Thinking Of Buying

[corkman]

I'm sort of a Samui veteran, of sorts - been going there since 2000, have a Thai wife, etc..........

Thinking of buying a place in Samui..... this is to be a holiday home really, so I don't particularly want to be miles away from everything..... I wouldn't mind a location, something like blessing village, or in bang rak, or similar....

Where should I start looking? I don't particularly want the glitzy island tour in the big jeep, and the million baht commission of an expat real estate agent..... same time, I don't want to buy and plot from some dodgy local and build my own.......

advice, pointers, etc. all appreciated.

many thanks.......

[R1CH]

I'm sort of a Samui veteran, of sorts - been going there since 2000, have a Thai wife, etc..........

Thinking of buying a place in Samui..... this is to be a holiday home really, so I don't particularly want to be miles away from everything..... I wouldn't mind a location, something like blessing village, or in bang rak, or similar....

Where should I start looking? I don't particularly want the glitzy island tour in the big jeep, and the million baht commission of an expat real estate agent..... same time, I don't want to buy and plot from some dodgy local and build my own.......

advice, pointers, etc. all appreciated.

many thanks.......

You'll be lucky to get any genuine advice from the Samui expat crowd. They're mostly dodging bullets of their own. My advice to you is do your own research, you'll be able to rely on it. Speaking on personal experience... The majority of "advice" I've received from the long termers here has been either in their own interests to make a quick buck or to scare off competition. Samui is shark central & as long as you remember that you may do well.

Ooops.

[remy1960]

How much do you want to spend?

Inland or sea view etc?

Ready built or just the plot?

[John 1]

If it's just for a hoilday home even for 3 months a year it would be cheaper to rent a nice bungalow on the beach and still have money in your pocket.

[Geppis72]

I'm sort of a Samui veteran, of sorts - been going there since 2000, have a Thai wife, etc..........

Thinking of buying a place in Samui..... this is to be a holiday home really, so I don't particularly want to be miles away from everything..... I wouldn't mind a location, something like blessing village, or in bang rak, or similar....

Where should I start looking? I don't particularly want the glitzy island tour in the big jeep, and the million baht commission of an expat real estate agent..... same time, I don't want to buy and plot from some dodgy local and build my own.......

advice, pointers, etc. all appreciated.

many thanks.......

You'll be lucky to get any genuine advice from the Samui expat crowd. They're mostly dodging bullets of their own. My advice to you is do your own research, you'll be able to rely on it. Speaking on personal experience... The majority of "advice" I've received from the long termers here has been either in their own interests to make a quick buck or to scare off competition. Samui is shark central & as long as you remember that you may do well.

Ooops.

I believe that general statements are not real advises and do not help the OP, you can find genuine seller and genuine agencies, it depends from many factors,

its really up to you.

Personally I listen the opinions of everybody and at the hand I decide by my self, or better with the info's I got

I would go to specialist which could be the lawyer or the real estate agent and make some questions, if they are professional and genuine will

be easy to find out immediately. An agency take between 3 and 5% commission, which is the same then other countries so I do not see

such "dodgy" behavior if they are professional and carry correctly the job.

I would never ever buy by myself directly without above advises, as too many thinking to be "the Man" and deal by them self, those are

the ones who risk more and generally the same who complains after.....

[pavlovsdog]

Is it at all possible to buy legaly in Thailand. The company route seems to be illegal -using a nominee set up. Buying in the wifes name is illegal if the money comes from the ferang husband. So what way can a ferang buy without having the threat of future problems?

[carmine]

If it's just for a hoilday home even for 3 months a year it would be cheaper to rent a nice bungalow on the beach and still have money in your pocket.

Sound advice.

One other aspect to remember is do you really want to own a home that is going to be left empty for long strtches at a time, on an island where breakins are soaring basically because burglary takes place with almost total impunity.

There are loads of choices to rent at extremely reasonable prices

[maccaroni man]

I'm sort of a Samui veteran, of sorts - been going there since 2000, have a Thai wife, etc..........

