Which Condos Are The Closest To Bts?

[austallia_1980]

I would like to purchase a condominium for $5m or less, that is very close to the BTS (3-5 minute walking distance). I am tired of risking my life on a daily basis taking motorcycle taxis or walking in the pollution. Having to get off the BTS, and then take a taxi is such a drag....

I realize that there are many condo's around Nana BTS, but I would very much perfer to stay out of that area.

Does anyone know of any condominiums located on Silom that fit this description? Or any of there other areas around BTS?

Thanks.

[backflip]

Check with CBRE.

[thaigene2]

Have a look around the Rajadamri Station. There are several in that area. But for your budget I assume you're looking at around 35-45 sq metres - i.e. studio or 1 bdrm. Pesonally I think the real market value of a 2 bedroom of 90-100 metres should be around your budget. But not many others seem to agree..and the prices seem to indicate they're right and I'm wrong - but we'll see what happens in the coming months. There are a lot of speculators that buy these places off-plan with hopes of flipping (for a profit of course) closer to completion date.

Surprised you haven't been flamed yet for asking..(nothing wrong with your question though). Good luck.

[backflip]

If the OP asked for all of the condos, all of the amenities, and all of the prices...he would have been flamed.

[thaigene2]

If the OP asked for all of the condos, all of the amenities, and all of the prices...he would have been flamed.

Directly From Chief Flame Thrower..

The difference is he asked for "any others" around BTS stations? How is that different? The point is, BackFlip he has a right to ask..

By the way backflip - I've tried the CBRE route with very precise requests - not a list like the one you're referring to - around the same price range as the OP asks for. No response. Tried twice. They only want to sell big ticket joints..commission is probably too low on the others.

[backflip]

thaigene,

I never implied, nor should you have inferred I meant, the OP's rights are constrained.

I tried CBRE, and the salesperson showed me a 500 page folder (20 units per page) with property filed as: size, location, development (condo vs townhouse), and cost (THB2m to THB30m).

Working with a small company, you get shown only the few units they have. For example, "Eve House" tried to convince me that there were only 5 condos available in the entire BKK area. Likewise, "City Living" only had a dozen or so units for sale and, according to hem, I had to make a choice immediately and buy buy buy.

[phayao]

I had to make a choice immediately and buy buy buy.

Have you tried the Sapam Khwai area? I've been living there for the past 15 years and I found it very convenient; being a "Thai" neighbourhood prices are very reasonable.

[austallia_1980]

CBRE?

[cclub75]

CBRE?

CB Richard Ellis

http://www.cbre.com

A world real estate services supplier. Always helpfull with the medias, by providing them huge amount of "studies", "market researches" and other "datas" regarding the market... that they are promoting themselves.

Like a bank who would praise financial services.

Bangkok does not avoid their "insights".

[Rinrada]

Look around Phyathai...loads available and mai peng...

[steveromagnino]

If you are after a unit for less than 5,000,000b then you should be considering around the 60,000b per sq m mark, which will still get you a decent sized unit. Assuming money set aside for property tax and the initial payment to the sinking fund plus conveyancing and furniture, I'd say 4,500,000b is about the max amount. That would get you around 4500/60 = 75sq. m; a small 2 b/d or medium sized 1/b. YOu need to decide first up which format makes more sense. Most 75sq m 1 bedrooms are in a good building, most 75sq 2 b/d rooms are in an ok building.

In the B level complexes, you can get some on secondary market, and some off the plans, and some nearly complete. Try LPN Suttisarn for instance; that would be coming in at around this price or less. I know they have 2 b/d formats. Try around Onnut station, and there is one right nearby one of those BTS stations, I think it is Onnut that has a development with a bridge link directly into the station.

In fact, best idea is to go station by station, and go in a full circle, noting major buildings as often the 5-10 year old buildings are cheaper than buying new. For instance, my current place was 30,000b per sq, m; new similar developments range from 45,000 - 60,000b in the same street.

