Good morning to you all.
My name is Andreas Charalambous, and currenlty I am residing in Cyprus, with my wife and her son. We are currently in the process of locating a House in Hua Hin, and plan to retire there in the very near future. I have surfed the Internet and came up with many Estate Agents.
Can please anyone specify some Estate Agents that I Shuol Not do contact or do business with?
Thank you very much
Newcomer. Looking for advice on Property
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lockwood74
- Specialist
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:30 pm
- Location: LONDON
- Contact:
Buying property
The property market in Hua Hin that is aimed at Foreigners is in the doldrums. It has been slowing rapidly for the last 12 months.
Sales are now virtually non existent compared with 2 years ago.
The foreign property market is fueled by Northern European money, this has dried up, combined with the strong baht, this makes buying property a less attractive option.
I can not predict the future, but bargains in Hua hin are not now.
I do think that if this period of stagnation continues we will see property companies pulling as their funds dry up, it all depends how long the the credit crunch lasts and how long the baht stays high.
When I can to hua Hin in December, I was shocked to see how many properties were left half constructed and signs of vacant development sites with nothing happening. Tin sheds where workers had left.
This is reminiscent of the last Asian property fall. Is it lurking around the corner.
Maybee the rich Thais will buy up all the houses and replace Northern European buyers, I dont think so just yet.
If money is a concern, I would sit tight and wait for changes in the currency rate or for the market to fall and pick up a bargain.
Sorry to be gloomy but things are going to get worse before they improve. The next few years will be a rocky ride for property developers.
John
Sales are now virtually non existent compared with 2 years ago.
The foreign property market is fueled by Northern European money, this has dried up, combined with the strong baht, this makes buying property a less attractive option.
I can not predict the future, but bargains in Hua hin are not now.
I do think that if this period of stagnation continues we will see property companies pulling as their funds dry up, it all depends how long the the credit crunch lasts and how long the baht stays high.
When I can to hua Hin in December, I was shocked to see how many properties were left half constructed and signs of vacant development sites with nothing happening. Tin sheds where workers had left.
This is reminiscent of the last Asian property fall. Is it lurking around the corner.
Maybee the rich Thais will buy up all the houses and replace Northern European buyers, I dont think so just yet.
If money is a concern, I would sit tight and wait for changes in the currency rate or for the market to fall and pick up a bargain.
Sorry to be gloomy but things are going to get worse before they improve. The next few years will be a rocky ride for property developers.
John
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KelpieKiss
- Banned
- Posts: 255
- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:36 pm
Hhenias,
Best advise I could give you would be to come to Hua Hin and rent a nice house for a few weeks/months. Relax, get to know the place very well and have a look at the surrounding areas like Khao Takiab, Cha Am and Khao Tao.
Speak to lots of people and figure out for yourself who good estate agents are. Anyone recommending one may have ulterior motives so go on your own instincts. There are very good developments around with good prices and nice houses if you know where to look. If you're staying here there's nothing to stop you driving around and having a good look yourself. Also get yourself familiarized with all the property laws, they're easy to research online so there's no reason you should be relying on other people that might not tell you all the facts.
Bottom line, you can get a nice house here and be very happy as long as you bring your brain with you.
Best advise I could give you would be to come to Hua Hin and rent a nice house for a few weeks/months. Relax, get to know the place very well and have a look at the surrounding areas like Khao Takiab, Cha Am and Khao Tao.
Speak to lots of people and figure out for yourself who good estate agents are. Anyone recommending one may have ulterior motives so go on your own instincts. There are very good developments around with good prices and nice houses if you know where to look. If you're staying here there's nothing to stop you driving around and having a good look yourself. Also get yourself familiarized with all the property laws, they're easy to research online so there's no reason you should be relying on other people that might not tell you all the facts.
Bottom line, you can get a nice house here and be very happy as long as you bring your brain with you.
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edwinadanish
- Amateur
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:27 pm
does anyone know the situation for the rest of thailand? i read the news here for hus hin and i like the place here but i am worried if the property market is so bad about buy property now. maybe the other places in thailand are better safe? how about bangkok? i see that many big condominium developments seem sell very fast there still but maybe it is not so true.
the news seem very optimistic now the new government is here but is this true too?
i appreciate any advice on this big matter.
thank you
the news seem very optimistic now the new government is here but is this true too?
i appreciate any advice on this big matter.
thank you
edwindanish, what kk says above, is on the spot. No matter where in Thailand, his advise is correct.
Come here, relax, take your time. There are those who say, that it now is better to wait than buy.
Next two - three years it is going to be buyer's market, so you are not in a hurry.
I'd also say: do not buy a project, buy a house/condo already built, in an area already built.
You then know exactly what you get, in an area you already see, and you do not have to live in
on environment constantly under construction.
Come here, relax, take your time. There are those who say, that it now is better to wait than buy.
Next two - three years it is going to be buyer's market, so you are not in a hurry.
I'd also say: do not buy a project, buy a house/condo already built, in an area already built.
You then know exactly what you get, in an area you already see, and you do not have to live in
on environment constantly under construction.
"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."
I think I would go along with the advice, come and stay and have a look and see what you like and will be happy to spend the rest of your retirement in.
If you are happy with your house, and happy with what you paid, just enjoy your life in Hua Hin in your home.
If the prices fall but you are still happy in your home, so what, just enjoy your new life.
The re-sale prices only matter if you are re-selling. If you are not, just enjoy your dream. You have only lost money if you re-sell at a loss.
If you are happy with your house, and happy with what you paid, just enjoy your life in Hua Hin in your home.
If the prices fall but you are still happy in your home, so what, just enjoy your new life.
The re-sale prices only matter if you are re-selling. If you are not, just enjoy your dream. You have only lost money if you re-sell at a loss.
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
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
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.
Beware of unprovoked comments!
THANK YOU ALL - SOME FURTHER QUESTIONS
Thank you all very much for taking the time to answer my questions.
I've got a few more.
Is it easy to find a House near the beach, or at least overlooking the ocean?
Isn't it better to be part of a complex, with all facilities and services?
Is the procedure difficult, bureaucratic and complex when acquiring a house?
How is life in Hua Hin for expatriates?
Even though I have lived abroad for a few years, I know nothign about Hua Hin.
Can an expatriate set up a business, let's say a Restaurant or a Bar?
On average, how much does an Expat need every day to live well?
Thank you again for your response
I've got a few more.
Is it easy to find a House near the beach, or at least overlooking the ocean?
Isn't it better to be part of a complex, with all facilities and services?
Is the procedure difficult, bureaucratic and complex when acquiring a house?
How is life in Hua Hin for expatriates?
Even though I have lived abroad for a few years, I know nothign about Hua Hin.
Can an expatriate set up a business, let's say a Restaurant or a Bar?
On average, how much does an Expat need every day to live well?
Thank you again for your response
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KelpieKiss
- Banned
- Posts: 255
- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:36 pm
Re: THANK YOU ALL - SOME FURTHER QUESTIONS
If you want a house near the beach then you'll need to spend some cash, or you can go out of the Hua Hin area a bit where beach front land is less expensive.hhenias wrote:Thank you all very much for taking the time to answer my questions.
I've got a few more.
Is it easy to find a House near the beach, or at least overlooking the ocean?
Isn't it better to be part of a complex, with all facilities and services?
Is the procedure difficult, bureaucratic and complex when acquiring a house?
How is life in Hua Hin for expatriates?
Even though I have lived abroad for a few years, I know nothign about Hua Hin.
Can an expatriate set up a business, let's say a Restaurant or a Bar?
On average, how much does an Expat need every day to live well?
Thank you again for your response
Sound like you should buy a condo. You can own it freehold and they generally don't depreciate as much as a house as the Thais like to buy them.
How's the life for Expats??? Depends who you are and what you like to do. Like I said before, come here and check the place out. You can ask a million questions on here when you'd learn more in 1 day actually being here.
What's living well? Walking on the beach or going crazy in the bars? One of these activities will cost you more.
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sessachief
- Amateur
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:47 am
Credit crunch
Hello,
My wife and I loved it over .the Christmas period in Hua Hin.
I have asked much the same questions.
Although in Europe times are going to be very very tough soon!
Upon some sensible feedback we hope to look at norhern Cha-am.
We bank on living on 60,000BHT per month.
I would like to rent a Condo short term to see whether there is a sense of community?
Any suggestions of where to rent a one /two bedoomed place for a month would be very welcome. Close by the beach and yet close enough to get around !
I would love to play some tennis and golf, but can`t afford the tourist prices !
Would I be correct in saying weather for this neck of the woods is as good as it gets all year round in Thailand.
My Son is in Chang Mai at the moment, says it is lovely there as well.
A recomendation of good Massage place , cheap but excellent food would be well received. The opportunity to meet people a bonus.
I have so far received solid advice from John from Baan Thai property, and Siam Properties have not been unhelpful.
Look forward to coming back as soon as ..
Stephen
My wife and I loved it over .the Christmas period in Hua Hin.
I have asked much the same questions.
Although in Europe times are going to be very very tough soon!
