this may change not soon after as an increase of 196% in the sector’s supply is expected. The Aeon Mall 2 alone will add around 70,500 square meters of retail space.This surge of supply may change where retailers will go. The report says, “Retailers will likely continue to create stand-alone outlets in popular residential areas, as high-rise residences go up in areas such as Chamkarmon and Toul Kork, which will allow them to tap into a growing residential community.” And while it is too early to tell, Knight Frank says that the scenario is a real possibility.Serviced Apartment SectorCurrently, there are 4,214 recorded units available in the market right now, with mid-tier apartments continuing to form the majority of the serviced apartment supply. The average rental price of high-end developments start from $20 and can go all the way up to $33 per sqm per month. Meanwhile, the average rental prices for mid-tier units in Q4 of 2016 went between $9 to $18 per sqm per month.The occupancy rates for some established serviced apartments have remained constantly high. This is due to strategically allocating the units for short-term stay.However, Knight Frank predicts the serviced apartment sector will experience a downward adjustment period after new serviced apartments and large condo developments reach completion. They estimate 1,053 more serviced apartment units to come up by 2018. But they clarify that “increasing competition with the entry of better quality projects will benefit the industry as a whole by providing more options for tenants while lifting the overall industry standards.”Condominium SectorThe existing and recorded condominium supply for Q4 2016 is 3,033, where 54 projects were added during the 2nd half of the past year. According to Knight Frank, “Trusted local developers that were previously exclusively developing borey housing are now crossing over to the condominium sector integrating more affordable high-rise residential components within their existing landed projects.”But similar to some of the retail projects being constructed in Phnom Penh, none of the condominium sector’s 3,184 monitored units that were scheduled for Q4 completion were actually completed. According to the report, 2% were put on hold and 98% rolled over to 2017. The good news is that 46% of the newly launched projects have already been sold as of late last year. This is a 30 percentage point increase compared to the first half of 2016.The report states that “higher sales rate of newly launched developments can be attributed to developers setting lower prices, removing barriers to purchase by adopting more flexible payment schemes and eliminating down payments.”Knight Frank says that as a result of this, more projects are expected to enter the market by 2020 as confidence in the sector rises. 72 projects with 25,544 units to be exact. And despite people’s preference for mid-tier projects, it looks like 70% of the future supply is going to come from high-end condominiums. This is in contrast with the current situation where the report indicates “Many of the projects launched in H2 2016 targeted the mid-tier category with units on offer between $1,200 to $1,800 per sqm.”The market has had its ups and downs, yet there are still hopeful professional predictions that have been put out there in the Knight Frank report. And there remains to be great possibilities of success in investing if you know how to interpret the data and play your cards right. Download the full report click here!To keep yourself updated with the latest market movements, visit Realestate.com.kh now!

Condominiums are an increasingly popular choice for those seeking a modern and comfortable lifestyle. The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is now seen as a target city for those looking for overseas investments, and an ever increasing number of expats is moving into the city due to its low cost of living and great investment opportunities.Phnom Penh as one of Asia’s newer residential market is consequently seeing a rise in condominium developments, switching the trend of constructing low-end buildings to high end buildings, skyscrapers, and commercial building centers in the heart of city.Currently, there are several up and coming condo development projects inside the capital which are already available for customers to purchase.Only in Q3 of 2016, there was a total of approximately 74 ongoing condominium projects with 30,130 units in the city of Phnom Penh (CBRE Cambodia report.). That’s an 8.3% increase from the previous quarter. The upcoming developments will add  22,366 units more, raising to a total supply by 842% by the end of 2018. As per CBRE Cambodia also explains that the majority of planned condominium projects can be classified as ‘mid-range’ or ‘high-end.But with such a wide range of condos, how can one choose which one to invest in? To make your life easier, realestate.com.kh has selcted the top developments of the city.One Park condominiumWhat is the special feature of One Park Condominium?One Park is designed by GRED’s in cooperation with the renowned architectural design company DPA Singapore. It has a western design that utilizes wide boardwalks around retail outlets, bars, cafes and restaurants along the complex. The center area serves as an internal plaza boulevard which cuts between the twin residential sections.Where is One Park Condominium