Real estate rewind: The top stories on Dot Property in 2018

Dot Property hosted award events, seminars and property shows, such as the Dot Property Show 2018 at Siam Paragon, this year

It’s safe to say 2018 was a busy year for both Dot Property and real estate in Asia. We covered a lot of interesting stories, but here are the top stories on Dot Property in 2018.

Top 15 articles on Dot Property in 2018

Muji takes on interior design in Southeast Asia starting with Bangkok

Muji has developed a following in Asia

Muji shops are incredibly popular throughout Southeast Asia. From Bangkok to Jakarta and Singapore to Manila, you can’t miss the Japanese lifestyle brand’s outlets in shopping centres. And now the company has made its way into the interior design space after announcing a partnership with Thai developer AP.

Muji will oversee the interior design of Life Pinklao, a luxury condominium in suburban Bangkok. The 23-story development is located within walking distance of the under construction Bang Yi Khan MRT station. Not only will Muji oversee the design, but its products will be used in the units to help bring Japanese-style living to Bangkok.

Click here to read more

4 property investment hotspots in the Philippines

Real estate investment in the Philippines continues to pick up thanks in large part to the strong performance of the country’s economy. This has carried over to the property market with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reporting that the residential real estate price index rose by 5.7 percent in 2017.

Many overseas investors elected to acquire property in Makati. Known as the Financial Capital of the Philippines, strong rental demand and the highest rental rates in the country are appealing to property investors. However, Makati isn’t the only place offering strong rental returns and outstanding capital appreciation.

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Is now a good time to buy a Bali villa?

If you are considering a Bali villa purchase, now is as good of a time as any. Tourist arrivals to the island continue to increase annually with more than five million visitors spending time in Bali last year, according to statistics from the Bali Government Tourism Office.

And while tourists are arriving in record numbers, the amount of villas available full-time for short-term rental in Bali remains relatively low. Research from Villa-Finder.com shows there are only 3000 villas on the short-term rental market. This presents savvy investors with an opportunity.

Click here to read more

The next China? ASEAN demand for overseas luxury real estate could soar

The Chinese government is likely to tighten outbound capital policy even further in the short term which has seen many in the real estate industry try to identify the next China. With significant wealth growth and an appetite for luxury property, Southeast Asia seems set to become a major player with some believing it to be the next China.

This is according to Stephanie Anton, president of Luxury Portfolio International®, a collection of the world’s most powerful independent luxury brokerages, who spoke to Dot Property last April.

Click here to read more

Nha Trang property investment: 3 things you need to know

The view from Sunshine Marina Nha Trang

Nha Trang property investment is becoming popular with both the local and international crowds. It’s easy to see why. The city boasts a beautiful stretch of coastline that spans six kilometres and is regularly ranked among Southeast Asia’s best beaches. This has seen arrivals soar and all these people need a place to stay.

In many ways,
Nha Trang
 and
Pattaya
 are similar. They both feature long beaches that are close to the city. They are both popular with Chinese and Russian tourists as well. Finally, the two areas present real estate investors with some unique opportunities, especially when it comes to condotels.

Click here to read more

International buyers face price hikes in Penang

Overseas property buyers eyeing Penang were dealt some bad news after the local government increased the real estate price floor for foreigners. Penang property prices have been on a slow decline in recent times and the move is the government’s latest attempt to halt the slide.

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Café del Mar Pattaya and more new leisure centres set to revamp the Eastern Seaboard

Pattaya is still known for its raunchy nightlife and despite repeated attempts to change this, the bars and clubs don’t seem to be going anywhere. However, there are numerous places, such as Café del Mar Pattaya, springing up beyond Walking Street that are broadening the city’s appeal.

The reason for this is necessity. According to the Mastercard Asia Pacific Destinations Index 2017, Pattaya welcomed the eighth most international overnight arrivals in the Asia-Pacific region, finishing just behind Hong Kong. These days Chinese, Korean and German guests are visiting the city in droves and are looking for different types of activities.

Click here to read more

Belt and Road steers Chinese investors to Filipino property

China was active in the Philippines this year

China’s Belt and Road initiative isn’t simply improving infrastructure in the 24 countries that make up the ambitious programme. Countries in Southeast Asia that are part of the Belt and Road, including Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia, have all seen an influx of Chinese real estate investors.

Thanks to thawing relations between Manila and Beijing, Chinese investment in the Philippines is rising with the Belt and Road initiative playing a factor in this. Of course, the surging Filipino economy has played its part in the increase as well.

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The people choose Hinode City as Vietnam’s Best Development

Hinode City won the inaugural People’s Choice Award for Best Development at the Dot Property Vietnam Awards 2018. Hinode City was one of 12 developments up for the award that was decided on exclusively by the public. Thousands of votes were cast as people selected the project they felt to be the best. Hinode City was the winner, collecting almost more than 1500 votes in less than a week.

Click here to read more

MM2H attracts Hong Kong buyers looking for affordable property to Malaysia

Malaysia has become an attractive place among retirees from Hong Kong because of the
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme
. Those who purchase a property and can support themselves without seeking employment are able to obtain a 10-year, multiple-entry visa. Family members are also eligible for the visa which has made MM2H desirable for those in Hong Kong wanting a hassle-free retirement haven.

Click here to read more

Breeze Park Condotel is perfect for Phuket property investment

Breeze Park Condotel in Phuket offers strong returns and a generous usage policy

Despite the central location and awe-inspiring coastline, development in and around Kamala Beach remains relatively limited. At the north-end of the beach is the MontAzure residential resort development, but beyond that there isn’t much for real estate investors to choose from.

This is just one of the many reasons Breeze Park Condotel is such an exciting development. Located in the hills just south of Kamala Beach, this residential complex boasts an impressive design and an affordable price point that makes it extremely attractive for investors, holiday home seekers or those wanting one property to do both.

Click here to read more

As Singapore office rents increase, firms look for new options

New research from
DBS
 and CBRE found Singapore office rents are beginning to recover after bottoming out early last year. The rising rents and office market outlook has caused some businesses to consider alternatives, such as co-working centres or other non-traditional office solutions, in order to save on costs. This situation is most notable in the CBD where finding space is proving to be problematic.

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Why do expats choose to retire in the Philippines?

More expats are retiring in the Philippines

More expatriates are choosing to retire in the Philippines. People from the USA, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and many Nordic countries are all enjoying the Filipino lifestyle these days. Ever wonder why more expats are looking to retire in the Philippines? There are quite a few reasons, but here are four of the most popular ones.

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Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 honours 24 of real estate’s best

A total of 24 awards were bestowed upon developers, projects, real estate agencies and companies during the Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 exclusive presentation ceremony at Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok on 16 August. All Inspire Development and Blue Horizon were among the night’s big winners that also saw the People’s Choice Award for Best Developer Thailand announced.

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Where is Asia’s best kept beach secret?

The view of Ngwe Saung Beach from the pool at Eskala Hotels & Resorts

Ngwe Saung Beach is undoubtedly a hidden gem. In fact, it’s Asia’s best kept beach secret. More than 15 kilometres of pristine beaches can be enjoyed with most being sparsely populated when compared to the region’s other popular seaside getaway locations. If you’re looking for seclusion and peace, Ngwe Saung Beach offers both in spades. It is only a matter of time before more people find out about Asia’s best kept beach secret.

Click here to read more


Real estate rewind: The top stories from Dot Property in 2021

The past 12 months saw a lot happen across the world of real estate in Southeast Asia. And Dot Property Group was right there covering the most important items throughout the year. However, you may have missed something interesting. That’s why we’re here with a recap of the top stories from Dot Property in 2021.

Top 15 stories from Dot Property in 2021

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves

Dot Property is now Dot Property Group. This is much more than a name change, however. The company is revolutionizing how property professionals in Southeast Asia operate. Its newest innovations allow you to work faster, smarter and more efficiently than ever before.

Continue Reading

A look at breweries in Asia with property development ambitions

Singha Beer is widely available across the world. What most people outside of Thailand don’t realize is the same beer maker also develops luxury condominiums and other real estate projects. Some of the Singha developments have been designed to look like a beer pouring into a glass. And it’s not just Singha swapping brews for buildings. There are several breweries in Asia with property development ambitions.

Keep Reading

Can tourism-focused real estate help the Philippine property market rebound?

It feels a bit odd talking about tourism-focused real estate when most visitors are unable to travel to the Philippines at the moment. However, it can be an important driver of a Philippine property market rebound once the situation returns to normal. At the very least, it won’t hurt the developers to consider tourism-focused real estate moving forward.

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Rolling Ant uses video games to innovate the way people view property in Vietnam

Sales agents using Rolling Ant’s fully nteractive PC application to present at Masterise Homes’s Sales Gallery

On the surface, it appears that video games and real estate may not have a lot in common. However, both are driven by experiences and are extremely visual in nature. Comparisons don’t end there. The best video games are brought to life by being engaging and striking to look at. It’s a similar story for property. Rolling Ant was one of the first companies to realize the similarities. The firm decided to create an innovative range of real estate viewing solutions after spending 16 years developing Xbox 360 and PlayStation triple A titles for companies such as Microsoft, EA and Disney.

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The Dot Property Awards return in person

From right to left – Mr. Adam Sutcliffe, Dot Property Group Director, Events and International Markets; Khun Apipu Phromyothi, Navarang Asset Chief Executive Officer; Khun Kittiphun Ouiyamaphun, MQDC Senior Vice President; Mr. James Claassen, Dot Property Group General Manager; Khun Korn Narongdej, Chief Executive Officer Raimon Land; Khun Wasawat Watanaudomkit, SC Asset Innovative Strategic Manager; Khun Preecha Kulphaisaltham, Pieamsuk Property Development Managing Director

Last year saw in person events return to the Dot Property Awards in the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. While the format was different due to COVID-19 regulations in each country, more than 90 winners were announced across the three events in 2021. Find more detail about each one:

The Philippines
 /
Thailand
 /
Vietnam

5 underrated beach destinations in Southeast Asia and where you can buy property

With many countries across the world making plans to reopen travel, people have already begun thinking about the places they wish to visit after nearly two years of being cooped up. And while there is nothing wrong with the usual spots, the most underrated beach destinations in Southeast Asia offer truly unique experiences.

