looking to buy a studio/1BR - which condominiums to consider?

[mike111]

So I'm thinking of buying a condo (studio or 1BR) at HH and would appreciate suggestions on condominium buildings which are well-managed and well-located (easy access, near shops etc.)

I'm not looking for off the plan projects, but something which has already been completed and has been running for a while.

Cheers

[darrendsd]

If you give your price range it might generate some replys,

I was in Ko Takiab last week, plenty of Condos there, visited the Sea Craze, the occupant had a 48 SQm Condo there which he paid 3.2 Million for

[mike111]

Thanks for replying.

Budget is 2.5M max.

[Pinot]

Never buy anything in Thailand for more reasons than I have the time to write. I always write the same thing when some new sucker brings this up.

Everyone I know who bought has sold at a lost or wants out and can't get out.

Plenty to rent. It's the only way to go. Buying in Thailand is always a terrible financial decision. There is simply no reason to buy and a thousand why you shouldn't.

Realtors don't like hearing this but I don't have a dog in this race.

I don't know a single knowledgeable expat who says buying is good idea.

Got money burning a hole in your pocket? Rent a unit in a project you're thinking of buying. After you're there six months, you'll see what I'm talking about.

[Pheat123]

Never buy anything in Thailand for more reasons than I have the time to write. I always write the same thing when some new sucker brings this up.

Everyone I know who bought has sold at a lost or wants out and can't get out.

Plenty to rent. It's the only way to go. Buying in Thailand is always a terrible financial decision. There is simply no reason to buy and a thousand why you shouldn't.

Realtors don't like hearing this but I don't have a dog in this race.

I don't know a single knowledgeable expat who says buying is good idea.

Got money burning a hole in your pocket? Rent a unit in a project you're thinking of buying. After you're there six months, you'll see what I'm talking about.

So you do not have the funds to buy a property?

[elgordo38]

Never buy anything in Thailand for more reasons than I have the time to write. I always write the same thing when some new sucker brings this up.

Everyone I know who bought has sold at a lost or wants out and can't get out.

Plenty to rent. It's the only way to go. Buying in Thailand is always a terrible financial decision. There is simply no reason to buy and a thousand why you shouldn't.

Realtors don't like hearing this but I don't have a dog in this race.

I don't know a single knowledgeable expat who says buying is good idea.

Got money burning a hole in your pocket? Rent a unit in a project you're thinking of buying. After you're there six months, you'll see what I'm talking about.

The above is spot on the money. Every line is correct. They are expensive to buy visa vi a house and the construction is well questionable. You could get bad neighbors and sound travels through them. Real estates here are far and few between and from what I have read here real estate is in a downturn. The rental suggestion above is the best advice you will get. If you like the unit approach the owner on a rent to own. They are also tricky to register you must show the funds that you brought into the country to buy the unit. Some condos have poor reserves/construction and you could get hit often with increased monthly fees.

[bangmai]

I paid 600K in Chiang Mai, 19 months ago. Percentage wise, it was one of my better investments this month, at about a 9% return, annually. Enjoying walls and plumbing maintained by myself, and energy efficient appliances (on the government rate), along with my own 3BB account. There are windows in history with good rental deals, but they don't last forever. I had rent controlled 225 usd per month in Berkeley, CA 20 years ago. Now it rents for 1300...and still doesn't have central heat or a/c, in a 90 year old structure. I think you will see a situation where the minimum price people will accept, will go up and up, as renters are generally a headache, and for many, these are second homes, that don't need to be rented to make a payment. I would actually buy in some older BKK buildings near upcoming MRT/BTS stops, and catch the van to HH if I really had, too. You're about 7 years too late to get a good return in HH, and a ton of <deleted> have moved in.

[darrendsd]

Never buy anything in Thailand for more reasons than I have the time to write. I always write the same thing when some new sucker brings this up.

Everyone I know who bought has sold at a lost or wants out and can't get out.

Plenty to rent. It's the only way to go. Buying in Thailand is always a terrible financial decision. There is simply no reason to buy and a thousand why you shouldn't.

Realtors don't like hearing this but I don't have a dog in this race.

I don't know a single knowledgeable expat who says buying is good idea.

Got money burning a hole in your pocket? Rent a unit in a project you're thinking of buying. After you're there six months, you'll see what I'm talking about.

