Property News

Whale Marina

Jan 04, 2017

Whale Marina Whale Marina is a new condo project in Na Jomtien. The project was launched in 2015 amid much fanfare and progress has continued at a steady pace. Whale Marina has already garnered EIA approval and the project has been authorised by the Thai Marina Department. Whale Marina will be a resort style condo development consisting of 3, 8-storey buildings with a total of 364 units. There are 27 unit styles to choose from. The vast majority of the units will have sea views. The first floor of the buildings will offer parking and the Whale Marina facilities including the private boat marina. Other facilities at Whale Marina will include a water sport club, fitness center, 3 communal pools, a restaurant and coffee shop, security a rooftop garden and more. The Water Sports Club at Whale Marina is designed to offer a choice of water sport activities to its residents by trained and certified professionals. Residents who enjoy water sports, will be able to go deep-sea fishing, diving, jet skiing, water skiing and a myriad of other activities. Trips to nearby islands will also be offered from the private marina. Whale Marina will share the canal in the Tonhaad Lagoon with other marine themed residences such as View Talay Marina and the Jomtien Yacht Club. To accommodate the larger boats expected at the Whale Marina the Pattaya City Municipality and the Thai Marine Department have been dredging in the lagoon. There have been other infrastructure repairs in the area such as the repair and improvements to the road leading to the Whale Marina project site. A 5-storey tower was erected on the site in March of 2015 so that prospective buyers can get an idea of what the views will look like from the various floors of the buildings when they are completed.  In February of this year test piling started for Whale Marina when the first pile for Building A was put in the ground.  In the coming days more piles were delivered and now the piling for Building A is fully under way. The developers of Whale Marina have been supplying regular construction updates to buyers and agents in the Pattaya area to keep them apprised of the progress on the project. You may have seen some of the photos or videos of the construction progress on our Facebook page or in one of our tweets on Twitter. In case you might have missed the video you can watch it on YouTube. The developers of Whale Marina chose its location based on several factors including the position it will command on the canal, the project’s proximity to the beach, accessibility of Sukhumvit and other main traffic arteries, restaurants, shopping and entertainment were all very important considerations. The project is also close to many of the tourist attractions in the Pattaya and Jomtien area such as Nong Nooch Gardens, Cartoon Network Water Park, the Pattaya Floating Market, Underwater World Pattaya and the Phoenix Gold Golf Club.  Whale Marina is in close proximity to many fine restaurants such as The Glass House and the Bacco Beach Italian Restaurant, which are only a few hundred meters from the development, in addition to many other smaller, casual restaurants in the area. Shopping at places like Central Festival, Royal Garden, the Outlet Malls, Tesco Lotus and the soon to open Harbor Mall are just a short drive or taxi ride away from Whale Marina. The project is also close to many small shops and services in the Na Jomtien area and only a short drive to the Thepprasit Night Market and the Night Market on Jomtien Beach. There is truly something for everyone at Whale Marina.  As mentioned earlier there are a total of 27 different floor plans available in Whale Marina. The developer is confident that offering many different plans will help the units retain their value and will not compete with a large number of same type units in the same building. This is an exciting change from the usual three floor plans for 800 units in some of the more recent projects in the area. The developer also prides itself on the quality of construction and interior finish of their previous projects and the Whale Marina will be no exception. Each unit will be beautifully crafted with high quality materials and finish. Unit sizes will start at 29.13 square meters (Building B) and continue up with the largest units being offered in Building A. For a complete list of the available units, pricing and floor plans please contact one of the Coastal Real Estate sales staff. All of the units in Whale Marina come fully furnished including electronics, wallpaper & curtains. There is also an excellent payment plan available with the final payment on receipt of the Chanote, which is expected, in the second quarter of 2018. The time to act is now however as a lot of units have been sold already.  Complete list of furnishings in the one-bedroom room Type 4A.  The Whale Marina has to be one of the nicest condo projects recently launched in the Pattaya/ Jomtien area especially if you are a water sports enthusiast. Even if you don’t enjoy boating or being on the water there is something here for everyone. If you would like to learn more about this Whale Marina please feel free to contact us. Or better yet, stop by our office and meet our staff. We are always here to help.  Coastal Real Estate 216/62 Moo 10 (Soi 13) Soi DianaNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 421 580+66 (0) 38-421-580 Office+66 081-269-0742 MobileKevin Mattson (Managing Director)-English+66 086-571-4737 Mobile 

