Finding that special place in Thailand

[cozza]

Hi All,

Just wanting to find out how people generally search for property when they decide to stay long term or make the move to Hua Hin or elsewhere in Thailand. Also, how was that experience and would they recommend a particular way for that willing foreigner to take the plunge to shack up in the Land of Smile?

[H2ODunc]

Cozza Hi. I would say that you need first to decide a budget and then decide what you need to have close by. There are some bargains to be had at the moment. In HH there are any amount of property agents the same as here on Samui. The other way is to go and stay in the place you are thinking of and just have a drive round. Plenty of owners will have signs up and places like Tesco and Big C etc always have places for sale and you cut out the middleman,s commission.

[cozza]

H2ODunc,

Thanks for the reply!

Really I want to see how people find their places and what is the most reliable and trustworthy source.

For example, would someone go and Google houses for sale in Hua Hin and try and contact sellers directly or would that be a bit too risky and maybe prefer to opt for just walking straight into a Real Estate office.

Im interested to know how buyers went about choosing their homes, its a jungle out there!

[H2ODunc]

Cozza Hi. Using the internet is great to give you an idea of the prices at the moment and to the range of properties etc but the internet is no good for letting you know what a place is really like. it may look idyllic on the net yet be right next to an airport or major road or just down the road from an all night Thai karaoke bar. By also dealing direct with the owner you will save yourself a whole heap of commission for both you and the seller. For me I would first decide where in Thailand you want to live then work from there. As a diver I need to be within a reasonable distance to water and a, a big beach person so again that dictates where I can live. Some people don't need Tesco and makro and can live happily away from lots of other Farangs. I live here on Samui for now as this is where I work but we have some land up in Issan where we are building a house to retire to.
As said as well there are bargains to be had as well at the moment. I know of a beautiful large 5 bed villa with stunning views , large pool, cinema and gym and separate 2 bed staff accom with no neighbours set on 2 rai that was 50 million and they have reduced it to 36 and they are also throwing in the Fortuner and twin engined speedboat as well. I just wish I had a bit more spare cash At the other end there are small 1-2 bed bungalows for around the 1.5 million to be found.
good hunting

[buksida]

Clicked 'other' as my option wasn't listed.

As mentioned above, all personal preference, I didn't want to live in a farang ghetto at the whim of a mafia developer so spent some time finding the right plot of land and building my own. It is a lot of work - not to mention the blood, sweat and tears - but far more rewarding in the long run.

[advocate]

[ Post edited, this thread is a discussion, please contact the forum if you want to sell property here. ]

[hhfarang]

We built our own on our land outside of any development for the same reasons Buksi mentioned above.

[Mrock]

I clicked other...

I started by visiting different locations thoughout Thailand and returning to each a couple of times.
As I visited these places I used the internet, newspapers, magazines etc.
The boss and I enjoy cruising around as a form of entertainment. Looking and stopping a many developments and discussing opportunities with developers, Thai and Farang.
I like to cruise around slowly on my motorbike trying to take "it" all in. I find the motorbike easier to tour around. You tend to drive slower and can stop easier when you need to.
Golf was very important to me...So Black Mountain was my choice!!

[H2ODunc]

Another for buksida. I lived for a while in a Thai Moo baan and that was fine but couldn't be surrounded by them. just another couple of Farang who had bought there.
My wife,s father told me that if I stayed with his daughter for 2 years and she was still happy he would give us some land. He was good to his word. we now have 3 rai of nice land where our house is going to be built. My friend gave me a copy of Arcicad and I have been playing about with that for a while now. Once you get into it you can do all sorts with it. A very good design program.
I was also thinking of nipping back home and doing a brick laying course and having a go myself.
How hard can it be
Only joking all you brickies out there

i'm also with Mrock. get yourself a small bike and just have a slow cruise round. You will be amazed what you come across here when you do.

[STEVE G]

I went for the 'other' as well as like Buksi above, I bought a plot of land and had a place built. All the work is in finding a good Thai builder and giving them enough time to do a reasonable job.
The main advantage for me is that by going in this direction you can end up with a house on a far larger plot than you'll ever get on a development for a considerably lower price.
Another advantage is that you can source your own builder based on what he has personally built in the past instead of the developer subcontracting it out to the cheapest chancer that can be found.
The only real drawback is the timescale as I would say that two years is the realistic minimum for finding and buying some land, finding a good builder and designing and building the house.
I'm sure people have done it much quicker than that but I wouldn't rely on it.

[cozza]

Clicked 'other' as my option wasn't listed.

As mentioned above, all personal preference, I didn't want to live in a farang ghetto at the whim of a mafia developer so spent some time finding the right plot of land and building my own. It is a lot of work - not to mention the blood, sweat and tears - but far more rewarding in the long run.

Thanks for the reply buksida, just curious as to how you actually found your land and how you purchased it, Im assuming your not Thai...sorry if these questions are a bit forward. Did you search online first at all?

[H2ODunc]

Cozza Hi. I don't know about Buksida but I have found asking on a forum relevant to the area you are wanting to buy is a winner. I don't have any land for sale but i can guarantee that with in a few hours could give you a list of land for sale from mountain, sea view, beach side etc just by making a couple of calls and asking about.
Just ask if anybody knows of land for sale to PM you with the details. Just make sure you do your research well before you hand over any money. Buying land isn't made easy here in Thailand. You need a good solicitor.

[hhfarang]

good solicitor

...another oxymoron!

[buksida]

Thanks for the reply buksida, just curious as to how you actually found your land and how you purchased it, Im assuming your not Thai...sorry if these questions are a bit forward. Did you search online first at all?

Spent a lot of time in the area talking to locals to gauge the current prices, bought in my wife's name with a lifetime usufruct in mine. I live online so yes, plenty of research - nothing beats actually talking to people and physically seeing stuff though. Feel free to PM if you want more info.

[STEVE G]

With respect to buying land, bear in mind that the majority of smaller plots tend to be sold through local land brokers who tend not to be active on the internet, it's all done through word of mouth and hand written signs on trees.
In my opinion you have to roam around the area, communicating with Thais. Many of the plots for sale turn out to be unusable due to lack of road access or services or whatever which can be rapidly determined if you're there on the spot.