How to select Thailand property for your client

A condo and a villa serve different needs

A buyer visiting for a few weeks may need reliable care while away. A family planning to live locally may prioritise separate rooms, storage and school routes. A villa requires attention to grounds, pool maintenance and technical condition. A condominium requires a review of shared facilities, building rules and common expenses.

Neither format is automatically easier to use or more profitable. Compare the actual arrangements rather than relying on a “premium” label.

Completed or off-plan

Question	Completed property	Property under construction
What can be inspected?	The actual home and its surroundings	The site, progress and project documents
When can use begin?	After the agreed completion and handover steps	After construction and acceptance
How are payments made?	Under the agreed purchase terms	Under the contractual schedule, where offered
What needs close attention?	Defects, outstanding charges and maintenance	Delivery dates, specification and delay provisions

Do not assume an off-plan property offers better value. Compare the waiting period, risks and associated costs. If a client must move by a certain date, readiness becomes a primary filter.

What each property comparison should include

Record the exact location, floor plan, area, asking price and quote currency. List the payment schedule, associated costs, furniture, maintenance and rental management separately. Distinguish documented terms from questions still awaiting a seller’s answer.

Add two sentences for each option: why it made the shortlist and which buyer requirement it does not meet. That is more useful than an unqualified list of facilities.

Documents to request before a recommendation

Ask for evidence of rights to the specific property, a draft agreement, specifications and the payment schedule. For rental use, request the management agreement and an expense breakdown. A qualified adviser should review the buyer’s eligibility and the proposed legal structure. A general guide is not a substitute for a property-specific review.

When the buyer rejects everything

Return to the reasons behind the rejections. The budget, timing or preferred area may have changed. More listings will not fix an outdated brief. Published IBG Property cases show how clarification, consultation and relevant comparisons helped particular buyers. They do not establish that every client will raise a budget or complete quickly.

Prepare a brief and ask the IBG Property manager for current Phuket or Pattaya options. Confirm the cooperation terms before arranging the buyer presentation.