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Pattaya Real Estate Market

Aug 15, 2017

This week I am going to take a break from the “Do You Live in Pattaya” series and take a look at a few of the things we have been hearing about the real estate market in Pattaya and get your opinion with a short survey at the end of the article.It is hard to get a feel for what is actually going on the market here because there is so much conflicting information and even harder to get accurate data that truly reflects the market.Anyone who has been paying attention to the property market in Pattaya knows that the number of condo and house projects being launched has been reduced dramatically. A few years ago it seemed there was a new condo development being launched every week.While some of the current projects are nearing completion some developers have put their projects on hold and some have even returned buyer’s money since they can no longer continue due to lack of buyers and funds.Construction Updates on Off Plan ProjectsWe do get regular updates from some of the developers who are moving along with their projects. The Whale Marina Condominium (photo above) sends updates several times a month as to the progress on their condo development.We also get regular updates on the Aurora Pratumnak, Nakarasiri the projects by the Global Top Group and others.Probably the best thing to do right now if you are thinking of buying a condo “Off Plan” is to check the developers track record to see how many of their projects they have finished on time, how many have been delayed and what they have that is currently under construction. Unless you have money to burn you don’t want to be in a project that is going to be delayed for years or not be completed at all.    The best advice we can offer is to stop by the Coastal Real Estate office and talk to one of our experienced staff about the best “Off Plan” condos or houses to purchase if you are thinking of going that route. We can tell you who has finished on time and who has not.Remember, not all of the real estate “Experts” you meet in the beer bars around town know what they are talking about. It is better to deal with an established agency.        Fire Sale! Huge Reduction! Must Sell! Take a quick look at any of the classifieds around Pattaya and I am sure you will find ad headings similar to these. It seems that half the property owners in Pattaya want to get rid of their property.There have been a lot of Russian owners offering large discounts since the Ruble lost a lot of its value but properties offered at huge discounts seem to be far and few between. We did have some units in Novana Residence a few months ago that were reduced to a price below on million Baht but generally the price reductions have been minimal.In the instances where sellers are willing to reduce their properties to attractive prices buyers are quick to snap them up. This is not to say you have to lose money on the sale you just have to hit the price point where it represents a good value. At Coastal we post price reductions to our Facebook page as well as to Twitter and Google+ so that our followers hear about them first.When we consult with potential sellers one of the first questions we ask is how they came up with the price they are asking. We get a wide range of answers such as, “this is what I have in it” or “this is what the one across the road sold for and mine is much nicer” to “I have no idea.”Again, this is where a professional agency can be a huge help. A professional agency will be able to advise you on what other properties in the development have sold for as well as similar properties in similar developments.We talk to a lot of sellers who are discouraged that their properties are not moving but unwilling to move to a price that truly reflects the value of their house or condo.Baan Balina 2 House for Sale  View Talay Villas Rental  RentalsCurrently we have over 600 rentals on our site, with about three quarter of them being condos, so there is definitely a lot of competition in the rental market. If you are a landlord you have probably seen prices go gown over the past few months especially if you are renting smaller studio condos for short term stays. High-end rentals are the exception to this trend with a lot of those types of condos going to corporate clients or renters staying in Pattaya for a long time. Even then some discounts may have been given for multi year leases or to secure a good tenant.Keep this in mind if you are purchasing low-end condos for rent. There is a lot of competition on that end of the market.ConclusionAs I said at the beginning of this week’s article, it is hard to get a feel for just what is going on out there. There seems to be both optimistic and pessimistic buyers and sellers alike. There are a lot of deals being made though so it might be a good idea to have your property evaluated by a trusted agent.I am going to ask you now to take a few minutes and take the short survey below to help us get a feel for what buyers and sellers are thinking about the Pattaya real estate market. We do not ask for your name or email so all responses are anonymous. Create your own user feedback surveyIf you are looking for some advice on buying or selling a house or condo in Pattaya please feel free to contact us. Or better yet, stop by our office and meet our staff. We are always here to help.Coastal Real Estate 216/62 Moo 10 (Soi 13) Soi DianaNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 421 580+66 (0) 38-421-580 Office+66 081-269-0742 MobileKevin Mattson (Managing Director)-English+66 086-571-4737 Mobile

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Part 3: Do you Live In Pattaya East Pattaya (Soi Boonsampan)

