New zoning laws are purported to make Bangkok more dense and improve utilization With hardly an inch of earth left to maximize land use and public utilities, there is still a plan to transform bustling Bangkok through inclusive development. City planners and property developers hope the new Bangkok city plan, scheduled to be applied from […]
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A SLEW of residential projects, comprised of single-detached houses, townhouses and condominiums will be launched in the Bangkok property market during the second half of the year, catering to the middle and upper-income homebuyers with unit prices of more than Bt2 million each. A survey by The Nation finds that 25 listed and non-listed property […]
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The outlook for the Thai economy in 2018 appears positive, based on trends that we saw emerging in the second half of last year. Most property developers have announced investment plans that feature higher revenue targets compared with last year. Available information so far shows that listed developers plan to launch about 400 billion baht […]
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Drive past Sukhumvit-Asoke intersection and you may notice a new billboard has come up in the past few days advertising a special discount for buyers of a high-end condominium project on Sathon Road that until recently was being touted as having been 100% sold out. One would be forgiven if they thought that this was […]
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Based on Edmund Tie & Company Research Bangkok’s condominium market was upbeat, as demand showed signs of improvement. The pre-sale levels of new projects in the CBD averaged 67% in Q1 2017, higher than the 64% in Q1 2016. The average unit selling price for new condominium units was similar to Q4 2016 at THB246,380 […]
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“Pre-Sale & Flip” Real Estate Investment – investing in pre-sale or pre-construction real estate – was proven to be profitable. You can always buy real estate at a fraction of the cost of a completed property. In Bangkok and some other area in Thailand, real estate will appreciate in value (increase price) before the project […]
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It is known in general that the best investment properties for non-professionals are residential, especially condominium. Why? Because condos require less maintenance – juristic office is there to assist with minor fixes so that you should only worry about the interior. In addition, as opposite to Europe and USA, condos are tend to garner higher […]
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There may be quite a few reasons to jump into the real estate market and buy a condo in Asoke or other Bangkok central areas. I tried to list the main of them and come with the following six reasons.
This one is probably the biggest reason why people buy properties – simply to be proud of saying we own whatsoever. And it does not really matter if it is a small hut or condo in a city center, as soon as it is yours and you are free to do with it as you please. People are proud to own any property since ownership means accomplishment.
Many think: “Why should I contribute to someones wealth when I could be paying off my own?” With various funding programs available in different countries, it is easier than ever to own a home with relatively small money down. And with the perpetual rental market increase it becomes more reasonable to own than to rent without a fear of mortgage payments increase.
One of the greatest things about real estate ownership is that property owners build equity, which gives them financial freedom to access a home equity loans. Property owners may borrow against the equity they have built in there own home for a all kinds of reasons such as home improvement, paying for private school, medical treatment, or starting up a new business. As opposite, you will never see again money paid for rent.
In long term the price of real estate always increase making buying real estate one of the lowest risk long-term investments we can make. Historically, real estate has had a long-term, stable growth in value. For example residential property prices in Thailand appreciated (increased) more than 40% during last 8 years.
If you need to choose between “investing” in a new car or in a new condo, a condo mostly probably wins as it will appreciate (increase in value) over the years while a vehicle depreciates (decrease in value). Property investors who build some equity may also be in a financial position to buy another property to rent out.
Property investment may be considered for two general purposes. First, is to gain wealth from property price appreciation either in short term or in longer term. Another purpose is to buy property for renting it out and to gain profit based on property rental yield (the annual rental income, expressed as a percentage of property purchase price). For Thailand an average property rental yield is more than 5%, that is one of the highest rates in South East Asia.
We recommend to get an advice from reputable local real estate companies before making investment decision.
Nowadays interest rates are low. It makes sense to buy property rather than keep money in bank. Also low interest rates are an opportunity to get your foot on the first rung of home ownership. It may be the right time to get into the real estate market and lock into a low interest rate and start building an equity.
You are free to do whatsoever in property you own – to paint the walls in any strange color with graffiti or decorate the ceiling with mirror or carpet! You are free to apply your unique talents and taste and to express yourself so that you can change the house to satisfy your private and special needs. When renting condo, your freedom is certainly limited. The only limitation you may have for your own property is keeping in mind that when you are ready to sell it, some potential buyer may prefer different style.
If you favor privacy, owning your own house permits you to stop worry about the owners checking up on you. Now you are the owner of property and you gain an independence and privacy with this ownership.
Have you been worry about your apartment or condo being sold out from under you to investors or somebody else? When renting condo and facing this situation, you could find yourself forced to pay unreasonably higher rental price. Such increases happen indefinitely so the investors can make greater wealth while you will need to leave and they can turn your building into a high rise condominium or serviced apartment.
Owning a property gives you and your family time to build long-lasting relationships within the community, gives you a feeling of belonging in that neighborhood and gives you the sense of putting down roots and getting established. It also offers your children the benefit of educational and social continuity.
Part A is here Part B is here Part B.2 here Part C is here
Hi there. Yesterday I published the last Part C where I have concluded that I will need to spend more than 250,000 ฿ (almost 7,200 $) a month in New York if I want to maintain same lifestyle that costs me 95,000 ฿ (about 2,700 $) here in Asoke Bangkok Thailand. This calculation is probably quite specific for my own lifestyle, even though it may be some good indicator for other expats. I took into account food, utilities, consumer goods, sports and, certainly, real estate expenses to compare cost of living between two cities. I may need to add cost of health services – this may be of interest for many expats, especially those from New York, where cost of health insurance and doctor visits getting higher and higher. It may be a good topic for one of next articles.
Here I would like to complete calculation for comparing cost of living in Asoke Bangkok and Sydney Australia, as started in Part B.
We already know that consumer prices (excluding Real Estate rent) in Sydney are 76% higher than in Bangkok, restaurant prices in Sydney are 182% higher than in Bangkok, and groceries Prices in Sydney are 51% higher than in Bangkok
Read Part A here Read Part B here
Hi there. Last week I started this “project” of comparing cost of living in Bangkok and New York. I have done it in a non-traditional way that is, however, relevant for me, and, probably, for some of readers. My way of comparing is based on a fact, that spend 95,000 ฿ (around 2,700 $) a month to maintain a certain lifestyle here in my condo in Asoke Bangkok.
In parts A and B we already compared cost of food, transportation and other expenses, excluding real estate and salaries. My calculation shows that consumer prices (excluding apartment rent) in New York are more than 2 times higher than in Asoke Bangkok. Restaurant prices in New York are almost 4 times higher than in Bangkok. And groceries prices in New York are almost double of those in Asoke Bangkok.