Greater Tokyo second-hand apartment sales reach highest level in history

Reported sales of second-hand apartments across greater Tokyo in April 2019 reached 3,440 units, up 6.3% from the previous year and the highest level seen for the month of April since REINS began collecting data in 1990.

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Novice investors facing potential mortgage fraud

A number of investors may soon be in for a rude shock as the Asahi Shimbun newspaper has revealed rampant abuse of home loans for investment properties. Anyone caught out may see their loan immediately called in. 

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Home buying in Japan: Why that second bathroom may cost you

One of the most requested things we receive from buyers looking for two or three bedroom apartments or homes is for two full bathrooms. While this might be standard in many overseas markets, in Japan it is incredibly rare to find such a property. There are at most 2 or 3 condo-type buildings in Tokyo where 2 bathrooms are standard in all apartments, and these apartments are priced at the higher end of the market. In fact, 99.9% of current apartment listings in Tokyo's 23 wards have just one bathroom.Read more


Understanding the warranty against defects when buying real estate

When buying real estate in Japan there may be occasions where the buyer has recourse against the seller if a hidden defect or fault is discovered with the property. This does not apply in all situations, so it is important for a buyer to understand when and what is covered before signing a contract of sale. 

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Sold Out: The Peak Azabu Nagasaka

On April 16, Odakyu Real Estate announced that all apartments in the newly-renovated The Peak Azabu Nagasaka condominium had sold out in March. 

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Tokyo Apartment Sales in April 2019

The following is a selection of apartments that were reported to have sold in central Tokyo during the month of April 2019:

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Apartment age and pricing

One essential point to know about the property market in Japan is how the building age can affect pricing, both for sale and rental. When you are looking to buy or rent an apartment or house, newer construction is typically going to cost more on a price-per-square-meter basis than older buildings. 

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