Property expo hits the mark

PHUKET CITY: Properties with a total value of more than 300 million baht were reserved at the Property Investment Exhibition 2006 (PIE), which drew to a close at Central Festival Phuket yesterday, said the organizer.

Thanet Traiwut, Managing Director of exhibition organizer Delice Thai, said, “The exhibition was a success. About 80% of visitors were looking for a house and 20% of visitors came for the shopping but collected information while they were here.

“More than 50 houses, at an average cost of six million baht, were reserved during the show, and many Thai people showed interest in houses ranging from 3 million to 5 million baht.”

The home reservations were a bonus for the Phuket Real Estate Club, which instigated the show. Before the event, PREC President Phummisak Hongsyok, said, “This is the first event of this kind that we have arranged, and we do not expect that many customers will actually put down deposits for homes. The main idea is to give people information to help them make decisions.”

K. Thanet added that nearly all of the 60 exhibitors had expressed their satisfaction with the exhibition, and that many potential home-buyers have been following up directly with property agents and developers about properties they saw at the show.

“We will hold the PIE again in September, again at Central Festival Phuket, with more special deals for people who buy a property through the show,” K. Thanet said.

“We will also set up a permanent Property Information Center at Central, which should open in June. We are currently talking with Central about where it will be set up.”

Somsak Wannopak, 45, came to make a payment to a bank in the mall but ended up looking at properties at the show. “This is a good idea. It gives people the chance to look at what properties are available, even if we decide not to buy. It’s better than having to visit every property development’s sales office.

“I think this exhibition should be held every year,” he added.

Englishman Nick Parker-Smith, 37, said, “I really enjoyed it, it was very interesting. I’d like to see it again next year.

“I am from Sarnia Villas, which is looking for land on which to build villas. I also spoke with people here about building services, law, engineering, pools and wood supply.”

The show was co-sponsored by the Phuket Gazette.