We model both paths year by year — price growth, rent inflation and what your cash could earn invested — to show the break-even year and who comes out ahead. Every assumption is yours to change.
Defaults from Pattaya/Thailand market data (2025–2026). Tune to your view.
Both scenarios begin with the same cash — the condo price plus buying costs. We then track your net worth each year down each path and see which ends higher.
Buy wealth = home value − selling costs − running costs
Rent wealth = (that cash invested) − rent paid
Break-even = first year Buy wealth ≥ Rent wealth
Results swing most on three numbers: how long you stay, price growth, and the return your cash earns if you don't buy (the opportunity cost). All are editable.
Selling costs default to ~5% (agent + taxes for a hold over 5 years). Selling within 5 years adds a 3.3% Specific Business Tax. Sources: Global Property Guide, FRANK Legal & Tax, Forbes & Partners (2025–2026).
It depends mostly on your time horizon, price growth and what your cash could earn invested. Buying typically only wins after a break-even point — short stays almost always favour renting.
The year owning makes you wealthier than renting, once running costs and selling fees are outweighed by avoided rent and appreciation.
Roughly 4–8%: 2% transfer fee (often split), ~1% withholding tax, 3–5% agent commission, and 3.3% Specific Business Tax if sold within 5 years (0.5% stamp duty after).
Yes, freehold within a building's 49% foreign quota, paying from abroad. Land under houses is generally off-limits. This tool assumes a condo purchase.