vote and give your reasons

A condo in the foreigner 49 percent is the only real estate that you can legally own. I consider rent as money wasted. I can decorate my condo any way I want. I also refuse to allow a bent lawyer to come up with a bogus company to allow me to control land or a house. A condo is a safe and legal investment.

Your poll questions are loaded.

N0 - I dislike Condo's.

App doesn't have the poll. If you like the area then buy smart. Not my scene so not for me.

While, being English, I have been socialised to consider owning a property an all round better deal than renting, I do not consider this to be true here in Thailand. Why?

1. My understanding is that property does not increase in value in the same way it does in Europe where one is likely to realise at least 10% growth p.annum. Resale can be difficult as Thai people prefer new builds than 'second-hand' properties (fools)

2. Several friend have vouched for the very poor standard of Thai workmanship (poor training) and I have witnessed it for myself in apartments I have rented. Juristic people or those tradesmen they hire cannot fix relatively minor problems in plumbing, electrical work and general building. I am more adept myself as a handyman than many of the professionals employed here.

3. The governing bodies-chairs of condo groups are rife with corruption and often Thai owners refuse to pay common fees because of it or use it as an excuse not to pay. The upkeep of the building itself is not undertaken in a timely fashion and water damage due to leaks etc are common. Imagine trying to re-sell your apartment in a building like that!

4. Military and increasingly draconian governance that on a whim could confiscate anything you own and deport you. We have more freedoms here than the west but crucially fewer rights.

5. Corruption. It's very easy for the police and lawyers to cheat a foreigner out of their assets.

Renting is the way, it's a buyer's market and often owners who ask unrealistic rents can be negotiated down by large margins. As long as they keep building it will remain that way.

Edited March 20, 201610 yr by RawboneFunksta

While, being English, I have been socialised to consider owning a property an all round better deal than renting, I do not consider this to be true here in Thailand. Why?

1. My understanding is that property does not increase in value in the same way it does in Europe where one is likely to realise at least 10% growth p.annum. Resale can be difficult as Thai people prefer new builds than 'second-hand' properties (fools)

2. Several friend have vouched for the very poor standard of Thai workmanship (poor training) and I have witnessed it for myself in apartments I have rented. Juristic people or those tradesmen they hire cannot fix relatively minor problems in plumbing, electrical work and general building. I am more adept myself as a handyman than many of the professionals employed here.

3. The governing bodies-chairs of condo groups are rife with corruption and often Thai owners refuse to pay common fees because of it or use it as an excuse not to pay. The upkeep of the building itself is not undertaken in a timely fashion and water damage due to leaks etc are common. Imagine trying to re-sell your apartment in a building like that!

4. Military and increasingly draconian governance that on a whim could confiscate anything you own and deport you. We have more freedoms here than the west but crucially fewer rights.

5. Corruption. It's very easy for the police and lawyers to cheat a foreigner out of their assets.

Renting is the way, it's a buyer's market and often owners who ask unrealistic rents can be negotiated down by large margins. As long as they keep building it will remain that way.

Point No. 1: What you said about europe ( and applies most western countries )You cant have property values expanding up to 10 times inflation forever. I know many would be wary of anyone trying to predict bursting of housing bubbles....but what trouble Europe especially has been in lately is in part becuase of the boom in housing prices. More people are paying more rent, then they are spending less on local business. More complicated than that, but local governements are just shooting themsleves in the foot by not allowing zoning for SE asia style high rises.

I wont dare try predict housing prices in the west in the next 5 years, but within 20 years....well its just a trend, a trend thats gone on for decades, but doesnt mean it will automatically be that way forever. Id be very wary of property in developed countries in 20 years or so.

As for the rest of that post, yeah, I've done my homework, looked at everything....There is just no reason to buy in Thailand, too much government BS, always sub standard work by the tradies, and the rent to property value ratios are just pathetic....just way too much risk

Yes pattaya, Need to find a bargain,

a two for one deal would be good

No Hua hin No way,

Not enough ladies and to many Scandinavian types, boring 100% !!!!!!!!!!

