The Thai Property market can't keep up with demand. Wherever you travel in Thailand you will see huge construction projects both commercial and private housing. Condominiums have never been easier to buy and almost as easy to rent out again.

Large gains from the purchase of new buildings are ensuring that more than 50% of new developments are being sold off plan, even before show houses are constructed.

Investment in Overseas property offer huge lifestyle possibilities, how many times have you said about the bad European winters, high taxation and poor lifestyle...all work and no play.

Now people are realizing that re-locating to warmer climates is very easy and offers tremendous life changing opportunities.

Whether you are considering re-locating, buying a second home or even a business; the time has never been better.

Many international laws are changing to keep up with foreigners re-locating which is causing more and more people to consider their options.   

A home mortgage is normally one of the largest financial commitment you will ever make in your life. Don't rush into anything.

Bangkok Post 14 July 08

Condo demand still seen as robust

Despite significant signs of an economic slowdown in the second half of the year, the condominium market in Bangkok is expected to continue to grow on healthy demand, according to the property consulting firm Knight Frank Chartered (Thailand) Co Ltd.

Managing director Phanom Kanjanathiemthao said worldwide economic expansion would be slower which would affect local sentiment. However, demand for Bangkok condominium units in the second half of the year would be firm because the slowdown of new supplies in the first half created a leftover demand to absorb units in the second half.

The firm found that the signs of an upturn in condominium supply was shown only in selected segments and locations.

He said the high-end segment had been very competitive since 2004 but sales of affordable units remained brisk. Luxury-condominium developers and major residential developers including Golden Land, Land & Houses and Property Perfect have shown an interest in shifting from high-end condominiums to lower-end ones.

According the company's research, the condominium supply added to the market during the first half of 2008 shifted from high-end units in the inner city to budget units priced from one to three million baht located along mass-transit routes.

''Mass-transit systems are the main factor drawing both developers and buyers' interest. In face of skyrocketing oil prices, future development of condominium will inevitably be located on the mass transit routes,'' he said.

Mr Phanom said there were 6,474 new condominium units from 13 projects launched in the first half of the year, rising by 10% from the same period of last year. The most popular location for new condominium developments was the Ratchadaphisek area, with 3,167 units, accounting for 49% of the total market.

''Ratchadapisek is a new condo hub as it is near the subway. Unit prices also respond to potential buyers. Over 3,000 units will come from only three projects, with the major players being L.P.N. Development and Supalai,'' said Mr Phanom.

He said average take-up rate of condominiums in the first half of 2008 rose slightly to 66% from 64% in the same period last year. The Sukhumvit area saw the highest take-up rate of 71%, followed by the central business district (67%), Ratchadaphisek (65%) and Rama III (60%).

The central business district recorded the highest average price at 81,325 baht per square metre, rising by 5.5% from the first half of 2008. Meanwhile, prices of condos located in the Sukhumvit area rose only 1% as there were a large number of units being offered for sale.

From 2002 to the first half of 2005, a total of 22,374 new condominium units were launched into the market.