The anxiety. The stress. The misconceptions.
Who wouldn’t want to be a real estate agent? Great life. Easy job. Big money. Nice cars. No licence required to operate a property agency in Thailand — how convenient! Everyone can do it.
Just bring a client to see a home or condo, they like it, they buy or rent it, and boom — FAT commission in your pocket. Easy money, right? The perfect dream job for the hit‑and‑run cowboys chasing quick‑cash millions.
Now… back to reality.
The Harsh Truth
No matter how efficient you are, most of your daily work is unpaid. No matter how organised you are, you’re still seen as sloppy. No matter how honest you are, someone will think you’re untrustworthy. Why are so many brokers compared to “used car salesmen”? Why don’t people feel sorry for them? Because, in the eyes of many, they deserve it.
The Shopkeeper Analogy
Imagine you own a shop. Every shelf is fully stocked, staff are friendly, the store is spotless. You market your products, run ads, keep everything fresh. Then a customer comes in, points to an item, and you proudly bring it down — only to discover it’s expired. You can’t sell it. The customer leaves thinking you’re incompetent. That’s the life of a pattaya real estate agent.
The Open Listing Problem
In Thailand, most homes and condos are listed on a non‑exclusive basis. Multiple agents carry the same inventory. Everyone does the same unpaid work — sourcing, intake, photography, listing, branding, promoting — but only one agent gets paid when it sells. It’s “first come, first served” in an open listing system. And if you’re managing hundreds of listings but only 3–4% sell? That’s frustrating.
From the Buyer’s Perspective
You search online, land on 5–6 different websites — all claiming to be the biggest and best. You send inquiries. Some respond quickly, others not at all. Of the properties you like, 50–70% are no longer available. Why do agents still advertise old listings? Clickbait? Laziness? Unprofessionalism? Or all of the above? The truth: without a licensing requirement, anyone can open a real estate agency. And without sellers updating every agent when a property is sold, portfolios are never 100% accurate.
A Lose‑Lose Situation
With open listings, there’s rarely a win‑win. Agents battle a system they can’t control. Buyers get frustrated. Sellers don’t always communicate. The result? Stress, anxiety, and a constant uphill climb. So maybe, just maybe, take some pressure off your agent and accept their “perfect imperfections.”Related Reading
- — understanding the people who shape Pattaya’s property market.
- — pricing insights for sellers.
- — why the city remains a magnet for buyers.