I agree on most of what you say however renting is a mugs game also, I have been here close to 10 years and in that time have paid out around 1.2 Million in rent, money I will never recover

Why people buy condos at silly prices is a mystery to me, for the price people pay to live in a box you could get a very decent house but each to their own

[Pinot]

Never buy anything in Thailand for more reasons than I have the time to write. I always write the same thing when some new sucker brings this up.

Everyone I know who bought has sold at a lost or wants out and can't get out.

Plenty to rent. It's the only way to go. Buying in Thailand is always a terrible financial decision. There is simply no reason to buy and a thousand why you shouldn't.

Realtors don't like hearing this but I don't have a dog in this race.

I don't know a single knowledgeable expat who says buying is good idea.

Got money burning a hole in your pocket? Rent a unit in a project you're thinking of buying. After you're there six months, you'll see what I'm talking about.

I agree on most of what you say however renting is a mugs game also, I have been here close to 10 years and in that time have paid out around 1.2 Million in rent, money I will never recover

Why people buy condos at silly prices is a mystery to me, for the price people pay to live in a box you could get a very decent house but each to their own

What you got for your 1.2 million was the flexibility to get out. How many farangs are living lives of quiet desperation in units they can't unload with horrible neighbors, a building that's falling apart or in the middle of a management company/homeowners war?

You've been warned.

[darrendsd]

Never buy anything in Thailand for more reasons than I have the time to write. I always write the same thing when some new sucker brings this up.

Everyone I know who bought has sold at a lost or wants out and can't get out.

Plenty to rent. It's the only way to go. Buying in Thailand is always a terrible financial decision. There is simply no reason to buy and a thousand why you shouldn't.

Realtors don't like hearing this but I don't have a dog in this race.

I don't know a single knowledgeable expat who says buying is good idea.

Got money burning a hole in your pocket? Rent a unit in a project you're thinking of buying. After you're there six months, you'll see what I'm talking about.

I agree on most of what you say however renting is a mugs game also, I have been here close to 10 years and in that time have paid out around 1.2 Million in rent, money I will never recover

Why people buy condos at silly prices is a mystery to me, for the price people pay to live in a box you could get a very decent house but each to their own

What you got for your 1.2 million was the flexibility to get out. How many farangs are living lives of quiet desperation in units they can't unload with horrible neighbors, a building that's falling apart or in the middle of a management company/homeowners war?

You've been warned.

What I've got for my 1.2 Million is a empty wallet

And i'm not sure how buying can be more of a "terrible financial decision" then renting, at least with buying you are guaranteed eventually to get most if not all of your money back and possibly a profit, with renting you get absolutley Zero

OP back on subject there are plenty in Ko Takiab that will suit your budget

Edited August 30, 2015 by darrendsd

[PattayaPhom]

Never buy anything in Thailand for more reasons than I have the time to write. I always write the same thing when some new sucker brings this up.

Everyone I know who bought has sold at a lost or wants out and can't get out.

Plenty to rent. It's the only way to go. Buying in Thailand is always a terrible financial decision. There is simply no reason to buy and a thousand why you shouldn't.

Realtors don't like hearing this but I don't have a dog in this race.

I don't know a single knowledgeable expat who says buying is good idea.

Got money burning a hole in your pocket? Rent a unit in a project you're thinking of buying. After you're there six months, you'll see what I'm talking about.

Many have lost or not seen any capitol gain but that's because they bought in error although lets not forget the rental they have saved for that period of time. I however know many that have doubled and tripled their money buying a condo. Guys from UK that bought a 2.7 mil condo at XE of 75 sold for 4.5 mil and transferred back to UK at XE of 47 that's almost 200% profit and they lived for free. Its not all doom and gloom, maybe you are just mixing in the wrong circles.

[bangmai]

I made a similar 170% profit in two years in the States, all in USD, but put 750 hours of work into it. All tax free, too. Can be done before a boom or after a crash. But, even if it hadn't gone up in value, the rental returns would have been a lot better than my Exxon stock.

[kannot]

Thanks for replying.

Budget is 2.5M max.

Baan Klang Condo , two swimming pools middle of town, a friend of mine has one for sale pm if interested its a large studio top floor sea view, almost unused about 3-4 years old

[kannot]

Never buy anything in Thailand for more reasons than I have the time to write. I always write the same thing when some new sucker brings this up.

