Tag Archives: Ko Samui

Top Real Estate Agencies in Koh Samui: A Complete Guide

koh-samui-real-estate-agents

Koh Samui is one of the most visited islands in Thailand, with its breathtaking sceneries and quality of life offered, some people even decide to relocate here.

You can find many real estate agencies that are managed by foreigners in Koh Samui, this is beneficial as they understand what regulations you need to cope with as a foreigner. You’ll also reduce a lot of hurdles with communication issues, as you speak the same language.

However, it’s not easy to find summarized information about the most popular agencies. Therefore, I’ve written this article where I present some of the biggest and most reputable agents.

Introductory remark

The real estate agents are listed in a random order.

1. Koh Samui Properties

Koh Samui Properties was established almost two decades ago and is one of the biggest and oldest real estate agencies in Koh Samui. What makes them unique is their diverse and multilingual staff, mostly expatriates.

The agency is headed by Harry B. Bonning, who is an expatriate and a British national working in Thailand. He has 40 years of experience in real estate and is a qualified Chartered Surveyor. Harry has lived in Thailand since 2001 and a deep knowledge of the local real estate market.

Before moving to Thailand and starting his own company, he worked as a General Manager of the Emirates Property Investment Company in the UAE.

Property types

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Buying Property in Ko Samui: The Ultimate Guide

buying-property-ko-samui

Ko Samui is popular among foreigners who wish to settle down in Thailand, or just stay there for a couple of weeks, recharging their batteries from the hustle and bustle back home.

I have a number of friends and old colleagues who have Ko Samui as their first choice when choosing among different resort islands in Asia. I’m not surprised.

Today, I will explain some of the basics you need to know when buying property in Ko Samui: About the market, local property regulations you probably haven’t heard of, and more.

Ko Samui property market

Being the second largest island in Thailand, Ko Samui is more relaxed and with a market that is less mature than Phuket’s.

You should also keep in mind that there are some differences in regulations when buying property in Ko Samui compared to other places, something I will explain more about in this article.

Famous for attracting foreigners to buy a plot of land to build a house in the past, it’s becoming increasingly popular to buy condos and off-plan – simply letting someone else doing the work for you.

Even if condos become increasingly popular, buying a house has been and is a preferred choice.

So who buys property in Ko Samui?

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ABC’s for Property Buyers in Ko Samui: By Harry Bonning (interview)

harry-bonning-ko-samui-properties

Ko Samui is one of the most popular islands when foreigners decide to visit or relocating to Thailand.

With a population of almost 65,000 people, it’s still fairly big for being just that, an island. Just making a comparison, in Hua Hin (which is a city 2-3 hours away from Bangkok) you have 85,000 and in Phi Phi Islands 2,500.

Previously relying on fishing and agriculture, exporting many coconuts, the tourism industry has taken over since the 80’s.

In this interview, Harry Bonning from Ko Samui Properties tell us a bit more about Ko Samui’s property market and other useful information. The Real Estate agency is one of the most reputable and has helped many foreigners to buy property in Ko Samui.

Harry has been on the ground for years and provide fruitful advice if you plan to buy property in Ko Samui.

Harry, thanks for having you here. Can you please tell us about your background and current business in Ko Samui?

I have been a Chartered Surveyor since I qualified in the UK in 1974 and have worked in the UK, Germany and Abu Dhabi with responsibility for a large portfolio of property in the USA, owned by a Sovereign Wealth Fund.

I have also worked subsequently as General Manager of a portfolio of properties owned by one of the local families before moving to Thailand in 1999.

I saw an opportunity in 2000 for a professional real estate agency in Koh Samui and for the first seven years we were extremely successful. The economic crash of 2007/8 brought the market to a standstill for a time and we reduced our staffing accordingly to correspond to the reduced demand.

In Phuket, the property market relies heavily on foreigners and prices aren’t predicted to increase significantly in the coming years. How has Ko Samui’s real estate market performed and what’s your view on the coming years?

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