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Thailand real estate’s next big thing: Learn how 8Villas is leading the way in Khon Kaen

Backed by a strong local economy, significant infrastructure investment and a lifestyle people love, Thailand real estate’s next big thing is Khon Kaen and developer 8Villas is at the forefront of this movement. The general livability of the city is outstanding, and its investment potential is unmatched in the country. According to 8Villas, this is the chance to get in on the ground floor of something special.

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Tourism-focused real estate in Vietnam set for bigger and better things

Ms Bui Thi Thanh Huong is the Vice Chairwoman and CEO of Sun Group, Vietnam’s leading tourism developer

Sun Group was the first developer in Vietnam to recognize both the potential and need for tourism-focused real estate in Vietnam. Today, the developer is seen as the leader in the high-end tourism real estate segment having a portfolio of projects known and loved globally. And with Vietnam among one of the 10 fastest growing tourism countries in the world before the pandemic, its role is as a tourism-focused real estate is increasingly important.

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Explore the most exclusive branded residences in Southeast Asia

Branded residences are nothing new in Asia. Both hospitality and design firms have been lending their brands and the seal of approval that comes with it to residential developments throughout the region. However, Asia’s most exclusive branded residences offer a lot more than just a familiar name.

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Disruption, not decline, will be the lasting legacy of COVID-19 on the Thailand property market

The greatest impact COVID-19 has had on the Thailand property market comes in the form of disruption. There is no denying real estate sales are down throughout the country because of the pandemic. Nearly 90 percent of agents and 91 percent of developers told us as much when asked. However, trends in demand show something beyond an across-the-board decline.

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4 of the most unique condominium developments in the Philippines

Some residential projects are just built differently. And no, we’re not talking about the construction process or materials. The most unique condominium developments in the Philippines are creative, bold and, quite frankly, pretty cool. Several developers haven’t been afraid to think way outside the box.

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The Portuguese golden visa program provides investors with a secure future and the possibility of strong returns

The importance of a golden visa in the post-pandemic world

COVID-19 brought with it a number of unforeseen consequences with the most notable being restricted movement. Many Asian high-net worth individuals (HNWIs) found themselves without an alternative other than to wait the situation out. These challenges have highlighted the importance of a golden visa in the post-pandemic world.

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Where can you own freehold property in Asia?

Foreigners looking to own freehold property in Asia have several options at their disposal. As you would expect on such a diverse continent, rules and regulation do vary quite a bit. In some countries, you are limited by property type while other places have restrictions on locations and prices. The good news is that most places that allow foreigners to own freehold property in Asia have fairly transparent processes in place.

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ONE.SIX Development is bringing a new perspective to Thailand real estate

Khun Tanyatip (Tanya) Chearavanont, CEO and Founder ONE.SIX Development, has brought a new perspective to Thailand real estate

How do you convey an experience when it doesn’t exist? By definition, a project is just some walls, windows, concrete and other building materials. There is nothing inherently special about it. A home doesn’t become a home until it can be experienced. Ultimately, this is what drives
ONE.SIX Development
.

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Here’s how virtual offices are helping businesses unlock the potential of Malaysia

From its 15th century origins as a trading post to the recent launch of the Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone, Malacca has long supported the ambitions of entrepreneurs from around the world. And while the city, and Malaysia as a whole, move forward with digitalization efforts, the office sector has lagged. The pandemic has only served to exacerbate these issues. Entrepreneurs looking for support have often found themselves shut out of the market until recently.

Keep Reading


Real estate transparency improves across Southeast Asia

Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines improved their real estate transparency

Several countries in Southeast Asia made notable improvements when it came to real estate transparency, according to a recent JLL report. The Global Real Estate Transparency Index 2020, a biannual research project from the consultancy, found that many countries in the region made significant progress over the past two years.

Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia were among the top ten improved countries in regard to real estate transparency. Singapore was the region’s best performing country when it came to transparency and finished 15
th
globally.
Malaysia
 was the only other Southeast Asian country to make the
Global Real Estate Transparency Index 2020
’s top 30.

A total of 99 countries and territories around the world are ranked in the report. The final real estate transparency score is based on six factors: investment performance; market fundamentals; listed vehicles; regulatory and legal indices; transaction processes; and sustainability. This was the 11
th
 edition of the report.

Vietnam continues to improve

The
Vietnam
 property market continues to improve, and this was highlighted by the fact the country rose five places in the JLL report. As a result of the jump, Vietnam is now classified as “Semi-Transparent”. This is an important step for the country as more international investors look to enter the property market.

“Vietnam has made further progress on the regulatory front with government bodies tightening their oversight to ensure rules and regulations are being adhered to in areas such as land-use planning and lending standards. The country’s strong economic prospects have drawn significant interest from both occupiers and investors, and this has led to increased competition and service offerings from property management companies,” the report found.

The performance of
Ho Chi Minh City
, in particular, was cited as a key driver of real estate transparency in the country.

Thailand becomes transparent

Thailand had the biggest increase in real estate transparency in Southeast Asia

Thailand
 made further progress and was placed in the “Transparent’ tier by JLL for the first time. According to the Global Real Estate Transparency Index 2020, greater regulatory enforcement of lending standards and requirements for more frequent property valuations in the Kingdom along with improved accounting standards were catalysts for the improvement.

“Moderate gains in Thailand have in part been driven by changes on the regulatory front, and this has led to it advancing into the lower reaches of the ‘Transparent’ tier alongside Mainland China’s leading cities. The national accounting body has adopted new measures to move Thailand’s GAAP more in line with international standards, while regulators have tightened up on some lending standards including requiring greater frequency of appraisals. In Bangkok, a new land-use plan is scheduled to be launched in 2020 after significant public consultation, and this has helped to improve the predictability of the changes to come,” the report explained.

The country is now ranked as the world’s 33
rd
 most transparent real estate market and recorded the fifth highest improvement during the past two years.

Sustainability focus moves the Philippines forward

While
the Philippines
 still trails both Thailand and Indonesia in real estate transparency, the country continues to become more transparent. Many developers have made strides in sustainability and these efforts were one of the reasons the country improved in the latest rankings.

“Sustainability has been a key contributor to gains achieved in the Philippines as developers put a renewed focus on this area. The number of green-certified buildings has been on the rise and the first non-bank issuance of a green bond took place early in 2020 by a local developer. Steps to digitize the land registry are also a positive stride, leading to better quality records and easier access,” the report points out.

Elsewhere in Asia

The Global Real Estate Transparency Index 2020 highlighted
Indonesia
 as another country that made solid strides over the past two years. Meanwhile, Myanmar was the lowest ranked country in the region and 72
nd
 globally.

Japan and Hong Kong scored highly once again and both countries are firmly entrenched in the “transparent” tier. The report added, “the improvements have been small, with the biggest advances recorded on the sustainability front as governments and industry players have placed a greater emphasis on health and well-being.”


Real estate’s finest is coming to Bangkok for the Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards 2019

Preparations are underway for the fourth edition of the Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards, but this year promises something extra special. The award series will host its very first regional presentation ceremony in Bangkok to celebrate this year’s class of winners from all around Southeast Asia.

The biggest and best real estate developers, projects, agents and companies supporting the industry will be in attendance at Park Hyatt Bangkok on December 12 for the Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards 2019 presentation ceremony and invitation-only Winners Party.

BEATNIQ from SC Asset won the People’s Choice Award for “Project of the Year” in Thailand

This year has already seen successful Dot Property Awards ceremonies held in Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok and Manila with nearly 500 guests attending and 100 awards presented. The Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards 2019 serves as an end of year spectacular where the real estate industry can gather on the regional stage to celebrate.

See more:

Historic Dot Property Philippines Awards 2019 sees the country’s best honoured

Southeast Asia’s very first People’s Choice Award for “Project of the Year” will be named during the presentation ceremony. Open to projects in every country, this award will be voted on exclusively by the public who will choose their favourite. Additionally, the Developer of the Year award will be presented to Southeast Asia’s best firm in 2019.

“It is a privilege to be hosting real estate’s best from across the region at the Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards 2019 in our hometown of Bangkok. After successful events in Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, it is time to close the chapter on 2019 by honouring the region’s best. Between the presentation ceremony and exclusive Winners Party at Penthouse, the Park Hyatt Bangkok’s amazing rooftop venue, this is going to be a celebration you won’t want to miss,” Adam Sutcliffe, Director, Events and International Markets at Dot Property, says.

See more:

Impressive Dot Property Vietnam Awards 2019 are a reason to celebrate

Want to be a part of Southeast Asia’s most exciting award series? There is still to enter. However, time is running out, so be sure to send in your entry form today!

Click here to submit your entry

The winners celebrate their success at the Dot Property Vietnam Awards 2019

Now in its fourth year, the Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards rewards the best in regional real estate, honouring the leading developers, projects and companies that contribute to the sector. Sponsors of the Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards 2019 include Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® and BoxBrownie.com.

See more:

Developers, projects and agents honoured at Dot Property Thailand Awards 2019

For more information about Dot Property Events, please
click here


Regal London Agent Day organised by Dot Property attracts a large crowd

More than 40 top real estate agents attended Regal London Agent Day organised by Dot Property on June 26 at the Siam Kempinski Hotel. The event provided leading luxury developer Regal London with an exclusive platform to showcase their London properties in Bangkok.

Local property professionals were provided the opportunity to meet with senior representatives from Regal London. They also had a chance to attend educational sessions on the London property market during the event. Savills, CBRE and RE/MAX Thailand were just a few of the agencies in attendance.