Upon some sensible feedback we hope to look at norhern Cha-am.
We bank on living on 60,000BHT per month.
I would like to rent a Condo short term to see whether there is a sense of community?
Any suggestions of where to rent a one /two bedoomed place for a month would be very welcome. Close by the beach and yet close enough to get around !
I would love to play some tennis and golf, but can`t afford the tourist prices !
Would I be correct in saying weather for this neck of the woods is as good as it gets all year round in Thailand.
My Son is in Chang Mai at the moment, says it is lovely there as well.
A recomendation of good Massage place , cheap but excellent food would be well received. The opportunity to meet people a bonus.
I have so far received solid advice from John from Baan Thai property, and Siam Properties have not been unhelpful.
Look forward to coming back as soon as ..
Stephen
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!
Last edited by johnnyk on Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:39 am, edited 1 time in total.
lockwood74,
You say that the HH property market is in the doldrums.
You say that sales are virtually non existant compared to two years ago.
and then you say that there are no bargains now.
That makes no sense to me.
Surely you could get more of a bargain now compared to two years ago (if your assumptions are correct).
As you said, we cant predict the future so why should someone not buy now if they have the money and want to buy real estate in HH?
You say that the HH property market is in the doldrums.
You say that sales are virtually non existant compared to two years ago.
and then you say that there are no bargains now.
That makes no sense to me.
Surely you could get more of a bargain now compared to two years ago (if your assumptions are correct).
As you said, we cant predict the future so why should someone not buy now if they have the money and want to buy real estate in HH?
You only live once.
Lockwood74,
You said "The property market in Hua Hin that is aimed at Foreigners is in the doldrums. It has been slowing rapidly for the last 12 months.
Sales are now virtually non existent compared with 2 years ago.
The foreign property market is fueled by Northern European money, this has dried up, combined with the strong baht, this makes buying property a less attractive option.
I can not predict the future, but bargains in Hua hin are not now.
I do think that if this period of stagnation continues we will see property companies pulling as their funds dry up, it all depends how long the the credit crunch lasts and how long the baht stays high.
When I can to hua Hin in December, I was shocked to see how many properties were left half constructed and signs of vacant development sites with nothing happening. Tin sheds where workers had left.
This is reminiscent of the last Asian property fall. Is it lurking around the corner.
Maybee the rich Thais will buy up all the houses and replace Northern European buyers, I dont think so just yet.
If money is a concern, I would sit tight and wait for changes in the currency rate or for the market to fall and pick up a bargain.
Sorry to be gloomy but things are going to get worse before they improve. The next few years will be a rocky ride for property developers.
John
Sorry John but your evaluation of the market is far from correct - the market is not the buying frenzy of 3 years ago but it is steady with mostly northern European buyers, expats working in the middle east, Hong Kong and Singapore also make up a large portion of the market. Good developers are continuing to sell, the weak ones will fail, some developments don't sell and thus leave half built structures.
Cheers,
JW
You said "The property market in Hua Hin that is aimed at Foreigners is in the doldrums. It has been slowing rapidly for the last 12 months.
Sales are now virtually non existent compared with 2 years ago.
The foreign property market is fueled by Northern European money, this has dried up, combined with the strong baht, this makes buying property a less attractive option.
I can not predict the future, but bargains in Hua hin are not now.
I do think that if this period of stagnation continues we will see property companies pulling as their funds dry up, it all depends how long the the credit crunch lasts and how long the baht stays high.
When I can to hua Hin in December, I was shocked to see how many properties were left half constructed and signs of vacant development sites with nothing happening. Tin sheds where workers had left.
This is reminiscent of the last Asian property fall. Is it lurking around the corner.
Maybee the rich Thais will buy up all the houses and replace Northern European buyers, I dont think so just yet.
If money is a concern, I would sit tight and wait for changes in the currency rate or for the market to fall and pick up a bargain.
Sorry to be gloomy but things are going to get worse before they improve. The next few years will be a rocky ride for property developers.
John
Sorry John but your evaluation of the market is far from correct - the market is not the buying frenzy of 3 years ago but it is steady with mostly northern European buyers, expats working in the middle east, Hong Kong and Singapore also make up a large portion of the market. Good developers are continuing to sell, the weak ones will fail, some developments don't sell and thus leave half built structures.
Cheers,
JW
"PROBLEMS IN PARADISE"
'Foreign property buyers report rise in scams in Hua Hin'
Interesting article in todays Bangkok Post (page B4) which list some names.
Interesting article in todays Bangkok Post (page B4) which list some names.
TRUST IN ONE'S SELF