With Koh Samui offering a very large array of properties all set in a jewel of an island, it’s hardly surprising that it’s drawing so many investors. And with Samui becoming ever more sophisticated, that trend is set to continue.
Many visitors now want to buy here and it makes sense. For some, however, there’s a lingering reluctance to do so. And it’s to do with the fact that that they are only visitors and don’t know the island well nor the legalities of purchasing here. This, they feel, is a drawback. After all, most purchasers are very familiar with the area in which they wish to buy; it will be in their home country for a start and perhaps they have already lived in the area for many years. But they need not worry as there is so much help at hand to counterbalance any lack of knowledge.
In this article we present some conseils immobiliers Koh Samui (real estate tips Koh Samui) that will be of use to those buying a property here. Some of these tips may be obvious, others not.
First and foremost, you will need to consider the legal background to buying a property on the island. This isn’t because it’s very difficult, but there are rules that you will be unfamiliar with. If you are a non-Thai you will need to follow procedures both for the property and for your personal documents. You will need to be aware of all the differences that exist here when it comes to property ownership. There are books on the market that can help explain this as well as helpful websites but the best thing to do is to consult with a reputable realtor and/or a lawyer who can speak your native language. All paperwork will be in Thai, and even if you are well-versed in the language or have someone to help you, but who is not trained in these matters, it’s very easy for mistakes to be made.
One of the ways in which realtors and lawyers can be of great help is to check that the land has the right title and that all is as it should be.
They can also make sure that every aspect of the property and the transaction is above board and ensure that the handover is seamless.
As at home, you will need the help of experts to assess the land and the property. It’s very tempting to rely solely on a virtual tour but unless you are working with a very trusted partner, it’s very easy to overlook something vital if you are checking everything out by viewing it through your smartphone. It’s not that someone might be trying to cheat you – though of course that happens too – it’s rather that you may simply overlook something vital. After all, life here in the tropics is very different and you will need to really get close to a house and inspect it minutely if you wish to have peace of mind. That’s why it is always best to have an expert on hand to help you. And to visit the property or site together.
One tip which many have followed is to rent first on the island before deciding whether or not to buy. This is especially valid if you don’t know the island well. It’s really not the case that you are going to stumble across something unpleasant, but you will need to know if you are really suited to island life – if you’re from a big city, for example, you may start to miss city life after a while, even if you love temporarily getting away from it.
Make sure, too, that you give yourself enough time to familiarize yourself with the island’s different regions. Many people, for example, won’t have been to the south of Koh Samui, the least developed part, and may only know the north before deciding to buy.
If it is possible, always check out other lifestyle destinations and see how Koh Samui compares. You will probably be pleasantly surprised how well the island fares in comparison with many other places. For a start, the people here, whether Thai or non-Thai, have a reputation for being friendly and hospitable. There is also a very low crime rate compared to some other destinations, which leads to a more relaxed life. And, of course, as you no doubt know already, life is a lot less expensive here than in many similar places. Your money will therefor go a lot further here – and that will reflect in what you will be able to purchase when it comes to a property. For conseils immobiliers Koh Samui (real estate tips Koh Samui) it’s always best to consult an expert and here at Siam Commercial Services we will be able to help you in all aspects of purchasing a property on the island. If you are interested in setting up on Koh Samui, then contact us for an informal chat about your needs and wishes – we have helped many expatriates settle on Koh Samui and enjoy a dream lifestyle.