Is One Rai Enough?

[WineOh]

next year me and the mrs are looking to buy a plot of land in an undisclosed location for our retirement.

 

We are planning to build a big house with pool etc..

 

possibly build a small home stay on the land as well.

 

My question is, is 1 rai big enough for all that?

or do we need more???

 

cheers!

[IvorBiggun2]

How long is a piece of string? Go look at one Rai and you'll know.

[Yellowtail]

Are you talking about a main house, a guest house and a pool?

 

What about a parking? 

 

How big are the houses and pool?

 

You can put a nice house and pool on one rai but adding a guest-house might be a stretch

[Crossy]

It depends how much you like gardening ???? 

 

We have 1.5 Rai and Madam would gladly have more, she really loves anything green and we provide a home for any unwanted plants, we have over 200 trees, many fruiting (at least it's not dogs).

 

We have a small pool, house covers about 250m².

[WineOh]

3 minutes ago, Crossy said:

It depends how much you like gardening ???? 

 

We have 1.5 Rai and Madam would gladly have more, she really loves anything green and we provide a home for any unwanted plants, we have over 200 trees many fruiting (at least it's not dogs).

 

We have a small pool, house covers about 250m².

Might have to go for two rai then as the Mrs loves gardening!

 

Cheers Crossy!

[Crossy]

Just now, WineOh said:

Might have to go for two rai then as the Mrs loves gardening!

 

Cheers Crossy!

 

Get a ride-on mower!

 

[Crossy]

Here's our place on Google Maps, I've outlined the land in red (an interesting shape), house and pool pretty obvious, trees very obvious.

 

I think we'd struggle to get a granny house in without feeling cramped.

 

[Yellowtail]

2 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Here's our place on Google Maps, I've outlined the land in red (an interesting shape), house and pool pretty obvious, trees very obvious.

 

I think we'd struggle to get a granny house in without feeling cramped.

 

 

Nice place!

[Crossy]

7 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Nice place!

 

Thanks, we like it ????

 

Not wishing to give our OP's lady any ideas but our construction thread is here ???? 

The trees have grown a lot since this photo was taken in 2016.

 

[WineOh]

2 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

Thanks, we like it ????

 

Not wishing to give our OP's lady any ideas but our construction thread is here 

 

Lovely house, Crossy!

 

Nice one mate ????

[KeeTua]

Two rai would be nice but the available parcels in the 'undisclosed location' will possibly dictate the size of lot you end up with. A one rai parcel in a desirable location, good access, views, breezes etc would be better than two rai in not so desirable location but then you may need to downsize your plans some. Good luck!

[villageidiotY2K]

How much was per rai? 

I've seen on korat land sale for 350kb and thinking it's not that expensive. Do land value go up in Thailand in those countryside? 

[Yellowtail]

13 minutes ago, villageidiotY2K said:

How much was per rai? 

I've seen on korat land sale for 350kb and thinking it's not that expensive. Do land value go up in Thailand in those countryside? 

 

yes

[NCC1701A]

3 hours ago, WineOh said:

or do we need more???

don't underestimate how fast everything grows here and the almost constant need to be cutting and trimming everything to keep it under control.  

[chrisandsu]

Depending on where? Land is hard to get , 1 rai plots are even harder in desirable places and the cost is really high . 3-5 million + per rai is not unusual . By the time you build all that you mentioned you  are paying western prices for a place you don’t even own . Remember a rai Is about a 1/3rd of an acre so for the price it’s not much land . 

[IvorBiggun2]

22 minutes ago, chrisandsu said:

1 rai plots are even harder in desirable places and the cost is really high . 3-5 million + per rai

Location, location, location. Plus, it depends on the lands title.

[1FinickyOne]

46 minutes ago, chrisandsu said:

Remember a rai Is about a 1/3rd of an acre so for the price it’s not much land

I had it calculated at .44 of an acre... 

 

But, yes, I think it would be really tight on 1 rai, maybe a little tight on 2 rai... 

 

On 6/26/2021 at 5:58 PM, villageidiotY2K said:

Do land value go up in Thailand in those countryside? 

Yes, land tends to be the best investment for Thai people as it is a steady line upwards in value... we started buying farmland near our somewhat remote village for 40,000 a rai 15 yrs ago and the same parcel is now nearly 200k a rai.. and in the meantime, the family has been farming it and making a living... 

[chrisandsu]

11 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

I had it calculated at .44 of an acre... 

 

But, yes, I think it would be really tight on 1 rai, maybe a little tight on 2 rai... 

 

Yes, land tends to be the best investment for Thai people as it is a steady line upwards in value... we started buying farmland near our somewhat remote village for 40,000 a rai 15 yrs ago and the same parcel is now nearly 200k a rai.. and in the meantime, the family has been farming it and making a living... 

yes it’s  0.4 of an acre which is just over 1/3rd and under half . $100k to $150 k for semi rural land (city is way more expensive) is really expensive and more then where most of us come from for similar land . Im only speaking about Chanote land as the rest of the titles are just a risk not worth taking . 

[bojo]

1 hour ago, chrisandsu said:

Depending on where? Land is hard to get , 1 rai plots are even harder in desirable places and the cost is really high . 3-5 million + per rai is not unusual . By the time you build all that you mentioned you  are paying western prices for a place you don’t even own . Remember a rai Is about a 1/3rd of an acre so for the price it’s not much land . 

I initially read your post and thought 'no way', but actually, you're on the money , I still have early noughties prices (land, labour and materials) in my head. Decent property in Thailand aint cheap anymore, let alone the fact that one doesn't really own it. No bad thing tho if you're doing the right thing by one's wife and family and it's your home...............To the OP................. not that you might need it, but consider buying as much land around your home so that you can control it. Cost effective Tor Bor 5 for example can provide insulation should you feel you need it........................................

[IvorBiggun2]

55 minutes ago, chrisandsu said:

Im only speaking about Chanote land as the rest of the titles are just a risk not worth taking . 

 

Top marks for that post Chrisandsu.

 

Tell you what is happening around where I live. People are not buying the land if it's just to build a house on. What they actually do is find someone who has Sor Por Kor land and ask them if they can build a house on their land. Obviously a sum of monies is involved and in exchange a letter will be produced signed by the person named on the title that they have gave permission for the build.

I personally only know of one case, so far, where this has happened. But my missus says it's common practice. My belief is that this is totally illegal and buyer beware. In this case it a farang and I'm somewhat hesitant to inform him. Not my plomplem.

Edited June 28, 2021 by IvorBiggun2

[1FinickyOne]

51 minutes ago, chrisandsu said:

yes it’s  0.4 of an acre which is just over 1/3rd and under half . $100k to $150 k for semi rural land (city is way more expensive) is really expensive and more then where most of us come from for similar land . Im only speaking about Chanote land as the rest of the titles are just a risk not worth taking . 

yes, I have been floored by the comparisons in price to what rural land might cost in the USA... though I have not been back in a long time... we looked at land that was 2-3MM baht per rai, with electric to the property.. nice land, but still, expensive... not 3rd world anymore...

 

and yes, absolutely, I have friends who "bought" or thought they bought non-chanote land only to discover they bought nothing... 

[chrisandsu]

1 hour ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

 

Top marks for that post Chrisandsu.

 

Tell you what is happening around where I live. People are not buying the land if it's just to build a house on. What they actually do is find someone who has Sor Por Kor land and ask them if they can build a house on their land. Obviously a sum of monies is involved and in exchange a letter will be produced signed by the person named on the title that they have gave permission for the build.

I personally only know of one case, so far, where this has happened. But my missus says it's common practice. My belief is that this is totally illegal and buyer beware. In this case it a farang and I'm somewhat hesitant to inform him. Not my plomplem.

My SIL has property in Pak chong , right next to it is a place called wang nam khio (spelling could be off) well that area is beautiful but it’s all national park area but the locals are still trying to sell it . The deals are great until you find out you own nothing but a piece of paper . Due diligence is certainly needed . 

[chrisandsu]

1 hour ago, 1FinickyOne said:

yes, I have been floored by the comparisons in price to what rural land might cost in the USA... though I have not been back in a long time... we looked at land that was 2-3MM baht per rai, with electric to the property.. nice land, but still, expensive... not 3rd world anymore...

 

and yes, absolutely, I have friends who "bought" or thought they bought non-chanote land only to discover they bought nothing... 

in comparison I bought 5 acres (around 13 rai) an hour from Seattle in Washington state for $50000 . That was 5 years ago and now it’s worth 4 times that but even then it only works out a little over $12000 per rai which is a little over 330k per rai (in quick maths) and this has marketable timber on it right off the bat . 

Edited June 28, 2021 by chrisandsu

[IvorBiggun2]

5 minutes ago, chrisandsu said:

My SIL has property in Pak chong , right next to it is a place called wang nam khio (spelling could be off) well that area is beautiful but it’s all national park area but the locals are still trying to sell it . The deals are great until you find out you own nothing but a piece of paper . Due diligence is certainly needed . 

The biggest backlog in the Thai courts is land disputes. They know the rules/laws but will always try and circumnavigate them for personal gain. Not just farangs that get bit.

[CharlieH]

We got 3 rai and its constant work keeping it under control.

As mentioned above, everything grows so damn fast.

From OP description 2 rai wouod be better, 3 is just hard work!

[1FinickyOne]

29 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

We got 3 rai and its constant work keeping it under control.

As mentioned above, everything grows so damn fast.

From OP description 2 rai wouod be better, 3 is just hard work!

agreed, we have 3.2 rai but 1 rai is a big pond w/tilapia... and still it is a lot of work... but it is really nice too... we have a gardner/caretaker...

[chrisandsu]

29 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

agreed, we have 3.2 rai but 1 rai is a big pond w/tilapia... and still it is a lot of work... but it is really nice too... we have a gardner/caretaker...

Now that’s the way to go ! Get a Gardner . Depending on the shape of the land and the grade 1 rai could be enough  . 

[CharlieH]

2 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

agreed, we have 3.2 rai but 1 rai is a big pond w/tilapia... and still it is a lot of work... but it is really nice too... we have a gardner/caretaker...

Yes you need help with it for sure, we are lucky the father in law enjoys woriing out there, do damn hot for me, I am done after about an hour or so and run for the a/c ????

[Orinoco]

OP, 1 Rai, Nah.

you need 1.5 or 2, 

or neighbors will be to close,

ditch swimming pool idea, to much aggro and money for upkeep.

[Orinoco]

On 6/26/2021 at 3:20 PM, IvorBiggun2 said:

How long is a piece of string? 

8 1/2, inches for me.

and no  complaints to date. ????