Located?One Park Condominium will cover 7.9 hectares of land area and will be situated at the very heart of the Phnom Penh CBD. It will be inside the newly-developed Phnom Penh City Center area, adjacent to the ministerial and financial hub along Confederation de la Russie or Russian Boulevard.How much is a unit at One Park Condominium?Units at the One Park have a starting price of $170,000, with fully furnished options available.Learn more about One Park project!Axis ResidencesWhat is the special feature of Axis Residences?This project is developed by SPRING CJW Development Pte Ltd together with a team of Singaporean Consultants. Resident can enjoy services like a solar PV system, the 6-storey basement car park that has 566 vehicle slots, a 3-tier foolproof security system, indoor and outdoor gyms, multi-purpose rooms for meetings and self-study, commercial units, a restaurant, a BBQ area, a children’s playroom, a garden, a 50-meter swimming pool and various sports  facilities at the place.Where is Axis Residences located?It is located along Street Doung Ngeap number III and Street 2004 -- close to the Phnom Penh International Airport.How much is a unit at Axis Residences?Units at the Axis Residences project starts at $100,000.Learn more about Axis Residences project!The Gateway CambodiaWhat is the special feature of The Gateway?The Gateway is developed by TACC (C.R) Ldt,. It will be a mixed-use development with residential, commercial, and office units. This development comprises of a 36-storey office tower with 299 strata-titled office units, a 39-storey residential block with 572 units, and a two storey retail plaza/podium with prime retail outlets. All services include like: Swimming pool, fitness centre, BBQ area, car park and others more are in the place.Where is the The Gateway located?The project is located along Russian Blvd, between Phnom Penh International Airport and the business district of Phnom Penh. It is also next to Parkson Mall and very close to the Prime Minister’s office, financial institutions, embassies, medical centers, national and international schools, and other establishments.How much is a unit at Axis Residences?Basic units at The Gateway start from $150,000.Learn more about The Gateway project!East One ApartmentWhat is the special feature of East One Apartment?East One project is a high-rise 23-storey building by the Guangzhou Yuetai Group Co., Ltd. The complex includes full service hotel-style amenities with rooftop swimming pool, café, car parking and full concierge service. Commercial establishments are only a short minute walk away such as banks, supermarkets, KFC, Brown Coffee, all major airline offices, clubs and bars can also be found along Phnom Penh’s famous Street 51.Where is the East One Apartment located?East One Apartment is strategically located at the corner of Street 214 and Street 51, between Independence Monument, the Royal Palace, the National Museum, and Central Market. It’s a prime location that’s near international embassies, government ministries, and the Central Business District.East One Apartment is strategically located at the corner of Street 214 and Street 51, between Independence Monument, the Royal Palace, the National Museum, and Central Market. It’s a prime location that’s near international embassies, government ministries, and the Central Business District.How much is a unit at East One Apartment?Units in this project start from $90,000.Learn more about East One Apartment!88 SuitesWhat is the special feature of 88 Suites?88 Suites is the first small office home office (SoHo) in Cambodia. 88 Suite offers its residents privacy and convenience. It has amenities like a swimming pool, a sky gym, a sky lounge, meeting rooms, a conference hall, and business center. It is also has a 4 tier, foolproof security system.Where is 88 Suites located?This new development is in BKK1, Chamkarmon. It’s along Mao Tse Toung Boulevard and close to Preah Norodom Boulevard.How much is a unit at 88 Suites?The starting price for a unit at the 88 Suites project is $100,000.Check out for more about 88 Suites project!HABITAT CondoWhat is the special feature of Habitat Condo?Habitat Condo is a new project in phnom Penh that consists of only 13 units. The units were designed to provide maximum privacy and a stylish form of living. Residents will enjoy amenities like a 10m x 4m rooftop pool, a fully-equipped gymnasium, a BBQ area, and an entertainment area on the upper rooftop.  Habitat Condo also has an Intelligent Automated Car Park system that promises to save you time and space. It offers a highly secured and private car park for residents.Where is the Habitat Condo located?The Habitat Condo stands behind Sothearos Boulevard in Tonle Bassac, along Mao Tse Tung Boulevard. It’s next to BKK1, at the heart of Phnom Penh city -- on a cosmopolitan area. It’s near universities, schools, bars, restaurants, financial institutions and other establishments.How much is a unit at Habitat Condo?The starting price for units at the Habitat condo is $235,000.Learn more about the Habitat Condo!The EdgeWhat is the special feature of The Edge?The Edge project will include a new concept called Retail Office Versatile Office (ROVO). Shukaku Inc partnered up with GRED to bring the new trend of living and doing business for young people in Cambodia. ROVO units are designed with flexibility in mind, providing space for businesses to be set up according to their preferences. A café, a restaurant, a start-up office, a bank, a boutique hotel, a meeting room or even a music studio. The options are limitless.Where is The Edge located?This mixed-use development is located at the heart the Phnom Penh City Center which is Cambodia’s first planned city project and Phnom Penh’s future Central Business District. This area also has lots of amenities, including shopping malls, a night market, F&B outlets, a school, government institutions, and many more.Check out more about The Edge project!TK Royal OneWhat is the special feature of TK Royal One?TK Royal One aims to provide luxury, security, and privacy. It’s a mixed-use development. The concept of the project will include 4 stories of office units, 14 stories of residential units, 4 stories of car parking, and common facilities like a swimming pool, a fitness room, and a sky lounge.Where is TK Royal One located?TK Royal One is located in the heart of Phnom Penh city, along the Russian Blvd in front of the Royal University of Phnom Penh. This is a prime location because it is surrounded by various amenities such as retail commercial, government body, financial institutions, local and international schools, and hospitals. More importantly it will be only 5 minute away to Phnom Penh National Airport.How much is a unit at the TK Royal One?Price starts from $194,000. There are 3 types of units that range from one to three bedrooms.Learn more about TK Royal One Project!The Peak ResidencesWhat is the special feature of The Peak?The Peak will have three buildings with two towers reserved for residential uses. The third tower will utilize the top 20-storeys for residential use and leave the remaining units for office space. This project is by Singapore’s Oxley International and Cambodia’s Worldbridge Land.Where is The Peak located?The Peak is located at Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh. It’s close to Nagaworld 1 and the upcoming Nagaworld 2, AEON Mall, and Business Convention Centres on Koh Pich.How much is a unit at The Peak Residences?The Peak units have a starting price of $79,000.Check out more about The Peak!East View ResidenceWhat is the special feature of East View Residence?The East View is a modern development that combines classic and modern Khmer architecture. It is a mixed-use building complex for both commercial and residential purposes. The project will include four 38-floor residential complexes and a total of 736 units. The project is designed to offer a peaceful and relaxing space. Residents are also guaranteed highest level security along with amenities that include a restaurant, a fully equipped gymnasium, shopping at your doorstep, and international standard business center.Where is the location of East View Residence?East View is located along Norodom Boulevard, near international consulates and the busy commercial area. It has a very convenient economy and transportation network. It’s just minutes away from the Independence Monument, Aeon Shopping Mall, and various amenities.What price is available?East View is still available with units that start from $70,000.Check out more about East View Residence project!The number investment options in Phnom Penh are numerous and of different budgets. If you are serious about investing in real estate, find out about your legal rights today.Learn more about all the Condo project in Phnom Penh!

Cambodia has seen an impressive annual GDP growth of  8.1% for two decades now. This didn’t go unnoticed. The Asian Development Bank even named it as Asia’s New Tiger Economy in 2016. One of the area that experienced significantly growth, is the real estate sector.According to the Khmer Times, the rush of investments last year in the construction industry alone reached $8.5 billion, covering a span of 13 million square meters. This barely even scratches the surface at 0.007% of the entire land area of Cambodia, suggesting that the investment opportunities in the near future are countless.But now that we have assessed that Cambodia’s real estate is rapidly growing, what exactly are the best New Developments in Cambodia for pure investment purposes?Phnom Penh City CenterThe PPCC will be Phnom Penh’s first and only Central Business District by the time it’s finished in 2035. It is situated at the heart of Phnom Penh and is expected to transform the country’s developing capital into a city of the future. The PPCC will cater to both locals and expats who are seeking a mix of innovation and international-standard infrastructure for residential and business purposes. The area is expected to hold a range of properties that will bring in around 56,000 residents and 190,000 visitors daily.Investors have a wide variety of New Developments in Cambodia they can choose to purchase either for setting up shop, resale, or future rental returns. Among the best of them are located at the One Park Condominium, The EDGE, and Residence 90 projects.One ParkOne Park is one of the most sophisticated and holistically-planned mixed-use developments in Cambodia yet. It has a low-density design and a state-of-the-art base level infrastructure. It also has North-South facing buildings that was designed from research that considered natural forces like shade patterns and wind flow as well.The One Park Condominium has a modern European aesthetic and comes with