Edited March 20, 201610 yr by onemorechang

Where is the no I would not buy in Hua Hin?

Hua Hin is only positive questions.

Where is the no I would not buy in Hua Hin?

Hua Hin is only positive questions.

Op may have property to sell to you

If you had never heard of This Country and some one said, "Here mate, want a bargain in a developing country, (Polite PC term for 3rd world) ? Buy property in a place over run with corruption. The present Government is a Military Junta, (like North Korea) every bit of the so called law system is geared to you losing every time, (like Saudi and the Emirates ) you have little or no say in the day to day run of the place as the locals rule by that extra 1% at the very least, coupled with total apathy towards the fate of foreigners ( like all of Africa and any Muslim country )....

Would you really pump your last penny/cent in there ?

The surprise for me in this poll is that they allowed so many property selling people to hi-jack the answer and make it look like 30 odd percent would buy !!!!

Wise up !!

Oh blast I just dropped and trod on my new pair of rose tinted specs............

While, being English, I have been socialised to consider owning a property an all round better deal than renting, I do not consider this to be true here in Thailand. Why?

1. My understanding is that property does not increase in value in the same way it does in Europe where one is likely to realise at least 10% growth p.annum. Resale can be difficult as Thai people prefer new builds than 'second-hand' properties (fools)

2. Several friend have vouched for the very poor standard of Thai workmanship (poor training) and I have witnessed it for myself in apartments I have rented. Juristic people or those tradesmen they hire cannot fix relatively minor problems in plumbing, electrical work and general building. I am more adept myself as a handyman than many of the professionals employed here.

3. The governing bodies-chairs of condo groups are rife with corruption and often Thai owners refuse to pay common fees because of it or use it as an excuse not to pay. The upkeep of the building itself is not undertaken in a timely fashion and water damage due to leaks etc are common. Imagine trying to re-sell your apartment in a building like that!

4. Military and increasingly draconian governance that on a whim could confiscate anything you own and deport you. We have more freedoms here than the west but crucially fewer rights.

5. Corruption. It's very easy for the police and lawyers to cheat a foreigner out of their assets.

Renting is the way, it's a buyer's market and often owners who ask unrealistic rents can be negotiated down by large margins. As long as they keep building it will remain that way.

" property does not increase in value in the same way it does in Europe "

With regards to Number 1 I don't think you're going to see much more of that phenomenon in the near future. Even the International Monetary Fund has recently warned about the growing risks of deflation and said it's not just the euro-zone that is at risk, but the wider global economy, and that deflation could prove disastrous to the economic recovery.

Where is the "Hell no" choice?

I have added a 'No' option to the HH poll

If you had never heard of This Country and some one said, "Here mate, want a bargain in a developing country, (Polite PC term for 3rd world) ? Buy property in a place over run with corruption. The present Government is a Military Junta, (like North Korea) every bit of the so called law system is geared to you losing every time, (like Saudi and the Emirates ) you have little or no say in the day to day run of the place as the locals rule by that extra 1% at the very least, coupled with total apathy towards the fate of foreigners ( like all of Africa and any Muslim country )....

I DID BUY and...totally REGRET IT.

My Condo management wants to see records $$ of ANY Rentals to friends OR tenants when I do not use to show government tax people....time to sell.

I DID BUY and...totally REGRET IT.

My Condo management wants to see records $$ of ANY Rentals to friends OR tenants when I do not use to show government tax people....time to sell.

Don't panic man.

Your in for the long haul, tell them what you like.

not there business .

I am not into vacation spots. My target tenants are those with work permits.

I bought a Condo in Wong Amat and have absolutely zero regrets, the rent I've saved, the security, the pool, the gym, overground and underground parking etc, well worth it to me.

I do have friends who say they would never buy, but the truth is, they can't afford to buy, so they rent, but I'm sure ThaiVisa members are different, they all have loads of money and choose to rent.