“We were thrilled with both the quantity and quality of attendees at our recent agent event in Bangkok. The Dot Property team were very professional and ensured everything ran smoothly from start to finish. It’s encouraging to see continued appetite for London property in Thailand and I know our campaigns with Dot Property will help elevate our brand and reach more of the market,” Matthew Burgess, Regal London Head of Sales – Hong Kong, explained.

Regal London was able to leverage Dot Property’s network real estate agents to help with their efforts to expand into the Kingdom. Demand for UK property from local buyers has been growing in recent years and partnering with real estate agents in the country is an efficient way for developers such as Regal London to increase their reach.

With more than 20 years’ experience, Regal London has a proven track record of delivering outstanding residential-led, mixed-use schemes. The firm focuses on luxury developments and has more than 3,000 residential units completed or underway in the city. Regal London has offices in the UK, Hong Kong, China and the Middle East.


Region top for luxury retail

Asia-Pacific cities are the most appealing destinations for luxury retailers to set up shop according to a new report published by real estate consultant JLL.

The
Destination Retail 2016
 report, published today (Monday) revealed the region boasts seven of the top 10 cities with the highest presence of luxury retailers.

The research, which for the first time provides a global ranking of cities by their appeal to cross-border retailers, found that Hong Kong is second only to London in its popularity. Also among the top 10 are Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Beijing, Osaka and Taipei.

“Hong Kong remains Asia’s leading luxury shopping destination with many retailers using it as a springboard for expansion into Mainland China,” said James Assersohn, Director of Retail for Asia-Pacific, JLL.

“While there has been a noticeable slowdown in luxury sales in the city due to China’s slowing economy and the government’s anti-corruption crackdown, Hong Kong continues to attract many high-spending Chinese tourists.

“More broadly, the dominance of Asian cities in the index highlights the attractiveness of the region to retailers, thanks to its burgeoning middle classes and growing levels of affluence,” explained Assersohn.

Tokyo, which takes fourth place globally, has seen a revival in luxury retailer’s demand for high quality real estate as a result of an improving economic climate and rising tourism numbers.

The yen, which has devalued by nearly 30 percent since 2012, has made Japan a magnet for retail tourism across the region. International visitors to Japan rose 47 percent in 2015 over the previous year with the largest contingent being from Mainland China. A weaker yen is also encouraging Japanese citizens to make the most of their luxury purchasing power at home.

Shanghai, meanwhile, at number six in the ranking, is catching up fast on Hong Kong to become one of Asia’s leading luxury retail destinations and still remains Mainland China’s premier shopping destination

“Thanks to a diverse economy and wealthy consumer base, Shanghai has become a favourite place for international brands to test the Chinese market and gain brand exposure, sometimes bypassing Hong Kong in the process,” said Assersohn.

“Overall performance of the luxury sector will depend not only on economic growth, but on factors such as volume of travel and increase in the number of high income households.

As such, the strong growth in high income households forecast in Asian cities in the next 15 years should mean that Asia remains at the forefront of luxury spend growth, both domestically and abroad,” he concluded.

Top 10 Global Cross Border Luxury Retailer Attractiveness Index 2016

1 London

2 Hong Kong

3 Paris

4 Tokyo

5 New York

6 Shanghai

7= Singapore

7=Dubai

9 Beijing

10=Osaka

10=Taipei


Regional magazine launched

The first Dot Property regional magazine is now available as a digital edition for readers around Cambodia, the regional and the world.

As the fastest growing property portal group in Southeast Asia, Dot Property’s regional property magazine has a highly targeted audience made primarily of property investors, home buyers, renters, expats and property professionals. It is the latest way that property developers, real estate agents and anyone with products aimed at this sector can reach a growing and influential readership.

The
quarterly publication
 is distributed digitally, and as a print edition throughout Asia’s top hotels, property events, airports, private hospitals, embassies, expat clubs, restaurant, agent offices, cafés and many other locations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia and Myanmar.

Online readers can access the
Dot Property regional magazine digital edition
 here.

For more information about the magazine, how to obtain a print copy and how to promote your own product within its pages email:
[email protected]
.

Click here to access the
Dot Property Regional Real Estate digital magazine
.


RE/MAX for Malaysia, Myanmar

Global real estate franchise RE/MAX has reached significant milestones expanding its international influence. As part of a continuing global initiative, two master franchise sales and an improved online experience for global.remax.com visitors kicked off the first quarter.

“RE/MAX is the most productive real estate network and we’re always looking for new, vibrant ways to expand international opportunities on behalf of our franchisees and consumers,” said Larry Oberly, Vice President, Global Development of RE/MAX, LLC.

“Our growth around the world is due to the strength of the RE/MAX business model, which attracts entrepreneurial minded people with a variety of business backgrounds.”

In the first quarter of 2016, RE/MAX sold two master franchises in Malaysia and Myanmar.

Andre Keller and Alex Gomez, region owners of RE/MAX Malaysia, are planning the opening of their first regional office in Kuala Lumpur. The duo plans to focus on working with younger professionals to provide career opportunities rooted in an innovative network, international brand power and advanced technology.

RE/MAX Myanmar co-Region Owners Joseph Khoo, Ken Lim, Stephen Lee, Darrit Cho and Kaung Myat are expecting to establish a regional office in Yangon, the country’s economic center. The group, with strong ties to RE/MAX Singapore, is looking forward to expanding the American-based franchise model, while creating higher professional standards within the local real estate community.

These recent global successes come on the heels of a successful 2015. Last year, four countries joined the RE/MAX network propelling the total number of RE/MAX agents outside the U.S. and Canada to more than 25,000, an annual growth of 15.4 percent. RE/MAX now has more offices in more countries than any other real estate brand.


RE/MAX Malaysia joins Dot Property Group

Alva Horgan (left) of Dot Property with Taco Heidinga (right) of RE/MAX Malaysia

As Dot Property Group continues to expand across the regions, new partners hop on board the fast-moving train. It was back in February when RE/MAX Philippines signed with Dot Property Group and now, today, RE/MAX Malaysia has joined forces too.

RE/MAX is a strong worldwide brand boasting more than 100,000 real estate agents in over 100 countries while Dot Property Group reaches more than one million active visitors across their websites in just one month. With such strong brand names, there’s no doubt that this powerful duo will create an influence in the real estate market.

Alva Horgan, Managing Director for Emerging and Frontier Markets at Dot Property Group, met with Taco Heidinga of RE/MAX Malaysia today during the RE/MAX Asia Pacific Convention that took place at The Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel Bangkok. She added, “I look forward to working with RE/MAX Malaysia, which is a strong market for Dot Property Group and I’m confident that this is a good step forward for both organizations.”

It seems both companies are taking, not only Malaysia, but Southeast Asia by storm.


RE/MAX signs with Dot Property

The Philippines business of global real estate franchise RE/MAX has signed a partnership deal with online property portal
Dot Property Philippines
 – part of the
Dot Property Group
, one of Asia’s fastest growing property media companies with operations in nine Southeast Asian countries,

Re/Max boasts more than 100,000 real estate agents in 97 countries around the world, and see this partnership as one way to boost its competitiveness in The Philippines, where demand for property and real estate has been growing, The firm has 22 franchise businesses in the Philippines, and the new deal will see all of the RE/MAX property listings appearing on
www.dotproperty.com.ph
.

Dot Property Group
 has more than one million users visiting its websites each month, searching for property to buy, rent and sell, as well as information to help its visitors make more informed decisions.

Alva Horgan (pictured below left), Managing Director for Emerging and Frontier Markets for
Dot Property Group
, said: “I’m extremely pleased that RE/MAXx has partnered with
Dot Property Group
 in the Philippines.

“I am confident this can only be a win-win outcome for both organisations.”


Should I rent my property furnished or unfurnished?

Help decide whether to rent your property on a furnished or unfurnished basis.

You want your property to generate a healthy rental yield. One factor that could influence this is whether you rent it on a furnished or unfurnished basis. To help decide which is the best option for you, consider the following factors:

1. Is the weekly rental amount affected?

The current market demand will dictate whether providing furniture will increase the rent. You may achieve a higher rent for a furnished property but you need to consider the initial outlay and maintenance of the furniture as part of your costs.

2. Will void periods differ?

Likewise is there more demand for furnished or unfurnished properties? This could influence how quickly the property lets and whether there are any periods between tenancies where no rent is generated.

3. Should I provide electrical items?

It is the norm to provide a washing machine, air conditioning, fridge and oven, however additional items such as televisions, lamps and small kitchen appliances like kettles and toaster will vary. As a landlord you need to remember that you will need to replace these should they get broken.

4. What is the market you are aiming for?

A family are more likely to have their own items of furniture whereas a professional tenant will like the ease of having everything provided for them. The property will influence whether furniture should be provided or not. This is especially the case for smaller properties where it may be hard to envisage the furniture that can be fitted in a small space so providing furniture is often the best choice.

5. Will the length of the tenancy be affected?

In most cases unfurnished properties will experience longer tenancy terms simply because a tenant has taken the time and effort to fit all their furniture so it is unlikely that they will want to move again soon.

6. Window dressings should be included.

Even in an unfurnished property window dressings need to be provided whether you choose a black out blind or curtains.

7. If you can, be flexible.

Be open and consider offers on their individual merits even if these means providing certain furnishings. This way you will be able to let your property quicker.


Renting out your spare room for extra cash

Image of NOVO Ampang developed by Alfranko Development Sdn Bhd

Have you considered renting out your spare room for extra cash? The idea seems like a no-brainer if you have abundant space that isn’t being used. But, before you start advertising your room for rent there are some points to be considered. Here are five tips to consider in order to successfully rent out your room for extra cash:

Ensure you’re allowed to rent a room out.
 This seems obvious, but if you are a renter you will need to check with your landlord first. Often times, subleasing is not an option in your rental agreement.

Do your due diligence.
 Once you know you can rent out your room it’s time to do your research. Every location, house type and room style will be priced differently and it’s important you do not put a price tag too high or too low on your room. Check
local real estate sites
 in your area to see what the average rental room costs.

Consider additional costs.
 There are more costs to take into account when renting out a room. What else would you want to charge your new room tenant? Utility costs, cable and internet and whether the room will be furnished or not are points to factor into the room cost.

Be selective.
 Always interview potential renters, even if you might be eager to up your monthly income. Taking the first person who shows interest in your room might be detrimental. Consider even looking into their background such as credit scores, criminal history, current employment and possibly even other rental references.

Set rules.
 After a successful interview process, it’s important to set boundaries from the beginning. This will avoid negative interactions in the future. Keep in mind how the cleaning and food will be share, what kind of guidelines are set in place for having people over or late night parties and how costs like toilet paper and dish soap will be divided.

Okay – now start with our first tip and begin renting out your spare room for extra cash!


Reserve your spot at the Dot Property 48 Hour Mega Sale, Thailand’s biggest online property sales event

The Dot Property 48 Hour Mega Sale will be Thailand’s biggest online property sales event in 2021

Thailand’s biggest online property sales event returns in 2021 with more properties and bigger discounts. Registration is now open for the Dot Property 48 Hour Mega Sale and property seekers can secure their spot at the two-day event scheduled for August 27
th
 and 28
th
.
Click here to reserve your spot!

The Dot Property 48 Hour Mega Sale sees discounts of up to 40 percent placed on condominium units, villas, houses and other real estate in Bangkok, Phuket, Samui, Hua Hin and Pattaya. These never-before-seen prices are only made available during Thailand’s biggest online property sales event.

Registering in advance for the Dot Property 48 Hour Mega Sale comes with several benefits. For starters, those who sign up today are eligible to participate in an exclusive sneak peek where you can view select discounts before the start of the event.

Secondly, advance registrants can enter the Dot Property 48 Hour Mega Sale directly on August 27. That means you can be among the first to explore deals and message developers. This is the best way to secure the property you want during the sale because once a unit has been sold, it’s gone for good.

Whether you are searching for a place to call home, after a vacation property or want a strong investment, it will be available at Thailand’s biggest online property sales event. The Dot Property 48 Hour Mega Sale features an exclusive collection of the Kingdom’s best real estate at the lowest prices ever seen.

Last year’s event saw buyers from Thailand and overseas secure their dream home and helped set a Dot Property Group single-day record for website visitors. The sale promises to be even bigger in 2021 with greater synergy between Dot Property Group’s five leading property portals, including Thailand-Property, Dot Property and Hipflat, ensuring increased visibility and attracting even more property buyers.

Due to the heavy traffic expected during the Dot Property 48 Hour Mega Sale, we’re encouraging everyone to register ahead of time. Not only will this provide you with direct access to the best deals as soon as the event begins, but you’ll also be able to take part in an exclusive preview where you can see some of the discounts on offer. Don’t wait,
register today!

Click here to reserve the best discounts on Thailand property

If you’re a developer interested in joining the Dot Property 48 Hour Mega Sale, contact us at:
[email protected]


Reserve your spot at Thailand’s largest online property sales event

The Dot Property Mega Sale is back, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. In addition to an in-person sale in Bangkok, there will also be an online event that home seekers from around the world can take part in.

Several leading Thai homebuilders, including SC Asset, Raimon Land, Real Asset and Asset Wise, are set to display their projects online during the seven-day event. There will exclusive promotions and special packages only be available during the Dot Property Mega Sale so you don’t want to miss it. Details will be revealed in the days prior to July 14. However, you can get the inside scoop on those before anyone else by
registering here
.

Thailand’s largest property sales event only comes around once a year. If you’re interested in attending the Dot Property Mega Sale, be sure to register in advance here:
https://contact.dotpropertygroup.com/megasale2022-b2c-en-projects/


Residential luxury in Bangkok reaches new heights

Raimon Land is synonymous with residential luxury in Bangkok much in the same way Aston Martin is known for upscale automobiles or Louis Vuitton is recognized for designer handbags. And there is a very good reason for this.

The developer’s efforts related to residential luxury in Bangkok are second to none. They even have the accolades to back this claim. A Raimon Land project has won Best Luxury Condominium at the Dot Property Thailand Awards for two consecutive years. It’s recognition the developer is extremely proud of.

In 2020,
The Estelle Phrom Phong
 was bestowed with the honor while 2021 saw Tait 12 named
Best Luxury Condominium
. These two projects are unique in their own ways but show Raimon Land’s expertise when it comes to curating residential luxury in Bangkok.

Related:

Young, dynamic buyers helping spur luxury condo sales for Raimon Land

“The Estelle Phrom Phong is located in the Sukhumvit area while Tait 12 is in the Sathorn area which is very different. Winning shows Raimon Land is able to adapt in very dynamic way and integrate the different personalities of each neighborhood by bringing in unique elements which makes each project unique,” Stephane Michel, Chief Operating Officer of Raimon Land, said.

Situated in Bangkok’s bustling Sathorn district,
Tait 12
 stands 40-stories tall with its elegant exterior design featuring large glass panels unique for the city. The distinctive outside is complemented by stylish interiors which have been tailored to the needs of modern residents. Amenities, in particular, stand out with spaces for working and entertaining guests woven amongst more traditional areas.

“Tait 12 has multiple floors of facilities on top of the building and this is just stunning. I think this will set the bar for other condominiums around Bangkok. It’s not just enough to have a view, but in terms of the level of the facilities, the equipment, the green areas we have are just amazing. I’d love for people to come see it for themselves,” Michel noted.

Raimon Land has elevated the concept of residential luxury in Bangkok with Tait 12. The emphasis behind the condominium wasn’t simply to create a nice place to live. Every residential development aims to do that. Instead, the focus was to craft a quintessential living space for today and tomorrow.

Ultimately, Tait 12 is a place where constantly evolving lifestyles are supported and people can be at their best. That is a luxury money cannot buy.

Tait 12 is scheduled to be completed in 2023. Prices for a one-bedroom, 40 square meter unit start at THB10.2 million. For more information,
please click here
.


Retailers’ top concerns

Growing online sales will not deter retailers’ physical store expansion plans in 2016 according to real estate firm CBRE in its seventh edition of How Active Are Retailers Globally?

The study featured more than 150 major international brands based in Americas, Asia-Pacific and EMEA. While European countries dominate the target destinations this year, China is the top target market in APAC and the fourth most popular globally, with 27 percent of retailers looking to expand there. This is followed by Hong Kong in sixth position (24 percent), Japan in seventh (22 percent) and Singapore in ninth (21 percent). The top three globally were Germany (35 percent), France (33 percent) and the U.K. (29 percent).

Other key highlights for APAC, according to CBRE, were:

China and Hong Kong maintained fourth and sixth place, respectively, whilst Japan (seventh), Singapore (ninth) and Australia (eleventh) all rose higher in the ranking, up from thirteenth, eighteenth and fifteenth positions, respectively.

Most APAC markets saw increased interest for 2016 versus 2015, with the exception of China and South Korea which softened somewhat.

Interest in Southeast Asia surged with Malaysia (10 percent), Indonesia (9 percent), Thailand (8 percent), Vietnam (8 percent) and the Philippines (8 percent) all receiving more than double the interest they saw in 2015, when all markets secured between 1 and 3 percent.

When questioned about the risk factors for them in the coming year, brands indicated that real estate cost escalation (56 percent) and unclear economic prospects (42 percent) continue to be at the forefront of their minds.

Dr. Henry Chin, CBRE’s Head of Research for Asia-Pacific, said: “We’re seeing more of a challenging economic environment, and concerns such as high operating costs and a lack of quality space means retailers are somewhat more wary this year.

“However, even as markets such as China and Hong Kong are seeing a slowdown, we see increasing numbers of opportunistic retailers looking to enter markets like Hong Kong, supported by strong underlying consumer demand.

“Japan and Australia remain attractive, while Southeast Asia showed strong growth due to opportunities for retailers around an expanding middle class and stronger economic growth.”

“There are still opportunities for retailers to grow their business in the Asia region – as underscored by the region having four of the top ten most popular destinations worldwide. The goal now for all brick and mortar retailers is to build an engaging offer that encourages people to stay longer and spend more,” said Joel Stephen, Senior Director and Head of Retailer Representation, Asia at CBRE.

Physical Stores Still Key

The survey findings showed that 83 percent of brands suggest their physical store expansion plans for 2016 will not be affected by the growth of e-commerce. Meanwhile, from a retailer perspective, only 22 percent of the brands are concerned about stiff competition from online retailing as a threat to their business. At the same time, retailers are quite cautiously optimistic on physical sales network expansion. Out of those questioned, 17 percent have large scale ambitions with many retailers looking to open more than 40 stores (up from 9 percent in 2015) in 2016. The vast majority (67 percent) are looking to open up to 20 stores.

“A physical store presence in key locations is still critical to the strength of a brand’s image. Stores still need to create an emotional affinity with shoppers, and customers still feel a need to go into stores, to physically touch a product and enjoy the feel-good factor associated with a particular brand experience.

“The store is integral to the shopping journey and can be used in a number of different ways, such as to click and collect, research of the product or brand, or to test the product. It isn’t solely about the transactional side,” added Stephen.

A new trend for 2016 saw a fifth of brands, largely from the Americas and EMEA, stating their intention to expand into travel hubs such as airports and train stations in 2016, as this will give them access to high footfall in busy locations. However, for APAC-originating retailers, shopping malls remained the most preferred destination by far at close to 90 percent.

Whilst globally the key concern for brands in lease negotiations was ‘lease length’, APAC-originated retailers were most concerned with turnover rent clauses (known as GP) as the most important characteristic. The region’s retailers were particularly concerned about changing consumer behavior (40 percent) which is higher than the global average (31 percent).


Where are the best places to retire in Southeast Asia?

