Lately, the news has been filled with discussions about heavy rain and flooding, causing many potential homebuyers to feel apprehensive. Concerns about leaks and flooding have led to delays in purchasing homes. In the real estate industry, this period is often considered a Low Season, with fewer people viewing or buying homes due to fears of rain. However, did you know that the rainy season is actually the best time to buy a house? Why is that? Because it provides the perfect opportunity to see how a location performs during heavy rain. The heavier the rain, the better, as it allows you to clearly see if the area floods or if there are structural issues with the project.

Because the weather favors home buying

Why is the rainy season the most suitable time for purchasing a home? This is the best chance to observe how a location behaves in the rain. The heavier the rain, the clearer the picture: does the area flood? Are there structural problems with the project? For instance, if you visit a housing project or a second-hand home during the rainy season, you will notice leaks more clearly. Additionally, you can check if the alley floods or if it has a history of prolonged flooding. Some locations that seem ideal may actually face issues during heavy rain, and the positioning of a room in a condo that appears attractive might be the most exposed to rain.

The rainy season is thus the “best season” for confidently choosing a home. You don’t need anyone to guarantee that this house won’t leak; you can see for yourself how the house holds up during heavy rain. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, the rainy season is a Low Season for almost all businesses, especially real estate. Many sellers often offer enticing promotions to attract buyers, making this a golden opportunity for homebuyers to find a house that is not...

Can we really avoid flooding?

                If I’m not mistaken, the biggest concern for everyone right now is flooding, whether it’s major floods, stagnant water, or water waiting to drain. Everyone is worried about the difficulties in traveling, cars getting submerged, and so on. So, can we really avoid flood-prone areas? If we look at the maps, Bangkok is primarily a flood-receiving area from the north, not to mention the low-lying areas that are already prone to flooding. It now depends on which areas flood more, less, for longer, or just briefly. For example, on October 13, 2017, there was an unusually high amount of rain that fell heavily throughout the night, leading to chaos the next morning due to widespread flooding across Bangkok. Both inner and outer Bangkok experienced flooding, including areas like Ratchadapisek, Silom, Sathorn, Ladprao, and Vibhavadi Rangsit.

Or if we look back at the statistics of flood-prone areas over a longer period, TerraBKK has provided a map of “Flood Frequency Over 11 Years (2005-2015)” from the Thailand Flood Monitoring System, showing that most areas in Bangkok experience some flooding, but it often occurs only a few times and doesn’t last long.

                Now, returning to the beginning for those considering buying a house or condo in areas that don’t flood at all, it’s time to reconsider because flooding is a common issue throughout Bangkok. Honestly, we must admit that “it’s unavoidable.” However, there are ways to mitigate risks if you must buy a house or condo in a flood-prone area.

If you can’t “avoid” it, you must learn to “choose.”

                Knowing that avoiding flood-prone areas is impossible, as these areas are significant parts of Bangkok like Ratchada, Ladprao, Vibhavadi, etc., you need to know how to choose wisely if one day the house or condo you purchase is at risk of flooding.

  • Check the elevation of the road and the project or house to see if it is high enough to avoid flooding.
  • If it’s a new project, check what flood prevention measures are in place. For example, in a condominium, don’t just assume that being on a higher floor means you’re safe; parking on the first floor and basement often doesn’t survive, as we see in the news every time heavy rain occurs.
  • The location of canals and waterways also matters. If the project you’re interested in is near a canal, it is often the first place where water overflows, making it a high-risk area for flooding. If it’s also lower than the main road, not only will it flood easily, but it will also drain slowly.

                Don’t be afraid that buying a house during the rainy season is difficult; this is a golden opportunity for those looking to buy a home. If you’re not ready to buy now, consider exploring the projects you’ve been eyeing to see if they have survived the recent heavy rains. - TERRABKK