Jimmy Canuck update re buying a condo in Hua Hin/Cha Am

[Jimmy Canuck]

Hello all. Been a bit bashful about posting for a while, as you were all extremely helpful with all kinds of advice and input, and I we have still not moved ahead on our planned purchase... we went as far as arranging financing (the deadline we mentioned), which was fully completed, but waffled long enough that the patient staff at Samudra finally canceled our purchase agreement. Can't blame them, as 4 months had gone by. I guess we weren't 100% happy with the 3.9MB agreed price on the 51 sq/m top floor unit, and recently tried to renegotiate the price a bit but are now told their 'new policy' is to sell under 'investment program' only, which I believe puts the purchase price closer to 5.5MB or so...... this comes with the 6%/yr guaranteed return, but still would work out a fair bit pricier than we had planned.. and reading of problems on some developments re the guaranteed return has to be factored in also. We did a huge amount of research, on related property laws etc (much help from you guys also on that) as well as surveying the local market on the 'net (still in Canada, having our 2 months of summer right now) extensively. Although I agree with TT, that Samudra is of better quality than most, what we began to notice is that if you open your search to condos that are not new-builds, there are ones which look to be quite nice in a similar price range that are up to double the size.
One example, confirmed as currently avail, is a 101 sq/m 2bd/2ba at Baan Talay Samran in Cha Am, for around 3.8MB. I'm not sure if I can mention the website listing it, so I won't, but do any of you have any info or comments on that building? A beachfront prop, villas running up a ways and the 4 story condo building toward the rear.
My lovable thai partner is actually the one putting the brakes on slightly more than myself, which gave her a laugh as we imagine it may often be the other way 'round I liked Samudra a lot, still do. But as many of you helpfully pointed out, it is indeed a buyers market - lots of choices avail.
Well, anyways, we know so very much more now about the process, the market, the community.. so feel very much more confident to move ahead as soon as we find the right place. Still considering the option suggested by many of just renting for the winter months we spend in the area, which the left-brain approves, but somehow it would just not be the same feeling! I personally would love to have the more solid + happy feeling of having our own place to stay, and for sure a 2bd/2ba would surely be easier to get a bit of rental income from here + there?
Thanks so much for all the help, hhfarang, johnnyk, TT, many others, and superjoe who provided us with so much helpful info! the bank visit? above + beyond.. owe you guys. Will keep in touch. Jimmy Canuck

[johnnyk]

Jimmy make sure you let folks know when you are in HH to share a few cold ones. Chok dee and take your time, its your money and there's no rush.

[TypicallyTropical]

You are doing the right thing, if you are not 100% comfortable with the decision than you shouldn't proceed. One of the most important thing is to remember the "6% guaranteed rental income" is not guranteed regardless of whatever they tell you. Good exampe is the scandal at The Banyan Resort.
I have looked at many projects in Cha Am but I didn't find anything comparable to the Samudra, except maybe Palm Hills, as far as quality goes. However, there are several nice residental condos there.

[squire]

One example, confirmed as currently avail, is a 101 sq/m 2bd/2ba at Baan Talay Samran in Cha Am, for around 3.8MB. I'm not sure if I can mention the website listing it, so I won't, but do any of you have any info or comments on that building? A beachfront prop, villas running up a ways and the 4 story condo building toward the rear.

Jimmy, I considered Baan Talay Samran a few years back but didn't like the location being on the north side of the creek at the northern end of Cha-am's main beach. The infrastructure/facilities etc north of the creek is not as developed as the main Cha-am areas and further southwards towards the HH airport.
I ended up buying at Springfield Beach, which at the time also had an investment % program. They gave the option to opt out of the rental arrangement and instead taking a discount on the purchase price.

[Jimmy Canuck]

Jimmy make sure you let folks know when you are in HH to share a few cold ones. Chok dee and take your time, its your money and there's no rush.

Thanks Johnny Very nice suggestion, excellent idea. Sensible advice as always! May be over your way in early Sept, let you know. Jimmy

[Jimmy Canuck]

You are doing the right thing, if you are not 100% comfortable with the decision than you shouldn't proceed. One of the most important thing is to remember the "6% guaranteed rental income" is not guranteed regardless of whatever they tell you. Good exampe is the scandal at The Banyan Resort.
I have looked at many projects in Cha Am but I didn't find anything comparable to the Samudra, except maybe Palm Hills, as far as quality goes. However, there are several nice residental condos there.

