TokyoSurvivor wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2024 10:03 am
As I'm sure you''ve noticed in a world where property prices have generally gone through the roof (sorry), it's no surprise people from all over the world are showing an increasing interest in Japan's estimated 10 million vacant properties being sold off on the cheap.
Obviously there's no such thing as a free lumch, and akiya houses come with all kinds of things to deal with.
So, has anyone taken the plunge bought one?
Any tips/ regrets etc?
Been looking for a decade but always with a view to having time/energy (and in my case mental energy) to invest into a renovation project.
I've actually stopped looking at akiya-banks. To me they seemed to hold the worst of the worst although that could be a kanto bias and those banks may hold gems elsewhere.
One thing I've found is the aesthetic of rural properties does not match my western sensibilities.
Me: Oh. I'll just grab some place with a nice view and hopefully one broad aspect i can use as a canvas to paint my dreams.
JRE
*: We have this compact house concealed by dense woodland on all four sides to protect you from marauders. It has the smallest windows we could get away with and divided into so many rooms you'll be surprised not to find cheese behind one of the doors. And obviously no bathroom on the second floor as those were illegal until 2004.
Me: I'll keep looking then..
*Japan Real Estate. (I just make up abbreviations now as i think that's what the ROTW does.)
Right now it's 50-50 if I'll buy land and build or not. The amount will vary greatly by region but I'd argue for older rural properties(Think septic tank) any place less than around 15 mil probably doesn't really have demonstrable value.
I'm not responding to other comments but I actually like one of the youtoobers that looks to have mastered Japanese in six months (They recently mentioned they used to live in Japan quite a long time ago..).
Some of them are just buying what I refer to as "houses". Like just a house. In a street. Typically 25 mins walk (uphill both ways) from a station. They offer no visible appeal beyond shelter from the elements. But then again.. It's JAPAN!
And yes.. I am planning to create a YT channel once my project gets off the ground..
adamu wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2024 8:53 am
I've managed to mostly remove these algorithms from my life....
Don't worry I'll drop updates to your inbox....