Edited March 20, 201610 yr by Broken Record

"property does not increase in value in the same way it does in Europe "

With regards to Number 1 I don't think you're going to see much more of that phenomenon in the near future. Even the International Monetary Fund has recently warned about the growing risks of deflation and said it's not just the euro-zone that is at risk, but the wider global economy, and that deflation could prove disastrous to the economic recovery.

Short of a global war or some pandemic killing 50% of the population there is very little to worry about with property in most areas of Europe that have been developed for some time.

Just watch out for places with lots of empty land, where there is massive speculative development and where most locals cant afford to buy. You know, places like Spain and ..... Thailand.

My Condo management wants to see records $$ of ANY Rentals to friends OR tenants when I do not use to show government tax people....time to sell.

By what right do they ask for this?

Nowhere near enough options in this poll to respond intelligently.

Would I buy a condo in Pattaya? Yes, if I found the right one at the right price. But that's a very big if. The main problem here is that most of them are rubbish (as mentioned: bad workmanship, ugly décor, dishonest management, pig-ignorant neighbours etc etc) and nearly all are way, way overpriced unless you happen to come across somewhere being sold by someone desperate to leave.

But I doubt that those problems are any fewer in Hua Hin.

While, being English, I have been socialised to consider owning a property an all round better deal than renting, I do not consider this to be true here in Thailand. Why?

1. My understanding is that property does not increase in value in the same way it does in Europe where one is likely to realise at least 10% growth p.annum. Resale can be difficult as Thai people prefer new builds than 'second-hand' properties (fools)

2. Several friend have vouched for the very poor standard of Thai workmanship (poor training) and I have witnessed it for myself in apartments I have rented. Juristic people or those tradesmen they hire cannot fix relatively minor problems in plumbing, electrical work and general building. I am more adept myself as a handyman than many of the professionals employed here.

3. The governing bodies-chairs of condo groups are rife with corruption and often Thai owners refuse to pay common fees because of it or use it as an excuse not to pay. The upkeep of the building itself is not undertaken in a timely fashion and water damage due to leaks etc are common. Imagine trying to re-sell your apartment in a building like that!

4. Military and increasingly draconian governance that on a whim could confiscate anything you own and deport you. We have more freedoms here than the west but crucially fewer rights.

5. Corruption. It's very easy for the police and lawyers to cheat a foreigner out of their assets.

Renting is the way, it's a buyer's market and often owners who ask unrealistic rents can be negotiated down by large margins. As long as they keep building it will remain that way.

There you have everything in a nutshell. Buyer beware. Everything he tells you is true. If you make the leap and a mad Russian moves in above like one poster stated your screwed, blued and tattooed. You become his bitch. I have endured this in the past that is why I mention it.

While, being English, I have been socialised to consider owning a property an all round better deal than renting, I do not consider this to be true here in Thailand. Why?

1. My understanding is that property does not increase in value in the same way it does in Europe where one is likely to realise at least 10% growth p.annum. Resale can be difficult as Thai people prefer new builds than 'second-hand' properties (fools)

2. Several friend have vouched for the very poor standard of Thai workmanship (poor training) and I have witnessed it for myself in apartments I have rented. Juristic people or those tradesmen they hire cannot fix relatively minor problems in plumbing, electrical work and general building. I am more adept myself as a handyman than many of the professionals employed here.

3. The governing bodies-chairs of condo groups are rife with corruption and often Thai owners refuse to pay common fees because of it or use it as an excuse not to pay. The upkeep of the building itself is not undertaken in a timely fashion and water damage due to leaks etc are common. Imagine trying to re-sell your apartment in a building like that!

4. Military and increasingly draconian governance that on a whim could confiscate anything you own and deport you. We have more freedoms here than the west but crucially fewer rights.

