Phnom Penh: According to a recent report from the Phnom Penh Post, the government has undertaken a private design competition to select a new development project to be situated on a 14-hectare plot on Chroy Changvar peninsula alongside the Sokha Hotel. The plot of land set for development is a prime location, facing the main city riverside on Chroy Changvar. Although owned by Sokha Hotel, the group's own development design plans were not granted approval from the necessary ministries and have since been rejected.  13 different development companies have bid the Government for the rights to the project, but now the group has been reduced to five: including international developers from Malaysia, Korea and Singapore, as well as two local Khmer firms. The committee is set to resume on January 25 in order to narrow the current list down to three candidates. Supposedly, an official announcement of the project winner will come by mid-February this year.

Phnom Penh:  Mr. Kim Heang, president of the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association (CVEA), has urged the government to regulate property transactions in the upcoming Management Law and educate private property sellers as a means to control market price fluctuations running out of control in 2016. The initiative would mimic the US model in theory, making all property sellers bound to use a registered real estate company in order to sell their property. The proposal is intended to control the unfounded price hikes throughout the local market, and ultimately stem speculative fluctuations in aggregate market prices. More accurate property valuations would lead to a more sustainable market place, and grant local and international investors greater confidence to buy in. “Nowadays the property owner can easily make their own 'House for Sale or Land for Sale' sign,” says Heang. “Generally, when a private seller attempts to sell their own property, however, the price they seek in 30 to 50 per cent higher than market value.” This makes it very difficult to buy and sell, Mr. Kim Hang added, and creates unfounded speculation in the market. Hence, the CVEA is calling the Government to educate the market to these problems before they create the new Management Law. Mr. Kim Heang’s solution to these speculative bubbles from private sellers is to regulate that “all property owners should sell their property via the consultation of a registered real estate agency.” This will allow selling prices to better match the market price. And in doing so, will ultimately control real estate prices running out of control, and make the market more stable and sustainable, suggests Heang. Heang also added that “in many other developed economies, the real estate market management law demands the owner sell their property via an expert real estate company for this reason.” Mr. Bo Eavkong, general manager of the Asia Real Estate company, said that real estate companies currently have no right to force the property owner to consult with a real estate company when deciding their property value. "The first step is the Government educating people and urging the property owner to seek guidance from real estate professionals and trained valuers. Gradually, then the real estate sector will strengthen in terms of professional ethics." He added that, “if they want to sell their property for a reasonable price and sell it, they only need to spend 160$ for the fee of the expert real estate valuation. Meanwhile, selling over the market price is much more difficult, stalling the market,” says Bo. Mr. Khom Monyroth, consultant manager of Daily Realty Group, has agreed with what Mr. Bo Eavkong said, adding that education is a good start. “Even if the property owner studied the real estate prices of 4 or 5 other similar properties in the same area, they will automatically have a better understanding of the price at which their property will most likely sell for.” He also said that any “announcement or education won’t take effect immediately. Still, serious real estate investors must contact real estate agents if they want to succeed in the market. If you consult with a real estate company, you will understand that it is impossible to sell your property too much over the market price.” Stay tuned to realestate.com.kh news for more on this topic as the situation develops. Learn more about property registration, Cambodian land titles, strata title transfers andforeign ownership regulation on Realestate.com.kh today!

Last Saturday’s official D’Seaview groundbreaking ceremony was a great success, with over 200 honorable guests assembling at the construction site to celebrate the physical launch of Phase 1 of the project. The event was presided over by H.E. Yun Min, Governor of Sihanoukville province, and following the groundbreaking ceremony, a complimentary lunch was provided for all satisfied guests at the Sokha Hotel and Resort, Sihanoukville. Check out the full D'Seaview listing information on Realestate.com.kh. Already, a host of eager buyers are proud to gain the status of first movers for this momentous development. In the first phase of sales and booking, already over 80 percent of the 300 units in phase 1 have been successfully subscribed by both local and international buyers at price per square meter ranging from $1750 to $2200* *(updated October 2016). As stated by Dr. Wang Kai Yuen, Chairman/Non-Executive Independent Director at the D’Seaview Condominium Ground Breaking Ceremony on Saturday, “After the launch of Camhome’s unique queue system in September 2015, we have received more than 1,000 clients interested in this development and our upcoming developments. I believe more are coming, as Sihanoukville is one of the promising provinces in Cambodia, especially during the ASEAN Integration.” Nevertheless, as sales continue to expand, premier sea facing units and commercial opportunities are still available to buyers in the D’Seaview complex. But, those interested in these prime positions are urged to secure these units before they sell out! Further, a special “sure-to-win instant lucky dip” is being offered throughout the month of January to award attractive prizes for new buyers who purchase a D’Seaview unit at exclusive, off-plan prices. “Having accumulated more than 25 years of experiences in the design, construction and management of property developments in Singapore since 1988, D’Seaview will incorporate the latest in construction methods and modern building management concepts from Singapore,” said Dr. Wang Kai Yuen at the groundbreaking. The guaranteed quality of the D'Seaview project pays tribute to HLH group’s experience in the field of creating premium residential developments. The use of precast panels will allow for a smoother and more consistent finish throughout the complex; hollow core precast panels also allow service connections to be hidden within the wall therefore minimising the need for hacking and plastering or exposed ductworks; quality international standard fittings and fixtures will be used throughout, along with homogenous floor tiles, safety glass ( for windows which extends below 1m height), and a safe and quality assured elevator system; wall tiles to wet areas come standard, and beautifully-crafted roof terraces are provided for selected units; finally, all bathrooms have windows to allow for natural light and ventilation, and all enclosed kitchens have windows for ample ventilation. The design of D’Seaview likewise harks to the developer’s unique understanding of what creates an attractive and highly livable residential development, while concurrently paying tribute to the unique environment of Cambodia’s lush coastline. Naturally lighted and ventilated corridors, via cross ventilation, ensure a high level of comfort in all common areas within D’Seaview. As importantly, your new home will be a safe haven - with a high level of security via separate commercial and residential car park levels, card access and an integrated intercom service. Residential units will enjoy unrestricted sea views through design thanks to D’Seaview’s efficiently shaped floor plans. Prime units also include spacious balconies for outdoor enjoyment. Luxurious amenities shall fall at your doorstep, with subscription facilities such as a pool cafe, swimming pool, kid's room, yoga room, library, and fully equipped function rooms. Further, the complex will bring a level of convenience previously unknown to residential developments of Sihanoukville. Commercial lots will house a bank, childcare facilities, a hotel, restaurants, food court and mini market, all within easy reach of residents. Realise your housing and commercial dreams now; and visit Camhomes’ D’Seaview showroom at Canadia Towers and talk to their property consultants.Check out the full D'Seaview listing information on Realestate.com.kh.