Thanks much for the input TT.. I was thinking of that one (BR) when I mentioned possibility of prob's with the 'guaranteed' returns, and did read about it here i think. Have bought several properties over the past 20+ yrs, and have learned that if something in your gut is holding you back you should listen to it... to a point anyways. Sometimes though it is just time to move ahead, as many reservations of the smaller kind tend to fade away as you do so. I still agree that Samudra is a nice one, and the privacy and quiet are exceptional. That it is not really a beachfront condo is an issue, although they claim the 5* Radisson hotel going in at the same development gives you beach access, and it is a nice bit of beach. We took the precaution of writing pool/beach access at the hotel into the Agreement, which they obliged us with, imagining the possibility of buying and moving in, then being stopped at the hotel gate by Khun Con Yam and being told access was for hotel guests only..... Actually, if you look at the fine print (Samudra website) the 'access to the facilities' at the 5* hotel which comes with your purchase really only lists the things which cost money which I would guess are avail to anyone off the street - car rental, spa, dining etc.. To be fair though, there is a 20% or so discount for Samudra Residences owners. Whether the hotel would honor that bit added to the contract is another question, but couldn't hurt! We were told no one else had that bit in their contract. They were prob shaking their heads a bit. Up until they recently slammed the door on our Non Investment purchase they have been very patient and helpful though. Kind of long response TT, sorry 'bout that. Now it's a race to see if you or we buy in Hua Hin first! But I think no rush. Take care, thanks. Will look up Palm Hills as we respect your opinion... Jimmy

[Jimmy Canuck]

One example, confirmed as currently avail, is a 101 sq/m 2bd/2ba at Baan Talay Samran in Cha Am, for around 3.8MB. I'm not sure if I can mention the website listing it, so I won't, but do any of you have any info or comments on that building? A beachfront prop, villas running up a ways and the 4 story condo building toward the rear.

Jimmy, I considered Baan Talay Samran a few years back but didn't like the location being on the north side of the creek at the northern end of Cha-am's main beach. The infrastructure/facilities etc north of the creek is not as developed as the main Cha-am areas and further southwards towards the HH airport.
I ended up buying at Springfield Beach, which at the time also had an investment % program. They gave the option to opt out of the rental arrangement and instead taking a discount on the purchase price.

Thanks Squire, just the kind of details we can't see, as we are not familiar with the area. We have actually never even been to visit Cha-am 'town' at all. Must be similar size to Khao Takieb maybe? We were staying beside Samudra at the Sheraton (thai partner's employee rate!) and taking the shuttle or bus regularly into HH. Did you actually visit Talay Samran at all? One thing we wonder is how solid the walls are between units there.. ie: just drywall/infilled/or ideally (but unlikely) concrete? Also, from the pics on the website it appears the ocean comes right up to the retaining wall, could see no sign of beach in front, although it appeared to be a very windy day and could be a bit of a storm surge at time pics taken... The ad does mention a 'private' beach, which many condos claim, and I'm fairly sure Thai beaches are not generally private. Ultimately, it's very unlikely we could buy something until we get over there this winter and see not just the condo, but the location. Could innocently end up on the wrong side of the 'creek' or something! Very much appreciate the help. By the way, how did Springfield work out? Happiness? Regrets? Any stumbling blocks on the purchase process etc? Management ok? Most people paying their maint fees??
All the best, Jimmy.

[margaretcarnes]

Hi Jimmy - Cha-Am town is - IMO - a nice place. But very different to HuaHin. It does have it's fair share of expats these days with a reasonable number of bars/restaurants etc, but it's a funny little town to get around.
You need to have time there I think before deciding whether it's the place for you.
I do know that there are condos in HH for much less money, and much better access to transport and facilities.
On the potential rental front, you would probably catch newbies with a holiday rental in a not too convenient area - but you won't catch the regulars who know their way around and who don't have their own transport.
For an example - I'll be in HH again for December. May or may not consider a condo rental for the month - but - if I do - it would have to be South of the town centre and within range of the Baht buses.

[squire]

Thanks Squire, just the kind of details we can't see, as we are not familiar with the area. We have actually never even been to visit Cha-am 'town' at all. Must be similar size to Khao Takieb maybe? We were staying beside Samudra at the Sheraton (thai partner's employee rate!) and taking the shuttle or bus regularly into HH. Did you actually visit Talay Samran at all? One thing we wonder is how solid the walls are between units there.. ie: just drywall/infilled/or ideally (but unlikely) concrete? Also, from the pics on the website it appears the ocean comes right up to the retaining wall, could see no sign of beach in front, although it appeared to be a very windy day and could be a bit of a storm surge at time pics taken... The ad does mention a 'private' beach, which many condos claim, and I'm fairly sure Thai beaches are not generally private. Ultimately, it's very unlikely we could buy something until we get over there this winter and see not just the condo, but the location. Could innocently end up on the wrong side of the 'creek' or something! Very much appreciate the help. By the way, how did Springfield work out? Happiness? Regrets? Any stumbling blocks on the purchase process etc? Management ok? Most people paying their maint fees??
All the best, Jimmy.

