Budget for the transfer fee (commonly around 2% of the Land Department appraised value), stamp duty or specific business tax depending on the seller's holding period, and lawyer fees. Closing costs surprise buyers who focus only on the agreed purchase price — model them before you reserve.
Common government fees
- Transfer fee: ~2% of appraised value (often split 50/50 in Bangkok resale deals)
- Stamp duty or specific business tax: depends on seller tenure and entity type
- Withholding tax: may apply on certain seller profiles — confirm with lawyer
- Registration fees: modest Land Department charges per transaction
Who pays what is negotiable — many Bangkok deals split transfer 50/50, but always confirm allocation in the sale and purchase agreement, not only verbally.
Professional and bank costs
Lawyer fees vary by complexity — budget for SPA review, title search, transfer attendance, and translation if needed. If you remit funds from overseas, include bank charges and exchange spread. Some developers charge admin fees for foreign buyer packages and juristic person registration.
Sample budgeting approach
- Agree purchase price and deposit schedule in SPA
- Request written closing cost estimate from your lawyer
- Confirm seller's tax position (affects which duties apply)
- Prepare cashier's cheques or transfer instructions before land office day
Ask your advisor for a written cost estimate before you commit to a reservation deposit. A 1–2% miscalculation on a multi-million-baht purchase is material — plan cash buffers accordingly.