Aircon units in your home or office need a service once a year if you want them to keep pumping cool air at full capacity!Now that the cold season's come around and you don’t need the aircon on, it’s the perfect time to give your unit a long needed check up! Stay cool and save cash on power bills with these simple maintenance checks, thanks to realestate.com.kh.Time for a new filter:If you have a central air system, make sure you change the filters every few months. If you have let it slide all year, now’s a prime time to do your chores and change it!And while you’re at it, clean the vents!At least a few times a year, you need to dust your aircon vents to keep the airflow free and easy. If it still seems muffled after this, you should hire a professional aircon cleaning person to give your air ducts and vents a full thorough blowout.Make sure you aren’t blocking the condensing unit:The air conditioner unit that sits outside and draws air into the system must be unrestricted and uncovered. It seems obvious, but sometimes people forget they left the mat lying on top. Make sure the induction vents a clean and clear, and you should be winning!Still seem Funky?If you unit still seems to be struggling, you might have an issue with your Freon Levels. Get a pro to check for a leak (especially if your aircon is an old model). While your at it, better get them to check the electrical controls and coils are in tip top shape too. They can also calibrate your thermostat if need be.Is wood or tile floors best for your home? Find out here.

Most people’s attention span lasts between 5 and 10 seconds… For those involved in marketing, and especially digital marketing, this means that you need to work extremely efficiently if you want to engage the right customers at the right place and the right time, and share with them a message that they will actually take on board. Don't forget to read part 1 first! Read it here.Because online marketing is our full time job here at Realestate.com.kh, we would like to share a few tips to get the most benefit from your various online marketing channels – and ultimately, sell and rent more property through the internet.  Online marketing with your own Website: Your company website is home sweet home, no matter what business you are – but, remember, your website must reflect your underlying objectives if you want it to be successful. Don't forget to read part 1 first! Read it here. Of course, the layout and functionality will be totally different depending on the online marketing objectives. Your website might exist purely for branding purposes, in which case focus on the presentation. But if you intend to sell directly through your website as an ecommerce application, your design must focus on functionality and smoothly facilitating the sale, and after-sale support. Regardless of the intent of your website, it is crucial that it is easy to navigate, and the content is relevant and engaging to visitors. Want to learn how to use LinkedIn for real estate sales? Success metrics are always at hand to advise of the development of your website, whether it be considering generic goals such as overall revenue and conversions - or more specific analysis, for example building offsite referrals from social channels, or considering the best demographic targeting for your website. If you want a bigger audience to visit your website, the sole answer is content. Clear, engaging and consistent content is the only way to grow your website sustainably. Remember that longer term trends and analytics must be well-considered during any development of your website. A website is not like a short term marketing drive. Your website is here to stay for the life of your business. This means any changes you make should consider the present, but always look to the future. Why online marketing can help you test ideas quickly!Online marketing with your Email Database: Business people and individuals can receive hundreds of emails every week. Because of this flow of info, if your email online marketing is stale it will quite-simply fail because those emails will never see the light of day. Nearly all email database marketing has the same objectives: increasing click-through rates to your company websites; and reducing the number of contacts choosing to unsubscribe from your communications. Thus, to improve on returns from email online marketing, make sure you keep a clean and organized database – this will allow you to build trust with recipients and recognized email addresses. Increase your open rate with inviting email titles, and always test innovation. Throw in new elements such as video, interactive features and try to maintain a personal touch for your database members. Don't forget to read part 1 first! Read it here.Alternatively - Let us take care of your digital marketing and send you the sales inquiries. Realestate.com.kh can share it’s huge online audience with you. If you are an agent or developer, there is no easier way to improve your online sales conversions. Find out more today.

Most people’s attention span lasts between 5 and 10 seconds… For those involved in marketing, and especially digital marketing, this means that you need to work extremely efficiently if you want to engage the right customers at the right place and the right time, and share with them a message that they will actually take on board. Read part 1 already? Read part 2 here!Because online marketing is our full time job here at Realestate.com.kh, we would like to share a few tips to get the most benefit from your various online marketing channels – and ultimately, sell and rent more property through the internet.Online marketing with your Social Media Channels: No longer are the ultimate goals of social media likes, follows, and shares. Nowadays, social media marketing is a direct source of sales and represents great and highly affordable opportunities for marketers of all kinds. Of course, it is no secret that online companies like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram have developed their services to support company branding and sales. By simple testing, you can soon find our which social channels deliver you the best rate of conversions, click throughs and brand awareness. However, if you are situated in Cambodia, it is a safe bet that Facebook will come out number one - as the majority of the country’s 3.4 Million strong social media users taking first and foremost to Facebook. Surprisingly, some locals still understand Facebook and the Internet as a conjoined concept. Want to learn how to use LinkedIn for real estate sales?Online marketing with Search Engine Optimization (SEO): SEO is the least understood type of online marketing – but can be the most expensive and, for many online businesses, the most important. Basically, your company website is as useful as it is visited. If nobody can find your website, it is as useful as a 50 foot billboard behind a wall. SEO can be divided by on-page and offsite SEO. On-page relates to developing the navigation of your website so that all content is easily available to visitors. Offsite SEO is like casting a net – developing your offsite SEO will mean more people searching on leading search engines, such as google.com and its international network of sites, will find your site in their search results, and before they find your competitors… Be patient when developing your SEO as results will not come overnight. Remember, once again, there is no avoiding the need for content.  If you want a bigger audience to visit your website, and improve your website’s organic SEO, content is key – now, more than ever. Clear, engaging and consistent content is the key to growing your SEO sustainably. New search algorithms demand that top ranking pages must provide the user with content that engages them, and is unique and well referenced. If your post is about buying real estate in Chamkarmon, for example, it needs to be genuinely useful to your readers if it is ever going to rank well in SEO. The days are over when you can simply load articles with keywords and expect search results. Further, your keyword selection is crucial for a successful SEO strategy. You must clearly target your strategy to bid for the search key words most likely to bring revenue to your business. Don’t waste any time or money trying to win key words that will never convert. Also be wary about your competition.  If you see that another website has dominated certain key words for a long time, your chances of beating them are much lower, and will require far more effort in regards to content creation. Look for the low hanging fruit first, and the key words that will convert. Why online marketing can help you test ideas quickly!Online marketing with Paid Ads: Whether you are considering implementing search, display, or social ads into your online marketing strategy, always pay attention to conversion tracking and testing first and foremost. Otherwise, you are swinging in the dark! By using conversion tracking for paid advertising initiatives, you can immediately gauge which ads and keywords bring revenue with the highest return on your investment. Test and optimize all elements of the campaign until your success metrics start to show growth. The same rule applies whether you are interested in branding or conversions. Keep in mind; you will incur additional creative costs during this process if you want to do it right. It is important that you ensure your content and other visual media is in line with your audience, marketing strategy, and company image. Enjoyed the post so far?? Read part 2 here!Alternatively - Let us take care of your digital marketing and send you the sales inquiries. Realestate.com.kh can share it’s huge online audience with you. If you are an agent or developer, there is no easier way to improve your online sales conversions. Find out more today.

Camhomes’ maiden mixed development at Sihanoukville, D’Seaview, aims to bring an integrated concept of living to Sihanoukville, which focuses on the convenience that only a mixed development can offer: living and shopping at the highest standards in the same building. Besides offering high quality homes while retaining affordable prices, Camhomes’ Group General Manager, Ryan Ong, also emphasised on the potential capital appreciation and first movers’ advantage for buyers who invest in a D’Seaview unit, regardless of whether they are residential or commercial buyers. Investing in a mixed development at Sihanoukville that comes to life through commercial and residential owners and tenants, acts as a hedge against future inflation. Having the advantage of being in a prime economic seaside location like Sihanoukville, with its deep-sea port, Special Economic Zone, international airport, as well as its oil and gas industry commencing operations soon, D’Seaview is the market leader in high-standard condos that extends its services beyond just quality housing and to the world of commerce. “With Sihanoukville being an up-and-coming booming coastal city, it is only a matter of time before more foreign businesses start coming into this province, and when that happens, housing will be the first few things they will look out for, thus we are hoping to fill up this hole,” Ong explains. Envisioning what expatriates and locals would appreciate within such a mixed development at Sihanoukville, D’Seaview places its focus on the integration of convenience, facilities, lifestyle, and status. In addition to its two residential towers, D’Seaview has four commercial blocks comprising 66 units. These include a vast ground-level space of approximately 500 square metres dedicated solely to F&B, either a food-court or a restaurant, which is priced at an estimated $1.7 million. Also, there is the second level that will be left as a wide plan for retail purposes. From the third to the seventh levels are smaller commercial units with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. D’Seaview also has a hotel block, which is open to investors, as well as local shophouse-style blocks that are targeted at Cambodians who would like to set up their business as well as live there. A typical commercial block features a third-storey roof terrace, which D’Seaview visualises to be a childcare centre, a spa, a salon, or even a family karaoke lounge hall. However, the final outcome depends on the imagination of the buyer. The variety and potential of D’Seaview’s commercial hemisphere brings the term mixed development to a whole new level, “which will be satisfying a lot of purchasers’ requirements and demands,” as explained by Ong. Such is the flexibility of D’Seaview in catering to its commercial purchasers’ needs that if a buyer wants to purchase an entire floor, Camhomes will be more than willing to work with them and help them in re-designing the floor plan. The starting price per square metre for a commercial unit within the compound is from $1619. Some commercial units have already been sold since the launch of its retail store spaces last weekend. With a ready pool of customers from the 735 units of residences and the 98-room hotel, D’Seaview’s commercial hub looks to be abuzz with consumer activities once the development is completed in Q1 of 2018. Open to the public, the lifestyle element is a factor of appeal, as the commercial units will feature a slew of trendy bistros and cafes that has the potential to be the new uptown of Sihanoukville. D’Seaview envisions itself to be a cosmopolitan hub with a balanced mix of locals and foreigners. On what sets D’Seaview apart from other housing developments, Ong elaborates, “we have the advantage of the seaside and close proximity to the port, thus reducing travel and delivery of consumer goods. Our central location among the seaport, airport, and the future highway connecting Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, is also another great advantage.” Realise your housing and commercial dreams now; visit Camhomes’ D’Seaview showroom at Canadia Towers and talk to their property consultants. Phnom Penh Post, Post Property.

Flanked by life-sized statues of Japanese cartoon character Doraemon, and the infamous one-eyed yellow minions made popular by the animated American movie Despicable Me, China’s Prince Real Estate was far from alone at the official launch of their showroom (opposite the National Assembly), and the opening ceremony of its latest development Prince Central Plaza, a HOPSCA—Hotel, Offices, Parks, Shopping Mall, Convention Centre, and Apartments—last Tuesday. Want to learn more about Prince Central Plaza? Here is the full listing, on Realestate.com.kh. While the launch aimed to spice up the humdrum of a typical property launch, Pol Lyta, a property consultant for Prince Central Plaza, explained the deeper meaning behind the unusual marketing strategy, saying, “Doraemon is a robot cat that comes from the future [22nd century], and can go back into the past, and he is also able to fly all over the world.” With the ability Doraemon possesses, it seems to refer to Prince Central Plaza’s outlook on the future of Phnom Penh in making the development the integrated business and lifestyle nucleus of the Kingdom, while retaining an avant-garde take on traditional Khmer architectural design. As countless Doraemons had flown in to Phnom Penh to station themselves at the opening ceremony, Despicable Me’s yellow minions had also come along for the ride, possibly to inject some humour and entertainment to a typical lacklustre affair. Being an entertainment-centralised hub, Lyta elaborated that “the minions from Despicable Me represent the fun and entertaining side of what Prince Central Plaza’s various amenities and facilities can offer.” Want to learn more about Prince Central Plaza? Here is the full listing, on Realestate.com.kh. To emphasise its point, guests at the launch were also given freebies in the form of the one-eyed yellow minion soft toy plushies. However random it may seem, such cute and fun twists are not uncommon here. In 2012, an Angry Birds Foreign Language School had sprung up in Banteay Meanchey province, riding on the wings of the insane global phenomenon that the Angry Birds game had prompted. Nonetheless, the opening ceremony of Prince Central Plaza was not all fun and games. Having sold an approximate 200 out of its 1,786 residential units just at the launch itself, it has also sold an estimated 40 per cent of its homes thus far. Prices range from an average of $58,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, to $100,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. Almost all of its snazzy penthouses, which cost from $250,000 to $600,000, have been snapped up as of the launch day. As with the case of the Angry Birds school, whose owner was nonchalant in using the fowls’ infamousness without consulting their copyright holders, it is unclear whether these future robot cats and one-eyed yellow minions were lawfully licensed as mascots for Prince Central Plaza’s opening ceremony. What is definitely clear, however, is the completion of the impressive Prince Central Plaza slated for May 2018, located at the pulse of Phnom Penh’s heart south of Norodom Boulevard, wherein its residents may just be lavishly greeted with another surprise appearance by the unofficial mascots. Hanamariya Halim, Phnom Penh Post, Post Property. Want to learn more about Prince Central Plaza? Here is the full listing, on Realestate.com.kh.

