The view from the top 
The view from the top
The Samui property market may have
slowed but not before the island had been transformed by the
construction of innumerable high-end villas and homes. Almost every
beach and mountainside now features one or more first class property,
and the construction of luxury homes continues unabated, especially in
the island’s less touristed south. Samui is still a long way behind
Phuket in terms of providing exclusive residential choices, but a
burgeoning ‘millionaires list’ of properties has already made a
significant impact in terms of the kind of accommodation available to
rent and buy.
High-end investment
The first people to build
high-end luxury homes on Samui were private individuals in search of a
holiday retreat. A handful of investors, many from Hong Kong, snapped
up plots of prime beachfront and mountainside land, then built their
own private palaces looking out over the island’s famed blue seas.
On
the beach, the friendly climate meant villas could be designed as a
series of interconnected buildings rather than as single houses, while
on the mountainside, multi-level terraced homes became the trend
amongst the island’s new rich residents, with infinity pools almost a
standard requirement.
As the word spread, particularly in Hong
Kong, larger developers began to buy up land on Samui and soon there
was an extensive list of 5- 6 bedroom luxury properties on the books of
most real estate agents. The houses catered specifically to buyers with
deep pockets and investors with limitless wealth and good taste. Many
sold for upwards of a million dollars, still a steal for buyers used to
the multi-million dollar price tags in other parts of the region.
Dhevatara
Properties were one of the big name developers to see the potential in
high-end residential developments. The company now offers exclusive
sites that include some of the island´s most beautiful beachfront
locations. The company’s three main projects include Dhevatara Cove,
where properties sell for upwards of US$2 million, Dhevatara Residence,
where villas go for between US$1-2 million, and a more modest project,
Dhevatara Bay, that offer houses for between US$380,000 to US$1
million. According to Mark Vinton from Dhevatara, it is mostly British
people who are interested in these kinds of villa developments. “A lot
of the interest comes through our connections in the UK,” he said. “But
we’ve also had other interest shown from Australian, European and
Middle East clients.”
Even with recent doubts caused by
high-profile land encroachment investigations and the stricter
enforcement of foreign ownership regulations, many analysts and
developers on Samui believe it is the top end of the property market
that will continue to thrive and expand, albeit more slowly than in
previous years. Some major investors already have considerable
interests on the island and high-end residences have already sold for
upwards of US$5 million.
According to companies like Samui
Diamond Properties (SDP), there are bankers, lawyers and other
professionals from places like Hong Kong, China and even Bangkok still
keen to invest in Samui before the next boom happens. This can only
raise the bar further when it comes to the development of opulent
island living.
Short-term extravagance
Perhaps inevitably on
a tourist island, the property market has diversified rapidly as
investors and third party agents saw the potential for different types
of return. Amid the current slow-down, luxury properties that were
initially seen as long-term investment opportunities have become
short-term generators of a healthy, regular income for their owners.
The ‘buy to rent’ concept has gained ground over the ‘buy to live’
model, and fortunately for some investors the demand for holiday
rentals is constantly increasing.
“The high-end property market
is currently very buoyant,” says Victor Careford from the
above-mentioned SDP. “Many investors see strong potential in the
island’s growing villa rental sector and the biggest demand now is for
3 to 5 bedroom luxury holiday villas.”
As the hotel sector on Samui
moves upmarket, the island’s reputation as a luxury destination has
also grown and the villa rental market is reaping the benefits of this.
But to keep pace with the island’s hotels, villa rental agencies are
continually extending their services, adding extra features to compete
more effectively with the island’s 5-star resorts.
Companies
such as Samui Villas &Homes (SVH), now one of the island’s largest
and most respected brokers and rental agencies, saw the advantages of a
full-service approach to villa rentals several years ago and have grown
with demand. The company’s “Signature Collection” includes some of the
most desirable properties on Samui and these remain occupied by rental
clients for much of the year. The firm also offers a diverse range of
fringe services that includes personal chefs, a private concierge and
even baby sitters.
Large, private residences like Ban Kinaree, a
majestic 5-bedroom property consisting of three separate pavilions,
command from US$700 to US$1,600 a night. The villas sit on a hillside,
terraced compound with luxuriant garden landscaping and spectacular
views across Bophut bay. As Mark Ribail, SVH’s chief operating officer
explained, demand for such properties is high. “If we’re talking about
rentals, this is still an emerging market,” he said. “Because of that,
it’s showing big growth. A swimming pool is still the most important
feature when it comes to popularity. I’d say that the present trend is
for 5 or 6 bedroom properties with fusion designs – quite modern, but
with Asian finishings and furniture.”
As investors wait to see
what happens in the Thai property sector, this rental trend that’s set
to continue on Koh Samui with more and more quality properties being
completed and added to the ‘millionaire’s list’. From the visitors’
point of view, this means there has never been more choice when it
comes to luxury living on Koh Samui and the island’s high-end villas
now certainly offer a range of tempting private locations and
facilities.
Source: http://www.property-report.com/aprarchives.php?id=437
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