Buying a Condo

[zarusoba 0]

Would any of you entertain the option of buying a nice condo for 2M baht but only being able to stay in it 1-2 times a year for the next 4 years? I do have an American friend that lives in Pattaya that could check the condo now and then. The place is in a gated community. How would a person winterize the place for months at a time? What about keep the water on, electricity on, etc…..

 

Any suggestions … zarusoba

[js007 795]

I suppose it depends on how big of a deal 2 million baht is to the guy. For some, that's pocket change.

 

In any event, it would be nice to have a place to call your own, with your own stuff in it. I'd worry about security, though. Maybe a condo in one of the high rises would be OK. I think you can pay your condo fees and electric bill in advance.

 

On the other hand, there are always hundreds of places for rent, and the rents aren't too much.

 

J

[Picco01 0]

Most Condo's are now overpriced in Pattaya IMHO.

 

Picco

[papillon 695]

Pointless exercise imho.

[Eneukman 1]

Would any of you entertain the option of buying a nice condo for 2M baht but only being able to stay in it 1-2 times a year for the next 4 years? I do have an American friend that lives in Pattaya that could check the condo now and then. The place is in a gated community. How would a person winterize the place for months at a time? What about keep the water on, electricity on, etc…..

 

Any suggestions … zarusoba

 

It really depends on how long you plan on staying each visit.

 

As for turning off the water, there is a tap outside my condo that can be turned off or on at will. There should be a master electricity switch in the condo somewhere, which you can turn off when you leave.

 

If you are not going to be around, you really need to ensure that your maintenance fee is paid on time along with utility bills.

 

Some condos are now tackling head on those owners who are late or who can't be bothered paying their annual fees. The law allows condos to disconnect the utilities after a certain period of time. Quite a few people have been forced to pay their fees as a result of this action being taken where I stay.

 

If you don't pay your electricity bill on time, the electric company will come along and remove your meter. It could take several days to get reconnected.

 

Alan

[capdagde 1,954]

It really depends on how long you plan on staying each visit.

 

As for turning off the water, there is a tap outside my condo that can be turned off or on at will. There should be a master electricity switch in the condo somewhere, which you can turn off when you leave.

 

If you are not going to be around, you really need to ensure that your maintenance fee is paid on time along with utility bills.

 

Some condos are now tackling head on those owners who are late or who can't be bothered paying their annual fees. The law allows condos to disconnect the utilities after a certain period of time. Quite a few people have been forced to pay their fees as a result of this action being taken where I stay.

 

If you don't pay your electricity bill on time, the electric company will come along and remove your meter. It could take several days to get reconnected.

 

Alan

 

That's a good law Alan. Wish we had that here in France.

 

To the OP. I have several properties in France and had a look at buying in Pattaya but rents are so cheap, renting means you can move around, the re-sale market is iffy and rental income not a great return on investment - so decided against.

 

There you go. That's only me though.

 

Andy Cap

Edited October 28, 2008 by capdagde

[zarusoba 0]

Thank you all for your inputs. They all make since. Looks like I'll first move to Thailand in 4 years. Rent a place for 6-8 months while looking for a place to buy ... zarusoba