Silom, Sukhumvit asok - Ekamai, Sathorn and near the river are prime real estate where you will be around 80-100,000b per sq m in the nicer developments. But even there there are some buildings worth while. There is an Asia Property building right near Suk 20 that is around 65,000b per sq. m AFAIK. Already built, and now selling on secondary market.

The best second hand ones won't be advertised much, and especially won't be advertised in the english press. Go to the buildings yourself, and ask around, preferably with a Thai speaker. The building managers will often be able to tell you units to buy.

I'd personally be looking for a building that has been around 8-10 years, then you can see how well it gets maintained. Others prefer brand new. That one, is up to you.

[backflip]

austallia,

If CBRE doesn't work out, another tact is to try "Property Plus" for a huge selection of condo units. Unfortunately, as the marketing arm of Sansiri, you'll be subjected to extensive arm-twisting to buy from that developer. If you're firm, they will eventually show you the other (and IMHO, much more worthwhile) projects.

If you want to be one of the first people notified of a new project, check out the developer website, and ask to be notified of upcoming projects. After two years, CBRE and other developers are still sending me postcards of new projects - stuff that hasn't broken ground yet. Other posters have indicated that early buyers are more interested in "flipping" the lowest-priced units. I have found the opposite - speculators are buying the desirable high-floor/penthouse units. I guess that, if you put the two sets of data together, you'll find that speculators buy units that they will live in...if they can't sell.

An interesting building is "Sukhumvit Suites" in soi 11 - it's the modern sliver directly behind the Regents development. The building is divided into 3 segments: lower floors are parking, mid floors are commercial, and the upper floors are condo. Very few of the commercial units have ever been used. A large percentage of the condos are for sale. Most of the penthouse suites have not been completed. The units were bought by speculators, waiting for the right moment to sell. With the Regent under construction, many people are saying "now's the right moment". Many of the units that were rented don't have kitchens, have shoddy flooring, and very well used furniture. But, even with the Regents, the upper floors have stunning views. The new places under construction have "photorealistic imaging" to give you an idea of what the skyline might look like. The Suites have the real deal.

Another building with great views, if that is important, is "Silom Suites", right across the street from the Robot building, and a short walk to the Skytrain. One warning, unless you have a specific seller you want to meet, you'll need to deal with The Woman With All Of The Keys. She knows, and has access to, every single condo that is for sale. Her "real job" is at the on-site convenience store, and she'll only spend time with you (and your agent) if you convince her that are a serious buyer. If you smile a lot, and are polite, you'll see more units in an hour than you could see in a month on your own. Bring a camera, and take a lot of notes - because that's what a serious buyer does. If she realizes that you're "just looking", she'll cut the tour short. If you go back a 3rd or 4th time, she'll lose patience and she'll refuse to show you units...no matter how much your agent pleads.

There are 3 condo projects on Soi 11, not too far from the Nana Skytrain station. Let's see..."Andaman Place", "Sukhumvit City Resort", and "Lumpini Colony" - if memory serves me right...heck, it might even be "Lump-on-my-Colon" for all I know. The last two projects are right next to each other, but are built differently - concrete vs. steel skeleton. I don't know if any of these developments have anything available.

[deadman]

i just bought a one bedroom corner unit (15th floor) at sukhumwit plus, 3M. for 5M you may be able to get a two bed/two bath. The project is brand new, 98% completed, possible to move in now. i'm hoping that given that the PLUS name is associated with it, it will be well maintained. about 300meteres from Phra Khanong BTS. the facilities are excellent, very nice 'bali style' pool, gym, good security (finger print entry) nice lobbies. its not a bad area, being just outside of the red light vortex.

while i bought it through a private seller, dealing with the plus people was very easy, they are very helpful. i looked at one in that complex through their sales office, and while i didn't find them 'pushy' as such, i did feel them to stretch the truth a bit (such as saying this it was one of the best buys available....when it was clearly overpriiced, at least in comaparison to the one i eventually got).

my experience is that you will get a much better deal if you buy direct from an owner. if you have a thai friend get them to search the web, thats wot i did and it paid off.

cheers

dm

Edited September 5, 2006 by deadman