Thread: Condominium rental investment

look for a god lawyer to help you just find one you trust

ummmm, don't invest in Thailand?

Some of the BRIC markets would be a better bet

Originally Posted by benlovesnuk

Hi can anyone give their help on condominium investment?

I have a lump sum of 6,000,000 B and want to spread this as much as possible over 4-5 condo's of different sizes, does anyone know more intricately this side of financing and what are the terms and likely hood of being able to do so (as ive heard its quite tricky)? This is my total fund base, but i am only 26 looking to get a starting profile of property, investment and steady income for my family.

I am based in Chiangmai but not currently in Thailand, im looking for practical and straightforward advice, cheers!

Unless you plan to stay in Thailand all the time, avoid the condo rental business that needs to be followed in person.
I have also read on a message board that farangs cannot legally rent their properties in Thailand unless they set up a company , check that with a lawyer (or accept the risk of renting "in black")

I am based in Chiangmai but not currently in Thailand

This is my total fund base, but i am only 26

buy land or invest in a proper country.

Buy some land, build Thai style apartment blocks, 40 units at 3000B per month. After 10 years your investment is paid and your retirment is set up. Or as Taxexile says, invest it in a proper country where you actually own the investment.

thanks for all of your kind replies and keen information!

I thought it was possible to own condo's as long as the majority share was thai owned?

My wife is Thai and so can create a business in her name releasing me from the obligation of drawing an income from the business. Yet the buildings will be legally mine and owned by me.

I Plan to live the rest of my life in this part of the world and hopefully the majority of that in Thailand, I have my family here so this is where i want to invest!

I was thinking more along the lines of where eg Bangkok or Chiangmai? etc as well as experiences in doing so, but any information is welcomed information.

cheers lads and gals

Originally Posted by benlovesnuk

I Plan to live the rest of my life in this part of the world

You are only 26. Far too young to be making such an assumption/commitment.

Originally Posted by benlovesnuk

I have my family here so this is where i want to invest!

You'd be far better off investing back home and living off the income over in Thailand, or investing a portion of it in a well thought out business in Thailand.

In my opinion there's no point in trying to speculate on property in Thailand and the risks are too great when you don't know what you are doing nor have the connections to succeed. There is no escrow here so buying off plan (the only way to really make money) is fraught with risk.

Just bear in mind 70% of all rooms in new condominium developments remain empty. A fact to remember when it comes to resale or rental. Both markets absolutely saturated in Bangkok at the moment.

There will be a massive crash in the Thai property market in the near future.

I thought you'd already started building stuff?

Hi there,


To BEadle: Many thanks for your informative suggestions they seem to be the same as most others here, which i do take on board.

I have lived and come from the UK. I dont really like the UK and much of that area, I do however have a great interest in Japan China and Thailand,as well as Australia and New Zealand. So Whilst you are right in making the point that im too young to know where i might actually live in 30 years time, the fact is, that point is mine to make (or suggest) and is more relevant one! I have no interest in the America's a little in parts of Africa, (mainly the North) and so if i were to guess, Asia is by far a more progressive place for my future. Also the fact that my wife and young child are here does have the greater relevance of all!

I am also starting a business in the art sector, with this being 60% of our main income. The rest of which i was hoping to put into property and land.

I dont really want the hassle of putting that money in the UK as the exchange is ever decreasing and probably unlikely to re surge! the overall cost of buying outright and receiving a reasonable return is far too much in comparative money i couldn't buy a lot in the UK for that money and rent would be below 400 pounds a month. This does not make sense for me though i'm sure for others this might hold better security and legal options.

I really am looking for more relevant advice on the market that i am planning to go into which is the thai market. I have already invested money in land and property and done well from it and though maybe more luck i wish to continue this as it suits more my intentions.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Jandajoy - yes i had some land that i was hoping to build apartments on i think the cost was far too great in the end but this is maybe for when i have a bit more knowledge in this area and field.

Originally Posted by benlovesnuk

Asia is by far a more progressive place for my future. Also the fact that my wife and young child are here does have the greater relevance of all!

You might want to consider another part of Asia that is actually progressive as by the looks of things Thailand is heading towards a tumultuous period of civil unrest and possibly could regress back into a totalitarian regime.

Originally Posted by benlovesnuk

I dont really want the hassle of putting that money in the UK as the exchange is ever decreasing and probably unlikely to re surge!

Get it offshore accounts in different currencies making sure you can easily access it if necessary.

Don't agree that £ won't come back either, as politically Thailand is facing an imminent crisis and the UK has taken the necessary measures to rebound from the global recession in a prominent position.

Engage your brain and get a small but lucrative business together in Thailand with a little investment. I started mine with about £300 and it currently pulls in about 100,000thb to 200,000thb per month. No reason why you can't do something similar or even better. I am a lazy f*cker and I spend all my time on here telling people like you what they should be doing lest I'd be earning well in excess of 500,000thb per month.

Good luck with whatever you decide but it seems to me you have already decided to invest in condominiums.

Hi there

No not at all! I thank you for honest and practical advice, condo's was not my first idea but i thought if the rental was as i have seen in places like Lumpini in Bangkok these were good returns. However im not arrogant or stuck in my ways, i am quite happy to move on the ground as something comes up.

I hope that my art business will take hold and do what your talking about this was more investment into something less risky then stocks and shares.

What type of business did you get into, if you can say?

many thanks once again for honest advice please keep it coming!

If you want to make a business or rental income, make it one that Thais will want. the returns may be smaller but the demand will be sustained.

my bro has 6 by the BTS
a hassle getting decent tenants who pay on time

its all good information so thanks....... does your brother seek references, and that they work etc or just rent out to the first person?

Maybe condo's are not the way forward after all, but i'll wait till the condo exhibit at queen sirikit...... cheers

Make sure nuklovesben for sure !
Don't invest in Thailand !
Wait another 2 years, park your money in the bank or sure stocks, and then think it over again.
I know you are not going to like my answer.
Good Luck !

Am reading your thread with interest. good to see you are willing to take advice and not just jump in and risk making a big mistake. You have a good amount of money there, and with careful research you could grow it nicely.

but from reading what you've written you probably need to spend a good amount of time doing research and bringing your investment knowledge up to a higher level before you commit to anything. For example shares/stocks are not necessarily more risky than Thai property ... depends on the shares and depends on the property in question. There are also things like mutual funds that can be a mix of shares, bonds, property etc and (again, when well chosen) result in good returns at low-moderate risk. Actually, first off maybe you could check out the book "Your Investment Guide to Thailand" by Silkworm Books (if you want you can find more details using a search engine like yahoo)

Originally Posted by benlovesnuk

Hi can anyone give their help on condominium investment?

I have a lump sum of 6,000,000 B and want to spread this as much as possible over 4-5 condo's of different sizes, does anyone know more intricately this side of financing and what are the terms and likely hood of being able to do so (as ive heard its quite tricky)? This is my total fund base, but i am only 26 looking to get a starting profile of property, investment and steady income for my family.

I am based in Chiangmai but not currently in Thailand, im looking for practical and straightforward advice, cheers!

My GF friend is a lawyer for this sector and specialises in selecting the best rental areas etc. If you can't get the info you want i can get her details if it's of any use to you.