After a tumultuous year in Cambodia for Singapore-based TEHO International, the developers of the $500 million The Bay condominium project on Chroy Changvar peninsula said construction will begin early next year with a new marketing strategy after another managerial shakeup. Want to inquire about a unit in the Bay? Check out the full listing today, on realestate.com.kh.  Announced on the Singapore Stock Exchange earlier this week, ECG (Cambodia) was bought out and formalized into the parent company ECG Property—a wholly owned subsidiary of TEHO International that handles all marketing and promotional activities. Previously operated by the joint venture’s partner, Sok Bun, ECG Cambodia was purchased to a tune of $71,776, or what amounted to 45 per cent of the initial paid-up share capital. Currently, the unaudited net assets for ECG Cambodia as of July 2015 amounted to $169,836, the statement read. While ECG Cambodia will still perform its duties as the acting real estate agency for The Bay, all marketing and promotional activities will be conducted at the head office back in Singapore. Phua Cheng Boon, Financial Controller for TEHO International, said, “it is good to have full integration of our projects.” “We will have somebody based in Singapore who will be able to run operations regionally as well,” he said. Want to inquire about a unit in the Bay? Check out the full listing today, on realestate.com.kh.  It was previously reported by The Post that 100 condominium units had been sold since the soft launch in September. However, Phua declined to provide current figures. “While we can’t disclose the level of sales, we are confident to say that construction will begin in the first quarter of 2016,” he said. With a new marketing strategy, he added, the development “will not be about big exposure.” TEHO International, which formally launched the project in February of this year, had spent $1.1 million on advertising and promotional activities, as well as around $600,000 in legal and professional expenses to promote the development, an annual filing in August stated. While Sok Bun, who resigned from his position as director of the board, currently awaits trial for the beating of a former TV star, his shoes has since been filled by Yim Chhay Line, the daughter of Deputy Prime Minister Yim Chhay Ly. “She is a good asset to the group and I am confident that all the necessary requirements for construction have been achieved,” said Phua. Kim Heang, CEO of Khmer Real Estate, said that a marketing shift to overseas investors is the “smartest” market strategy for The Bay, as it faces more competition and is also behind schedule. When asked if The Bay would miss out on the local segment, Heang explained that it is too small, “so why [do] they need to waste time and money [on] the local segment?” With a few soft approaches to buyers in Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan recently, Phua said sales “have picked up.” “We are doing this gradually because The Bay is a rather large project. We are going to all these different countries to do soft launches to get sufficient buying. We want to position [ourselves] as [a] more exclusive development,” he said. Want to inquire about a unit in the Bay? Check out the full listing today, on realestate.com.kh.  Kali Kotoski, Phnom Penh Post, Post Property.

