Buyer mistakes 1 - 2 "The broker" Not too uncommon in tourist resorts is the hobby broker. A many times nice private person that offers help to intermediate housing for "good prices". That they work without work permit and without paying tax is neither a practical nor an ethical dilemma for them. Unfortunately for a buyer, they often lack knowledge about properties and don't have or take any responsibility because they work illegally. Customer example 1 By the pool at the hotel Göran and Yvonne met their "broker". He was nice and showed a number of apartments he had for sale. Even though the show was messy and confusing with rented out/already sold/non-priced units, they made up their minds to buy. A contract was written, the payment was done and the owner documents exchanged. At the time for moving in it was revealed that they had bought another apartment, worse than what they had agreed to. "The broker's" reaction was "I am as surprised as you are but unfortunately I can't do anything". Foot note. The names in the case are fictitious Apartment Less risky then when purchasing a house, but they do exist, only in another guise. Common problems are about the entry into the land register and also the certificates needed to transfer the ownership. Customer example 2 Thomas replied an add about a nice apartment for sale for a reasonable price. A nice English broker showed the apartment and Thomas made up his mind to go ahead and buy. He signed a contract and paid 30 % in down payment, about 290.000 SEK, €32.000. At the Land office it was revealed that the apartment recently had a mortgage. As the contract was formulated Thomas had no protection. He choose to redeem the person that had given the granting of credit for an additional 350.000 SEK, €39.000. Foot note. The name in the case is fictitious

Buyer mistakes 3 - 4 Building projects Also projects are a common source to problems. The buyer signs himself up for a purchase and pays according to a settled agreement. Almost exclusively this is done without any knowledge about e.g. raising a loan, owner conditions or other important economical facts. That the contractor is a fellow country man is no financial security. Customer example 3 During their hunt for a dream house in Thailand Ulf and Katharina decided on a cozy house that had everything. The right price, right location and it was going to be finished by the next holiday. Just after the third payment the construction was interrupted. The Swedish contractor, without his own financing, had to stop all activity. The bank sold the land and buildings on auction. Cost: 520.000 SEK, €32.000. Foot note. The names in the case are fictitious Purchase house on your own The customers that mostly encounter this kind of problem are the ones that want to carry through a house purchase on their own, and theoretically a purchase can be cheaper without the interference from e.g. a broker. Unfortunately the reality is different. Communication problems, lack of knowledge about legislation and Thai business culture can lead to expensive mistakes. If you find your dream home by your own, it's 9 times out of 10 cheaper to turn to us as early as possible, preferably before a potential seller is contacted. Customer example 4 Bjorn and Ing-Marie have spent a lot of time in Thailand and have many Thai friends. When they found their dream house they received help to purchase the house and to draw up a leasing contract of the land. Everything went well until the land owner became ill and had to sell his land. When the new owner increased the lease fee five times it was revealed that they had forgotten to register the purchase on the Land office. Björn and Ing-Marie finally got weary and left their house. Cost: 780.000 SEK, €86.000 Foot note. The names in the case are fictitious.