Koh Samui Houses

On Koh Samui, prices for houses have risen in recent years, but those looking to buy a house here will still find considerable value when compared with their home country. Koh Samui has a pleasant tropical atmosphere and an interesting local culture which has made it popular with retirees, expats or foreigners wishing to relocate to South East Asia. The abundance of land, combined with plenty of local character means that living locally on Samui can be an interesting cultural experience.

The island is in the process of applying for city status, which should mean a general improvement in the local infrastructure over the next ten years. Urban city limits are expanding rapidly and many house projects are under development. Although mainly targeted at the Thai middle class, they have proven popular with foreigners, particularly those with a Thai spouse to own the land.

As a house requires land the foreign ownership is complicated. If you have a Thai spouse then you can assume de facto ownership of the land or opt for a renewable 30 year lease, while retaining ownership of the building, this has worked well for many individuals. Many private and corporate buyers have also bought land through a Thai/foreign limited company. However, this is now less popular; the authorities recently began applying strict regulations regarding the use of nominee shareholders for the required 51 per cent Thai ownership. The laws may soon be revamped to allow longer leases, but it is important to bear in mind that in order to buy a house legally on Koh Samui, you will also have to meet requirements for land ownership. In all cases, due diligence and full trustworthiness of your partners is an essential, as Thai law is notoriously unreliable in protecting a foreigner’s interests if disputes over ownership arise.

There are plenty of real estate offices doted around the island, all eager to assist you in finding that ideal house, but the normal rules apply when it comes to choosing a reputable company, so do some due diligence. Hillside developments are currently popular, providing spectacular scenic views, although many of these are can be some distance from the island’s main amenities. Meanwhile, a house in a local village might be subjected to noisy early morning announcement, feral dogs and the local karaoke bar.