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....

// Saudi Arabia is building the world’s tallest building – nearly twice the height of One World Trade Center. Posted by Business Insider Video on Wednesday, December 2, 2015   Maybe one day Diamond Island will compete??     Want to see one of the world's fastest buildings? Check it out on Realestate.com.kh today.

Abandoned for two years, Gold Tower 42 yet again promised that construction would resume on the long dormant project. This time, however, construction will begin in February 2016 and will be completed by 2018. Similar claims were made earlier this year, when the company promised it would resume construction in March of 2015, with a completion date of 2018.According to the Ministry of Urban Planning and Construction, Choi Jong Hae, CEO and Chairman of Yonwoo Cambodia Co, Ltd, who owns Gold Tower 42, requested permission to continue construction by sending a letter. Lao Tip Seitha, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Construction at the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, confirmed that the ministry had received the letter. Seng Bunna, CEO of Bunna Realty Group, said that if the project actually begins, yet again, it would be a good sign that the Koreans have faith in the Cambodian market. However, he said that he was unsure if the owner of the property was truly committed to the project. But, from a construction materials point of view, now would be the logical time to resume construction because the materials, primarily all imported, have declined in value alongside the drop in regional currencies as the US dollar has remained strong, he said. “Now would be a good time to build, but to attempt to sell, now is not the time,” he said, hinting at the lack of faith investors have in the project. Siv Meng, Phnom Penh Post, Post Property.

Over 20 CVEA Executive Committee and Members holding valuation certificates came together on the 2nd December 2015 (Wednesday this week) to discuss average Phnom Penh Land Prices 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxURKtpxfxU&feature;=youtu.be The meeting considered the growth of Phnom Penh land prices 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. The final Phnom Penh land price survey will be released later this month once final agreement is met. Stay tuned to Realestate.com.kh/news for the CVEA Phnom Penh Land Prices Survey's release later this month.

Cambodia Constructor's Association (CCA) will hold the 4th Annual Cambodia Construction Summit & Expo 2015 starting from tomorrow: 3-5 December 2015 at Diamond Island Expo Center. Check out exhibitions from the countries' leading construction developers, constructors and designers, construction material companies and real estate agencies. Get special deals on all types of products and meet new contacts business opportunities. See you there!

Prince Central Plaza represents a new age of living for one of Cambodia’s most exciting and desirable districts: Tonle Bassac. “Local people are starting to have a concern about good location and land - demand for premium land is very high right now,” says a spokesperson of Prince Central Plaza - and this is why Tonle Bassac was the obvious choice. Located on the exclusive Norodom Boulevard, the landmark development is just minutes to Independence Monument, Aeon Shopping Mall and various embassies. The building will have 37 floors in total, with the bottom three dedicated to the retail plaza and restaurants. Inspired by classical art deco lines and style, Prince Central Plaza will fast become an architectural icon of the neighborhood. The unique design is the product of American DF International Building Design Co., Ltd., a company that has already completed around 300 engineering design projects, spanning more than 20 million square meters. The Mansion House – the premium residence within the Prince Central Plaza project – offers a range of 1 to 3 bedroom condominiums, studio and SOHO units, all beautifully furnished with elegance and class, stunning balcony views of the city skyline, and finished with the latest amenities for modern living.The units will all have services provide by the 24 hour concierge staff, including International platinum housekeeper services.The Interior design of all Prince Central Plaza units have been formulated with taste and art deco elegance, by Shenzhen Guangtian Design Group Co., Ltd., a listed Chinese company with a renown portfolio of real estate projects. Inquire today to visit the showroom!Landscape design is also a key element of Prince Central Plaza, with delicately crafted surrounds in both the communal and private gardens of the residential complex. These have been designed by TTR Design Co. Ltd., a company with a wealth of experience designing and implementing gardens for resorts, hotels and recreational facilities across China.The beautifully designed infinity pool gives residents a place to relax and unwind; an impressive, fully equipped gymnasium and a fitness room will help you and your family keep healthy; shopping at your doorstep is assured – with the plaza’s malls; and an international standard business center will guarantee a convenient lifestyle for modern business people. The construction of Prince Central Plaza has already begun, under the management of China Construction Co., Ltd., China’s largest and most renowned real estate and construction enterprise. This will be another benchmark project for a company with many already in its portfolio. Prince Central Plaza is set to be completed by 2018.Check out the new development or Prince Central Plaza listing today on Realestate.com.kh!Find out property for rent in Phnom Penh or property for sale in Phnom Penh!

