Its easy to buy property in Japan. You need only talk to a real estate agent, as with any other Western country. Any agent in the country can liaison with agents in your area of interest to secure you a property on the national database. Each agent gets a 3% commission.
If you want a bargain though, you should be looking at foreclosed properties. They remain a bargain, particularly in the rural areas. Crazy prices in fact. Its a simple enough process, and you can feel trusted dealing with the courts through a very transparent bidding/tender process. Some challenges though:
1. You will be lucky if court staff speak English, but you can try. They might help you, but most will not.
2. You need a Japanese bank account to receive the funds if your bid fails.
There is no other restriction on foreigners owning property in Japan. I bought on a tourist visa. See this eBook for information on the procedures for buying property.
I found the courts only helpful if you speak Japanese. If you dont, get a Japanese or Western friend with business-level Japanese to help. You will need the help of this ebook because you need to be aware of certain risks. The courts are neutral on foreign buyers. Just dont expect them to speak English. some cute girls might though, though they tend to be the mindless ones who know nothing. Bless their hearts :)
I find a lot of the bureaucrats don't even realise foreigners can buy property. Herein lies all the fuss, dealing with ambitious housewives that know little about anything. I swear the shock in the court office when I won the bidding. Its like the president died. Yeh, I know there is no President in Japan. But that's how shocked they were. :)
Let me know if you find a bureaucrat who speaks English, and is prepared to explain the process in English. I think we'll all want to buy a place in that nirvana. Bless their hearts. :(
Its a little fuss dealing with them, but you do get a bargain, so its worth it.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com
If you want a bargain though, you should be looking at foreclosed properties. They remain a bargain, particularly in the rural areas. Crazy prices in fact. Its a simple enough process, and you can feel trusted dealing with the courts through a very transparent bidding/tender process. Some challenges though:
1. You will be lucky if court staff speak English, but you can try. They might help you, but most will not.
2. You need a Japanese bank account to receive the funds if your bid fails.
There is no other restriction on foreigners owning property in Japan. I bought on a tourist visa. See this eBook for information on the procedures for buying property.
I found the courts only helpful if you speak Japanese. If you dont, get a Japanese or Western friend with business-level Japanese to help. You will need the help of this ebook because you need to be aware of certain risks. The courts are neutral on foreign buyers. Just dont expect them to speak English. some cute girls might though, though they tend to be the mindless ones who know nothing. Bless their hearts :)
I find a lot of the bureaucrats don't even realise foreigners can buy property. Herein lies all the fuss, dealing with ambitious housewives that know little about anything. I swear the shock in the court office when I won the bidding. Its like the president died. Yeh, I know there is no President in Japan. But that's how shocked they were. :)
Let me know if you find a bureaucrat who speaks English, and is prepared to explain the process in English. I think we'll all want to buy a place in that nirvana. Bless their hearts. :(
Its a little fuss dealing with them, but you do get a bargain, so its worth it.
-------------------------------------------------
Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com
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