Investing in Phuket Properties

Phuket has never had it so good and property is booming, despite the temporary set backs of tightened ownership regulations and the uncertainty that followed the 2006 coup. But properties in Phuket continue to change hands regularly as international investors and the wealthy increasingly want a ‘piece of Phuket’. The days of an undiscovered paradise are long gone and the speculators have come and gone as the market settles. Investors with an eye on ‘the next big thing’ are better off looking at other islands along this coast, but those with more genuine interests to develop on the back of a robust and maturing infrastructure will find Phuket property very agreeable.

Entry level into acquiring Phuket properties isn’t cheap, and there certainly isn’t the mass cheap apartment scenario that Spain undertook in the seventies and eighties. The investing here is far more up-market and tasteful. Although it has slowed down, relative to Pattaya for instance, the investment on Phuket is set to continue growing with more developments emerging. Phuket is considered relatively safe when it comes to your money, with long-term returns encouraging. Accessibility, location, style and size however, are all important when investing in Phuket properties.

Also, it is important to consider the distance to the airport. A lot of Phuket’s part-time residents, work in Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok or other parts of Asia, thus the commute when time is precious can often be limited. Is a longish drive to the southern coastal hotspots of Nai Harn, Patong, Kata and Chalong, whereas, Cherng Talay, Phuket Royal Marina and Laguna areas are more idealistic.

Most importantly, when investing in properties in Phuket, is the reputation and professionalism of the developer. Phuket probably boasts a higher standard than anywhere else in Thailand – a country not known for exceptional standards of quality – and this is largely due to the international nature of the industry. Many of the companies are managed by experienced property developers from other sophisticated locations, with the advantage of competent local staff.

Initially it was the wealthy Bangkok Thai nationals that snapped up much of the land during Phuket’s original boom, when its potential was recognised in the early eighties. This has dominated the commercial property business, including resorts, apartment phuket and retail space in the popular tourist centres. Now the focus is more on residential villas as second or retirement homes for the wealthy. Many buyers do so purely for investment as the pre-build price usually matures by up to 70 per cent following completion.

Investors looking at acquiring Phuket properties should take the time to properly familiarise themselves with the local market and the ownership laws and structures in particular. The most important factor influencing the local market is that only Thai nationals can own land.A legal structure for Condo Phuket developments allows foreign ownership of up-to 49 per cent of the building. For stand alone developments like villas, a complex company structure and lease of freehold agreement is usually employed to circumvent this law. However, you can never legally own the land.

In late 2006 the government decided to more strictly interpret this modus, and investigate the status of the apparent Thai partners. This created pressure on the industry and resulted in a slowdown. It had a devastating effect on the property market in Samui which had notoriously become riddled with corruption, land encroachment and unlawful ownership structures. Since then investors have been cautious, waiting for clarification or updating of the legal structures to accommodate an important pillar of these island’s economies.

Source: http://www.property-report.com/site/country-info/thailand/phuket/investing-in-phuket-properties

Buying condos in Phuket – condo buyers’ tips

Phuket has been well established in the foreign investing property phuket market for many years, which has resulted in a large number of qualified and experience real estate phuket agencies. Phuket has two types of luxury condos or apartments: those affiliated with international brands, such as Laguna property on Bang Tao Beach and those with local brands, such as Royal Phuket Marina, or Layan Gardens in Layan.

The Phuket condo market is heavily supported by good English speaking agents, these include; The Charm, Tropical Homes, Phuket One Real Estate and Knight Frank. Prices vary dramatically: 13.5 million baht for a 125m2 two-bedroom condo unit, to 30 million baht for a higher end property. If these are all out of your price range you can also find 45m2 to 60m2 condos in Phuket for considerably less. And at the bottom end of the market you can buy units in modest condo blocks in Phuket Town area, usually full of locals as tennants. Prices vary heavily according to location, style and facilities. On average, a buyer can expect to have a wide choice for 14 million baht.

Prime locations for condos in Phuket include southern coastal hotspots: Patong, Karon, Kata and East-western coastal areas such as Layan, Bang Tao, Surin and Chalong. The tropical paradise lifestyle you were imagining doesn’t come cheap any longer in Phuket, and condos and apartment phuket in the popular areas near the lovely beaches are in high demand internationally.

Be prepared to do your research and make sure that the building will be properly maintained and maintenance fees will be properly collected. This should not be a problem when dealing with reputable companies, but be assured there are many pitfalls that unsuspecting condo owners could fall into. Unlike other places in Thailand however, many of the condo buildings are almost entirely made up of foreigner tenants and their expectations for professional management are high.

An important consideration is that, like most popular areas in Thailand, condos or apartment in Phuket have the highest demand of any sector, because they are easiest to own as a foreigner. Thai law forbids foreigners owning land but has a structure allowing up-to 49 per cent of a condo building to be foreign owned. Therefore, many who want to retire in Phuket or live here part time find that buying condos are more practical in Phuket.