Thinking of buying a place in Samui..... this is to be a holiday home really, so I don't particularly want to be miles away from everything..... I wouldn't mind a location, something like blessing village, or in bang rak, or similar....

Where should I start looking? I don't particularly want the glitzy island tour in the big jeep, and the million baht commission of an expat real estate agent..... same time, I don't want to buy and plot from some dodgy local and build my own.......

advice, pointers, etc. all appreciated.

many thanks.......

You'll be lucky to get any genuine advice from the Samui expat crowd. They're mostly dodging bullets of their own. My advice to you is do your own research, you'll be able to rely on it. Speaking on personal experience... The majority of "advice" I've received from the long termers here has been either in their own interests to make a quick buck or to scare off competition. Samui is shark central & as long as you remember that you may do well.

Ooops.

[bophutbob]

I'm sort of a Samui veteran, of sorts - been going there since 2000, have a Thai wife, etc..........

Thinking of buying a place in Samui..... this is to be a holiday home really, so I don't particularly want to be miles away from everything..... I wouldn't mind a location, something like blessing village, or in bang rak, or similar....

Where should I start looking? I don't particularly want the glitzy island tour in the big jeep, and the million baht commission of an expat real estate agent..... same time, I don't want to buy and plot from some dodgy local and build my own.......

advice, pointers, etc. all appreciated.

many thanks.......

It's a buyers market , genuine sellers should be discounting there products as every other genuine seller around the world is doing .

We have on our products !! , Happy hunting from a real estate person ( try to purchase on a convertible lease , so when you can legally own a property in Thailand you can convert to freehold ( negotiate ,negotiate negotiate )

[southwest19]

I'm sort of a Samui veteran, of sorts - been going there since 2000, have a Thai wife, etc..........

Thinking of buying a place in Samui..... this is to be a holiday home really, so I don't particularly want to be miles away from everything..... I wouldn't mind a location, something like blessing village, or in bang rak, or similar....

Where should I start looking? I don't particularly want the glitzy island tour in the big jeep, and the million baht commission of an expat real estate agent..... same time, I don't want to buy and plot from some dodgy local and build my own.......

advice, pointers, etc. all appreciated.

many thanks.......

I built a house a few hundred metres from Blessing Village and I have a few adjacent building plots for sale. Please PM me for more details and if it sounds interesting then pop round for a chat, no stings attached.

[ThaiBasil]

I'm sort of a Samui veteran, of sorts - been going there since 2000, have a Thai wife, etc..........

Thinking of buying a place in Samui..... this is to be a holiday home really, so I don't particularly want to be miles away from everything..... I wouldn't mind a location, something like blessing village, or in bang rak, or similar....

Where should I start looking? I don't particularly want the glitzy island tour in the big jeep, and the million baht commission of an expat real estate agent..... same time, I don't want to buy and plot from some dodgy local and build my own.......

advice, pointers, etc. all appreciated.

many thanks.......

What are you looking for?

- price range

- facilities/garden/swimming pool etc?

- number of bedrooms etc

- in a community or out (important to know as there are services involved and perhaps rental income as return if you are open to it)?

- is your mind open to resale/off-plan/do the whole thing from start yourself?

Yes I am able to help

Yes I would take the commission involved (but would not take you to the place where the highest commission is earned)

Greets,

Ruben

Edited August 13, 2009 by tiptip

[SamuiRes]

Is it at all possible to buy legaly in Thailand. The company route seems to be illegal -using a nominee set up. Buying in the wifes name is illegal if the money comes from the ferang husband. So what way can a ferang buy without having the threat of future problems?

Firstly the Company route is not illegal provided the Thai shareholders are not nominees.

Secondly the Thai wife of a foreigner may own land but he must sign away his rights to the funds he gave to her for that purpose.

Thirdly, a foreigner may own a Condomnium.

Fourthly, a house (as opposed to the land it sits on) can be owned in the name of a foreigner and registered as such. The land can either be leased or held under a legal company structure - ie no nominees.