Knight Frank Becomes the Latest Real Estate Company to be Approved as a Panel Valuer for the Securities and Exchange Commission of Cambodia: As part of the listing process, a company is required to have its real estate assets valued to determine its Net Asset Value (NAV). Established in 1896 and opening their Cambodian office in 2008, Knight Frank, which is the world’s largest privately owned real estate consultancy, has become the latest real estate company to be approved as a panel valuer for the Securities and Exchange Commission of Cambodia. With over 440 offices in 58 countries, all valuations undertaken by Knight Frank are carried out by professionally qualified valuers, and all valuation reports comply with the highest of standards set out by the International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC), giving investors total confidence in the value of a company’s real estate assets. Check out Knight Frank's listings on Realestate.com.kh here. The recent announcement that Hong Kong-based developer, Eastland Development (HK) Ltd, has expressed interest in listing on Cambodia’s stock exchange follows a number of similar announcements by companies that are also looking to list on the exchange, including the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ), TY Fashion and Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. Check out Eastland's property for sale here. If the companies indicated above list on the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX) as intended, real estate companies will represent one half of the listed companies (based on number of companies and not market capitalisation) on the CSX. Although activity on the CSX was initially slow, with the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority listing in 2012 and Taiwanese-owned Grand Twins International (Cambodia) Plc listing mid-2014, 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. The announcement by Eastland Development (HK) Ltd signifies their commitment to Cambodia over the long term and also their confidence in the Cambodian real estate sector. Furthermore, it also enables 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.

Hong Kong-based developer Eastland Development (HK) Ltd has announced plans to list on Cambodia’s stock exchange within a year. Sam Yang, the company’s CEO, said during a recent company promotional event that Eastland is working with a local underwriter to prepare to float shares on the Cambodian Stock Exchange (CSX). “The application will be ready early next year and the company will have an initial public offering in September next year,” he said, adding that Eastland intends to be the first foreign-registered company to list on the CSX. Yang said that the purpose of listing was not just about raising funds for its projects, but also to raise the confidence of its investors and allow them to be part of a high-standard property firm. Read a related article: Knight Frank authorized to conduct IPO valuations.  Eastland Development (HK) Ltd is a branch of China’s Guangzhou Yuetai Group, a real estate developer with over $1.2 billion in assets. Eastland is focused on real estate development in Cambodia, and claims to have invested $60 million in three projects here: East One Apartments, East View Residence and East Commercial Center (ECC). Phnom Penh Securities, the underwriter for the IPO according to Yang, could not be reached for comment yesterday. Sou Socheat, director-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Cambodia (SECC), said he had not received any letter or official documents from the Eastland yet, though he welcomed its intention to join the stock market in Cambodia. He said some foreign-registered companies have submitted letters of interest to list on the CSX, though nothing is official yet. In addition, the SECC is also reviewing the applications of three local companies that intend to list within the next year, namely Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ), TY Fashion and Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. Sor Chandara, Phnom Penh Post Want to invest with Eastland? Check out their properties for sale on Realestate.com.kh: East One Apartments, East View Residence and East Commercial Center (ECC).

