Dear Sir,
Can you be more specific. I was not able to locate the article in the Internet. Bangkok Post Web Page. Which section does it fall into?
Thank you
Andreas Charalambous
Cyprus
Newcomer. Looking for advice on Property
Instead of "wholesale vs retail" if you had said "farang buyers vs Thai buyers" I would tend to agree.johnnyk wrote:i think there's more to it than that.klikster wrote:To my way of thinking, land prices have more room to come down than cement, steel, wood, glass, electricals, paint and manual labor.dwerte wrote:Good afternoon
I followed your comments on the property market. I am in the same sitution as the person from Cyprus and am thinking of buying property in Hua Hin. My feeling was the same when I was on vacation over christmas in Hua Hin. Property Market in general is coming down. I am however planning to buy a nice lot on Palm Hills. Prices there are going up year on year. Paying 4250 per sqmeter for a great lot still looks ok to me. Does anybody think that land prices are also coming down?
Thanks
dw
Bt 4,250 /sq m works out to Bt 6,800,000 / rai. That's pretty dear .. just my opinion.
think in terms of retail price and wholesale price.
4250/sq m would be very expensive for one rai or more of raw land well out of town.
but close to town for a serviced lot its about par for the course, not outrageous although we would all like it to be cheaper.
remember, buying Lay's chips is an expensive way to buy potatoes too!
But even at that, put a Bt 3,000,000 house on that lot and you have a Bt 10,000,000 frozen investment. Up to you.
And I prefer tortilla chips.
Beware of unprovoked comments!
Problems in Paradise
In answer to hhenias
B=Business section however it doesn't appear in the e-version of Bangkok Post
PM me for further details.
rgds
kilbirnie
B=Business section however it doesn't appear in the e-version of Bangkok Post
PM me for further details.
rgds
kilbirnie
TRUST IN ONE'S SELF
I have lived in Hua Hin for 21 years and just this week purchased my 10th and 11th houses here.
My wifes family is a well respected Hua Hin family and the advice we would give to anyone consisdering buying proerty in Hua Hin or for that matter anywhere in Thailand is
Deal only with reputable Thai agents and do not under any circumstances deal with farang salesmen
My wifes family is a well respected Hua Hin family and the advice we would give to anyone consisdering buying proerty in Hua Hin or for that matter anywhere in Thailand is
Deal only with reputable Thai agents and do not under any circumstances deal with farang salesmen
One really should pay attention to advise given by a person with this kind of experience and background.
"There's no plausible or convincing reason, certainly no evidential one, to believe that there is such an entity (= deity) and that all observable phenomena, including the cosmological ones... are explicable without the hypothesis; you don't need the assumption."
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edwinadanish
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Randy Cornhole
- Rock Star
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- Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2005 5:01 pm
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The best advice I can give, has already been given but......
- Come here and rent for a few months, this will give you the chance to locate the areas you may want to live and which people can best help you achive this. Take my advice and DO NOT RUSH INTO ANY DECISION!!
Take your time it will certainly benefit you in the long run, after all you may be here a long time and you want it to be a pleasureable experience not a nightmare...
Good Luck. 
- Come here and rent for a few months, this will give you the chance to locate the areas you may want to live and which people can best help you achive this. Take my advice and DO NOT RUSH INTO ANY DECISION!!
Take your time it will certainly benefit you in the long run, after all you may be here a long time and you want it to be a pleasureable experience not a nightmare...
Good Luck. www.35mmview.com
In answer to edwinadanish.
We do not use agents, my wife and I do all the leg work. We occasionally use a lawyer, but mostly deal directly with either the developer or owner.
Unfortunately Hua Hin has become a bit of a minefield for foreign buyers, but if you use a bit of common sense and take all necessary precautions you can find what you are looking for.
For a newcomer I would suggest the following
1 Plan to live in Hua Hin for at least six months prior to buying.
2 Find a lawyer, via the internet.
3 Research the property market via the internet.
4 Discuss and decide with your lawyer the best way to deal with ownership
5 Get mobile and get out there looking.
6 Use the real estate agents only as a source of information.
7 Once you have decided on the properties you would like to have a closer look at, inform your lawyer who will in turn then gather the necessary information regarding ownership via the land office.
