Villas and Houses for Sale in Phuket

Start with the land question

As a general rule, foreigners cannot own land in Thailand in their own name, so villas are sold to them through structures set out in the contract — a long-term lease of the plot is one example. What exactly you hold, for how long, and what happens on resale or inheritance varies from project to project. Have an independent lawyer review this before you pay a deposit, not after. We do not give legal advice on it, but we can pass the documents we receive from the developer to your lawyer.

Choosing a plot, not just a design

With an apartment you choose a layout and a floor; with a villa you choose a plot. Slope, orientation and neighbours can make two villas in the same project very different in view, sun and privacy, so ask for the estate master plan and see exactly where the offered unit sits. You are also responsible for the roof, pool, garden and drainage, unless the estate provides that service.

Estate villa, standalone villa or house

• Estate villa — gate, security, shared services and an estate fee. Easier if you are not on the island all year and want someone keeping an eye on the house.
• Standalone villa — more privacy and control, but security and upkeep are yours to arrange, directly or through a management company.
• House — in our database this marks a simpler home than a villa, sometimes without a pool or resort facilities. A choice for living rather than hosting.

Where villas are being built

In the north, Thalang offers bigger plots, gardens and quiet, with a drive to the beach. Above the bay at Layan, homes sit on the hill and the sea view is the whole point. Bang Tao suits a villa close to restaurants and schools, and Nai Yang suits frequent flyers who want the airport nearby. In the south, people choose Rawai to live among year-round residents rather than in a resort, and in central Kathu villas sit near the golf courses. Each area has its own page with the detail.

What to check on a villa project page

A villa's project page shows only the data we hold. Look for:

• Plot size — given in rai, the Thai unit of land area; a manager can convert it to square metres.
• How far the sea is — worked out from the map, where we have it.
• Unit table — villa types, built area and starting price.
• Floor plans, video and virtual tour — where the developer has supplied them.
• Estate fee — for villas in managed estates.
• Completion date and payment plan — for projects still being built.
• Facilities — shared pool, gym, security, where the project has them.

If the villa is a family winter base

A family coming for a long winter looks at a villa differently from a buy-to-let investor. Before choosing, check:

• The drive to school and to the beach — in most parts of the island a car is part of daily life.
• Empty plots next door — they may be built on later, changing the view or the quiet.
• Estate security and lighting — especially if the house stands empty between visits.
• Internet and power — ask the developer how the estate is connected if anyone in the family works remotely.

Rain, slopes and upkeep

The rainy season tests drainage, waterproofing and retaining walls, especially on a hillside. At a finished villa or show villa, ask where water goes off the plot in a downpour and who fixes defects after handover. A private pool and air-conditioning need regular care, so even if you do not let the villa, someone should be visiting it.

Other options

If a villa feels like too much responsibility, compare it with Phuket condos. Choosing between islands? See villas on Koh Samui; for a more urban base, see villas in Pattaya. Every project on the island is on the Phuket page.