September/october What's The Difference?

[raybona]

Hi, We were planning to arrive in CM end October, but as many people, we prefer yesterday before tomorrow.

With this we mean that we would like to come end September instead of end October.

But, if we do, we would lose 15.000 Baht because of our current rental contract!

So my question is, would it pay of in the long term to come and rent a house on 1st. October, or 1st.November(when high season starts)?

We are talking long term rental 1 year +, or do you think it don't make any difference whenever we arrive ?

We've had some replies from local brokers who told us not to believe the prices advertised in the real estate websites, because that is a scam ?

What to do, we have to react quick because of tickets, dog, etc.

Thanks in advance,

Ray

[wolfmanjack]

You are not giving us enough information to give an answer. If you are renting a thai style house then the season does not matter.

[Steve2UK]

Stick to your original plan and stay in Goa the full term...........

High or low season has no bearing on 1-year + rental contracts - by definition they are all-season.

Real estate website rents are not a scam as such - just generally pitched higher than you can expect to get dealing direct with an owner. Like just about everything else here [and maybe Goa], it's a negotiation anyhow.

[Gravelrash]

Yes, definitely avoid real estate agents as the forum suggests. Just arrive and start walking around until you find a house with a for rent sign that may or may not be in English. That or ride around in a taxi searching, he will no doubt get a good deal for you. Like wise Thai owners love foreigners so much they will immediately give you a great rate, Thailand is famous for fair pricing and never overcharging foreigners.

Like wise the owners advertising in the newspaper and magazines. You see they don't use agents and pay for their own ads because they want to rent you the house cheaper, it isn't about pocketing that commission themselves, they want to pass it on to you.

Back to reality. If you are just arriving and don't know the area use an agent to find a house, you can make offers on properties if you think too pricey. Expats have the time (often lots of it) to network and find the cheapest deal, or more likely they give their Thai wife find it for them, they forget that it isn't that easy if you are just off the plane. Also on one year contracts the price will be the same when ever you arrive. If you try to get a 3 month lease in high season then the owner will probably up the price.

[Steve2UK]

Yes, definitely avoid real estate agents as the forum suggests. Just arrive and start walking around until you find a house with a for rent sign that may or may not be in English. That or ride around in a taxi searching, he will no doubt get a good deal for you. Like wise Thai owners love foreigners so much they will immediately give you a great rate, Thailand is famous for fair pricing and never overcharging foreigners.

Like wise the owners advertising in the newspaper and magazines. You see they don't use agents and pay for their own ads because they want to rent you the house cheaper, it isn't about pocketing that commission themselves, they want to pass it on to you.

Back to reality. If you are just arriving and don't know the area use an agent to find a house, you can make offers on properties if you think too pricey. Expats have the time (often lots of it) to network and find the cheapest deal, or more likely they give their Thai wife find it for them, they forget that it isn't that easy if you are just off the plane. Also on one year contracts the price will be the same when ever you arrive. If you try to get a 3 month lease in high season then the owner will probably up the price.

Huh? Why all the uncalled-for, unhelpful and unfunny sarcasm? The OP has been advised before (as seems to be best advice given to all new arrivals for the long-term market) to book into a guest-house or economical hotel for a week or two and use that time to look around and get to know the lay of the land a bit. Nothing beats getting a feel for the different areas and types of rental home available to inform and equip yourself to make a sensible decision. There are many ways to do that - possibly including an agent taking you around to some options not to mention get a map and drive around yourself. Taxi driver to do the negotiating - where did you pull that notion from? By his own account, the OP has lived in many parts of the world - so finding a decent home at a decent price in CM shouldn't be too much of an issue.

[Blinky Bill]

For <deleted>'s sake, just come to Chiang Mai and find out for yourself. If it all turns to <deleted> you won't be too much out of pocket. It has been done before.

You are an expat in Goa so why so much concern about coming to Chiang Mai?

Many Chiang Mai "experts" will tell you it isn't easy but believe good old Blinkly Bill, it is easy.

[lannarebirth]

If I were in your position, I'd come at the end of October. Rainy season will be nearly over by then. I'd prebook now, one month in a turnkey condo and riverside tables at the Riverside / GoodView for Loy Khratong. During the month of November I'd go looking for the house I might want to rent.

[Steve2UK]

For <deleted>'s sake, just come to Chiang Mai and find out for yourself. If it all turns to <deleted> you won't be too much out of pocket. It has been done before.

You are an expat in Goa so why so much concern about coming to Chiang Mai?

Many Chiang Mai "experts" will tell you it isn't easy but believe good old Blinkly Bill, it is easy.

BB.................. spot on!

(never thought I'd say it )

[rishi]

Not so hasty? This young man obviously is in dire need of a lot of help from experienced persons. Didn't you notice the questionmark in:

"We've had some replies from local brokers who told us not to believe the prices advertised in the real estate websites, because that is a scam ?"

So, since he doesn't know how to judge by himself - which are more reliable: real estate brokers without a website or real estate brokers with a website?

[raybona]

For <deleted>'s sake, just come to Chiang Mai and find out for yourself. If it all turns to <deleted> you won't be too much out of pocket. It has been done before.

You are an expat in Goa so why so much concern about coming to Chiang Mai?

Many Chiang Mai "experts" will tell you it isn't easy but believe good old Blinkly Bill, it is easy.

BB.................. spot on!

(never thought I'd say it )

Hi, Steve2UK, BB, and all of you guys.

First of all thanks for the interesting replies, it made us make up our minds for arriving in October.

By the way, we are not so concerned, but we're just trying to compare the difference between there and here, because here, no matter who you are (even Indians themselves) are getting ripped off all the time. So it's obviously the opposite here, because it's seasonal.

Eg. you want to rent a place in Juli (Monsoon), you get it for 10.000, the same place in November cost you 50.000 (year long contract),

so you consider yourself a good bargainer if you get it for 30.000 !!

So CM and Goa are two different worlds, thank God for that.

See you there end October.

Cheers.

[gpdjohn]

For <deleted>'s sake, just come to Chiang Mai and find out for yourself. If it all turns to <deleted> you won't be too much out of pocket. It has been done before.

You are an expat in Goa so why so much concern about coming to Chiang Mai?

Many Chiang Mai "experts" will tell you it isn't easy but believe good old Blinkly Bill, it is easy.

Ditto.

Came in from BKK with one day notice.

Rented a hotel, and a car.

Had a house within 3 days.

It's almost to easy....

[Mapguy]

For <deleted>'s sake, just come to Chiang Mai and find out for yourself. If it all turns to <deleted> you won't be too much out of pocket. It has been done before.

You are an expat in Goa so why so much concern about coming to Chiang Mai?

Many Chiang Mai "experts" will tell you it isn't easy but believe good old Blinkly Bill, it is easy.

Now, now! Calm down, BB.