[ady]

I built a house a few hundred metres from Blessing Village and I have a few adjacent building plots for sale. Please PM me for more details and if it sounds interesting then pop round for a chat, no stings attached.

Like the tag line - No stings attached!

[thairaid]

I'm sort of a Samui veteran, of sorts - been going there since 2000, have a Thai wife, etc..........

Thinking of buying a place in Samui..... this is to be a holiday home really, so I don't particularly want to be miles away from everything..... I wouldn't mind a location, something like blessing village, or in bang rak, or similar....

Where should I start looking? I don't particularly want the glitzy island tour in the big jeep, and the million baht commission of an expat real estate agent..... same time, I don't want to buy and plot from some dodgy local and build my own.......

advice, pointers, etc. all appreciated.

many thanks.......

you need a lawyer's guidance before you even talk to an agent, one that you pay and does not take commissions from the property agents on Samui...a GOOD lawyer that KNOWS what they are doing...not what folks opine on this thread...go get it, or feel sorry for yourself later.

[pavlovsdog]

Is it at all possible to buy legaly in Thailand. The company route seems to be illegal -using a nominee set up. Buying in the wifes name is illegal if the money comes from the ferang husband. So what way can a ferang buy without having the threat of future problems?

Firstly the Company route is not illegal provided the Thai shareholders are not nominees.

Secondly the Thai wife of a foreigner may own land but he must sign away his rights to the funds he gave to her for that purpose.

Thirdly, a foreigner may own a Condomnium.

Fourthly, a house (as opposed to the land it sits on) can be owned in the name of a foreigner and registered as such. The land can either be leased or held under a legal company structure - ie no nominees.

Maybe so but in reality most foriegners who have bought using a company have done so using nominee structure - as pushed by their lawyers. And as for buying in wifes name - who in their right mind would buy having to sign away rights to the funds.

I have never met anyone yet who hasn't regreted buying a house in Thailand.

Edited August 13, 2009 by pavlovsdog

[kosh]

Is it at all possible to buy legaly in Thailand. The company route seems to be illegal -using a nominee set up. Buying in the wifes name is illegal if the money comes from the ferang husband. So what way can a ferang buy without having the threat of future problems?

Firstly the Company route is not illegal provided the Thai shareholders are not nominees.

Secondly the Thai wife of a foreigner may own land but he must sign away his rights to the funds he gave to her for that purpose.

Thirdly, a foreigner may own a Condomnium.

Fourthly, a house (as opposed to the land it sits on) can be owned in the name of a foreigner and registered as such. The land can either be leased or held under a legal company structure - ie no nominees.

Maybe so but in reality most foriegners who have bought using a company have done so using nominee structure - as pushed by their lawyers. And as for buying in wifes name - who in their right mind would buy having to sign away rights to the funds.

I have never met anyone yet who hasn't regreted buying a house in Thailand.

I'm not surprised, only a very rich person or a very crazy one will buy a house at that condition....

[southwest19]

I built a house a few hundred metres from Blessing Village and I have a few adjacent building plots for sale. Please PM me for more details and if it sounds interesting then pop round for a chat, no stings attached.

Like the tag line - No stings attached!

Haha Whoops fat fingers.

[southwest19]

Is it at all possible to buy legaly in Thailand. The company route seems to be illegal -using a nominee set up. Buying in the wifes name is illegal if the money comes from the ferang husband. So what way can a ferang buy without having the threat of future problems?

Firstly the Company route is not illegal provided the Thai shareholders are not nominees.

Secondly the Thai wife of a foreigner may own land but he must sign away his rights to the funds he gave to her for that purpose.

Thirdly, a foreigner may own a Condomnium.

Fourthly, a house (as opposed to the land it sits on) can be owned in the name of a foreigner and registered as such. The land can either be leased or held under a legal company structure - ie no nominees.

Maybe so but in reality most foriegners who have bought using a company have done so using nominee structure - as pushed by their lawyers. And as for buying in wifes name - who in their right mind would buy having to sign away rights to the funds.

