I have finally taken the decision to move to Tsukuba with family for my kids education. I must relocate by mid August 2023(start of school term etc…long story but not important)
I own my Ikkodate in Tokyo so never had an issue about BIG Dog not allowed.
I have a Labrador retriever.
I am also building a house in Tsukuba which will most likely end up being my permanent home. I am expecting the house to be ready by Sept 2024.
Now here is my dilemma.
Option 1:
Finding a rental that allows big dog in Tsukuba is getting quite difficult. Agents are introducing either seriously dilapidated houses or very small apartments. I can survive there for a year until my new house is ready but I know the 1 year stay will be forgetful. Secondly the rent and deposit demands are very high because of the big dog condition.
I assume the rental route will cost me about 200万 for the 1 year I will stay there.
Option 2:
On the other hand I found a few old Ikkodate houses that I can outright purchase for about 1500万. The locations are a little far from the station but I still see there is interest to rent houses in these locations. So I can stay there until my new home is ready and then rent it out. House condition is not super great but it’s still livable for another 10-15 years.
I have a stable job and am sure I can pass all the bank loan criteria.
I am ok to take an investment loan as well if that’s the only option for a second home that will be rented eventually.
What would you do in this situation? Please help.
6 comments
One question are you a billionaire？
I find buying an ikkodate house to live only for a year to be very risky. Unless it’s in a favorable era, the number of people wanting to rent ikkodate is pretty small compared to a more favorable apartment.
Do you have a vehicle? I know a very nice rental house that allows dogs, quite upscale and interesting, with a beautiful garden. However, it is not in Tsukuba itself. Located near another train station in Ibaraki.
I suspect that this decision will depend on what properties are available within the catchment area of the school you are considering.
For what it’s worth, we moved to the Takezono area two years ago for the local schools. It is a popular area so the rental and purchase options are very limited, and even more so if you have pets.
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Rent for sure. You don’t want to be stuck with assets in Tsukuba paying property tax every year. Let’s say you buy it for 150 and put in 500 to make it livable. What’s the exit plan on the 2nd house. If you don’t have one it’s just going to cost you taxes and other running costs. If there is no concrete exit plan just rent and avoid fixed costs