Traditionally high season is a time for tourists and, though there's a possibility a small percentage will decide to buy property while they're here, the simple truth is the serious buyer is already looking now in readiness for the high season. This is why the months leading up to high season are the best time to make a sale; sellers should be aware of this.

I've come across many a seller who, having been encouraged by higher levels of interest during these few months has decided to stick out for his asking price on the presumption that he'll receive far more enquiries and a better price once the peak season begins in earnest. Peak season arrives and, instead of receiving more enquiries he's then surprised to find he's getting fewer. I made this incorrect assumption when we first opened for business in September 2005 − and I'm a seasoned real estate agent with over 30 years experience in the business.

Admittedly the boom was then in full swing, so sales were flourishing all year round − but even then peak season (around Christmas and New Year) was a quiet time because the people arriving then are mostly tourists looking to have a good time; nothing could be further from their minds than spending a day or two driving around looking at properties.

If you buy now you can have full use of the property during high season, be it for your own use and/or to rent out. If you decide to buy in peak or high season (between January and March) the chances are that, by the time the sale has been concluded (it takes around one month minimum), the high season is over and it might be another few months before you get to use it again.

We've noticed, however that things are changing. At one time, when the north western European buyer was predominant, they would have bought to use primarily during November to April but, with the 'Summer' season (June to September) becoming increasingly attractive, and with the increase in numbers of buyers arriving from Australia, during their winter, and the Middle East, during their intensely hot summers, we're noticing more clients buying property to use during what was Phuket’s low season and to rent out during high season − because they live in climates which enjoy their best weather during this time.

This is good news for sellers as they're no longer reliant on buyers from Europe, though the latter will most certainly be welcomed with open arms when they do eventually return in numbers. What the emergence of these new buyers has done is to create interest in what used to be the quietest time of the year, immediately after high season, as they want to buy in readiness for Phuket’s summer season.
For now we should be grateful that we have a property market that's attractive to the global market all year round, unlike southern Europe or Latin America, which rely almost entirely on buyers from their region, snowbirds from Northern Europe or the USA respectively. As for peak season, do as the tourists do: enjoy it.

David Wade is a Director of Tropical Homes Real Estate with offices in Kata Beach and Laguna Tel: 081 787 1108, 081 808 8896. Email: david@tropical-homes.net