newnative

If only it had been a gold ring.

Perhaps because it's true.

I agree regarding Asians and I saw one example of it first-hand. After the Vietnam war some Vietnamese were brought to America and settled in different areas. One area was northern Virginia. I worked at a community college there and the campus I was at set up special classes to teach these Vietnamese English. There may have also been some acclimation sessions. Most of these Vietnamese worked very hard, often at two jobs or more. Many of the jobs were blue collar--gardeners, restaurant workers, office cleaners, etc. They did the long hours of hard work, saved their money, and in a few years they had started their own garden service, restaurant, office cleaning company, and so on. The goal was for the next generation, their children, to go to college and have a better life than they did--and many achieved it in one generation. Although life had dealt them a bad blow--their country had fallen and they had ended up in an alien country across the world--there wasn't a 'woe is me' attitude. Instead, it was, ok, this bad thing has happened, we've been given a new opportunity, let's get to work.

Reality, not myth.

Spouse and I were at the Bangkok Auto Show yesterday. Large crowds. The most popular booths seemed to be the Chinese ones, with a number of new models. Geely attracted a lot of interest, as did BYD. We had to wait in line to sit in one of the new Sealion 6 and 7's on display. Some really impressive new Chinese models with great styling, technology, features, and very reasonable prices. Meanwhile, nothing new of note from the Japanese makers--although I may have missed something as we were concentrating on the new Chinese makers and models. New color for the HR-V--I did note that. Don't think that's going to hack it these days.

The good agents I use do far more than that. And, they do it knowing it's likely another agent might sell the property before they do, with all their work for nothing. I'm happy to pay 5% to an agent that brings me a buyer that buys my property. My objective is always to get the property sold quickly at a price I am happy with. Spouse and I have sold some properties on our own but the majority were sold due to the hard work of agents.

Spouse and I renovated a 48 sqm shell studio at VT7 some years ago and lived in it for about a year. We partitioned the condo and had the private bedroom area by the balcony, with the more public living room/dining room/kitchen areas in the front of the condo by the entrance. Had 2 aircons rather than the usual just one. We did it on a budget but it turned out well and it was an easy sell as it looked different, functioned well, and was a bit more interesting than the usual open space studios with bed and sofa sitting side by side. I would not buy again at VT7 because I like to swim and I think the pool is too small for the number of units. Plus, no other amenities such as a gym, which I've come to expect in condo projects. And, covered parking with only some of the units. I have the same issues with VT3, and VT5C and 5D, which we also renovated units at, and lived at, for a time before they sold. I would probably have the same issue with the pool being too small at Jomtien Complex, as well--but it does have some other amenities. I thought the 9th floor 2-bedroom unit mentioned in the thread had some nice features. Liked the big balcony, the separation of the bedrooms, and the living room/dining room/kitchen areas in one big open space. I hesitate to recommend any project because they all have drawbacks and it depends on the buyer as to whether which drawbacks would be deal breakers. For me, it could be a too small pool, no gym, too small balcony, no covered parking. For others, it might be different things, such as not enough elevators, too many units in the project, units too small, too expensive, project in the wrong location, etc. We never buy to solely renovate and flip--we always buy to live in ourselves so we try to choose a condo or house that fits our needs--and budget--at the time. I would likely not buy to live year-round at any of the mega 1000+ unit projects unless there was a very strict and very effective system in place to prevent illegal daily rentals. Been there. We've moved on to houses on the Darkside in the last 4 years but if we went back to a condo it probably would not be in the Jomtien area--it's just gotten too congested and when we go into town we're usually on the north end--T21, Central Festival, Index, Home Pro, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, etc. We would more likely choose something like Northshore or one of the beachfront projects in Wong Amat. If we had to move to Jomtien we might choose something like Cetus, Aeras, or Reflection.

I doubt the townhouses in the picture will ever be torn down and a highrise constructed to block the view. I think there are too many different owners for that to happen. I believe some of the lowrise structures adjacent to View Talay 7 are still owned by the View Talay company and I doubt they would sell to anyone planning a highrise as it would impact their View Talay 7 project right next door, where they have unsold units still for sale.

Agree. This isn't brain surgery.

I see no reason why foreigners shouldn't be allowed to own land, as long as it is a limited amount suitable for a house and not large tracts.

