By Phuket News Property Editorial Team · 24 January, 2026
Resale villas and condominiums in Phuket often remain on the market far longer than new-build projects. While pricing, condition, and presentation all play a role, market behaviour in recent years shows that the viewing gap between new developments and resales has widened. The reasons extend beyond buyer preference alone.
New developments across Phuket regularly record daily agency-led viewings. Meanwhile, many resale properties receive limited scheduled visits, sometimes separated by weeks. This imbalance in exposure has become one of the defining features of today’s selling environment.
Buyer attraction to new and contemporary homes
Most buyers arriving in Phuket are drawn to properties that feel new, clean, and contemporary. Modern architecture, updated interiors, and carefully maintained gardens create strong first impressions, particularly for overseas buyers viewing homes during short inspection trips.
Developers reinforce this appeal through show units, staging, on-site sales teams, and high-quality promotional material. These tools help buyers visualise ownership and lifestyle immediately, driving consistent foot traffic through new projects.
Resale properties depend largely on individual owner presentation. Where décor feels dated or photography lacks polish, viewing numbers fall even when pricing is attractive.
The viewing imbalance between new projects and resales
In high-demand areas, new developments often host multiple agency visits each day. Developers actively organise site tours, provide agent briefings, and maintain marketing support systems designed to keep projects front of mind within agency networks.
Resale listings rarely receive the same structured promotional support. Many are added to listing databases and online portals but receive minimal proactive scheduling. Over time, fewer viewings lead to longer time on market and increased price negotiation.
Commission structures and agency behaviour
Commission frameworks have also influenced current viewing patterns. Many new developments now offer enhanced commission structures and additional sales incentives to agencies. In some cases, combined commission and performance bonuses exceed traditional resale fee levels.
Where agencies must prioritise limited viewing schedules, commercial incentives can influence which properties are most frequently presented to clients. As a result, new projects often receive higher visibility while resale opportunities receive fewer active promotions.
This dynamic has become more noticeable in recent years as developer marketing budgets and agency reward structures have expanded.
How resale sellers can compete for attention
For resale sellers, attracting consistent viewings is now as important as pricing strategy. Some sellers choose to increase agency commission offers or introduce performance-based bonuses to ensure their property remains visible in agency tour rotations.
Others invest in presentation improvements, professional staging, refreshed landscaping, and updated photography to compete visually with nearby new developments. In a market where attention drives opportunity, exposure and presentation can significantly influence selling timelines.
A shifting landscape for Phuket’s resale sector
Phuket’s property market continues to mature, with new development marketing becoming increasingly sophisticated. As a result, resale performance today is shaped not only by price and property quality, but also by how effectively listings are promoted within agency networks.
For buyers, this means resale opportunities may require more deliberate searching. For sellers, it highlights the importance of strategic positioning in a marketplace where visibility has become a key factor in transaction speed.