Due to cheap labor, social and political stability, and incentive policies to attract FDI - especially in the construction industry from the Government -Cambodia has become a choice target for foreign property investors. Besides financial institutions, textile, and other manufacturing industries, the real estate market in Cambodia now is a lucrative market for property investors. Investors view Cambodia as an emerging country with a large potential economy. Within the next three to five years, it will develop its infrastructure beyond recognition; transportation, roads, energy and water together with financial institutions. The Cambodian real estate market is massively shared by the Asian region states such as the Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean, and Singaporeans. Taiwanese however has become the top buyer in most major condominium projects in Phnom Penh such as Baily, Suncity Bassac and many more. As the local property market in Taiwan is slowing down, the number of real estate sales agencies in Taiwan is increasing hugely. Sales agency offices are also shifting their current operations toward Cambodian based real estate investments, according to The China Post. This new focus offers the Cambodian real estate market a chance to grow and extend the market to such regional property investors, as Cambodian property offers reasonable prices for these types of buyers.   As a result, Century 21 Cambodia is organizing another collaborative trip to Taiwan on the 17th of January 2016 to share the practical Cambodia market situation with Taiwanese property investors and to build a strong network between Century 21 Cambodia and Century 21 Taiwan. Check out Century 21's listings on realestate.com.kh today!

Yong Yap Properties have officially moved into their riverside office...And it is a beauty! At this momentous juncture, the Yong Yap Properties team would like to say thank you to all their valued and loyal clients for the support over the years. It is an exciting time for the Yong Yap Properties team and the new office will be their home base for the coming years.The new address is #95A st 118 cnr st 17 - but phone numbers are still the same 023 223 712 / 017 400 700.The Yong Yap team look forward to seeing you all shortly!And don’t forget to check out Yong Yap Properties’ listings on realestate.com.kh today.

Home security is something everyone should consider if they are living in Cambodia. Just a little bit of forethought and preparation can go a long way towards protecting your home, your assets and, most important of all, you and your family’s well-being. With the theme of home security in mind, Realestate.com.kh spoke with Mr. John Muller from Global Security Solutions Co., Ltd  (GSS) Cambodia to shine some light on the best ways to protect your home or place of work. BEFORE buying or renting any home or business premises, consider whether it is a security risk: Muller recommends calling in security experts to make a risk assessment of your new home and surrounding area.  “Is your home in a high crime area?” - ask this question before it is too late. “Is there is construction near your home?” Muller suggests that if this is the case, you need to be far more vigilant of your home security.   Construction workers generally receive low wages and are experts at installing or removing doors, windows, etc.  They also have plenty of time to survey your movements, and learn when the best time is to strike your home.MONITOR who enters your home or business closely:Muller suggests that conducting background checks on domestic staff and drivers is essential to maintaining home security. These are the people who you trust to come into your home, so you need to know that they are not a threat.    Establish specific protocols for your domestic staff such as never allowing vendors to enter your home without getting authorization from you first.   Muller gives the example of a maid allowing a TV cable company “representative” into your home without your prior permission. That person then plants drugs, etc, in your home out of revenge for a business conflict; or, alternatively, steals something while inside the house. “By allowing unauthorised entry, you are putting your home security at risk.” If you choose to hire a security guard, do some homework on that security company, their training programs, policies and directors. There have been many cases of local security companies being established by former criminals, says Muller, and this includes expat management.Use TECHNOLOGY to boost your home security:Investing in electronic security systems is highly recommended by Muller because relying on guard manpower alone makes you prone to many problems. Ultimately guards are human, and humans can fail! Electronic systems such as motion sensors, burglary and fire detection alarms linked to high decibel alarms are a good investment. These can be linked into central monitoring stations (CMS) manned by operators 24/7, and supported with armed response teams and close connections with police in the event of a break-in.   Installing strong perimeter lighting is also important for business and home security. High resolution cameras are a great crime deterrent too. For perimeter protection, Muller recommends installing electrified fencing to prevent trespass.  This has become very popular and cost effective in defeating crime. Keep vegetation close to your perimeter cut short, recommends Muller: “It’s especially important to remove trees that are next to your perimeter fence. Criminals often use trees as ladders to trespass.”Be wary of KEYS:Replace keyed locks to vital entrances of your home or business with fingerprint readers with numerical code passwords. Keys are extremely easily copied and professional thieves can easily defeat most keyed lock devices.Don’t forget to consider FIRE SAFETY in your home security plan:Most homes and apartments in Cambodia have barred windows. Make sure that on each floor there is a way to escape via a locked hatch in case of a fire. The keys for this door can be hidden inside the window in a box not visible to thieves.   While you are at it, keep an updated list of your family, relatives, hospitals, fire department and the local police precinct contact numbers posted at several places in your home.  If you wish to find out more about designing your own home security plan in Cambodia, contact the team at GSS today on 023 992 156

