With over 30 years of experience in the property development business, the Taiwan-based TC Royal Manor Co., Ltd. steps back into the Cambodian prime development’s market with their latest project: TK Royal One. TK Royal One started construction in early January 2015 and is slated for completion by the end of 2017. The project is located along the city’s main artery street, Russia Boulevard - well positioned in front of the renowned Royal University of Phnom Penh. The new project is also conveniently backed onto street 122, meaning easy access off the main road for those using the extensive car parking facilities.On your doorstep, find great cafes and eateries, such as Brown Cafe, the Pizza Company and the TK Avenue shopping plaza and cineplex. And for International buyers and those that work in Phnom Penh, TK Royal One is just a 10 minute drive to the Phnom Penh International Airport and the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone. The project offers both office and residential units, providing state-of-the-art amenities suited to a modern urban lifestyle. Freehold ownership is available to both local and foreign buyers, with prices starting from $2,800 per square meter. And there are more than just condos and offices in this new project - all tenants will enjoy fully managed services such as the gym center, swimming pool and rooftop garden overlooking the entire city. Luxury, security, privacy are the hallmark features of the International Grade TK Royal One project.Taste a life that is defined by modern living - and don’t miss out on this great investment opportunity. Inquire with the professional sales consultant team today!

Realestate.com.kh is extremely proud to sponsor and support the BritCham & IBC Luncheon and Panel Discussion on Property Valuation in Cambodia: "Addressing the Gaps." The development of the Cambodian valuation industry is a core factor is creating a sustainable real estate market. BritCham and IBC in partnership with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association (CVEA) would like to welcome you to a focused business luncheon on the topic of valuation of property in Cambodia: "Addressing the Current Gaps."Join us on Tuesday 19th April with our panel of experts who will share their perspectives, followed by an open discussion with the audience on the state-of-play of valuation in Cambodia. SIGN UP NOW

Realestate.com.kh is extremely proud to be working together with Infinity General Insurance (Infinity) and Cambodian Life Insurance (CamLife) to provide peace of mind to all Cambodian families.Through this unique partnership, we want to help all Cambodian’s leverage their finances effectively to secure their assets and secure their lives, ensuring sustained prosperity for businesses and families - and keep the things that are most important in your life safe from harm.Infinity provides the protection you need for your home, your vehicle and your business.Infinity is proud to be the largest Cambodian owned insurance company offering you the best service, the best security; all at the best price - fully backed by global reinsurance partners and with the largest customer focused claims team in the Kingdom, meaning we can handle your claims in a fair and timely manner.Sound management skills, a passion for providing service which exceeds customer expectations, integrity and understanding, all ensure that Infinity will always be there for their valued clients.Cambodian Life was the very first Life insurance company in Cambodia and proud to be the largest Cambodian owned life insurance company.Cambodian Life is committed to providing excellent services and provide Cambodian families and employees with protection you need for your home repayments, your children’s education and financial certainty if the unexpected ever was to happen...Cambodian Life’s vision is that all Cambodians can have access to financial safety by providing affordable protection for you and your family.Realestate.com.kh is the number 1 property portal in Cambodia, with over 25,000 properties for rent and sale, and attracting 1000’s of visitors everyday! Naturally, we are thrilled to be working with Cambodia’s foremost Insurance providers, Infinity and Cambodian Life.Find out more today about how you can protect your what you have worked to achieve and secure your family’s financial future, with Infinity, Cambodia Life and Realestate.com.kh, Cambodia’s home of real estate.

Jum reap sour! And welcome to another weekly Real Estate News Report brought to you by Realestate.com.kh. The leader in real estate news in the Kingdom and the best place to find your new home.On this week’s show, we’re going to be speaking with Mr. In Sitha, Director of Business Development at VTrust Appraisal. Sitha has over 20 years experience in the real estate business in Cambodia and he now specializes in property development consultancy and real estate business development. He's also a renowned real estate teacher in real estate law and real estate practice. In this 6 Part series, we're going to get some tips for property developers and real estate businesses seeking to gain an edge when entering the Cambodian real estate market.PART 6: HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENCY CAPACITY AND PROFESSIONALISM IN CAMBODIARealestate.com.kh: As a business development director at Vtrust Appraisal, obviously you do a lot of work helping real estate agencies increase their capacity. If you could give maybe the top four tips that you would give for real estate agency development? How to build a successful real estate business in Cambodia?In Sitha: Well, I think the four major factors that should be applied in order to make a successful real estate agency in Cambodia are Location, Human Resources/Training, Investment Capital and Marketing.Location is one of the key factors for a successful real estate agency business. Companies that are physically situated in the right locations for client’s easy access generally have the best success.Number two, human beings. Human Resources are crucial for any real estate agency. And this means the right people for the right jobs. Professional training for the agent shall be important and necessary too, and training should not stop during their career.Number three, Investment Capital. Any new real estate agency must be ready before starting at all for more than short term operational expenses. They need sufficient investment capital for at least three years. We have 2000 in real estate market in Cambodia and it is good. But in fact it's not enough. They have to pay a lot of operational expense. The staff salary, utilities, licensing, certificates, marketing etc etc. Be prepared before you try to start a business, because it won’t start generating money for some time.Number four is Marketing - you need to make your agencies known and respected. The best type of marketing these days is online. Learn more about choosing the right Cambodian real estate agent, on realestate.com.kh today!

Jum reap sour! And welcome to another weekly Real Estate News Report brought to you by Realestate.com.kh. The leader in real estate news in the Kingdom and the best place to find your new home.On this week’s show, we’re going to be speaking with Mr. In Sitha, Director of Business Development at VTrust Appraisal. Sitha has over 20 years experience in the real estate business in Cambodia and he now specializes in property development consultancy and real estate business development. He's also a renowned real estate teacher in real estate law and real estate practice. In this 6 Part series, we're going to get some tips for property developers and real estate businesses seeking to gain an edge when entering the Cambodian real estate market.PART 4: WHY PHNOM PENH BOREYS ARE PROVING SUCH A POPULAR MARKET FOR DEVELOPERS AND HOMEBUYERSRealestate.com.kh: We're seeing a real rise in new borey developments across Cambodia recently. Can you explain why property developers are particularly interested in the Phnom Penh Boreys market? Why build a Borey?In Sitha: Okay. This is a good question. In this industry right now are seeing two main types of major developments: Borey development and condo development.Realestate.com.kh: Sorry, I guess for the viewers, can you explain what a Borey is? - Because I know this word is  used a lot in Cambodia, but for people outside Cambodia, maybe they don't know what a Borey is.In Sitha: Essentially, a borey is a gated community of flat houses, twin villa houses and single villa houses, including public areas, gardens and full security services. Those who want to buy a borey home are looking for privacy, a safe place for their family to grow, areas where communities can develop, and a place where all modern amenities are assured. They are they prefered first home of newlywed Cambodian couples looking to start a new family.Most of the local developers choose to invest in Boreys. The reason is that developers themselves gain a lot of profit from investment in borey projects over relatively short investment periods. The customers themselves also buy into a good environment for family living. It is popular with Cambodian people who prefer landed buildings, or flat houses. In the Borey, it’s generally all some kind of a flat house, link house or villa home. It can be one story or two story maximum. They also generally have a common area and playground for children. Check out the Borey buyers guide!Realestate.com.kh: Like a neighborhood. Like a fenced neighborhood. In Sitha: Yeah, that's right.Realestate.com.kh: They have infrastructure, have water, have electricity.In Sitha: All included. Generally, for a home in the Borey, the market price increase yearly from 10-15%. This is a good investment to the buyer themselves. They can buy this year, and next year they can sell. If the market is good, it could be more than 15% appreciation. Compare the interest rate with the bank, it's much better than investing the bank. Realestate.com.kh: Because the Borey  buyer, they own the land right? They have freehold ownership of the land. In Sitha: Yes they own the plot of land that their home is situated on, hard title generally - but best to check!Realestate.com.kh: Now lots of local people move away from the city center to the Borey’s on the outskirts of town right?In Sitha: Yes, that's what you see. The Borey developments are long line investment development projects. Which means that the developer spends much more time on the investment, starting from the early master plans and filling the totally undeveloped land.Realestate.com.kh: Maybe fill the land.In Sitha: Yeah, up to the completion of the development projects. The marketing time also takes longer to promote and ultimately sell it. Borey means one community. And each household  shall pay the management fee. Management fees are reserved for the security, reserved for the public life, reserved for the street cleaning, pool and playground for children- garbage collection as well. Boreys offer great security to families.Realestate.com.kh: More of a community lifestyle too?In Sitha: Yeah, yeah.Check out the latest and greatest borey properties, on realestate.com.kh today!

Jum reap sour! And welcome to another weekly Real Estate News Report brought to you by Realestate.com.kh. The leader in real estate news in the Kingdom and the best place to find your new home.On this week’s show, we’re going to be speaking with Mr. In Sitha, Director of Business Development at VTrust Appraisal. Sitha has over 20 years experience in the real estate business in Cambodia and he now specializes in property development consultancy and real estate business development. He's also a renowned real estate teacher in real estate law and real estate practice. In this 6 Part series, we're going to get some tips for property developers and real estate businesses seeking to gain an edge when entering the Cambodian real estate market.PART 5: COMMON MISTAKES MADE BY PROPERTY DEVELOPERS IN THE CAMBODIAN MARKET, AND HOW TO AVOID    Realestate.com.kh: What are some of the most common mistakes that you see developers making when they first come to Cambodia?In Sitha: Well, the most common mistake that the property developer makes when entering the Cambodian market is moving too fast. Before starting any project a feasibility study is crucial. And they need to get recommendations from professional real estate agents.Realestate.com.kh: They're moving too fast?In Sitha: Before starting the investment, yes. That's why they could not identify the right location for the right project. Developing and selling are not separate. You need to consider your market before you even break ground. Which means that my recommendation, I would like them to use a professional real estate agent to teach the international developer about the local real estate market conditions. At VTrust Appraisal - we can do that. We are experienced and skilled in the real estate industry since 2004. We are the first to get developer and agent license from the Cambodian Security and Exchange Commission of Cambodia. Feasibility study is the most common service that developers request us to do before entering into this market.Realestate.com.kh: So many developers are coming in and doing everything too fast. They think the local market is the same as the Singapore market or Malaysia market and they're very surprised.In Sitha: Yeah, that’s true. First of all they need to do the market research. What is the best area for starting the project? The project is built based on the available investment capital. We would like to get the best return on that investment capital. Realestate.com.kh: The right property, the right price and the right market.In Sitha: That's right.CHECK OUT CAMBODIA'S SMARTEST NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Kampot native, Lun Vuthy, started his career in Phnom Penh working with a Vietnamese company importing secondhand freight containers into Cambodia.While his first employer focused on reselling the containers for storage purposes, Vuthy spent his early working years online on his smartphone surfing innovative container refurb projects around the world.As he surveyed condo blocks, cafes, office centers and recording studios in urban centers around the globe, he soon saw the architectural potential of the metal boxes his business was dealing.“Containers represent a kind of blank canvas. They are just a shell of of a building, but the artistic interior and exterior design possibilities are endless,” says Vuthy.Three years ago, Vuthy’s Vietnamese employer closed up shop in Phnom Penh and left the Cambodian market. Vuthy kept the list of container import contacts and launched his own startup business: Vuthy Container.Three years later, the 28 year old real estate entrepreneur has 15 staff and growing, and is involved in an eclectic mix of container-based real estate development projects.For the first year, Vuthy’s bread and butter was mobile office space. Vuthy buys the container shells from China, Vietnam or Korea at around $1000 per piece, and then sets about upgrading them for specific residential and commercial uses.Fully fitted office containers, complete with carpet, insulation and air conditioning sell for around $3000 for a 25 square meter unit. These have proven a hot ticket for construction and development companies, farmers, factory owners and those in need of supplementary business space. Some local TV stations have also implemented Vuthy’s containers as noise-proof recording studios.Yet, nowadays Vuthy isn’t just dreaming of more adventurous real estate projects.The most unique and extensive project to date is K-Race Container Pub on street 59, Daun Penh. K-Race Container Pub is a bar, restaurant and live music venue made from a set of 20 connected freight containers.For this project, Vuthy Container worked closely with the architect to create a creative but functional venue. K-Race, now open for business, plays on the industrial theme, waited by staff adorned in hard hats and overalls. The interior of K-Race is also defined by recycled features, such as the bottle windows and re-fashioned 40 gallon drum loungers.Another upcoming project will see Vuthy Container working closely with a German/Malay couple designing and building a Bungalow style hotel in Kampot, again consisting of a collection of recycled containers.A Singaporean F&B vendor in Phnom Penh is also working with Vuthy to launch an inner city cafe with a collection of six containers.Vuthy too sees significant opportunities for his enterprise to enter the Cambodian affordable housing market. For less than $6000 per unit, a 30 meter square container can be renovated into a 3 room abode, subdivided into a toilet, bedroom and livingroom/kitchen.The ease of stacking containers into blocks of apartments also create the potential for land-size-sensitive urban affordable housing projects using containers.By insulating with materials such as styrofoam and mineral based “rock wool” and installing vents, fans or aircon, as per the end user’s needs, Vuthy manages to create extremely price effective and highly livable spaces.Vuthy remarks that, “Containers are well suited to the Cambodian market - and especially in the cities. They are very affordable, they are structurally sound and weatherproof, they take up only a little space - and they are always available.”“By reusing and re-purposing containers there are a lot of winners.”Get in touch with Vuthy today: 089 / 098 / 068 822977

