Tag Archive for rental

Investing in Japanese Real Estate through Mortgage Property Auctions: What Foreign Investors Need to Know

Investing in Japanese Real Estate: What Foreign Investors Need to Know

Japan is a country with a rich history and culture, and its real estate market is no exception.

With its unique blend of modernity and tradition,

Japan offers a wide range of investment opportunities for foreign investors.

However, investing in Japanese real estate can be a complex process,

and it is important to understand the legal and

cultural nuances before making an investment.

As a real estate agent based in Tokyo serving foreign investors,

I have seen first-hand the potential for growth and success

in the Japanese real estate market.

In this article, I will share some key information t

hat foreign investors should know before investing in Japanese real estate.

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Akiya (unused house) for sale, 50 mins from Tokyo : Is it really a good investment ?

* Foreigners can buy a property in Japan without having special qualification.

Japan has too many houses and there are more than 8 million empty houses/rooms here (which accounts for 13% of total number of properties).  Houses that are not used for a long time is called ‘akiya’ (空き家) in Japanese or ‘Empty house’ .Some home owners are virtually sitting on the empty houses doing nothing due to various reasons. And more and more individual investors are paying attention to this akiya market. 
In the light of Suruga bank scandal, Japanese banks are generally tightening their lending stance for the individuals investors.
Their business with institutional investors, of course,  are as usual but individuals investors are facing more challenging situation.
I am beginning to see more bogus-like hyperbole ads by rogue agents to lure the naive investors.
Please be careful and skirt such dangerous investment.
Individual investors are, in fact, shifting their eyes more towards akiya investment (abandoned house) because akiya investment does not require the large cash payment and offer the relatively attractive yield (return) . We recently spotted the following two properties in Chiba prefecture (Chiba prefecture is right next to Tokyo Metropolitan)  and are happy to share the information with you.
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Is there any hot UR apartment to rent ? : Tips for hunting nice UR property in Japan

  (UR X IKEYA collaboration : IKEYA kitchen)

(UR X MUJI collaboration apartment in Kobe, Hyogo)

History and corporate structure of UR

It is worth knowing the background and character to deal with UR as they have started the operation as the government agency for housing.
Let me start with explaining the corporate structure and history of UR.

Their official name is ‘Urban Renaissance Agency’ (都市再生機構)and they are ’incorporated administrative agency’. (独立行政法人)
Officially speaking, they are not a part of the government organizations any more but still under the jurisdiction of
the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT, 国土交通省)
All senior executives are amakudari from either cabinet office or MLIT.
Its capital is 107 billion yen and its number of employee is 3200.
Here is the brief history of UR.

Between 1975 and 1981
The organization provided housing and land through large-scale
development of new residential areas around major cities, which
were suffering from housing shortages due to high population and
industry concentration.
Representative projects include Chiba New
Town (Chiba Prefecture), Atsugi New Town (Kanagawa Prefecture)
and Izumi New Town (Osaka Prefecture).
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