8 Once you have decided on the property and you have decided on the most suitable method purchasing and ownership then the transaction will proceed with your lawyer taking care of the detail.
If you must deal with agents then as I said previously deal only with Thai agents, your lawyer will be able to help you find one in Hua Hin.
I have no hidden agenda and the only reason I have contributed to this posting is that my wife, her family and I are saddened by the increase in property scams here in Hua Hin.
We do not use agents, my wife and I do all the leg work. We occasionally use a lawyer, but mostly deal directly with either the developer or owner.
Unfortunately Hua Hin has become a bit of a minefield for foreign buyers, but if you use a bit of common sense and take all necessary precautions you can find what you are looking for.
For a newcomer I would suggest the following
1 Plan to live in Hua Hin for at least six months prior to buying.
2 Find a lawyer, via the internet.
3 Research the property market via the internet.
4 Discuss and decide with your lawyer the best way to deal with ownership
5 Get mobile and get out there looking.
6 Use the real estate agents only as a source of information.
7 Once you have decided on the properties you would like to have a closer look at, inform your lawyer who will in turn then gather the necessary information regarding ownership via the land office.
8 Once you have decided on the property and you have decided on the most suitable method purchasing and ownership then the transaction will proceed with your lawyer taking care of the detail.
If you must deal with agents then as I said previously deal only with Thai agents, your lawyer will be able to help you find one in Hua Hin.
I have no hidden agenda and the only reason I have contributed to this posting is that my wife, her family and I are saddened by the increase in property scams here in Hua Hin.
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Wanderlust
- Legend
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- Location: Hua Hin
tarakandi,
While you make several excellent points, I do think you are being extremely harsh on the agents, particularly as there are several good farang agents who will go out of their way to help buyers make the right choice. I am not involved in that business by the way. These good agents will do most of the legwork and enable people who cannot spend months here doing research themselves, and the only issue is identifying the good from the bad. I would have no hesitation recommending JW and those at his offices for example (and I am surprised that he hasn't appeared to bite back on your comments) - a few black sheep does not mean that all the agents can't be trusted. I also think that your technique of
While you make several excellent points, I do think you are being extremely harsh on the agents, particularly as there are several good farang agents who will go out of their way to help buyers make the right choice. I am not involved in that business by the way. These good agents will do most of the legwork and enable people who cannot spend months here doing research themselves, and the only issue is identifying the good from the bad. I would have no hesitation recommending JW and those at his offices for example (and I am surprised that he hasn't appeared to bite back on your comments) - a few black sheep does not mean that all the agents can't be trusted. I also think that your technique of
while not illegal is certainly to be frowned upon, as the agents have spent money on both putting that information together, and have an agreement with the people selling the houses, which you appear to be trying to get around. They are a business trying to earn and make money - if someone needs their services and can find a good agent I don't think it is your place to dissuade them with your catch-all slating. As with everything in life, there are good and bad people.Use the real estate agents only as a source of information
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sandman67
- Rock Star
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- Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 6:11 pm
- Location: I thought you had the map?
a further point you may consider os the current wobbly state of stock markets and the baht strength...... personally Im sitting this out for a while before buying anything....see what happens.
As to only dealing with Thai agents....why? Thais are no more intrinsically honest than anyone else.
Seems to me from reading property posts here and other online stuff that the problem isnt agents...its a small number of mainly farang developers. I dont ever intend living on a farang estate so hopefully I can avoid them anyway....that said there are some good ones about too.
I have no love at all of estate agents, but from what I can gather JW/Hot Property and Engel and Volkers seem to have good reps. Start with them and see whats about.
Good luck and hope you find your dream pad
As to only dealing with Thai agents....why? Thais are no more intrinsically honest than anyone else.
Seems to me from reading property posts here and other online stuff that the problem isnt agents...its a small number of mainly farang developers. I dont ever intend living on a farang estate so hopefully I can avoid them anyway....that said there are some good ones about too.
I have no love at all of estate agents, but from what I can gather JW/Hot Property and Engel and Volkers seem to have good reps. Start with them and see whats about.
Good luck and hope you find your dream pad
"Science flew men to the moon. Religion flew men into buildings."
"To sin by silence makes cowards of men."
"To sin by silence makes cowards of men."
