Tips For Buying A Home That Doesn’t Need Gutting And Re-Decorating

Some people love to buy “fixer upper” properties so that they can get in, do some DIY renovations, and then flip the property for a tidy profit. While this certainly has its advantages, for many of us, the thought of buying a new home and then having to work hard to make it liveable is woefully unappealing. If the latter applies to you and you’d rather buy a home that doesn’t need gutting and re-decorating, this is the article for you. 

• Find a reputable real estate agent and tell them exactly what you are looking for 

The first step is quite straightforward: find yourself a reputable real estate agent and then tell them precisely what it is that you are looking for in a property. There’s emphasis on the “reputable” part. Don’t sign up with the first real estate agent you come across. Read their testimonials and reviews in detail and get a good idea as to what it’s like to work with them. 

It’s not uncommon for real estate agents in South-East Asia to ignore your specific requests and throw as many different properties at you as possible. 

However, with the right agent, they will listen carefully to what you want and go above and beyond to find the perfect listings. 

• Consider the prospect of buying a pre-construction condo 

If you aren’t in an immediate rush to move house, it may be worth looking into buying a pre-construction condo. Depending on availability and how far along a project is, you might be able to move into a brand-new, unlived-in, condo in as little as six-months to a year. 

If you don’t want to do any gutting or redecorating, then you literally cannot get any better than a condo that hasn’t even been finished yet! 

• Be thorough when viewing a property 

This should go without saying but be thorough when viewing a property. Take your time and be certain to inspect the following:

• Check the floors
• Look for cracks in the walls
• Keep an eye out for fresh paint (and ask if any damage has been hidden)
• Test all of the windows
• Inspect your balcony
• Glance at the electric and plumbing
• Ask about the history of the unit
• Research the building and property developer
• Go around and look at all of the in-house facilities as well 

By checking the structural integrity of the property in sound, you’ll be able to get a clearer idea as to how well the property has been cared for by its previous owners. 

Oh, and while you’re at it, you just as well check the surrounding area and local amenities as well. There’s no good sacrificing a well-optimised neighbourhood with all of the local amenities that you could ask for (e.g., quality international schools, public transportation, parks, restaurants, etc.), in exchange for a beautiful property that doesn’t require any work. 

• Make sure you are 100% clear on what’s staying in the property 

Is the property going to be completely gutted of all appliances and furnishings? Or will you be buying the property completely furnished as it is? 

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that all of the items in the property will be there when you move in. 

• Look at upmarket developments 

There’s a big difference between a standard condo and a luxury condo in Bangkok. If you truly want the crème de la crème with very little in the way of renovations being required, find an upmarket development with relatively new units that will have been designed with the latest home décor trends in mind. The Great Bangkok Boulevard Sukhumvit is a premium example of the kind of quality that is available on the market today!