Buy To Let..Condos Hua Hin Area?

[Green Nomad]

Hi,,I have an idea for a way to increase my pension income in a few years time. I am wanting to buy a condo to rent out as a rental income. But I do know there is a glut of apartments and condos in this area and it could be a bad decision.

Does anyone have any views on this?...Is it a viable retirement income means or an extra stress load not welcome when wanting to relax in retirement. GN.

[Dannie Boy]

Hi,,I have an idea for a way to increase my pension income in a few years time. I am wanting to buy a condo to rent out as a rental income. But I do know there is a glut of apartments and condos in this area and it could be a bad decision.

Does anyone have any views on this?...Is it a viable retirement income means or an extra stress load not welcome when wanting to relax in retirement. GN.

Seems that you already know the likely answer - when supply exceeds demand then don't expect good returns - you could be lucky, but just as likely to be unlucky and there are lots of condos still under construction, so thats only going to make it worse when they're finished (e.g. The Energy project between Cha Am and HH). I would definitely explore other options before investing money that you are relying on for pension top-up.

[Green Nomad]

Cheers Dannie Boy, Yes I suppose as I was writing the post I was thinking the same thing. As I spend about 3 months away from HH at a time I do indeed see more building going on everytime.

Thanks again.GN

[kendo]

The Energy project is butt ugly and not my flavor looks like something from the eastern block and at 1.73M na from me. I talked last week to friend one of the most respected agents in Hua Hin about a buy to let, I have a captive audience of five hundred men going through our mess room and other lads have property's on our notice board's and intranet.
The problem short term would be management and day to day cleaning, checking,greeting etc.

[JamesWest]

if you have a ton of money paying cash for one of the thousands of condos in HH it might save you rent money for the rest of your life. but rents are dirt cheap here. and to be held forever hostage to the Thai conodo building management? better be able to speak thai.

with greece and puerto rico blowing up and china crashing it might make you more stable in the long run with currency rates.

but forget rental income.

the exception to this is the high end real estate in the 30,000,000 baht and up market. ocean view beachfront.

and resale is very poor in HH for low end. thais want new condos, not used.

the thais will never stop building houses and condos so they undermine the value of their own real estate.

and a total crap shoot for building up keep. i see 30 million baht condo buildings rusting in HH. Bangkok is different as demand is greater.

thailand is expensive now. and we are looking at the most volatile economic times in world history. how do you make decision?

as a american i feel for my friends from UK/EU as the world will rush to the USD and gold for safety. i hope you don't lose your pensions. and you have no idea what your pensions will buy in the future in thailand. maybe 50% decrease as the EU falls apart? Maybe good for UK?

then there will be real problems in the USA with inflation/deflation and china and russia fuc*ing with us.

then as rates rise and all the hot money flows into the us, i am not sure what will happen here in Thailand. the paper tiger china will be in serious trouble soon. impossible to say how this will play out. war is not out of the question in Europe. The russians are pissed off and so is everybody else. as of today there is talk of civil war in greece, a NATO member.

we will have a better idea in six months. seeing how i was forced to pay into it all my life, i just hope my US social security payments are still intact.

[Green Nomad]

Hello James,,Thanks very much for your comments,,,sorry taken so long to reply to your input, very good points, and still relevant even now few months later...GN.

[SydneyGuy]

Trying to predict the financial markets and property forecasts is like trying to predict the weather 6 months down the track. Whilst i agree with what most people have already said on this topic, if you do your research and due diligence, buying a condo in the right location, at the right price, can be an investment opportunity.

Usually the biggest factor to consider is location, no matter if you are buying in Sydney/Singapore or Khao Takiab.
There has been a dramatic increase in condo developments over the last 3-5 years and there will continue to be for the next few years.

Just a couple of postive points which i have noticed since we bought our condo and have been living here for the last few months:

1. we bought our first condo (a new condo off the plan) 2 years ago in the Khao Takiab area, adjacent to Suan Son golf course, great amenities, a smaller block, when it was completed we decided to sell and buy a larger condo so we can live here.

2. We sold our first condo to a Thai couple that already owned a unit in our condo block, we made a small profit, and they are currently renting the unit to holiday makers, both Thai and foreigners. Living here we see Thai people regularly coming down to spend 1 or 2 days on the weekend here, renting their unit (they charge 1800 Baht per night)
3. There are several foreign couples (British/Russian) who work in the area and are renting condos in our block long term (6-12 months)
4. We see and talk to Eurpean couples holidaying here for the 3rd and 4th time, they love Hua Hin/Khao Takiab and often spend 1 month here a year to relax.
5. Hopefully the infrastructure projects that are planned and in progress for the area , BluPort Mall/Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry pier, fast train from BKK to Hua Hin etc will all contribute towards more business in the area (and more traffic unfortunately)

To sum it up, yes there is a huge amount of development in the Hua Hua/Khao Takiab area, and there are definite risks inlvoved, you simply need to stick around, talk to condo owners, NOT property agents, and select a condo in a small boutique block, with great amenities and more importantly great location (next to the sea is best).

The high season is almost upon us and there will be hordes of retired Europeans looking to escape the cold winter from 1-2 weeks to 1-6 months , and they ALL need somewhere to stay:)

Good luck with whatever you choose to do!!

[Big Boy]

if you do your research and due diligence, buying a condo in the right location, at the right price, can be an investment opportunity.

I've walked the beach most nights this year, and rarely have I seen as many as 10 condos illuminated. OK, maybe beachfront is a different market to what you're considering, but if it's an investment, please check your market. Whoever you will be purchasing from may be a little shy with the truth.

[HHTel]

As you say BB, most of the condos are virtually empty for most of the year. Buying a condo for rent does not seem to be a worthwhile investment, not in HH anyway.

[Pleng]

Buy property in your home country to rent, enjoy spending the money here.
There's no need to be investing within Thailand just because you happen to be living here.