Office vacancy rate reaches new low in February
Tokyo’s prime office vacancy rate hit a new record low in February, dropping 0.04 points from the previous month to 1.49%. This is the lowest vacancy rate seen since December 1990 when it was as low as 0.39%.
Why existing apartment sales are outperforming new construction
The old trope that Japanese buyers only buy new homes is being turned on its head as existing apartment sales now exceed new construction. In 2019, there were 38,109 reported sales of existing apartments across greater Tokyo (that figure is likely to be much higher due to a lack of public reporting of transactions). Over the same period, there were 31,238 brand new apartments offered for sale.
Tokyo Apartment Sales in February 2020
The following is a selection of apartments that were reported to have sold in central Tokyo during the month of February 2020:
Nationwide supply of new condos in 2019 hits 43-year low
The total number of brand-new condos supplied for sale across Japan in 2019 reached the lowest level since 1976. Supply dropped by 12.0% from the previous year to 70,660 units. The greater Tokyo region saw a 15.9% drop, while the Kinki region (which includes Osaka) saw a 13.9% drop. In 1994, annual supply peaked at 188,343 units.
New apartment price in Tokyo reaches highest level in history
The average price of a brand-new apartment released for sale across greater Tokyo in January has jumped 47% from last year and has reached the highest level seen since record-keeping began in 1973.
Remaining apartment inventory in central Tokyo drops for 2nd month in a row
According to REINS, a total of 2,680 second-hand apartments were reported to have sold across greater Tokyo in January 2020, up 0.5% from last year. The average sale price was 36,720,000 Yen, up 11.5% from last year. The average price per square meter was 562,900 Yen, up 9.4% from last year. This is the 12th month in a row to record a year-on-year increase in sale prices.