½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Menu
½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Purchasing Land in Sihanoukville

Post new topic

Woodrow79

Hi guys and girls,

Recently returned from Sihanoukville and am now considering purchasing land at Ortes Beach. I am aware of foreign ownership laws and have heard both positive and negative outcomes of foreigners purchasing land. Just thought i would drop a line and see if anybody has any local knowledge to share on this issue...
Thanks in advance....

madmax888

You should know that the Otres beach coastal land is ALWAYS going to be grabbed up by the government at any time. All coastal land is like that. Big companies come in, pay off the locals, and have the property condemned, and then turn it over to the company, who may do nothing with it. I would consider renting a place, or renting the land, so you can't lose too much. Several of the places down there have mysteriously burned down (Cantina Bar)...

Woodrow79

Thanks for the heads up madmax, I was/am considering purchasing some vacant land back from the beach (over the dirt road) at Otres 2 (not far from the river) which is not in the Govt development catchment. 

Whilst I have research Cambodian property law (Im an Australian Lawyer) which is relatively straight forward, the actual application and corruption issues are still concerning.

The CDC and CID appear to be trying to make investing in Cambodian safer, but it still appears risky.

If anybody eles has any insight I would be greatful to hear it...

RobSchneiderOz

If you're a small investor, best to be wary of making long term plans. If you want professional advice, ask a real estate group that serves big investors. Bonna Realty and CBRE Cambodia are the two I know of.

Woodrow79

Thanks Rob.

I am aware of Bonna Realty and will reach out to them in due course. It is a shame that only 'giant' corporations have security of investment here, as they are generally the organisations that focus on profit only and dont give a rats about making a contribution to the community....

madmax888

One other thought: If you want to continue your law biz, look into getting a Notary Public license. It may not require a Cambodia degree. As I found out, there is only ONE in Sihanoukville at this time. He gets $50 to notarize a signature. He speaks English, and doesn't care what the doc is. Didn't even ask.

Woodrow79

Hey Max, perhaps thats why the Cambodian legal system is still developing when public notaries will just authenticate anything without bother... but it would be a good little earner....Dont think it would be challenging enough to keep my mind occupied, but i appreciate the heads up.

After extensive research and consideration, my business partner and I have now abandon our goal of purchasing property at Ortes Beach.... Its just to risky....Its a shame because some greedy corporation will now (in time) just milk the city for everything its worth and give little to no consideration to supporting the community.... guess i will have to slug it out here in Melbourne for a few more years yet...

robert, Sam

(Moderated: No free ad/ Post in the section housing in Sihanoukville)

les64

Absolutely the best decision.
I have lived in SV for almost 12 years and seen too too too many foreigners lose huge amounts of money buying property with zero legal protection. Understand even legal doc's are almost worthless when someone wants your land and will bribe all officials to make it happen, have 3 friends who lost hotels because the judges took bribes and ruled against them and ignored all paperwork.  Until the corrupt government is changed it will never change.

garyleslee

Hello MadMax.

May I have the details of the notary you mention? It may save me a trip to PP which will mean missing teaching volunteer English classes here at Don Bosco college.

Thanks
Gary

Articles to help you in your expat project in Sihanoukville

  • Accommodation in Sihanoukville
    Accommodation in Sihanoukville

    Sihanoukville is a popular beach party destination that is also the gateway to idyllic islands. If you can't ...

  • Buying a property in Cambodia
    Buying a property in Cambodia

    If you're looking to buy a property in Cambodia — either for your personal use or as an investment ...

  • Accommodation in Cambodia
    Accommodation in Cambodia

    Finding accommodation in Cambodia can be quite challenging. But the recent rise of rental websites, such as ...

  • Work in Sihanoukville
    Work in Sihanoukville

    In recent years, more and more young tourists have turned their alcohol-fuelled attention away from the Thai ...

  • Working in Phnom Penh
    Working in Phnom Penh

    When it comes to expat living, Phnom Penh has it all. Thanks to an influx of foreign investment over the past ...

  • Living in Phnom Penh
    Living in Phnom Penh

    Before going to anywhere in the world, people always try to find out about those places first. Likewise, before ...

  • Lifestyle in Cambodia
    Lifestyle in Cambodia

    If you are about to settle in the Kingdom of Cambodia, you are probably wondering about its inhabitants' ...

  • Student life in Phnom Penh
    Student life in Phnom Penh

    Adjusting to life as a student can be difficult. Even more so if you are trying to do it in a new country, but ...

All of Sihanoukville's guide articles