• Expat Retirement
• Overseas Retirement Information

It sounds simple, doesn't it. But how much do you really know about the area you're considering as your future home in Thailand? Have you lived nearby for several months? Some shoppers go to a destination, fall in love with the area, look around a bit; then make a snap decision.

Go live there for months at a time .. preferably in different seasons.

Living there also gives you the opportunity to tap into local knowledge and scout for land in stealth mode. If the place has quirks that are going to put you off, better find out about them before you buy than afterward.

Rent a house or a comfortable room in a guesthouse in the local community and start living there. Renting a house shows more community commitment.

Make a List

Why would one consider buying a plot of land that they have little or no knowledge about? It happens. People make the oddest assumptions about disclosure .. mostly lack of disclosure. You need to make a checklist and check every item thoroughly. Just for starters.

• Chanode - does the land have a chanode aka title deed?
• Access - do you have public access to the land? Don't rely on verbal agreements.
• Flooding - is seasonal flooding a problem?
• Pollution - does the land have a garbage dump or stagnant water nearby?
• Traffic - how much traffic generates how much dust and noise how close to your planned house?
• Neighbors - how close do you want to be to a school or market or some other busy venue?
• Noise - nearby resorts or guest houses can often be significant sources of noise. Weekend "concerts" that go until the wee hours can become tiresome. Tour buses and vans will park where it is convenient for them. Karaoke anyone?
• Utilities - electricity and water are the most important. Are the services immediately available? Rubbish disposal can become a problem.
• Security - how easy will it be for burglaries? Good neighbors and being liked by the neighborhood makes a big difference.
• Buildability - check grade, erosion, etc.

Personal observations and subtle questions can answer most of these. Why subtle?

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

It should be pretty obvious that if a foreigner goes around asking about land for sale, prices will jump out of the comfort zone .. sometimes high into the sky. So your pursuit for that perfect swatch of land needs to be invisible. And you will need the help of a Thai friend or significant other .. the more local the better.

How you go about finding what might be available is a bit tricky. You either need to ask or you have to hope that some knowledgeable person will tell you. One way is to start hanging out around people who might know.

The best approach is having people suggesting to you that land is available. Pretend to be disinterested .. for awhile.

Buying a House in Thailand
Buying a House in Thailand - Money Talks
"Owning" land in Thailand