Six associations representing the real-estate business plan to organise four home shows or exhibitions in the second half of the year. They expect to net sales worth Bt10 billion.

This is part of an effort to boost the property market to last year's levels. According to research conducted by the Agency for Real Estate Affairs and the Real Estate Information Centre, the property market in Bangkok and suburban areas recorded a 3-per-cent to 5-per-cent drop in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year.

The associations include the Thai Real Estate Association (TREA), Housing Business Association, Thai Condominium Association, Housing Finance Association (HFA), Home Builders Association (HBA) and Home Buyers' Guide  magazine. The first three asociations will organise the "19th Home & Condo Show" from October 2 to October 5 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

The Home Builders' Association will organise the "Home Builders' Expo 2008" from August 20 to August 24 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. From August 21 to August 24, Home Buyers' Guide magazine will organise the "Home Buyers' Expo 2008" at the same venue.

This week, HFA along with 15 commercial banks and financial companies will organise "NPA Grand Sale #7" from Friday to Sunday at the Bangkok Convention Centre, Central Plaza Lat Phrao.

These six associations believe that the events will help boost the property market in the second half of this year.

HFA president Kitti Patpongpibul said the value of mortgage loans  taken were 10 per cent lower in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year - a sign that the market has fallen as buyers worry about the rising cost of living and high house prices.

As part of its tax incentives for home-buyers, the government has reduced the special-business tax from 3.3 per cent to 0.1 per cent, transfer fee from 2 per cent to 0.01 per cent and mortgage-registration fee from 1 per cent to 0.01 per cent.

However, most home-buyers have continued to delay their buying decisions because they are more concerned about the rising cost of living and high rate of inflation.

The HFA believes the "NPA Grand Sale #7" should boost the resale market as resale prices are about 15 to 20 per cent lower than new residential properties in the same location.

Many banks plan to offer special promotional packages for customers who buy pre-owned houses in this event.

Kitti said the association expects sales worth up to Bt3 billion from the three-day event.

TREA director Teerawat Pipatditkul, who is organising the "19th Home & Condo Show", said up to 150 property developers with residential projects worth about Bt100 billion will showcase their projects  at the event.

The event also will offer special financial packages, special prices and other promotional offers for home-buyers.

"We expect contracts worth up to Bt2 billion from the four-day event and about Bt10 billion after the event," Teerawat said.

HBA president Panthep Tanchitikul said the association has set aside a budget of Bt17 million to organise the "Home Builders' Expo 2008".

The association expects contracts worth up to Bt2 billion to be signed during the five-day event.

This is part of an effort to boost the home-builder market from Bt8 billion last year to Bt8.5 billion by the end of this year, after it witnessed a 5-per-cent drop in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year.

Home Buyers' Guide managing director Borisut Kasinpila said the event will showcase 100 developers and up to 500 residential projects including detached houses, townhouses, city condominiums and residential projects for resale.

"We believe the exhibition will drive the property market to the sales levels seen last year," he said.

Last year, the housing register for Bangkok and suburban areas recorded 73,800 new units, a drop of 5.5 per cent from 2006.

About 48,200 units were built by property developers, while the remaining 25,600 units were developed by land owners by hiring home-builder companies or small- and mid-sized contractors.

      At a glance

n Thai Real Estate Association, Housing Business Association, and Thai Condominium Assoc- iation will hold '19th Home & Condo Show,' October 2 to 5.

n Home Builders' Association will organise the 'Home Builders' Expo 2008' from August 20 to 24.

n Home Buyers' Guide will host the 'Home Buyers' Expo 2008' from August 21 to 24.

n Housing Finance Association to hold 'NPA Grand Sale #7' from July 11 to 13.