Limiting foreign condo ownership to 49% does NOT automatically insure that Thai owners remain in control of condo projects. At the last condo project I owned at, the condo board was majority foreign owners. Since that can be the case, I see no harm in raising foreign quota to 60% or 75%, or eliminating it altogether.

Depends on what you want and your lifestyle. My spouse and I don't like to garden so we didn't want a big yard to take care of. We have a large single-floor 4 bedroom/5 bath house with 2-car garage and 3 meter by 9 meter pool on a land plot of about 120 square wah. That's plenty big enough for our needs and we still have some garden spaces by the pool and around the house, with the main focus the pool area and a large covered deck . All the homes in the project are single-story with solid perimeter walls so we have complete privacy.

I totally agree. There is definitely not a 'one size fits all' answer. It's all up to the individual or couple as to whether renting or buying is the best choice for them--but maybe not for me, or you, or that guy over there behind the tree. I will say that I've never lost money--here or in the US--on any condo I have owned. And, there have been about 30 of them. Re-selling them was not the struggle some make it out to be--but, again, just my experience. Whether I can sell at a profit or I sustain a loss doesn't enter into the buy/rent equation with me. I simply like to own the space I live in, whether I am somewhere short-term or long-term. For me, the joys of owning far outweigh profit or loss. You likely only go around once in life and that once is too important for me to live in someone else's space--and taste--on my one go-around. But, that's me--not you or that guy behind the tree. There can certainly be advantages to renting, especially here in Thailand. There can also be advantages to owning if you are here long-term. People can post their opinions but I don't think anyone can say what's the best choice for someone they know very little about--too many factors in play, or should be in play. For the OP, I would say follow your heart and good luck with whichever choice you make.

You are correct. A beneficiary can be anyone you choose--including the noodle lady.

Nailed it. Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door. China's simply doing that--and US, Korea, Japan, and Europe car makers better get on the stick.

You can have beneficiaries in a Will whom are not relatives and you do not need to be legally married to have your partner be a beneficiary. I suggest you have a Will drawn up that states that it is a Will specifically for your property in Thailand, with copies both in English and Thai.

Slow news day.

Product line is lousy, limited, and most of the models are very dated. No model to compete in the very popular CR-V suv size. Kicks is too small, Terra is way too big. Their one good model, the X-Trail, isn't sold here. If they fold they won't be missed--lots of Chinese models arriving so plenty of better choices.

Stop the presses.

I agree--look for another unit in the project. And, I am also wondering why the landlord would have anything to do with a new gate for the condo project? That would be a decision for the condo board whether to repair or get a new gate. Stay until the end of your lease and then move.

Disgusting. The maid should at least inherit the non-real estate assets she was given in the Will.

Thailand has no MLS--Multiple Listing Service. You want maximum exposure so you need to email all the agencies in CM that you can find on the internet, starting with the biggest and the ones nearest your property. Email them with good photos and good description and ask them to list your property. I'm in Pattaya so I can offer no help with any CM agencies to use. The last house I sold in Pattaya, this summer, I listed it with about 40 agencies and it sold in a three months. You can certainly also list it yourself on websites like Facebook, Craigslist, condo bulletin board, with condo office staff, etc. Having sold 20some properties in Thailand since 2010, both condos and houses, and mostly with the help of an agency, I would suggest offering a 5% commission in your email. This can always be negotiated depending on what offers you get but it's good to start with 5%. The objective is to get the agencies to both list your property and bring clients to see it and, hopefully, buy it. My reasoning, as told to me by an agent years ago. If you are an agent with a client, will you take the client to the seller offering 2% or 3% commission on his condo for sale or the one offering 5%? I know posters will say don't pay more than 2 or 3% commission and others will say realtors are worthless, but, again, the objective is to get the property sold quickly, not sit for years. This is what has worked for me, with those 20some properties mostly selling quickly, even during the covid years, when we sold both a house and two condos. Good luck with your sale.

Be glad they are doing that. It should help cut down on illegal daily renters.

From the article, this year they took a look at 24,000 and came up with 4 that looked suspicious. I'd say relax.

Voter turnout in 2020 was 66.6%. Voter turnout in 2024 was 63.7%. Not a guess. Fact--which I know you Trumpets absolutely hate. Fewer voters voted in 2024. But, feel free to provide credible evidence of massive voter fraud in 2020. Let's see--I remember there was the Republican who turned in a ballot for his dead wife . . .