Property

Hometel property segment promises big profits, big challenges

May 25, 2017 | 07:02 AM GMT+7

Though hometel properties are new in Vietnam, the segment is well known as a profitable business model as investors can make high profits when reselling or leasing.

Hometel promises profits but challenge. Photo: Internet



This is expected to be an attractive investment channel in Vietnam in the time to come.

The Vietnamese real estate market has recently witnessed the boom of many ‘hybrid’ products – officetel, condotel and hometel.

At first glance, hometel is just like condotel, because hometel is also a hybrid product between ‘home’ and ‘hotel’, while it is similar to condotel, a hybrid between ‘condo’ and ‘hotel’. However, in fact, hometel is different from these.

Though hometel properties are new in Vietnam, the segment is well known as a profitable business model as investors can make high profits when reselling or leasing.

Hometel has all basic features of a high-end apartment that serves as long-term accommodation for the owners. In addition, hometel has all 5-star services and amenities, so it can ensure comfortable lives for the owners, while it can be re-leased if the owners want.

Hometel buyers have long-term ownership for hometels and they have land use right certificates, or a ‘red book’ as called by Vietnamese.

Meanwhile, condotel owners only have ownership for up to 50 years. The other important difference between condotel and hometel is that the owners of hometels can determine the lease plans and they don’t have to share profits with investors.

In other words, hometel owners have permanent ownership over their properties, while they can make decisions themselves to make profits with the assets.

However, hometel also has disadvantages. Investors will have to operate and manage the leasing themselves.

Therefore, they need to have good knowledge and skills to manage the assets. While condotel and officetel owners can foresee profitability of their investments, hometel owners cannot.

The other disadvantages include limited access to bank loans, interest rate unpredictability, the lower-than-expected income and cash flow interruption when making payment for bank loans.

Nguyen Van Duc, deputy general director of Dat Lanh Real Estate, said the capital flow to the real estate market, especially to the high-end segment, has been tightened with Circular 06 officially taking effect in 2017.

This will have direct impact on the scale, conditions and interest rates of bank loans reserved for the high-end segment, including hometels.

He said the interest rate has been stable, but no one can say for sure how the interest rate will perform in upcoming years. Therefore, an interest rate risk always follows investors.

The Vietnam Real Estate Association’s secretary general Tran Ngoc Quang commented that investors understand they have to accept risks when they are the pioneers.

However, research and experience show that hometel is a promising business model.

Indochina Kajima breaks ground on Grade A office building in Hanoi’s emerging hub

Indochina Kajima breaks ground on Grade A office building in Hanoi’s emerging hub

Property -  2 week

Parc Hanoi marks Indochina Kajima's first office-for-lease project in its $1 billion investment plan in Vietnam.

Hanoi's property boom: Will the housing price surge ever stop?

Hanoi's property boom: Will the housing price surge ever stop?

Property -  3 week

While the average price of apartments in Hanoi has reached new heights, with supply primarily concentrated in the premium and luxury segments, there are still no signs of a price slowdown.

Luxury apartment prices soar in Hanoi amid supply shortage

Luxury apartment prices soar in Hanoi amid supply shortage

Property -  3 month

The supply of luxury apartments in central Hanoi is becoming increasingly scarce, pushing starting prices to new highs.

Revitalizing Vietnam’s hospitality sector: A shift in branding

Revitalizing Vietnam’s hospitality sector: A shift in branding

Property -  3 month

Vietnam's hospitality industry is undergoing a major transformation with a brand repositioning strategy that emphasizes unique, sustainable, and community-focused experiences.

Hanoi’s apartment market surges as prices hit new heights

Hanoi’s apartment market surges as prices hit new heights

Property -  3 month

High demand and limited supply drive transactions in major urban areas despite soaring costs.

Real estate sector anticipates new investment wave

Real estate sector anticipates new investment wave

Property -  3 month

Despite the real estate market's lackluster performance, several companies are accelerating land acquisition efforts.