Teardowns In Thailand?

[fxm88]

Is it often stated that the market for "secondhand" houses in Thailand is limited but I haven't seen much discussion about teardowns: buying land + a house, completely demolishing the house and building a new one. There are some surprisingly nice locations that are totally blighted by its buildings.

Some issues I can think of that might be involved in this are:

Just how hard is it to demolish the standard Thai monolithic concrete house? It's doubtful that inviting your friends to a "demolition party" would make much of a dent (and might require work permits?), so it's probably a job for professionals: what might that cost? And how much for carting away and disposing of the rubble?

Are there any special permits needed to demolish a house? Does one need a whole new tabien baan or does the old one transfer to the new house? Can one sidestep these issues by calling it a remodel/makeover? If the new house is in a different location on the property?

Finally, when negotiating to purchase the land and house should one reveal your plans to the seller? Might they be willing to concede that the house is in fact worthless, and lower the price? Or would they be insulted (especially if they're Thai) by what you think of their home, and raise the price or refuse to sell?

Thoughts?

[manao1]

Hello, I am the only home inspector in Phuket. It is my experience to let the Thai owner know the house is worthless and you are buying for land only. The Thai people have everything down to the 1 Baht they know what their land is worth and if they think the house is worth anything they know that too. let them know in no uncertain terms the house is not what you are intrested in but the land only. All Thais know you do not want to live in their old house, because you have big money. If they think the house is worth something they will not move to much on the price anyway so you have nouthing to loose. Tearing down a house costs about 50,000 baht for something 200 square meters on phuket. That includes hauling away everything. Check with your local area if you need a permit it will not cost much anyway. The company tearing down is in the best position to get a permit if one is needed. You should be able to use the same house number on the new home. All the best On top Property inspections. WWW.homeinspectionsphuket.com

[Moonfruit]

Hello, I am the only home inspector in Phuket. It is my experience to let the Thai owner know the house is worthless and you are buying for land only. The Thai people have everything down to the 1 Baht they know what their land is worth and if they think the house is worth anything they know that too. let them know in no uncertain terms the house is not what you are intrested in but the land only. All Thais know you do not want to live in their old house, because you have big money. If they think the house is worth something they will not move to much on the price anyway so you have nouthing to loose. Tearing down a house costs about 50,000 baht for something 200 square meters on phuket. That includes hauling away everything. Check with your local area if you need a permit it will not cost much anyway. The company tearing down is in the best position to get a permit if one is needed. You should be able to use the same house number on the new home. All the best On top Property inspections. WWW.homeinspectionsphuket.com

Im afraid i disagree with you there manao. Nobody is Thailand can possibly know what their land is worth, as land doesnt have a banchmark value here. It is simply worth what somebody is willing to pay for it. Hence, you can buy beachfront land in the same town, plots next door to each other even with prices differing up to 800 or even at a push 1000%.

Thai people are very shrewd, but dont generally know what their posessions are worth. They are worth more to them, than most potential buyers are willing to pay.

[HomeInspector]

Throughout most of the world land is worth what people are willing to pay. It is the same in Thailand. If the going rate in the area is 4 million a rai and one Thai said I am in no hurry I will try to sell for 5 million, when and if he sells all other Thais hear the news and then they too sell for a million more and we contiue to pay it so the land contiues to go upward. There are some cases where a Thai may not know their land has a great view because trees are in the way. Some even sell sea view for the same price as land in the same area without seaview, but generally they know what others have sold for and will hold out for the same. Sometimes one is desperate for money and will give a good deal, these seem to be in just a few cases. This Thai knows what his land is worth and puts a value on his house and ads them up. If you pay for the house and then tear it down you just paid more for the land.

[astral]

I am not sure about the demolishion side.

You do need a permit to build or extend.

I live in Sri Racha, Chonburi and when we extended our house we had to submit the drawings to the local Tessabahn office.

I don't know how much time they spent studying the drawings,

but the inspection at the house, prior to building was very cursory.

There was no check afterwards, so we could have done what we liked.

I am told that if you build up country there is no need to apply for permission, but I cannot confirm this.

[fxm88]

I've located a sweet little piece of land with an abandoned derelict house on it. I've asked the neighbors about it but they don't seem to know who owns it and tell me that one has lived in it for years. How do I find out who owns this piece of land?

[Dragonman]

I've located a sweet little piece of land with an abandoned derelict house on it. I've asked the neighbors about it but they don't seem to know who owns it and tell me that one has lived in it for years. How do I find out who owns this piece of land?

Make sure you have the exact address and go to local Land Office. Ownership is on Public Record if it's registered.