Challenges await property developers next year with the Bank of Thailand (BOT) poised to implement a more restrictive regime on mortgage loans starting April 1, along with the recent with a rise in the policy rate, and an expected slowdown of the country’s economic growth, according to realty experts.

“We believe developers will have a hard time next year, given the negative factors affecting the purchasing power of homebuyers. Property firms must rejig their business models with a long-term focus,” said AP (Thailand) Plc CEO Anupong Asavabhokhin.

However, he remains confident that the market will still post a five per cent growth next year given the strong demand for residential units priced between five and 10 million baht ($150,000 and $300,000). This segment will not be badly impacted by the central bank’s measures on mortgage loans – as opposed to speculators and the second home market, he said.

Adverse effects

Origin Property Plc CEO Peerapong Charoon-Ek agreed with Anupong’s assessment, saying that the new central bank regime will have little impact on real market demand. He expected growth of up to 10 per cent next year.

“The middle- and upper-income market, priced from five million baht to more than 10 million baht per unit, will not be adversely affected by the new regime on mortgage loans and a higher interest rate. However, the impact will be badly felt in the middle- to lower-income segments offering residential units for lower than five million baht each,” he said.

Pruksa Real Estate Plc market evaluation CEO Piya Prayong said the new loan-to-value measures announced by the BOT will weaken demand from both domestic and overseas buyers, especially prospective customers from China. Thus, the company forecasts a market growth of not more than five per cent next year.

“To get around the problems, we will adjust our business model with a focus on condominiums. Construction of these projects take longer but the larger timeframe will, in turn, give our customers more time for paying instalments on their down payment,” Piya said. “We will also launch fewer projects next year.”

New standards

The BOT has announced a set of new measures to rein in mortgage approvals, requiring buyers to place a higher down payment for multi-mortgage borrowings.

From April 1, it will require homebuyers of a third house to place a 30 per cent down payment, regardless of the price. The first down payment remains unchanged at 10 per cent.

For the second mortgage, the down payment is 10 per cent if the repayment period of the first mortgage exceeds three years, or the house price is below 10 million baht. The down payment will increase to 20 per cent if the first mortgage is less than three years or the house price is more than 10 million baht.

The BOT also raised its policy rate by 0.25 per cent to 1.75 per cent last week amid signs of further increases if the country’s economic growth stays on track next year. However, Thai rates remain lower than other countries’.

The US Federal Reserve has hiked rates three times this year, causing an outflow of capital from emerging markets to its shores.

Asia Plus Securities research executive vice president Therdsak Thaveeteeratham said the property market faces slower growth or even a contraction next year as a result of the BOT measures and higher interest rate.

The new regime on mortgage approvals will sap demand in the second and third home segments, while the higher policy rate will impact the first home market, he added.

Therdsak said the BOT’s measures will be felt throughout the realty market next year.

The 12 property companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand currently have over 500 billion baht worth of projects under development, of which 292 billion baht are invested in single detached houses and townhouses with condominiums accounting for the balance.

Meanwhile, the total of presale values this year will reach 360 billion baht, the highest in 10 years as the market absorbs higher demand ahead of the slowdown.

Developers are expected to revise their business plans for next year with fewer new project launches, Therdsak said. THE NATION (THAILAND)/ANN