Off-plan versus resale: which suits you

What off-plan gives you

• Payment in stages over the construction period, with the largest share usually due at transfer.
• First choice of floor, view and layout.
• A new building with current facilities, and the developer's defect liability under the standard contract.

What you take on with off-plan

• A wait, typically one to four years, and the possibility of delay.
• Developer risk: stage payments are normally paid directly to the developer.
• You buy from plans and a show unit, not the finished thing.
• Little bank finance for foreign buyers, so the balance at transfer is yours to fund.

What resale gives you

• You can see the unit, the building, the management and the real running costs.
• You can move in or let it straight away.
• The price is negotiable with a private seller.

What you take on with resale

• The full price is due at transfer.
• The building is older, and the foreign quota may already be full.
• The split of transfer taxes is negotiated with the seller.

Be realistic about resale gains

A lot of new supply has come to Pattaya. Nearly 7,000 condominium units were launched in the first half of 2024 alone, and in late 2025 the Real Estate Information Center counted almost 42,000 unsold homes of all types in Chonburi province. With that much choice for buyers, do not assume a quick profit from reselling an off-plan contract. Buy because the property suits you at the price.

Looking at resale as well?

This site covers new developments only. Our sister agencies, Alan Bolton Property Consultants and East Coast Real Estate, handle resale property and rentals across Pattaya, and the same team can show you both.