Agent V. Local

[HHHound]

I'm about to make my 4th visit to HH and could buy a property with the click of a computer and in 10 min I have the money. I can't get a good feel as it seems (correct me if I'm wrong) tghat of the 13 agents that I've had appointments with they all push only certain properties. I was looking at one property and asked the agent about a nearby development. He claimed to know nothing....

I'm about to visit again, rent a car and go looking myself.
Am I legally obligated to buy from an agent or can I seek out the owner and get a discount on the price via no agent commision. They get too much!
Why I say that is I found the agents to be an odd lot Many tossers who were, I would expect, near to homeless. Some thought they were just too crafty, etc. I found one guy I like but he won't show me anyting but his 6 or so properties!

Again, do I have to use the agent who showed me the property and can I go to oqwner direct! I have no problem "doing business" and have a good lawyer in Bangkok!

[Wanderlust]

HHHound,
Legally I don't know the score regarding your obligation to an agent, although i doubt there is any, but i am pretty sure that the seller of the property will have signed an agreement to pay the agent commission; of course the seller might agree to do a deal with you but if the agent was the one who showed you the property and has your details, they will pursue the seller for their cut once they find out you have bought it, I would think. It is also not a very nice thing to do, despite the bad rap estate agents get, as they have spent money marketing and showing the property, and some are very helpful in making necessary arrangements as well. Your comment on them pushing certain properties is a bit naive I think as inevitably most only have a certain set of properties on their books, and equally they would not want to step on the toes of another agent by showing you a property that another agent has been employed to sell! It's a bit like going into Burger King and asking them to show you a MacDonalds menu if you like. There are though a lot of properties being sold by their owners and not through an agent, so hiring a car and driving yourself around is a very good idea, and should be done by any potential house buyer here, if only to get a feel for the area. If you do look at a house independently, you should also be aware that the sellers are probably going to not mention any downsides of the house or area, even if you ask direct questions such as 'what are the neighbours like?'
There are some unscrupulous agents (but certainly not all), and unscrupulous people selling their homes, so buyer beware and do as much research as is possible.

[niggle]

I understand the OP point. first thing is to try to find the real owner !!. Does he/she speak good English? Dont forget all official forms are in Thai - can you read Thai?
Will the owner tell you all you need to know regarding contracts.
I think if you have someone Thai with you then maybe you will be OK. Otherwise a sound understanding of Thai laws is essential.
Sorry if I sound a bit negative about your plans, but be careful. There are unscrupulous agents but there are also reliable ones.
And yes, I think that if an agent has shown you around and then you do a private deal, the agent will be entitled to his commission.
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A man is not truly dead unless he is also forgotten.

[HHHound]

I clearly get the jist of both points. As to the first one if I find the agent to be of questional verasity (boy did I find that in my agent search)...and I feel like I don't want to do business with them.
I can give one example, one agent market a property up and tried to have a secret meeting with the owner while I was there, joke, Off with his head.

As to the good points of Wanderlust, those issues are moot as my Layyer is Thai and has provision to bargain on my behalf.


I think I will take my lawyers advice and locate a house I like, they find if the owner is Thai and move from there. I guess that's why they have Hire Car offices all over HH!
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HHHound aka Tripple H, shortened to 3H!
There may be a Mrs Hound but I'm leashless!

[migrant]

Do the agents share commissions as here in the States? Perhaps not, that's why they only show their own portfolio?

[HHHound]

[The understudy]

Hi there HHHound

It's very good that your Lawyer gave you the advice to look for a House and than they 'll find the owner. My auunt has good knowledge of Real Estate Prices in Hua Hin Area but never dealt with any Property really she advised others to do it like your lawyer Did. Some of the so called Agents here in Hua Hin ain't no real agents you know? Some of them have real time Jobs and just acts as Agents when the opportunity. One Example is one Woman who ownes a Washing business and was an Agent for a few Properties of her friends. After her friends sold her Hua Hin properties her friend/Agent/clothwasher became wealthy but never really showed kn the outside!

Your's The understudy!!!
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Kie Adi Mundie (Me) Jedi MAster, Grand Jedi Council Member, a wunderfull handler of the Jedi Sword! Got killed execution style by his own clone army that he led. "RIP!!!"

"Working HARDER make it BETTER Moving FASTER Makes us STRONGER"

[HHHound]

[Jacka]

I think there are several property owners/developers who can speak english and/or employ those who do. As for understanding the Thai language contract, you can either ask for English version contract or have your Thai lawyer review the contract for you. The English version contract is enforceable in court providing that you have the certified Thai translation which is not hard to obtain.
I do think however, that using or not using the agent is one's preference, depending on the circumstance.

[PJG]

HHound

I am not an agent but am an owner. Have a property to sell. If you want the details PM me.

Regards

[Farang]

HHH = HJ

Please lock this thread ASAP!

[Lev]

[Lev]