UP TO BT1 BN IN SALES EXPECTED AT HOME EXPO

       Home-buyers will be treated to a collection of residential projects worth more than Bt10 billion at the Thailand Exclusive Property Show 2009, starting today at Siam Paragon.
       Developers of 13 residential projects, offering homes ranging from condominium units to luxury detached houses, are also offering a wide range of inducements to drive sales.
       The event, organised by the Thailand Real Estate Association, will run until September 20.
       Association president Kittipol Pramoj na Ayudhya said the show would offer residences for buyers from every segment of the property market. The range will include condominium units priced from Bt1.9 million to more than Bt10 million and single detached houses, double houses and townhouses in Bangkok and resort destinations such as Rayong and Hua Hin priced from Bt3 million to more than Bt100 million.
       The residential projects taking part include Issara @ Sukhumvit 42, the Ratchaprasong project, Link Advance by Tararom Group, Fine Home @ River Charoen Nakorn, The Fine by Fine Home at Aree Soi 4, My Resort at Phetchaburi, Diamond at Sukhumvit, Charn Talay at Hua Hin, Phuphatara at Rayong, Golden Heritage @ Ratchapreuk, Golden Monaco at Bang Na and the Thanyathani project by NC Housing.
       People who buy a residence at the event will get a gift voucher for two nights at Anantara Hotel in Hua Hin or Trang, Kittipol said.
       Now is a good time to buy or invest in residential property because of low mortgage interest rates, he said. Investors will get the best prices on properties that will generate returns averaging 6 or 7 per cent per year - far better than interest on bank deposits.
       "Customers who buy at this time will get tax incentives from the government's stimulus package for the property sector - which expires in March next year - as well as the best conditions from property developers," he said.
       The organisers are hoping to generate sales of between Bt600 million and Bt1 billion from the 10-day show.
       Fine Home Housing Development managing director Sukit Triwanapong said his company was expecting sales of at least Bt50 million from the event. It is offering to fully furnish a home up to a cost of Bt200,000 as a special promotion for customers buying from The Fine by Fine Home at Aree Soi 4 during the show.
       Because of the signs of economic recovery, he believes now is a good time to buy a home.
       "Our customers began to increase in the third quarter of this year. The number of visitors to our projects increased by 10 to 20 per cent over the number in the first half of the year. As a result we believe this is a good time for home-buyers to buy a residence," he said.
       Vilailux Development general manager Teeravat Pipatdhitakul said demand for new homes in Rayong had continued - especially from foreign buyers coming from Scandinavian countries.
       "We believe that this event will be a good time for buyers and investors because they will get the best conditions from property developers," he said, adding that his company would also offer special promotions.
       NC Housing managing director Somchao Tanterdtham said his company would launch what it called its E-Quick Plus promotion for buyers from its residential projects at the show.
       E-Quick Plus will offer price discounts of up to Bt1 million per unit, depending on the type of residence. Customers will also get gift vouchers for furniture or home appliances if they speed up the transfer of residential properties. The customer who achieves the fastest transfer will receive a free package tour for two to Maldives.
       "We expect sales worth between Bt20 million and Bt30 million from this event," Somchao said.