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Dear International Visitors
Welcome to our website. We are a real estate agency in Toyama.
We are dedicated to providing comfortable housing for foreign individuals and offering services to those interested in real estate investments.
Real estate is not easy for foreigners
For foreigners, purchasing real estate in Japan, while requiring essentially the same legal requirements as Japanese nationals, is often a challenging endeavor in practice.
From property searching to negotiation and contract processes, difficulties seem to accompany various stages of the transaction.
In Japan, real estate information is exclusively provided in Japanese, with almost no availability in other languages, let alone English. While translation tools like AI have made the process more convenient than before, they still fall short when it comes to comparing a wealth of information in one go on portal websites, for instance.
First and foremost, this serves as the initial hurdle.
The second hurdle involves the procedures. Most real estate agents in Japan do not communicate in languages other than Japanese. Consequently, understanding the content of contract documents written in Japanese, comprehending what various documents signify, and gathering them can be quite challenging for foreigners.
We are the only real estate agency in Toyama experienced in dealing with transactions involving foreigners. We will meticulously provide you with the necessary information, guide you through the appropriate procedures in a timely manner, and facilitate smooth communication with sellers or landlords, ultimately ensuring a seamless and amicable completion of the transaction.
From Real Estate Sales and Rentals
We handle both buying and renting properties.
We can assist you in English, from customer service to explaining contracts (contracts are in Japanese).
Real Estate Purchase
There are no special regulations for foreign nationals regarding real estate purchase in Japan, except for certain locations designated for national security reasons. This means you can purchase single-family homes with land or land for building purposes. In addition to the property cost, there are various fees associated with the purchase, such as:
- Brokerage fees to the real estate agent
- Payments to a judicial scrivener for registration
- Taxes related to registration, real estate acquisition, and contracts, among others
Furthermore, when owning real estate, you will also be subject to property taxes, as well as fire insurance.
Real Estate Rentals
Renting real estate offers more flexibility compared to purchasing. In principle, you can rent most properties. However, there are certain limitations imposed by property owners, a guarantor system, and unique Japanese customs to consider:
Limitations by Property Owners: These limitations may include:
- Prohibiting cohabitation with individuals not listed as tenants
- Restrictions on subleasing
- Rules against pets and smoking
Guarantor System: Property owners may require a guarantor (joint surety) who is a resident of Japan and can be contacted in case of issues. In some cases, a Japanese national may be specified as the guarantor. There is also the option of using a guarantor company, but this involves an additional fee.
Unique Japanese Customs: In certain areas, there is a custom known as “Reikin” where tenants pay a fee equivalent to about one month’s rent to the landlord when renting a property.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us.We look forward to hearing from all of you.