Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. #1
    Newbie ultramarine's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last Online
    20-06-2014 @ 04:48 AM
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    34

    Renting an apartment: DIY or agent?

    I can see both sides to this but wonder what member experiences have been. The agent speaks some English, and narrows down the possibilities, and takes a cut.

    My sense is agents tend to handle the higher end condo market (10K and up) while the low end places are more doable on one's own.

    I was shown a place today near the BTS at Soi 103 that was OK but 10,000 seemed a little high. It was big enough (35 sq m), but it felt pretty spartan with tiles covering every square inch of the place. Also not the greatest building. Thais do love their concrete! Not sure I would want to live there.

    Any apartment hunting tips from seasoned pros would be welcome.

  2. #2
    Banned

    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last Online
    09-05-2021 @ 03:25 AM
    Posts
    33,644
    In that vicinity and for 10,000 baht you can get yourself a town house instead of a cramped condo.

    I can give you a phone number if you like of a landlady who has an American husband who own a lot of houses in Bangkok

  3. #3
    I am in Jail

    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Last Online
    11-07-2014 @ 08:15 PM
    Location
    quarantine
    Posts
    2,919
    first they always try to sell you the crap, imo...

    make clear they may shove the crap places and you only want to see things that are incredibly good offers (price, location, equipment)... otherwise not interested...

  4. #4
    Newbie ultramarine's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last Online
    20-06-2014 @ 04:48 AM
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    34
    Sure thing Dillinger -- lay that townhouse number on me.

    I will try to hold out for something better. But you are captive to the market dynamic. If there are enough people who are settling for overpriced shoeboxes because they are cheap by Western standards, then the agent doesn't have to bother with me.

  5. #5
    Member

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Last Online
    21-01-2013 @ 01:30 PM
    Posts
    217
    I don't think agents in Thailand are honest. Basically, you never know what is their actual cut, and what the real deal is. For what it's worth, the agent may end up taking a 3,000 cut out of those 10,000 as long as you live at the place. Rent savings add up with time -- a 10.5k vs 10k for a place seems trivial, but that's a month worth of free food each year.

    If you plan on staying in Bangkok for a while, there is no substitute for looking for places and negotiating by yourself. It's a hassle, takes a lot of time and walking, but it'll save you a bunch if you end up finding a decent place and live there for a while.

    If you know you're here for just a few months, then an agent may be worth their cut (for saving you time). Maybe on the high-end (25k and more) agents are worthwhile since if you're paying so much you can't be bothered to spend time looking.

    Why not get a Thai friend to tag along and help you out with the search? You might need to reward them for the hassle and make clear what their job is and what you're looking for in an apartment, not just have them tag along... but they could help quite a bit if you don't speak Thai. Even just with English, you'll get a hang of the market after looking at 5-10 places in an area.

  6. #6
    Newbie ultramarine's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last Online
    20-06-2014 @ 04:48 AM
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    34
    Thanks for ideas, croc. I do have a Thai friend who could tag along so that is something that can be done.

    Being the market fatalist that I am, I'm starting to think that you get what you pay for. There will always be good deals and rip offs, but generally speaking its all reflected in the price. For a basic 30 sq m studio, you can pay as little 5000 if you find it yourself or on one of the online thai sites like teepak.com. But there probably won't be a pool or fitness and it may be bare bones. The agent is probably getting 20-30% but then if they save me time walking around in the hot sun, then it could be worth it. Especially if they are only dealing with better places with good amenities.

    The other issue I'm dealing with is the two month deposit and one month advance and then the long term lease. 12 months is too long and even 6 months is a bit boxy for me. The alternative would be to rent for a shorter time and then simply forgo the deposit when I bail early. That ups the average rent somewhat but it may be the calculation I need to make. So a 10,000 a month place for 12 month lease de facto becomes 12000 a month for 6 months. Another one of life's little trade offs.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat
    DrAndy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    25-03-2014 @ 05:29 PM
    Location
    yes
    Posts
    32,025
    damn, Ultra, I could move my block to Bkk and let you have a nice one 55 sq m for 10K

    Chaing Mai is a better place to live anyway, and obviously a lot cheaper

  8. #8
    Banned

    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last Online
    09-05-2021 @ 03:25 AM
    Posts
    33,644
    Have a read of this thread UM.

    https://teakdoor.com/bangkok-forum/11...per-night.html (Bangkok Hotel 400baht per night)

    Only 1 months deposit and 5k a month, the 2 i put on there

  9. #9
    Newbie ultramarine's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last Online
    20-06-2014 @ 04:48 AM
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    34
    Big thanks to you Mr Dillinger for the thread link. That place is a bit on the austere side for my tastes but yeah, it's always good to know the marketplace. I lived on Arun Amarin near Pin Klao 20 years ago for a while -- fun to take the boat and all, but not sure if I would dig it now so much. Curious about your "25 tabs a day habit" you mentioned. Of what may I ask?

    Hey Dr Andy, I'm new here and all so I don't want to get into any pointless bickering about CM vs. BKK. It's just a personal choice. I never have got a good vibe from CM. Maybe I feel conspicuous there -- so many farangs. Or maybe its the ridiculous transportation situation with those evil songtaews. Who knows. No doubt it is cheaper. 10K gets me 55sq m? Hmm....

  10. #10

    R.I.P.


    dirtydog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Pattaya Jomtien
    Posts
    58,763
    10k and under do yourself, agents may have some but they will be there own or friends of theres, no money in the cheap end of the market.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat
    DrAndy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    25-03-2014 @ 05:29 PM
    Location
    yes
    Posts
    32,025
    Quote Originally Posted by ultramarine
    all so I don't want to get into any pointless bickering about CM vs. BKK
    quite right

    I like both cities but CM is a lot cheaper

    the farang do concentrate in certain areas, so you can avoid them

    hot plug for my market picture thread - hardly any farang there

  12. #12
    Newbie ultramarine's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last Online
    20-06-2014 @ 04:48 AM
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    34
    OK Dr. Where is your market picture thread? Took a quick look at the CM forum but didn't see it.

    Fair point DD. There's a few sub 10K condos on agent sites like easyhomes.tv. Nowhere near the supply as in the mid and upper end though.

  13. #13
    Fuck it
    Satonic's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, etc..
    Posts
    3,105

  14. #14
    Newbie ultramarine's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last Online
    20-06-2014 @ 04:48 AM
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    34
    ^ Thanks. Same forum. I'm not blind, just lazy.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •