Koh Samui Property

Property on Koh Samui enjoyed strong demand for several years, starting at the turn of the 21 century with cash rich investors looking to take advantage of attractive land prices on an island already famous for its abundant natural attractions. It's global appeal as a tourist destination meant Samui's landscape was quickly transformed as developments and private residences sprang up along the beaches and across the coastal hillsides, many of them owned by foreign developers or private investors.

Extensive investment prompted a swift rise in land and property prices on Koh Samui. Investors who bought or built properties in prime island locations in the early stages of development enjoyed strong returns. The sheer pace of development also created a subsidiary rental market as absent owners looked to let their properties out when not in residence, either for long and short term guests.

When the global financial crisis hit in 2007, the Samui property market began to slow down with prices leveling out as supply finally started to match demand. Although the cooler market reduced sales volumes significantly, it also gave the island an opportunity to consolidate, which prompted improvements in construction quality and auxiliary services such as legal advice and project management.

Improvements in infrastructure followed and this in turn drew corporate investment, with global brands entering the island's property market, many choosing to build mixed use developments at the luxury end of the price ladder, offering 5-star facilities to guests and residents alike. The number of private luxury villas also increased significantly with new residential areas emerging in the island's less developed bays and a secondary sales market developing to offer buyers even greater choice across various price categories.

The number of new residential projects being launched this year on Samui suggests that investors with a relevant understanding of the market are now preparing for a second boom. Koh Samui continues to offer buyers a range of appealing opportunities both in terms of lifestyle and investment, albeit perhaps on a more long term basis than during the earlier stages of development. Increased diversity in terms of source markets allows developers to build more targetted properties that appeal to a specific type of investor.

On islands like Koh Samui, the rules, procedures and laws governing the purchase of land or property can be very different from those clients in places like Europe and the US are accustomed to. It is therefore advisable to employ the services of a professional agent like EP Samui to provide reliable, practical assistance at every stage in the purchase process.