Aug 15, 2017

In this third part of our series on the areas that make up “Greater Pattaya” we are going over to the Dark Side. No, we are not talking about anything to do with Star Wars but rather the area to the east of Sukhumvit Road. There are a lot of small areas that make up the East Pattaya and we will only explore a few in our series.How did East Pattaya become known as the Dark Side? According to a contributor on the Thai Visa forum (very popular with expats) “it was the owner of Noi's Bar on Soi Khao Noi who first coined the phrase. The reason being as east Pattaya is well away from the bright lights of Pattaya and was always a bit mysterious way back when as people (tourists) rarely ventured across Sukhumvit road in fear of what may be lurking on the other side.”Inspire Pattaya offers the same explanation on their site. According to Inspire “Not so many years ago now, East Pattaya was a very quiet and forgotten area to Pattaya, it was a place nobody visited – let alone considered living – on the other side of the Sukhumvit Road. By virtue of this it was an area that when it got dark in the evening it never lit up like the busy central Pattaya area counterpart. East Pattaya became known therefore as ‘the Darkside’.”What a difference a few years can make! East Pattaya has become very popular with expat residents and tourists alike and many parts of East Pattaya are busy well into the evening. There are many housing developments in East Pattaya as well as markets, shops, resorts and golf courses.The area known as East Pattaya is quite large so we will look at some smaller areas that encompass East Pattaya. This week we are going to take a look at the Boonsampan area but also include some of the popular attractions on Soi Khao Noi and Soi Khao Talo. This may seem like a small area to cover but there is a lot going on here.images source from Image Greenfield Villas 2 rentalHousingOne of the appealing things about living East Pattaya is that you can get a lot for your money.  For example, we are listing a completely renovated two story home in the Greenfield Villas 2 development for 37,000 Baht a month. A similar size and quality house in the Pratumnak area would be 55,000 Baht or higher.The same is true when purchasing a house in East Pattaya. We have over 33 properties listed on our site in the 2 to 4,000,000 Baht range in East Pattaya and no houses in that price range for Jomtien or Pratumnak and only 3 in Central Pattaya. I guess this is a good time to say if you have a house in Jomtien, Pratumnak or Central Pattaya in that price range for sale please contact us.This is not to say that there are only inexpensive houses in East Pattaya. Siam Royal View, on Khao Talo is probably one of the nicest developments in the city.Coastal Real Estate offers houses in the village for over 40,000,000 Baht. Some like the one in the image above offer excellent views of Pattaya.There are several development in the Boonsampan area that offer excellent value for the money such as Pattaya Hill 2 and Mike Orchid Villa just to name a few. So if you are interested in seeing what we have available please get in touch with one of our sales staff.Shopping Dining and NightlifeIf you are looking for inexpensive dining you will have plenty of options in the Boonsampan area. Both Soi Khao Talo and Soi Khao Noi have several large markets. During the day you will find a smaller selection of fresh produce, meats and Thai fare but after 6:00 p.m. the markets start to come alive.All types of Thai food is available at very low prices. I find it hard to resist the grilled squid at the market on Soi Khao Talo. It is very delicious (aroy in Thai) and impossible to beat for 40 Baht.It is great fun to take an hour or so and wander around the market and try different foods. If you are a little adventurous you can was it down with a shot or two of Ya Dong, one of Thailand’s alcoholic treasures.There are plenty of great places serving Farang food in the area as well. Murphy’s Irish Pub is a favorite among the local expat community and will be an excellent place to spend the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day.Another popular spot is the Livv Bakery on Soi Khao Talo. They offer an excellent selection of baked goods as well as an all day breakfast and an extensive lunch and dinner menu and wonderful wine list.They also make a very good pizza at Livv and offer delivery too. Their entire menu is online so the next time you feel like staying home give them a try.The Booze Lounge, also on Soi Khao Talo is a great spot to have a drink and they have specials every day of the week. According to their website they have “The Hottest Girls, Cheap Beer, Free Pool And A Fantastic Atmosphere Everyday Of The Week!” It really is a fun place and worth the trip to “The Dark Side” if you have never been there.Other Things To DoThere are plenty of other things to do in East Pattaya than eat and drink.Pool LeaguesThe Old Hounds Lounge on Soi Khao Noi hosts several Pattaya pool leagues and has one of the best tables in town. FishingThe Paifon fishing park located off of Boonsampan Soi 9 in East Pattaya is a great place to spend the day. According to Pattaya Unlimited, “If you like to catch lots of catfish in the 6 – 10 kilogram category, Paifon Fishing Park would rank as 1 of the best fishing parks in Pattaya, and a perfect introduction to angling for catfish.” Castra GymIf you are a fitness buff or are just trying to get in shape then the Castra Gym is the place for you. At the gym you will find everything that you need to keep fit and tone up. Whether it's a cardio workout, heavy weight session or boxing/bag work, Castra Gym has something for everybody.The gym is located on Soi Khao Talo at the top of the hill past Siam Royal View.The Not so Dark SideAs you can see there is a lot going on in East Pattaya. While it may not be as lively as Central Pattaya it is from being a ghost town.Take a day to explore the east side of Sukhumvit Road and you might be surprised what you find.If you are looking for some advice on available housing options or just a suggestion for a place to eat or have a drink please feel free to stop by our office and ask. Coastal Real Estate. 216/62 Moo 10 (Soi 13) Soi DianaNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 421 580          519/163-164 Moo 6 Soi Siam Country ClubNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 190 925-6    +66 (0) 38-421-580 Office+66 081-269-0742 MobileKevin Mattson (Managing Director)-English  +66 086-571-4737 MobileRujira Emkhla (Tarm)-Thai  You can also email us at info@coastalrealestatepattaya.com

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Part 2: Do You Live in Pattaya?

