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!

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!

CBRE’s third quarter 2015 Condominium Report, currently unreleased, details eight new projects that have been officially launched in Q3 2015, compared to four in Q2, according to recent reports from the Post Property. Ultimately, this equals an additional supply of 10,000 condo units, which demonstrates a 435 per cent increase since the preceding quarter.The report states that "as of 2018, the number of condominium units in Phnom Penh would increase to almost 20,000 units, an increase of 915 per cent compared to the number in 2015." The report follows on to say that 1/3 of these units would reflect high-end properties, and approximately 1/2 are mid-range quality.  The report states that average condo prices per square meter for mass-market are $1,500psm, mid-range sits at $2,250psm; and high-end units are average $2,900psm. Learn more about the strata title process for condo purchase here. The report also says that “roughly 40 per cent of condominium owners are Cambodian”. Yet the report suggests that the vast majority of Cambodian buyers hope to “speculate or rent out”, rather than to live in the finished condo units. Learn more about Cambodian land titles, strata title transfers and foreign ownership regulation on Realestate.com.kh today!

Realestate.com.kh is proud to sponsor and support the Global Alumni Convention (GAC) 2016.The Global Alumni Convention (GAC) is organized by IDP Education to bring together graduates from Cambodia, Australia, the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, France, Russia, Korea, Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries and give them a forum to meet, share ideas and network with experts, decision makers and leaders from governments, the private sector, and civil society for education, trade and investment opportunities.AIMS OF THE CONVENTION: The convention is designed around the themes of reconnecting with learning, knowledge-sharing, and being inspired to fulfil education, professional, and business potential. Organizers anticipate attendance by more than 500 alumni, professionals, experts and leaders from the public and private sector. The objectives of the GAC 2016:To learn about the pathways and successes that alumni from these countries have achieved.To showcase world class education systems and opportunities.To gain insights into Cambodia’s position in the world.To enhance friendship and cooperation within Cambodia and internationally.Who will attend the convention? The Global Alumni Convention is a high-profile event with 500 anticipated attendees being: Graduates from around the globe.Leaders from Governments and Embassies.Directors, CEOs and Senior Executives from business and civil society.Professionals, specialists, and experts from diverse industries.Cambodians and non-Cambodians.When and where will the convention be held? On the evening of Friday 29 and all day on 30 January 2016 at InterContinental Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Convention Format: The format of the panel discussions will be four panellists plus a moderator with an interactive Q+A. The convention will be in two parts – the Business & Education Networking Reception on the evening of 29  January  2016  coupled  with  the  Main  Convention  on  30  January  2016  and  concluding  with  the Convention  Cocktail  Reception. The  Business  &  Education  Networking  Reception  will  be  a  networking dinner  with  leaders  from  the  government,  embassies,  the  private  sector  and  civil  society. The  Main Convention  will  consist  of  a  series  of  moderated  panel  discussions  with  topics  being  on  Cambodia-related  issues  and  will  be  given  by  leading  figures  from  the  business  community,  the  public  sector, relevant industry figures and alumni themselves. GAC  VIPs: GAC 2016 will be honoured with a welcome address by HE Sun Chanthol, Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce on the evening of the 29th, and the official opening address by HE Dr Hang Chuon  Naron, Minister of Education Youth and Sport in the morning of the 30th January, 2016. REGISTRATION FEES: Early Registration – 01 Oct – 30 Nov 2015 (US$ 70)Standard Registration – 01 – 30 Dec 2015 (US$ 80)Late Registration – 01 – 28 Jan 2016 (US$ 90)Walk-in Registration – 29 – 30 Jan 2016 (US$ 100)To register, please go to www.cambodiaGA.org  ; For more information, please contact GAC Secretariat Office at gac@idp.com or 023 222 064.