I have never met anyone yet who hasn't regreted buying a house in Thailand.

You need to get out more.

The vast majority of my friends either built their own houses or bought one and I cannot think of one myself included who has regretted this. It seems to me alot of the posts on this subject are made by people who have never actually bought in Thailand.

[carmine]

Is it at all possible to buy legaly in Thailand. The company route seems to be illegal -using a nominee set up. Buying in the wifes name is illegal if the money comes from the ferang husband. So what way can a ferang buy without having the threat of future problems?

Firstly the Company route is not illegal provided the Thai shareholders are not nominees.

Secondly the Thai wife of a foreigner may own land but he must sign away his rights to the funds he gave to her for that purpose.

Thirdly, a foreigner may own a Condomnium.

Fourthly, a house (as opposed to the land it sits on) can be owned in the name of a foreigner and registered as such. The land can either be leased or held under a legal company structure - ie no nominees.

Maybe so but in reality most foriegners who have bought using a company have done so using nominee structure - as pushed by their lawyers. And as for buying in wifes name - who in their right mind would buy having to sign away rights to the funds.

I have never met anyone yet who hasn't regreted buying a house in Thailand.

You need to get out more.

The vast majority of my friends either built their own houses or bought one and I cannot think of one myself included who has regretted this. It seems to me alot of the posts on this subject are made by people who have never actually bought in Thailand.

I too know people that have bought a house here and have no regrets whatsoever. I also know people that do regret their decision. No suprises there. But as an investment, it's much better to buy in the UK for the longterm financial gain, and take advantage of the huge range of offers here in the property rental market

Edited August 14, 2009 by carmine

[Geppis72]

Is it at all possible to buy legaly in Thailand. The company route seems to be illegal -using a nominee set up. Buying in the wifes name is illegal if the money comes from the ferang husband. So what way can a ferang buy without having the threat of future problems?

Firstly the Company route is not illegal provided the Thai shareholders are not nominees.

Secondly the Thai wife of a foreigner may own land but he must sign away his rights to the funds he gave to her for that purpose.

Thirdly, a foreigner may own a Condomnium.

Fourthly, a house (as opposed to the land it sits on) can be owned in the name of a foreigner and registered as such. The land can either be leased or held under a legal company structure - ie no nominees.

Maybe so but in reality most foriegners who have bought using a company have done so using nominee structure - as pushed by their lawyers. And as for buying in wifes name - who in their right mind would buy having to sign away rights to the funds.

I have never met anyone yet who hasn't regreted buying a house in Thailand.

You need to get out more.

The vast majority of my friends either built their own houses or bought one and I cannot think of one myself included who has regretted this. It seems to me alot of the posts on this subject are made by people who have never actually bought in Thailand.

100 % agree carmine and southwest19,

same story as always guys, old like the world,

you drive a nice car = you are a criminal or drug dealer

you have a nice lady = you must be rich otherwise why a nice lady should stay with you,

and as soon as you touch the property sector, again the Cheap Charlie around have their chance to speak up !

I'm not rich, but I do not blame who could afford to buy whatever toys they want, good for them !

To OP

Be smart and buy now, use an agent to make the research work for you, pay the job the agent does, use a serious lawyer pay him

enjoy your property !!

Every serious member of this forum could tell you which agency or lawyer you can use, just send a PM !

Verify the info given it does not cost you a penny, but worth millions.....

[pavlovsdog]

Is it at all possible to buy legaly in Thailand. The company route seems to be illegal -using a nominee set up. Buying in the wifes name is illegal if the money comes from the ferang husband. So what way can a ferang buy without having the threat of future problems?

Firstly the Company route is not illegal provided the Thai shareholders are not nominees.

Secondly the Thai wife of a foreigner may own land but he must sign away his rights to the funds he gave to her for that purpose.

Thirdly, a foreigner may own a Condomnium.

Fourthly, a house (as opposed to the land it sits on) can be owned in the name of a foreigner and registered as such. The land can either be leased or held under a legal company structure - ie no nominees.

