Phnom Penh will soon be linked via rail to Poipet town on the Thai-Cambodian border. According to local authorities, this section of rail track is is due to be completed by the end of 2016.Now, only 6 kilometers of railway track is needed to complete the connection. Once Phnom Penh is connected to Poipet through this railway, direct access from Phnom Penh to Bangkok will be possible via train. Read about other new rail developments in the ASEAN region.

Cambodian laws towards land titles for foreign ownership have been largely untested amidst the current construction boom. After months of collaboration with the lawyers of Sok Siphana & Associates and National 6A Investment, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC) has now started to transfer strata titles to purchasers of residential units - creating legally binding ownership. Realestate.com.kh spoke with Antoine Petit, executive director for National 6A Investment - the development company and property manager for the Galaxy Residence on Chroy Changvar - about the various pitfalls that all investors should be aware of when acquiring strata titles. Realestate.com.kh: What are the steps to creating a Strata title? Petit: At the very first stage, the developer acquires the land that the development will be on with a hard title in the name of the development company. This happened around four years ago for National 6A Investment. However, from this original master title you cannot directly transfer private unit ownerships to individual buyers. Before this, you must first transfer the total collection of split titles into the developer’s name and ownership. In our case, these were 51 separate titles for 51 units, made from the original, single hard title. The land department of the ministry will also screen your common area regulations and practices at this stage. If the land department is satisfied that the co-owned areas will be correctly managed and insured, then the strata titles will be issued. Once these 51 titles have been created and transferred into the company’s ownership, we can proceed to transferring these individual titles to the individual buyers. Realestate.com.kh: What is involved in the transfer of the strata title from the development company to the end buyer and owner? Petit: The MLMUPC requires fully certified documentation of the identity and marital status of the end buyer and these documents must also be supplied and translated into Khmer. Importantly, the strata title is solely in Khmer, thus no English names are permitted on the strata title and all buyers need their name to be translated. Khmer buyers, foreign buyers and the development company all must satisfy slightly different process and documentation demands. During this stage, we chose to engage the services of Sok Siphana & Associates to review the certified documents and their translation, to liaise with the authority at the land department and to provide legal assistance to buyers along the process until the transfer tax payment. Realestate.com.kh: Does the buyer have to be in Cambodia to transfer the new strata title into their possession? Petit: Yes. The buyers must physically be present to affix their thumbprint on their certified documentation, but most importantly on Vente Definitive and on Application for Ownership Transfer, both of which are standard templates to be provided by the land department. This means international investors must come back to Cambodia to get the title transferred. Realestate.com.kh: What costs are accrued during the transfer process? Petit: There is a public service fee per strata title for the conversion of the master title. There is also a public service fee for each individual strata title to be issued in the buyer’s name. Concerning the transfer tax, once the set of certified documentation is reviewed and accepted by the land department, the exact same documentation with other forms will be submitted to the General Department of Taxation. The tax officials will then issue an invoice with the amount of transfer tax to be paid after assessment of the property value based on their determined ranges and calculation method. After issuance of the evidence from the General Department of Taxation that the tax has been paid by the buyer, the land department will complete the title transfer. Realestate.com.kh: What if the buyer refuses the strata title transfer? Petit: In theory, this will bring problems when it comes to resale because the second buyer will have difficulties to do a thorough examination or to have certitude that there are no disputes, mortgages, judgments or unpaid taxes associated with the property sold. Pure investors are usually resistant to fulfill the physical paperwork and monetary demands to transfer the ownership in their name. Some developers in this case may accept to hold the title for them - but this can cause complications for buyers later. It is not really advised. On the other hand, such an arrangement also creates landlord liabilities for the developer holding the strata title. An effective way to mitigate this for the reassurance of the buyer is to enlist quality legal support, to ensure constant communication with the developer and to get education surrounding the process. Hiring a professional legal firm with experience in this has been crucial - because they can make this transfer process as smooth and predictable as possible. Learn more about Cambodian land titles, strata title transfers and foreign ownership regulation on Realestate.com.kh today!

