The American's Guide to Phuket Property
Legal structures, US tax obligations, the best areas, and what every American needs to know before wiring a dollar to Thailand.
Why This Site Exists
This one is written by an American licensed real estate agent — Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties — who has done the research specifically for US buyers. Honest assessments of legal risk, plain English on FBAR and FATCA, and no glossing over the parts Thai brokerages don't want you thinking about.
If you are an American considering buying luxury property in Phuket — as a primary residence, second home, or investment — this is the resource that treats you like an intelligent adult.
The Complete Guide
The two legal ownership structures, what you cannot do, the step-by-step buying process, and the US tax basics every buyer needs before signing anything.
Bang Tao vs Surin vs Layan vs Cape Yamu — honest breakdowns with real price ranges and rental yield data.
Read Guide →Three real monthly budgets — comfortable expat, full luxury, ultra-high — with actual numbers, not ranges that span $10,000.
Read Guide →FBAR, FATCA, rental income treatment, capital gains, and the Self-Directed IRA option. The guide no Thai agency will give you.
Read Guide →Visa options, opening a Thai bank account, healthcare coverage, schools, and a first-30-days checklist.
Read Guide →How Phuket compares to Mexico, Costa Rica, Portugal, and the UAE on price, legal risk, lifestyle, and long-term value.
Read Guide →What $1M, $3M, and $5M+ actually buys in Phuket today. Pool villas, gated communities, off-plan vs resale, build quality checklist.
Read Guide →Deep Dives
The only land title grade Americans should accept — what it is, how to verify it, and common fraud patterns to avoid.
Read →If you have a Thai bank account over $10,000 you must file annually. Penalties for not filing are severe.
Read →What you actually own under each structure, the 30+30+30 reality, and the 2024 99-year lease reform.
Read →Fees, realistic occupancy rates, what full management includes, and questions to ask before signing a contract.
Read →The two most-compared Southeast Asia markets. Legal structure, price, lifestyle, and rental yield — side by side.
Read →How long it actually takes, step by step from offer to title deed, and the FET form you must keep forever.
Read →Which banks work, what documents you need, FATCA explained, and why Charles Schwab is your US-side account.
Read →Who actually lives there, how Americans fit in, golf as a business network, and the long-term reality check.
Read →What you pay at purchase, annually, and at sale — plus how Thai taxes interact with your US return.
Read →Entry-level luxury options honestly assessed — condos, small villas, off-plan — and what $500K does not buy.
Read →Get in Touch
I help American buyers navigate the Phuket property market — from understanding legal structures to connecting with vetted local professionals. No hard sell. If you have a question, ask it.