Maybe so but in reality most foriegners who have bought using a company have done so using nominee structure - as pushed by their lawyers. And as for buying in wifes name - who in their right mind would buy having to sign away rights to the funds.

I have never met anyone yet who hasn't regreted buying a house in Thailand.

You need to get out more.

The vast majority of my friends either built their own houses or bought one and I cannot think of one myself included who has regretted this. It seems to me alot of the posts on this subject are made by people who have never actually bought in Thailand.

Vast majority of friends What a popular guy you must be. I bet you get out alot

[PatinBKk]

Is it at all possible to buy legaly in Thailand. The company route seems to be illegal -using a nominee set up. Buying in the wifes name is illegal if the money comes from the ferang husband. So what way can a ferang buy without having the threat of future problems?

Firstly the Company route is not illegal provided the Thai shareholders are not nominees.

Secondly the Thai wife of a foreigner may own land but he must sign away his rights to the funds he gave to her for that purpose.

Thirdly, a foreigner may own a Condomnium.

Fourthly, a house (as opposed to the land it sits on) can be owned in the name of a foreigner and registered as such. The land can either be leased or held under a legal company structure - ie no nominees.

Maybe so but in reality most foriegners who have bought using a company have done so using nominee structure - as pushed by their lawyers. And as for buying in wifes name - who in their right mind would buy having to sign away rights to the funds.

I have never met anyone yet who hasn't regreted buying a house in Thailand.

Wifes name is the easist option, a few million Baht isnt gonna break the bank if 5 years downt the line you seperate, basically, if you are that hard up, you may as well rent as buying is out of your price range.......I know lots of happy people here and have all bought in their partners name.

[corkman]

Thanks for all the replies everyone...... I've been the last few days going through the PM's

Everyone is asking what I want to do, but to tell the truth at this stage I really do not know myself until I test the waters....... I mean if I can build a 4 bed house with a pool on a couple of rai for 5m baht then that is one thing, on the other hand if a bedsit is knocking at around 5m then it is another thing entirely. I don't have a fixed budget as such, nor do I have fixed expectations - suffice to say I am very flexible at this stage...... I'm just looking for "good value"...... that could take the shape of a nice 2 bed apartment off chaweng for or a luxury 5bed mansion for ....... I just don't know until I get a feel for the market, and at this stage I am just testing the waters.

It is to be a holiday home to start with, but also I am thinking long term as an investment...... and the possiblity of relocating to Thailand in a couple of years is not out of bounds either..... I know there are "better" ways to invest money, and I know that "renting" is smarter if your there a couple of months. I am thinking long term, and over a long enough time scale property cannot help but appreciate in value.

Sharks in samui...... ...... I don't believe it ....... > yes, I know what you are saying, everyone owes someone for something and has their fingers in more pies than one (and toes, and head & neck for that matter). I know how Samui works, don't worry...... I have a good idea of what I'm in for. I've no intention of buying into a bar, or a nightclub, or a condo development, or any other ill conceived scheme or plan........ and the recommendation of getting a good lawyer is certainly a must. By "dodgy" agents, I mean for example a couple of years back (5 or so) I took my parents to Samui and we stayed in Chaweng Villa. A smooth talking property agent talked my parents into going on a "property tour"...... they were looking for a coll $500,000 for a small apartment in a swish complex...... I can only imagine what the margin was on the place, but at the time I wouldn't have paid B1m! I can do without the "high flyer" treatment is all that I was saying....... but at the same time I don't want to buy a plot of land that some mafioso won in a card game and built a house on it using someone elses money only to discover that it was actually zoned as farm land and the local government come along looking for a few bob to sort things out, only to discover that the bloke who originally owned the land (before he lost it in the card game) actually didn't own it at all, it was his fathers but it turns out when the father died it was left to another brother, who had previsouly taken out a loan for B500,000 to pay for a new hilux against the land, and the garage owner is now claiming the land as collateral as he defaulted on the loan, and the garage owners daughter is married to the first son of the cheif of police in samui who is himself the brother in law of the mayor of surat thani...... (are these the sharks that poster R1CH alluded to by I wonder???? LOL!!!).