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

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

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

Is it true that you are considering a real estate investment? Would you like to purchase another residence or perhaps buy another to restore? In any case, this article will give you some good advice. This data can place you in the best position to succeed. You'll be all around arranged in using sound judgment with regards to putting into real estate investment. Ensure that you make a course of action for what you craving to finish. If you want to save your time then figure out the time needed for the process. Once you developed a plan, meet with the person in charge to talk about deal that you need to accomplish. There are times when its hard for you to decide on a certain deal or property, if that consumes too much effort and time, then it might not be the right deal. Proceed onward and ensure you don't pass up a great opportunity for the other extraordinary investment out there. Ensure you have a financial plan when you put resources into real estate that include the amount you must pay to repair the house you're purchasing. You would prefer not to blow your cash on getting real estate just to discover that you can't bear to repair it up. Your decisions range from purchasing and flipping, purchasing and renovate or purchasing and leasing. It is better to master one of the three decisions than do the two or three. After all, you will make profit over the long haul by purchasing and holding. Never buy a property if just simply want to add to the total property you own. Despite the fact that many people do this, most learn in the most difficult way possible that it isn't wise. When you concentrate on fewer real estate investment, you will have a better investment success rate. Additionally, this is to making sure your investments are great. Continuously have an plan for your investment. What is your objective? How are you going to accomplish that? Do you have any partner or you are by yourself? Do you have an approach to get it? It is really important to invest time making a plan so that you realize what you are going in. Prior to scouting homes, its better to check your funding. You should know where the finance will come from, otherwise you are just wasting your time. The good Investor always interested in the best properties. Proper education in real estate can get you lot of profit. Keep reading our articles to boost your knowledge about real estate investment.

As the event's official property portal, Realestate.com.kh is proud to present the 2016 Cambodia Property Awards - part of the Asia Property Awards series, brought to you by Ensign Media. Don't miss Cambodia's biggest and most prestigious property event - Early bird tickets are now available, until the 26th of January 2016 only. The Cambodia Property awards will take place at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra on Thursday, 25 February.Email info@asiapropertyawards.com for booking, or click here to visit the website.

Plans for a Chinese Railway network across ASEAN are beginning to solidify, with China pushing the long-stalled project into action in recent news and signing an agreement with the Laotian government, and now, Thailand. If this Chinese railway ultimately extends to Phnom Penh, the real estate market should certainly see benefits. This is not a new story, however.Thailand and China announced the beginning of a cooperation agreement this week to develop Thailand's first standard-gauge double-track railway line, a 845-kilometer line that will link Bangkok with the northeastern city of Nong Khai near the border of Laos. Construction is slated to begin in May 2016. This latest announcement comes after China and Laos reached agreement last month 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 Chinese railway line, while Laos will be responsible for the remainder. Once in operation, the Chinese 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.

Camhomes’ maiden mixed development at Sihanoukville, D’Seaview, aims to bring an integrated concept of living to Sihanoukville, which focuses on the convenience that only a mixed development can offer: living and shopping at the highest standards in the same building. Besides offering high quality homes while retaining affordable prices, Camhomes’ Group General Manager, Ryan Ong, also emphasised on the potential capital appreciation and first movers’ advantage for buyers who invest in a D’Seaview unit, regardless of whether they are residential or commercial buyers. Investing in a mixed development at Sihanoukville that comes to life through commercial and residential owners and tenants, acts as a hedge against future inflation. Having the advantage of being in a prime economic seaside location like Sihanoukville, with its deep-sea port, Special Economic Zone, international airport, as well as its oil and gas industry commencing operations soon, D’Seaview is the market leader in high-standard condos that extends its services beyond just quality housing and to the world of commerce. “With Sihanoukville being an up-and-coming booming coastal city, it is only a matter of time before more foreign businesses start coming into this province, and when that happens, housing will be the first few things they will look out for, thus we are hoping to fill up this hole,” Ong explains. Envisioning what expatriates and locals would appreciate within such a mixed development at Sihanoukville, D’Seaview places its focus on the integration of convenience, facilities, lifestyle, and status. In addition to its two residential towers, D’Seaview has four commercial blocks comprising 66 units. These include a vast ground-level space of approximately 500 square metres dedicated solely to F&B, either a food-court or a restaurant, which is priced at an estimated $1.7 million. Also, there is the second level that will be left as a wide plan for retail purposes. From the third to the seventh levels are smaller commercial units with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. D’Seaview also has a hotel block, which is open to investors, as well as local shophouse-style blocks that are targeted at Cambodians who would like to set up their business as well as live there. A typical commercial block features a third-storey roof terrace, which D’Seaview visualises to be a childcare centre, a spa, a salon, or even a family karaoke lounge hall. However, the final outcome depends on the imagination of the buyer. The variety and potential of D’Seaview’s commercial hemisphere brings the term mixed development to a whole new level, “which will be satisfying a lot of purchasers’ requirements and demands,” as explained by Ong. Such is the flexibility of D’Seaview in catering to its commercial purchasers’ needs that if a buyer wants to purchase an entire floor, Camhomes will be more than willing to work with them and help them in re-designing the floor plan. The starting price per square metre for a commercial unit within the compound is from $1619. Some commercial units have already been sold since the launch of its retail store spaces last weekend. With a ready pool of customers from the 735 units of residences and the 98-room hotel, D’Seaview’s commercial hub looks to be abuzz with consumer activities once the development is completed in Q1 of 2018. Open to the public, the lifestyle element is a factor of appeal, as the commercial units will feature a slew of trendy bistros and cafes that has the potential to be the new uptown of Sihanoukville. D’Seaview envisions itself to be a cosmopolitan hub with a balanced mix of locals and foreigners. On what sets D’Seaview apart from other housing developments, Ong elaborates, “we have the advantage of the seaside and close proximity to the port, thus reducing travel and delivery of consumer goods. Our central location among the seaport, airport, and the future highway connecting Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, is also another great advantage.” Realise your housing and commercial dreams now; visit Camhomes’ D’Seaview showroom at Canadia Towers and talk to their property consultants, call their hotline at 023 985 828 / 097 768 9090. Phnom Penh Post, Post Property.

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

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

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

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

Welcome to another weekly real estate news report, brought to you by Realestate.com.kh. On this week’s show, we’re going to be speaking with Desmond Yap, Managing Director of Yong Yap Properties Phnom Penh, and one of Realestate.com.kh’s featured agents. Question #1: Tell us about the Riverside area and the attraction of it? Lifestyle wise, riverside has the best selection of restaurants and bars, making it very easy to meet new people. Of course it is riverfront, which means amazing views and fresh air. Riverside also has plenty of markets. For people interested in Riverside real estate, most of all this area is convenient – everything is just a walk away. In terms of investment, there’s only so much river and we cannot make more space here. So it is exclusive and a beautiful place to live. It makes it a very attractive location for foreigners, and grants the riverside area a high investment return potential in the coming years. In regards to Tourism, riverside is the #1 spot in Phnom Penh, and one of Cambodia’s travel hubs. Here you can easily access all tourist amenities, such as bus tickets, ferry tours, the night market, royal palace, and riverside is also home to a host of cultural events & festivals. Question #2: How has the riverside area changed over the years? In our area there has been huge changes in very little time. We were one of the first western companies opening on street 13 just 2 years ago. Now there are countless new ventures, such as Q Foffee House, Trunkh, Bespoke, Opera Café and many more new brands. St 172 has also flourished into a renowned restaurant street now, with institutions such as Sundance, Sun moon hotel and Oskar Bar. Infrastructure has developed beyond recognition along Riverside too, including improved drainage. Flooding used to be a real risk on riverside - but now there are very few issues with this. Question #3: Is the Riverside area good for investment? Anywhere in Cambodia is a good for investment in my opinion, as it is a growing, developing country. As I mentioned, riverside is the number one tourism location in Phnom Penh – and because it will retain that prestige for many years to come, prices will always go up. Activities are growing weekly, including new options for food, drinks, entertainment, music and festivals. Looking forward, riverside is the perfect spot for a “cappuccino” strip for the city. Question #4: Tell us about Yong Yap Properties? Yong Yap is a boutique real estate agency specializing in the Riverside area and focused on providing relevant, up to date data in a clear transparent way for our clients. In our short time, Yong Yap has established ourselves as the premier agency in the Riverside market and have built a brand around transparency, trust and quality service. Question #5: What sort of clientele do you find are most interested in the riverside real estate area? Foreigners are our main clients to buy/rent, and Khmer as owners - though this is starting to change as our real estate agency name develops more. Investors are interested in 3 things on riverside: firstly, buying properties for rental yield. Secondly, investment properties for capital growth (long term). And thirdly, what I call 'flippers', otherwise known as renovators. We also see a fair share of single expats needing accommodation, or deciding to buy for themselves. A part of this demographic are floating expats, especially from Thailand, who need temporary homes in Cambodia due to visa regulations and renewals. Retirees are another demographic we are seeing more and more of. They want to buy now, collect rent while they sort their affairs in their home countries; then, in the future, they have a great retirement home and money in the bank when they eventually move to Phnom Penh. Question #6: Where do you see Yong Yap growing to in the future? We will stay focused on riverside, this is where we are experts. We are still growing here and just moved into a bigger office. We also offer cleaning service & renovation company - these two side businesses should assist our clients. We want to focus on modern style marketing methods, including video marketing, open homes, mail out flyers and we want to become more and more active in community projects. Question #7: What’s the easiest way to start looking at riverside properties? Of course, the best place to look for properties for rent or sale on riverside is by checking out the huge selection on www.realestate.com.kh, or Yong Yap’s website: www.yongyap.com. Don’t forget to call Yong Yap for a free consultation.Check out Yong Yap properties for sale and rent on Realestate.com.kh today!

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

(គម្រោងអគារខ្ពស់ៗនៅក្នុងតំបន់ពាណិជ្ជកម្មកណ្តាលទីក្រុងភ្នំពេញ) សេវាកម្មអាផាតមេនគឺជាលំនៅដ្ឋានបែបថ្មីនៅក្នុងរាជធានីភ្នំពេញ ខេត្តសៀមរាប និងក្រុងព្រះសីហនុ។ ជាធម្មតាកន្លែងស្នាក់បែបនេះ បានភ្ជាប់មកជាមួយនឹងភាពប្រណីត ដោយមានរួមបញ្ចូលទាំងបរិក្ខារ និងសេវាកម្មទាំងអស់ដើម្បីបំពេញតាមតម្រូវការរបស់ មនុស្សជំនាន់ថ្មី។ សេវាកម្មអាផាតមេនមានចំនួនច្រើននៅក្នុងទីក្រុងសំខាន់ៗក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជា ប៉ុន្តែតម្លៃវិញមានកម្រិតខ្ពស់ ខណៈទំហំនៃការកាន់កាប់ទូទៅនៅមានកម្រិតទាបនៅឡើយ។ សេវាកម្មអាផាតមេនគឺជាជម្រើសទីមួយសម្រាប់មនុស្សវ័យក្មេង ដែលចង់រស់នៅឯករាជ្យ នៅចំកណ្តាលទីក្រុង ជិតកន្លែងធ្វើការ និងចំណេញពេលវេលាក្នុងការគ្រប់គ្រងផ្ទះ។ អាផាតមេន កាន់តែមានប្រជាប្រិយភាពខ្លាំងឡើង សម្រាប់គ្រួសារដែលចង់បានភាពឯកជន និងគុណភាពនៃការរស់នៅក្នុងអគារសេវាកម្មអាផាតមេន។ ការផ្គត់ផ្គង់អាផាតមេនក៏កំពុងមានកំណើនឡើងផងដែរ ជាមួយនឹងការផ្តល់ជូនជម្រើសថ្មីជាច្រើន សម្រាប់ការកាន់កាប់នៅឆ្នាំ២០២០ និងឆ្នាំបន្តបន្ទាប់។តើអ្នកនឹងទទួលបានអ្វីខ្លះនៅក្នុងយូនីតសេវាកម្មអាផាតមេន?នៅពេលអ្នកចាប់ផ្តើមគិតពីសេវាកម្មអាផាតមេនសម្រាប់ជួល ឬទិញ អ្នកគួររំពឹងថាវានឹង មានការតុបតែងផ្នែកខាងក្នុងបែបបស្ចិមប្រទេស មានពន្លឺចេញចូលគ្រប់គ្រាន់ មានបង្អួច មានទេសភាពស្អាត ផ្ទះបាយមានបំពាក់ដោយបរិក្ខារជាមួយមុខងារពេញលេញ រាប់បញ្ចូលទាំងចង្ក្រានចំហុយ បន្ទប់ទឹកស្អាត ទំនើប មានកន្លែងផ្ទុកឥវ៉ាន់ និងទូដាក់សំលៀកបំពាក់ជាដើម ។ល។តើអ្នកនឹងទទួលបានអ្វីខ្លះនៅក្នុងអគារសេវាកម្មអាផាតមេន?អគារសេវាកម្មអាផាតមេនជាទូទៅនឹងមានបំពាក់ជណ្តើរយន្ត សេវាកម្មសន្តិសុខ (រួមទាំងការការពារ ២៤ ម៉ោង ការបំពាក់កាំមេរ៉ាសុវត្ថិភាព និងប្រព័ន្ធការពារអគ្គីភ័យ) កន្លែងចតឡាន និងម៉ូតូធំទូលាយ កន្លែងហាត់ប្រាណ ដែលបំពាក់ដោយគ្រឿងបរិក្ខារទំនើប និងអាងហែលទឹក។ នៅពេលអ្នករស់នៅក្នុងសេវាកម្មអាផាតមេន អ្នកនឹងមិនពិបាកក្នុងការជជែកដេញដោលជាមួយម្ចាស់អគារនោះទេ ពាក់ព័ន្ធនឹងការប្រមូលថ្លៃឈ្នួលជួល ដែលមានលក្ខណៈវិជ្ជាជីវៈ និងការឆ្លើយតបឆាប់រហ័សសម្រាប់សំណើជួលជុលអចលនទ្រព្យ។ ត្រូវប្រាកដថាអ្នកទទួលបានកិច្ចសន្យាដ៏ល្អមួយ សូមមើលគន្លឹះមួយចំនួននៅទីនេះ!ទាក់ទងនឹងចំណុចទាំងនេះសេវាកម្មអាផាតមេនអាចរួមបញ្ចូលទាំងថ្លៃសេវាគ្រប់គ្រងអាផាតមេន សេវាកម្មសម្អាតផ្ទះ សេវាកម្មបោកគក់ អ៊ីនធើណិតល្បឿនលឿន  ទូរទស្សន៍ខ្សែកាប ម៉ាស៊ីនទឹកក្តៅ ទឹកត្រជាក់ និងអាងងូតទឹក។ សេវាកម្មអាផាតមេនជាញឹកញាប់ក៏រួមបញ្ចូល ទាំងសេវាម្មទូទៅផ្សេងៗផងដែរ។តើសេវាកម្មអាផាតមេននៅភ្នំពេញមានតម្លៃដូចម្តេច? ខាងក្រោមនេះជាការប្រៀបធៀបតម្លៃរវាងសេវាកម្មអាផាតមេន និងអាផាតមេនធម្មតា (តម្លៃផ្អែកលើទិន្នន័យដែលមាននៅលើ Realestate.com.kh)៖ ប្រភេទអាផាតមេនកម្រិតទាប (ដុល្លារ)កម្រិតមធ្យម (ដុល្លារ)កម្រិតខ្ពស់ (ដុល្លារ)សេវាកម្មអាផាតមេន៦០០ - ៨០០ ៨០០ - ១៤០០១,៥០០ ++អាផាតមេន ធម្មតា៣០០ - ៥០០ ៥៥០ - ៩០០១០០០ ++ដើម្បីទទួលបានព័ត៌មានថ្មីៗអំពីវិស័យអចលនទ្រព្យនៅក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជា និងការវិវត្តន៍នានានៅក្នងវិស័យនេះ សូមធ្វើការទាញយកកម្មវិធីប្រើប្រាស់នៅលើទូរស័ព្ទដៃរបស់យើងឥឡូវនេះ។ សម្រាប់កម្មវិធី iOS និង Android។អ្នកស្វែងរកសេវាកម្មអាផាតមេន ជាង ២០០ សម្រាប់ជួលនៅកម្ពុជា តាមរយៈគេហទំព័រ Realestate.com.kh! លោកអ្នកក៏អាចចូរអានមគ្គុទេសនៃការវិនិយោគឆ្នំា២០១៩របស់យើងបានផងដែរ!អត្ថបទដោយ

In the first half of 2015, serviced apartment supply bumped up 14 per cent versus 2014 - meanwhile, rental prices remained similar to the year prior as a host of new offerings entered the local market. CBRE Cambodia’s recent report highlights that a total 349 additional serviced apartment units will come online within the local marketplace before mid-2016. 5797 units presently exist, and 11 more condo projects are currently underway. Check out CBRE's listings on Realestate.com.khHowever, the supply appears to be overshooting the current demand. Want to learn more about serviced apartment expectations?Overall occupancy rates of serviced apartment units have declined from 90 percent to around 70 percent at the end of 2014. However, showing slight improvement, this occupancy across all serviced apartment units rate grew to 80 percent this year, according to the CBRE report. Check out a video interview about how to find the best expat rentals in Phnom Penh. According to the report, on average, for a serviced apartment unit, a one bedroom unit or studio with 50 to 55 square meters varies from $1,000 to $1,500, two bedroom units with 70 square meters varies from $2,000 to $2,500 and three bedroom units with 110 square meters varies from $3000 to $3,500 per month, while “penthouse”units with 250 square meters are priced between $4,000 to $5,000 per month, according to the report, depending on the architecture and design. Make sure you get a good contract, here are a few tips!Check out over 200 serviced apartments for rent in Cambodia on Realestate.com.kh

Upload you property for sale or rent on Realestate.com.kh before the end of 2015 and win an iPad! Free Upload, No Commission on Sale, Fast and Easy.Sell or rent your property online today, with realestate.com.kh.     If you need any help to upload your property, call us today: +855 017436756 - or email info@realestate.com.kh because we are always here to help. We can even upload your property for you - if you supply the necessary info and photos to our team.

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

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