Welcome to another Realestate.com.kh Dream Home Report.Every week we will showcase some of Cambodia and the world’s most luxurious, interesting and unique properties. We want to show you the home gems of the International property market. This week we show you a home with a superstar legacy.David Bowie’s Caribbean island retreat has apparently been sold to an unknown buyer, according to a recent report from Domain.Rock legend Bowie died at the age of 69 at the start of this month.Bowie once used the island villa as his private getaway home throughout the 1990’s, with its own personal pool and wet bar. Recently on the market for an asking price of $20M, the five bedroom mansion is now under-offer – suggesting it has been snapped up by a savvy buyer who understands the potential appreciation value now the Bowie has passed. The Indonesian inspired villa home on the private island of Mustique was built as Bowie’s private getaway in 1992. The lush house overlooks the Caribbean. Check some more Dream Home reports here:Dream Home Report : Unique Khmer HomesDream Home : Song Saa Private Island Villa

D’Seaview brings Sihanoukville’s first fully integrated residential and commercial mixed development, located alongside Sihanoukville’s most beautiful beaches.With its twin towers standing at 28 storeys each, D’Seaview will bring a collection of premium executive condominiums, commercial units and a hotel to Sihanoukville’s pioneer integrated living complex.D’seaview’s waterfront location, close to Sokha beach, remains idyllic, yet the vicinity is overflowing with international and traditional Khmer dining, bars, discos, night markets, spas and shopping plazas. The official D’Seaview groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the development’s building site on Saturday, 16 January, to celebrate the physical launch of Phase 1 of the project. All are invited by Camhomes to witness the occasion and join the festivities, starting from 8am onsite. The event will be presided over by H.E. Yun Min, Governor of Sihanoukville province. Following the groundbreaking ceremony, a complimentary lunch will be provided for guests at the Sokha Hotel and Resort, Sihanoukville. In addition, Camhomes is offering a special “sure-to-win instant lucky dip” to award attractive prizes for new buyers who purchase a D’Seaview unit in the month of January. The development, encompassing 735 residential units, offices and hotel units, is slated for completion in an estimated 28 months. D’Seaview will give its residents a level of convenience that only a mixed use development can offer: living and shopping at the highest standards in the same building. Not only can residents live, work and play within the complex, investing in a mixed development with both commercial and residential owners, and tenants offers a unique hedge against future inflation, assuring appreciation for your asset. D’Seaview’s integrated hotel is also open to bids from investors, as well as local shophouse-style blocks that are targeted at Cambodian retailers who would like to set up their business as well as live within the complex. The resident’s lifestyle will reflect the quality of D’Seaview’s design concept, and already buyers are proud to gain the status of first movers for this momentous development. In the first phase of sales and booking, already over 80 per cent of the 300 units in phase 1 have been successfully subscribed by both local and international buyers at price per square metre ranging from $675 to $1943. And it is no surprise that Cambodians and international investors are increasingly looking south for new property investment opportunities. Cambodia’s southern coastal resort town, Sihanoukville, is not only one of the nation’s premier tourism destinations, known for its tranquil beaches and idyllic islands, but it is also the fastest growing commercial city outside of Phnom Penh. Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s coastal economic hub and is growing faster than ever; it is host to the nation’s sole deep-sea port, the largest Special Economic Zone, as well as a large scale oil and gas industry soon to commence extraction. As Sihanouk province grows in popularity, more flight and bus connections are being established, linking it to the rest of the country and region. Sihanoukville International Airport now operates flights from South Korea, Singapore and China, as well as daily flights to Siem Reap. Realise your housing and commercial dreams now; and visit Camhomes’ D’Seaview showroom at Canadia Towers and talk to their property consultants, or check out the full listing information online at realestate.com.kh. And don't miss the D'Seaview groundbreaking tomorrow. To find out more information about the D’Seaview groundbreaking ceremony, please call +855 23 985 828 today.

According to a recent Cambodia Daily report, Cambodians passing rights to property from relatives won't need to pay property registration tax - as according to a Government announcement at the CPP party's party congress on Sunday.Transferring property is generally taxed at 4% of the properties value, including other minor property registration fees. Learn more about the title transfer process here. Yet, according to the new directive, spouses, parents and children, will no longer require this tax, and has been said to be effective already. The same will apply to grandparents and grandchildren. Stay tuned to realestate.com.kh news for more on this topic of property registration as the situation clarifies. Learn more about property registration, Cambodian land titles, strata title transfers and foreign ownership regulation on Realestate.com.kh today!

Now that 2015 has come to an end, Realestate.com.kh would like to start 2016 with a recap of the Kingdom of Wonder and its burgeoning real estate sector.  In particular - let's review the office space and retail supply trends in Phnom Penh - 2015. Also, don't miss the Real Estate Review: 2016Real Estate developers in Phnom Penh are seemingly boosting Grade A and Grade B office space to welcome the AEC integration in 2016. The intention is to be ready for potential demand from incoming investors as the integration takes affect in 2017-2019. According to Knight Frank's report, there will be a 64% increase in office space stock by 2018: 60% of this office space will be Grade A category, 40% will be Grade B. The majority of all office space will be within Daun Penh and 7 Makara. No wonder business is booming...The retail sector is growing rapidly: New malls, such as Aeon - with Aeon 2 and Parkson on the way soon in 2016, are having a dramatic influence on Phnom Penh's retail sector. According to Knight Frank Cambodia's: “Cambodia Real Estate Highlights 1st Half 2015,” total supply is building fast 2011: 59,154sqm; 2012: 66,154sqm; 2013: 72,114sqm; 2014-15: 134,153sqm; 2016: 223,173sqm (est.); 2017: 297,591 sqm (est.). With the entrance of a host of new brands and extensions of existing franchises in the retail sector, the supply by district is evening out. The evening of the share of retail supply could be related to new and existing brands increasingly looking outside of the Phnom Penh city center, where their customers are increasingly choosing to live. Check out more great info-graphics, from Realestate.com.kh: Prime Development Land Price Growth Tops ASEAN and the Real Estate Review: 2016

Now that 2015 has come to an end, Realestate.com.kh would like to start 2016 with a recap of the Kingdom of Wonder and its burgeoning real estate sector. No wonder real estate is booming... The economy is growing rapidly: Cambodia’s economic growth over the last 10 years has been some of the fastest and most-consistent in the Southeast Asian region, recording an average GDP growth of 7.0% per year since 2010. In 2015, this rate dropped very slightly to 6.9%. Cambodia has a total population of 15.4 million, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city and economic hub with a population of around 2.5 million, in 2015 was second only to Laos in Southeast Asia for the fastest rate of urban spatial extension, as indicated by the World Bank. One of Cambodia’s key secrets to success in its economic growth has been creating an attractive environment for foreign investment, and this remains a key driver. In 2015, Cambodia received over $4B in foreign direct investment (FDI) and has a permanent expat population of over 78,000. Realestate.com.kh suggest that Cambodia is becoming a magnet for FDI due to the abundance of low-cost labour, rapid urbanisation, an increasing middle-class consumer market, low barriers to entry for foreign businesses, relative proficiency in english language, attractive tax incentives and import/export duty exemptions, continually improving logistics networks, and an economy backed by the US dollar. Furthermore, with the solidification of ASEAN, Cambodia is well located, surrounded by strong regional economies who are increasingly outsourcing low and mid-level skilled manufacturing operations to the Kingdom. These new industrial opportunities are lessening the economy's reliance on the garment industry, and offering low-wage workers more opportunities for career and skills growth. Cambodians are also entering the global community en-masse through technology - namely through dramatic increases in internet penetration throughout the population. In 2015, Cambodia had over 5 million internet users, a third of the population. Since 2010, foreigners have also been allowed to own apartments and condominium units in Cambodia - but not land, and, accordingly, not the first floor of buildings. While foreign ownership of land in still unconstitutional, land can be easily held by foreigners on long leases that are renewable, and through majority locally-owned companies incorporated in Cambodia. These structures are arguably safer than comparative legal schemes in other Southeast Asian states in which foreign land ownership is formally prohibited. Phnom Penh Overview: Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia, situated at the confluence of three rivers, the Mekong, the Bassac and the Tonle Sap. The Phnom Penh metropolitan area is home to about 2.5 million permanent residents. Phnom Penh is Cambodia's economic centre as it accounts for the largest portion of the Cambodian economy. High economic growth rates in recent years have triggered a real estate boom in Phnom Penh and construction is taking place across the city, with a plethora of new hotels, restaurants, bars, and high rise residential and commercial buildings springing up around the city. Industrial zones at the edge of the city have also expanded continuously in recent years, along with huge growth in the “borey” sector throughout the suburbs of Phnom Penh, “borey” essentially meaning gated community residential developments with self-serving infrastructure. These types of properties are extremely popular with local buyers and offer various housing types. Most of these properties are being bought off-plan. The Phnom Penh Master Plan 2035, supposedly nearing completion by the government this year, seeks to dictate the urban planning for the expansion of the city and construct new infrastructure to accommodate the growing population. Until now, the city has had no zoning regulations of note nor identifiable urban development planning. According to Realestate.com.kh research, flats located in central Phnom Penh cost around $3000 USD p/m2, as averaged across the prime residential areas. Rents can range from $9 – $14 p/m2 per month, depending on location and quality. Villas are generally more expensive than flats, at around $3,500 to $4,500 p/m2. Rental prices for villas typically range from as low as around $6p/m2 to $27p/m2. Low-to-middle range apartment developments, targeting the local market, average $200 to $500 a month rental per unit in the central areas of Phnom Penh City. The high-end, serviced and luxury condo market is priced considerably higher than this – but these prices vary greatly across developments depending on scale, location and quality. Beoung Keng Kang, Chamkarmon, represents the highest priced district in Phnom Penh with price for land reaching 6000p/m2 in some parts. Previously, home villas were a popular option for families wishing to live in Chamkarmon generally, however, many of these villas have now either been demolished and the land sold for development, or converted into boutique hotels or restaurants. High-end condo developments and hotels are changing the area dramatically at present. However, growing congestion and a lack of parking in and around the city centre is increasingly causing problems for inner-city Phnom Penh residents. Other upcoming Phnom Penh residential property areas include the west and south of the city generally. The peninsular of Chroy Changvar is also seeing huge development from foreign and local developers, and here height restrictions on new buildings are largely unlimited. These locations are very close to central Phnom Penh yet land prices remain considerably lower. Real Estate Trends: Presently, prime and mid-level office space across Phnom Penh is rising dramatically, with a variety of new highrise projects beginning to be released into the market, or slated for completion in the coming years. These new office complexes are often coming at the cost of knocking down villas, flats and other older real estate. Grade B and C are proving most popular, as Grade A office space is beyond the budget of most local firms. Phnom Penh commercial property options are only set to boom in the upcoming future, especially with the rise of ASEAN and the AEC. Another trend is in regards to the advent of high quality shopping centers and malls. Cambodia’s first international shopping mall opened its doors in June 2014: Aeon Mall. Aeon has since seen high demand for store space from both international and local retailers. A new breed of international franchisers who have for many years ignored the Cambodian market and refused to enter it, see the attractiveness of occupying slots in complexes such as Aeon Mall as it reflects international standards of retail space and retail space management. The new mall has convinced some of these franchisers that opportunities exist and that there are viable spaces for them to locate their brand. Parkson Mall on Russian Boulevard is the next of its kind to open in Phnom Penh, and is currently under construction. Aeon 2 is also in the pipeline. TK Avenue is another well known, well-established and modern shopping plaza and cinema complex, located in Toul Kork. The condominium market in Phnom Penh continues to expand, with early investors in centrally located developments enjoying appreciation of up to 30% from off-plan purchases. High-end condominium development looks set to continue in prime residential locations, with developers also looking to offer luxury projects outside of traditional residential districts. While the condo market was originally dominated by foreign investors, Khmer buyers are beginning to demand condos, predominantly for investment purposes and rental returns. This has led to a trend of local developers offering lower-range condo development projects to the market, and these types of developments range of $30-60,000 per unit off-plan and are being bought primarily by local buyers. Domestic demand is a key element of a successful condominium project for any developer in Cambodia, due to foreign ownership of an individual building (strata law) being restricted by law to 70%. Another trend we will see more of in 2016 are mixed-development complexes, including condo, office space and retail. Realestate.com.kh suggests that the reason for this is that developers are aware of a potential oversupply in the pure-condo market in 2018-19 and are thus hedging thier bets with mixed development offerings. Increasing investment from Singaporean, Japanese, Korean, Hong Kong and Chinese residents continues to grow in Cambodia, and the comparatively high yield guaranteed by many developers is still attracting overseas purchasers who see positive chances for appreciation in Cambodian developments compared to their slowing home markets. Thus far developers in Cambodia have focussed on the highend market, and to some extend the upper middle class, as these two markets represent the lowest hanging fruit. Still, suggests Realestate.com.kh, a massive demand exists for quality, affordable housing development in Cambodia suited to the needs of the lower-middle class and lowest income earners, especially in expanding urban centers. Without any proposed government intervention in the market for this demand, this appears to offer a great opportunity to developers able to cater to this large demographic. Sihanoukville Rising: As property prices in Phnom Penh continue to push upwards, many investors are quickly being priced out of these first-tier markets, as are many developers seeking land for their next project. Sihanoukville in particular stands out as an exciting investment destination worth serious consideration. Home to the Kingdom’s only deep-water port, Sihanoukville is the capital of the province of the same name and is home to a fast-growing population of approximately 300,000. Many of Sihanoukville’s residents are there for the port or its associated export-focused manufacturing. The city is Cambodia’s second-largest manufacturing base after Phnom Penh, with most of its output consisting of garments and shoes. The government plans to transform this area into an entire Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and is currently dredging the port to support larger freight vessels. Large reserves of oil off the coast of Sihanoukville has also been prospected, and plans are being made for its extraction in the coming years. In 2015, the average percentage of growth year-on-year was around 15-25 percent for land located in the city centre of Sihanoukville, according to Realestate.com.kh research. But along the seaside road and main commercial roads, prices have rose dramatically in recent years - in some places between 40-50 percent compared to prices 2013-14. Sihanoukville offers opportunities for cheap land to be developed into resorts, offices, guest houses, hotels or apartments. As investment capital continues to flow into the region, in particular from the Chinese, the region is also seeing the beginning of a high-end condominium market, with various grand scale projects already underway. Read more great Cambodian real estate news, insights, property reviews and analysis on realestate.com.kh/news today. Also check us out on Facebook. Check out more great info-graphics, from Realestate.com.kh: Prime Development Land Price Growth Tops ASEAN

Whether you are approaching retirement, want to cut down your commute time, sick of an uncontrollable garden, or maybe just fancy a move – it could be a good time to downsize your home!Downsizing is a great way to cash in on your current real estate asset, especially when the market is hot - and can help you save some extra money once you move into a smaller, more-manageable home. What makes property owners want to downsize? - Here are a few of the most common reasons.  Finally free from the kids!When your children move out to go to university, start a job in the big city, or marry and start their own family – your current house might have vacant bedrooms and lots of excess space. It can be great always having the bathroom available - but when there is a chance to cash in on your property asset by downsizing your home you had better ask yourself "Do you need such a big home now?" Without your kids causing havoc, a big home might feel empty once they go. It also requires a lot of cleaning and maintenance, without any real benefits for those still living there. If this sounds like something happening in your home, try marketing your property for sale and consider downsizing. What is the difference between a deposit and a down-payment?  Cut the Commute:Generally, the closer your home is to the CBD, the more expensive the land/property is. This is why inner-city workers are increasingly looking to apartments and condos in Phnom Penh.  If your house is in the suburbs of the city, but your workplace is in the center – every day you might be spending hours in traffic. So for those who know they will need to live in the city for years to come – consider downsizing your home, and move to an affordable apartment or condo in the inner-city.  Cut Living Costs:A home is always in need of cleaning and other general maintenance; a home is also always in need of electricity and water and other utilities. Of course, it is easier to clean one bedroom, compared to four. A big home can also be hard to cool, or heat – depending on the season. For these reasons, you can bet that a smaller home will be have less maintenance needed, and ultimately cost less to live in. Thus – a smaller house = smaller bills = less work + more cash in your pocket.  Cash-in on your Asset:It can be easy to make money by selling your over-sized home in exchange for a smaller one. And the extra money could even settle your mortgage repayments. Especially when the property market is as hot as the current Cambodian real estate climate – cash in on your current home, and buy a smaller, more affordable property with a good chance of future appreciation. Learn more about what's in a home loan!

Want to get your office space in line for the New Year? Want to make sure you have a lucky 2016? Keep energized, innovative and prosperous with these tips to Feng Shui your office space, thanks to realestate.com.kh. Feng Shui essentially pays tribute to all directions; respectively determining romance, family, health & fortune, abundance, fame and reputation, children and creativity, wisdom and self-actualization, career success, and spiritual guidance. With that in mind, you need to identify the parts of your office (with your smartphone’s compass app) that will channel the best energies into your personal and business life. Romance belongs in the Southwest:To the southwest of your office space, hang a photo of your most loved one – albeit your wife, husband or partner.  Whoever brings the most sunshine into your life… By keeping that special someone here you will always remain calm in times of frustration. Paying tribute to your loved ones while you are at work should also put you in good stead for a healthy relationship at home – so you don’t need to stress about that while you are working in your office space.Keep your Family to the East:Hang those family portraits to the East of your office space – this will keep those that love you most in the back of your mind whenever you are trying to negotiate those big, stressful deals inside your office space. Abundance to the Southeast:Abundance is what you want most in your business – so welcome more wealth and internal happiness by introducing a plant into the southeast of your office space. Find a plant that is drought resistant and manageable. Also, boost the power of plants by introducing the colors of green and purple into your office space. If you want to go even further, try introducing jade crystal, aventurine, and clear crystal quartz. These stones will help you really tap your potential abundance. Fame and Reputation to the South:The South side of your office is the place for all of your crowning achievements. The south of your office is the best place to hang awards, degrees, and all those mementos of the business’ projects that are most praise worthy. Bring a sense of confidence and power into the office, and more success will naturally follow. Keep your Health & Fortune Central:Health is as important as your business – because if you don’t have good health, your money is irrelevant! While it is hard to bring Feng Shui into the center of your office, for logistical reasons, try decorating your computer with crystals such as citrine and blue calcite. Citrine can promote the flow of energy and liveliness into your office space, while blue calcite will encourage good communication. Poor communication will breed unnecessary anxiety, depression, and keep you awake at night. Children & Creativity to the Westside:The West is the place to bring innovation to your office space. If you tap it just right, the west will harbor creative ideas and invite alternate solutions to problems inside your office space. Whether or not you are involved in a creative industry is un-important – all business’ should invite innovation into their office.  The best is to bring something orange – maybe a flower, or even something that is used in your business.  Also consider hanging inspirational quotes from those people who inspire you the most.Wisdom should stay on the Northeast:Keep your dreams where you can see them. Because Feng Shui energy is delivered by thought, you should always keep your ultimate definition of self-actualization somewhere to remind you – and the best place is to the Northeast of your office space. Power symbols such as the Yin & Yang, or some other token to your deepest desires, are best kept in the Northeast. To the Northwest invite Spiritual Guidance:You may not think that spirituality has a place in the workplace - but understanding all forms of human aspiration is necessary to your personal and business progress. Consider a calendar of spiritual guidance on the Northwest wall, or look to oracle cards in the morning to predict potential challenges of the day. Center yourself, and control will come to those things around you too. 2016 is also the perfect time to invest or rent a new commercial property or office. See 1000s of Cambodia's best office and commercial property on realestate.com.kh today!

Total value of Cambodia's new construction projects approved by the Government increased by 33 percent in 2015. This brought new construction to a total value of approximately $3.33 billion for the year, as compared to 2014, according to a recent Cambodian Daily report based on documents received from the Government. The report suggests that 2,305 projects were approved by the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. And these projects will ultimately cover a construction area of around 7.7 million msq! Condo supply is naturally booming too. Check out CBRE's latest findings!

Realestate.com.kh would like to present another of our featured agencies - Kampot Real Estate.Are you considering investing in Kampot province? Need a professional property valuation from experts in the region? Looking for a holiday rental, investment land or a property to start a tourism venture? Do you need an investment plan focused on your needs, not on the agent's fee? Need buyer and seller advocacy that doesn't leave you high and dry as soon as the agreement is made?Check out Kampot Real Estate listings for rent and for sale on realestate.com.kh todayAt Kampot Real Estate, we aim to give our clients a specialized real estate experience, providing state-of-the-art professional services to vendors and buyers that create maximum benefit and personal satisfaction in a lifetime relationship. Our mission is to ensure that our clients have all necessary information to make a valid decision, and ensuring that all documents are in line with the local law. We will achieve this by: Making trust, quality and integrity hallmarks of the way we do business; Excelling and being consistent in everything we do; and - Being motivated and spreading our enthusiasm.Come and see us at our office at the old market in Kampot. We want to provide you with the service you deserve to make your investment with confidence!Check out Kampot Real Estate listings for rent and for sale on realestate.com.kh today