Last Friday, master plan of Phnom Penh until 2035 was fully approved by the council of ministers, as announced by Pa Socheatvong, governor of Phnom Penh. While it is claimed that the plan is complete, those in the private and public sector and other relevant stakeholders fear that they have not been adequately consulted, raising concerns that implementation is unlikely and unjust. Without a publicly available draft that addresses socio-economic conditions as well as infrastructure, zoning, land title rights and all other concerns that come with the development of a city, they say it is unclear as to what the master plan of Phnom Penh actually entails. Takashi Ito, Senior Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) described the master plan as “a fruit of self-efforts by Phnom Penh municipality,” stating that JICA played no part in the current approved plan. Ito pointed out however, that JICA has submitted a master plan for transportation lines in March of this year, and is currently working on a master plan of Phnom Penh for a citywide sewage and drainage system. “We continue to be interested in healthy development of the capital city, which is why we have engaged in [these] two master plans,” Ito stated in an email. While Ito wouldn’t give Post Property an overview of the resources that are necessary to implement only a few crucial issues concerning city development, he admitted that without adequate resources, “it is not really practical to try to address all the problems,” he said. When it comes to meeting the demands of a burgeoning city and population, “it is, in a sense, a question of priority,” he said. To him, the success of a master plan hinges “not only on the degree of commitment of the municipality itself, but also on the degree of support and participation of other relevant governmental institutions, [possibly including] the private sector” and civil society. Piotr Sasin, country director for Czech NGO People in Need that focuses on spatial planning in Phnom Penh, called it “worrying that the plan has been developed in secrecy without the consultation of civil society groups.” He argues that city development is a complicated process that needs to be carefully coordinated to ensure implementation that properly addresses all issues. “We would appreciate if the municipality shared the plan with all shareholders so they can work on something that we will all be proud about. There are resources and the capacity to do this,” he said. Considering the sheer complexity of a master plan, Sasin admitted that “the majority of all master plans are never really implemented.” “It’s about the process, bringing the people together and it would be the job of the municipality to coordinate these efforts,” he said. Long Dimanche, spokesperson of City Hall, however, said that there have been specialists outside the municipality working on the master plan. “We have been working on this master plan since 2002 and had help from many groups of Cambodian professionals such as architectures, land management, landscaping, environmental, engineering, and [from the] cultural aspect and we had advice from French experts,” he said. According to Nicolas Baudouin, spokesperson for the French Embassy, French involvement in the city master plan ended with the publication of the 2007 White Paper, titled Livre Blanc. While the 330-page long master plan was published by Phnom Penh municipality, and outlined development until 2020, it was never adopted. “The project was considered complete with the publishing of the report and funding stopped. Why it wasn’t adopted, I don’t know,” Baudouin said. Even though French involvement stopped in 2007, governor Socheatvong cited 14 focus points that are identical to the ones listed back in 2007. While the 14 points are meant to address issues such as zoning, open spaces and land title issues, Socheatvong said that what contributed to the adoption of this version was spurred by economic growth, commerce and a rising population. “The main purpose of the 2035 Phnom Penh land usage is the strategic document in order to serve the government’s ambition as well as the aim of Phnom Penh municipality and their vision toward 2035 of managing and setting the direction of economic development… in an attempt to meet the increasing demand of private investment and the population in Phnom Penh,” he said. Dimanche added that he did not know when the overall master plan would be published publicly, despite last week’s approval. However, he said the government will issue a new order to properly implement the city development plan. Meng Bunnarith, spokesperson for the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, said that while the framework that was adopted by the council of ministers is comprehensive, it only provides a general overview that does not give much insight to critical details. The ministry has to set specific regulations in order to ensure a clearer use of land, he said. Nevertheless, Sasin fears that a master plan can be used to further exclude marginalised groups. “My main fear is that it will be a plan for the privileged,” he said. As an example, he worries that poor urban communities who have been excluded from systematic land titling, such as the evictees in Borei Keila or in Boeung Kak, would still not be addressed. He added that City Hall’s lack of transparency opens the door for misjudgment and misinterpretation. “If they published the document and got other stakeholders involved they could really pass on a positive message to the city which would be: we care.” Julius Thiemann, Siv Meng and Moeun Nhean, Phnom Penh Post, Post Property.

Local and internationally-based real estate agencies, as well as new development sales teams, are using investment junkets to encourage foreign investment into Cambodian real estate, especially for bigger developments that largely depend on cash from overseas.“Investment tours provide a unique opportunity for personal interaction to close the gap between the investor and the opportunity,” says Grant Fitzgerald, general manager of IPS Cambodia.“This can range from professional meetings with local fund managers and banks, development company headquarters, showrooms, law offices, accountants and even local government representatives.”These tours, aimed to grease the wheels and spur investment, are typically subsidized by the agency or developer, and can last from as little as a few days to a week. They will always include visits to popular development corridors, such as Chroy Changvar and Diamond Island, says David Kim, CEO of Informax Real Estate Service.Imtiaz Panjwani, chairman of Seer Realty India and Ivanna Capital London, who consults on London and Dubai properties, as well as overseeing various international investment accounts, is one investor who joined a tour earlier this year.“Living and working in London real estate, few investors venture all the way to Cambodia,” he remarked. “But the chance to relax in a tourism hotspot such as Cambodia has recently become, and also survey the rising property market was, irresistible.”Yet, while the tours are focused on bringing in cash, one of the main goals is to present Cambodia as a whole. Investors generally undertake trips to main attractions, and spend nights out on the town with their fellow investors.“While I came as investor, I had to check out Angkor Wat while I was here and try the local bar and cuisine scene,” said Panjwani.Ly Senleap, CEO of Furi Real estate and F.U.G.I Investment, said that investor tours seek to defeat an outdated mindset.“Honestly, before I came to Cambodia, I expected to land in little more than a large village,” said Panjwani.While Cambodia’s construction boom continues, and the country grapples with wrestling itself out of least-developed country status, many perceptions of the wealth of the country have been overlooked, despite nearly two decades of swift economic growth.Kim recalls when one group of investors brought boxes of Coca Cola to their Cambodian partners as gifts when they arrived. “They thought this would be a novelty for Cambodian people. Little did they know, Cambodia already has its own Coca Cola factory. This is just a funny story, but it is true that many investors are genuinely surprised by the level of wealth among local people when they first arrive.”  “Due to Cambodia’s history and lasting international image, buyers need to witness the growth of the nation for themselves and see just how far from reality the stigma actually lies,” Ly said.With this in mind, Ly’s company, F.U.G.I Investment, is currently planning an investor’s seminar to be held in Phnom Penh in early 2016.Due to fluctuating investment conditions in their home economies,Kim says most tours bring potential buyers from Singapore, Taiwan and mainland China. Meanwhile, few Japanese and Western investors currently make the trip.While these tours aim to wine and dine investors by ramping up a hands-on sales pitch as many sales are sold on speculation, Ly notes that for developers who offer guaranteed rental returns, these tours can legitimise a development.“If the area is growing fast, and current price increases reflect the estimated potential of the proposed Guaranteed Rental Return (GRR) – buyers will have confidence that promised GRR will, in fact, come once the project reaches completion,” he says.However, some think that it takes more than just a stroll around the block to prove if an investment will pay off.“Finding a property with good capital growth profit and positive rental yields is like finding a rare gem,” says Edwin Low, general manager of Axis Residences. “You can research on the rental yields from the surrounding properties but you need real foresight to recognise the growth potential. Investor holidays provide at least a start.”While these tours aim to bring a superficial understanding to a burgeoning market, Chee Yap, project director at Grand Phnom Penh International City, believes that a short holiday tour does not provide a true insight into local business and consumer behavior, “or undefined regulations and policies in Cambodia.”“Investors must also meet with investors already settled in the country who are aware of these less obvious risks, and their country’s embassy representatives. Always obtain third party perspectives and advice,” he advised.Kim suggests investor tours are not seeking to sidestep risks by painting a rosy scenario, but rather to put Cambodian property risks into perspective. “As high risks always come with high returns, it is important to let investors visit Cambodia to see what the market’s risks really are and how best to control them.”Many investors eyeing Cambodia already understand that poorer countries have bigger potential for investment, he explained. While many foreigners have concerns over Cambodia’s political stability, he says “if they visit here they will soon see the market is stable for economic growth.”After one visit, Panjwani views the boom in Cambodian construction as the start of something much larger. He plans to enter investment opportunities in 2016.“Phnom Penh brought flashbacks of the development of the Indian property market of the 1990s and early 2000s. The potential is here,” he said, noting that the heavy construction on Diamond Island was also reminiscent of Dubai in 2002 when freehold ownership laws for foreigners were allowed.“The government of Cambodia should market Cambodia very aggressively as a destination for travel and investment,” said Panjwani. “It is of paramount importance to get people to visit Cambodia and change its perception.”Want to know more about Cambodia? Head over tothe news section of Realestate.com.kh for all the latest updates!

