New apartment prices down 10% in Tokyo

According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, 3,125 brand new apartments were released for sale in greater Tokyo in October, down 6.3% from the previous month and down 10.9% from last year. This is the 9th month in a row to see a year-on-year decline in supply.

The drop in supply is due primarily to an expected drop in demand following the increase in consumption tax in April 2014, as well as rising construction costs which are limiting the viability of many projects for developers. Sales for apartments priced under 40 million Yen have become particularly slow in recent months.

With recent data showing the second consecutive quarter of negative GDP growth in Japan, it seems highly probable that the next planned increase in the consumption tax rate will be delayed. A spokesperson from the Institute believes a delay in the next tax rise will provide a very positive benefit for the market.

1,978 apartments were sold, making the contract rate 63.3%, down 8.3 points from the previous month and down 16.3 points from last year. This is the lowest contract rate seen since February 2009 when it reached 61.7%. This is also the second month in a row where the rate has dropped below the 70% level which is considered to be the line between a positive and negative market conditions.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Foretseine Akasaka Hinokizaka to go on sale next month

Foretseine Akasaka Hinokizaka 1

Mori Trust will begin sales of apartments in their latest luxury development - Foretseine Akasaka Hinokizaka - at the end of November, with most apartments priced in the 300 million Yen range.

41 of the 54 apartments will be offered for sale with the remaining 13 going to the original landholder. Apartments range in size from 73.46 ~ 170.46 sqm and will be priced from around 110 ~ 470 million Yen.

The 7-storey building is located in an exclusive and historically high-priced area at the peak of Hinoki-zaka slope near Tokyo Midtown. It is next door to Proud Akasaka Hikawacho (2007; prices around 2,000,000 Yen/sqm) and across the street from Park Mansion Roppongi (2007; prices around 1,900,000 ~ 2,500,000 Yen/sqm).

Previews of the model room will start tomorrow (October 18). Read more

by Zoe Ward

New apartment prices in Tokyo up 26%

According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, 2,110 brand new apartments were released for sale in greater Tokyo in August, down 50.0% from the previous month and down 49.1% from last year. This is the 7th month in a row to see a year-on-year drop in supply.

1,469 apartments were sold, making the contract rate 69.6%. This is down 14.1 points from the previous month and down 11.9 points from last year. This is the first time the contract rate has fallen below 70% in 19 months. A contract rate over 70% usually indicates positive market conditions.

The average new apartment price was 56,850,000 Yen, up 2.8% from the previous month and up 18.5% from last year.

The average price per square meter was 775,000 Yen, up 0.5% from the previous month and up 14.5% from last year.

212 apartments in high-rise buildings (over 20-storeys) were offered for sale, down 86.2% from the previous month and down 78.6% from last year. The contract rate was 50.9%, down 42.6 points from the previous month and down 34.3 points from last year.Read more

by Zoe Ward

New apartment supply dwindling in Tokyo

According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, 3,503 brand new apartments were released for sale across greater Tokyo in June, down 18.5% from the previous month and down 28.3% from last year. This is the fifth month in a row to see a year-on-year decline.

2,683 new apartments were sold, making the contract rate 76.6%. This is 2.3 points lower than the previous month and 5.0 points lower than last year. A contract rate above 70% suggests a strong market. According to REINS, 2,812 second-hand apartments were sold in June, exceeding the number of new apartments sold.

The average new apartment price was 48,300,000 Yen, down 6.3% from the previous month and down 0.1% from last year. The average price per square meter was 683,000 Yen, down 5.4% from the previous month and down 0.4% from last year.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Park Mansion Mita Tsunamachi to go on sale this month

Park Mansion Mita Tsunamachi The Forest Modelroom

Mitsui's latest development - Park Mansion Mita Tsunamachi The Forest - goes on sale at the end of this month. Although prices have yet to be officially announced, this could be the most expensive condominium to go on sale in Tokyo this year. The model room was opened to the public over the weekend, but we had a sneak peak last week.

The 11-storey building is currently under construction on a large 6,100 sqm site directly south of the Australian Embassy. It is directly across the street from the gardens of the historic members-only Tsunamachi Mitsui Club as well as Mitsui's very first Park Mansion building - Mita Tsunamachi Park Mansion (1971).

About the model room

The 167 sqm (1,797 sqft) 1-Bedroom room is filled with optional extras and non-standard finishes. The original plan for this apartment is two bedrooms, one bathroom and a study. In addition this apartment, along with two others, also have private 'atelier' rooms on the 10th floor. The atelier that comes with this particular apartment is 35 sqm and has a mini kitchen, toilet, shower room and a 21 sqm roof terrace. Perfect for a home office, man cave or guest room.Read more

by Zoe Ward

New apartment prices in Tokyo down 5.1% from last year

According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, 4,300 new apartments were released for sale across greater Tokyo in May, up 73.9% from the previous month but down 13.4% from May 2013. This is the fourth month in a row to see a year-on-year drop in the supply of new apartments.

3,392 apartments were sold over the month, making the contract rate 78.9%. This is 4.2 points higher than the previous month and 0.8 points higher than last year. According to REINS, 2,638 secondhand apartments were sold in May.

The average new apartment price was 51,560,000 Yen, up 6.4% from the previous month and up 5.6% from last year. The average price per square meter was 722,000 Yen, up 2.7% from the previous month and up 4.2% from last year.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Toranomon Hills officially open from today

Toranomon Hills Tokyo 1

Mori Building’s latest high-rise - Toranomon Hills - is officially open today. At 247m tall, the 52-storey building is Tokyo’s second highest mixed-use building after Tokyo Midtown. An opening ceremony was yesterday, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe giving a speech.

The building contains office space on floor 6 to 35, apartments on floors 37 to 46 and the Andaz Hotel on floors 47 to 52. Of the 172 apartments, 70 were offered for sale (most have already sold) with the remaining apartments offered for rent.

Monthly rents range from 550,000 Yen (5,400 USD) for a 1-bedroom up to 2.92 million Yen (28,500 USD).Read more

by Zoe Ward