Phuket Property Journal – Rumours that the property market in Phuket is in decline and that prices may fall have been quashed this week by the sale of a high-end villa at Andara Resort, Phuket, Thailand. The villa, which sold for a multi-million Dollar price tag and almost double the original release price was bought by a wealthy Hong Kong investor.Andara is the flagship development of Hong Kong businessman and entrepreneur Allan Zeman and one of Phuket’s most prestigious villa projects, recently winning four accolades at the Thailand Property Awards.

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Multi-million Dollar Phuket villa sold

Thailand Investment

Although the Thai real estate industry has continued growing significantly since 2008, we have not seen a real estate bubble environment manifesting. The industry seems to have learned its lessons during the 1997 financial crisis and has successfully implemented the following safeguards: The banking industry has become much more cautious providing project financing and mortgage loans.

Thailand is member of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) trade bloc and has free trade agreements with India and China, two fast-developing economic powerhouses. Consequently, many multinational companies are using the country as a regional base for its operations or a place to station employees who travel around Asia. Foreign investment in Thailand is constantly expanding, supporting the strong economic growth of the country.

Many Real estate developers in Thailand have developed and implemented market research technologies and monitor the market closely.

Factors that indicate the 2008 Thai real estate market is not experiencing a bubble- like boom include:
1. Property prices have not changed dramatically in most areas.
2. Interest rates are continuously rising In the overall housing market, speculation is not significant even though there is some speculation in condominium markets and tourist area properties.
3.Low consumer confidence because of unstable political and economic environments.
4. Global Financial Crisis discourages overall property speculation

Any fall in domestic savings will impact Thai Real Estate Market corporate funding and investment. Mortgage loans will be more difficult to obtain : The slowing economy will force Thailand’s banks to be more restrictive in their lending practices. Mortgage loans will be more difficult to acquire with rejection rates rising. Lower supply : Responding to slowing market conditions, developers will lower their risks by building fewer homes and reducing supply. New housing supply will also be reduced because developers will have more difficulty obtaining equity, bond and credit market financing because of the global financial crisis.