Everyone I know who bought has sold at a lost or wants out and can't get out.

Plenty to rent. It's the only way to go. Buying in Thailand is always a terrible financial decision. There is simply no reason to buy and a thousand why you shouldn't.

Realtors don't like hearing this but I don't have a dog in this race.

I don't know a single knowledgeable expat who says buying is good idea.

Got money burning a hole in your pocket? Rent a unit in a project you're thinking of buying. After you're there six months, you'll see what I'm talking about.

you dont know a lot of folk do you????

Bought 5 condos at 1 million sold for 1.45 after 7 years and 7 years rent no problem. Return was 10%+

They were VERY easy to sell

Just bought 2 more rooms at 3-4 million each Ill sell them next year for +6-700k

When you buy, and what you buy is the key + location. The first 5 I bought when my home currency was strong, they were dirt cheap for me, the last two I bought as the owner needed to sell fast.

[pcliff069]

Never buy anything in Thailand for more reasons than I have the time to write. I always write the same thing when some new sucker brings this up.

Everyone I know who bought has sold at a lost or wants out and can't get out.

Plenty to rent. It's the only way to go. Buying in Thailand is always a terrible financial decision. There is simply no reason to buy and a thousand why you shouldn't.

Realtors don't like hearing this but I don't have a dog in this race.

I don't know a single knowledgeable expat who says buying is good idea.

Got money burning a hole in your pocket? Rent a unit in a project you're thinking of buying. After you're there six months, you'll see what I'm talking about.

I agree on most of what you say however renting is a mugs game also, I have been here close to 10 years and in that time have paid out around 1.2 Million in rent, money I will never recover

Why people buy condos at silly prices is a mystery to me, for the price people pay to live in a box you could get a very decent house but each to their own

What u also got was somewhwre to live.

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[Muzarella]

It is a high rise beach front building on the main Cha Am Beach with good parking and swimming pool.. Katariya Condohotel with online web site. Very nice investment. In 2013 the studios were selling for 800.000thb and rented for 6000thb/month

[pcliff069]

If someone wants to buy a condo really up to them their money.

But every thread like this I look at everyone wants to buy a brand spanking new condo - no worries so would I - some of them look quite good.

But no interest in 10 year old condos - why would you most of them don't stand the test of time well.

But then the same people think that they will have no problems selling their condos in 10 years time.

Go figure.

[kannot]

If someone wants to buy a condo really up to them their money.

But every thread like this I look at everyone wants to buy a brand spanking new condo - no worries so would I - some of them look quite good.

But no interest in 10 year old condos - why would you most of them don't stand the test of time well.

But then the same people think that they will have no problems selling their condos in 10 years time.

Go figure.

Sold mine after 7 years lumpini ville suk 77 easy to sell, still reasonably well maintained

[coulson]

If someone wants to buy a condo really up to them their money.

But every thread like this I look at everyone wants to buy a brand spanking new condo - no worries so would I - some of them look quite good.

But no interest in 10 year old condos - why would you most of them don't stand the test of time well.

But then the same people think that they will have no problems selling their condos in 10 years time.

Go figure.

10 years is not old, I live in a 20 year old building, got a good price and made it how I want it. The older places are more spacious with spread out facilities, bit of research and you don't have to be far from the action & certainly don't have to spend 50k baht/ m2.

If you're concerned about the construction, do your homework, I personally would be more concerned about the modern towers shooting up everywhere. Juts because it's got nice finishes doesn't mean it's built well.

[PattayaPhom]

It is a high rise beach front building on the main Cha Am Beach with good parking and swimming pool.. Katariya Condohotel with online web site. Very nice investment. In 2013 the studios were selling for 800.000thb and rented for 6000thb/month

The location of this for Cha am couldn't be any better but that's all it has to offer. Corridoors are like a cell block, noise travels extensively, plagued with pigeon poo everywhere. At one time the uni girls were renting rooms for 4k a month. Small with no balcony. Each to their own but definitely no capitol gain to be had.

[bangmai]

Mine is 28 yo, and is modest, but has great bones (my condo, that is). Stuff built in the 80s, was probably better than a lot of the stuff built this century. Thicker pillars, better land. It's amazing how some locations that were once considered "unbuildable" or even literal duck ponds are now sprawling condo complexes. Landfill is real bad in an earthquake.