guys , i am really ( I MEAN REALLY) confused with the following issue , any comments , suggestions would be highly appreciated , esp from those OLDER/WISER heads in TV ,

1. i am going to be in thailand ( BKK) for a relatively short period of time ( 2-3 yrs), so what would you guys suggest " Buying a condo or Renting One"

2. although a long way away , i am worried about its fate if i eventually buy one , shall i hold it and probably rent it , or sell it and move on? would renting it ( which is gonna give me some source of income as well is a logical way to go??

( I am leaning towards buyin one and possibly selling it , but since i am young(..ish) it is going to strecth my resource to the max , and any market volatilty say in 3 yrs time ( real estate pricing , exchange rate fluctuation) would hit me very hard ,

3. are there any areas in bangkok that you would label as " Hotstops" or any area that you say is a " Definate NO-NO" based on factors like its worth , future value , security , surrounding and accessibility ?

looking for some help guys to make my mind......

Lil Jon,

To really answer this question we would need to know what sort of budget you have to purchase a condo, it is the difference between a studio in the outskirts or a 2 bedroom with amenities in the Sukhumvit area.

No need to be confused.

Rent!

It looks from your post that you don't have experience in the real estate market.

If you look around in Bangkok there are many, and let me stress that MANY condos for rent. If you buy one you will be one of thousands that offer one for rent. Not the best position to be in.

Rent.

Do not buy property overseas unless you really understand:

1.The country

2.The market

3. And not least the currency implications.

Rent.

Do not buy property overseas unless you really understand:

1.The country

2.The market

3. And not least the currency implications.

Follow those hallowed words to the letter.

it is going to strecth my resource to the max , and any market volatilty say in 3 yrs time ( real estate pricing , exchange rate fluctuation) would hit me very hard

I think you have answered this one yourself. Although property speculation can offer significant potential gains over renting, it is just that - speculation. You only accept a level of risk that you can afford to take and from your post, it does not sound like you can. As many on this forum will advocate, only invest in Thailand, what you can afford to lose.

Rent is cheap. Owning property is risky. Selling used property is difficult. You lack knowledge of 1. the culture 2. the language 3. the market 4. the future of the market 5. your future.

You decide.

looking for some help guys to make my mind......

look ive been in property 35 years - you win some you loose some - if you dont want risk or cant sleep with it rent - if you want to try make some money take risk - bottom line - play safe and you wont loose or win risk it and you can win and also loose - grow up this is not nanny state

Rent.

A year here and a year there, then make a decision.

Keep moving and your capital.

If you're from the UK like myself you're probably used to steadily increasing house prices and home owners doing well from this. But from my understanding that's just not the case in Thailand. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong here.

I buy, design, renovate and sell condos in Pattaya. I just addressed this issue in another thread called: Buying Condos And Doing Rental Business...profitable?

I think it would add insight to some of the comments and questions made here.