Owning A Condo - Pattaya Area - Managing Agents?

[Jersey_UK]

Hi Folks,

I have never been one for buying in Thailand - but looking back on it if I had known how much I would be spending on Hotels over the years, I probably have bought SOMEONE a condo! (LOL)...........and BMW's for a few Bar Owners

Anyway, that is besides the point.

What I am thinking of doing is buying a Condo somewhere Pattaya way (not too bothered where, as long it is in reach of all the naughty bits of an evening - even if it is a decent taxi ride away BUT also also far enough away so that anyone I let stay at the condo (ie Joe Soap, his wife and 2 kids) do not walk out of the Condo straight into Katoeyville-sur-le-mer etc but instead have access to a "normal" seaside holiday experiance - albeit not a beachfront apartment.

The idea of buying somewhere is so I (and possibly a "we") can go on holiday for periods from a couple of weeks up to a couple of months at a time as and when work commitments and the mood dictates without the aggro of having to book somewhere (lazy and bit of an expensive way to do it I know - especially as it will probably be empty most of the time). BUT also I want to be able to let freinds, Family and Business Associates use it for buckshee (Hence the requirement for it to be somewhere fairly "normal" - I would be happy enough with a Tin Shack on top of a knocking shop )

Having said all that, a bit of rental income would not go amiss, but only to the extent that it covered the utilities / property costs each year - so once bought the place was not incurring costs.

My Questions(finally!) are:-

1) What sort of aggravation has been involved by folk in practice in leaving a Condo empty in Thailand (and esp. Pattaya area - ie not in the "sticks"!). I figure that with a Condo in a reasonable block it will have fair enough 24/7 security, but I am sure that word soon gets out when somewhere is empty and whilst I would not be intending to leave the crown jewels in the Condo, I would not want the aggro of turning up and someone had knicked my sofa and TV etc, let alone them having moved in and used it as a doss house. Do folk also use any Managing Agents in addition to the building Security and if so what sort of costs are involved?

2) Also although I have never bothered to drive anywhere myself in Thailand so far, with a permanent base their is no reason why I would not buy a car of some sort - anyone have any experiance of leaving a vehicle unattended in Thailand for long periods of time? Do you just park it up at the Condo or make special arrangements for it to be looked after (I am thinking more of making sure no-one nicks it, rather than someone making sure it still runs!)

3) I would need a Condo with at least one

seperate

Bedroom, in a block with a Pool, decent internet and with 24/7 security, looking at the various websites I reckon 3 million Baht should get somewhere at least reasonable - any thoughts, suggestions for areas / buildings?

Anyway, not too worried about selling it again, or it being "a good investment" (LOL) - just somewhere warm to f#ck off to when it is cold and is reasonably conveniant by the seaside and which I can tailor to my tastes, which cannot be done with a rental - but which would stay in good nick even if I was not around.

Edited April 8, 2006 by Jersey_UK