Mar 15, 2016

 Last week was the first in a multi-part series where we look at some of the areas that make up “Greater Pattaya.” In that article we looked at the Jomtien Beach area.This week we will move east and explore some of the things that Jomtien has to offer that are not on the beach.Before we get started I would like to point out that there are a lot of things to do in the Pattaya area and it is impossible to cover all of them. If there is something in your area that you enjoy or find particularly interesting please contact us and I will try to work it into one of the future articles.A lot of people who live in Jomtien, especially tourists, do not seem to venture away from the beach that much. Some even have the impression that the area east of Jomtien Second Road has nothing but housing developments and shop houses. This couldn’t be further from the truth.  Not Just for TouristsIf you have been on Thepprasit Road you have probably seen the awesome Colosseum Show Pattaya building that houses Pattaya’s latest and biggest cabaret show. Or, as they bill it on their site a “Kaleidoscopic Extravaganza.”This is not just for busloads of Chinese tourists. It is a wonderful show and makes for a fun night out.The show is 75 minutes and is presented in 16 Segments. The shows combine magnificent dance theater performed by professional and experienced artists with the latest entertainment technologies from around the world, including a futuristic light and sound system, hydraulic stage system with superbly designed props, backdrops and fabulous costumes.The Colosseum seats over 1,000 and tickets are 800 Baht for a deluxe seat and 1,000 Baht for a VIP seat. If you purchase the tickets online at least 7 days in advance the tickets are 600 and 700 Baht respectively. A little further east on Thepprasit is Thai Thong Elephant Land.Here you can engage in a variety of activities from elephant trekking, ATV riding, a shooting range and horseback riding. If you are a little less adventurous you can simply enjoy the elephant show. If you are feeling the “need for speed” then you should head to Pattaya Kart off of Thepprasit Soi 9.Here you can zip around the track like your favorite Formula 1 driver. There is a beginner’s track as well as a professional track for the more experienced driver.If that is not enough to give you the adrenaline rush you need Pattaya Kart also offers Bungee Jumping, and a paint ball field. For more information on all of their activities and rates you can visit their site at: www.pattayakart.com. If you prefer a more relaxing way to spend the day you can always head to the Jomtien Fishing Park off of Jomtien 2nd Road between Soi Wat Boon and Soi Chaiyapruek 1.According to their site the park is stocked mainly with striped catfish between 7 and 10kg, with a few larger ones up to about 20kg, there are also a few Mekong catfish.Prices start at 150 Baht (Thai) and 300 Baht (Foreigner) with rods available for rent and bait available for purchase.  Dining and Shopping One of the first places I have to mention in this section is the Thepprasit Night Market. One of Pattaya’s busiest night markets, there is something here for everyone. The market is open in the evenings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and has all types of Thai food, drinks  entertainment, fashion and items for the home. It is a great spot to do some souvenir shopping if you are here on  holiday. It can get very busy as the evening goes on so if you want to avoid the crowds a good time to show up is about  6:00  in the evening. By this time most of the vendors will have set up their booths and are displaying their wares. Of course it is okay to  haggle to try to get the best price. There are songthaews (Baht bus) that go back and forth between Jomtien Beach and the night market. Usually  they are parked on Thepprasit Road just around the corner from FoodMart waiting for passengers. They will wait to  fill up before they head to the market. If you don’t want to wait you can of course hire one to leave right away.  Getting  back can sometimes be a bit trickier but there are also taxis and motorbike taxis available. Next to the night market you will find the Pattaya Outlet Mall.  Here you can find all types of fashion and home furnishings some of which are offered at huge discounts.  It is popular among locals and tourists alike and is a great place to shop for clothing and sporting equipment.There are two buildings in the complex so be sure to check out both of them for the best deals.Located just south of the Outlet Mall is the large TESCO Lotus store. (Most Thais will simply call it Lotus). This is a large supermarket with all types of grocery items, clothes and things for the home.As is the case most anywhere around Pattaya a 10-minute stroll will take you past countless small restaurants and shops. This is also the case in Jomtien. Even away from the beach you will find small shops selling everything you can imagine.On Thepprasit Road there are a wide variety of shops offering everything from custom built furniture, curtains, and other items for your house or condo. There are also gas stations hardware stores and plenty of restaurants.I would like to wrap up the dining and shopping section by mentioning two of my favorite restaurants in Jomtien.One is Maggs on Thepprasit Road, which offers a selection of European and Thai foods. While I have not tried the Thai food there the European food has always been excellent and the service is top notch. The other, May’s Urban Thai Dine is a fairly recent addition to Pattaya’s dining scene and is next door to the Colosseum Show in the large Ratanakorn Market.This has to be some of the best Thai food I have ever had and the presentation is mind blowing.I had dinner there a few weeks ago and I have not been able to stop thinking about the Spicy Mussel Salad since. They can get busy but they do take reservations by calling 098 374 0063. HousingFinally, lets take a quick look at some of the housing options off of Jomtien Beach.There are some beautiful, well-maintained housing villages in Jomtien that fit almost any price range. Coastal Real Estate is proud to offer homes in developments such as Palm Oasis, a modern style luxury housing development, which has to have some of the finest homes in the Pattaya area and Baan Fah Rim Haad, Adare Gardens and Eakmongkol Village just to name a few.In addition to housing developments there are a large number of private homes for sale and rent in Jomtien and the Coastal Real Estate site has one of the largest selections of private homes in the Pattaya area.There is also no shortage of condo developments as you get away from the beach. Coastal Real Estate offers condos for sale and rent in developments such as Park Lane, Paradise Park, Seven Seas and Savannah Sands.As you can see there is more to Jomtien than what is available along the beach so take a day or two to drive or walk around Jomtien. You might be surprised at what you will find.To learn more about some of the available housing and real estate investment opportunities in Jomtien please email us at info@coastalrealestatepattaya.com or call us to schedule an appointment.Better yet, visit us at one of our offices so we can show you what is available in the Jomtien house and condo market. 216/62 Moo 10 (Soi 13) Soi DianaNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 421 580          519/163-164 Moo 6 Soi Siam Country ClubNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 190 925-6    +66 (0) 38- 421-580 Office+66 081-269-0742 MobileKevin Mattson (Managing Director)-English  +66 086-571-4737 MobileRujira Emkhla (Tarm)-Thai  You can also email us at info@coastalrealestatepattaya.com 

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Part 1: Do you live in Pattaya?