After defining high-end taste in Russia, China and Thailand, an Italian luxury home-décor company aims to conquer the villas market of Cambodia’s rich.Greeted by gold-gilded tables, intricately carved gold-leaf headboards, and polished tiles of marble and ceramics, one would feel as though they had just stepped into a magical place reminiscent of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg or an oligarch’s lavish home. In actual fact, this place strikes much closer to home. With its palatial and baroque items on display at the launch of their showroom on November 22, Azza Décor is the first of its kind in Phnom Penh; a luxury home-décor company specializing in Italian interior design, mainly in the market for furniture and lighting, tiles and bathroom furnishing and kitchen fittings. Every distinctive product has a “Made in Italy” tag, while its exclusive brands boast of names like Versace (Ceramics), Valentino, Bastianelli Home, and Socci, amongst many others. Marco Cipriani, area manager for CIAC Group which supplies furniture to Azza Décor, explained that, “our first market all over the world [for this style of furniture] is the Russian market, as the Russian people love to buy these types of gold leaf furniture.” However, at $165 per pop for one Versace Ceramic tile-piece or $10,000 for a Versace sink, the question is whether such ornate and lush furniture is prohibitive here in Phnom Penh. “Since our expansion in other Asian countries like China and Thailand, we feel it is time that this kind of furniture comes into the interior market in Cambodia,” Cipriani said. Minea Prach, Azza Décor’s sales and marketing manager, explained that the Phnom Penh launch was due to the exponential growth in the construction sector and an increasing appetite for luxury goods among a few. “Our main target audience is the high-end niche market of those who own private residences or villas,” Prach said. The influx of foreigners and foreign businesses in Phnom Penh does seem to complement the opening of such a company. Azza Décor seemingly fits in with the high-end residences, exclusive condominiums and villas that have been springing up over the past few years. Lorenzo Martini, founder of architecture and interior design company Lorenzo Martini Design Studio, offered his insight on the home décor style that appeals most to Cambodians, as well as how luxury interior décor companies will fare in the Cambodian market. In reference to what style of interior design piques the locals’ interest, “Cambodians with a budget manage to implement what I would say a Neo-Baroque, or Transitional Classic [style],” Martini said. “People would call it ‘classical’, but is a classical style with exaggerated curves, patterns and textures, heavy to the sight, which draws on baroque but while sharing its power, it doesn’t share its elegance. It’s a style that is popular in most developing countries,” he continued. On how high the demand for such a niche market is here, Martini said that it is tempting to affirm a high demand given the number of showrooms showcasing luxury furnishing in Phnom Penh. However, this pertains only to a pocket of very wealthy people who may not have an idea of what defines a real luxury product. Therefore, many end up purchasing overpriced products without much discernment. “I’m happy to see [Azza Décor] stepping up the game, and will give a run for their money to many other shops currently selling average products at high prices under the pretense it is luxury,” Martini said. There is no such pretense at Azza Décor, with each product guaranteeing its authenticity of quality and branding. Partly echoing Prach’s words, Martini said, “I don’t see the market as being ready for luxury commercial projects just yet, I think luxury products are almost exclusively employed in high-end private residences.” Azza Décor currently works closely with luxury housing developer The Bay, managed by the TEHO Group, in supplying materials to them. Having sold a considerable number of products before and during the launch to owners of private villa residences in BKK 1, Borey Orkide, and Borey New World, Azza Décor looks set to make waves in this small, but powerful, pocket of Phnom Penh’s elite. Hanamariya Halim, Phnom Penh Post, Post Property

There are lots of easy things you can change in order to make your home quieter, and fetch a higher market price. Sam, a local Phnom Penh real estate agent recounts: “I recently checked out a villa home for sale along the main road out of Phnom Penh, Road number 4. The main road there is very loud and dusty - as you may know. But, as soon as I walked in the large gate of this 4 bedroom villa for sale, I found that the owners had created a peaceful garden sanctuary behind the thick and tall street fence. Inside this secret garden wasn't loud or dusty - and it was hard to tell the main road was not far away. This owner had very-cleverly created a quiet home setting able to offset the property’s location shortcomings.”The trick is to stop street and/or neighborhood noise from entering the house. You can do this by adding: Botanical gardensWindow glazingWall insulationBlindsTall secure fences: a good landscape designer will use walls, fencing, plants, hedges and other noise cancelling techniques to bring down the noise levels of your home.Generally - using noise-reducing materials when building or renovating is the best way to start when trying to cut your home noise down.In the design stage consider having bedrooms and living areas away from the noisiest parts of the building. What is the value of a quieter home?For some, such as Brian, who lives on central Street 51, Phnom Penh - the noise is offset by his surroundings:"I'm a heavy sleeper, so I can handle the late night music outside my apartment window. For me, it is a welcome trade-off for being able to walk 5 meters outside my home and be immersed in the heart of Phnom Penh City - I personally love the smells, sounds and great food all at my doorstep! And no need to pay for transport."However, according to Realestate.com.kh data, most of the housing market does put a higher value on quiet homes. Having your home on a quiet street can increase its value by thousands of dollars, if you can find the right type of buyer. The value of peace and quiet is highly sought after by many property seekers, and this is known by valuation professionals. Homes on noisy main roads generally lose 10% of their value, as compared to homes in the same area on quiet side-streets.Want more articles similar to this? Check out Realestate.com.kh now!

