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Thai Condo Ownership: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video is just, we are discussing Thai Condo ownership, so condominiums here in Thailand. For those who are unaware, Thai Law restricts as a practical matter, foreign nationals from owning land in Thailand so it is not possible for a foreign national to come to Thailand and own real estate, own land here in the Kingdom. But it may be possible depending on circumstances to own a Condo 100% foreign ownership, Chanote Title, oftentimes called Freehold Title in some parts of the Commonwealth countries. Oftentimes we refer to this in the American context as Fee Simple Absolute Title. This is basically what you think of when you think of the title deed, you own that piece of property, you own it in Chanote title. 

A major benefit in my opinion and this is a cost benefit analysis. Many people that are looking to purchase condos and I urge those who are watching this, this is not some sales pitch to sell condos. I myself have owned condos here in Thailand for basically as long as I have been here, 13, 14 years. Shortly after getting here, I bought a condo. It is a major investment; the market is a little different than many other countries so you probably don't want to look at it as an investment in terms of like an ROI, Return on Investment by flipping it or even gaining cash flow by renting it, that can be somewhat problematic but as an investment as far as getting value for money sort of stretched out over a long period of time, condo ownership can be very, very beneficial. 

Now on the cost side of that, you have to front load the money as opposed to renting and in many ways Thailand can be very much a renter's market. There are a lot of vacant properties out there and you can get really good deals by renting in Thailand but when you think of the condos, other things go along with it. Most notably it is possible to get some something called a Yellow House Book, a Yellow Tabian Baan. This is a major benefit that can be accorded to somebody who owns a condo here in Thailand. The other thing is in my opinion I think having a Chanote, actually owning a home in Thailand is something that when you are dealing with Thai Authorities, or Banking, these kind of things, they see that "hey this person is permanent, this person is serious about being in Thailand this isn't someone that is just sort of living in a guest house and trying to do xyz. No, this is a person who wants to put down roots in Thailand, is looking to live in Thailand long term". I have never really regretted buying condos here. Now that being said, I did a lot of research, you should too; find out where exactly you want to be; really figure out what the costs are; don't go running into something where you may sort of get fleeced in terms of the cost. It is buyer beware; at the end of the day, Caveat Emptor, it is on you to do your research as to what is best for you, but I can say there are a number of benefits associated with ownership of Condo here in the Kingdom of Thailand.