More expats opt to retire in Southeast Asia because it's affordable and has nice weather

Regardless of if your retirement is happening this year or remains decades away, it’s never good to start thinking about it. There is perhaps no larger decision than where. Many people choose to retire in Southeast Asia thanks to the low cost of living, outstanding weather and a chance to see a different part of the world.

Those wanting to retire in Southeast Asia have no shortage of options. From stunning beaches where you can watch the sunset every evening to majestic mountain retreats, you are sure to find a place in the region that offers what you’re looking for.

Want to know where to retire in Southeast Asia? Here are the three top countries based on several factors including cost of living, ease of buying property, retirement visa policies and expat support.

3 best places to retire in Southeast Asia

3) Philippines

Language:
 English

Cost of living:
 Est. USD 1,100 per month

Popular retirement spots:

Cebu
,
Laguna
,
Clark

Retirement visa:
 Indefinite (If requirements met)

The beaches around the Philippines makes it a popular place for expats looking to retire in Southeast Asia

There are a lot of reasons expats opt to retire in the
Philippines
 including the widespread use of English. Additionally,
The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa issued by the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration
 is among the best in Southeast Asia. Privileges include multiple-entry access with the right to stay indefinitely in the Philippines. Cost of living is also low, but not at the levels of Cambodia or Thailand.

Foreign property ownership is straightforward as well and many expats find property prices in the Philippines to be extremely attractive. Cebu has become a popular choice for Japanese and South Korean retirees while Laguna and Clark tend to be the preferred destination for Australian and Americans. You’ll also find a number of Nordic and German retirees spread throughout the archipelago.

2) Malaysia

Language:
 Malay (English and Chinese widely spoken)

Cost of living:
 Est. USD 1,400 per month

Popular retirement spots:

Penang
,
Kuala Lumpur

Retirement visa:
 10 year, multiple entry via MM2H

Prices of luxury condos in Kuala Lumpur remain quite low when compared to elsewhere

Malaysia has been a popular place to
retire
 in Southeast Asia thanks to the introduction of the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme. People who purchase a property and can prove they are able to support themselves without seeking employment are able to obtain a 10-year, multiple-entry visa. Family members are also eligible for the visa.

Cost of living in Malaysia is higher than almost all countries in the region apart from Singapore, however, it is still well below the US and Europe. Healthcare is also much cheaper in Malaysia than in the home countries of most retirees. Georgetown is a popular retirement spot for US expats due to its multicultural vibe, food scene, beaches and green areas. Kuala Lumpur has seen an influx of Hong Kong and Singaporean retirees in recent years while Melaka is now firmly on the retirement radar these days.

1) Thailand

Language:
 Thai (Some English spoken)

Cost of living:
 Est. USD 900 per month

Popular retirement spots:

Phuket
,
Hua Hin
,
Pattaya
,
Chiang Mai

Retirement visa:
 1 year, renewable

Phuket is popular with retirees wanting to enjoy the beach lifestyle

Thailand is the most popular choice for people wanting to retire in Southeast Asia, but the process to do so isn’t always easy. Let’s start with why people are so eager to spend their retirement in Thailand. For starters, there is the low cost of living and popular food scene. Additionally, there is a high standard for healthcare while being extremely affordable. The diverse locations and ease of domestic travel are also big draws. Finally, it is straightforward for foreigners to buy property in Thailand

There is a but, however. In order to obtain the retirement visa you’ll need to either deposit THB 800,000 into a Thai bank account or prove you have a monthly income/pension of THB 65,000 or more. The visa is only good for one year, but you can renew it annually as long as you still meet the financial requirements. However, a Google search of ‘Thailand retirement visa’ will turn up no shortage of horror stories about the process. Alternatively,
the 10-year investment visa might be a better option for those who plan on buying property
.

Retirees in Thailand can be found up and down the country. Those wanting to relax by the beach prefer Phuket or Pattaya while Chiang Mai is a trendy choice for those wanting to enjoy the lush forests of the north. Hua Hin offers a bit of both with a beach and green mountains within reach.


Why retire in the Philippines and where should you live?

A growing number of people are choosing to retire in the Philippines

This is part two in a series on why you should retire in the Philippines.
Click here to read part one
. The entire article also appears in the current issue of Dot Property Magazine which you can
click here to download
.

The familiar language and culture of the Philippines offers some expats choosing to retire here a certain comfort level not found elsewhere in Southeast Asia. The Filipino culture can be found all over the world thanks to the country’s large diaspora while widespread use of English ensures there is no language barrier for those coming from the US, Australia, Canada or the UK.

Of course, there is much more to the Philippines than this. The country boasts a rich diversity of landscapes. You can enjoy everything from bustling city life to slow beachside relaxation in the country.

“The Philippines has 7,107 islands to choose from and you can find a place to live that best suits your lifestyle. From the sophisticated facilities and convenience of urban areas, such as Makati and Bonifacio Global City, to the endless recreational opportunities found in the tourist friendly provinces, there’s a lot of activities for you in the Philippines,” Santos proclaims.

Cebu is now a trendy retirement destination thanks to a growing city which has become a business hub and access to countless beaches. The opening of Terminal 2 at Mactan-Cebu International Airport has improved international connections with non-stop flights from Cebu to South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Singapore now available.

Even more connections will be possible later this year with Philippine Airlines set to resume a Cebu to Los Angeles route and Qatar Airways ready to launch service from Cebu to Doha.

Retire in the Philippines and enjoy the natural beauty

Those wanting something a little more remote choose Dumaguete which has become a retirement hub of sorts. Known as “The City of Gentle People”, Dumaguete is popular thanks to its sparkling beaches and laidback ambiance.

In the north of the country, Laguna and Clark remain the preferred destination for Australian and Americans. Plenty of expat hangouts can be found all around these areas with the former US military base now part of the Clark Freeport Zone.

No matter where you wish to live in retirement, there are a few positives that can be found throughout the entire country. These include a low cost of living. According to research from International Living, most expats can live comfortably on USD1,000 per month in the Philippines. The total includes items such as dining out and domestic travel.

“What makes the Philippines a retirement haven is the affordable, yet quality way of life combined with the warmth and care only Filipinos can offer. The weather is another reason why more and more retirees choose the Philippines,” Santos notes. “This is a good consideration for those retirees who suffer from health problems in extremely cold weather. The country also has world-class health care and medical facilities, another important consideration.”

Making the decision to retire in the Philippines

Finding the right place will ensure you enjoy retirement

Choosing to retire in the Philippines is a big decision. Especially if you haven’t spent a lot of time there. Santos believes the best way to get to know the Philippines is to experience it for yourself.

“My advice is to first visit and scout the country. Maybe more than once since there is so much to explore. Feel the rich culture, the warmth of the Filipinos and study the Philippine way of life. Then choose where to settle,” Santos says. “In the Philippines, your retirement money will go a long way and you may be able to enjoy a lifestyle not possible in other locations.”

Finding where you want to live and then locating a property does take time. If you aren’t sure where exactly you want to settle down, it may be best to rent a property for a few months in different locations. Experience what each area has to offer. And if you do fall in love with a specific location, then purchase a property.

Having a partner to guide you through the entire process can be helpful. Companies, such as Philsworld Documentation Services, have assisted countless international clients settle in the Philippines and understand your unique needs.

“Whether it is searching for a second home in the Philippines, acquiring a visa, establishing a business or finding a good investment in the country, we are always here to provide information and advice,” Santos states. “Prior to coming to the Philippines, we can place your application and make sure you know the easiest ways to complete all of the requirements. And if you want to explore while waiting for approval, we can help plan your itinerary, so you are able to make the most of a visit to the Philippines.”

Philsworld Documentation Services also acts as a real estate consultancy assisting with all aspects of a property transaction. The company can help with property management as well if you need it. Additionally, the team at Philsworld Documentation Services is able to advise on the establishment of a corporation while also providing corporate secretarial services and information on government reportorial compliances when doing business in the Philippines.

The one-stop shop approach ensures you don’t have to search all over to find information and support for your activities. It’s all part of Philsworld Documentation Service’s goal of helping international clients better understand everything the Philippines has to offer.

“We are happy to give free advice regardless of if you proceed with the plans or not. Our team has a lot of knowledge and we love sharing it with those overseas so they can know about our country, the Philippines. We provide only quality service and convenience from completing the requirements to value-added aftersales service. And we do it all affordably,” Santos concludes.

For more information on how Philsworld Documentation Services can help you retire in the Philippines, visit
www.philsworld.net.ph
 or email
[email protected]
.


The richest man in Thailand wants to build Bangkok’s tallest building

Grand Rama 9 Tower aims to be Bangkok’s tallest building but could be surpassed by a new project from Thailand's richest man

There is a lot of competition to be Bangkok’s tallest building with developers now looking to top one another. Thailand’s richest man, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, revealed that his property development company, Asset World, plans to build a massive skyscraper along the banks of the Chao Phraya next to Asiatique.

Plans for the ambitious project are scarce, however. The company did not reveal just how tall the building would be, nor have they set any kind of timeline. Part of that could be due to the fact a few other projects, such as Grand Rama 9 Tower, also want to be Bangkok’s tallest building and could be daring them to announce a height first in order to surpass it.

See more:

Who are Thailand’s richest people?

Asset World did reveal it is working with Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture on the tower. It was noted that the skyscraper would be a mixed-use project with a hotel, office space and a retail area all incorporated into the development. Asset World said it was already in talks with several prominent hospitality brands to see who would manage the hotel upon completion.

“It embodies what our company aims to do — set new trends and lift the benchmark,”
Asset World Chief Executive Officer, Wallapa Traisorat, told local media
.

Charoen’s companies are already working to build Bangkok’s tallest building at another location. A 436 meters (1,431 feet) skyscraper is expected to be a part of the One Bangkok, a fully-integrated district adjacent to Lumphini Park. This tower would also have office space as well as a hotel and could be Bangkok’s tallest building.

The race for Bangkok’s tallest building

Developers are building higher and higher as they look to hold the title of Bangkok’s tallest building. At the moment, Magnolias Waterfront Residences is the city’s record holder. The 318 meters (1,043 feet) superluxury residential tower is part of the ICONSIAM development. Completed in 2018,
Magnolias Waterfront Residences
 are also located along the riverside in Bangkok.

Before that, King Power MahaNakhon was Bangkok’s tallest building after being completed in 2016. The 314 meters (1,030 feet) skyscraper features an instantly recognizable design that stands out in the city’s central business district.

If the new Asset World project wants to have staying power at the top of the list, it will need to keep an eye on the Grand Rama 9 Tower project which could soon be relaunched. The ambitious skyscraper would stand 615 meters (2,018 feet) if built. If being the key word here.

The project was first unveiled in 2014 but has undergone several delays as Grand Land, the developer that first announced the project, was purchased by retail powerhouse Central Group. The mall giant told local media it still has plans for Grand Rama 9 Tower and could launch the project as soon as this year.


Where do Malaysian billionaires rank among the richest people in Southeast Asia?

It’s time to recognise the wealth of Southeast Asia.
ASEAN is now the world’s fifth largest economy
, trailing only China and Japan in Asia. As the economies have grown, so too has individual wealth and now the region boasts 102 billionaires, according to Forbes. The richest people in Southeast Asia come from different backgrounds and made their money in different ways, but all are key figures in their home countries.

Singapore has been passed by Thailand as the ASEAN country with the most billionaires. A total of 30 billionaires are now found in Thailand while only 22 call the city-state home. Indonesia continues to grow and now boasts 20 billionaires while the Philippines has 14. Forbes noted that ASEAN billionaires have a total value of USD 270 billion. Without further ado, here are the richest people in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia

Robert Kuok

Robert Kuok

Worth:
USD 14.8 billion

Notable Holdings:
Shangri-la Hotels

Similar wealth:
Thai conglomerate boss Dhanin Chearavanont

The reclusive Robert Kuok counts Shangri-la Hotels as part of his holdings. His wealth came from Malayan Sugar Manufacturing, a company that had up to an 80 percent market share in the country during the later stages of the 20
th
century. Kuok’s group would merge with Wilmar International in 2007, which is run by his nephew.

Quek Leng Chan

Worth:
USD 7.2 billion

Notable Holdings:
Hong Leong Bank, Guoco Group

Similar wealth:
NFL owner and truck bumper tycoon Shahid Khan

Quek Leng Chan is a qualified UK barrister, but his legal skills aren’t what he is known best for. He would take the reigns of Hong Leong Company, a massive conglomerate with financial, hospitality, real estate and media holdings. He recently retired as CEO of the company as part of a restructuring plan.

Thailand

Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi

Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi

Worth:
USD 17.9 billion (THB 558.6 billion)

Notable Holdings:
Chang Beer, Big C, TCC Land

Similar wealth:
Reclusive construction magnate Pallonji Mistr

Referred to locally as a beverage tycoon, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi is the man who took Chang Beer global. Both internationally and domestically, Charoen’s ThaiBev manufactures and distributes all types of drinks including EST Cola, Coca-Cola and Pepsi’s local competitor. He is also behind developer TCC Land. The firm’s most notable project is the now under construction One Bangkok, the largest integrated district in Thai history.

Dhanin Chearavanont

Worth:
USD 14.9 billion (THB 465 billion)

Notable Holdings:
CP Group, True, 7-11 Thailand

Similar wealth:
Rupert Murdoch

The entire Chearavanont Family is estimated to be worth USD 31.9 billion (THB 995.7 billion) but patriarch Dhanin remains the wealthiest. The CP Group got its start in 1921 selling seeds in Bangkok and grew over the years as an agribusiness. It would begin to expand internationally in the 1970s. In the last 40 years, the firm diversified its business to include telecom, retail and restaurant holdings.

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

Worth:
USD 5 billion (THB 156.1 billion)

Notable Holdings:
King Power, Leicester City FC

Similar wealth:
Richard Branson

Unlike other Thai billionaires on this list, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha doesn’t have a sprawling conglomerate. His focus is on King Power, the well-known, duty-free retailer. Anyone who has stepped foot in a Thai airport will likely have come across the brand. Vichai has used his wealth to purchase former English Premier League champions Leicester City while his company is the second largest shareholder Thai AirAsia, the domestic offshoot of the low cost airline.

Singapore

Robert and Philip Ng

Worth:
USD 10.8 billion (SGD 14.2 billion)

Notable Holdings:
Far East Organization

Similar wealth:
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich

The Kings of Orchard Road have made their fortune as real estate developers. Their vision turned the sleepy Orchard Road into one of the world’s great districts. The pair oversees Far East Organization, Singapore’s largest private property developer. The company’s hospitality arm operates 14,000 rooms across 90 hotels and serviced residences in seven countries while retail assets include the popular Orchard Central mall.

Goh Cheng Liang

Worth:
USD 7 billion (SGD 9.2 billion)

Notable Holdings:
Nippon Paint (Southeast Asia)

Similar wealth:
Hong Kong businesswoman Pollyanna Ch

Goh Cheng Liang made his fortune in paint. He founded Wuthelam Holdings which would form a joint venture with Japan’s Nippon Paint to produce and sell paint and coatings in several markets including China, India and Southeast Asia. Additionally, he is the largest shareholder in Nippon Paint.

Wee Cho Yaw

Wee Cho Yaw

Worth:
USD 6.6 billion (SGD 8.7 billion)

Notable Holdings:
United Overseas Bank

Similar wealth:
Apollo Global Management founder Leon Black

The man behind United Overseas Bank’s massive growth in the past 50 years is Wee Cho Yaw. He took the bank public in 1970 and also oversaw its expansion into several areas such as property, insurance, lease financing and merchant banking. UOB now has more than 500 offices and operates in 18 countries across the globe.

Indonesia

Budi Hartono

Worth:
USD 17.4 billion (IDR 239.5 trillion)

Notable Holdings:
Djarum, Bank Central Asia

Similar wealth:
Legendary investor Carl Icahn

The father of R. Budi Hartono took a bankrupt cigarette company and started rebuilding it. Hartono, along with his brother, would build on those foundations to create a worldwide tobacco products producer. Eventually his company would take over a majority stake in Bank Central Asia and is now developing the Hotel Indonesia in Jakarta.

Michael Hartono

Worth:
USD 16.7 billion (IDR 229.9 trillion)

Notable Holdings:
Djarum, Bank Central Asia

Similar wealth:
Hong Kong developer Joseph Lau

Michael Hartono is the aforementioned brother of R. Budi Hartono who helped build Djarum into a cigarette powerhouse. While not as wealthy as his sibling, Michael is right behind him.

Sri Prakash Lohia

Sri Prakash Lohia

Worth:
USD 7.4 billion (IDR 101.8 trillion)

Notable Holdings:
Indorama Corporation

Similar wealth:
Singaporean paint powerhouse Goh Cheng Liang

Originally from India, Sri Prakash Lohia moved to Indonesia with his father after graduating from university. He would go on to found Indorama Corporation, a company best known for a component used to make plastic bottles. It also manufactures a number of other products such as polyethylene, polypropylene and medical gloves.

Dr. (HC) Ir. Ciputra

Dr. (HC) Ir. Ciputra

Worth:
USD 1.4 billion (IDR 19.2 trillion)

Notable Holdings:
Ciputra Development

Similar wealth:
Software technology guru Eugene Kaspersky

The 12
th
richest Indonesian is Dr. (HC) Ir. Ciputra, founder and chairman of Ciputra Development, Indonesia’s premier real estate developer. He is best known for his commitment to entrepreneurship and
was named as one of Dot Property’s Leaders of Real Estate in 2017
.

Philippines

Henry Sy

Henry Sy

Worth:
USD 20 billion (PHP 1 trillion)

Notable Holdings:
SM Prime, China Bank

Similar wealth:
Elon Musk

From a shoe store in Manila to 70 malls and a portfolio of hotels and commercial buildings, Henry Sy has been a catalyst for development in the Philippines. SM Mall of Asia is just one of the many major projects developed under his watch. The founder of SM Prime also holds a significant stake in China Bank and Banco de Oro in the Philippines.

John Gokongwei Jr.

Worth:
USD 5.8 billion (PHP 302 billion)

Notable Holdings:
Robinsons Land, Cebu Pacific, Summit Media

Similar wealth:
Vacuum legend James Dyson

JG Summit Holdings is one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates. Its holdings stretch from land to air with a stake in property and aviation outfits. Founded by John Gokongwei Jr., the company continues to expand its horizons with his sons and daughters playing a leading role at many of JG Summit Holdings’ subsidiaries.

Enrique Razon Jr.

Worth:
USD 4.9 billion (PHP 255 billion)

Notable Holdings:
International Container Terminal Services, Solaire Casino and Resort

Similar wealth:
Uber co-founder Garrett Camp

Enrique Razon Jr. made his fortune through port-handling firm International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) but his Solaire Casino and Resort is probably more famous. ICTSI operates 29 ports worldwide with Brazil, Mexico, Poland and Indonesia among the firm’s locations. His Bloomberry Investments Holdings operate the Solaire and the Jeju Hotel and Casino in South Korea.

Vietnam

Pham Nhat Vuong

Worth:
USD 4.3 billion

Notable Holdings:
VinGroup

Similar wealth:
Finland’s richest person Antti Herlin

Pham Nhat Vuong was Vietnam’s first billionaire having taken the millions he made from an instant noodle business in Ukraine and founding VinGroup. This move would turn the millionaire into a billionaire. The real estate developer is active across all property segments.

Thi Phuong Thao Nguyen

Thi Phuong Thao Nguyen

Worth:
USD 3.1 billion

Notable Holdings:
VietJet Air

Similar wealth:
US president Donald Trump

Thi Phuong Thao Nguyen was the only female billionaire in Southeast Asia as of 2017 and is one of 56 to make the Forbes’ billionaire list. Her holding company, Sovico, owns low cost airline VietJet Air as well as several resorts in Vietnam and Phu Long Real Estate Company.