International property consultancy, Savills, signed a contract earlier this month with Keystone Property Consultants to make the local firm the Cambodia-based associate of Savills.The move strengthens Savills’ presence in South East Asia, and increases Savills’ Asia Pacific presence to 58 operations across 17 countries in the region. Sunny Soo, Managing Director of Keystone, has been working in emerging real estate markets in Malaysia, China and Mongolia since 1997. He arrived in Cambodia in 2010 and continued in the same profession. Soo says, “The hardware of the Cambodian property market is upgrading quickly; in a very short space of time, the country has become host to a new breed of world class projects that will change the city skyline beyond recognition. The advancement of these developments also means the software must keep up, and this means more professional and holistic real estate consultancy is in demand.”Savills, with their Indochina representative in Vietnam, has been in close contact with developers in Cambodia for over a decade. Hence, the Cambodian extension, through the association with a local sought after consultancy, is only natural, says Soo.Neil MacGregor, Managing Director of Savills Vietnam, said, “Current international clients of Savills were seeking investment consultancy and other services within Cambodia and Indochina region. The association with Keystone though will allow us to leverage both parties’ expertise, will further strengthening Savills portfolio across this dynamic region.”Soo also commented that a considerable amount of current projects underway in the Cambodian real estate market currently may encounter difficulties in the future due to lack of necessary preparation and calculated foresight in planning. “We are wishful for the opportunity to serve the industry and hopefully in time the market will recognize and welcome us as a valued consultant”, he said.Presently in the development of business infrastructure, expect to see the physical launch of the Savills’ association - Keystone in early 2016.

Serviced apartments are the creme de la creme of the Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville real estate sphere, and these luxury abodes include all amenities fit for a king, or queen.Serviced apartments are plentiful in Cambodia’s major cities, but prices are comparatively high and overall occupancy levels can be quite low. Serviced apartments are the number one choice for young professionals who want to live alone in the central city, close to work, and save time managing their home. They are also increasingly popular with families, who appreciate the privacy and quality of living in serviced apartment complexes. The supply of serviced apartments is only set to soar too - with a host of new options ready for occupancy in 2020 and beyond.What should I expect in my serviced apartments unit?When you start considering serviced apartments for rent, or possibly purchase, expect western style interior decoration, plenty of light and windows, views of the skyline, fully functioning kitchens - including ovens, clean and modern bathrooms, and expansive storage space and closets. What should I expect in the serviced apartments complex?Serviced apartment buildings will generally incorporate elevators, full security services (including a 24 hour guard, CCTV, intercom and possibly fire safety provisions), ample parking for cars and motos, fully equipped gym, and in most you can even find a swimming pool. When you live in a service apartment your landlord shouldn’t be hard to deal with - expect professional  and well-documented rental payment collection and fast feedback on requests for property maintenance. Make sure you get a good contract, here are a few tips!What should I expect in my serviced apartments amenities and services?In regards to services included in serviced apartment management fees, expect services such as house cleaning, laundry and drycleaning, fast and consistent internet, cable television, reliable water and a water heater for the shower and bath, and often serviced apartments also include full concierge service. The concierge will be able to help you navigate the city, book taxis and buses, and generally make sure everything is to your taste in your new home.  What's the price range for serviced apartments in Phnom Penh?Let’s compare service apartments vs. non-serviced apartments (prices based on Realestate.com.kh data):For serviced apartments:Lower = $600 – $800Middle = $800 – $1,400High = $1,500 ++For standalone apartments:Lower = $300 – $500Middle = $550 – $900High = $1,000 ++Check out over 200 serviced apartments for rent in Cambodia on Realestate.com.kh!

Welcome to another Realestate.com.kh Dream Home Report.Every week we will showcase some of Cambodia's most luxurious, interesting and unique properties from throughout our listings database. We want to show you the gems of the Cambodian property market.This week we want to survey some homes with a unique Khmer flavor.Another restored traditional wooden house in Siem Reap, is now home to one of the most popular bars in town. The David Thompson Aqua Mekong River cruise is the ultimate in house boats! Which could be called home for a few weeks - while you float through from Vietnam to Cambodia. This stunning stilt house is located in Siem Reap was certainly built for all weather conditions. The tree top eco-lodge in Ratanakiri is great for those who want to live like a monkey.One of a few stunning private villas in Kep, Cambodia, available to rent! This stunner was built in the 60’s.Check some more Dream Home reports here: [caption id="attachment_79536" align="aligncenter" width="150"] Dream Home Report : Unique Khmer Homes[/caption] [caption id="attachment_78348" align="aligncenter" width="150"] Dream Home : Song Saa Private Island Villa[/caption]