Jan 04, 2017

If you ask any of the residents here if they live in Pattaya you will probably get answers like “I live in East Pattaya” or “I live in Naklua” or Jomtien.While they may sound like separate cities in fact they are all a part of Pattaya.According to Wikipedia, “The city of Pattaya is a special municipal area which covers the whole tambon Nong Prue and Na Kluea and parts of Huay Yai and Nong Pla Lai. Bang Lamung Township which forms the northern border of Pattaya covers parts of the tambon Bang Lamung, Nong Pla Lai and Takhian Tia. Bang Sarey is on the southern border of Pattaya."Greater Pattaya" occupies most of the coastline of Banglamung (one of the eleven districts that comprise Chonburi Province). It is divided into a larger northern section which spans the areas to the east of Naklua Beach (the most northern beach) and Pattaya Beach (the main beach) plus Pratumnak Hill (often called "Buddha Hill" because of the temples on top of the hill) the land immediately south of Pattaya Beach, and a smaller southern section covering the area to the east of Jomtien Beach (which lies directly south of Pratumnak Hill).”As you can see, Pattaya may be bigger than you realized.Over the next few weeks we will look at some of the different areas that make up “Greater Pattaya.” We will start this week with Jomtien Beach. Jomtien Over the past few years Jomtien has seen considerable growth. There have been many new condo developments such as Lumpini Park Beach Jomtien, Aeras and Reflection just to name a few, along with housing developments such as The Ville Jomtien and Tropicana Village.Jomtien is also home to some very well established developments like the View Talay condo developments, the Jomtien Plaza Condotel, View Talay Villas and Jomtien Park Villas.This article however, is not about the developments and villages in Jomtien but what Jomtien has to offer. If you are interested in the many condos and houses in the area for sale or rent you can visit our site at coastalrealestatepattaya.com and search for properties in Jomtien.  Jomtien BeachJomtien Beach stretches for about 6 kilometers in what seems to be an almost straight line. It is also home to the Pattaya areas only Gay beach, a 265-meter section known as Dongtan Beach.Generally the beach area is wider than that of Pattaya, which makes it much easier to enjoy a stroll down the beach or to enjoy games such as volleyball.I especially enjoy the brightly colored fishing boats on the sand awaiting their owners for a night-spent fishing on the gulf.Although Jomtien Beach is quieter than Pattaya Beach there is still plenty to see and do. Chairs and lounges can be rented for a minimal fee and while you are relaxing you can order all types of drinks and food. There are also vendors wandering up and down the beach selling everything from ice cream and doughnuts to tattoos and massages.Jet skis are easily rented and there are speedboats available to Koh Larn or to take you for a ride on a banana boat. You can even try parasailing if you like.Jomtien Beach is also home to Jet Ski and sailboard competitions, attracting competitors and visitors from around the world.Jomtien Beach is very popular among the Thais. On any evening or weekend you will see families or groups of Thais enjoying themselves on a bamboo mat listening to music, enjoying some delicious Thai food and taking in some of the beautiful sunsets Pattaya is known for. DiningVenture across the road from the beach and you will find an assortment of restaurants serving everything from Thai to Italian.There is an amazing selection of seafood restaurants in Jomtien the entire way down the beach.  From the Surf Kitchen at the beginning of Jomtien Beach Road to Suttangrak seafood next to the iconic Reflection Jomtien condo building to Lung Sawai at the end of the beach, some of Thailand’s best dining awaits. Reflection Condo, Image source pattaya-funtown.com In addition to the many seafood restaurants in Jomtien there are other popular and well-known restaurants. Anyone who has been here for a while will have heard of Bruno’s, Pan Pan, La Bocca, Rich Man Poor Man the Pig and Whistle and Simons.One of my favorites for breakfast is on Dongtan Beach between View Talay 5 and View Talay 7 is the Sandbar by the Sea. And if you are in the mood for an American style sandwich or pizza Pastrami and Rye has to be the place.One cannot forget the Rompho Market, which undergoes a transformation several times a day from selling Thai breakfast foods in the morning to fresh produce, meats and seafood in the afternoons to Thai and Farang foods in the evenings. Located on Jomtien Second Road it is a treat anytime of the day or night.A fairly recent addition is the Jomtien Night Market on Jomtien Beach Road that opens every evening with a great selection of Thai food, drinks and other Thai goods.NightlifeLike anyplace in Pattaya you cannot throw a stone without hitting a bar and Jomtien Beach is no exception. There are plenty of places to have a cold drink, listen to music or play a game of pool or two. The Jomtien Complex has a large selection of bars and entertainment venues in addition to a number of Gay  bars.  Many of the bars in and around the Jomtien Complex also have live music in the evenings and are happy to  have you get up on stage and sing a song or two if you desire. The Rompho Market entertainment complex is also a popular spot for tourists and locals to enjoy a beer, some  pool and the company of some of Jomtien’s lovely ladies. Health and Wellness Jomtien is also home to many massage shops offering traditional Thai massage as well as oil and foot massage.  Massages are also available on Dongtan Beach if you prefer to have one in the light sea breeze. If you want an all out spa experience try the Oasis Spa on the Chateau Dale development on Thappraya Road.  They offer many different spa packages and are sure to leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed. Jomtien, More than Meets the EyeJomtien has a lot more to offer than you probably imagined.This week we only touched on some of the things available around the beach. Next week we look at some of the other attractions in Jomtien that are not on the beach.After reading this article you may find that one of Jomtien’s many condo or housing villages could be right for you. To learn more about some of the available housing and real estate investment opportunities in Jomtien please email us at info@coastalrealestatepattaya.com or call us to schedule an appointment.Better yet, visit us at one of our offices so we can show you what is available in the Jomtien house and condo market. 216/62 Moo 10 (Soi 13) Soi DianaNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 421 580          519/163-164 Moo 6 Soi Siam Country ClubNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 190 925-6    +66 (0) 38-421-580 Office+66 081-269-0742 MobileKevin Mattson (Managing Director)-English  +66 086-571-4737 MobileRujira Emkhla (Tarm)-Thai  You can also email us at info@coastalrealestatepattaya.com

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Getting a Condo Ready to Rent

