$500 Houses in Japan
It’s true: $500 houses do exist in Japan. However, these houses are essentially ruins and require tens of thousands of dollars in repairs.
Better Options for Affordable Housing
If you’re considering acquiring a house in Japan, there are better options available. You can find fully habitable villas for between $30,000 and $100,000. Yes, that’s about the same cost as a car.
Local Methods for Purchasing Homes
Purchase homes in Japan using the same methods and sources as the locals who are well-versed in real estate. This approach will help you avoid unfairly high payments and secure your home in Japan.
In this article, I, Hiro, living in Japan, will share how to find affordable housing in Japan.
What You Should Know About Japan First
- Currency Situation: The Japanese yen has dropped to its lowest in 34 years (as of April 2024).
- Cost of Living: The cost of living in Japan is low. Lunch costs $8-$20, ramen is $7, and a sandwich is $2.50.
- House Prices: The average price of a new house is around $300,000.
- House Lifespan and Insulation: Japanese houses tend to have a relatively short lifespan, and old homes are not insulated.
- House Size: Houses in Japan are small, averaging 113 square meters (1,216 square feet). This dense setup allows you to travel by foot and train, depending on the location.
- Language Barrier: Most Japanese people do not speak English. While everyone learns it in school, it is not used in everyday life.
- Real Estate Information: Valuable real estate information is provided in Japanese, as it is a traditional industry. Information in English is often a method used when there are no buyers within Japan.
- Public Safety: Japan has good public safety. Many police officers never fire a shot other than during training throughout their careers. However, like any country, there are a few bad people.
- Transportation: Depending on the area, trains are the main mode of transportation. Homes near stations are considered good. Except for major stations, there is little concern about safety. This article will explain how to choose locations based on stations.
About Me, Hiro
Born and raised in Japan, I am a small business owner who loves real estate. When traveling, I enjoy eating local foods. In 2020, I bought a detached house in the suburbs. Originally, I planned to rent it out, but after encountering problems during the renovation, I sold it in 2022. I established this site to share the knowledge and experience I gained from searching for, buying, renovating, and selling affordable properties with those who want Japanese real estate.
Price Range for Livable Homes
As mentioned, $500 homes are liabilities. So, what price range actually buys you a usable quality home? You can get a perfectly usable home in a relatively convenient suburb for between $30,000 and $100,000. Yes, that’s about the same price as a car. Why not own a villa in Japan with the ease of changing cars? Good properties sell quickly. By enabling you to search on your own, I hope you will find a wonderful second home.
Why Choose Japan?
- The yen is at its weakest in the past 34 years.
- Foreigners can fully own real estate in Japan.
- Administrative procedures are reliable. The process is uniform, and applications are not denied based on the mood of the service counter staff.
- McDonald’s offers a teriyaki burger.
- There is ramen and conveyor belt sushi.
Why Get Info in Japanese?
In English sources, it appears that properties in Japan are often sold at 1.5 to 2 times the market price. Therefore, by appropriately researching Japanese information, there is a possibility of avoiding unnecessary costs of tens of thousands of dollars.
The Content Is as Follows
- Basic Use of the Real Estate Information Site: A Japanese site where good information accumulates.
- Decide on the Location You Want: Where can you buy properties easily accessible from the airport, priced between $30,000 and $100,000? I recommend properties accessible by train. There’s no need to drive in unfamiliar places.
- How to Identify Properties That Can Be Inquired About in English: Unfortunately, only a limited number of real estate agents can accommodate English. However, do not lose hope.
- How to Narrow Down Properties Based on Budget: How to use the filtering feature according to your preferences.
- Particular Caution About Land: There are lands where you cannot rebuild houses due to legal restrictions.
- How to Inquire About Properties: Advice on how to contact about properties and the right mindset.
- Apartments You Can Buy for $10,000: Bonus information. The advantage is that there is no need for land management.
Read More
The rest of this article is available in PDF. You can learn how local people in Japan search for property information online. I hope this information helps you avoid wasting tens of thousands of dollars.
Finding real estate information may be challenging from abroad. For those who purchase this article, I, Hiro, will find and inform you of one station that is easily accessible from your desired location.