Rise in outbound investment

Asian outbound real estate investment reached another record high year during 2015, standing at US$ 62.4 billion – a 37 percent year-on-year increase according to research from real estate firm CBRE.

Underpinned by more active institutional investors from Singapore and China, 2015 saw a significant increase in big ticket transactions (deal size worth over US$ 500 million; up 167 percent year-on-year) and portfolio transactions (accounting for 28 percent of total Asian outbound investment turnover, up from 16 percent in 2014).

Active sources of capital continued to be led by Singapore, China and Hong Kong, with an increase of outbound capital deployment at 58 percent, 41 percent and 49 percent year-on-year, respectively.

Outbound investment into major gateway cities were more diversified. London, as the top destination of Asian investors, has contributed to a lower portion of outbound investment, decreasing from 17 percent in 2014 to 13 percent in 2015. On the contrary, other major gateway cities such as New York, Sydney, Shanghai and Hong Kong have all received a higher proportion of Asian investments in 2015.

The Americas have overtaken EMEA to become the top region attracting the largest share of Asian outbound investment, reaching US$ 22.4 billion (up 109 percent year-on-year). The Pacific region also saw significant increase of Asian investment (up 45 percent year-on-year). Meanwhile, growth rates in EMEA (up 7 percent year-on-year) and within Asia (up 12 percent year-on-year) are relatively moderate.

Ada Choi, Senior Director, CBRE Research Asia, said: “Following the positive momentum of last year, Asian outbound investment has reached another record high year in 2015. The low yield environment in Asia continued to encourage investors to capitalize in markets offering higher potential returns.

“We expect that the Asian outbound investment momentum will continue in 2016 as major players are still building up their global portfolios while other players are catching up.

“Asian institutional investors continued to lead outbound investment among the different investor types. While Chinese and Singaporean sovereign wealth funds completed a number of major portfolio deals outside Asia, insurance companies from China and Taiwan are increasingly expanding their overseas portfolios, and we saw more new insurance companies acquiring their first property outside their home country.

“Property companies also became more active in the international market, particularly Singaporean groups which were involved in two major portfolio deals over the year.

“While we see dominance of the four major capital sources, namely Singapore, China, Hong Kong and South Korea, there is more activity coming from other parts of Asia, such as Taiwan and Thailand.

“There is also more Japanese interest on the global investment market but they may take indirect investment routes via funds.

Marc Giuffrida, Executive Director, CBRE Global Capital Markets, added: “Perhaps the biggest highlight of the year is the huge increase in big ticket and portfolio transactions.

“Outbound volume with deal sizes of over US$ 500 million increased more than two-fold. However, experienced Asian investors have increasingly opted for purchasing portfolios to rapidly expand their market coverage rather than eye-catching headline trophy assets.

“Geographical diversification has been one of the top reasons behind investing in overseas real estates. This year we saw investments amongst the top global gateway cities becoming more evenly distributed; London received a reduced share of Asian investment while New York is catching up fast as the second most popular city, thanks to the relatively strong economic growth in the US.

“Alongside the diversification amongst gateway cities, Asian investors continue to increase exposure into other regional cities in the US such as Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles metro, Dallas and Houston for example. Germany and Spain have also received larger shares of Asian investments while Sydney still dominates transactions in Pacific.

“The office sector remained the most-preferred asset class, but hotel and industrial assets continued to receive strong appetite from Asian investors.

“The industrial sector recorded significant uptick in activity mainly driven by two major industrial portfolio deals closed in the US, due to the strong US dollar driving an increase of consumer spending on imported goods and the solid growth in e-commerce, translating into demand for warehouse space.”


RLC Residences reached the peak of Philippine real estate in 2021

RLC Residences was accepts the honor for Developer of the Year at the Dot Property Philippines Awards 2021

This article appeared in the most recent issue of Dot Property Magazine.
Click here to read it
!

RLC Residences may be a new name to the Dot Property Philippines Awards, but the firm behind the developer, Robinsons Land Corporation, is no stranger to success. For more than 30 years, that company has been a real estate leader, creating sought-after residential, commercial, hospitality and mixed-use destinations.

The revamped residential brand was rolled out last year in order to better serve the public under the ‘Raise Live Connect’ philosophy. Its efforts did not go unnoticed as RLC Residences was named Developer of the Year at the Dot Property Philippines Awards 2021.

“We are honored and thrilled to be receiving the Developer of the Year Award. This award is affirmation that we are achieving and succeeding in our goal. It is also going to push us to keep doing better. Being nominated is an honor and winning is a double honor,” John Richard Sotelo, Senior VP & Business Unit General Manager, Residential Division at Robinsons Land, proclaimed.

The highly-respected homebuilder concluded an impressive first year by taking home Best Luxury Condo Development for The Residences at The Westin Manila Sonata Place and Best Mid-Rise Condo Development for
Sierra Valley Gardens
.

RLC Residences pays close attention to the evolving needs of aspiring homebuyers and strives to fulfill the demand from young families and professionals for urban residences. The developer’s portfolio of projects shows it understands what the public expects from a home and goes beyond that to elevate the residential experience.

The firm’s beautiful, well-designed residential projects are the pride and joy of homeowners across the country. Whether it is providing more opportunities for leisure and relaxation with families and loved ones or tailoring spaces that ensure an optimal balance between work and home life, the homebuilder continues to set the bar for real estate.

Winning the Developer of the Year Award at the Dot Property Philippines Awards 2021 is affirmation of its hard work, dedication and commitment to crafting extraordinary residential projects.


RLC Residences shines at the Dot Property Philippines Awards once again

The team from RLC Residences celebrates at the Dot Property Philippines Awards 2022

Best Developer Metro Manila

Best Developer Sustainable Living

Philippines People’s Choice Award for Project of the Year – AmiSa Private Residences.

Best Sustainable Residential Development – Sierra Valley Gardens

Best Beachfront Development – AmiSa Private Residences

Best Condominium Architectural Design – The Sapphire Bloc

Best Low Rise Condo Development – Woodsville Crest

Special Recognition Award for Community Building

Less than 12 months after winning Developer of the Year and several other honors at the Dot Property Philippines Awards, RLC Residences stood tall once again. The respected homebuilder collected eight more trophies in 2022, including Best Developer Metro Manila, the Special Recognition Award for Community Building and the highly coveted
Philippines People’s Choice Award for Project of the Year for AmiSa Private Residences
.

Much of RLC Residences success stems from its ‘Raise Live Connect’ philosophy that aspires to elevate the entire experience for its homebuyers and residents. The developer aims to create places where people can flourish and that is one of the reasons it was presented with the Special Recognition Award for Community Building.

That work, alongside numerous sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives, helped RLC Residences win Best Developer Sustainable Living at the Dot Property Philippines Awards 2022. Elsewhere in the developer categories, the firm scooped up Best Developer Metro Manila.

RLC Residences collects the award for Best Developer Sustainable Living

Four projects from RLC Residences were honored this year with AmiSa Private Residences landing two awards: Best Beachfront Development and Philippines People’s Choice Award for Project of the Year.

Sierra Valley Gardens
 was a winner once more. This year it was named Best Sustainable Residential Development after picking up Best Mid-Rise Condo Development in 2021. The Sapphire Bloc and Woodsville Crest were also presented with project awards.

By paying close attention to the ever-changing needs of aspiring homebuyers and striving to fulfill the demand from young families and professionals for urban homes, RLC Residences has once again proved itself to be among the best developers in the Philippines.

Read More:

SMDC and RLC Residences lead an impressive collection of winners at the Dot Property Philippines Awards 2022


What role is climate change having on real estate investment?

Developer Lendlease factored in the short- and long-term impacts of climate change when designing One Sydney Harbour

Rental yields, capital appreciation and location are a few of the factors that usually drive real estate investment decisions. However, developer Lendlease is seeing more and more investors concerned about the impact climate change may have on a property.

“In our conversations with investors over the years, it is very clear more are not just aware of the impact of climate change but also asking what developers are doing to adapt to it. The focus is now about resilience, both in how the asset is equipped to deal with the physical aspects of a changing climate but also how the asset can adapt to corresponding changes in the way society will live, work and play,” Eric Chan, Head of Practices, Asia and Project Director of TRX Residences, states. “We believe that there has to be a combination of the two elements of built environment and its community to create good levels of resilience.”

Failing to understand the impact climate change is already having on real estate investment will end up costing investors in the long run. That means it is increasingly important to examine what a developer is doing to ensure their projects have the resiliency necessary to achieve strong returns and capital appreciation both today and well into the future.

“That is precisely why they need to pay heed to a development’s sustainability credentials because their goal is to secure good returns on their investments over the long run, up to decades. They need to know the buildings they invested in will stand the test of time and are designed to be adaptable, resilient and sustainable,” Chan points out.

An example of this can be found at TRX Residences, the residential component of Lendlease’s The Exchange TRX in Kuala Lumpur. The homebuilder has incorporated climate resilient design features that take into account physical risks from climate change events, such as heat waves, wildfire and flooding, that are immediate and severe. Additionally, chronic challenges like water scarcity, temperature increase and rising sea levels that will affect developments incrementally over a longer time period have also been addressed.

“At TRX Residences, we pay attention to ensure that the sustainability initiatives directly and actively benefit our residents. For example, incorporating a mechanical ventilation system throughout each residential unit ensures good circulation and fresher air thus reducing the risk of inter-unit contamination. Besides that, optimal design, right materials and low-energy appliances also contribute to lower utility costs,” Chan details.

However, climate change is not bound by borders. For a developer like Lendlease that is active in multiple countries, the firm must not only understand how its impact varies from location to location, but they also must consider local regulations.

The homebuilder’s One Sydney Harbour development is an example of that approach. Located in Barangaroo,
Australia
’s first certified carbon neutral precinct, the project features a number of innovations tailored to its surroundings.