Every landlord or property manager must ask this question, first and foremost:What are the special features of my apartment for rent that are going to make potential tenants genuinely excited to move in?Find out what is attractive about your apartment property for renters - and then flaunt it, baby! With this in mind, Realestate.com.kh has gotten to the bottom of what tenants really want when considering a apartment for rent… Location of your apartment! Apartment tenants are more-driven by no other factor than a prime location. But of course, “a great location” is always subjective. Different apartment renters are looking for different locations depending on where they work, where their kids go to school and what they like to do for fun in the weekends. Renters will pay a lot more money to live in their preferred location. Normally, people are looking for hubs within the city with amenities at hand. This means shopping, banking, F & B venues, schools and proximity to work stations. But, first and foremost, tenants considering your apartment for rent will look for transport options. If your apartment for rent isn’t close to these other amenities naturally, you had better make sure your tenants can access appropriate transport, or, at the very least, have parking for their personal vehicle “People think about where they need to live long before they consider how they would like to live.” The unique features of your apartment for rent and any questions of cost only enter the tenant’s equation after location is measured. Access to work places and schools is always going to be important because we spend as much time at these places as we do in our home. So, always make sure transport amenities are promoted to prospective clients considering your apartment for rent. And, if you are still searching for an investment apartment or condo to use as a rental property – pay more for a great location, because it is going to guarantee your rental returns for that apartment into the future. If you cheap out and buy an apartment in a bad location, don’t expect the rental process to be easy…. Lock in a great location, and your apartment for rent won’t sit empty for long. For agents, when a property seeker mentions they want to live in a certain area – this really means they must live in this location. Don’t see it as a preference among many; it is the number one preference. If you want to help them and win the commission, forget about apartment properties away from their preference area – even if the prices are higher where they really want to live. Apartment renters will generally rethink their budget when the right location comes along. Number of bedrooms inside the apartment: If a rental tenant says they need 3 bedrooms, that is exactly what they need – and they will be very unlikely to accept less.  So – if you don’t have enough bedrooms for that prospect in your apartment for rent, don’t bother inviting them to view the property. You are wasting your time! Possibly, they will accept an extra bedroom inside the apartment for rent, but not if it is costing them an arm and a leg.  Some people do like to have a spare bedroom for guests or as a study/home office. This means always make it very clear how many bedrooms your apartment has available, and focus on making that feature attractive. When the tenant’s visit your apartment for rent, make sure all rooms are set up for occupants, and don’t try to advertise a room that is not fit to be a bedroom as a bedroom. This will frustrate prospective tenants who are only considering properties that truly fit their bedroom necessities. Extra Perks: Those in the market for a apartment for rent are generally quite busy people. They might be foreigners temporarily living here for work. They might be students living in the city for study. Or they might own a property in the provinces, but need an apartment for rent close to their workplace so they can work in the city during the week. This means the tenant might appreciate features in your apartment for rent like the garden and swimming pool – but, remember, they don’t want to maintain them! This makes an apartment for rent with service inclusions very attractive. Tenants don’t want to waste their time setting up the internet connection, or paying the electricity bill to the provider. The more services you can package into the rental price for your apartment for rent, the better. When the tenant pays just one fee every month and knows that the pool will be cleaned, the garden will be weeded, and the internet will be provided – this is a great bonus for prospective tenants looking at your apartment for rent. Cleaning services and exercise facilities might also be attractive to many busy tenants looking for an apartment to rent. "If you are dealing with a busy demographic - think about how you can make their life easier!" Make you property more attractive to tenants by thinking about how you can make their day to day life easier. This will mean you property rents faster, and for a higher monthly rate. Here are some more handy tips for getting the most return on investment from your rental property!

2016 has now arrived, and as the New Year comes you might be turning your attention to your long-ignored mortgage.  Although no one likes to think about their mortgage repayments, you need to analyze it regularly if you want to find ways to make your repayments more effective and move yourself closer to financial independence. Missed Mortgage Matters Part 1 or Part 2? Read them first!With that in mind, bring in the New Year with these 5 handy ideas from realestate.com.kh to speed up your loan repayments, and work towards a financially free future!1. Don’t automatically decrease your repayments just because the interest rates falls: For many loaners, as soon as bank fees and interest rates decrease, and minimum repayments are lowered accordingly, this immediately means a happy camper - with more money in the pocket and less for the bank. However, this is short sighted. Instead of pocketing the cash, if you keep your repayments at the same level when the interest rates are falling - because this is a prime opportunity to reduce your principle with each payment and make faster progress satisfying your total loan in the longer-term. As opposed to seeing it as a time to relax your repayments – this year you should see it as an opportunity to get ahead of the bank and pay back your principle faster. 2. Test out an “Offset Account”: If it is possible for your loan, try using an offset account. A mortgage offset account is directly connected to your mortgage and the payable interest on your mortgage month to month will be calculated by deducting what funds exist in your offset account against your loan. To clarify, here’s an example: if your total mortgage is $200,000 and your offset account currently has $5,000 in it, you will only pay interest on the remaining $195,000. An offset account allows you to save interest while still allowing access to your savings if needed. For investors, offset accounts are also useful for the preservation of mortgage tax deductible benefits. 3. Refinance and get a better run for your money: Maybe you have worked out that your current mortgage is not suitable to your needs and financial circumstances now that 2016 has dawned. If this is the case, you need to change your loan quickly before it seriously hurts you. If you are not sure your current mortgage is right for you, it is best to consult a professional finance broker before it is too late. A well-attuned broker will negotiate with your lender about fees for additional repayments, refinancing, or any other necessary measures to help you save on your loan. A good broker should identify the perfect terms for you and then negotiate the best rates for that plan. Get in touch with Cambodia’s leading lenders today!4. Make smaller mortgage repayments, more regularly: If you make more payments, naturally these payments will be smaller. But more regular payments, even if they are smaller, will mean ultimately you can pay off your loan faster because you will lessen your interest repayments in the long term. If you currently repay your mortgage on a monthly basis, try changing to fortnightly loan repayments. Now, your monthly mortgage repayments might equal $2000 per month, for example. If you can instead pay $1000 every two weeks, by the end of 2016 you would have made significant savings on your interest costs, and will be a little bit closer to satisfying your overall loan repayment. 5. Take measures to pay back a little bit more each time: Remember, your “minimum repayment” is exactly that: it is the least possible amount you need to repay each month. So, for most mortgages there in nothing stopping you from paying more than the minimum necessary payment. And it doesn’t matter if you pay extra regularly, just when you can afford to now and again is still worthwhile. Even a little bit here and there can add up and eventually reduce your mortgage. When you receive bonuses, tax returns or other monetary gifts you should seriously consider putting this expendable income into your mortgage repayments before it disappears into thin air. Read more about home loans on realestate.com.kh today. Missed Mortgage Matters Part 1 or Part 2? Read them first!

From marvelous shopping centers, skyscrapers and five-star hotels, extravagant buildings across Phnom Penh are changing the capital into one of Asia's fastest developing cities.Inside Aeon Mall, Cambodia's first mega mall, shoppers and many curious residents herd to see the latest brands, snapping selfies before a giant Christmas tree. It is a typical scene across Southeast Asia - yet, not long ago, this would be incomprehensible for some in Cambodia, where around 20 percent of people still survive on under $1.25 every day. Even though poverty still remains, a fast-growing elite and middle class are progressively searching for new, local ways to spend their money. Some Cambodians are happy to have such an extravagant mall in the heart of Phnom Penh. It demonstrates the city is growing, and some families are cashing in on development land sales. The $200 million Japanese-built shopping center is only one of many new shopping complexes, hotels, township and condo projects springing up in Phnom Penh, as Cambodia rides a flood of high financial development rates in recent years. The capital, Phnom Penh, is second only to Laos in Southeast Asia for the fastest rate of urban spatial extension, as indicated by the World Bank, and Cambodia's economy is expected to grow at 6.9 percent this year. All over the city extravagant skyscraper apartment suites are appearing, and lifestyles are changing to, bit by bit. As indicated by the government, Cambodia drew development investment worth $1.75 billion in the initial nine months of 2015, a 13.7 percent increase from a year prior. A number of the new participants into the kingdom's building business sector are developers from Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea, to name just a few. On the other hand, some are concerned where the development frenzy will leave a city once well-known as the 'Pearl of Asia'. In its French pioneer-prime, Phnom Penh was viewed as one of the loveliest urban cities in Southeast Asia because of its wide European-style roads, deliberately manicured gardens and beautiful stately homes. Only a couple of decades later, the humming city was lessened to a ghost town when Pol Pot's fierce Khmer Rouge army seized control of the capital and ordered its two million people to evacuate. The city has been returning to life since the radical communist was toppled in 1979. However, the surge of action and change to its scene has intensified in recent years. Silas Everett, of The Asia Foundation in Cambodia, fears the city's unique appeal is quickly vanishing with estates and stately structures from the colonial period being torn down to make space for lucrative new development ventures. "Phnom Penh's architectural legacy is world renowned... Yet the rate of pulverization of these structures of critical social legacy is disturbing,' said Everett, grieving specifically the loss of structures designed by Cambodian architect, Vann Molyvann. And keep in mind, while wealthy Cambodians are lining up for a chance to live in some of the city's most desired new addresses, the urban poor are increasingly relegated to the edges of the capital where many were evicted to make way for commercial developments.

Phnom Penh’s Condominium market has boomed recently owing to the sudden increase of demand on housing of international purchasers who buy condo units for investments or expect to resell at profitable prices, the rising need of housing among the local population, and the expected market demand bolstered by ASEAN market openness by the next coming year.“Cambodia is the most eye-catching market in Asia for investors most of who are Taiwanese, Japanese, Chinese, and Singaporean” Said Mr. Kuy Vat, Chairman of Century 21 Cambodia. ​As the number of developers with a good prices grows, these major areas should be archery target to boost the networking as well as to broaden the market and opportunities. He continued. Having officially operated in Cambodia for two years, now Century 21 Cambodia has made a remarkable mark in the real estate franchising business signed under the world-recognized brand. Not only does Century 21 Cambodia stimulate benefit from a powerful brand to all franchisees they also have access to a global network– to build a strong co-operations and collaborations among the regional Century 21 especially to bring the key investors. In addition, Century 21 Cambodia now, after co-operative connecting to Century 21 Japan, is creating another collaboration trip to Hong Kong on the 10th of January 2016 to not only enhance the level of collaboration and co-operation between Century 21Camboida and Century 21 Hong Kong but necessarily to match Potential Property to the Potential Buyers in Hong Kong.Within its 22 years experienced in Hong Kong, CENTURY 21 Hong Kong actively increases its presences and market shares in Hong Kong, Macau and China. Currently it has expanded to over 140 franchisees. Every CENTURY 21 professional is dedicated to provide buyers and sellers of real estate with the highest qualified services possible. Realestate.com.kh is proud to support our "featured agents" such as Century 21 Cambodia. Find the best agents on realestate.com.kh's "find an agent" page today!

According to Knight Frank’s PRIME ASIA DEVELOPMENT LAND INDEX H1 2015, Phnom Penh recorded the strongest increase in both prime residential and office development land prices in the first half of 2015 as compared to regional competitors.“With prime residential and commercial land prices surging by 14.1% and 9.7% respectively, Phnom Penh topped the table once again,” says the Knight Frank Report. The report suggests that FDI was the chief stimulus behind the strong performance of the local residential sector. Yet, the report also notes that this growth decelerated in the second quarter, which may suggest that prices were peaking. Meanwhile, approvals for higher density developments have continued to push commercial land prices upwards. Check out the latest news and property sector analysis on realestate.com.kh today!