CBRE Residential Global Living Report, released this year by CBRE International, has seen two east Asian real estate markets ranking in the top 5 highest value residential property markets worldwide, as decided by average property prices. The rational given for this Asian boom appears promising for the Cambodian residential property market, given hints to parallel trends occurring on a smaller scale in the Kingdom’s residential real estate market currently. The CBRE Global Living Report examines the residential property markets of 31 affluent cities around the world, including hubs such as Shanghai, Paris, New York, Tokyo, London and Madrid. Hong Kong ranked number one in the CBRE Global Living Report this year, having the highest average price per square foot in the world. Singapore has the highest property price by capital value in the world, according to the report, however, when viewed on a per square foot basis it came fifth, internationally. In Hong Kong, property prices leaped by 13.5 percent last year alone, meaning the market saw 20 percent average annual price growth, ranking as the second fastest residential growth market worldwide, according to the CBRE Report. Interestingly, the CBRE report cites increased Chinese investment as a key stimulant behind this boom: “As Hong Kong attracts a substantial amount of Chinese (as well as other international buyers), the market is likely to be buoyed by the recent Chinese stock market crash, which may lead to investors finding alternative homes, such as property, for their capital.” Not surprisingly, therefore, in Hong Kong only 65 percent of all residential properties are owned by owner-occupiers. Cambodia, with the unique invitation of an investment in USD, could also be benefiting from this type of investor. Anthony Galliano, Group CEO, Cambodian Investment Management, believes that, “Cambodia ‘s real estate market had been historically ignored as the country wasn’t viewed as a “quality of life” or “property investment” destination by foreign investors.  With Hong Kong and Singapore being Asia’s 2 most expensive markets and also in the world’s priciest markets, developers are seeking alternative Asian geographies that are more economically viable.” Knight Frank’s Cambodian country manager Ross Wheble explained to the Post, in regards to similar indicators in Knight Frank’s latest Asia Development Index, that the regional cooling “has benefited [Cambodia with] an influx of both foreign developers and investors seeking to take advantage of the comparatively low property prices and the relative ease at which foreign buyers can acquire freehold property (above ground floor level).” Galliano suggests that the surge in investment in Cambodia’s property market has been driven by economic fundamentals, namely, “ a more positive image of the country from frontier to developing market, and to an extent, herd instinct.” Galliano continues that “While property prices currently remain attractive, and the country, more specially Phnom Penh, has welcomed developers with open arms, inevitably once you do the math it is blatantly obviously there will be oversupply given the expected developments coming online in the next 2 years.  Therefore while it is all rosy today, I expect turbulence in property prices in the medium-term.” The Knight Frank report also added that growth in Cambodia has decelerated in the second quarter of 2015, suggesting prices may have reached their peak and will likely level off leading up to the AEC. As to why prices are appearing to peak, Wheble explained the sales rates of newly launched condominium projects in Cambodia for the first half of 2015 compared to 2014 “have eased.”

After the success of the “East One International Apartments” project – a condo development which is already 70% sold and now under construction in Duan Penh, Eastland Development Co. Ltd. have announced the launch of sales for “East Commercial Center (ECC)” along Norodom Boulevard, near the Malaysian Embassy. The number one real estate need within Phnom Penh moving into the future is a lack of affordable, sole-purposed office space, believes CEO of Eastland, Mr Sam Yang. "There are a growing number of talented local entrepreneurs and small business owners who need a place for their businesses to take flight, without driving them bankrupt." The East Commercial Center (ECC) will be completed in late 2017 and provide the market with 38 floors of pure office space, divided into small and affordable units, with low management fees, and common areas with all necessary business amenities. Inquire about the East Commercial Center (ECC) on realestate.com.kh todayThe ECC project will include a total of 680 car parks, over 6 floors. And in fact, the following stage of this development will be the East View Residence project, which will include four 38-floor high residential buildings. The second Cambodian condominium project for Eastland Development. The current office space market in Phnom Penh is unsuited to the growing demand, believes Mr Yang. "These types of start-up businesses are not interested in A-grade office space, as rental rates are too high, and instead now find themselves adapting villas or flat houses into office space. Meanwhile, International companies are increasingly interested in moving an office to Cambodia at low risk because investment incentives are some of the best in the region."Inquire about the East Commercial Center (ECC) on realestate.com.kh today

Is a property near the action of a higher value? Or are home buyers and renters willing to pay more for some peace and quiet? It may depend on your taste... Learn how to make your home quieter here.For some, such as Brian, who lives on central Street 51, Phnom Penh - the noise is offset by his surroundings: "I'm a heavy sleeper, so I can handle the late night music outside my apartment window. For me, it is a welcome trade-off for being able to walk 5 meters outside my home and be immersed in the heart of Phnom Penh City - I personally love the smells, sounds and great food all at my doorstep! And no need to pay for transport."  However, according to Realestate.com.kh data, most of the housing market does put a higher value on quiet homes. Having your home on a quiet street can increase its value by thousands of dollars, if you can find the right type of buyer. The value of peace and quiet is highly sought after by many property seekers, and this is known by valuation professionals. Homes on noisy main roads generally lose 10% of their value, as compared to homes in the same area on quiet side-streets. Enjoyed this post?  Learn how to make your home quieter here.

