I'll be in Pattaya in a couple of weeks, and want to look around some condo's in Naklua to get an idea of size/location for future rental.

Can I just go to the condo building and ask someone to show me around a vacant one, or how do I go about arranging a viewing?

Following with interest

2 hours ago, pogo said:

I'll be in Pattaya in a couple of weeks, and want to look around some condo's in Naklua to get an idea of size/location for future rental.

Can I just go to the condo building and ask someone to show me around a vacant one, or how do I go about arranging a viewing?

Many buildings will not have a sales / rental office in them and the Juristic office will not have keys for empty units.

For buildings that have a sales / rental office in them you will be able to ask to look through a particular unit but IMHO you should at least pretend there’s an immediate interest in buying / renting. 
Sure you’re pretty much wasting someone’s time but there’s not exactly any other option, same with any unit you see in the Facebook groups and in a particular building. 

Edited April 6, 20251 yr by Fire Bar Matt

Look at estate agent websites (any in Naklua?) and see if they can do a few viewings in one go.

In my opinion, if you're just looking to rent, you don’t really need to see currently vacant units to get a feel for things, since the furnishings will vary a lot from landlord to landlord. You can check out the location on your own, and you'll likely be able to see the common areas without needing to set anything up with an agent.

To get a general sense of the units, browsing online sites like Thailand Property can give you a good idea of asking prices and typical furnishings.

Just sharing my two cents — I’m not sure how much more insight you'll get from viewing available units now if you’re not planning to rent until later. It’s a different story if you're considering buying.

This is just what I personally would do, but all good if you see it differently!

I think OP you mean you would want to see inside an actual condo unit for example to better grasp how bi is 35 sq meters vs 50 vs 70 for example? 

8 hours ago, pogo said:

I'll be in Pattaya in a couple of weeks, and want to look around some condo's in Naklua to get an idea of size/location for future rental.

Definitely behave as if "I want to buy in next month" kind of thing.   Just sound like a serious buyer.
Try to contact an agent (LINE or whatsapp) ahead of time (1+ week = ok esp if you say "I will be in Pattaya from x to y) , settle ahead on 1 day of viewing which will fit your schedule, allowing an agent to be free for a half day for example.  Many agents will be happy to meet you at a given spot and drive you around to the different places.   Give some criteria for what you want: number of bedrooms, condo size: 1-2 bedroom, at least 50 sq m, pool + gym for ex.  You can ask for a few different locations also.  Set an appox baseline price you are ready to pay, but be vague, show the agent you can be tempted by something "better", this will allow you to compare better.
It's part of real estate agents' job to show lots of property vs actual sales, so don't feel bad about it.  

You can find agents through property advertising websites where some units will show the picture of an agent with LINE contact or phone number, main office, etc. 
Thailand Property
Property hub
HipFLat
In BKK there is also DD Property but I think they have much less in Pattaya (not 100% sure)

15 hours ago, hormone said:

I think OP you mean you would want to see inside an actual condo unit for example to better grasp how bi is 35 sq meters vs 50 vs 70 for example? 

Yes, this is what I mean, as you can't really tell by photo's online.

I think I'll head up to Naklua and have a wander around to get the feel of the area before I contact any agents, as I don't want to feel like I'm wasting their time.

Thanks for all the replies.

Tip them 2-300 b for showing you, if you feel its worth it

On 08/04/2025 at 01:22, pogo said:

Yes, this is what I mean, as you can't really tell by photo's online.

I think I'll head up to Naklua and have a wander around to get the feel of the area before I contact any agents, as I don't want to feel like I'm wasting their time.

Thanks for all the replies.

Don't worry about wasting their time-- it's their job.   And please don't tip them...  It's their job.  LIke I say, just smile and say you want to rent "soon" (1 month from now).
 

On 08/04/2025 at 02:02, swede37 said:

Tip them 2-300 b for showing you, if you feel its worth it

If you have a positive interaction with an agent, just use that agent later to find the condo you want.  The commission they will make will be the "tip".

Edited April 19, 20251 yr by hormone

On 07/04/2025 at 01:43, pogo said:

I'll be in Pattaya in a couple of weeks, and want to look around some condo's in Naklua to get an idea of size/location for future rental.

Can I just go to the condo building and ask someone to show me around a vacant one, or how do I go about arranging a viewing?

So how did it go? 

For anyone else following. I've had agents from Alan Bolton (nice office in Avenue mall) take me around various condos. 

(And I tipped, of course.) 

6 minutes ago, Thomaz73 said:

So how did it go? 

For anyone else following. I've had agents from Alan Bolton (nice office in Avenue mall) take me around various condos. 

(And I tipped, of course.) 

I'm in Bangkok at the moment, waiting for the Songkran madness to finish in Patts before heading there on Monday.

Tipping estate agents ?, unless you're American, I don't see the point I'm afraid

 

I would certainly want to view rental properties before staying anywhere long-term, as a viewing will give you a much better idea of the property than some pictures on the internet

Edited April 24, 20251 yr by jaynewcastle

1 hour ago, jaynewcastle said:

Tipping estate agents ?

I was driven around three condos and took up maybe 2 hours of her time. As I wasn't sure I wanted any of them, I felt it was proper to at least compensate a bit for her time (and fuel). And I'm decidedly not American. 

On 24/04/2025 at 03:04, Thomaz73 said:

And I'm decidedly not American. 

Cool.  Can I decide not to be too?