| Moving to Bangkok, Thailand and about to start | | | | more than one agency to promote their property |
| your home search? This is a must-read to | | | | so nothing is exclusive to an agency here. Or |
| understand the property rentals market and tips | | | | should I say, rarely. Just surf around and you'll find |
| of choosing your real estate agent, right! | | | | similar properties listed on multiple agency |
| I felt a need to write this article after realising | | | | websites. Thus, arrange your viewing with one |
| just how many, or should I say "few" foreigners | | | | agency at a time. That way, if you feel that your |
| moving to Thailand understood the residential | | | | appointed agent does not understand your needs, |
| leasing market and how it all works here. The | | | | switch agency but tell them what you have |
| good news is, it's a renters market. How so? | | | | already seen with your previous agent. It is only |
| 1) The agency commission is paid by the landlord. | | | | fair that only one agent represents you for each |
| Aren't we off to a good start already? | | | | property. Bangkok is a small town, and many |
| 2)There are plenty of real estate agencies to pick | | | | agencies practice co-broking to provide as many |
| from and majority of these can be found on the | | | | choices for their clients as possible, so your name |
| internet. | | | | will get around, especially if you've been agency |
| 3) Real estate agents offer their services for | | | | shopping. |
| free, so you can engage as many agents as you | | | | Another thing I've encountered is that some |
| want! | | | | companies have what they call a "preferred |
| 4) As an expat, you pay the same rental rates | | | | agent" which they strongly encourage their |
| as a Thai national. In fact, majority of landlords | | | | expatriate executives to use. More often than |
| prefer an expat tenant and go the extra mile | | | | not, these are agencies with relations in the HR |
| (sometimes) to get you to sign on the dotted line. | | | | department who may understand what HR wants |
| Now that you know all that, here's what you | | | | but not necessarily what you want! What you and |
| wouldn't normally know unless you are an agent | | | | I call "Western standard" can be a totally different |
| here in Bangkok! | | | | concept to some of them, so be sure to explain |
| In Thailand, anyone can be an agent! There is no | | | | your requirements and needs to your appointed |
| governing body or an association (with authority) | | | | agent as thoroughly as possible to avoid wasting |
| that regulates the activities of agents in Thailand. | | | | your time. You have the right to choose |
| Walk into a bar and tell someone, anyone that | | | | whichever agency that best understands your |
| you are looking for an apartment, and chances | | | | needs. You'd usually find that agents not appointed |
| are there'll be a "freelance agent" somewhere in | | | | by your company tend to try a lot harder than |
| the midst to help you out. I don't think there is | | | | these "preferred agents" because they don't think |
| any real harm in that as long as they don't ask | | | | you are obliged to use them. They work very |
| you to pay them for their services, but you may | | | | hard to make sure you choose them over your |
| be limited to inferior housing options since these | | | | company's preferred agent! |
| are not professionals who can show you an array | | | | There are many real estate agencies that are run |
| of places that best suit your needs or budget. | | | | by foreigners catering to foreigners, whom most |
| That said, I do occasionally hear of some lucky | | | | expats prefer to go to. It makes ALL the |
| fellow who found a great deal through a friend's | | | | difference when your agent has a very good idea |
| friend who happened to be a "part time agent.If | | | | of your taste and preferences; and know exactly |
| you do not know already, anything is possible in | | | | what you mean when you say "bright and |
| the Land of Smiles! | | | | spacious" versus an agent who just does not get |
| Here's how I see it. A property agent's job is | | | | it no matter how much time you spend explaining. |
| similar to that of a match maker's. He/She needs | | | | Remember that you do have to bridge cultural |
| to match you to the "right" property, and | | | | gaps here which means different standards and |
| preferably within 8 selected options. Seeing too | | | | expectations!" |
| many properties can actually overwhelm and | | | | All apartments and agencies have pretty standard |
| confuse you. 6 - 8 well selected choices seen | | | | contracts. Should you decide on an apartment, |
| within a day or two, is much more gratifying than | | | | they will provide their own contract, whilst the |
| spending days stuck in the infamous Bangkok | | | | agency will prepare the contract for private |
| jams trying to hit the 25th property-viewed mark. | | | | owners i.e. condos and houses. International |
| Fact is, people don't usually have an array of | | | | companies often ask for the addition of a |
| favorites to choose from (since not all the best | | | | Diplomatic clause, and sometimes another to say |
| ones will be available at one time) and I don't think | | | | that the deposit belongs to them, should they be |
| there is a "perfect" apartment or house when it | | | | the ones paying your security deposit. All of which |
| comes to renting. The more fortunate ones will | | | | may be added to the lease, and it's your agent |
| have 2 or even 3 favourites to choose from, but | | | | that needs to sort this out between your |
| majority of people I've met usually settle for that | | | | company and the apartment/landlord. Be |
| ONE place that feels most like home to them in a | | | | discerning of "advise" that pushes you towards |
| foreign land. | | | | using a particular agent because they supposedly |
| The other thing you should know before you line | | | | comply with company policies. It's just a matter |
| up a dozen agents for your showing is that all | | | | of working out what each party requires in the |
| agencies have access to the same apartment | | | | lease agreement, which I believe is the same all |
| buildings. Condo and house listings may vary from | | | | around the world and any experienced agent |
| agency to agency but landlords often contact | | | | should be able to do that. |