RResidents in Japan

Trying to buy a house

Hello, JapanLife!

I am trying to buy a house.

Currently live in Tokyo, on Yurikamome line, work near Shiodome Station

Where exactly do I go about even browsing houses to get started? stateside I know what websites and tools to use, but don’t have a good sense for what Japanese websites or tools to be using

Cheers,
nicksnax

PS: I checked the subreddits wiki, but it was extremely dated 🙁 like, 6+ years old

9 comments

  1. Try SUUMO, you can browse houses for sale on the website. When you’re ready set up an appointment with one of their consultants and they will talk you through the process and how everything works.

  2. >PS: I checked the subreddits wiki, but it was extremely dated 🙁 like, 6+ years old

    Newsflash – nothing’s changed. The first question is do you have PR. While not a hard and fast requirement that greatly simplifies getting financing.

    1. pick area you’re interested in

    2. go to station in that area – walk around – find company with houses in window on paper with prices – this is a realtor – enter establishment

    3. give them your requirements. They’re also going to ask a bunch of intrusive questions and have a questionnaire. Fill it out if you want. They’re basically pre-qualifying you and researching who will finance you.

    4. browse the list of homes they’ll give you. Figure out what you want to look at. Go see them. The listing of homes is generally larger than you’ll find on the websites because those websites rely on realtors to list properties on them they’re not tied into the MLS. Your new realtor friend will have access to the MLS though and all the listings currently available.

    5. you can also bring listings from the websites, they might or might not be up to date but you’ll have them.

    6. be aware of the costs of buying a house here and realtors. They’re different than you might expect/be used to (ie you’re going to be paying the realtor).

  3. a) You don’t need PR to get a loan, but it helps.

    b) When you buy a house, you’re not just buying a house – you’re buying into a neighborhood. Spend most of your time researching *areas* to live in before you even look at a house. Walk around. Spend time talking to people. Go at different times of day and night. Check out the public transportation options. Get an idea of the neighborhood – lots of young families with kids? Lots of older people and lots of empty houses? etc.

    You can do a lot to change/fix/improve the house you live in, there’s practically nothing you can do to change the neighborhood you live in. Spend the majority of your time on deciding on the area.

    c) Good luck! Don’t rush the process. Once you start looking it’s common to get excited and agents will rush you to make a decision. Don’t let them. Take your time.

  4. Someone DMed me directly after seeing the post

    u/Nihonbashi2021

    They claim to be a real estate agent capable of helping with his process working for https://xu-1.co.jp/

    Anyone heard of or know them?

  5. Search on Suumo or Homes. Find a place you like, in an area you like (even if it’s not a place you think you’ll end up buying) and hit the associates agents up. Then tell the agents what you really want (size, location, budget etc.) and let them do the work for you.

  8. My tip is to find the local real estate company that specializes in your specific target area.

    From my understanding all information regarding real estates must be shared across real estate companies, but the local ones usually have first-hand information and the good deals are closed before actually sharing the information.

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