Wanderlust,
You say that I am being extremely harsh on the farang agents, I disagree, when you have a tree with rotten apples the best thing to do is shake it and the rotten ones will fall to the ground.
The vast majority of ?farang agents? are no more than opportunists who are out to make a quick buck.
They generally have no property/real estate qualifications and if the correct background checks were carried out on the work permit application there is no way they would have been granted work permit.
Unfortunately the issuing of work permits is not controlled by the Hua Hin local authority, but they have got to take care of the consequences.
The Thai agents that I know do not operate from a fancy shop front, but operate in a low key way and look to deliver a service that can satisfy both parties.
These Thai agents tend to be self regulated and I think anyone who has lived in Thailand for a lengthy period of time and has a moderate understanding of Thai culture will understand exactly what self regulating means.
It seems to me that the farang agents think they can operate with impunity, but believe me every move that they make is scrutinised and when the time comes the tree will be well and truly shaken.
Hua Hin has grown at a remarkable rate in the last 15 years or so, but the power still remains within a core group of Hua Hin families and I consider myself to be very fortunate to be part of one of these families.
On previous posts people have mentioned intimidation by certain parties and I can understand their anxiety, but fortunately for me I can speak my mind as I have the full support of my family and other like minded families.
You say that I am being extremely harsh on the farang agents, I disagree, when you have a tree with rotten apples the best thing to do is shake it and the rotten ones will fall to the ground.
The vast majority of ?farang agents? are no more than opportunists who are out to make a quick buck.
They generally have no property/real estate qualifications and if the correct background checks were carried out on the work permit application there is no way they would have been granted work permit.
Unfortunately the issuing of work permits is not controlled by the Hua Hin local authority, but they have got to take care of the consequences.
The Thai agents that I know do not operate from a fancy shop front, but operate in a low key way and look to deliver a service that can satisfy both parties.
These Thai agents tend to be self regulated and I think anyone who has lived in Thailand for a lengthy period of time and has a moderate understanding of Thai culture will understand exactly what self regulating means.
It seems to me that the farang agents think they can operate with impunity, but believe me every move that they make is scrutinised and when the time comes the tree will be well and truly shaken.
Hua Hin has grown at a remarkable rate in the last 15 years or so, but the power still remains within a core group of Hua Hin families and I consider myself to be very fortunate to be part of one of these families.
On previous posts people have mentioned intimidation by certain parties and I can understand their anxiety, but fortunately for me I can speak my mind as I have the full support of my family and other like minded families.
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KelpieKiss
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It sounds like you're saying use the estate agent to find the house you want, then go behind their back and cut out their commission. This is a terrible way to do business! Either use estate agents or don't but in no way should you waste their time and then cut them out! If the real estate agent is the one who finds your ideal home then they deserve to be paid for their time and resources. In my experience there are lots of very crap lawyers in Thailand who cash in on doing nothing more than what the real estate agent has already done to secure the deal.tarakandi wrote:
6 Use the real estate agents only as a source of information.
7 Once you have decided on the properties you would like to have a closer look at, inform your lawyer who will in turn then gather the necessary information regarding ownership via the land office.
Yes there are crap agents that don't have a clue how to read a contract but not all. You can always involve a lawyer if you want anyway, regardless of what agent you went through. If you use agents to find property and then buy behind their back, then it's you who's the crook
"use the agents only as a source of information"
Well ???
Here is a situation all professional and experienced agents will be familiar with .(I have several years experience as an agent in Hua Hin.I now focus on other things but maintain an interest in that side of the business )
I answer an email enquiry from our website which was discovered through our extensive marketing .
The client gives us details back of the type of property in which they are interested and states that they will be in Hua Hin in a few weeks .
I consult my (salaried) staff and compile a list of reputable developments that may fit the specified criteria .
Over the next few weeks we consult the developers for up to the minute availabilities,take photographs and mail all to the client .
Prior to the clients arrival we put together an information pack on Hua hin consisting of local guidebooks,maps etc . We book them a hotel in Bangkok and one in Hua Hin (No commission but the hotel manager will give out our business cards to interested parties .)
