Office in Fukushima anyone? English school?

Just to show that it wasn't a fluke. Here is another building well-suited for use as an English school or in fact any administrative style accommodation. This property is 1.7km from a number of train lines at Fukushima Station, including the shinkansen station for the high-flying executives. Fukushima if I'm not mistaken is the prefectural capital about 150-200km north of Tokyo, so thats about 1.5hrs by shinkansen.
The building has a kitchette downstairs with 2 large rooms on both floors, as well as a small storage room upstairs. The 2-storey building is offered for a nominal price of Y2.6million, thats Y2.08mil (USD23,000) minimum reserve bid price, with a Y0.53mil deposit required. The floor area of the building is 121.7m2, half on each floor. The land area is 178m2, and as you can see there is plenty of off-street parking outside for about 7 cars to meet the needs of all your customers.

Cleaned up and given a coat of paint, and this place would be good for a number of business applications, whether its an English school, private art gallery, tutoring, you could even use it as a house. It has great lighting and large rooms, so there is a great deal you could do with it. Here is a picture from inside the building, as you can see the building is in good conditions, just the owner has a lot of junk there. It wouldn't surprise me if the junk is gone before you move in. But given you only need to pay USD23,000 for this property, who would complain. This property is available through Fukushima Prefectural Court.

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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Saitama - population growth is not evenly split

Saitama Prefecture lies at the north-northwestern outskirts of the Tokyo CBD. The population of Saitama is stagnant, though this fact ignores thew role that internal migration places within the country. People are moving into Saitama, others are moving closer to Tokyo, leaving a net gain of just 0.25% per annum over the last 8 years. But all is not equal within the prefecture since there is also significant movement within the prefecture.
The following chart captures the trend. It shows our interpretation of population growth over the last 8 years for 5 stations different distances from Tokyo - Wakoshi, Shiki, Kawagoe, Sakado and Higashi Matsuyama.
We can see from this chart that Wakoshi is growing at around 1.5% per annum in population, though places like Higashi Matsuyama are falling in population. There is no question these places will benefit from general improvements in house prices, however inner city areas can be expected to fare better. In contrast, outer areas of Tokyo will have more subdued growth as a result of excess housing stock. The housing stock is a result of depopulation and home upgrading, which can be expected to depress prices. On the positive side rental returns are resilient and the corresponding high rental yields more than compensate for the subdued price outlook. We offer a report on the population dynamics for the different districts of Toyko and Saitama. Email propertypo@gmail.com for more information.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Where to buy property in Tokyo

The Japanese property market is one of the last to remain standing by virtue of having remained a laggard for the last 15 years. The reason for this largely comes down to subdued growth and strict credit criteria, as the banks continue to liquidate their bad debts. But it has not been all bad news. The positives are:
1. Low levels of indebtedness
2. Low interest rates
3. Population growth in the largest cities

Tokyo is the largest population centre in Japan and continues to reinforce its dominance. It therefore goes without saying that Tokyo should be a place to consider for property investment. Population growth plays an important role in determining property prices. Japan is no exception as we see clear trends in population net migration from outer Tokyo to Central Tokyo.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Owner Occupied Houses in Nagano

You might wonder why I have been recommending the cheaper places. The reason is - that is where the better bargains are to be achieved. The prices quoted so far have been around Y1.5-2.8mil. Most commercially astute Japanese dont want to buy in the lower priced properties, and the young people who might be interested have no knowledge of foreclosed property. This property has more modern design, so its Y7.6mil, but you can bid a minimum of Y6.08mil. Deposit Y1.522mil. Real estate agents tend to like these properties because they are easy to flip. Clean them up, rent them out or sell them off. Easy to sell because they are close to the city. It also has plenty of parking for a family. Kind of place you buy to live.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Rental property in Nagano, Japan

