House v Condo

[whitespider 1]

I am looking for a long term rental in Pattaya or Jomtien for a friend.

 

Initially I searched all over for condos up to 15,000 p.m assuming condos to be cheaper.

 

Having found nothing that really caught my eye I checked houses. I was quite amazed to see many (new) fully furnished, 2 bed 2 bath, houses with communal pools for around 15,000 - 18,000 p.m.

 

It seems like much better value than a studio condo at 12k

 

Can anyone enlighten me if I am missing something here?? The only advantage I "see" with the condos is location, many being available near the beach. However a 12 month stay doesnt really require a beachside property.

 

Any ideas and recommendations appreciated.

 

Also any comments on Fair Properties. I read many times to avoid "agents" but their prices seem very fair at face value.

[torrenova 644]

Fair Properties ? I could write a book about their "activities. Avoid like the plague. Prices too high for sale and rentals.

 

From what I can gather, you don't know where your friend wants to live. Saying Pattaya or Jomtien is too great an area.

 

Why a condo ? added security, no-one from the outside knows which one you live in. usually have some facilities on site like laundry, mini mart etc. Downstairs security, daytime office to sort out the niggly things etc. Bigger pool usually, maybe more than one. Location can be central or at least on a public transport route.

 

Why a house ? More space for your money usually, seclusion as usually further out, some people don't like living "in the air", garden perhaps, private pool at the higher end, can have a barbeque !

 

But, security can be an issue with houses. Anyone following your movements knows exactly where you live. You may need your own transport to get to the shops or into town. There may not be too much social life nearby.

 

Conclusion

 

I would have a top end house or if I had kids. I'm used to condos having lived in them in Hong Kong and Tokyo and even London before I bought a house. I used to miss a garden but don't miss the work on the upkeep.

 

Condos are just easier but you don't get the space, especially if you are prepared to move out a little.

 

I'd advise your friend to rent a condo for a month. Then see whether he likes the area and indeed whether he likes living in a condo. Then perhaps rent a house for a month and do the same. After that, he should have a much better idea of what suits him.

 

You don't need agents, much information in the Pattaya Mail (online too), Pattaya Trader (online as well) and on the ground floors of the condo blocks like View Talay 1+2

[jacko 8,813]

Good comprehensive reply torrenova, although renting a house for only a month might be difficult. The first month in a rented house is an exercise in spending, getting all those bits and pieces that were not included. After 3 months I now have everything I need, but want to move back over Sukhumvit...closer to the sea. A condo never quite appealed to me, it's a bedsitter in a tower block! Someone above, who likes to wear high heel shoes (Big Chief), could make life annoying. That said, soi dogs can be frustrating when in a house.

[Pieman 0]

In addition to the security, one of the reasons I chose a condo over a house is that by getting a condo on a floor higher than, say, the 10th you can have your windows open at night without turning the room into a "flying circus". I rarely ever get any UFOs.

 

Having said that, provided I can find something in the right spot that has adequate security I'm thinking of moving to a house when my current lease expires for one reason only - sport. UBC coverage is getting worse (apart from football) with both cricket and rugby coverage abysmal and to get the S. African Supersport package you need a large dish - not an option on a condo balcony.

 

Cheers

Pie

[whitespider 1]

Thanks guys - thanks for great advice

 

Special thanks to Torrenova re Fair properties. I have already tried PattayaMail.com and that seems to bear out the lower price argument re direct v agents although most of the ads do seem to be from agents in there anyway.

 

The best way forward seems to be the suggestions re condo/appartment/serviced appt for one month and then a good scout about to see if the extra space of a house is preferable. He is single, which was a good point made by Torrenova, so maybe he just doesn't NEED the extra space.

 

One more question:-

 

Torrenova said to check "the ground floors of the condo blocks" - do you mean there is a "for rent" noticeboard in these and can I just walk in and read them?

 

I am in BKK and obviously CAN go down and do this but it would be great if a BM living in a condo block could take a look and let me know what the availabilty is like so I dont waste a trip.

[Owen` 2]

Re: satellite dishes and tower condos. That close to the equator, there is probably less concern about which side of the building your condo is on. The dish will point almost straight up so there should be few places shadowed by the building. Be sure to check before renting, though, if that is your intent.

[Gabor 296]

I'm agree forget Fair properties, my friends had only problems with them. You can do a search on the net for condos, you can find condos from the owner in the VT 1 and 2 on the http://www.pattaya.lap.hu or maybe look on my condo I'm renting out http://www.viewtalay2.try.hu/

[JohnnyK 28]

... you can have your windows open at night without turning the room into a "flying circus". I rarely ever get any UFOs.

 

Cheers

Pie

I've heard your place already is a flying circus

Edited September 9, 2006 by JohnnyK

[carpediem 0]

a few disconnected questions to which perhaps someone has answers:

 

is it true that a condo rental (or even purchase) will always disallow pets (animals, that is)?

 

how common is the practice of putting a 'to let' etc sign outside an available house - and is this practice universal (ie throughout thailand - city and countryside)?

 

for a longish rental can one simply go ahead with putting up pictures, shelves or whatever - on the assumption that any wish to reinstate can be dealt with at the end with the deposit taken - or does one need permission item by item? again i'm asking about the general rule, if there is one.

 

thanks for any responses.

 

cd