Should I buy a condo or rent?

[cowboys2008]

I'm retiring soon. Should I buy a condo for about $125,000 or rent?

[G_Money]

How long is a piece of string?

 

No perfect answer for your question.  Each person’s situation is different.

 

For me renting is the answer in Thailand.  Owning only in the USA.

 

For whatever reason being able to grab my passport and walk away on short notice if needed.  PRICELESS!

 

Even forfeiting my Vespa 150 and my wardrobe.

Edited 1 hour ago by G_Money

[KhunLA]

How long have you lived in TH, and how many different places ?

 

Where are you located now ?  Just noticed HH/Cha Am area.

 

How long do you plan on owning it ?  More than 12 years to be even close to a financial break even, relative to other expenses.

 

$125k USD = ฿4.3M ... or ฿30k monthly rent for 12 years.  Of course your age will be a factor.  What it will be worth in 12 yrs, along with condo fees.   If getting full ROI, then very nice, you've lived here 12 ish year, rent free.  Even if market drops 50%, still should beat rent.

 

3 basic question.  Don't expect to make a profit, if and when selling, especially if owning 5-10 yrs.  RE is an excellent investment, IF, it has land, as that seem to be the only part of it that appreciates.   I've had 3 house builds, sold 2, and only the land appreciation gave us any return/profit when selling.   Profit & living basically rent free, so all good.

 

Location location location of course, but if your budget is $125k USD, then you won't be in any primo, appreciating location, usually.  Or it will be rather small.  Can you do small, and have you done small yet.  I would think it gets old very fast.

 

Excellent advice below, and yes, definitely rent for a year, at any place you plan on buying in.

Edited 1 hour ago by KhunLA

[BKKKevin]

Most buildings have rentals available… I would rent in a building before buying… You can see if you really like the building and neighborhood… While renting you also get to scope out all the units available for sale and most likely get a better deal… 
 

Remember it’s easy to buy but not so easy to sell…

Edited 1 hour ago by BKKKevin

[BKKKevin]

Right now a 10 year US Treasuries give you a 4.5% return…

That translates to about 15,000 baht/month for your $125k…

My bet is any ~$4 million baht condo you find to buy will rent for less than 15,000 baht/month…

Edited 1 hour ago by BKKKevin