Thailand is a land of opportunity for property investors. Especially here on the Eastern Seaboard, we are spoiled for choice. Luxury high-rise condos, cozy bungalows, and sparkling pool villas are on offer around every corner.
With so many properties on the market, it’s hard to know what to buy, where to buy, and how much you should pay. And once you find your dream home, the process of purchasing it can seem like an endless maze of paperwork.
These are the Top Five Reasons buyers should engage a trained professional real estate agent to guide them through the property buying process:
#5 - Real Estate Agents Have Local Area Knowledge
Here on the Eastern Seaboard, we are blessed by living in a sprawling seaside metropolis with dozens of interconnected villages, neighborhoods, and beach communities. From suburban East Pattaya to sleepy Bang Sare to cosmopolitan Pratumnak Hill … there is a perfect place for everyone.
For newcomers and investors, understanding the pros and cons of each location is essential to finding the right property. Proximity to schools, hospitals, public transportation, and entertainment venues is information any good agent will provide. Knowledge of market trends and future infrastructure projects provided by a trusted agent can also be useful when deciding on a property.
Most importantly, a qualified agent will understand the prevailing price structures supported by each part of town. They’ll guide you toward the best location to meet your budget and offer guidance on how to negotiate a fair price.
#4- Real Estate Agents have Local Product Knowledge
Not all condos and houses are created equal and a good real estate agent can offer insight about specific buildings and housing projects. Professional agents will have knowledge about developers, builders, and the history of projects and subdivisions that buyers are interested in.
Especially with new or off-plan projects, developers are keen to sell what they have in inventory. A good agent will know about resales available in the same building and which projects offer similar products with more attractive deals.
One aspect of buying a condo or house many people overlook is the management of a building or the governance of a homeowners group. A qualified agent will know if a building or subdivision is self-managed or employs one of the region’s reputable property management firms. They’ll also have access to information about the building’s status in terms of maintenance and fiscal viability. Nobody wants to move into a building or subdivision with management drama.
#3 - Real Estate Agents Have Local Process Knowledge
Buying a property in Thailand can seem like a complicated process involving a sea of paperwork and signatures. If a buyer were to show up at the Regional Land Office alone without guidance, the chances of the transaction getting done would be slim. Or worse, they could be charged unnecessary fees.
A professional real estate agent can take all the anxiety out of the complicated process and get the transfer done quickly, efficiently, and with no paperwork or money hassles. The key is being prepared before you get to the land office and a well-trained agent will make sure you have everything you need to walk away with a set of keys in your hand and a smile on your face.
#2 - Real Estate Agents Have Connections
Not all real estate transactions are the same, and sometimes an agent provides resources beyond just shopping for and buying property. For example, if a buyer wants to set up a Thai company to facilitate the purchase of a property, a qualified agent can connect them with a reputable firm specializing in such a procedure. If the client wants to buy a house or condo that needs renovation, a smart agent can refer them to a qualified local provider of those services.
Internet hook up, home insurance policies, pool cleaners, furniture builders, landscapers … a good agent usually has a contact list full of good connections.
#1 - Real Estate Agents Work For You
If a buyer deals directly with a developer or individual seller, they will get what the seller has, but not necessarily what they want. A trained professional real estate agent listens to you and emphasis is placed on what you want rather than just what is available. You don’t need someone to tell you what to buy. You need someone to understand what you want.
Legitimate real estate agents represent the buyer and no one else. An independent and ethical agent’s sole motivation is to match a buyer with the perfect property solution. A professional agent does not sell property … They sell knowledge and experience. What they produce is “happy customers”.
How do you find a good real estate agent?
One good sign of a reputable real estate brokerage is longevity. Firms like Global Property have been serving the Eastern Seaboard for over 20 years with a long list of satisfied customers.
Buyers should choose an agent they can communicate with easily. Conducting business in a language the buyer understands is necessary to guarantee their satisfaction. A veteran agency like Global Property helps buyers in English, Thai, German, and French.
Another sign of a good agent is training and certifications from professional real estate organizations like the Real Estate Brokers Association (REBA), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP), National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Certified International Property Specialists (CIP).
Property shoppers should consider their real estate agent an essential tool for finding and securing the right place. Their knowledge, experience, and connections are invaluable to finding a place that meets all the buyer’s needs.