Tokyo Apartment Sales Movements

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The graph above shows the total inventory of apartments and the sales contract rates from 2008 to June, 2010.

A contract rate above 70% is considered to indicate favourable market conditions, while a rate under 70% is unfavourable.

Source: Real Estate Economic Institute Co., Ltd.

by Zoe Ward

Second-hand apartment prices in Tokyo continue to increase

According to Tokyo real estate service provider, Tokyo Kantei, the average price of a 70 sqm second-hand apartment in Tokyo's 23 Wards in May, 2010, was 43.05 million Yen. This is an increase of 9.5% from June of 2009. Prices in Saitama and Chiba Prefectures also saw increases, while Yokohama had a slight fall in prices.

In recent years, Tokyo has seen the supply of brand new apartments fall, and the focus shifted towards pre-existing units. With a decline in home-loan interest rates and and increase in certain tax exemptions on gift taxes, buyers have started returning to the market.

In the past, there was a clear difference in the market for brand new and second-hand apartments. But recently, there are more and more buyers who are comparing both brand new and second-hand apartments for purchase.

Nikkei Shimbun, July 16, 2010

by Zoe Ward

On Sale this Saturday: The Roppongi Tokyo Club Residence

The Roppongi Tokyo Club Residence will accept purchase applications from this Saturday, July 17th, 2010.  This is the first stage of sales, and all 92 units to be put on the market on the 17th are expected to be sold out by the end of the day.

The 92 units on sale Saturday are priced between 61,200,000 ~ 480,000,000 Yen and between 47 ~ 177 sqm.Read more

by Zoe Ward

June apartment sales contracts return to high level

According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, the sales contract rate for apartments in Tokyo reached 83.9% in June, 2010 (an increase of 13.7 points from June, 2009). The last time we saw high levels was in August of 2005, when the contract rate was 89.1%.

This year has seen a clear improvement in contract rates, with January ~ June seeing favorable rates over the 70% threshold. The Real Estate Economic Institute believes this trend will continue.

The supply of apartments put up for sale increased by 66.6% compared to the previous year, with the average price being 46.94 million Yen (an increase of 3.3%).

Source: The Asahi Shimbun, July 15, 2010

by Zoe Ward

Glanz Ober Nanpeidai

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Price range (when new): 174,000,000 ~ 662,000,000 Yen
Size range: 115 ~ 219.8 sqm
Current market price: 1,700,000 Yen/sqm*

Glanz Ober Nanpeidai is a modern and luxurious low-rise apartment complex only minutes from Shibuya and Daikanyama shopping areas. The building includes concierge service and valet parking. Currently 3 units are listed for sale from 198~300,000,000 JPY.

*Update: By late 2013, the average advertised price in this building was 1,370,000 Yen/sqm.Read more

by Zoe Ward

2 Duplex Penthouses for Sale in Park Court Toranomon

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Park Court Toranomon Atago Tower
1-Bedroom 191.67sqm (2,063 sqft) 450,000,000 JPY FORECLOSED
2-Bedroom 183.26sqm (1,973 sqft) 420,000,000 JPY

*No longer on the market*

There are currently two duplex penthouse apartments for sale in Park Court Toranomon Atago Tower. These two units are priced at approximately 2,300,000 JPY/sqm (213,000~242,000 JPY/sqft), while smaller apartments on the lower non-penthouse floors are priced between 1,500,000 ~ 2,190,000 JPY/sqm.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Freehold vs. Leasehold: The different types of land ownership in Japan

There are two main types of land rights in Japan - freehold and leasehold. Leasehold is broken into two types - surface rights and right to lease.

- Freehold (Shoyuken): The absolute ownership of land and building.

- Surface Rights (Chijoken): The land is leased, while owners of the building and units have the right to buy/sell as they please. This form is most commonly found on land used for apartment buildings.

- Right to Lease (Chinshakuken): The land is leased, while owners of the building and units must attain the landowner's approval before they can transfer or sublease. Also, before rebuilding the structure on the land, the landowner's permission must be obtained. This form of leasehold is mainly used for land designed for individual houses, but not often for apartment buildings.

Read more

by Zoe Ward