Eric Chan, Head of Practices, Asia and Project Director of TRX Residences

“From construction to ongoing cooling of buildings at One Sydney Harbour, we are ensuring we are as green as we can be, right down to removing heat from the water used for air conditioning before we return it to the harbor. Going beyond requiring water efficient appliances in every building, we also created a lot of water catchment areas to capture rainwater, and mine the adjacent public sewer for additional recycled water,” Chan says. “More than 80 percent of the operational waste from residential and commercial buildings are diverted from the landfill as well, among many other sustainability initiatives beyond planting lots of greenery.”

Sydney and
Kuala Lumpur
 are two different cities that are being impacted by climate change in unique ways. The one constant is an increased awareness among consumers of the issues it causes. Lendlease notes this is already changing real estate investment preferences globally.

“Thanks to climate change and growing scrutiny by consumers, more and more investors are valuing not just sustainable developments but ones that can respond to the needs of the community for the longer term and resilient to further climate change impact,” Chan states. “Builders are aware they need to start looking beyond the dollars and cents, because the value of their development is no longer just that.”

Making sure sustainability maintains livability

While climate change is affecting real estate investment in new and unforeseen ways, it’s vital for developers not to lose sight of the fact people must want to live in these places. Resilience is one aspect of the residential experience. Livability is another important element that needs to be factored into the equation.

“Sustainability is not just about going green. Especially for homes, it should be about placemaking–to enliven the spaces and communities around the home. This is a collaborative process because every community has its own nuance and quirks, and the development has to mesh seamlessly with the location it sits within to thrive and be a place you want to live in,” Chan explains.

He continues, “And it goes without saying that homes should be well connected. There should be provisions for alternate commuting modes to and fro the home – not just public transport and roads but end-of-trip facilities if you should choose healthier options like biking or running.”

For homes and buildings to be sound, long-term investments, they must be able to last for decades. However, climate change poses a real and significant threat to that. For Lendlease, that requires the incorporation of meaningful greening that actually creates places capable of responding to the physical risks of climate change proactively.

“What buyers appreciate most about our developments is that we go beyond just going green. Sustainability also means longevity–where the project’s value keeps appreciating well into the future. To achieve this, we engage with experienced property managers and incorporate lessons learned from different parts of the world to ensure a high level of building management efficiency even years after handover,” Chan concludes.

Learn more about One Sydney Harbour and TRX Residences in Singapore

Learn more about TRX Residences at The St. Regis Singapore on July 23-24

For the very first time, Lendlease will be holding a roadshow for overseas investors under its new residential offering – Lendlease Living.

Kicking off the first global tour from Singapore, the roadshow, to be held at The St. Regis Singapore on 23 and 24 July, will feature two of Lendlease’s premier residential projects available now – Malaysia’s TRX Residences and Australia’s One Sydney Harbour.

The roadshow in Singapore will also mark the launch of sales in Asia for One Sydney Harbour’s third and final residential tower, Watermans Residences, nestled in the highly sought-after waterfront precinct of Barangaroo South in Sydney.


What role does property play in the world?

Research reveals how real estate is growing and is the highest valued global asset class.

We all love property. Whether that is a chat about it with friends,
working out how much our home is worth
, changing the layout or interiors of our living room or simply investing in a condominium for our children. In fact
Malaysians strive to be homeowners
 more than the rest of the world and there is good reason we are repeatedly told to get onto the
property ladder
 in order to safeguard our future. But now there is even better reason.

Research conducted by real estate firm Savills estimate the world’s real estate is valued at USD 228 trillion. This is a rise of five percent from 2016 proving why it is a good investment asset class. This is especially the case if you compare property to other asset classes. All gold ever mined totals USD 6.5 trillion and stocks, shares and securitised debt accumulates to USD 170 trillion. Plus yearly GDP for 2015/2016 has only grown by 2.3 percent.

Property is tangible and we all need somewhere to live and work. Subsequently it performs well. Commercial property is growing the fastest increasing by seven percent. It has outperformed global bonds that only grew two percent, but global equities took the lead growing nine percent.

However residential property holds the highest value. Consisting of 75 percent of all real estate stock valued to be worth USD 168.5 trillion. A result of the world’s growing population that leads to 2.05 billion households across the world. Average homes therefore cost USD 82,000. Despite seven percent of the world’s population being in North America it holds 22 percent of the residential property assets. Europe trumps this with 23 percent value but has marginally more people at 11 percent.

Whilst much of the is wealth concentrated in the developed corners of the globe, the less developed countries undoubtedly have the most potential. 19 percent of the world population live in the Middle East and Africa but only 6 percent of the overall global residential property value is held here. The value of property in Asia is growing too with many seeing property as important asset class spurring on its value.

If you would like to increase the world’s real estate worth by increasing more value to your property view our online blog
here.


The Rucksack Caratel collects its award for being Malacca’s best hotel

Sunniya Kwatra (left), International Business Development Manager at Dot Property, with Mellissa Seah (right), Brand & Marketing Executive, The Hip and Happening Group

The Rucksack Caratel was selected as Best Hotel Malacca at The Dot Property Malaysia Awards 2017. The property,
which has an amazing two-page feature in the newest issue of Dot Property Magazine
, was recently paid a visit from the Dot Property team.

Sunniya Kwatra, International Business Development Manager at Dot Property, visited the hotel to hand Mellissa Seah, Brand & Marketing Executive, The Hip and Happening Group, The Rucksack Caratel’s award.

“We’re pleased to be presenting this award to The Rucksack Caratel. The Hip and Happening Group has created a wonderful hotel that has proven to be popular with guests visiting Melaka. The property’s outstanding location and unique features makes it a must-stay for anyone coming to this bustling city,” Kwatra explained.

The judges noted that The Rucksack Caratel
 has brought about a refreshing change to the Peranakan-themed accommodations found in Melaka. The hotel’s signature caravan theme was inspired by road trips the owners had taken around the world and this has managed to capture the imagination of guests staying at The Rucksack Caratel.


Safari living at its best

Gondwana Game Reserve in South Africa is offering holiday homes for nature lovers, beach goers and golfers too.

Gondwana Game Reserve is a five-star bush resort in the heart of the ‘Garden Route’ where owners can not only seek out the ‘Big Five’ amid 27,000 acres of spectacular South African wilderness, but can easily complement their safari holiday with year-round swimming, surfing or golf. Thanks to favourable exchange rates Gondwana is currently also a bargain-hunter’s dream.

Located 30-minutes inland from the coastal town of Mossel Bay, Gondwana is the only game reserve in the Southern Cape with property for sale.

Its accessible location in the ‘Garden Route’, renowned for its beautiful coastline, offers multiple lifestyles in one place. Owners are able to maximise the use of their holiday home and make their investment go that bit further.

Freehold title plots with 2.5 acres of space start from ZAR 1 million / £44,288 / THB 2.4 million, whilst stylish turnkey thatched lodges with three-bedrooms and a wrap-around verandah for enjoying barbecues and sundowners are available at ZAR 3.5 million / £155,000 / THB 8.41 million.

Gondwana offers its private residence owners the ultimate luxury with space to enjoy the natural surroundings, and with no neighbours in sight of your home.

Gondwana is a place where the ‘Big 5’ game (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard) roam free, but where you can go surfing or golfing a few miles down the road. It has 27,000 acres of beautiful and what feels like remote African bush, with views that stretch across valleys to the majestic Swartberg, Langeberg, and Outeniqua mountain ranges.

The beach is less than 30 minutes away. Mossel Bay is a charming town with a number of huge, unspoilt beaches as well as a good range of restaurants and shops for picking up groceries. Numerous championship seaside golf courses are also within easy reach.

Another big draw of this location is the proximity to cosmopolitan Cape Town and the Cape Winelands, which makes for a vibrant city break or wine country weekend.

Gondwana has 15 residential home sites left for sale. The homes are complemented by an Afro-chic owners’ club house with an infinity pool and a boutique five-star lodge with a bush spa and gourmet restaurant. Residents have access to bespoke safari-style services such as game drives with expert field guides, housekeeping, private chefs, babysitting and transfers.

From Johannesburg or Cape Town you can take a one-hour inland flight to George Domestic Airport followed by a 45-minute transfer to Gondwana. Alternatively, it’s an easy four hours’ scenic drive on the ‘Garden Route’ from Cape Town.


What should I do when a sales lead comes in?

If you’re a real estate agent or developer, getting leads is a challenge. Unless, of course, you’re using Dot Property where our listings receive a market leading number of leads each month. Once you have leads coming in, you are going to have to nurture them.

This nurturing converts leads into sales and takes real estate agencies and developers to the next level. Next time a lead comes in, don’t panic or get too excited. Instead, take a deep breath and do these three things.

See more:

4 hacks for successful real estate agents

3 tips to successfully handle a lead

1) Respond quickly

The first hurdle is where many real agents fall when it comes to nurturing a lead. Instead of responding immediately, they sit on it for a few days or, even worse, ignore it completely. Why they do this, we’ll never know, but if someone shows interest in the property you’re selling, get back to them as soon as possible.

This response doesn’t need to be overly verbose or even answer all of the lead’s questions. But you should thank them for their interest and indicate a time frame in which you will respond more in depth. It takes less than a minute and could be the key to making the sale.

2) Ask questions

The only way you can truly help a lead is by knowing what they want, how much they are willing to spend and any special requests they may have. Not every lead that comes in is going to want the property they inquire about. However, you can always provide them with good alternatives if you know what they are looking for.

This can only be done by asking questions. So, when you call or sit down with the person who has inquired about a property you represent, take some time to get to know them on a personal level and learn more about what they are actually searching for.

3) Guide them through the process

From viewings to making an offer to closing the sale, you need to be an ever-present figure during the process. Buying a property, whether it is for investment or end use, can be a taxing experience. It is up to you to help them get over the line. To this end, it is always better to assist a sales lead instead of telling them what to do.