From 8:30AM on Saturday 12th March 2016, The Penthouse Residence proudly broke ground for their exciting new project onsite on Sothearos Boulevard. The ceremony was graced by the presence of most honorable guests, including H.E. Oknha Ly Hong and other key shareholders of the project.SEE THE FULL LISTINGAs expressed by Sunna Lee, Shareholder and Sales Coordinator for the Penthouse Residence, “For the first five weeks, we have already sold over 50% of our condominium. This is due to our unique location, design and the offering the best off-plan price for our customers.”Sunna continues, “This event marked our promised delivery to our valued clients because we want them to know that their investment starts from the moment that they signed their contract with us. Our projects started the groundbreaking/construction even before our showroom is finished. This illustrates how much progress we have made since the inception of The Penthouse Residence’s venture.” The Penthouse Residence are strategically located on Sothearos Boulevard and architecturally designed to meet the demand for luxurious condominium living within the contemporary city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.With its bold and innovative architectural design, nothing has been spared in creating Cambodia’s first luxury condominium development. 36 floors of luxurious residences complemented by every amenity will result in nothing less than lavishing, from the spectacular panoramas of the city skyline to the attentive services of the concierge and dedicated management team.The Penthouse Residence comes with roof top terraces, infinity swimming pool, fitness center and the first and only world class revolving restaurant in Phnom Penh, giving you a 360 degree panoramic view of the city skyline while you drink and dine. Surrounded by conveniences of international standard, Penthouse is located next to premium residences and business centers such as the Sofitel Hotel, Aeon Shopping Center and ICAN British International School to name a just a few key venues. Learn more about this exciting project today on Realestate.com.kh: SEE THE FULL LISTING

The upcoming 19th Asean Valuers Association (AVA) Congress meeting will be held from May 4 to 7 in Phnom Penh at the Sofitel Hotel. Realestate.com.kh is proud to be the OFFICIAL PROPERTY PORTAL sponsor of this years Asean Valuers Association Congress. This will be the first AVA congress to be hosted in Cambodia, as the delegates of the eight ASEAN member countries, and representatives from Laos and Myanmar as observation countries, have been invited to the Kingdom by the new president of the AVA, Kim Heang. Heang is also the president of the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association (CVEA).SIGN UP FOR THE AVA CONGRESS TODAY! All Asean Valuers Association members shall come together to confer on matters regarding real estate and valuation regulations, standards and techniques adopted in the profession. The theme of this year’s congress shall be “One ASEAN, One Valuation Standard.” “The AVA will build a stronger, clear and transparent relationship with the government to make sure that we will become the leading center in future ASEAN,” said Kim Heang. AVA was established in 1981 with five founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. AVA has expanded its membership to include Brunei in 1990, Vietnam in 1997 and Cambodia in 2009. Laos and Myanmar, the last two ASEAN countries yet to have been brought into the fold, are not officially members yet as they have no formal valuation profession in their countries. For this year’s congress, Laos and Myanmar retain an observer status in AVA. SIGN UP FOR THE AVA CONGRESS TODAY!

The latest Phnom Penh Land Price map has been released, for Q1 2016, by the CVEA.In December last year, over 20 CVEA Executive Committee and Members holding valuation certificates came together to discuss average Phnom Penh Land Price for the First Quarter of 2016. The group discussed average Phnom Penh land prices across all Sangkats of the 4 major Khans of Phnom Penh, namely Chamkarmon, Daun Penh, 7 Makara and Toul Kork. The meeting considered the growth of Phnom Penh land price as according to their proceeding 2015 report, with all members voting on reasonable increases on these statistics for the Q1 2016 report. The follow up from this meeting will include a consultation with Bank and Micro Finance Associations in order to ensure the land price survey includes all relevant stakeholders. Now - the Phnom Penh Land Price results have been released:

Most people dream of living in a house near the clean, blue ocean, surrounded by mountain ranges, with only fresh, clean air to breathe. With this dream in mind, increasingly foreign investors are coming to Cambodia to build the first condos on the seaside.After Phnom Penh city, Sihanoukville is the latest destination to attract attention from international condo developers. Currently, there two Sihanoukville condo projects underway by Singaporean investment companies, namely Sunshine Bay and D’Seaview. The lush views of the seaside in Sihanoukville are attracting Khmers and foreigners alike for vacations and leisure, hence developers of resorts and apartments are coming too. The director of Khmer Real Estate and CVEA president, Kim Heang, is happy to see growing investment in Sihanoukville and said that although condo projects are coming too soon for market demand, eventually people will want to live there. At present, he said some people don’t know how to live in condos and there are only a few people buying or selling property there. He continued to say that whether the two projects currently under construction are successful or not, will depend on the ability of the companies to persuade customers to buy, to build to high quality standards, and their ability to allow customers to pay step by step. This is because some companies have announced they will sell buildings prior to construction - but Heang worries these companies will never build the buildings. They appear to be waiting for money from buyers in order to pay for construction costs. He said some investors who invest in Sihanoukville condos may be successful because they will be pioneers, and partnering with well known Singaporean companies. Kim Heang believes that currently, investing in Sihanoukville hotels and guesthouses is increasingly popular and successful and maybe a better option than condos. Sunshine Bay invested 100 million dollars to buy 10,800 square meters of land on the Sihanoukville coast. It will build 3 condo towers, totaling over 700 units. Construction should end by 2019. Two 25 story towers will be condos, and one 35 story tower will house a hotel. The D’seaview project of Camhomes company will have 735 units over two towers. The HLH Group has invested around 50 million dollars in the project. Construction will be completed at the same time as Sunshine Bay - in 2019 as well. Having opened a new office in Sihanoukville, director of Town City, Vorn Chanthorn, said condos are a new market concept for Sihanoukville people. Condos may be well-suited to some wealthy families who can afford a holiday home that they can use intermittently for vacations, or otherwise rent. He says selling condos is easy in Sihanoukville, but that success depends on the price per unit and the honour of the company developing. Investors often visit the coast for leisure, especially the Chinese, therefore it will naturally attract more investors in future. Director of Lucky Real Estate, Dit Channa, said the Sihanoukville condo market in Sihanoukville will be very good after people's lifestyles change to a point where living in condos is understood as good and acceptable. Condos are modern and comfortable and these new projects will bring great variety and modernity to the Sihanoukville market in the near future. He added that Sihanoukville condo projects will be successful - but it will take a long time to come to fruition. The vision of the government is to develop industry through 2015-2025, and Sihanoukville is set to be the hub of this industrial development. It has great potential as it has direct access to the nation’s largest shipping port and an international airport. In December 2015, the government announced that Koh Rong island will become a city and a special economic area of Sihanoukville for national and international tourists increasing every year. Sihanoukville airport now welcomes more and more flights from China, Korea and Siem Reap province. Realestate.com.kh is proud to support the CVEA's Property View publication. Click here to get your copy, or if you are interested to join the CVEA today.

The official opening ceremony for the Camhomes’ Sihanoukville office was held last Saturday, March 26, graced by a host of honourable guests, including Oknha LAV Kang from the Sihanoukville Chamber of Commerce. With the launch of Camhomes’ Sihanoukville sales office, opening daily beside the 2 Golden Lion Roundabout, Camhomes can now provide investors close-proximity information about D’seaview and other upcoming Camhomes’ projects. It is also just minutes away from the buzz of the D’Seaview construction site... The D’Seaview construction is moving very quickly now. Already, 14% of the piling works are completed under the guidance of an international team of engineers, supervisors and construction professionals. Having accumulated more than 25 years of experiences in the design, construction and management of property developments in Singapore since 1988, D’Seaview will incorporate the latest in construction methods and modern building management concepts from Singapore.  The use of precast panels will allow for a smoother and more consistent finish throughout the complex; hollow core precast panels also allow service connections to be hidden within the wall therefore minimising the need for hacking and plastering or exposed ductworks; quality international standard fittings and fixtures will be used throughout, along with homogenous floor tiles, safety glass ( for windows which extends below 1m height), and a safe and quality assured elevator system; wall tiles to wet areas come standard, and beautifully-crafted roof terraces are provided for selected units; finally, all bathrooms have windows to allow for natural light and ventilation, and all enclosed kitchens have windows for ample ventilation. Naturally lighted and ventilated corridors, via cross ventilation, ensure a high level of comfort in all common areas within D’Seaview. As importantly, your new home will be a safe haven – with a high level of security via separate commercial and residential car park levels, card access and an integrated intercom service. Residential units will enjoy unrestricted sea views through design thanks to D’Seaview’s efficiently shaped floor plans. Prime units also include spacious balconies for outdoor enjoyment. Luxurious amenities shall fall at your doorstep, with subscription facilities such as a pool cafe, swimming pool, kid’s room, yoga room, library, and fully equipped function rooms. Realise your housing and commercial dreams now; and visit Camhomes’ D’Seaview showrooms in Phnom Penh at the Canadia Tower, level 3, or in Sihanoukville, Golden Lion Roundabout 2.Or check out the full listing information online at realestate.com.kh.And if you're in Sihanoukville this weekend, call the local sales team for a tour of the site and showroom.