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 on Realestate.com.kh today!  Click here for current land for sale in Cambodia and current land for rent in Cambodia

On 26-27 December 2015, the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association (CVEA) traveled in convoy to Sihanoukville Province to study the real estate market of the region, seek opportunities and benefits for the members of CVEA, and to build relationship and unity between the various CVEA members. The trip was attended by Kim Heang, President of CVEA, and Van Chanthorn, Vice President of CVEA along with members from over 13 different real estate agencies and companies.Visits included information sessions, tours and negotiations with Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone (SSEZ), Chork Kampongsom Special Economy Zone and the development site of D’ Sea View Condominium, a project of HLH Group and Camhomes. The CVEA was given a chance to introduce themselves to company representatives from these developments and propose cooperative measures between the various projects and CVEA members. All projects showed great interest in partnering with the CVEA and its members, and working towards greater cooperation in 2016. The official tour schedule ended with a dinner party on O’Chhoeteal Beach with all members in attendance. The overall feeling was one of cooperation, unity and growing friendship, despite the competition that traditionally exists between many agencies. The CVEA is bringing industry leaders together and developing strong bonds that will bring mutual benefits to all members as the industry pushes forward and competition becomes more fierce in 2016. The Realestate.com.kh team were proud to attend the tour as CVEA members and partners of all Cambodian real estate agencies and agents, whether big or small, and look forward to future CVEA events and tours such as this!If you would like more information about the CVEA, or are seeking membership opportunities, or you are a developer who would like to invite the Association and its members to visit your project - please get in touch with the CVEA 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 the cold season's come around and you don’t need the aircon on, it’s the perfect time to give your unit a long needed check up! Stay cool and save cash on power bills with these simple maintenance checks, thanks to realestate.com.kh.Time for a new filter:If you have a central air system, make sure you change the filters every few months. If you have let it slide all year, now’s a prime time to do your chores and change it!And while you’re at it, clean the vents!At least a few times a year, you need to dust your aircon vents to keep the airflow free and easy. If it still seems muffled after this, you should hire a professional aircon cleaning person to give your air ducts and vents a full thorough blowout.Make sure you aren’t blocking the condensing unit:The air conditioner unit that sits outside and draws air into the system must be unrestricted and uncovered. It seems obvious, but sometimes people forget they left the mat lying on top. Make sure the induction vents a clean and clear, and you should be winning!Still seem Funky?If you unit still seems to be struggling, you might have an issue with your Freon Levels. Get a pro to check for a leak (especially if your aircon is an old model). While your at it, better get them to check the electrical controls and coils are in tip top shape too. They can also calibrate your thermostat if need be.Is wood or tile floors best for your home? Find out here.

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

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

Are you considering real estate investment? Would you like to purchase another residence for rental returns or appreciation? Or perhaps buy one to restore and renovate?In any case, this article will give you some good advice and put you in the best position to succeed, helping you use your sound judgment when putting your savings into real estate investment.Ensure you have a financial plan for your real estate investment:If you are a real estate investor putting money into any real estate investment, you need to start thinking of yourself as a small business owner - because that's effectively what you are now! A business owner must plan thoroughly and keep records of all plans, purchases and projections. Taking your real estate investment seriously means treating it as you would any business, so all these things must be done.When you plan to put resources into real estate investment, such as funds to repair the house you're purchasing, make sure your pre-purchase projections of the costs involved are manageable given your initial real estate investment costs, transfer costs and projected earnings from the repairs. Don't blow your cash on a house you can't bear to repair. Prior to scouting homes, it's better to check your funding.Know your goals for any real estate investment:Continuously ask questions about your real estate investment purpose and goals. Have a plan for your investment, and a reasonable schedule and pipeline for progress in that plan. What is your end objective? Everyone's objectives are slightly different, as are their paths' to success. How are you going to accomplish that plan? Make sure your plan is in touch with reality, and take it step by step.Do you have any partner or you are you investing by yourself?If so, you need to plan together and find out what suits your both best. It is really important to invest time making a strong plan so that you can access your relative success and failures. Proper education in real estate can lead to great profit.Keep reading our articles so you can boost your knowledge on real estate investment.

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.

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.