D’Seaview brings Sihanoukville its first residential and commercial mixed development, located alongside Sihanoukville’s most beautiful beaches. Cambodia’s southern coastal resort town, Sihanoukville, is not only one of the nation’s premier tourism destination, but the fastest growing business hub outside of Phnom Penh.An iconic development standing 28 storeys high brings to Cambodia a collection of premium executive condominiums, commercial units and a budget hotel, all in one serene living complex. See the D'Seaview listing on Realestate.com.kh today for full information on this exciting project!Now that D'Seaview sales are off to a strong start, Camhomes would like to announce the opening of sales for their commercial units that will service the residential and hotel complex.These units for sale will be located along the exclusive D`Seaview Boulevard – a new lifestyle hub for shopping and entertainment in Sihanoukville. Want to inquire about the D'Seaview commercial opportunity? Contact Camhomes today!In total, 66 commercial units are up for sale in various sizes suitable for all types of trade. The selection of commercial units includes shop houses, 1 and half or 2 and half storey, standard retail units, and SOHO units with high ceilings and flexible furniture options. These commercial units are located on the trendy D`Seaview Boulevard board walk and will be perfectly suited to café and bar uses, with a serene location ideal for alfresco dining alongside the Sihanoukville shoreline. Camhomes is also seeking tenders on the hotel that will service the D'Seaview complex, and food and beverage vendors for the range of plaza outlets within D'Seaview - and its awe-inspiring sky bar.  This unique lifestyle destination offers commercial vendors an investment opportunity which is set to inject life into the already popular tourism and residential area. Contact Camhomes today for more information, because these residential units will not last long.

Savills, one of the world's largest International real estate and property consultancies, and the largest agency in Vietnam,  has announced that they will soon enter the Cambodian real estate market.Savills will join the Kingdom's market through a partnership with Keystone Property Consultants in Cambodia, according to recent announcements. After Savills joins the Cambodian real estate market, their Asia Pacific presence will increase to 58 operations, across 17 countries in the Southeast Asian region. Phnom Penh based Keystone, is a leading investment and property consultancy in Cambodia. It's executive director, Mr Sunny Soo, was the preceding country manager for Knight Frank Cambodia. Sign up for real estate news updates with Realestate.com.kh to find out the latest developments in this story in the coming months.

Sihanoukville is becoming more than just a place to soak up the sun on a slow weekend; it’s attracting the interest of serious investors looking to cash-in on a growing middle class in the coastal city.Trade and tourism are the city’s biggest revenue generators and with growing numbers of tourists and business people who come to invest for condos in Sihanoukville, especially from China and the rest of Asia, property developers are looking for new opportunities to capture these growing markets.One of the upcoming properties set to make an impression of condos in Sihanoukville is D’Seaview, a 735-unit condominium to be located near Sokha Beach. The project is backed by Singaporean agribusiness company HLH Group Ltd under their newly formed Camhomes branch.  Through private subsidies, the company is marketing units as low as $33,000 for Cambodian citizens – but this subsidized investment opportunity is running out at the end of December 2015. Construction on the project is expected to begin later this year, with a completion date of 2018. New families, young professionals and other prospective buyers will have the chance to secure one of the beautifully appointed units on offer at D’Seaview available from as little as $675 per square metre. D’Seaview will boast state-of-the-art facilities including a swimming pool, a fitness centre and sauna, function rooms and a children’s playground, all catering to a modern family lifestyle and all with a view over the ocean. Real estate experts say major condominium projects such as D’Seaview will bring international standards to the city and draw more sophisticated investors. See full details of D'Seaview, condos in Sihanoukville here! Clement Dupont, a property market watcher and investor based in Sihanoukville, said D’Seaview will give the city a new image, one of luxury and liveability rather than just an affordable holiday destination. “This will make people realize that condos in Sihanoukville is a worthwhile place to invest money and attract homebuyers who are looking to live and work in a comfortable, classy environment, as the city’s economy grows from year to year.” “It’ll definitely be interesting to see how the property market pans out once D’Seaview is complete,” he added. In the first eight months of the year, Sihanoukville airport handled a total of 65,698 passengers, with total arrivals at 35,882, up 149 per cent and 140 per cent year-on-year, respectively. Lucky Air recently launched direct flights from Kunming to Sihanoukville, becoming the first Chinese carrier to offer year-round regular scheduled service to Sihanoukville. “Many Chinese have come here to invest and live and work,” said Y Thearin, a Sihanouk Provincial Hall representative. “Their investment in the city has become important to the way condos in Sihanoukville is moving forward,” he added. The Chinese influence is certainly becoming noticeable as Chinese-backed casinos and hotels multiply rapidly. One of the largest properties to open recently is the 135-room White Sand Palace, which will also feature a casino set to be open next month, in Occheuteal. The casino industry has doubled since last year to 15 casinos, with an additional five applications pending approval. Spurring this growth is the potential of online gambling which is being offered from the majority of Sihanoukville casinos, says the spokesperson Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ros Phirun. Paralleling Sihanoukville’s growth is its property market, with land prices going up fast especially in areas where infrastructure is being improved, says Ruslan Gronov, manager of Sihanoukvilla Real Estate and Consulting. “The new road that is being upgraded from Sokha to Independence beach is resulting in more land available for sale, while prices are also going up around Otres beach where the road joining National Road 4 and the airport are going up.” Gronov says the rental market for small residential properties has not changed much amid the city’s growth but rental prices for commercial properties and full buildings have gone up considerably since November last year as the hospitality industry thrives and Chinese business people living in the city push up demand. Here is another article considering the benefits of living and investing in Sihanoukville! Gronov said the lowest price for a one-bedroom apartment with a kitchen is around $250 per month, located in the downtown area away from the beach. For a similar property near the beach the price is around $100 more. “If you rent commercial and full building, the prices have changed a lot but for residential and small houses it’s the same.” “It is a good time to invest here in condos in Sihanoukville. Some areas are still growing and the price is growing fast.” Check out the investment opportunity here!Gronov added that the cheapest land prices are around $200 per square meter for land not close the beach, while some of the highest prices are in Otres and the Golden Lion, the city’s most prominent landmark just a short walk away from Occheuteal Beach where land can go for about $1,000 per square metre. Sihanoukville has maintained a crucial position in the country’s trade and manufacturing sectors and is set to capitalize on this as the government looks to construct a 190-kilometre-long, 25-metre-wide expressway linking Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville on National Road 4. This project is said to begin next year and finish in 2020. Sihanoukville is home to the country’s largest port and one of the largest special economic zones, but set to create competition is the development of the Stung Hav Port. LCH Investment Group acquired the more than one thousand hectare Stung Hav site in 2005 and began in 2007 constructing the site’s small port about 4 km from the entrance. The smaller port opened in July 2012 and handles general cargo but not containers. However as of January this year, American and Singaporean investors pledged investment that will result in construction of the port starting in January 2016. This will take approximately two years to build and once complete, hopes to attract the business of around 75 factories in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone who currently use the Sihanoukville port for shipping. Management says the first step will be to build the International port next year and then the economic zone, and hopes to offer more competitive prices to the main Sihanoukville Port and SEZ, which has around 75 mainly Chinese-owned factories who currently use the Sihanoukville port for shipping. Take a look at D'Seaview's convenient finance terms here.

