5 Things To Lookout For During a Property Hunt
Looking to rent a property in Bangkok can be tricky when you don't know where to start. We have all been there, from searching through hundreds and thousands of listings to ending up being overwhelmed by the sheer endless stream of information, and eventually falling back to square one again. Below are some of the issues you may face and how you can easily master your quest for a new home!
Unrealistic listings and false prices
Raise your hand if you have ever been mesmerized by beautiful pictures of a condo in Bangkok and cannot wait to see it in real life, only to feel disappointed later because it looks nothing like what you saw online.
Or finding out later that you could not get the price you were told since there are tons of hidden costs. We feel your pain, overly retouched to even fake listings can leave you discouraged or afraid to continue.
A trusted real estate agent like PropertyScout will only publish authentic and original listings. What you see online is what you will be able to experience in real life, full transparency and no hidden costs!
Lack of Information
The times have changed and everything can be achieved online. Whether you're looking to rent a townhouse or simply searching where to stay in Thailand, you will be flooded with loads of information. However, many agents seem to miss out on the most crucial point in selling. Simply describing a 45sqm one-bedroom condo in Thonglor in 200 words will not do the trick! 3D virtual tours, 3D floor plan, and videos can boost your credibility and give your audience a better perception of your property.
Risk of losing your deposit unfairly
Here comes another drawback of rentals in Bangkok, fear of losing all or part of your deposit. If you are an expat looking for a condo and having difficulty agreeing with your landlord, whether it's the language barrier or nuances in communication across cultures, you may find yourself struggling in this process. To avoid this issue and ensure our tenants' confidence, deposit and payment will be handled by 3rd parties to reduce counterparty risk. At PropertyScout, you can rest assured your deposit will be handled professionally by a highly trained team of property consultants.
Unprofessional landlords or agents
Believe it or not, it can take up to 48-72 hours for a landlord to reply or even notice they got a message from their tenant. Not that it's not their priority, but simply because it is not their profession to handle such transactions on their own. That being said, dealing with unprofessional agents or landlords can leave you weary after time.
In Thailand, property consultant agents do not need a license or certification to provide service. Therefore, there's a high chance you may stumble upon an untrained or unprofessional agent.
In our company, we believe in providing clients with the best possible service. Any agents we let through our door are highly trained and will be able to respond punctually to your request or grievance. PropertyScout is known for providing the fastest response rate based on the best available information, putting ourselves in the renter's shoes and always trying to address any issues promptly is our focus.
Lack of rentals for less than 6 months
While there are plenty of good reasons to sign a long-term rental, from more stability to discounted fees, this wouldn't be the case if your career and life are in flux. Imagine you get a new job and have to relocate but you are 8 months into that contract, or you want to move in with your partner who lives in Sathorn but your apartment is in Ari, or you've recently welcomed a new member in the family and need to find a larger space? Suddenly, you're stuck in your rental longer than you'd like to be.
Short-term rental offers you more flexibility and freedom to move around easier, making it less stressful for both tenants and landlords. Another good reason is the option to cut back on your housing costs during its term. If you feel like you're paying too much rent for comfort, at that point, you can scale back on other expenses temporarily to ride out your contract's term, and then find a cheaper home once your contract expires.
The bottom line of rentals in Bangkok
If you are looking for a condo or a house to rent, keep in mind that the circumstances can change, and you may need/want to move out from your rental property. Searching for a professional team of property consultants is essential to finding your happy home. Short-term rental may be a better start, since you can always extend your rental, or even find a better deal to rent. But if you are well settled in the city, it is best to secure a long-term agreement. A professional real estate agent helps you find a room quickly, they know the area and they work within your budget and needs.