On Friday last week, Cambodia’s Global CAM Project Development Plc signed a MoU with Korea’s Green Eco Energy Co. Ltd. slating a high-speed Sihanoukville expressway from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, worth over 536 million. The 275-kilometer-long, 20-meter-wide Sihanoukville expressway along National Road 3 could begin as soon as next year, and marks Green Eco Energy Co. Ltd.'s first infrastructural investment in the Kingdom. The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, however, also signed an MoU in August with China’s Henan Provincial Communication Planning, Survey, and the Design Institute Co. Ltd. for the construction of a 190-kilometer-long, 25-meter-wide expressway linking Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville on National Road 4. This project is also said to begin next year and finish in 2020, weighing in with a cost of around $1.6 billion. According to the master plan by the ministry, Cambodia will need 850 kilometers of expressways by 2020, and 2,230 kilometers of expressway by 2040 - adding up to a total cost of about $26 billion. So it seems the Sihanoukville expressway is just the start...

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is luring a new breed of foreigners to Cambodia, and the region more generally. With foreigners comes an increase in demand for property, and different types of property - and a series of new allowances in national property laws to accommodate this demand.Foreign investors come to the South East Asia region for the low labour costs, connectivity between the neighbouring economies, and the huge supply of land, resources and business opportunities. And as local markets grow, FDI will naturally follow as international companies are spurred by the chance of jumping on the wagon of a fast moving economy. Foreign capital presents a huge engine of growth in South East Asian countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos - which cumulatively saw an average annual rise in FDI of 9.2 percent in the years 2010 to 2013. In this FDI growth, Myanmar was the leader of the pack with a 35.8 percent increase over the three year period. Cambodia followed with 22.3 percent; Laos came third at 15.2 percent; and finally, Vietnam, fell behind with just 2.6 percent growth over the three year survey. Yet, amid the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam bloc, foreigners are subject to a variety of ownership limits. The foremost of these is being barred from owning land on a freehold basis, otherwise termed as outright ownership in perpetuity. This is a rule which is largely steadfast throughout the four nations’ borders. This may not be surprising, however, as freehold possession of land is likewise unavailable to citizens of Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, where government policy holds the state as the principal owner of all land. Long-term leasehold is, therefore, the accepted form of land ownership for foreigners based in these nations. Lease terms are flexible for most purposes, whether it be for a new business property or a residential address, and allow room for ownership limits to potentially ease in the years to come as governments in the region increase efforts to attract quality FDI. Given the relative political stability in the region, investors are generally happy to accept these long term leases. Cambodia, unlike its three neighboring counterparts, has a freehold land ownership system for its citizens. Foreigners based in Cambodia are also allowed rights of ownership over certain properties, subject to 2010 Law on the Provision of Ownership Rights. These rights, however, are restricted to buildings that have obtained a "strata title", which is available only to newly completed apartment buildings. According to the strata title regulation, foreigners cannot acquire a ground-floor unit legally, and any foreign ownership allocation is limited to a maximum of 70 percent of the units in any one co-owned building. Nevertheless, a foreigner lease term over landed properties can still be up to a 50 year maximum, with a 50 year renewal option included. In Laos, land is owned by the "national community", meaning no individual or business entity, foreign or local, can truly own land. Land-use rights are only granted to individuals or organizations by the state, and these rights are able to be transferred or inherited. 50 year leases are commonly granted to foreign individuals or companies. Myanmar's constitution similarly establishes the state as the ultimate owner of all land. Yet, under the new Myanmar Foreign Investment Law, an investor may lease land for up to 50 years, with two 10 year extensions. Structures affixed to land are the property of the foreign owner, but these rights revert to the lessor or the state with no prescribed compensation when the lease comes to an end. A Condominium Law, likely inspired by the Cambodian example, that is currently in development in Myanmar but not yet in force, would allow a foreigner to purchase a condominium on the sixth floor or above of a co-owned building, up to a quota of 40 percent foreign ownership of the total units in the property. In Vietnam, freehold ownership by foreigners over land is prohibited by the constitution. Yet state authorized leases between 50 and 70 years are widely available, especially for development projects, and renewable at the discretion of officials. Further, pursuant to the Vietnamese Law of Housing 2014, a foreigner may now own a unit in an apartment or condominium building - if it is a no-more-than 30 percent foreign owned building. The influx of FDI and the relaxations upon ownership laws is pushing local real estate developers to create and sell more residential space suitable for the needs of this new investor class. The massive boom in construction in all of these countries, Cambodia’s condo explosion being a prime example, reflects this drive to meet a new FDI based market. As rules are eased, companies such as property developers, banks and providers of property-related services, like maintenance, insurance and security, soon flow into the economy and boost it from within. In evidence of this, the GDPs’ of Cambodia and Myanmar each grew 9.7 percent last year; Vietnam's shot up by 8.8 percent; and Laos experienced 5.2 percent GDP growth.