Realestate.com.kh spoke with talented freelance architect & accomplished artist Sothea Thang about innovative architectural design and how to add value to your property.Sothea Thang is a self-taught Cambodian artist born in 1983. He graduated from Norton University in Phnom Penh with a degree in architecture and urban planning, and he worked at an architectural agency from 2007 to 2010. In September 2009, Sothea took a leave from his architectural position and turned to painting for a break from his office job. This soon became his vocation when he developed “Happy Together”, his first collection of paintings. The series was commissioned by a Siem Reap hotel and was exhibited later that year, and its success pushed Sothea to explore his skills across visual media, even as he continued to work as a freelance architect. In 2011, he opened his own studio-gallery in Phnom Penh, Top Art Gallery.What made you decide to be an architect?Sothea Thang: As a child with a wild imagination, I always enjoyed all kinds of creative activities. When I finished high school, I looked around at the art scene in Cambodia. The scene was small and there were not many opportunities for local artists at that time. I thought about what I could do for my studies that was still connected with creative activities and thus decided to try architecture. I found I really enjoyed studying the subject at university and that led to my continued work in the field. What trends do you feel are important in architecture/design?Sothea Thang: I appreciate naturalistic aspects that emphasize space, functionality, and light. Green space is important too. Architecture is about merging elements in designing a structure, and I feel it's necessary to bring these things all together into the building as well. What is your design philosophy?Sothea Thang: Simplicity and strength through purity. Less is more. Practical yet beautiful. I like to bring about something that is unexpected; creating new forms within older structures and merging them together. This can be challenging but has often led to my most unexpected and novel successes.What key aspects are essential for innovative design?Sothea Thang: Space: the feeling when you walk in, that it's an open space with light, air and with green/natural elements. You feel like you can breathe. Also need to study and consider what's around the building. The result is needs to fit well. The materials inside and outside also need to fit with a vision and belong with those naturalistic elements informing the design.  Some businessmen today, they build without thinking about the space itself or about the surroundings, they just build and want to sell. But this omits any thought about the people living, working, or passing time in that space.What's happening in Cambodia in terms of "green" or sustainable design?Sothea Thang: In Cambodia, we don't really see this a lot right now. Past architects have paid more attention to the light, the air, the rain, but today we see buildings going up quickly with focus on maximizing profit. For example, they make housing developments, and they divide the land plots as much as they can to maximize the number of units available for sale. This minimizes space for greenery, it blocks out light and air, and it actually leads to increased energy and water costs. From one unit to another, the space is not enough. No attention to trees or nature, and not enough focus on the space within the units they build. How do you know if a building is well designed?Sothea Thang: There is more attention to the way the elements flow in and around the structure, better technical connections such as water pipes, drains, and electricity. I look at the details and the quality of the chosen materials. These signal the quality of the construction work. I also look at how the space is arranged to determine what kind of concept there was in the design. The finishing on the walls or the way a floor is polished, signal to me the intentions and the techniques behind the designs.Regarding renovation, what elements add the most value to a property?Sothea Thang: When I'm renovating an old building, it's important for me to determine the existing elements of the space. Then I try to retain key features of the building while merging my own contemporary additions into the structure. Often, the key step is opening up the blocked interiors of the property. I select higher quality materials, open up the space to more light and air, add green features, and maybe create some aesthetic flourishes. My clients have appreciated when the spaces are opened up to more light and air. This also requires thoughtful consideration of the overall floor plan and the way people actually walk through the rooms and use the space. Modernizing the appliances and updating the materials with higher-quality detailing are also key. This is the same for every part of the house: living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and terrace/garden. This interview has been edited for length and clarity purposes.

Welcome to Real Estate Investment Opportunities High Value Networking Event... Successful people agree that effective networking is crucial to growing your business. That is why we are organizing the very special and high value networking event to provide you with the Best real estate investment opportunities and discover many good ideas how the seasoned investors invest in the property market in Cambodia. We have 3 Successful Entrepreneurs sharing their valued experiences.You will meet new business contacts such as Season Real Estate Investors, Decision Makers, Property Owners, Real Estate Professionals, SME Owners and Executives from across industries, and the Best of it’s Fun sharing together. We will be served Cocktail and Drinks and you will get a chance to win great PRIZES. Bring an associate, lots of Business Cards and be ready to have a GREAT TIME!Date: Wednesday 30th March 2016. Time: 6:00- 8:30PM. Venue: At Skybar of Frangipani Boutique Hotel (Toul Tom Poung). Address: #15 Steet 123 Khan Chamkarmom, Toul Tom Poung (Near Russian Market), Phnom Penh. Your investment is only $15/person.Call: Ms.Vannak 095 666 298 to reserve your place now!

