Hello all. Been a bit bashful about posting for a while, as you were all extremely helpful with all kinds of advice and input, and I we have still not moved ahead on our planned purchase... we went as far as arranging financing (the deadline we mentioned), which was fully completed, but waffled long enough that the patient staff at Samudra finally canceled our purchase agreement. Can't blame them, as 4 months had gone by. I guess we weren't 100% happy with the 3.9MB agreed price on the 51 sq/m top floor unit, and recently tried to renegotiate the price a bit but are now told their 'new policy' is to sell under 'investment program' only, which I believe puts the purchase price closer to 5.5MB or so...... this comes with the 6%/yr guaranteed return, but still would work out a fair bit pricier than we had planned.. and reading of problems on some developments re the guaranteed return has to be factored in also. We did a huge amount of research, on related property laws etc (much help from you guys also on that) as well as surveying the local market on the 'net (still in Canada, having our 2 months of summer right now) extensively. Although I agree with TT, that Samudra is of better quality than most, what we began to notice is that if you open your search to condos that are not new-builds, there are ones which look to be quite nice in a similar price range that are up to double the size.
One example, confirmed as currently avail, is a 101 sq/m 2bd/2ba at Baan Talay Samran in Cha Am, for around 3.8MB. I'm not sure if I can mention the website listing it, so I won't, but do any of you have any info or comments on that building? A beachfront prop, villas running up a ways and the 4 story condo building toward the rear.
My lovable thai partner is actually the one putting the brakes on slightly more than myself, which gave her a laugh as we imagine it may often be the other way 'round

I liked Samudra a lot, still do. But as many of you helpfully pointed out, it is indeed a buyers market - lots of choices avail.
Well, anyways, we know so very much more now about the process, the market, the community.. so feel very much more confident to move ahead as soon as we find the right place. Still considering the option suggested by many of just renting for the winter months we spend in the area, which the left-brain approves, but somehow it would just not be the same feeling! I personally would love to have the more solid + happy feeling of having our own place to stay, and for sure a 2bd/2ba would surely be easier to get a bit of rental income from here + there?
Thanks so much for all the help, hhfarang, johnnyk, TT, many others, and superjoe who provided us with so much helpful info! the bank visit? above + beyond.. owe you guys. Will keep in touch. Jimmy Canuck