There are three basic components to any mortgage. You must understand these clearly before you start the home loan application process. If you missed Mortgage Matters Part 1, read it here!In short, these are the home loan amount, interest rate, and loan term:Mortgage Component #1 - The Loan Amount: The loan amount is the principal amount that you want to borrow. Banks in Cambodia generally give a loan of up to 70% of the property value. Mortgage Component #2 - The Interest Rate: The interest rate is very important to understand! It is the percentage of annual interest that you have to pay on the total loan amount. It can be a fixed rate, a flexible rate, or a combination of both. Mortgage Component #3 - The Loan Term: The loan term is the duration/length of time that you take to completely repay the loan. Loan generally range from 15 to 30 years in Cambodia. If you combine the principal loan amount and the interest amount, you will then know the overall loan amount. Most home loans are usually repaid via monthly installments.The repayment comprises two parts or portions. One part is for the repayment of the principal amount. The other part is for the repayment of the interest.Read Mortgage Matters Part 3 HERE!This information should help you calculate your monthly mortgage payment... These home loan calculators should help too! Ready to get a Mortgage?? Inquire for a home loan here.

Due to rising prime retail real estate prices, many new restaurateurs looking to set up shop in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are choosing whether to accommodate high property rental rates into their business costs in order to sit on the vein of the tourist and expat traffic – or whether they step outside the prime retail real estate zones and give their customers a reason to come to them. In Siem Reap, says Dave Murphy of IPS Cambodia, who have offices in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, prime retail real estate space is heavily centered around Pub Street, and the surrounding lane ways. “In a city with far fewer expats than Phnom Penh,” says Murphy, “this is where the money really gravitates for restaurateurs.” Check out what's on offer in Siem Reap! For those cooking in Phnom Penh, their scope for prime retail real estate, primarily, is around the riverside district, BKK1 and the central suburbs of Duan Penh and Tonle Bassac. “However,” notes Murphy, “where these businesses ultimate choose to set up depends on their products and who they are catering for - as most expats are not particularly attracted to the Riverside area.” And, in fact, prime retail real estate rental prices in affluent areas such as BKK, Duan Penh and Tonle Bassac are growing faster than those on riverside, spurred by high demand - “which suggests,” says Murphy, “that F & B businesses in Phnom Penh are realizing there is a strong market in Phnom Penh that lies outside of the tourist dollar.” Check out what's on offer in Phnom Penh! For Edward Carminati, managing director of Il Forno Restaurants in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, BKK1 was the preferred location for his second Italian restaurant destination after great success in Siem Reap. “We didn’t choose to set up on Riverside,” says Carminati, “because we know, from our experience with our tourist driven venue in Siem Reap, that tourists primarily want to eat Asian food, and their spending limits are often smaller that the expat community.” “In fact,” continues Carminati, “BKK1 offers us access to a whole new market.” In Siem Reap, 90 percent of Il Forno’s customers are tourists – the other 10 percent are expats, who predominantly work in the NGO sector. In Phnom Penh, Carminati’s new venue caters to 80 percent expats, 10 percent Khmers and a measly 10 percent tourist traffic. See BKK1 real estate here!“In Phnom Penh,” says Carminati, “the expat community has much higher spending power than we are used to in Siem Reap. Here you have the NGOs, but you also have the corporates. The long-term expats are looking for a taste of home, and an ambient, authentic dining experience – we can offer that all year round.” Carminati confirmed that his costs of doing business are 300% higher in Phnom Penh’s BKK1, sitting on some of the countries most prime retail real estate, than they are in Siem Reap, but the profit available in Phnom Penh easily legitimizes these rates. In Siem Reap, the market is far less complex. Pub Street is the pinnacle of demand for prime retail real estate thanks to a high turnover of affluent visitors, but likewise rental rates. “It is becoming an extremely hard area to break into for new business ventures,” says Murphy, “as pub street has quickly been deemed prime retail real estate leaving few owners willing to sell, and rental rates climbing every new term.” This means new F & B enterprises have no choose but to move off the main street, where rental rates are lower – but so is foot traffic. However, in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, some restaurant owners are showing that it is not always crucial to have your property in the hottest areas. “Those businesses with high quality user reviews, and effective marketing, can take cheaper space in side streets off Pub Street, or a lesser known part of Phnom Penh, and customers will still find them,” believes Murphy. Carminati notes that, in fact, Il Forno’s less prominent retail space in Siem Reap, launched in 2011, located down a laneway off Pub Street, has been a blessing in disguise. “Our rental rates are more reasonable than on Pub Street, although growing fast, and, in fact, our location offers customer’s privacy, relative peace and tranquility, something very hard to offer when your restaurant sits directly on Pub Street. This keeps us well-reviewed, which makes tourist willing to come and find us off the main drag.” This is not unlike the booming F & B market in downtown Melbourne in the 1990’s, says Murphy. Spurred by the coffee culture boom, “any new cafe owners in the central Melbourne F & B industry either bought into prime retail real estate areas at huge cost – or did something very clever and unique to service their clients while they sat in the lower rental zones.” Check out IPS's listings here!