When buying property in Thailand, a foreigner must bring in 100% of the purchase price from overseas. In order to do this, you will need a Tor Tor 3 document (Exchange Control Form) from the Thai bank. You will need to transfer the funds in order to provide evidence of this to the land department in Phuket. Another consideration to bear in mind is that the name of the party remitting the money on the Exchange Control Form and the name of the property buyer must be the same.

Source: http://www.property-report.com/site/country-info/thailand/phuket/buying-condos-in-phuket-condo-buyers-guide and Condo Phuket

Phuket Property Review

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Phuket is one of Asia’s most sophisticated and certainly Thailand’s best established property market outside of Bangkok. For the past twenty years developments have been sprouting up around the island, encouraging a large influx of investors. At present, there is an increasing demand for new developments in areas such as Bang Tao Beach, Surin, Cherng Talay and Layan, as well as the southern coastal areas of Nai Harn and Kata. The traditional areas, such as Patong, are overdeveloped and priced at a premium.

With political instability and amendments to the foreign business act in 2007, many investors are proceeding with caution, but are not deterred from investing in real estate Phuket. Phuket boasts a wide range of property choices: condominiums, apartments, houses and villas, so there is no shortage of options. However, for the most part it is strictly for the wealthy. Residential property away from the lovely west coast bays is affordable but certainly not the cheapest in Thailand. Many locals opt for something nearer Chalong or Phuket Town.

Buying property in Phuket
Real estate in Phuket is, in some respects, a lot more established and sophisticated compared to other coastal regions, like Pattaya, Krabi and Koh Samui. There is a wide range of estate agents: Phuket One Real Estate, Tropical Homes and Knight Frank to name a few. This alone attracts a large number of foreign investors to a market once dominated by buyers from Hong Kong and Singapore. Phuket real estate is now seeing a large influx of European and American buyers. The common price tags for properties ranges from 5 million to a 20 million baht, largely depending on location and size, with beachfront and sea view properties going for significantly higher prices. Phuket was very heavily marketed in the 1990s by Laguna Phuket – an area of man-made lagoons in the Bang Tao district. A lot of spin off properties are now available to buy from companies associating themselves with large brand names such as the Banyan Tree, Sheraton, Allamanda and Dusit Laguna.

Buying condos in Phuket
Although villas are the most desired property choice in Phuket, they are often unaffordable and condos serve as a second choice. Condo Phuket buildings are concentrated in developed areas such as Patong and Karon, and are now back in vogue since the structure typicallu used for foreigners to buy villas has now been deemed unlawful. Only Thai nationals have a right to own land, therefore foreigners are limited to buying condos in buildings that are at least 51 per cent Thai owned. Some companies use complex company structures or long term land lease to overcome this, but condos present a much safer option. Condos also offer all sorts of shared amenities such as pools and fitness centres and are generally more centrally located. Another choice on buying condos in Phuket.

Buying villas in Phuket
For high-flyers and those can afford a second home, villas are a popular choice in Phuket and are offered by numerous developers who have seen the demand in this sector. Mostly, they are luxury property options, stylishly done in tropical Asian contemporary design, with good seafront locations and big price tags. Some are sold as stand alones, but mostly they are offered as part of an exclusive project. Since the land they are built on cannot be owned by foreigners a round-about ownership structure is created. Alternative on buying property in Phuket.

Investing in Phuket properties
Phuket property market has also proven popular with investors’ who see the potential and low risk in this lovely tropical location that is increasingly becoming a jet set magnet. With a solid infrastructure and demand from the wealthy, it is seen as a good option for investing in property and making guaranteed profitable gains in the mid or even short term. More on investing in Phuket properties.

Living in Phuket
Phuket has long been a popular destination for holiday makers, retirees or simply an area for holiday homes because of its tropical climate and fantastic beaches. As such real estate has been buoyed by investors, hospitality developers and those wishing to settle on the island. Located in the Andaman Sea, Phuket is seen by many as a desirable home away from home. Relocation to Phuket has been made convenient by its well established infrastructure, international airport and quality services: yacht marinas, golf courses and shopping malls, all of which draws the Westerners in. A large expatriate community has continued to grow over the past 10 years, with two international schools available on the island and an extensive support network of clubs and societies.

Phuket offers a wide range of services which include an international standard hospital, English speaking lawyers, extensive estate agent services and local English newspapers (Phuket Post and Phuket Gazette amongst others). Undoubtedly the tropical, scenic backdrop of the island encourages foreigners to invest in property and developments. Phuket, as a large island has many tourist destination areas, such as Patong, Kamala, Karon and Kata. They all have vibrant nightlife scenes, with a combination of great discotheques, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, making Phuket, a ‘foreigner friendly’ destination for foreigners.

Source: http://www.property-report.com/site/country-info/thailand/phuket