Asked by a first-time buyer

“What fees will I pay on top of the price when I buy a condo?”

My answerShane Ruddle, 20+ years in Pattaya

The seller pays the agency's commission. The transfer fees at the land office are usually split 50-50.

How much the transfer fees come to depends on the property's value and how long the seller has owned it. The 50-50 split is the general rule but it's negotiable. A good agency will give you the figures before you go to the land office.

After you move in there are ongoing costs: monthly maintenance fees, and in many buildings a sinking fund, which the management sets aside for bigger jobs like repainting the building.

Ask what the maintenance fee is and how healthy the building's funds are before you buy. A badly run building can knock a lot off what your unit is worth.

Up to date as of November 2026. Rules in Thailand change often, so check the current position before you act.

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Buying a Condo in Pattaya as a Foreigner: What I Tell Every Buyer

Can foreigners own a condo in Thailand? Yes. Here's how the 49% rule really works, the buying steps, the fees, off-plan vs resale, and how to buy smart in Pattaya.

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More questions: Buying & sellingAll 43 questions →
Buying & selling · Asked by a buyer planning a first visit“Can I actually buy a condo in Pattaya as a foreigner, in my own name?”Yes. Foreigners can own a condo unit outright, in their own name, as long as it's in the building's foreign quota.My full answer Buying & selling · Asked by a buyer looking at a new development“The agent says the foreign quota in a building is almost full. How does the 49% actually work?”The 49% is counted by floor area, not by the number of units, so what's left depends on the size of the units still available.My full answer Buying & selling · Asked by a couple who want a garden“Can I buy a house with a bit of land as a foreigner?”Not the land. Foreigners can't own land in Thailand, and my honest advice to anyone who wants a house is to rent one.My full answer Buying & selling · Asked by a buyer looking at villas“Is a 30-year lease on a house safe? The seller says it renews for another 30.”The 30 years are well protected. The renewal promise is the part I wouldn't count on.My full answer Buying & selling · Asked by a married couple“My wife is Thai. Should we just buy the house in her name?”You can, but think hard about what happens if the marriage ends, and get independent legal advice first.My full answer Buying & selling · Asked by an investor“Off-plan or resale: which would you buy?”Both have their place. Off-plan spreads the payments and gives you something brand new; resale means you see exactly what you're getting.My full answer