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Interview with Top Chiang Mai Real Estate Agent Perfect Homes
Whilst digging deeper into the residential real estate market in Chiang Mai, I decided to arrange an interview with one of the Sales Managers of Perfect Homes Chiang Mai. Paul Bradshaw has helped me massively with my – still ongoing – search for a property in the area. Perfect Homes Chiang Mai is an independent real estate agent. That means that they are not tied to any developers or sellers. They are the perfect buyer’s agent who will find you the best suitable property. Here is my interview with Paul. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions.
What makes Perfect Homes stand out compared to other real estate agents in Chiang Mai?
Perfect Homes is a Western managed one stop solution for all your property needs. We have provided real estate services for nearly 15 years, and have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Chiang Mai property market. We strive to provide honest impartial advice not only when you are looking to buy property but also taking care of your asset after the point of sale.
What are your 3 top tips for foreign buyers who are looking to buy property in Chiang Mai?
What is your Goal for the Property you are Buying?
Firstly, I would have a clear goal in mind. Are you looking to buy for investment or a place to reside in yourself? Trying to mix the two can create a conflict in your goals. If you are buying for investment, we recommend looking at the numbers and location. On the flip side, buying for a place to live is what you personally like. Mixing the two, you may have to settle for something in the middle which may not give you the return on investment you are happy with.
Rent and Explore before Buying
Secondly, I would before you buy a place to live in yourself here, rent for a while. Book yourself a hotel or short term place for a few weeks and then in that time Perfect Homes can assist you in finding you a longer term rental. Once you have found your way around the city and settled, you will have a better understanding of where you would like to live and then would be the time to start looking at places to buy.
Compare Different Property Options
Lastly, always look at a range of places, newer places and older places. You will find some of the older buildings provide a lot better value in terms of price per square meter. The features and facilities in new or newer buildings are nice and some people value these. Others value the space in the property for example and this will be larger in older buildings. By looking at places in different buildings you will find out what suits your preferences better.
What are the biggest issues foreign buyers have to deal with when buying in Chaing Mai/Thailand?
Currently, opening bank accounts is tricky for people not on longer-term visa’s so this is a hurdle to overcome. We haven’t seen a decline in transactions due to this but it does make things a little trickier to get the ball rolling. In terms of owning landed properties, this has always been an issue as foreigners can’t own land here. I always recommend talking to a local lawyer first before viewing any landed properties. People with pets also struggle here. There are only a few condo buildings that allow pets in Chiang Mai meaning people with pets need to look towards houses rather than condos.
Which areas in Chiang Mai would you recommend for buying real estate? Are there any upcoming areas that will increase in value, in your opinion?
For a place to live, buy where you prefer. Do you like the hustle and bustle of the Nimman area or somewhere with more “green”, then you may look towards the Convention Center. For investment, we do generally recommend the Nimman area as this is where a large proportion of potential tenants would like to rent.
Are there any new trends you have noticed recently with your customers, could be sellers or buyers?
We have seen lots of people looking to relocate from the west due to the living costs increasing. This does seem to be a common trend when talking to people who are arriving here and then renting and/or looking to buy.
Is there anything else you want my readers to know about Perfect Homes?
Feel free to reach out to me paul@perfecthomes.co.th and our team if you have any questions. If you are in Chiang Mai and need assistance with anything then we are ready to assist.
