Moving homes in Thailand can be stressful

[webfact]

file photo

 

OPINION | by Michael Bridge

Having moved to Thailand in 2010, I arrived in Bangkok having very little knowledge of where to live.

Of course, most ex-pats at the time stayed close to Sukhumvit road, so I found a one-bedroom condominium for THB40,000 a month near Asoke.

A lot nowadays, but after living in Dubai it seemed cheap at the time.

I stayed in Bangkok for three years until the Red shirt riots and pollution got to me.

I, therefore, decided to move to Pattaya for fresh air and more peaceful existence.

Pattaya for Fresh Air

So far, I have lived in several condominiums including Cozy Beach, Pratamnak, and an incredibly quiet Na Jomtien duplex in a fishing village.

This week after three years of living in a condominium in Pratamnak I am moving again.

My reason as an ex-pat nomad for this move, was I felt I needed a new view and a bigger swimming pool to get some exercise.

Price was also a factor, as I realised with a world recession on the boil, that I needed to reduce my overheads.

Condominium hunting

I started to look for a new condominium to move to in early May, thinking that as this is the low season, I would have a pick of the crop.

How wrong could I be!

I started looking for somewhere around the Cozy Beach area and virtually every juristic I spoke to said their building was full.

Of course, I went to several realtors as well, who suggested I look at their websites which I did.

I noticed that most posted several condominiums in the rental sections, which when you clicked on their photos then told you it was rented for the next 3-9 months.

Very frustrating!!!

I was also surprised how many units had awful developer’s furniture packages, with two-seater sofa beds and queen-sized beds in very bright colours.

If I were planning to buy a new condominium for rental income, I know that a decent furniture package in subdued colours would give my unit a head start.

Anyway, having eventually looked at a variety of condominiums in Pratamnak and Jomtien areas, I eventually came across a place that suited me.

Smaller but better

Although my new condominium is slightly smaller, it does come with great sea views and a sea breeze to keep the place cool without going crazy with the air con.

It also came with a large sunny pool and restaurant too.

It is amazing what clutter we gather in our lives, so when it came to packing up, I was fairly ruthless with throwing items away.

Of course, the physical move is a pain, but with some helpful Thais and a pickup truck it went smoothly.

However, I was so exhausted that the unpacking will take a week to complete.

Now all I need is to get the juristic lady to register my new address with the immigration.

I think I may not be ringing any realtors for a bit hopefully. 

 

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[Peterw42]

28 minutes ago, webfact said:

every juristic I spoke to said their building was full.

 

28 minutes ago, webfact said:

Now all I need is to get the juristic lady to register my new address with the immigration.

Not sure why you think the condo juristic has anything to do with these aspects. The Juristic doesn't rent out condos, and has little to no knowledge of private rentals done by private owners. While some Juristics may do TM30 as an additional service to owners, its not their responsibility, they are not the owner, landlord etc.

[ezzra]

Best will be to buy your own pad in Pattaya, as i think prices will firm up soon now that Thailand is opening up and them Chinese and Indian are coming over en-mess,

I my self looking to buy a 2 BR around Cozy beach very soon i reckon it will be a wise investment since i have a big place already in a Sukhumvit condo...

[ThailandRyan]

17 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Best will be to buy your own pad in Pattaya, as i think prices will firm up soon now that Thailand is opening up and them Chinese and Indian are coming over en-mess,

I my self looking to buy a 2 BR around Cozy beach very soon i reckon it will be a wise investment since i have a big place already in a Sukhumvit condo...

Indians en-mass Yes, Chinese No!  The Chinese government is holding them close to home.  Now the Hong Kongers, and Mongolians yes they will be traveling but not en-mass.  Market still has a long way to go to firm up.  Had a friend head to Pattaya from the US, instead of worrying about prices increase as he travels back and forth every 3 months he rented a condo long term (1 year) cost him the same as if he rented for 6 months back in 2019, so he will have family visit when he is not here......smart man.  Prices firming up, no, they still have a long way to go.  Folks who are holding to their expectations are looking at facing some months without renters until tourism returns.

[PremiumLane]

Thoughts and prayers during those difficult and troubling times 

[stoner]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

However, I was so exhausted that the unpacking will take a week to complete.

a week to unpack a 1 bedroom condo ? i can see why all this is so stressful for you. 

[redwood1]

So did you get a deal on the new place?

[KhunLA]

Moving to rentals ... oh please, piece of cake.

 

On my 3rd house build ... never again.

 

Edited June 17, 2022 by KhunLA

[CharlieH]

Derogatory generalisation removed.

[soi3eddie]

5 hours ago, ezzra said:

Best will be to buy your own pad in Pattaya, as i think prices will firm up soon now that Thailand is opening up and them Chinese and Indian are coming over en-mess,

I my self looking to buy a 2 BR around Cozy beach very soon i reckon it will be a wise investment since i have a big place already in a Sukhumvit condo...