ANZ Royal Cambodia and Realestate.com.kh are working together to make your dreams of owning a home a reality. We want to help all Cambodian's leverage their finances effectively to improve their life, and the life of their families, today!Realestate.com.kh is the number 1 property portal in Cambodia, with over 15,000 properties for rent and sale, and attracting 1000's of visitors everyday! [caption id="attachment_79387" align="alignleft" width="259"] Realestate.com.kh are on ANZ Royal ATM screens across Cambodia![/caption] A standout feature of our website is being able to apply for a home loan directly - and you can even use our clever home loan calculators to work out how much you will likely need to loan, based on the price of the property you are considering. Once you know the value of your dream house or commercial property, with Realestate.com.kh you can apply for a loan directly to ANZ Royal Cambodia with the click of your mouse. This process makes getting a home loan easier than ever before - all from the comfort of your home, office and even from your mobile phone! Find out more today about how you can finance your dream home with ANZ Royal and Realestate.com.kh, Cambodia's home of real estate.

Plans for a ASEAN Railway network are beginning to solidify, with China pushing the long-stalled project into action in recent news and signing an agreement with the Laotian government. If this railway ultimately extends to Phnom Penh, the real estate market should certainly see benefits.The ASEAN Railway plan, however, is not a new story. As long ago as 1995, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders first proposed constructing a region wide railway because it seemed the best alternative to unsuitable road connections which are currently linking the region. Faced with wide disagreements between Southeast Asian nations over how to proceed to actually implementing the ASEAN Railway plan, and a shortage of funds, however, the railway talk soon subsided to silence. But then entered China; a country which has long prided itself on pushing through fantastical ideas to completion. With grand visions of Chinese engineered trains moving the region forward, economically and politically, recent reports confirm that China is now willing to come to the party with the money and expertise to drive the project ASEAN Railway to a more serious planning stage. "The length of China's high-speed railways in operation has reached 16,000km, accounting for more than 60% of the world's total," said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in his March 5 opening speech to this year's session of the National People's Congress. After this announcement, Li followed by saying that China would now step up efforts to expand rail links abroad. It is no secret that an ASEAN Railway is what Li had in mind by this expansion. Since becoming Chinese premier in 2013, Li has continuously visited the region and, while in the various nations’ ears, has served as an unofficial salesman for Chinese railway businesses. Li has suggested that these railway businesses are well-positioned, and now well-experience, to take advantage of new opportunities to the south of China. State-owned China CNR and CSR are the world's two biggest railway makers as measured by sales, and recently have agreed to merge. These Chinese state-run companies enjoy many cost advantages in their railway operations - as they are able to handle everything from initial railroad placement and design, right through to track-laying, station construction and full-system installation. Chinese companies are suggesting that they can accomplish all these tasks at 50 to 66 percent less cost than Japanese, U.S. and European rail rivals. For Southeast Asian countries with budgeting priorities, China looks like a worthy partner for any ASEAN Railway projects. Early this month, China and Laos reached agreement to build a 40-billion yuan ($6.28 billion), 418-kilometer railway from Kunming, the capital of southwestern China’s Yunnan province, to Vientiane, Laos capital, according to the official China Economic Herald report that followed a signing ceremony. The ceremony was attended by the National Development and Reform Commission, China Railway Corporation, and Export-Import Bank of China. According to Chinese media, China will cover 70 percent of the necessary investment for the new line, while Laos will be responsible for the remainder. Once in operation, the railway will be Laos’ longest and fastest yet, with an average speed of 160 kilometers per hour and 60 percent of the line being bridges and tunnels. The next step for China’s Silk Road railway is yet to be seen, and the world waits to see whether a full-scale ASEAN Railway will become a reality.