Aug 15, 2017

The vast majority of the condos in the Pattaya area are rented fully or at least partially furnished.So, how hard is it to furnish, decorate and equip a condo that will be used as a rental without breaking the bank?We are only considering rental condos in this article because they can sometimes pose a unique challenge given the diminutive size of some of the newer condos on the market in Pattaya today. Also, furnishing a house can pose some additional challenges and we will deal with them in a future article.Anyone who has browsed property websites for the Pattaya area can see by looking at the photos of some of the condos that some owners idea of fully furnished and equipped leaves a lot to be desired.What is Fully Furnished?Most of the condos available will have, at bare minimum a bed, sofa, television on some type of stand and a wardrobe of some sort, be it built in or purchased after. There may or may not be a table or some sort of counter to eat on. There is usually also some type of furniture on the balcony if the unit has one, and sometimes the table is large enough to enjoy a comfortable dinner for two.A good rule is to look around the condo and ask yourself, “what furniture would I want if I was living here?” The answer is you probably want more than a bed and a beanbag chair to watch TV on.If you don’t care about getting or keeping renters go with the plastic chairs and tables you see at roadside restaurants in and around Pattaya and Jomtien. If you want to keep renters renewing leases spend a little more.On that note, you should definitely consider spending more on a comfortable mattress and sofa. Not only will they last longer they will help keep renters longer. Nothing is worse than renting a place for a year and then finding out that the mattress and sofa are uncomfortable.Is your condo ready for a renter?So you have gone to Index or Chic Republic and bought some furniture. You even took our suggestion and spent a little more on a comfortable mattress and sofa. And picked up some nice artwork so the walls aren’t bare.Congratulations! You’re halfway there.If you are renting your rooms for a few days or even a few weeks for low rates this part may not apply as much to you although it should be considered.Now it’s time to think about what else you are going to need.If your condo has a cooktop you will want to get some cookware and some utensils. Complete sets can be found at the stores mentioned above for about one thousand Baht. Some sets even come with spatulas and spoons.It is better to buy the utensils yourself than to find out later that the rented used metal spatulas on your Teflon pan and made some shiny cuts in the surface.You of course will want to buy some dinner wear. Again, you can purchase a complete set at Index for only three hundred Baht. It is a good idea to pick up two sets so you have an additional set in reserve to replace anything that might get broken over the term of the lease.This also applies to glassware. There are plenty of places to buy glassware in Pattaya at inexpensive prices so there is no excuse to equip your condo with plastic Star Wars cups you got at the theater or a mismatched set of glasses and mugs. Coffee mugs are also a nice touch and are very inexpensive.A nice set of flatware that won’t bend when you use it can be purchased for a few hundred Baht a set around town. Again it is a good idea to pick up another set to replace any knives that were used as screwdrivers or any pieces that may have been misplaced.A microwave and a hot water kettle are also nice.  A lot of renters will not cook much and the microwave is nice for heating leftovers or instant meals from the 7-11 if there is one close. The hot water kettle is also great for the folks who like tea or coffee in the morning. If you feel like going all out you can pick up a coffee maker for under a thousand Baht at stores like Big C and Lotus.Finishing off the kitchen, things like can and bottle openers, corkscrews, serving spoons and forks and a few plastic storage containers are also nice and a broom, dustpan, mop and trash can go a long way in helping to keep the place clean.Photo Source: Index Living Mall Definitely pick up some hangers to put in the wardrobe. It is nice to be able to hang up your clothes after a long journey and if your renter is coming from out of town they might not have their own.Anyone who has been in a bar on Soi Diana knows you can pick up DVD’s of even the most current movies. A DVD player is inexpensive and a nice distraction on the evenings your renter might not want to go out. Again, this is just a nice feature and you will find that most condo rental around town have one.Having a clean (preferably new) set of bedding and towels is a nice touch. Some rentals do not come with bedding but if you get in late from travelling 20 hours to get to Pattaya you don’t want to find out there is no bedding or towels. You can include the first set with the rental and if the tenant wants additional sets they can pick them up around town.Again a good rule of thumb is to take a look around and ask yourself what you would want to have if you were just moving into the unit.www.trade-guys.co.nzDoes Everything Work?Finally, take the time to test the appliances large and small to make sure they are in good condition and all work properly.Check the TV and DVD player if you have one to be sure the reception is good if you are offering cable or a satellite service. It is also a good time to replace the batteries in the remote controls so they actually work when the tenant arrives.If you are also including Internet service make sure the router works and the password is available upon the tenant’s arrival.Check the air conditioning, or better yet have it serviced if you rent for one-year periods. Having it serviced regularly makes it last longer and having it work properly will make the tenant happy.Be sure that all of the plumbing is working and that nothing is leaking. Little things like this can be annoying for the renter especially if they have to call you to fix things the first week they are there.If your condo has a washing machine make sure it is working and leave a set of instructions on how to use it (or show the tenant when they check in). It may seem simple to you but all brands do not work the same and it can be frustrating trying to figure it out.A good agent can help you with everything mentioned here and they should be up front with you if they feel the unit is lacking some of the basic essentials. Extra TouchesOne of our owners used to go the extra mile for his renters and have the refrigerator stocked with a few bottles of water, soda and even beer. This was especially nice for people coming from overseas directly from the airport.There was even a bowl of fresh fruit on the table as well as some small packets of instant coffee and tea.The bathroom had some hotel size toiletries and tissue, which was also a nice touch.Little things like this can make a big impression on a renter. It builds goodwill and earns referrals and lease extensions. You may lay out a bit more cash in the beginning but it will definitely be worth it in the long run.If we can help you get your place ready to rent or give your place an honest evaluation to see if it is “Rental Ready” please email us at info@coastalrealestatepattaya.com or call us to schedule an appointment.Better yet, visit us at one of our offices so we can meet you personally and help you determine if your condo is “Rental Ready”.   216/62 Moo 10 (Soi 13) Soi DianaNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 421 580          519/163-164 Moo 6 Soi Siam Country ClubNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 190 925-6    +66 (0) 38-421-580 Office+66 081-269-0742 MobileKevin Mattson (Managing Director)-English  +66 086-571-4737 MobileRujira Emkhla (Tarm)-Thai  You can also email us at info@coastalrealestatepattaya.com

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Finding the House or Condo Rental that is Right for You.