The best foreclosed properties are those from which you can derive a rental income. Its worth paying a little more for something you can rent. So the last property posted was Y1.4mil for an older place away from the city of Nagano, here we have a younger 2-storey house for Y2.13mil, but the reserve price for tender offers is Y1.704mil (around $US20,000). The deposit required is Y0.43mil. The house is 14 years old, it has a floor area of 82m2 and over 200m2 of land area. It is between 2.5-4km from three different railway stations. Seems like a well located place for tenants. Because its in the city, you might expect more bidders. But you really want to look at previous sales to gauge the prices being paid. Some of the rooms are not so clean so that should discourage alot of home buyers. Agents though will still be interested. I am guessing you would need to pay up to Y2.8mil for this property, but it will rent for Y55-60,000 per month, giving a return of around 13-15% per annum ungeared, thats 35% geared, which means a 3-year payback. I remember when my father tending me that in Australia, the bottom of the market is when the average house price reaches 3x annual income. Well in Japan its better than that, its 3x annual interest payments. Basically thats 1 years income. You might wonder why Japanese are not snapping these properties up....they are so risk averse, but also they dont get any holidays. Surely there must be some unemployed son Dad could teach a lesson on the weekend. Maybe so? You will need to go along on bidding day.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Retirement or skiing home for $US16,000 near Nagano, Japan

A few years ago there was news story on a Japanese TV network reporting that Australians were buying up new ski resort apartments in Niseko, Hokkaido. The appeal was that Niseko was close to Sapporo International Airport, so Australians living in the southern hemisphere or Asia could enjoy the 'finest ski powder' they were ever likely to find. You'd have to be a keen skier with some money as I believe you needed $300,000 to buy these places. They were upmarket places designed with taller foreigners in mind. Niseko is no doubt good snow, but here is the irony. The Japan Winter Olympics were held in Nagano - not Niseko - and Nagano has a much closer international airport, and is just 1.5 hours by shinkansen from Tokyo. Tonight I did a 5min random search and I came up with this property. A bit of a dump looking at it from the outside, but it looks ok inside.
More importantly the reserve price on this property at tender is just Y1.4mil ($US16,ooo). Ok its not built on the ski resort, but then maybe you would prefer to be closer to Nagano so you can go out at nights. This place is 24km from Nagano. Maybe you also like summer sports such as canoeing, cycling or hiking. Well this place lies on a river. They price includes 117m2 two storey house and a car space sitting on 280m2 of land. Well with that kind of price disparity I think I would prefer to hit my head on low doorways and invest in a car rather than spend $300K on a resort-style apartment.
So what could such a place be used for? I dont think its suited for renting, and its remote from any town, so no business applications. But how about $US16,000 for a holiday house, particularly since as a tourist you can pick up a Japan Rail Pass to avoid the high cost of getting there and travelling around. Would you want to come back year after year? Something to think about.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Setting up a business in Japan - English school anyone?

I guess over the years there have been a lot of people who have gone to Japan to teach English. I calculate that there must be some 15,000 English teachers in the country in any one year, and if they each spent an average of 3 years there, that would equate to 150,000 teachers over 30 years. Some of them return to their homeland, but some remain in Japan, maybe marrying a local whilst they continue to teach English. They give their pound of flesh for an OK salary, when they could in fact teach English to Japanese from their own business premise.
After 10 minutes searching for foreclosed property I found this one, which is suitable for English teachers wanting to set up an English school. This is a home office in the Mito area, north of Tokyo. The property has a nominal reserve price at tender of Y3.256mil ($US35,000), but your offers can start as low as Y2.16million. The deposit is Y0.651mil ($US7,000). The land area is about 117m2 and the 2-storey building has a floor area of 140m2. The building is located 1.8km from JR Mito Station. Looking at the court documents, this place doesn't seem to need much work to turn into an English school. You can live upstairs whilst you fix up the downstairs, and you can do some letter box drops in your neighbourhood whilst you fix up the upstairs. It shouldn't be too hard to generate some business. The balcony on the front would be great for your signage! Well its just an idea. Buying my report is another. Why not benefit from my experience for just $20.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Who wouldn't be interested in Japanese foreclosed properties? Reserve just USD19,000

