Despite the seemingly terminal lack of basic services Kep appears to be experiencing something of a renaissance in terms of interest from overseas, and several mid-range and luxury guesthouses and bungalows have recently opened and many more are under construction. Kep is also reasonably easy to reach, with a good road network connecting it to Phnom Penh, Kampot and the Vietnam border.

Condos in Kep
There are not yet any condominium developments in Kep at present, although they will surely come eventually. Most who come on holiday choose to stay close to the town's beach, in one or other of the available bungalow-style accommodation options. More on buying condos in Kep.

Houses and land in Kep
Foreigners in Cambodia cannot own land. There are however, special circumstances such as when prospective buyers propose to invest in large scale projects, or when large donations are made to the relevant authorities. However, leases are available for up to 99 years. Beachfront property in Kep, as with elsewhere in the country, can not be owned by anyone as it is public property. However, the owner of land in front of the beach tends to have control over the beach directly in front. Kep, being the second most popular resort area in Cambodia is far less developed than Sihanoukville, but its land prices are far more competitive. For investors with a longer term view and those with less money to invest, Kep is an excellent option.More on buying houses and land in Kep.

Renovating
Kep was once far and away the most popular resort area in Cambodia but the rise of the Khmer Rouge precipitated a long decline that left the town and coastline destitute. Most of the French colonial villas not demolished are now abandoned, but some of the town's former splendor is still apparent. Large, often incongruent ocean walkways and old monuments still remain and give an indication of where Kep will soon be if the pace of development continues at its current rate. Overseas buyers have been snapping up the remaining villas and renovating them; mostly as one-off housing but sometimes as guesthouses or hotels. Homes such as these also tend to come with considerable gardens which in years to come could become invaluable.

Those considering going down the route of renovation in Cambodia are often compelled to do so by the extremely cheap cost of labour and rebuilds. However, things tend to happen at their own pace in Kep so buyers, particularly those operating on a small scale, should give buffer time for the renovation completion date.

As always, for those going for this option, it is important to visit the renovation site regularly to catch mistakes which could severely delay scheduled completion dates. Those who opt to renovate should also be totally clear about whether they intend to rebuild for their own use or in or as a means of generating income by renting. Those opting for the later should be more utilitarian in outlook.

Top tips for Kep property
Guide to buying condos in Kep
Guide to buying houses and land in Kep

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