Realestate.com.kh has taken a look at the positive and negative sides of wood vs. tile floors for your next kitchen. Which are the easiest floors to clean? And which one, wood or tiles, brings the most value to your house? Are there any unexpected side effects if you choose the wrong floors for your next home? Wood Floors:When you go with wood for your floors, everything old is new again! Wood is popular again these days, just like the old days, and there’s no reason that classic look shouldn't cover the rest of the home's floor for a seamless look and feel. The Positive Side of Wood Floors:The Look is Superb: It may not suit every house, but wooden floors can quickly bring class to your kitchen, and value to most properties.Accentuate Modern Features: The clean lines of wood floors add a seamless polish to any home - if done well. Wood can help an area feel homey, warm and welcoming.Less Sneezing: Carpets and other coverings can create problems for those who react easily to dust in the air. Pet hair, dirt and dust don’t stick to wood so easily, so may offer relief to all you sneezers out there.Sustainability: When looked after properly, wooden floors will last longer - and natural floors are generally more environmentally and family friendly than other synthetic flooring materials.The Bad Side of Wood Floors:Extra Attention: Wooden floors require extra care and attention, especially in a messy zone like the kitchen. They might be easier day to day, as they accumulate less dust, but you’ll need to treat them better over the long term if you want them to keep looking good - and take care not to use damaging cleaning materials.House Sounds: Your wooden floors are a living thing which will creak, bend, absorb and breathe. This adds character to any house, but may also create noises, cracks and other surprises. Be careful during the installation that the wood not only fits according to outward appearances, but that will continue to feel, sound and behave the way you expect over time.Damageable: The kitchen is a a busy place and often a dangerous place for flooring - and hardwood floors show their scratches. If you run a very busy kitchen, you might want to try synthetic laminate floors instead - cheaper, and easier to replace when damaged. They offer a similar effect if they are printed like wooden floors, with much less vulnerability. Wood reacts badly to moisture too, so make sure your kitchen can deal with any water damage quickly - or your nice flat wood floor won't look so cool (or flat) anymore.Pricey: Good wood ain't cheap, and you need to make sure it is put down right!Tile Floors:Tiles have been kitchen favorites for-almost-ever. The colors and textures available are almost endless too, so tiling can be a lot of fun - and easily adjusted to your interior decorative tastes. The Up Side of Tile Floors:Hardy: Unless you literally throw the kitchen sink on them, tiles can happily support years of foot traffic in your kitchen.Complete Design Flex: Lighter colored tiled floors can make a kitchen seem bigger, darker tiles on the floors can add contrast and shade. Smaller tiles are great for featured patterns, and larger tiles help a kitchen feel bigger. These hacks are all available for your kitchen when you choose tile floors...Hot and Cold: Tiles keep you cooler in warm or hot weather, and hold the heat longer when it cools down at night.The Pits of Tile Flooring: Limited stock: They stop making some styles of tiles regularly, which can fast leave you up the creek with no paddle. This means that it can be hard to find a match if you need to replace or repair tiles on your kitchen floor in future.Ease of Cleaning: While you might think that tile floors are going to be easy to clean - think again: Tiles can be very sneaky when it comes to stains. Some lighter colored tiles can stain easily if you don't clean them fast enough. For this reason, it is best to avoid bright whites tiles for your kitchen floor - or buy a set of tiles with maximum stain resistance. Heavy textures, with cracks and imprints, may also catch dirt and sticky substances - making the cleaning job much harder than first expected. Slate tiles will take extra time and care to really clean.One Drop and the Gig's Up: Drop your plate or glass and you’ll soon see how forgiving tile floors are... Tiles are not a drop friendly surface. If you want tiles, but fear breaking your priceless china, try adding rugs or carpets in the high traffic zones to offset the risk of smashage. A few less wines before doing the dishes can also pay off...Want more articles like this? Visit Realestate.com.kh now!