Bangkok

Finding a home in Bangkok City

When looking for real estate within Bangkok, there are a number of options.

Newspapers

The three main English language newspapers which advertise property are: The Bangkok Post (http://www.bangkokpost.com), The Nation (http://thenation.co.th/). There are classifieds detailing houses and condos for rent or sale in every issue.

Online

There is also the option of looking through the online classifieds websites such as ThaiVisa (http://www.thaivisa.com) and Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.co.th), or MrRoomFinder (http://www.mrroomfinder.com), which serves as both a classifieds website and real estate agent. You can usually save the commission by getting the name of the condo from the website and then going to see it for yourself, if you can find it without an address that is. The seller/landlord pays the commission in Thailand, but that usually means they pass on the cost to the renter. It’s usual for a real estate agent to take one month rent in commission, so if you go around them that gives you almost a 10% discount. The best choice is to get the name and then go to the nearby BTS or MRT station and ask a motorcycle taxi driver to take you there.

Explore

Another option would be to explore the areas where you want to live and see if there are any signs posted. Many people advertise on lampposts and billboards. If you know a Thai speaker, it is advisable to take them with you as they cannot only speak to the potential landlords, but also ask around the neighbourhoods to see if anyone knows anywhere suitable. It’s usually a big help if you can get a Thai friend or someone from your company to give you a hand with looking for a place to live. Your coworkers and friends will probably be more than willing to help you out. Local Thais will always be able to get a better price, as there is usually a Thai price and a foreigner price. The influx of expats living in Bangkok has led to a rise in prices, so any help in negotiations will be very worthwhile. The main disadvantage of searching for property yourself is the time and leg work. It is much easier to visit a real estate agency and browse through some details before deciding which ones to view. Condominiums usually have a main office that can help set you up with a seller/landlord. Doing it this way can help you save a significant sum in fees and overcharging particularly if you look for a condo in a predominantly Thai residential area.

Real estate agents

Real estate companies are prevalent, and while they make life much easier, there are charges for this. As already discussed, the seller pays the fees, but that usually means they will pass it on to the buyer. There are many, many real estate agents in Bangkok as there is no governing body and no license required. As an expat you are probably best off going with a Western agent. They are more likely to understand your needs as an expat, something a Thai agent may not. Thais live very differently than Westerners and often require less space and amenities than what you are used to. You can choose as many agents as you like as there is no official charge to the renter/buyer (again, the owner pays, but will add it on to your rent/purchase cost). Agents will, in fact, pay and arrange for transportation. Be sure to ask your agent to only show you the top properties within your price range. Many agents will take you to as many condos as possible hoping that one of them will appeal to you, but spending hours stuck in traffic to see property number 25 is hardly the best way to go about it. Also remember that the first offer is very rarely the best offer. Almost all prices can be lowered just by asking. This goes for both renting and buying.

The main real estate companies within Bangkok are below. They all specialise in every type of residential property found in Bangkok, covering all preferences and budgets and all speak English.