Mar 03, 2016

 Finding the right house or condo to rent can sometimes be a frustrating process.Many things can go wrong if you have not taken the time to do some research, find a good agent or both.This week we would like to offer some tips on how to make finding the right house or condo to rent a more enjoyable experience and save a lot of time in the process. Studio rental at Siam Oriental Condominium in PratumnakWhat are your needs?This may sound like a simple question but it is one that is sometimes overlooked.  Are you single or do you have a family? Are you looking for a long-term rental of something for a few months holiday? Are you going to be commuting to a job or taking kids to school?These are the types of questions you should ask yourself before you start looking at rentals. This way you don’t waste your time and that of the agent.Obviously if you are looking for a short-term rental for a few months holiday your needs are going to be different than if you are raising a family.If you are commuting to Laem Chabang for work you probably don’t want to live in Bang Sarey although there are some people who don’t seem to mind fighting the traffic in Pattaya.These are things to consider before you start your search. Having a house with a lot of room is nice, but it requires more work and money to maintain a yard with a pool than it does to reside in a condo. How much space do you need?A lot of the new condos being built in Pattaya are in the 24 to 34 square meter range. These units are typically studios but there are some that are one-bedroom units.Unless you are single, you will probably need a little more room for long-term stays. A lot of these units have very limited storage and are impractical for people with a lot of clothes or personal possessions. The mini storage units in Jomtien and Pattaya are filled with suitcases that people did not have room to store in the condos they rented.It is better to rent something with a little more room than you think you will need. Keep in mind though that more room means more cost to cool if you run the air conditioner a lot.Before you start looking take stock of how much you have to move and what your lifestyle is like. If you have a lot of guests and like to entertain you will probably need more room.148 square meter rental at Executive Residence 2 in PratumnakWe had a client once that moved into a 48 square meter studio with his partner and found that there was not enough room for both of their clothes and cookware they brought from their home country. The result was a storage rental where they made regular trips to get things they needed at different times throughout the year.  Once the lease was finished they moved into a larger condo. What is your budget?This is a question we ask all of our clients looking for a rental. You would be surprised at the answers we get. “Oh, between 15 and 30 thousand Baht a month I guess” is typical but represents a huge difference in what is available. There are thousands of small studios in Pattaya and Jomtien for 15,000 Baht a month. There are also some really beautiful one and two bedroom condos available for 30,000 Baht a month. Not to mention the houses you can get in East Pattaya for that amount.When thinking about your budget you should always keep the other costs in mind. A 30,000 Baht condo after water and electric could suddenly become 35, 000 Baht a month depending on your usage the rate you are charged for water and electric.These costs can add up even quicker if you rent a house and the pool and yard maintenance fees are not included so try to look at the big picture when thinking about your budget.If the location of your rental means you will have to drive a lot you should also try to figure those costs into your budget as well.A client related a story once about his first rental in Pattaya. He looked online and found a really nice looking condo in Star Beach in Pratumnak so he sent off the deposit and showed up a month later. The owner of the unit asked if he needed a motorbike and he replied no thinking he could walk everywhere. Then he learned that the songthaews didn’t drive by there so he would have to take a motorcycle taxi or car if he wanted to go any distance. All of a sudden 2,500 Baht a month for a bike was added to his monthly costs.It always pays to do your research before you rent.House for rent in Na JomtienWhat is the area like where the unit is located?As I am writing this, someone about a half kilometer away thinks I may enjoy the music they are playing so they have it turned up really loud. It wouldn’t be so bad but they think I really enjoy it about 3am too. If you are looking at a rental in Pattaya or Jomtien it is worth a trip to see what it is like at night. This is especially true if you are a light sleeper and close to any of the areas with nighttime venues.You may think you have found the perfect condo with the best sea view in the city only to find that is it is next to a Karaoke bar that opens at 8 and closes at 4am.It is always best to spend a little bit of time in the area to see what shops and services are close. Make a mental note of what is in the area and how far it is to the market or convenience store.  I know what you’re thinking, “there is a 7-11 or Family Mart on every corner.” This is not always the case at some villages in East Pattaya so it is definitely something to consider.If you are the type who likes to eat out or hit the bars every night you may be better off with a place closet to town.Spending some time in the area at different times of the day and different days of the week will also give you an idea of what the traffic is like. And as anyone who has been in Pattaya for a while knows it can sometimes be a nightmare.This brings us to the last point in this week’s article. Work with an agent you can trust.There are a lot of real estate agents in Pattaya and any good one can answer most of your questions with confidence. There are some however who will tell you anything to earn a commission.The agent may also be new or unfamiliar with the area you are looking at and unable to give a good answer to what the area is like or what services are available.A good agent will be able to answer your questions and encourage you to do your research and look around the area. Be wary of an agent who tries to force you into making a decision quickly. You don’t want to be the person who finds the Karaoke bar next door on your first night in the new condo. So the next time you are ready to look for a new rental let us help you with some of the work. Email us at info@coastalrealestatepattaya.com or call us with a brief idea of what your needs are. Better yet, visit us at one of our offices so we can meet you personally and help you find just what you are looking for. 216/62 Moo 10 (Soi 13) Soi DianaNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 421 580          519/163-164 Moo 6 Soi Siam Country ClubNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 190 925-6    +66 (0) 38-421-580 Office+66 081-269-0742 MobileKevin Mattson (Managing Director)-English  +66 086-571-4737 MobileRujira Emkhla (Tarm)-Thai  You can also email us at info@coastalrealestatepattaya.com

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test from humans

Jan 25, 2016

Pattaya is a city in Thailand, a beach resort which is popular with tourists and expatriates. It is on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) southeast of Bangkok. (H2 Tahoma Bold) Pattaya City is an independent municipal area which covers the whole Nong Prue District, Nakluea and parts of Huay Yai and Nong Pla Lai. The city is in the heavily industrial Eastern Seaboard zone, along with Si Racha, Laem Chabang, and Chonburi. The name Pattaya evolved from the march of Phraya Tak (later King Taksin) and his army from Ayutthaya to Chanthaburi. (H3 Arial Bold) He came face to face with another leader, but they joined forces. The place where the two armies confronted each other was subsequently known as Thap Phraya, which means ‘army of the Phraya’. This later became Pattaya. Pattaya was a small fishing village until the Vietnam War when American servicemen, who were stationed at nearby U-Tapao or other US bases in Thailand, began visiting Pattaya. They began to turn it into a well-known recreational centre. Starting in 1959 with a group of American G.I’s arriving for a week of rest and relaxation, this sleepy little village by the ocean has developed and changed significantly into one of Thailand’s popular tourist destinations. The opening of the Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006 has made it easier to get to and from Pattaya City. 216/62 Moo 10 (Soi 13) Soi Diana Nongprue Banglamung Chonburi Pattaya City, 20150 Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 421 580             519/163-164 Moo 6 Soi Siam Country Club Nongprue Banglamung Chonburi Pattaya City, 20150 Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 190 925-6         +66 (0) 38-421-580 Office +66 081-269-0742 Mobile Kevin Mattson (Managing Director)-English     +66 086-571-4737 Mobile Rujira Emkhla (Tarm)-Thai   You can also email us at info@coastalrealestatepattaya.com

