When looking to buy property in Cambodia, you'll encounter several available types, each with its unique characteristics. But which one should you choose? In this article, we'll explore each property type, providing you with a better understanding of the options available in the Cambodian property market.
Condominium
A condominium refers to a building or a complex of buildings that contain several individually owned flats. Condominium developments are generally high-rise buildings that are newly constructed with a wide variety of modern furnishings and amenities.While most condominium units are in buildings that only house condos and amenities, there are also mixed-use developments that can also house space, commercial offices, and, in some cases, hotels.
(Picture Credit: Time Square 8)
Serviced Apartments
A serviced apartment is a fully furnished residential unit that is available for short-term or long-term stays and offers amenities and services similar to those provided by hotels. For example: fitness centers, swimming pools, on-site restaurants, and parking facilities, depending on the property's level and classification. These apartments are designed to provide a comfortable and convenient living space for travellers, business professionals, or individuals and families. Serviced apartments vary widely in terms of size, style and price, depending on the location and quality of the apartment complex.
What’s the difference between a Condo and an Apartment?
In Cambodia, apartments generally differ from condominiums by a few factors. Apartments are found in buildings built before 2010 and are not eligible for strata titles. Centrally owned buildings (one owner) regardless of it being pre or post-2010 will typically be called apartment buildings or apartments, given there are additional services such as weekly cleaning included. Nevertheless, the two terms often overlap and are used interchangeably in Cambodia.
Villa
Villas refer to freestanding houses, often featuring private gardens or outdoor spaces. They are highly versatile, serving as residences for Cambodian families, expatriate renters, or even as spaces for businesses. Villas can range from modern constructions to restored colonial-era homes, offering a blend of contemporary and historical charm.
In cities like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville, villas in central locations are in high demand. However, with rapid urban development, many standalone villas are being replaced by new buildings, reducing their availability. Despite this, villas remain a premier property type in Borey developments, where they are offered alongside twin villas, shophouses, and other housing options.
Villas are especially popular among wealthier Cambodian families due to their spacious layouts, ideal for extended family living and accommodating pets and vehicles. They are also seen as a solid investment, combining the benefits of owning both a house and land. Whether as a luxurious residence or a symbol of status, villas in Cambodia continue to be a coveted property type.
Traditional Wooden Khmer Houses
Traditional Khmer houses were originally made from wood and built on stilts to protect them from floods. The space underneath was used as a family area or to keep livestock safe at night. These homes are a reflection of the Khmer people’s close relationship with nature, built using local materials and traditional methods.
As urban development has expanded, many wooden houses in central Cambodia have been renovated. The space under the stilted houses is often turned into concrete ground floors or repurposed for businesses, like restaurants or tourism ventures. However, in rural, flood-prone areas, traditional stilt houses are still widely used, keeping their original purpose intact.
These houses are important in Khmer culture, symbolizing family unity and a connection to the environment. Efforts are being made to preserve them as part of Cambodia’s heritage and promote them through eco-tourism.
Shophouses and Renovated Shophouses
A shophouse is a type of architectural structure that combines both commercial and residential purposes within a single building. These buildings are commonly found in urban areas. Khmer-style shophouses are typically a standard size of 4 meters by 16 meters (13 feet by 52 feet). Generally, these shophouses are two, three, or four floors high, with a long and narrow layout. Shophouses are arranged in rows and share a common wall with neighbouring houses. This house style is popular with Cambodian families for this reason, as it allows for an additional revenue stream, especially when the house is located in a high-traffic area of the city or town. In some areas of Cambodian cities and key commercial streets, regulations stipulate that shophouse owners must use the ground floor of their homes for retail space and operate a shop if they wish to reside there. Shophouses can be rented as individual units for each floor or as an entire house. Renovated shophouses are becoming increasingly popular as they have the exact size specifications as traditional shophouses but include modern amenities and interior design. Shophouses generally feature mezzanine floors, which provide additional bedroom space.
(Photo Credit: The Eco Residence)
Borey
A Borey consists of a mixture of single villas, twin villas, hybrid villas, linked houses, shophouses, flat houses and retail space in a gated community. These developments tend to be concentrated on the outskirts of cities. There is a wide range of borey options across Cambodia, with various levels of construction quality and property management. Borey homes are the preferred choice of housing for the majority of Khmer families looking to invest in a new property, as they provide full infrastructure within the compound and a secure place for children to be raised.
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(Picture Credit: Borey Chankiri)
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