amenities like swimming pools, children’s play areas, and gyms. Shophouses in the development have also been completed and have been turned over. The units are almost 100% sold with prices starting from $170,000 per unit.Find out more about the One Park development on Realestate.com.khThe EDGEThe Edge is a 93-unit exclusive 4 to 5-storey freehold development. What sets it apart is its new Retail Office Versatile Office (ROVO) concept. ROVO units are designed to provide flexible spaces for businesses to set up based on their business type. These includes cafés, restaurants, a start-up office, a bank, a boutique hotel, studios, and meeting rooms. ROVO units also have a timeless design that combines Khmer artwork, brick walls, and neutral finishes. It also utilizes natural light through the use full height glass facades.Find out more about The EDGE development on Realestate.com.khResidence 90The Residence 90 project is an exclusive gated development that is surrounded by municipal developments, a sports complex, a driving range, and other upcoming mixed use and residential establishments. It is bordered by Monivong Boulevard and the Russian Boulevard.The Residence 90 development will have a range of villas that come with community amenities such as a clubhouse that’s equipped with swimming pools, a gym, a BBQ area, and a children’s playground.Find out more about the Residence 90 development on Realestate.com.khSihanoukvilleThe growth of New Developments in Cambodia , especially of Phnom Penh has sparked interest in developers to discover other potential areas for the real estate sector. Their search led them to Sihanoukville. The area is not new to the market, however, recent changes such as the revival of the Royal Railways and the reclassification of Sihanoukville into specific zones has also given developers more confidence to seek out opportunities here.The area also saw a 17% increase in tourism figures last year  and shows no sign of slowing down. That’s a total of 1 million visits for the first half of 2016.Talks have also been circulating that Sihanoukville will gain a special status that will allow foreigners to legally buy property in the area.Part of the number of developers who saw Sihanoukville’s many opportunities early on are also the ones behind D’Seaview Condo.D’Seaview CondoD’Seaview is a first-of-its-kind mixed-use development that’s located near the most beautiful beaches of Sihanoukville -- Cambodia’s premier tourism destination and fastest growing business hub outside of Phnom Penh. It is surrounded by traditional Khmer restaurants, discos, night markets, bars, shopping plazas, and spas.The developers of the project are also offering a deferred payment scheme where investors can purchase a unit with a down payment of 30% and deferring the remaining 70% to the completion of the unit. This means an absorbed fit out cost of around 5 percent of the purchase price. This will also guarantee a 30% rental return over a 3-years period at 10 percent a year.Find out more about D’Seaview development on Realestate.com.khCambodia is still on its early stages of growth in the property market. And as 2017 approaches, the market is becoming even more interesting. This is according to Simon Griffiths, Senior Associate Director of CBRE Cambodia.He explains, “With greater competition, developers shall increasingly offer better guaranteed yields and deals to foreign and local buyers. Against the backdrop of stagnant low interest rates in developed economies, guaranteed yields of five percent and above represent ways to appreciate wealth rather than in real terms losing it as it sits in the bank – but crucially only if the private foreign investors trust the developer and the investment holds its value.”So, if you’ve done your homework and you’re looking to invest in New Developments in Cambodia , take a look at the above mentioned properties because now may not be a bad time to do it.For more properties and information, visit Realestate.com.kh now!

The Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agent Association (CVEA) will be organizing a public forum on “ Legal Ownership in Cambodia ” for all stakeholders and workers in the real estate sector to discuss topics on legal property aspects.  The upcoming Legal Ownership in Cambodia public event will mainly focus on four significant segments which included:Types of property titles in Cambodia from 1979 to 2017How to transfer property title and stamp duty for both soft and hard titleHow to calculate a yearly property’s stamp duty and unused land taxHow to prepare the property, buying, selling, and leasing contractThe Legal Ownership in Cambodia event will be held on February 26, 2017 from 7:30am to 12:00pm at the Cambodia-Korea Cooperation Center (CKCC) in Phnom Penh.The Legal Ownership in Cambodia forum is open to all real estate industry experts, students, and to the general public in order to promote knowledge sharing and learn in regards to Cambodia’ property ownership laws.Entrance will cost $5 for BBA students and $10 for the general public.CVEA members can send up to three representatives from their company free of charge.For more information and for registration about the Legal Ownership in Cambodia forum,  contact Mr. Moth Vanneth through:  Phone: 069 211 268/ 069 527 944, Email:   vanneth@cvea.org.khFind out more the latest real estate news on Realestate.com.kh