With bargains like these, you might wonder why you shouldb't be interested in Japanese foreclosed property. Here is a sample of the opportunities just after looking at a foreclosed property website for just 5 minutes. Here we have a property offered for sale for just USD19,000, which includes a modern 2 storey home with floor area of 79m2, with a car parking space. The property is located near Gifu, not far from NagoyaCity. Nagoya is one of Japan's fastest growing cities, and has an international airport. If you are interested in buying a home away from home, or you are an English teacher in Japan, or just would like a holiday house in Japan, I bet you didnt know you could have it so cheap! Check out my report discussed on the site. You better hurry if you want to lodge a tender application on this property...just a USD4,500 deposit. Mind you, there are plenty of properties. So maybe you should learn more first. Foreclosed properties are sold through the Japanese court system, so you can have alot of trust in the process. Shouldn't be too many bidders on this property because of its semi-rural location. Japanese property is not over-priced like the USA, so yields are still very attractive.

Foreclosed Property Japan 2008

This report is finally available. In preparing the report it became apparent to me that:
1. There is still alot of foreclosed property in Japan
2. That the best buying was & still is outside the city centres
3. That now is a good time to buy because western currencies are strong against the yen, except the USD which can be expected to fall against the Yen
I came away thinking the best places to invest were in precious metals and foreclosed property in Japan and the Philippines. Both markets are attractive for different reasons.
If you would like to purchase this eBook for USD20.00 email propertypo@gmail.com or proceed to the shopping cart at http://sheldonthinks.ecrater.com.

In addition, I am also offering spreadsheets with charts showing population trends in the Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture areas. This data is available free from prefectural websites, but I've added considerably to the value of this information. Of course these spreadsheets will only be of interest to those living or interested in investing in those areas. Email me!

Buying foreclosed property in Lipa City, Batangas

This news is a little old but last year (2007) we purchased a vacant lot in Lipa City, which as land purchases go, seemed to make alot of sense. The local bank was selling off 1000-1400 m2 lots for P700/m2. We purchased 2 lots for P2mil. There were a number of positive aspects as far as we were concerned:
1. No squatters or slums in the area
2. Just 300m from the main road - the Lipa to Batangas City highway
3. The area was already subdivided and sealed road access provided
4. The area is 10-15mins from Robinsons & SM shopping malls
5. Lipa City is a fast growing regional city that is currently unpgrading its cultural facilities. There are some upmarket bars and restaurants being established, which should complement those tiresome franchises.
6. The property is close to some sporting facilities. There is a public swimming pool up the road and the San Fernando Golf Course is just 800m away.
7. The lot we purchased had a 30m deep cased water bore providing excess water supplies.
8. The lot has good access to the Calabarzon tollway to Metro Manila
9. The strategic location of the lots - they are located between BaseView and another exclusive subdivision in which you will pay P4500/m2 for the privilege. The privileges over us include zoned for building, security perimeter wall & guards, clubhouse, tennis court, basketball court and a private swimming pool.
10. Lipa City has a most favourable climate. My father-in-law has travelled all around the Philippines, and he asserts that Lipa has one of the most favourable climates in the Philippines. Few cities can match its climate. Tagaytay, Antipolo and Baguio are other favourites. Baguio City has cheap food, but it seems always shrouded in mountain fog & cloud. Tagaytay has plenty of restaurants, though it lacks a commercial hub and shopping facilities in close proximity. The same is true for Antipolo, though these 3 places appeal because they are a little closer to Manila.
Foreigners might also welcome Lipa because it is just a 40min bus ride (40 pesos) from Batangas Ferry, which gives you access to Puerto Galera. It is close to Tagaytay and there are several golf course in the area.
If you are interested in foreclosed or standard property in the Philippines, let us know on propertypo@gmail.com, we would be only to happy to help.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com