The property brokerage ERA Franchise (Thailand) Co Ltd is aiming for 25% sales growth this year as provincial second-hand property markets boom.

Chief executive Voradet Sivatachanon said Siam Commercial Bank's approval of increased credit lines for customers buying ERA units has strengthened the company's sales prospects.

SCB will offer a credit line of up to 95% of appraised price for a second-hand home, higher than the usual 80-85%.

A land plot for building a house will receive a credit line of 70%, up from the usual 60%, and the house being built on that plot will get 100%, up from 80%.

"Second-hand homes cannot succeed without financial support from banks," Mr Voradet said yesterday at ERA Thailand's business conference, where the firm celebrated its 20th birthday.

He said the growth of second-hand properties upcountry was on par with growth in Greater Bangkok, due to fast economic expansion in rural areas.

ERA expects sales of provincial second-hand properties sold through its network to grow by 20% this year. Last year's sales were stagnant.

In 2012, 13,687 second-hand listings were offered through ERA's network, with 49% in Bangkok, 29% in five nearby provinces and 22% in other provinces.

Of the 4,389 listings seeking a second-hand unit, 74% were looking in Bangkok, 18% were in the five provinces and 8% were in other provinces.

Just 15% of all second-hand listings, both wanted and for sale, saw their transactions completed last year.

"This means the offerings didn't match demand and our network didn't have nationwide coverage," said Mr Arak.

Another reason was potential buyers' inability to obtain mortgage loans.

ERA plans two regional franchisees in the East and Northeast this year to support provincial market growth. It also wants 20 more franchisees in Greater Bangkok and nearby provinces to join its current 20 nationwide.

Mr Voradet said low-rise units remained in high demand last year at 63% of total units sold, trailed by condos (20%), land plots (10%) and others (6%).

"Mushrooming community malls citywide have made sales of second-hand shophouses unattractive, as unlike the malls they have no space for parking," he said.

Founded in 1972, ERA is based in the US and has 3,000 branches worldwide.