The first annual Real Estate Market & Outlook Conference 2016 (REMOC2016) will launch this April 1st at the Phnom Penh Hotel, 8:30am until 5:00pm, with a host of the local and regional industry leaders giving their outlooks on the state of the Cambodian real estate market.  Realestate.com.kh caught up with the speakers of REMOC2016 to get their 2 cents on the state of the current and future Cambodian property market prospects.Mr. Sim Hoy Chhoung, ceo, V Trust Appraisal Co. Ltd:What topic will you speak to at REMOC2016, and why is it a key consideration for the Cambodian Real Estate sphere?At REMOC2016 I will be speaking about property valuation industry and practice, and its importance in Cambodia. Of course, property valuation should be considered the heart of all the real estate activities and a key to developing our industry. This means that brokers and salespeople serving their clients should have a good understanding of valuation; the concepts, practices and methodology. A seller’s unrealistic asking price is a roadblock that an agent should avoid to save time and effort! Because banks take property as collateral to secure loans, weaknesses in valuation processes in the booming years could lead to a banking crisis later on, as we see from lessons learned from the Central Bank of Ireland study 2012.What were the most significant developments for the property market over the last year?Last year was the year of the condo and retail development. Thousands of units of condo launched and international grade shopping malls starting construction. These new developments still drive land market prices higher and higher until late last year.What makes you optimistic and what worries you about the Cambodian real estate market?Personally, I would not be worried about the real estate market for the year to come. The market will correct itself. In addition, compared to other countries, Cambodia still has a strict credit limit on mortgage loan and interest rates are high, and terms are shorter (below 70% credit availability while other countries are up to 80% or 90%). Let’s imagine what is going to happen if banks can increase the limit, lower interest rates or extend the terms... Or alternatively, if the government did some things to benefit the condo market such as taxes incentives… Steps like this could add more liquidity to the market and quickly boost it.What significant changes are you anticipating for the Cambodian real estate market over the next year?There will be a market correction in some subsectors and a switch of project development proposals toward the sub-sector’s that exhibit continuously high demand. The only thing that we all should know is that the market space is becoming narrower; so before committing to doing a development project, there needs to be a detailed market and feasibility study. And Vtrust is here to help in this regard. As I mentioned earlier, there are still room for policy makers to manipulate. So over the next year, the market can remain stable, one way or another.Thida Ann, senior associate director, CBRE Cambodia:What topic will you speak to at REMOC2016, and why is it a key consideration for the Cambodian Real Estate sphere? CBRE are really pleased to be involved in the conference and will have two speakers discussing the commercial office market and also Phnom Penh's Serviced Apartment Market. CBRE will aim to provide attendees with new insights and outlooks into these key sectors through our active market participation as the leading international property advisory firm in Cambodia.What were the most significant developments for the property market over the last year? 2015 marked another extremely active year in the Cambodian property market with all sectors seeing significant activity. To run through a few key trends; CBRE tracked land price appreciation at approximately 8.4% across central districts. New mid-rise office developments that came on stream through 2015 saw strong take up and grade B and C rents increased by 6.2% and 2.3% respectively. 7,014 condominium units were announced across 26 buildings in 2015 bringing total future supply due for completion by 2018 to 21,414 units. Chamkarmon saw the greatest number of project launches announced with a 37% share, secondary locations such as Sen Sok and Chroy Chang Va accounting for 15%. Occupancy in serviced apartments held strong at a healthy 90% with occupancy keeping pace with supply.James Padden, Commercial Agency Manager, CBRE Cambodia:What makes you optimistic and what worries you about the Cambodian real estate market?CBRE are optimistic about the office market. Exchange Square is due for completion in Q4 16 and has seen strong interest locally and regionally highlighting growing demand for grade A space in Phnom Penh. Increasingly we are seeing interest from companies in office space in secondary cities such as Sihanoukville, Battambang and Siem Reap highlighting that Cambodia is not all about Phnom Penh but these provincial cities are seeing strong economic growth in their own right.I think there is a need for caution regarding the residential market and we are yet to see strong domestic owner/occupier demand that is required for condominiums to really drive the market forwards. Existing investment is predominantly by overseas investors looking for capital growth. This market will be driven long term by Cambodian occupiers and this has been slowly changing but is yet to become a clear segment of demand.What significant changes are you anticipating for the Cambodian real estate market over the next year?We have seen the announcement of strata title office space for the first time in 2014 and this is a welcome trend with this asset being a popular investment in other markets such as Hong Kong and Bangkok. There will be further segmentation of the office market as Exchange Square adds to grade A office stock. High prices and limited availability of land in prime, central areas is likely to continue the trend for development in secondary locations such as Sen Sok and Chroy Changvar. I think we will also see continued development and investment activity in provincial cities such as Sihanoukville, Battambang and Siem Reap. Overall we expect 2016 to be a year of a lot of activity driven by Cambodia’s continued strong economic growth and further bolstered by the movement towards ASEAN integration as there is continued intra-ASEAN investment and regional expansion of businesses out of their home markets.Chrek Soknim, CEO, Century 21 Mekong: What topic will you speak to at REMOC2016, and why is it a key consideration for the Cambodian Real Estate sphere?At the upcoming REMOC-2016 on 1 April, I’m going to talk about the most updated Phnom Penh's Condominium Market and Trends, with Most Insights into Primary Market, Supply, Demand, and Key Successful Factors for Developers.Condominium isn’t a nascent market anymore in Phnom Penh. It’s been here now eight years, yet there are many things for developers, buyers and key players to carefully learn to get into the market insights so that they can gear to the right paths for this real estate subsector. What were the most significant developments for the property market over the last year?I believe condominiums are one of the solutions to curb with heavy traffic, increasing land prices, convenience, and a quick pace of modernizing living standards among young white-collar generation. However, with an excessive influx of condominium launches last year, the market now becomes stiffly competitive while it also offers numerous choices for buyers.What makes you optimistic and what worries you about the Cambodian real estate market?When looking at the Kingdom’s market absorption rate at an average of 32.4 months, in recent months it’s started to slow down and this needs a careful analysis on local demand, affordability, and trends, instead of relying solely on foreign market comparisons when a new developer wants to enter into condo market.What significant changes are you anticipating for the Cambodian real estate market over the next year?The condo market will suit the young generation and fulfill to their lifestyle demands. This sector will grow very fast if financial support comes from financial institutions providing the easy conditions to afford to buy condos. It is also the open market for the foreigner, which will help to supplement this sector’s growth.Kuy Vat, chairman, CVEA; chairman and ceo, Century 21 Cambodia:What topic will you speak to at REMOC2016, and why is it a key consideration for the Cambodian Real Estate sphere?At REMOC-2016 to be held on the 1st of April, we’re going to talk about general views on real estate sector, addressing opportunities and challenges for this year and the years to come.Bolstered by a gradual growth of our economy, we’ve seen that the real estate market is growing bigger and bigger, as it is so to meet the rising demand for housing, office space, retail space as well as industrial amenities, just to name a  few.  With lots of improvements in this industry so far, the year 2016 sees many opportunities despite emergence of some challenges that might somewhat cool down the market heat, for example, the condominium market. So far we’ve heard that there’s some sentiment over the condominium market, for instance, that has come with too many, resulting in stiff competition for developers to sell off their projects. But to me, I’ve got a different point of view. First, this will create jobs for local agents who are asked to help developers sell off their units. Second, through numerous available suppliers, it offers an opportunity for foreign investors to come over to our country and enjoy the newly available infrastructure and amenities currently or to be soon in place. Mr. Kim Heang, president, CVEA; ceo, Khmer Real Estate:What topic will you speak to at REMOC2016, and why is it a key consideration for the Cambodian Real Estate sphere?At the upcoming REMOC2016, I’m going to talk about situation of real estate industry and address the challenges and suggestion for future improvements in this sector.Construction and real estate sector plays an important role as an economic driving engine by increasing its economic influences on the country’s economy, especially providing construction jobs to about 10,000 workers throughout Cambodia and spillover impacts on several other economic sectors. We appreciate our industry leaders as well as key players for their effort in bringing construction and real estate sector to this point.Nevertheless, without some changes, unity and strong cooperation among the players to further improve and perform best practices for the industry (for instance, valuation subsector), we can hardly develop this sector to become a key leading industry for our country’s economy. Therefore, we have to address opportunities and key challenges for all of us to solve and improve so that everyone in the industry benefits.Hoem Seiha, Director of Research, VTrust Appraisal Co., Ltd:What topic will you speak to at REMOC2016, and why is it a key consideration for the Cambodian Real Estate sphere?At REMOC-2016 to be held on 1 April, I’m going to present to the audience about the macro perspectives on real estate industry. Developers, policy makers and related key stakeholders need sound knowledge and in-depth insights into real estate sector at macro level so that they can together work to develop and, if any, curb with challenges in the sector.Construction and real estate sector has recently grown its importance to overall economy by contributing to creation of tens of thousands of jobs, pushing demand on mortgages to rise by 19 percent in 2014, and attracting US$ billions of real estate related FDIs that have spillover impacts on many other economic sectors.With my future outlook for this sector, even though real estate market has grown so quickly that it might pose potential risks and growth volatility, I foresee this sector will soon create a new economic engine alongside with the country’s key leading sectors such as garment, tourism and agriculture.Sorn Seap, ceo, Key Real Estate:What topic will you speak to at REMOC2016, and why is it a key consideration for the Cambodian Real Estate sphere?At REMOC-2016, I’m going to present about the most updated Phnom Penh’s land market, going in-depth into market prices, zoning and development trends in the future.Phnom Penh land prices continue to rise up by 10 to 20 percent a year. Nevertheless, the whole Phnom Penh has many areas that see different price growth rates depending on many factors, including zoning, planned infrastructure, and location special features.Over the last 10 years, I’ve seen that Phnom Penh has expanded quickly. Residents not only concentrate in central business zones but also spread out to form new clusters of housing in the outskirts – with some areas are now home to tens of thousands of residents. Other locations, furthermore, will also have the same experiences in the next few years.Sung Sina, Director, Bonna Asset Appraisal Department:What topic will you speak to at REMOC2016, and why is it a key consideration for the Cambodian Real Estate sphere? Industrial Estate Market, with Most Highlights on Supply, Demand, Market Performance, Zoning, and Future Trends, and Opportunities. Thirty Years after the genocide, Cambodia is just beginning to recover. The garment industryis the country‘s main industrial activity in Cambodia. The main topic will consider the heavy traffic jams developing on the outskirts of Phnom Penh (National Road Number 2, 3, 4, 51, 41, 6A, PPSEZ, Sihanouk SEZ, Bavet SEZ and Other SEZs). I will also consider how to reduce the pollution on the environment, the need for good infrastructure and ways in which we can bring the profit to the villagers in that area. What were the most significant developments for the property market over the last year?  Over the last year, I believe condominiums are one of the solutions to the rush traffic jam, increasing the land prices, convenience, and a quick pace of modernizing living standards among the young generation. However, with an excessive influx of condominium launches last year, the market now becomes stiffly competitive while it also offers numerous choices for buyers. On the other hand, the industrial estate market is located on National Road Number 2, 3, 4, 6 and National Road Number 51, with an excessive influx and new built of factories and warehouses for Chinese investor. What makes you optimistic and what worries you about the Cambodian real estate market? When looking at the Cambodian real estate market averages increasing 5 to 10 percent for 2014, 2015 and 2016. Since last month, it has started to slow down - and this needs careful analysis on local demand, affordability, and trends; instead of relying solely on foreigner market comparisons when a new developer wants to enter into the condominium market. On other hand, with the industrial market increasing year to year, the market now becomes stiffly competitive. Yet, it also offers numerous choices for the renter. What significant changes are you anticipating for the Cambodian real estate market over the next year? The condominium market is increasing the land prices, convenience, and a quick pace of modernizing living standards among the young generation to fulfill to their life style for living. This sector will grow very fast. But the banking and microfinance sector must provide the loans with easy condition so normal Khmer can afford to buy the condominium. It is also the open market, based on the Cambodian Regulation for the foreigner, that will help to push some part of the sector to grow. Don’t miss out on REMOC2016 - find out more details HERE.

CBRE Research Southeast Asia has released the results of the 7th edition of the “How Active are Retailers report”. Within this report, statistics suggest that 26 percent of all global retailers surveyed identified Southeast Asian countries as primary target markets for 2016.CHECK OUT THE FULL INFOGRAPHICRetailers primary interests in the Southeast Asian region appear to focus on Mid-range Fashion and Luxury & Business retail sectors.

AXIS RESIDENCES is proud to be the First Cambodia Development by a Singaporean Developer to receive the 'Highly Commended Award' for the “Best Condo Development (greater Phnom Penh)” at the inaugural Cambodia Property Awards 2016, part of the Asia Property Awards series.And why not? Axis Residences is proving to be a trailblazer in the Cambodian developments market - setting the benchmark with a host of innovative design, finance and quality features.Axis Residences is the pioneering condominium in Phnom Penh to adopt sustainable solar PV technology (Solar Panels) into the development.By doing so, Axis Residences will be the first and the only condominium in Cambodia that incorporates this innovative green feature that benefits the buyers with both a stable electrical supply and a reduced utility and maintenance bill. It is also nice to know that your home is supporting the reduction of carbon footprint for our mother earth and elevating a cleaner Cambodia into the new century.By utilizing clean renewable energy from the sun, all residents at Axis Residences benefit from cheaper maintenance rates and likewise reduce the carbon footprint of the condo in its entirety. The green energy generated from the rooftops of Axis Residences reduces CO2 emissions equivalent to that of 3222 trees every year. Axis Residences is the forerunner for new quality condo developments in Cambodia – and firmly believes that innovation as such will pave the way for future condo and commercial developments in considering the incorporation of clean sustainable energy sources in their design.The sleek and contemporary design of Axis Residences 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 BankThe 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.Click HERE to request an information pack today!

Taking a stroll around Phnom Penh is enough to show anyone that the real estate and construction sector is booming. Investments have risen from US$840 million in 2010 to US$ 2.7 billion in 2013.But did you know that approximately 30 per cent of the workers on construction sites are women?Women, along with men, are building Phnom Penh and it’s important for them and their families that they are treated fairly and protected. That’s why CARE International is undertaking the EU-funded project: Labour Rights for Female Construction Workers. The project aims to enhance protections for women in the construction sector and builds upon CARE’s proven history of improving women’s working lives in the hospitality and garment industries. This project is a chance for responsible construction companies and developers to work with CARE to make sure investing in real estate is investing in the community. Interested private sector partners can take part in this project with CARE on to build up their corporate social responsibility portfolio.But beyond CSR, investing in women has been found to make good business sense. When companies invest in their female workers, they are much better placed to notice talented individuals that can contribute more. Why waste the potential of your women workers when, with the right support, they could be your best employees?CARE’s approach in this construction project is threefold. CARE, through local partners, will work with women directly to improve their capacity. This will include facilitating peer-to-peer training to help women understand protections in place, their own potential and encourage them to make the most of work in construction. It will also include educational resources that will be offered for free to workers.By engaging with employers and peak bodies, CARE will help construction companies and developers to invest in the human capital of their female workers through providing training to managers and human resources personnel. CARE will work with women workers and the private sector to facilitate avenues of communication between managers and women workers to provide managers with better understanding of the specific situation of their female workers. To complement these approaches, CARE will also work with Government stakeholders to improve institutional protections.CARE is looking for industry partners in the real estate and construction sector to be part of this project.If this is something that interests you, please contact the Project Manager, Ms Kalyan Rath, at kalyan.rath@careint.org or Adviser, Ms Adriana Siddle, at adriana.siddle@careint.org.

To cope with the city’s expansion and rapid growth in vehicles, more infrastructure projects are expected to be completed in Phnom Penh before 2020.At the grand opening of the 5-January Overpass (Techno Overpass), Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen approved several more projects for the capital. After acknowledging the ongoing congestion at the Kbal Thnal Sky Bridge, construction will start soon on an additional curved overpass and underground road near the existing bridge. The US$10 million project will see an 810 metre overpass and a 606 metre underground built by the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC). This is a great boost for Phnom Penh infrastructure! An underpass at the junction of Russian Federation Blvd and Preah Monivong Blvd (PKC stop) will also be constructed by OCIC to ease traffic in the vicinity. The plan features a 340 metre long, 15 metre wide road running through a 5 metre high tunnel. Following a successful soil analysis conducted on January 8, construction will commence later this year.Another overpass will be erected at the congested intersection between Russian Federation Blvd and Hanoi Street reflecting the significance of Russian Federation Blvd as the main artery connecting the city centre and the airport. The bridge is to be 611 metre long and 16.5 metres wide and will be built by Chinese Shanghai Construction and financed by the Chinese government.Phnom Penh will see also its first elevated expressway that will stretch 13km above the existing rail line connecting Preah Monivong Blvd and the international airport. The toll road will help ensure air passengers do not miss their flights due to congestion. While City Hall previously announced that the project is being developed by a Chinese investor, it appears that OCIC is also negotiating with City Hall to win the bid for this project. Muhibbah Engineering (Cambodia) Ltd has also claimed to have won the bid to build a $200-million expressway connecting Phnom Penh’s downtown to National Road 4 and the capital’s airport. Stretching over 14km, the 24 metre wide, 4 lane highway will also run parallel with the current rail track that connects Toul Kork Roundabout to National Road 4. The Phnom Penh infrastructure project will commence soon once compensation to affected households has been completed this year.A 220km highway linking Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City worth around US$2.2 billion proposed by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has also been announced with completion hoped for by 2030.The capital will also see construction of a second ring road that will run 16.67km across two lanes from Russian Federation Blvd to National Road 2 across the districts of Dangkor, Sen Sok, Meanchey heading south to Takmao town, another boost for Phnom Penh infrastructure. The road will be built by Chinese Shanghai Construction via Chinese government financing. Built with 20-cm thick concrete it will be 23 metres wide with a 1.5 metre drainage system on both sides. The exact starting and completion dates for all these projects are not yet known.While the government is pinning its hopes on more infrastructure solving congestion, urban planning expert Dr. Van Vat told the Phnom Penh Post that infrastructure projects alone can’t mitigate the jams.  “To avoid this problem, we need to have a detailed plan for each district as to which roads need to be expanded in the next five or ten years, and which roads will have overpasses,” he stressed, adding that, “If we don’t do that, the congestion issue will continue.” Dr. Vat also requested the government to limit vehicle imports and design and implement appropriate traffic light systems.This article was submitted by: Tim Vutha, Construction and Property Magazine

Century 21 Cambodia through its Global Strategic Business Development Team seeks to strengthen the Real Estate Investment Opportunities with Century 21 Taiwan. As the Cambodian market continues to grow both in demand, developers and investors are seeking to diversify their options and target options that offer lucrative long-term success. This week, Century 21 Cambodia, along with Local Franchise Office Century 21- Dream Property, is scheduled to travel to Taiwan to meet with their Franchise counterparts to discuss ways of networking clients from both countries to increase investment and sales through the Global Sales Structure Century 21 franchises has to offer, both in Cambodia as well as Taiwan.Taiwan’s interest in this region has been noted with purchases into projects such as Bali, Suncity Bassac, and others continue to extend its desire for investment returns that are not so easily presented in a traditional real estate investment market.As the real estate industry in Taiwan remains at a fixed level of real estate investment returns, the need to find new and better return on investment for clients has become a part of their office’s interest to reach out and find investments around Cambodia. According to China Post, offices in Taiwan continue to be set up in search Condominium investment growth in Cambodia.This trip for Century 21 Cambodia will be another one of several recent visits to neighboring countries. These visits add to this year’s goal of finding ways to create opportunities for Century 21 franchises to cater to clients buying or selling around Cambodia. With the rare opportunity of Phnom Penh growing at its current rate, Century 21 Cambodia seeks to support its franchise offices, by networking with Century 21 global offices and fill the need to find clients for these development units.