All jokes aside, yes there are allot of nay sayers.... on Samui, on Thai-visa, and in general..... some of whom are talking from experience and some are just blowing on with BS...... some farang's are just muppets to be honest about it, with unrealistic or naive expectations and ideas...... some are paranoid..... but more still are just normal folks with normal ideas...... it takes all sorts.

Many thanks for the input...... my search continues.

Edited August 15, 2009 by corkman

[corkman]

Is it at all possible to buy legaly in Thailand. The company route seems to be illegal -using a nominee set up. Buying in the wifes name is illegal if the money comes from the ferang husband. So what way can a ferang buy without having the threat of future problems?

Firstly the Company route is not illegal provided the Thai shareholders are not nominees.

Secondly the Thai wife of a foreigner may own land but he must sign away his rights to the funds he gave to her for that purpose.

Thirdly, a foreigner may own a Condomnium.

Fourthly, a house (as opposed to the land it sits on) can be owned in the name of a foreigner and registered as such. The land can either be leased or held under a legal company structure - ie no nominees.

Maybe so but in reality most foriegners who have bought using a company have done so using nominee structure - as pushed by their lawyers. And as for buying in wifes name - who in their right mind would buy having to sign away rights to the funds.

I have never met anyone yet who hasn't regreted buying a house in Thailand.

Wifes name is the easist option, a few million Baht isnt gonna break the bank if 5 years downt the line you seperate, basically, if you are that hard up, you may as well rent as buying is out of your price range.......I know lots of happy people here and have all bought in their partners name.

Well our house at home is in my name, and worth allot more than anything we'll buy in thailand........ so I agree, if it all goes pear shaped and I loose the money, well thats just fine - she can have the thai house and I'll have the one at home..... Jokes aside, I wouldn't spend what I couldn't afford to loose. Some blokes have no faith or do not trust their mrs, or themselves, or whatever...... maybe they've married some free lancer or pinched some other blokes bird and they know to be a scam artist but they were unable to resist their charms and know deep down that they have a caged tiger on their hands and so they won't trust a couple of million baht to them....... all that's is fine by me, I don't judge, each to their own and whatever makes you happy and secure..... I am not of that persuation however and I would hope that other would respect my position as I repsect theirs.

Suffice to say, if I buy, it will be in the Thai mrs. name. If I trust her to bare my children, then a few quid is insignificant.

[zorro1]

I built a house a few hundred metres from Blessing Village and I have a few adjacent building plots for sale. Please PM me for more details and if it sounds interesting then pop round for a chat, no stings attached.

Like the tag line - No stings attached!

Haha Whoops fat fingers.

fat fingers or the subconscious doing the typing

[PoorSucker]

but at the same time I don't want to buy a plot of land that some mafioso won in a card game and built a house on it using someone elses money only to discover that it was actually zoned as farm land and the local government come along looking for a few bob to sort things out, only to discover that the bloke who originally owned the land (before he lost it in the card game) actually didn't own it at all, it was his fathers but it turns out when the father died it was left to another brother, who had previsouly taken out a loan for B500,000 to pay for a new hilux against the land, and the garage owner is now claiming the land as collateral as he defaulted on the loan, and the garage owners daughter is married to the first son of the cheif of police in samui who is himself the brother in law of the mayor of surat thani......

:D

[cdnvic]

That's how you spot someone who has done their research.

[skipdivils]

I would check out either samui sanctuary, or samui emerald. one is a small development of villas, the other more of a condo. i met the guys who run both those when i was looking there last winter, and thought they were honest to deal with and offered good value anyways. for me, i had dreams of the '2 rai with my custom-built home' but then when we started getting serious, my wife and i both thought that since we'd be away more than we are there, it is a better idea to be in a project that takes care of the place when you are not there. there are lots of those around all over the place. some seem more reasonable than others.....

good luck.

[les Dennis]

If your still looking, I can give you another option in the area you mentioned (with pool). PM me.