Phuket LandSearch Newsletter February 2008

by Phuket LandSearch
(Phuket, Thailand)

Thanks to everybody who has congratulated us on the new Blue Book, listings guide - available at our Kalim office and at well over 200 outlets across the island or on line as a
downloadable PDF. Continued feedback is appreciated, especially comments on how we can make it better and more useful for you in subsequent editions.

Clients who experienced the old version of the Blue Book will notice how the content in the new book has focused on up market properties. This is reflective of Phuket Land's main specialism but it also shows a welcome trend in Phuket, that a listings magazine can now honestly show a complete range of high quality properties.

When the Blue Book was first launched in 2003, there were far fewer quality developments and resale properties available. Phuket's property inventory has certainly come a long way in these last five years.

The main market news as we perceive it since the New year, has been the impact of the world financial uncertainty on a significant proportion of buyers. Whilst interestingly, the high end and quality segments of the market are still doing well, the mid market and now even the lower end of the market seems to be encountering a softening in uptake. This is also likely due to the rapid increase in the number of apartment, condo and villa launches in 2006 and 2007 and the coming on stream of completed inventory and resale inventory from the first of these.


There are clear indications of oversupply in certain niches and although this surplus of inventory will be absorbed over time, there are implications for buyers. The negatives will include increased risk of non or late completion and so potential failure to produce promised rental returns or possible resale for investors and/or finished facilities and landscaping.

These affect both investors and lifestyle seekers. The upside of course, is that unlike in the last few years where discounting of quality property has been rare, buyers may find more opportunity for attractive deals. Clearly, this new dynamic should give even more reason for buyers who are in the market, to obtain informed market advice before choosing a property.

Leading on from the above, this months featured property update concentrates on Rawai Villas, an almost completed Villa development in the Rawai/Nai Harn area. Quite apart from the above average build quality, and attractive designs, a main selling feature especially in light of increased risk in the market if you are considering off plan property, is that this development is substantially built out.

The developers are cash flow positive, the landscaping is maturing and in addition to the few remaining off-plan lots, buyers have a chance to walk straight into two, three or even four bedroom villas and either live there immediately or rent out, i.e. exactly the type of property that a buyer can be confident of in current market conditions.

Project Update

Rawai Villas Facing Southeast, Rawai Villas is perched on a sloping hillside just 250m back from Rawai Beach, its restaurants & bars and the myriad of long-tail boats waiting to whisk you off to one of the many paradise islands lying just offshore. Privacy and lush gardens are paramount to this development and no compromise has been made to ensure this is maintained.

The site totals over 18 rai housing just 21 villas offering a low density community with generously landscaped land plots. The south facing orientation of properties maximize use of natural daylight while generous roof overhangs limit direct sunlight into rooms.

The estate emphasizes water together with flora and fauna. A lake has been created in the common gardens area within which is an island sala and around which the landscaping offers a tranquil location to gaze on from villas or simply take a relaxing stroll through. Around the lake two- and three- bed villas are carefully positioned to afford each villa full privacy as well as superb garden views. The 4 bedroom villas are elevated along the hillside and look both down onto the lake and gardens as well as through the tree-lined Rawai Beach front to sea. All villa types have private swimming pools and many additionally enjoy pond features.

Rawai Villas

Villas are courtyard designs creating a private intimacy. Contemporary Asian architecture derived from aspects of traditional Thai living with a modern variation. Villa types range from two to four bedrooms with 150 - 400 sq. m internal space and 225 - 700 sq. m total living space on plots from 520 - 1,025 sq.m. All villas have one thing in common; very generous living zones. In addition wardrobe and storage space is generously designed with individual lockable spaces for those owners who wish to take advantage of the lucrative rental market. Vaulted ceilings and extensive use of powder coated aluminum frames add depth to space and creates light airy rooms which focus on the courtyard patio and views beyond.

Rawai Villas The developers' keen interest in making the property stand out from others is seen by the extensive landscaping methods and very high attention to specification and finishing detail. Whilst the developer allows variations within villas to personalize living space they are restrict external variations in order to protect and maintain the aesthetics of the development for the benefit of the owners' community.

For those of us who know Rawai, it is not difficult to describe the feeling of relaxation one is filled with when driving through the area. Photographs of Rawai Villas estate only give a tantalizing taste of the real thing. A visit to Rawai Villas will undoubtedly give you why buying into this carefully designed simplicity is a sound investment. But don't wait too long as there are only five villas left in its final phase of construction and the Rawai secret is out!

Blue Canyon Open Golf Competition

Blue Canyon Open On the 22nd and 23rd of March 2008 the Blue Canyon Open Golf Competition, which is sponsored by Nike, will be held at the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket. The competition is 36 holes played over the two days. 18 holes on the Lakes course and 18 holes on the famous Canyon Course, which hosted the Johnnie Walker last year and golf notables such as Ernie Els, Adam Scott, Reteif Goosen and Colin Montgomery, amongst others, took part. The competition is open to players with 18 handicaps or less. Why not come and compete and walk in the footsteps of the famous players. A great competition, kindly sponsored by Nike golf. This competition is fast becoming the biggest amateur competition in Asia and many top quality amateur golfers fly in to take part.

Contact Us
247/2 Phrabaramee Road
Kalim beachfront,
Patong.
Phuket 883150
Tel: +66 76 290 590
www.phuketland.com
info@phuketland.com

Phuket Blue Book 2008