As interest grows in the nascent Cambodia Securities Exchange amid announcements of new floats tentatively scheduled for 2016, real estate agencies push for approval to become panel valuers—the sole legal mediator to value property holdings while pursuing an IPO. Thus far, members of just six real estate agencies have been granted approval for IPO appraisals in Cambodia: V Trust Appraisal, Real Estate VMC Cambodia, CBRE Cambodia, Bonna Realty Group and the most recent entrant joining this month, Knight Frank Cambodia.Although activity on the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX) was initially slow, with the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority listing in 2012 and Taiwanese-owned Grand Twins International listing in mid-2014, Ross Wheble, country manager for Knight Frank Cambodia, believes that the recent activity indicates growing confidence in the Cambodian economy and finance industry as a whole. “Which is a positive sign for Cambodia’s real estate and construction industry,” he said. The recent announcement that Hong Kong-based property developers, Eastland Development, expressed interest in listing on the CSX follows a number of similar announcements by companies such as the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ), TY Fashion and Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. [caption id="attachment_79853" align="aligncenter" width="297"] Mr Kuy Vat, VTrust Appraisal Co., Ltd.[/caption] If Eastland’s promises come to fruition and other real estate developers follow suit, “this shall enable investors who may not be able to afford to buy a property a chance to participate in the growing real estate sector by indirectly investing through the purchase of shares within real estate companies,” said Wheble. Regardless if a company like Eastland pursues a listing, a publicly traded entity would bring in the much needed transparency to a vague property market where financial capital and level of investment is often kept in the dark. But besides that, it would allow more investors to enter the market without having to put down the large sums to acquire property directly—and at lower risk. “Small investors will have a chance to invest in the property market,” says Kuy Vat, president VTrust Appraisal, meanwhile “the developer can mobilize more cash and spread the risk. Of course, the CSX will also receive a boost in public confidence with the announcement.” [caption id="attachment_78669" align="aligncenter" width="255"] Ross Wheble - Country Manager of Knight Frank Cambodia[/caption] Simon Griffiths, associate director at CBRE Cambodia, suggests that for property developers with an established and diverse portfolio, new projects in the pipeline, and a well-financed organisation, “risk is diversified and can be stabilized across sectors to some extent” by joining the stock exchange. While diversity is important, especially in the real estate and property developers market which often faces turbulence, “as we saw during the last global economic crash,” said Griffiths, a certain amount of risk will always remain. “Buyers of any stock would consider this and hedge their bets,” he said. However, if more property developers join the CSX, Griffith’s believes that it would allow for investors to capitalize on developments. It could also issue in the unique potential for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)—a type of security that invests in real estate by combining property or mortgages, thus providing more liquidity and high dividend yields. While Kuy believes that there would certainly be an increase in liquidity, additionally, it would also provide a secondary market for investors who want to easily trade out of their investment. “This means adding more lubricant to transactions [across other] sectors,” he said. [caption id="attachment_79857" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Simon Griffiths, CBRE[/caption] But while it is highly debatable if foreign property developers are even considering listing, property valuation is an important step in the IPO process that requires companies to open their books and disclose their assets. “A company is required to have its real estate assets valued to determine its Net Asset Value (NAV),” explained Wheble. But with only six accredited panel valuers currently operating in Cambodia, Griffiths highlighted the high standards required to gain entrance into the club. A foreign agent has to be security checked in their home country and in Cambodia and academic and relevant valuation experience and qualifications need to be verified, he said. One such accreditor that can audit an agent or a real estate company that wishes to be a panel valuer, is the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors—a London based organization that values property worldwide. “[Royal Institute of Charted Surveyors] adheres to strict and internationally recognized valuations guidelines, practices and methodologies,” said Griffiths. For smaller, local real estate agencies, the demand for CSX valuations remains too small of a market to service, and with qualification thresholds currently out of reach. [caption id="attachment_79081" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Kim Heang. CVEA[/caption] “Until this stock exchange grows significantly,” Kim Heang, president for the CVEA, suggests, “local agents will continue to focus on [regular] property valuation.” “It is great to have more, and more professional, panel valuers in the industry - so that we can compete with professionalism and quality rather than on price,” said Kuy. However, “considering the market and volume of assignments currently available, the CSX valuations market for local agents likely won’t grow dramatically in the short term.”

In appreciation for all of your support of Prince Central Real Estate, you are all invited to join the grand opening gala of Prince Central Plaza on the 15th of December; starting at 7:45 am and going on all day into the evening! The event will be held at the Prince Central Plaza showroom, located at no. 168 National Embassy Street. SEE MAP HERE! The Prince Central Plaza Grand opening Gala will include: a full-scale Doraemon theme Exhibition, Lion dancing, a free buffet feast and special first buyers' specials - including, purchase one unit with a deposit of just $2000 and opportunities to win I-Phone 6s and thousands dollars. Find more information about the Prince Central Plaza project on Realestate.com.kh today.