The client arrives,settles in and calls us to arrange pickup at the hotel .We have breakfast (on the company) and discuss a viewing schedule .We spend 4 days touring Hua Hin looking at property and discussing everything you can think of about life in Thailand and buying property .We GENUINELY like this client so we spend some social time as well on the golf course and give them a tour of the nightlife .
The client does not make a firm decision and indicates they need time to discuss with partner first and thanks us all for our time .Promises without any pressure to be in touch within a week .
Our professional instincts tell us something was not quite right about the clients behaviour on the last day .
Get the picture ?
We get a phone call from one of the developers a couple of days later .
D: Hi do you remember the client you came here with on thursday ?
A: Yes the guy interested in the 2 storey .
D:Thats the one he has been here this morning
A:Good news I hope ?
D:Well he is going to buy but he wants your percentage taken off as a discount and to deal direct .
A:are you going to give him the discount ?
D: Yes I gave him a good deal because he will pay a larger deposit and he wants a few extras .
A:Feel a bit bad about that mate,did not think he would be the type,seemed a really nice guy .Now you have to do all the paperwork,handle payments etc,etc,etc that we would normally do to justify our fee .
HAVE I BEEN ROGERED ?
NO
WHY ?
D:Yeah but it will give you guys more time to sell the rest
Ill drop your commission in when the deposit hits the bank next wee k
A:As always mate .Make it afternoon and we will have a few sherberts .
D: great idea see you then .
This is a real experience of mine .
Over to the members now .
WHY DID THE DEVELOPER PAY US ?
Well ???
Here is a situation all professional and experienced agents will be familiar with .(I have several years experience as an agent in Hua Hin.I now focus on other things but maintain an interest in that side of the business )
I answer an email enquiry from our website which was discovered through our extensive marketing .
The client gives us details back of the type of property in which they are interested and states that they will be in Hua Hin in a few weeks .
I consult my (salaried) staff and compile a list of reputable developments that may fit the specified criteria .
Over the next few weeks we consult the developers for up to the minute availabilities,take photographs and mail all to the client .
Prior to the clients arrival we put together an information pack on Hua hin consisting of local guidebooks,maps etc . We book them a hotel in Bangkok and one in Hua Hin (No commission but the hotel manager will give out our business cards to interested parties .)
The client arrives,settles in and calls us to arrange pickup at the hotel .We have breakfast (on the company) and discuss a viewing schedule .We spend 4 days touring Hua Hin looking at property and discussing everything you can think of about life in Thailand and buying property .We GENUINELY like this client so we spend some social time as well on the golf course and give them a tour of the nightlife .
The client does not make a firm decision and indicates they need time to discuss with partner first and thanks us all for our time .Promises without any pressure to be in touch within a week .
Our professional instincts tell us something was not quite right about the clients behaviour on the last day .
Get the picture ?
We get a phone call from one of the developers a couple of days later .
D: Hi do you remember the client you came here with on thursday ?
A: Yes the guy interested in the 2 storey .
D:Thats the one he has been here this morning
A:Good news I hope ?
D:Well he is going to buy but he wants your percentage taken off as a discount and to deal direct .
A:are you going to give him the discount ?
D: Yes I gave him a good deal because he will pay a larger deposit and he wants a few extras .
A:Feel a bit bad about that mate,did not think he would be the type,seemed a really nice guy .Now you have to do all the paperwork,handle payments etc,etc,etc that we would normally do to justify our fee .
HAVE I BEEN ROGERED ?
NO
WHY ?
D:Yeah but it will give you guys more time to sell the rest
Ill drop your commission in when the deposit hits the bank next wee k
A:As always mate .Make it afternoon and we will have a few sherberts .
D: great idea see you then .
This is a real experience of mine .
Over to the members now .
WHY DID THE DEVELOPER PAY US ?
Last edited by crazy88 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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redzonerocker
- Rock Star
- Posts: 4777
- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2007 3:55 pm
- Location: England
buying
i don't think there is a more simple or better bit of advice on this threadRandy Cornhole wrote:The best advice I can give, has already been given but......
- Come here and rent for a few months, this will give you the chance to locate the areas you may want to live and which people can best help you achive this. Take my advice and DO NOT RUSH INTO ANY DECISION!!
Take your time it will certainly benefit you in the long run, after all you may be here a long time and you want it to be a pleasureable experience not a nightmare...
Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.