Hard to tell if you are serious or joking. No Chinese coming back anytime soon. Are Indians big spenders on condos? Global recession (or depression a possibility), overbuilding everywhere and some condos in Bangkok being slashed in price. "Wise investment" Nah! Possibly an opportunity to buy somewhere for rest of life but little chance of any price appreciation - or even worthwhile rental income.

 

Edited June 17, 2022 by soi3eddie

[PJ71]

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Moving to rentals ... oh please, piece of cake.

 

On my 3rd house build ... never again.

 

Building a house and buying a conndo is comparing apples to oranges.

[PJ71]

3 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

some condos in Bangkok being slashed in price

Any info about where, love a bargain and would like a place in BKK.

 

Thanks.

[Tropposurfer]

Moving is considered to be one of the events of life that triggers grief.

 

Its about 2/3rds down the list in cascading order of perceived intensity and importance. Thankfully, like our merry poster pointed out, here in LOS there's always a willing happy bunch of locals with utes to help make the job way easier.

Edited June 17, 2022 by Tropposurfer

[soi3eddie]

2 hours ago, PJ71 said:

Any info about where, love a bargain and would like a place in BKK.

 

Thanks.

Some info here about IDEO MOBI condos https://www.facebook.com/ananda.pcl/posts/10157717061813650/ Translate to English. Up to 42% off! Doesn't mean it's a bargain though. Good luck.

 

[jacko45k]

23 hours ago, ezzra said:

Best will be to buy your own pad in Pattaya, as i think prices will firm up soon now that Thailand is opening up and them Chinese and Indian are coming over en-mess,

I my self looking to buy a 2 BR around Cozy beach very soon i reckon it will be a wise investment since i have a big place already in a Sukhumvit condo...

'en-mess', very droll. ????

[mikebell]

23 hours ago, ezzra said:

Chinese and Indian are coming over en-mess,

Sums them up perfectly.

[newnative]

     Liked your post.  My partner and I have moved about 16 times since we arrived in Thailand 11 years ago--starting with two moves when we lived in Rayong.  We've managed to move twice in Bangkok and we don't even live there full-time.  Since our arrival, we've been buying a condo, fixing it up, selling it, and moving on to the next one--which explains all our moves.  

     Most of our moves have been in Pattaya--at least a dozen--and we've been about all over the area--from south Jomtien to Wong Amat and about every point in between the two.  Now, we are exploring the last frontier for us here--the Darkside.  Recently we did our first house, on the Darkside, sold it, and have just started a renovation on a second one.  Hopefully, this might be our last move--but we've said that before.  Color us restless.

     Moving can be stressful, no doubt about it.  We attempt to make things easier by trying to always avoid having to do a quick move.  We don't like the pressure of having to get everything moved in just a day or two so we usually arrange to have several weeks or more.  We sell our properties mostly furnished so we are primarily moving some treasured antiques, artwork, decorative items, housewares, linens, and personal items.  It's still a lot--but no large items like king beds, sofas, dining sets, etc.

     Every item we always take with us on our moves can fit into our large SUV--although a move takes numerous trips back and forth.  We don't have to rent a moving truck and we do the moves ourselves, taking our time.   One of the best things about moving so often is it has kept us from accumulating a lot of useless stuff that we don't really need or use--although some items I consider useless have inexplicably made the cut move after move.  

    When my parents retired from living around the World they bought a retirement house, never moved in over 38 years of retirement, and accumulated a ton of stuff--they never threw away anything on the dubious theory that they 'might need it sometime'.   If nothing else, my partner and I are not pack rats.   Good luck with your move (s).

     

[Nong Khai Man]

TRYING To SELL A House is even more Stressful,Ours been on the market for almost 3 Years now had a Few Viewers but after they all " Like It "They Go Away & We Never hear from them Again,Even though we have reduced the asking price...

[Excel]

30 minutes ago, newnative said:

My partner and I have moved about 16 times since we arrived in Thailand 11 years ago

Seems like with that number of moves in a short time as well as you owning a large SUV, perhaps a caravan would be more convenient for you ? ????

[ThailandRyan]

1 hour ago, Nong Khai Man said:

TRYING To SELL A House is even more Stressful,Ours been on the market for almost 3 Years now had a Few Viewers but after they all " Like It "They Go Away & We Never hear from them Again,Even though we have reduced the asking price...

Location is the key unfortunately, how is the surrounding neighborhood? Is it in a Moo Ban or on property.

[PJ71]

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

Location is the key unfortunately, how is the surrounding neighborhood? Is it in a Moo Ban or on property.

Price is key.

[jacko45k]

19 hours ago, Nong Khai Man said:

TRYING To SELL A House is even more Stressful,Ours been on the market for almost 3 Years now had a Few Viewers but after they all " Like It "They Go Away & We Never hear from them Again,Even though we have reduced the asking price...

