Whether you are interested in buying a Bangkok condo or investing in a house somewhere else in Thailand, there are many factors you need to consider. Of course making a property purchase is a big investment, but people make the decision to do so for different reasons. Why are you investing in a property?
There is saying that goes, “The day you decide to buy a property is the day you start thinking about selling it.” You may think a property is great, but you always need to consider how others will think of it if/when it comes time to resell it. Below are four typical reasons people invest in property, and the questions you should ask yourself for each one:
Why are you investing in property? Consider this:
1) You need a new place to live and buying makes more sense economically than renting. Your needs aside, do you see the property being desirable to other people?
2) You want a holiday home that you can go back to time and time again, but will rent it out whenever you’re not using it. Do you see it being a place that will be constantly in demand?
3) You sense that an area is up and coming, so you want to buy the property before prices skyrocket. Are you prepared to risk it or wait it out?
4) You’ve found a place in a good location but the property could use some work. You plan on fixing it and then selling it for a profit. Once it’s in good condition, will it be desirable for other reasons as well?
Properties often last for longer than the owner will want to be responsible for it, so of course to maximize your investment you’ll eventually want to re-sell the property. Even if you pass it down to inheritors, they may want to re-sell so it’s always in your benefit to pick a property that will go quickly should you ever need to put it on the market.
How to know if your property has solid resale value
Location:
The number one thing to think about when buying a property is location, location, location. If you are going to resell the property, the condition of the property may not even matter if you get it in a great location. If you buy a property in a more remote location, that may appeal to only a very small number of people meaning that it could remain on the market for a long time. 
Bed and bath numbers:
A property that has more than two bedrooms have proven to provide great resale value, as they are perfect for families who already have children, or for younger couples that may be planning their futures ahead. Just one bedroom will limit your sales to a smaller percentage of the population that may be more suited to rent anyways.
Similarly, a property with more bathrooms will almost always sell faster than similar properties that have less bathrooms. Why not go for the one with the extra bath? It’s a great selling point for real estate agents to point out to help make a sale.
Storage space:
Storage space that’s integrated with the property will really help the resale value, as it’s something that the property purchaser won’t have to think about. Properties with small storage spaces mean that the owner’s stuff will need to be kept out in the open or in a special large cupboard that may not fit. Telling a prospective buyer that they can purchase a storage unit down the road will never help you make a sale. 
Nice layout:
While a nice layout is important in any country, its especially desirable in Thailand where Feng Shui is largely practiced. A layout is not something that can change from buyer to buyer, so make sure the one you choose is not too unconventional and has a lot of usable space to maximize the potential for a profitable resale.
All of these things that give a property good resale value are things that cannot be easily changed from buyer to buyer, without dealing with major renovations. While you may love a property for its quirks or its silent atmosphere, think about how the rest of the population may view your property before you buy.
