You think buying a house in Thailand is hard?

Post by **SuperTonic** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:05 pm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6544577.stm

The basic gist of the article is that a lot of public sector workers in the UK can't afford housing. Thing is though it's not just public sector, most in the private sector are having to put themselves in serious shit just cos of the crazy house prices here.

While some consider that the inability to buy houses in Thailand (or at least the legal difficulties that come with it) might put people off moving there, the state of play in the UK (where many young couples just cannot get on the housing ladder) might see more young Brits moving to Thailand on the basis that it can't be any worse.

Just a little food for thought.

Post by **Big Boy** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:15 pm

SuperTonic wrote:

the state of play in the UK (where many young couples just cannot get on the housing ladder) might see more young Brits moving to Thailand on the basis that it can't be any worse.

That could resolve their accomodation problem for 6 months every year - what do they do for the other 6 months?

If they can't afford UK prices, they obviously don't have a great deal of money. What would they live off longer term?

Post by **SuperTonic** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:53 pm

I take it that it hasn't occurred to you that these people may have a decent amount of money, just not the income to get a mortgage (and believe me prices are bloody stupid). If they have the right skills then there are plenty of people who can work in Thailand and get appropriate visas. I think you know that perfectly well though.

Post by **Big Boy** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:06 pm

It did occur to me, but if you are suggesting that young people will turn to Thailand as an alternative, the jobs will soon run out. I suppose it really depends on your definition of many.

If you mean a few dozen, OK, I'll go with it. If you are suggesting maybe 10% of couples that are experiencing the problem - no way.

Post by **BaaBaa.** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:37 pm

Why would Thailand, of all places, be anywhere near the top of a list of destinations for people who cannot afford a home in the U.K?

Not sure it would be in the top 20 countrys that spring to mind for the majority.

Agree with BigBoy. Not even 1%.

Post by **STEVE G** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:46 pm

Obviously there is going to be a limited number of jobs in Thailand, but more people who do freelance and contract work are moving further a field. At the moment out of five Brits working here in Luxembourg, two of us live in Thailand and a guy just left who lived in Malaysia.

Post by **big jimmy** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:05 pm

Watch out..the Poles..Romanians and Turks are gonna descend on Hua Hin cause they can't afford to live in UK........maybe we can find a plumber and joiner now...

Post by **lomuamart** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 8:35 am

On this sort of theme, I found this article interesting:
http://money.guardian.co.uk/houseprices ... 82,00.html

Post by **caller** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 5:26 pm

Considering something like 40% of the work force actually work in the public sector in the UK, it does seem odd that the market isn't affected (yet) by this problem.

The reality is of course, that many are already property owners and have been for many years. Its those that now can't get on the merry go round that are being highlighted. But there have always been workers, in whatever sector, that have been affected in this way, my parents could never even dream of owning their own home, for example.

And not all "public servants" are on low wages, some earn more than their equivalents in the private sector.

I'm not sure why this is highlighted as an issue now, when it always has been an issue?

The desire of Brits to now own their own place is a relatively recent one and I wonder how that started? Maybe Thatcher when she allowed Council tenants to buy their own homes (thanks Mags!

).

Post by **PeteC** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 5:31 pm

I think people in Lomu's position have the world by the tail in a place like London. Owning a house, renting it for income and simply waiting to see what is the best come old age time, sell it....move back...continue to rent it. I can't see any down side to that scenario. Pete

Post by **caller** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:04 pm

I agree with you Pete and that's what I will be doing in due couse!

Location within London helps as well. I'm not near the tube, but a few minutes walk to the nearest station with trains to Waterloo (25 minutes)and connections to various tube lines en route.

I'm also a few minutes from one of the main road routes into London which allows access to the Surrey countryside in 15 minutes.

And just a couple of miles from one of the main shopping areas (not a mall) in the UK - oh, there's the Thames running through that as well and I'm a walk away from 10 square miles of parkland with about 600 head of Deer (Roe and fallow).

Anyone want to rent?

Why do I want to move??

Post by **lomuamart** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:47 pm

Caller,
Because you miss the heat, the ice-cold water down your back at Songkran, and...... well everything else we moan about here.
Good luck with your rental. I'm sure you don't need any advice, but I've been doing it for 9 years now and it isn't always easy. Good agents are hard to find and when occasionally family (my brother) is put out on an Easter Monday to travel from Northants to London to inspect my place, because I don't believe what people are telling me - it gets even more difficult.
Always get that "Non Resident Landlord Living Abroad" status from the good old Inland Revenue. Tax matters become a lot less complicated and less heavy then

Post by **caller** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:44 pm

Lomu,

Its not going to happen yet, although where I work, redundency and/or early retirement will be on offer for some at some stage soon. It would be good to meet up next time I'm there to pick up on your knowledge - that will hopefully be around Christmas time.

I did previously rent out the Council flat I bought and for 12 months it was great, then it started going pear shaped and eventually I got fed up with the hassle and sold it - biggest mistake I ever made.

Post by **vincent chang** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:28 am

I understand it is getting harder for young people to get started in the housing market in britain. If they think it is hard there, they should try california. If they cant make it in britain, I think it would be hard for them to buy in thailand as well, as there is not much financing available, and high paying jobs are scarce out here. It seems the only ones who can afford to buy the big farang houses here are the brits and americans who have sold their houses at home and paid cash for their much cheaper house in thailand. I have a suggestion for young Brits. why not emigrate to the American south, like georgia, alabama, texas, florida, or the carolinas, where housing is still affordable, credit is cheap, and is easily available and jobs are available. build up some equity, then sell in ten or 12 years, and then move to thailand with a nest egg to start a business or buy a home. I followed this formula in California about 20 years ago and it worked for me. but California is way out of range now for young people. Georgia is a nice state, named after your king george.

Post by **caller** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:36 am

Which one?

Hua Hin Forum

You think buying a house in Thailand is hard?

You think buying a house in Thailand is hard?

first time home ownership.