Realestate.com.kh would like to present another of our featured agencies – Furi Real Estate Co., Ltd.Furi Real Estate is the largest pure condo agency in Cambodia, in regards to agencies, agents and overall sales. In late 2012, Furi Real Estate founded a trade mark limited company under the new brand name: FURI Real Estate Co., Ltd. Furi Real Estate attributes 98 per cent of their condo sales over the last three years to Khmer buyers, according to CEO Ly Senleap. Furi Real Estate encourages locals to sell land, pool their savings and buy sets of condo units as live-in investments. By buying several units or a floor at one time, these buyers can save on market prices. Furi Real Estate currently has an exclusive listing over “The Bay,” an already-renowned condo complex being built on Chroy Changvar by the Singaporean-based TEHO-SBG Development Co., Ltd. Check out The Bay, from Furi, today on Realestate.com.kh today!"Our vision is clear," says Senleap: "To create a state of the art experience in buying and selling real estate, in Cambodia and Southeast Asia. We pride ourselves in understanding clients needs by building trust and developing lifetime relationships." Furi Real Estate seeks to provide excellence in investment services. Services always push to ensure outstanding and accountable services with integrity to customers, honesty in commitments, transparency with no hidden costs, building relationships and, ultimately, achieving great results. Invest with the best! See another superb development from Furi - The Diamond Twin Tower! Furi Real Estate is unique organization built around understanding their clients’ true need of investment. Whether it is location, size, or price - Furi will have the right fit for your needs through our property network across Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. Furi's real estate, product design, development, sales strategy management, and networking services are customized to meet each client’s unique needs. Check out two exciting listings from Furi Real Estate on Realestate.com.kh today:The Bay and Diamond Twin Tower.

Lots of people need information about how to invest in real estate but don't know where to look.If that sounds like you, look no further. Proceed into the following sections for some useful facts and thoughts.When selling your property: Try not to hesitant to spend money on marketing. Don't just concentrate on the numbers and focus too much on the amount your marketing is costing you. It is essential to think about the marketing as an investment. If you do it right, it will give you benefit in the end. When you invest in real estate you become a small business owner - and all businesses must market, right?When meeting the client: Always be on time when you set up a meeting with a potential customer. This will show that you are serious and will show no lack of regard to your potential client. Going to a meeting late demonstrates that you are unorganized and couldn't care less about your clients, which will make you lose them!Know your industry before you invest in real estate: You may need to stop some of your pastimes and focus on this for some time! If it was easy, everyone would do it! Drop some extracurricular activities to build your learning time so you really understand the market before you invest in real estate.Keep your distance, emotionally: When you invest in real estate, make a point not to get emotionally attached to your investment. You are attempting to turn the most profit possible, so try to put every bit of your effort into remodeling the home that you buy to maximize its value later on. Don't get stuck with a house you loved to much to let go...Know the area before you invest in real estate there: While a new property itself may look attractive, always examine the whole neighborhood it's located in before you purchase. Neighborhoods where individuals need to live tend to hold or even ascent in quality after some time, while a discouraged location may yield a lower return. Location is a top element with regards to property value, considerably more than the genuine property itself.Choose your partners wisely: Find a contractual worker to work with that you can coexist with and trust. You can spare yourself a considerable measure of disappointment if you simply find somebody that you know will work well with you, and has similar goals.Negotiation! You don't need to pay the list cost for a property! Most the time a proprietor will make the cost higher than it ought to be on account of they anticipate that individuals will attempt to negotiate with them. Try not to be terrified to give them a lower offer... as they might just give you that cash off!Have inquiries? Reach out to the Realestate.com.kh Team now! Cambodia’s home of real estate, and the leading real estate news source in the Kingdom.

When you are selling your property, you should be proficient about related real estate language. You should know about the distinction between a canopy and an awning, a mortgage and a loan, and also the distinction between deposit and down payment.There lots of real estate sellers who think that these 2 separate sorts of payments are the same one, when they're definitely not. When it comes time to start selling your property - you need to be clear!A deposit is the money gave over to the owner of the property when a buyer shows enthusiasm to purchase the property. It's amount could be anything from 5% of the overall value, or as little as only a 4 or 5 hundred bucks. The deposit is credited to the client and structures a portion of his down payment when the purchase pushes through. Its a way of stopping other buyers from taking the property while you reach your final decision.A Down payment or equity, on the other hand, may be viewed as a pre-payment on the property. It's given when the client has resolved to really get the property (not at all like in your deposit, where it's given when the customer shows a need to secure the property being referred to). When you are selling your property, a down payment is the best!It is really simple to recognize these distinctions when selling your property. Remember that the deposit turns into a piece of the down payment after the trade pushes through, and will be altogether smaller. These consolidated with the outstanding balance should equal the total cost of the house being referred to.Hopefully that clears up the distinction between these 2 things for the next time you are selling your property.In case you're in Phnom Penh and have any inquiries or concerns, reach out to Realestate.com.kh Team now!

Pop star Selena Gomez has put her Calabasa house for sale. And if you are in the market for a party house for sale, the celebrity's compound is available for just US$4,495,000...She purportedly wants to catch a decent profit for her eighteen months investment. The "Wizards of Waverly Place" album has gotten to be something of a wiz at the land biz. She purchased the 7,700-square-foot house for sale at $3.7 million in 2014. Is this house for sale going to be "Great for You?" For anyone on a hunt for a superstar then the answer is yes... Do you think Tailor Swift would buy her house? The new proprietor will move into a custom home with five bedrooms, five chimneys, a gourmet expert's kitchen with breakfast alcove, a formal lounge area with floor-to-ceiling windows, a gym , a theater, an outdoor courtyard and a guesthouse. Fashionistas will mostly appreciate the enormous wardrobe. Invite all your friend lists or families for gatherings in the "great lawn" that features a pool, cabana, an outside kitchen and pizza broiler. While the estate charges itself as "private and extremely rare," it wasn't sufficiently private for Gomez. As per TMZ, various calls to 911 about gatecrashers most likely prompted her choice to put up the house for sale. Gomez has some an opportunity to scout out her next land find. The 23-year-old will be on tour beginning in 2016....