Cha-am is larger than Khao Takieb, and is preferable for me coz I don't have to deal with the weekend traffic snarls in Hua Hin, and as I live in Bangkok, it's slightly more convenient. Whilst we didn't visit Talay Samran to kick the tyres, we had driven past it and were unimpressed with the location. The term 'private beach' basically means it's a quiet beach area coz the beach itself cannot be privately owned.
I'm happy with the Springfield purchase...the transaction was trouble-free and maintenance has been okay. It's a nice strip of beach at Springfield and there's a few cheap restaurants on the beach close-by. It's an easy 20 min drive into Hua Hin town, 10 min drive to Cha-am town/beach, 20 min drive to Springfield Golf, and will be an easy low-traffic drive to Makro when it opens on the north side of Hua Hin.

[hhfarang]

weekend traffic snarls in Hua Hin

While I agree with that, I can't believe you are saying Cha-Am is better. The last time (a while ago, because I learned my lesson) we tried to have lunch in Cha-Am on Saturday, it took us 45 minutes to get from the traffic light to the beach. I've never seen traffic that bad in Hua Hin. I think the weekend and holiday traffic (from Bangkok) is worse in Cha-Am than in Hua Hin...

[Jimmy Canuck]

Hi Jimmy - Cha-Am town is - IMO - a nice place. But very different to HuaHin. It does have it's fair share of expats these days with a reasonable number of bars/restaurants etc, but it's a funny little town to get around.
You need to have time there I think before deciding whether it's the place for you.
I do know that there are condos in HH for much less money, and much better access to transport and facilities.
On the potential rental front, you would probably catch newbies with a holiday rental in a not too convenient area - but you won't catch the regulars who know their way around and who don't have their own transport.
For an example - I'll be in HH again for December. May or may not consider a condo rental for the month - but - if I do - it would have to be South of the town centre and within range of the Baht buses.

Hi Margaret, seen you posting here and there, and thanks for weighing in here... the comments re rental potential as relates to location really struck home. Kind of thing was in the back of my mind but been pushing it aside, so thnx for the reminder. Honestly, I kind of like the idea of no strangers ever having the run of our condo ! I mean, we could survive financially, but my thai partner is a little more sensible re this, and rental potential prob more important to her, so point well taken. Jimmy

[Jimmy Canuck]

Thanks Squire, just the kind of details we can't see, as we are not familiar with the area.
All the best, Jimmy.

Cha-am is larger than Khao Takieb, and is preferable for me coz I don't have to deal with the weekend traffic snarls in Hua Hin, and as I live in Bangkok, it's slightly more convenient. Whilst we didn't visit Talay Samran to kick the tyres, we had driven past it and were unimpressed with the location. The term 'private beach' basically means it's a quiet beach area coz the beach itself cannot be privately owned.
I'm happy with the Springfield purchase...the transaction was trouble-free and maintenance has been okay. It's a nice strip of beach at Springfield and there's a few cheap restaurants on the beach close-by. It's an easy 20 min drive into Hua Hin town, 10 min drive to Cha-am town/beach, 20 min drive to Springfield Golf, and will be an easy low-traffic drive to Makro when it opens on the north side of Hua Hin.

Hi Squire, glad to hear your choice of condo is working out well, and thanks for the info on Cha-am. Someone else here, hhfarang I think, was mentioning bad traffic in Cha-am also, and the idea of traffic jams in either HH or Cha-am surprises me a bit. Weekends only I guess then.. We are gonna have to go check out Cha-am centre ourselves and get a feel for it, and do a bit of tire-kicking here + there for sure. Agree with your comments re 'private' beaches. Also reassuring to hear your purchase went smoothly. We'll have a look at Springfield on the internet. Did you buy in BK also? Thanks again, Jimmy.

[Jimmy Canuck]

weekend traffic snarls in Hua Hin

While I agree with that, I can't believe you are saying Cha-Am is better. The last time (a while ago, because I learned my lesson) we tried to have lunch in Cha-Am on Saturday, it took us 45 minutes to get from the traffic light to the beach. I've never seen traffic that bad in Hua Hin. I think the weekend and holiday traffic (from Bangkok) is worse in Cha-Am than in Hua Hin...

Wow, hh... these traffic jam stories surprise me a little! I'm sure you know what you're talking about though. We'll just have to be careful on choice of activities on weekends then. One other thing, read something re your wife's vocation on a diff website... care to pm us sometime re that? Jimmy

[Jimmy Canuck]

2nd chile, awesome! Member... does that mean I can drink with you guys now??

[migrant]

2nd chile, awesome! Member... does that mean I can drink with you guys now??

Yes, but you have to buy!

When we visit we usually stay in Cha Am and the main road to the beach, and the beach road, get real busy but that is all we see. Could be we aren't there enough though.