5. Corruption. It's very easy for the police and lawyers to cheat a foreigner out of their assets.

Renting is the way, it's a buyer's market and often owners who ask unrealistic rents can be negotiated down by large margins. As long as they keep building it will remain that way.

There you have everything in a nutshell. Buyer beware. Everything he tells you is true. If you make the leap and a mad Russian moves in above like one poster stated your screwed, blued and tattooed. You become his bitch. I have endured this in the past that is why I mention it.

What you got <deleted>, beaten up and tattooed by a mad Russian living in your building? Hope it was a girl at least.

-snip-

I do have friends who say they would never buy, but the truth is, they can't afford to buy, so they rent, but I'm sure ThaiVisa members are different, they all have loads of money and choose to rent.

Oh, ain't that just the sweetest thing I've ever read...

"Some of us" don't need to buy in Thailand. "Some of us" own our homes in our home countries and travel at will. "Some of us" are actually allowed to own our own land and a home with a large garage and automatic garage door opener. "Some of us" have Western style houses with central heat and air conditioning and real kitchens and bathrooms.

"Some of us" wouldn't own a POS condo in Thailand if it was free.

Cheers.

Edited March 20, 201610 yr by NeverSure

"property does not increase in value in the same way it does in Europe "

With regards to Number 1 I don't think you're going to see much more of that phenomenon in the near future. Even the International Monetary Fund has recently warned about the growing risks of deflation and said it's not just the euro-zone that is at risk, but the wider global economy, and that deflation could prove disastrous to the economic recovery.

Short of a global war or some pandemic killing 50% of the population there is very little to worry about with property in most areas of Europe that have been developed for some time.

Just watch out for places with lots of empty land, where there is massive speculative development and where most locals cant afford to buy. You know, places like Spain and ..... Thailand.

You dont need a global war or pandemic....you just need to look at Singapore...or Bangkok

If all of a sudden zoning was changed in whichever European city, so a few years later you could have the Density of Singapore, what do you think would happen to all those property prices? You dont need a global catastrophe....another decade of zero or negative inflation should do it

My Condo management wants to see records $$ of ANY Rentals to friends OR tenants when I do not use to show government tax people....time to sell.

By what right do they ask for this?

I guess someone saw it on www.airBnB.com and got jealous ? maybe my own Condo Complex ownership ?

all over the world they are cracking down on home owners and condo owners renting out

their place a few days weeks at a time without a hotel/lodging license ....

-snip-

I do have friends who say they would never buy, but the truth is, they can't afford to buy, so they rent, but I'm sure ThaiVisa members are different, they all have loads of money and choose to rent.

Oh, ain't that just the sweetest thing I've ever read...

"Some of us" don't need to buy in Thailand. "Some of us" own our homes in our home countries and travel at will. "Some of us" are actually allowed to own our own land and a home with a large garage and automatic garage door opener. "Some of us" have Western style houses with central heat and air conditioning and real kitchens and bathrooms.

"Some of us" wouldn't own a POS condo in Thailand if it was free.

Cheers.

But one of us, "hint hint", will continue to haunt the Pattaya forum so they can pass on their accumulated wisdom...

...despite retreating back home.

For investment, I would rather buy in my own country where law prevails than make a hidden gift of 6 million to my wife

My Condo management wants to see records $$ of ANY Rentals to friends OR tenants when I do not use to show government tax people....time to sell.

By what right do they ask for this?

I guess someone saw it on www.airBnB.com and got jealous ? maybe my own Condo Complex ownership ?

all over the world they are cracking down on home owners and condo owners renting out

their place a few days weeks at a time without a hotel/lodging license ....

As they should.

Imagine you buy a condo for your own enjoyment and have different people use the pool and facilities every. It's not a hotel. Owners usually take good care of their property (although in Thailand that is somewhat questionable).

I bought a Condo in Wong Amat and have absolutely zero regrets, the rent I've saved, the security, the pool, the gym, overground and underground parking etc, well worth it to me.

congrats on finally purchasing a condo.... did you low ball and get it for half price ?