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Tips for Photographing your House or Condo for Sale & Rent

Feb 07, 2016

 Occasionally we get calls or emails from property owners wondering why there has not been anyone interested in their house or condo for sale.Sometimes a quick look at the property on our website will reveal the answer. It could be that it is priced too high, but often times it is a result of the images supplied by the property owner or the condition of the house when a listing agent photographed it.A picture is worth a thousand wordsI’m pretty sure you have heard the expression “a picture is worth a thousand words.” In the instance of a real estate transaction a picture could be worth millions of Baht.According to a recent article in HGTV “80 percent of homebuyers starting their house hunt online, a home’s “pix appeal,”or how good it looks in photos posted on the Internet, is taking over as thetop way to impress buyers off the bat.”And according to a survey by the U.S. based National Association of Realtors, homebuyers rated photos as the feature they use most when searching for a home on the web. Online listings with bad pictures -- or worse, no pictures at all -- can cause buyers to overlook your home from the get-go.It is pretty easy to recognise the importance of presenting your property well in photographs.So, what is the best way to go ensure that your home looks its best on a real estate agent’s website or magazine? We will offer some suggestions below.Tips for making your house look its best.Here are some suggestions for showing your house in the best light.Hire a professionalOkay I know what you are thinking, “I am not going to hire a professional to take photos of a 10,000 Baht a month rental.”Hiring a professional can sometimes be expensive, so this option might not work for sellers on a budget or investors with properties on the low end of the rental spectrum. But it should be considered if your property is at the high end of the market with a lot of competition from similar properties.For some examples of the work of a professional photographer making a property look its best check out the Vineyard. The developers spared no expense when photographing their show homes.Let the agent do itMany agents will be happy to come to your house or condo and take the photos themselves. Some may even employ a professional photographer. In many cases the agency has invested in a good camera and photo editing software to make the photos look as good as possible. Look at the agency’s website for an idea of the quality of photos you can expect from them. Keep in mind though that many sellers send the agency their own images so feel free to ask the agency which properties on their site they have taken photos of. Keep it clean One thing I have to mention about letting an agent photograph your property.  Make sure it is clean and clutter free! There have been occasions when we have arrived to take photos of a property only to have it  look like room  in the image below. This puts us in an awkward situation. We don’t want to embarrass the homeowner by asking  them to clean  up the mess and we don’t want to waste our time photographing a property that is  certainly going to look  unappealing to potential buyers or renters on our site. "The best thing we can do is to politely explain how important the first impression is of    a property when someone looks at it online and then ask to reschedule the  appointment." So have the maid come in in the morning and schedule the photo shoot as soon as they are  finished.Say goodbye to your cell phoneYour iPhone or Samsung may be great for those selfies on Walking Street, but they probably aren’t going to make your house or condo look its best.Most point-and-shoot digital cameras on the market today with five megapixels or more will produce good photos. If you’re willing to fork over a little more cash, a digital SLR offers more settings and allows you to use a variety of lenses. You can sometimes find used ones at reasonable prices on local online classified sites. This could be a good investment if you have a lot of rental properties or are a builder. A tripod is also a good investment for taking sharp photos. Staging your house or condo for sale like a proYour goal is to show off the space, not what’s in it. Make sure your house or condo is clean, and clear out distracting items like toys, refrigerator magnets and the like before taking photos. If this leaves your home looking a little dull, accents like a vase of fresh flowers or some of Thailand’s bright fruits on the table can liven it up. Other things to consider when getting your home ready for show Using natural lightPull up the shades, open the curtains and turn on all the lights to make a room look bright and open. Don’t rely on the camera’s built-in flash. It can sometimes create unattractive shadows and will reflect off mirrors and windows. If at all possible you should avoid taking photos on rainy days or at night, as this will produce gloomy photos. In some cases pictures of the exterior may look better on an overcast day so the sun doesn’t cast dark shadows on your home.Get the best angleOne of the best ways to showcase a room is to shoot from a corner or doorway to include as much of the room as possible. This provides context and makes the room look more spacious than a tight shot does.You’re almost thereAfter taking your photos (hopefully lots of them) select the best ones for each room and tweak them a little to make them look better. Most computers today come with some type of easy to use photo editing software than can brighten up a room that is a bit to dark or crop out some phone lines on an exterior shot.Write a brief descriptionNo one knows your property better than you so take a few minutes and write a brief description the agent can work from.Highlight the best features of your house or condo so a potential buyer or renter will know about them.Match the photos with an accurate, catchy description that paints an appealing picture of your home.  Hopefully these tips will help you get the most out of the photos of your property.To have your photos updated on your condo or house for sale or rent please contact any agent at Coastal Real Estate today.You can also visit us at one of our offices 216/62 Moo 10 (Soi 13) Soi DianaNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 421 580          519/163-164 Moo 6 Soi Siam Country ClubNongprue Banglamung ChonburiPattaya City, 20150Tel./Fax.+66/(0)38 190 925-6    +66 (0) 38-421-580 Office+66 081-269-0742 MobileKevin Mattson (Managing Director)-English  +66 086-571-4737 MobileRujira Emkhla (Tarm)-Thai  You can also email us at info@coastalrealestatepattaya.com