How age affects house prices
One of the factors that affect the pricing of a home or apartment in Japan (and other countries) is the age of a building, with newer construction typically priced at a premium. This is because older homes and apartments can become out-of-date and lack the modern amenities, interior finishes and latest trends found in newer construction. All other things being equal, an old and tattered apartment from the 1960s with no elevator, insulation, and low ceilings is not going to sell for as much as a brand-new one built to the latest specs. Changes to earthquake-resistant construction methods over the decades make the price divide even more apparent in Japan.