The serviced residence is rapidly developing as a niche market in current real estate. This study is conducted to analyze the notion of serviced residence, analysis of its present status, and the differences between other general development business...
The serviced residence is rapidly developing as a niche market in current real estate. This study is conducted to analyze the notion of serviced residence, analysis of its present status, and the differences between other general development business and investment returns. It provides proper knowledge to the investor and the developer. To achieve the purpose of the study, previous thesis’ and research data were collected and fundamental concepts and characteristics of serviced residences were organized, although data was not sufficient. The development sales process was investigated by press releases from the Internet and visiting actual operator’s sales offices. Based on the data from the operators, investment-related expenses were calculated and substantive investment returns of the serviced residences were estimated.
Results from the analysis of the case studies are as follows:
First, the serviced resident is a combined residential type with the hotel service and dwelling space. It is developed in cities frequented by foreigners, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, etc. They are a place for long term guests. Unlike hotels, they provide a comfortable home-style accommodation with hotel service at a less expensive rate.
Operation of the serviced residence creates lease profit for the specialized operators and commission operators instead of lease methods like deposit lease and monthly rent. Regarding the subsidiary facilities and accommodations, foreign serviced residences construct a lobby lounge, business center, fitness center, specialized restaurant, bar, and cafe. Unlike domestic serviced residences that operate a multi-restaurant concept which provides meals and beverages at one place.
Second, the serviced residence was vitalized as an investment method against real estate regulations by the government rather than developing accommodations. They overheated, attracting short term tourists to achieve investment returns. The serviced residence industry was found guilty of illegal operations regarding the lodging industry as real estate leasing service by the public hygiene-control law by the courts as legal action was taken by the hotel industry whose market share was suffering. These issues need legal revision which the current National Assembly Welfare committee is promoting.
Third, an empirical analysis regarding the rate of investment returns is focused on serviced residences currently operating in the Gang-nam district in Seoul, South Korea. According to the results from the analysis of investment returns, the rate of assigning should be at least over 85% to achieve 8-10% of the fixed profit rate which is expected at the beginning of sales. However, during sales of the serviced residences, the estimating standard of the expected fixed profit rate is not definite enough to compare with the results from this thesis. Furthermore, it was difficult to retrieve the actual operating status data of the serviced residence operator’s case studies, so a detailed analysis of the profit rate about assigning and operating expenses was not conducted. This part is considered a limitation of the profit rate analysis in this thesis.
The current serviced residence market is in pandemonium due to the judgment by the courts finding their operations illegal. However, it is expected to become an established item of real estate investment market through legal revision and system adjustments. To develop it as a profitable real estate investment item, a differentiated profit rates promoting plan must be developed. The general investor should acknowledge the risk of investment based on the fixed profit rate and advantages which are presented by the developer and be able to make an investment decision based on individual analysis and the characteristics of the location.