CBRE: Property Market Still Facing High Degree of Uncertainty Despite Vaccine Roll-Out

The real estate market in Cambodia remains under pressure and is still facing a high degree of uncertainty despite the very impressive vaccine roll-out by the government, with experts not expecting to see a recovery this year.

According to the CBRE Cambodia 2021 Mid-Year Review Webinar yesterday, all four main sectors of the property market are still seeing a downward trend.

For the condominium market, only 5 out of 17 projects expected in 2021 have been completed, while the completion forecast for 2021 also dropped from 10,825 units to only 7,909 units.

During H1 2021, quoting prices for condominiums in the high-end and mid-range market segments have fallen 6.2% and 7.1%, respectively. Correspondingly, over the same period rents have come down 2.7% and 0.7%.

Similarly, demand for serviced apartments also dropped significantly with rental rates dropping 5.2% and 6.7% respectively for grades A and B, compared to H2 2019.

The retail market has also witnessed significant struggles in H1, with occupancy dipping 4.6% over the six months, to 71.5% on average.

Likewise, the office market saw a 3.8% drop in occupancy rates, but surprisingly the rental rates are on an upward trend. A total of 117,017 sqm of office space is set to be completed this year.

Managing Director of CBRE Cambodia James Hodge said that despite the very impressive vaccine roll-out, the market continues to face a high degree of uncertainty.

“Disruption to construction supply chains, a reduced pool of construction labour, developer cash flow problems and general levels of uncertainty have led to delays for many projects, pushing new supply backwards in its completion timeline,” said Mr Hodge.

Senior Manager and Head of CBRE Cambodia’s Research and Consulting department Kinkesa Kim added that COVID-19 has exacerbated a pre-existing issue of oversupply, and the market is now in the process of adjusting to becoming more competitive.

“As a result of the current circumstances, we see a clear drive towards more cautious, well-planned projects that take account of the future needs of occupiers, and that gives us great cause for optimism when looking over the longer-term,” she added.

- Video Advertisement -

Related Post

Despite New Loan Not Yet Approved, Chinese Investment Dominates Cambodia’s FDI

Cambodia continues attracting substantial Chinese foreign direct investment, maintaining a 47% share of total FDI as of Q2 2024 despite recording no new Chinese government loans in Q3 2024. This sustained dominance in foreign investment follows a consistent pattern, where Chinese FDI has maintained majority control ranging from 48% to 56% since 2020, according to […]

Cambodia’s Real Estate Market Faces Mixed Signals Amid Regional Benchmarks

Cambodia’s commercial real estate market reveals significant challenges with office occupancy rates at 65.1%, well below the international benchmark of 85-90%, while maintaining premium rents at $27 per square meter, according to the “Fearless Forecast” report presented by CBRE Cambodia Chairman Marc Townsend at Novotel Phnom Penh BKK1 on 14 January 2025. The retail sector […]

Cambodia Poised for Economic Windfall as U.S. Trade Policy Shifts from Vietnam

Cambodia stands to emerge as a major beneficiary of potential U.S. trade policy shifts, with experts predicting significant manufacturing opportunities if Donald Trump returns to office, particularly as Vietnam faces possible trade tariffs similar to those previously imposed on China, according to 2025 Fearless Forecast shared at a Real Estate Forum in Novotel Phnom Penh […]

Asia Pacific Real Estate Forecast 2025: Navigating Challenges with Resilience & Opportunity

The Asia Pacific real estate market is poised for steady growth in 2025, buoyed by easing global interest rates and projected regional GDP growth of 4.4%, despite persistent challenges such as China’s ongoing property market struggles and geopolitical tensions. the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank confirmed these growth projections in their recent regional […]

Cambodia Faces Mounting Debt Challenges in the Real Estate Sector

The real estate sector in Cambodia is grappling with mounting financial concerns as total housing debt nears USD 1 billion, according to insights shared during the recent roundtable discussion, The Debt Situation in Cambodia, organized by the Real Estate and Mortgage Regulatory Authority. Mr. Chou Vannak, Director General of the Authority, revealed that homebuyers owe between […]

Expert: Dual-Pronged Strategy to Navigate Post-Pandemic Challenges in the ASEAN+3 Property Market

The ASEAN+3 property markets, encompassing ASEAN nations along with China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea, are grappling with declining prices and transaction volumes, compounded by financial constraints, surplus inventory, and at-risk developers. These challenges, exacerbated in the Plus-3 economies by stricter financial conditions and diminished buyer confidence, underscore the pressing need for stabilization measures in […]