An administrative building, and a large underground parking lot that can accommodate up to 300 cars will be officially inaugurated in 2016, according to Long Dimanche, a City Hall spokesperson. Dimanche told the Post that the City Hall administrative building, which is 12 storeys high, is almost 90 per cent completed. He added that, “this is a workers’ building of the City Hall, adding to the existing building since the City Hall has many government officials working,[therefore] we need more buildings for work”. As of present, the City Hall has an estimated 340 officials, with the total number adding up to 800 officials with the inclusion of all district and commune officials, according to Dimanche. However, he did not disclose the cost of building this structure and parking lot, only mentioning that the developments were financed by City Hall’s funds. This new administrative building of City Hall is located at the south of the old City Hall building, which was left empty since after the end of the French colonization. Construction of this building had commenced at the beginning of 2015, and is slated to be completed by 2016 if no further adjustments are made to the plan. Seng Lot, spokesperson for the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, offered no comment when asked about this plan, directing it to the City Hall spokesperson to answer instead. Phnom Penh Post, Post Property.

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.

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

Sold on selling your apartment as soon as possible? We’ve got a few tips and tricks to help understand how your apartment will fare on the open market.Factors affecting how fast a home can sellThe price tagThe easiest approach to foreseeing how quickly your apartment will sell is by indexing the sale price.Do you need to sell it immediately? Price it at, or underneath, market value. Find the market value by taking into account what equivalent homes in the zone are asking. A good quality valuation is your next step, and many local agencies specialize in this task.If you don't need to sell in a hurry, you can price higher and let the buyer show you how much they want it.Do note, however, that there's an off chance that your price is too high. Individuals looking at a lower cost may miss your apartment for sale listing - especially if they are searching according to price criteria on Realestate.com.kh. Meanwhile, your apartment sits in a price range with homes that are most likely more alluring than yours, based on condition, size, or location.But this is no problem - just lower your price as you become more willing to sell. Simply remember to push the market first if you are not desperate, rather than the market pushing you.Eagerness to negotiateIf you are not considering accepting less than your full asking price, anticipate that your home will sit unsold longer than others in your general area. So be flexible when a genuine buyer arrives at the door to look at your apartment for sale because hesitance to negotiate is the second reason your home will remain on the market for longer than you wanted.Here are some handy real estate negotiation tips which will help you get the most out of any contract. Photos of your propertyTaking great photos of your property gives you an edge in standing out in the market today. Photo from the Peninsula Private Residences.Need your home to sell quickly? The more information a buyer has, the quicker they are likely to make a decision on your property for sale.A buyers’ first impression of your property for sale is usually influenced by the photos you make available. Ensuring they get a good first impression will make them more interested and perhaps even give you some leverage on the negotiating table.Other than making your apartment look all spiffy on the outside and arranging it inside, getting it photographed by a professional photographer is an extra step you can take for the best results.This should ideally include photos of the following:Exterior/FacadeIf it’s a house/villa, take a photo from the road and take them from multiple angles. If it’s a condominium unit, take a photo of the building’s facade and the lobby. A home that looks good gives the impression that it’s well taken care of and makes it look more appealing for potential buyers.Interiors & AmenitiesTake clear photos of the inside of your home. If it’s a house/villa, go through the motions of walking through your home and capturing each room in its best possible arrangement.Also remember what features you’ll be listing such as the number of bedrooms, toilets, kitchen, swimming pools, etc., Make sure to include those in your property listing’s photos.Surrounding areaHaving great photos of your home and its surroundings will almost guarantee you many more inquiries on your online listing. If it’s a house/villa, nice surroundings definitely add to the appeal of living in a landed home.If it’s a condominium unit, include photos of amenities up to 3 streets like supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, shops, and even shopping malls. The better facilities there are, the more appealing and the more eager a buyer will likely be.If you need a visual example of what you need, take a look at how new developments in Cambodia showcase their properties for sale.A good agentGood agents are worth the cost considering they save you time and energy on property-related paperwork. Supplied.The right real estate agent can have an enormous effect on the speed it takes to sell a home. It's imperative to pick an agent with experience selling the sort of home you have, and one who's acquainted with the region in which you are trying to put your apartment up for sale.Additionally, an agent will likely be the one looking for a buyer for you. It’s integral for real estate agents to have a phonebook of both buyers and sellers, so if you want a quick way to get your property out there, getting an agent would be a worthwhile addition to your plans.However, we’d argue that the agent’s true convenience lies in saving your headaches from dealing with all the paperwork. Good real estate agents have a good grasp on how the process goes and can enormously contribute to speeding up the process.You easily find the most trusted agents in Cambodia through Realestate.com.khList on a classifieds portal like Realestate.com.khListing your property on Realestate.com.kh gives it the best chance of being seen by Khmer and international buyers. Supplied.While an agent can certainly do this, it’s a good way to get a good grasp on the market landscape. If you’re planning to sell your house/villa/condo in Cambodia, it would be best to list your property on an online classifieds portal like Realestate.com.kh to reach the most people in Cambodia and abroad.Online listings are usually free and take no more than 15 minutes to properly set up. It’s a minuscule time investment - with no monetary cost - to get your property listed online.If you’re ready to sell your property online, let us know through our Concierge Service we'll assist you as soon as possible.Looking to sell your property in Cambodia? Let us help!Article by:

