Cambodia for property agents: where to start the conversation

The essentials of the new destination

Cambodia joins Thailand and Bali in the IBG Property portfolio of destinations. Four points from the company’s September 2026 presentation, “Cambodia: property investment 2026–2031”, frame the first conversation: city, currency, infrastructure and holding period.

Two cities, different buyer strategies

Destination	Context in the presentation	Questions for the buyer
Phnom Penh	Capital and business centre, urban demand and long-term rentals	Personal use or rental use? Which district, daily routes and tenant profile?
Sihanoukville	Port, industry and coastline; professionals and tourists as distinct potential tenants	Is a longer holding period and greater market uncertainty acceptable?

For each property, identify who might live there, why they would choose it, which alternatives exist and who will manage it.

USD pricing and transport links

Currency. The presentation highlights the widespread use of US dollars in property sales and rentals. Comparing purchase costs and rental figures in the same currency helps with budgeting. Confirm the settlement currency, transfer fees and payment terms for each contract. USD pricing does not eliminate investment risk.

Infrastructure. The presentation highlights Techo International Airport, the Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville expressway, port development and special economic zones. Techo is already operating: its operator confirms operations began on 9 September 2025. Assess the connection to the actual district: travel times, employment and everyday access. Proximity to infrastructure alone does not guarantee price appreciation.

Match the holding period to the strategy

The presentation outlines three planning scenarios, not guaranteed returns or resale dates:

Company scenario	Holding period in the presentation
Phnom Penh: capital appreciation	3–5 years
Phnom Penh: holding for rental use	5–7 years
Sihanoukville: higher-risk market recovery	7–10 years

Ask how long the buyer could keep the property if a resale took longer than expected. The answer helps shape the brief before viewing projects.

Check the property-level details

Request current prices, payment schedules, construction status, documentation, ownership terms relevant to the buyer, running costs and management conditions. Discuss a possible future resale rather than assuming liquidity. Legal and tax details need transaction-specific professional review.

Prepare the first enquiry

Include the buyer’s goal, budget, buying timeline, intended holding period, essential requirements and other countries being considered. Ask your IBG Property manager about available projects and partner terms. Discuss the enquiry.