I have houses around me that I suspect have spent a total of 20+ years on the market... varying from near a decade to a year or two. That said one did sell quickly..... 

[dj230]

On 6/17/2022 at 8:56 AM, ezzra said:

Best will be to buy your own pad in Pattaya, as i think prices will firm up soon now that Thailand is opening up and them Chinese and Indian are coming over en-mess,

I my self looking to buy a 2 BR around Cozy beach very soon i reckon it will be a wise investment since i have a big place already in a Sukhumvit condo...

How is the real estate market holding in Thailand? 
 

after coming to bangkok and renting a condo, I’d never buy a condo in Thailand, the condos aren’t very well built and this was a top developer (ap Thai) so I can’t imagine lower end developers 

[ThailandRyan]

17 hours ago, PJ71 said:

Price is key.

Not if its in a feces encrusted community with surrounding properties abandoned and downtrodden. But yeah a price of free then would be about right.

[ThailandRyan]

35 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I have houses around me that I suspect have spent a total of 20+ years on the market... varying from near a decade to a year or two. That said one did sell quickly..... 

Sad when people are unmotivated to sell at a reduced price due to greed.

[newnative]

19 hours ago, Nong Khai Man said:

TRYING To SELL A House is even more Stressful,Ours been on the market for almost 3 Years now had a Few Viewers but after they all " Like It "They Go Away & We Never hear from them Again,Even though we have reduced the asking price...

      Just a couple of suggestions.  Make sure it is listed with as many agencies as possible.  Since it has been on the market for awhile, check the agency websites to make sure it is still listed and hasn't been dropped.   Sometimes I have to send a listing several times before an agency gets it listed.  If you haven't already done so I would list it yourself on Facebook, Craigslist, Hipflat, Bahtsold, etc.  Mention in your listings that agents are welcome.

     I would also send an email reminder to agencies letting them know it is still for sale and include some new photos so they will have it fresh in their minds.  Also remind them of the new, reduced asking price so they can adjust their listings with the new price if they have not already done so.

     When you get a viewing, it's a good idea to check with the agent afterwards to get their feedback on what the client liked and, perhaps, didn't like.  If the clients you have had are liking your property but not buying it, try to discover what is the reason--you might be able to work on that.   Good luck with your sale.

      

[Damrongsak]

20 hours ago, newnative said:

Moving can be stressful, no doubt about it.  We attempt to make things easier by trying to always avoid having to do a quick move.  We don't like the pressure of having to get everything moved in just a day or two so we usually arrange to have several weeks or more.  We sell our properties mostly furnished so we are primarily moving some treasured antiques, artwork, decorative items, housewares, linens, and personal items.  It's still a lot--but no large items like king beds, sofas, dining sets, etc.

 

Every item we always take with us on our moves can fit into our large SUV--although a move takes numerous trips back and forth.  We don't have to rent a moving truck and we do the moves ourselves, taking our time.   One of the best things about moving so often is it has kept us from accumulating a lot of useless stuff that we don't really need or use--although some items I consider useless have inexplicably made the cut move after move.  

    When my parents retired from living around the World they bought a retirement house, never moved in over 38 years of retirement, and accumulated a ton of stuff--they never threw away anything on the dubious theory that they 'might need it sometime'.   If nothing else, my partner and I are not pack rats.   Good luck with your move (s).

I did one move in a day or two in the U.S. . Put stuff in the truck, go to the lawyers and close on one house, go to the next lawyers and close on the new one and then move into the new one same day.  And it's drizzling rain.  Brutal. 

 

Been in the current house for about 28 years.  I have about 3 metric tons of machines and tools and whatnot in the garage alone. 

20 hours ago, newnative said:

     

 

[Onerak]

On 6/16/2022 at 8:39 PM, Peterw42 said:

Not sure why you think the condo juristic has anything to do with these aspects. The Juristic doesn't rent out condos, and has little to no knowledge of private rentals done by private owners. While some Juristics may do TM30 as an additional service to owners, its not their responsibility, they are not the owner, landlord etc.

Jurist staff know most condos on rental and they can hook you up with the agent or owner who is going to rent it. I was successful both in Bangkok and Pattaya using Juristic staff. 

[ThailandRyan]

Just now, Onerak said:

Jurist staff know most condos on rental and they can hook you up with the agent or owner who is going to rent it. I was successful both in Bangkok and Pattaya using Juristic staff. 

My condo here in Bangkok has a separate office in the front lobby arethat at they run and has rentals available.....the main juristic office also has almost all of the floor plans for each unit that the engineering department can use if there is a problem. They also screen all visitors to the building and make visiting folks, and anyone who is going to do work on your unit get checked in.  You must also personally come down and escort them up.

[jacko45k]

25 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Sad when people are unmotivated to sell at a reduced price due to greed.

Agreed, the one that did sell quickly I thought was a low price.