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

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

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.

Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia and home to almost half of the expats residing in the country. Most expats liken Phnom Penh to Bangkok 10 or 15 years ago.The city retains its charm through the stunning landmarks of Royal Palace, Independence Monument, Wat Phnom, Pagodas, famous ‘wet markets’ such as Toul Tum Poung (Russian Market), Central Market (Phsar Thmei), Orussey Market, Kandal Market, Old Market and more. As well as local small business owners filling the streets with an array of local foods, breads and fruits at every corner.At the same time, a handful of retail malls have started opening (and will be opening) throughout the city’s districts, namely in Daun Penh, Toul Kork, Sen Sok, Chamkarmon, Meanchey, and the Boeung Keng Kang districts. Western expatriates will likely see more familiar brands in these areas while still enjoying the relatively cheap cost-of-living in the Kingdom.There is a wide range of accommodation options for expats in Phnom Penh, ranging from as low as $200 per month for a more Khmer style of living, right up to $2500+ for the penthouse in a top-tier international standard serviced apartment. Generally, expats will know what area they want to move to - reasons being: they may have some friends work or live there already, and others may simply want to live close to their work. The latter of which is a good rule-of-thumb to follow since the city has plenty of choices and landlords vying for expatriate tenants.Expats in Cambodia seem to have coined various terms for locations in Phnom Penh that don’t necessarily match how Cambodians identify those locations. Be wary of this when you are trying to catch a moto or tuk tuk using the “barang” (foreigner) location term. For example, an expat identifies BKK 1, BKK 2 or BKK 3 by these names - and whilst so do a lot of locals, in fact these areas are known better to locals as Boeung keng Kang 1, Boeung keng Kang 2 and Boeung keng Kang 3.Foreigners are also very familiar with the location known as riverside, which relates to the area of Daun Penh. Similarly, foreigners like to say Russian Market - which relates to the Toul Tom Pong area.The Riverside area (Daun Penh), which runs along the Tonle Sap just before the junction of the Mekong river, is traditionally where most of the expats in Phnom Penh choose to live, and is also home to many of the famous restaurants, bars, clubs, guesthouses and hotels in Phnom Penh. And it is definitely a hot spot for the night owls and tourists visiting Cambodia.Debatably, in recent times the most popular area of Phnom Penh that seems to be swelling with expats is known as Chamkarmon. Within Chamkarmon there are various popular locations with expats residing in Phnom Penh. The affluent BKK1, the cosmopolitan Tonle Bassac and the rapidly rising in popularity Russian Market area (Toul Tum Poung) are all within the district of Chamkarmon. Generally speaking, if you are moving to Phnom Penh - you will most probably find yourself living somewhere in the district of Chamkarmon or Daun Penh.These are generally the districts expats frequent since they feature familiar brands and most businesses have employees who can speak a good level of English - something that’s not often talked about but makes a huge difference in making Phnom Penh an easy place to move into compared to its neighbours.This brief article, hopefully, should give you a quick glimpse of what it’s like to move and live in Phnom Penh. More and more expats are moving in every year as they fill important roles in the expanding business portfolio of the Kingdom.If you’re heavily considering moving to Cambodia for work, retirement, or even simple leisure, you can get started by looking for a place of your own in Realestate.com.kh’s property listings featuring over 20,000 properties for rent and sale.Stay up-to-date on the real estate industry in Cambodia and get real-time updates on real estate news as they happen. Download the Realestate.com.kh App now!Article by: