Buying a House in Japan

In Episode 16, Take and Joey discuss the importance of considering earthquake resistance when buying property in Japan. They reflect on their experiences with significant earthquakes, including the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, and highlight Japan's evolving building codes post the 1995 Kobe earthquake. Emphasizing the necessity for properties to adhere to current earthquake-proofing standards, Joey rem...

In episode 15 of their podcast, Take and Joey discuss their real estate ventures in Japan. They celebrate purchasing a house in Japan within a year, to be completed in February, bought outright without a mortgage. They update on the development of their website, Akiya-Mart ( www.akiya-mart.com ), a platform for Japanese real estate focusing on abandoned houses ('akiya'). The site is transitioning...

In the podcast episode "Why are Houses in Japan So Cheap?", hosts Take and Joey explore various factors contributing to the low cost of houses in Japan.  They discuss the abundance of abandoned homes, especially in rural areas, and the impact of Japan's economic stagnation and demographic shifts, such as population decline and the younger generation's preference for urban living. The episode...

The hosts Take and Joey celebrate surpassing the typical podcast milestone of 12 episodes. They reflect on their recent experiences in Japan, particularly the challenges and insights gained from setting up an Akiya (abandoned house) in Beppu.  The episode covers a range of topics, from renovation struggles like a completely gutted kitchen to logistical issues such as the importance of having...

In this episode, Joey and Take discuss their experiences and updates from Japan. They chat about headphones, reflect on Thanksgiving, and share updates on their house construction, including the installation of a horikotatsu in the living room. They talk about Akiya Mart, their house search tool, and its new features. The duo shares insights from their interview with the Nikkei Shimbun about Japan...

Joey and Take discuss their real estate ventures in Japan, focusing on using self-directed IRAs and 401Ks for property investment. They highlight the complexity and potential of this strategy, especially in areas like Tokyo.  The episode also covers their experiences with house renovation, the challenges of poor insulation in Japanese homes, and updates on their website Akiyamart, a platform...

Take and Joey are both jobless at the moment and are trying to figure out how to make some money. They have hired a contractor to renovate the house, and they are also looking for ways to scale their business so that they can buy more houses in the future. In this episode, they discuss their progress on the renovation, their plans for the future, and their concerns about running out of money. Japa...

Joey & Take share an update on the recent fire that occurred near their house in Beppu, Japan.  They discusses their interest in potentially buying the land where the burned house stands. They also talk about their experience with two contractors, with one offering a surprisingly low quote for their renovation project.  The episode concludes with Joey preparing for a Halloween party...

Take and Joey discuss their experiences with two contractors as they plan renovations on their house in Japan.  They provide insights into their interactions with these contractors and their cultural nuances, emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding when working with Japanese contractors. The contractors measured, discussed earthquake-related concerns, and made suggestions for the...

Take and Joey tackle the post-Fukuoka cleanup after a night out. They share their experience with a cleaning service that helped with a massive amount of trash, including construction materials. The service also tackled the removal of sticky tape residue from windows. They discuss the intricacies of trash sorting in Japan, which can be quite different from other countries, focusing on the burnable...

The hosts, Take and Joey, reflect on their first 10 days living in a cheap abandoned house in Japan. They discuss their experiences and challenges, such as the need for DIY renovations, assimilating into the local community, and adapting to Japanese culture. They also compare their property to a more expensive, move-in-ready option they considered in another area. They emphasize that this adventur...

In this episode the hosts, Take and Joey, discuss their recent experiences in Japan as they work on renovating an abandoned house. They share their progress, including improving their living conditions, finding a fixer to help with language barriers, and exploring local onsen (hot springs). They also mention their plans to visit another potential real estate property in a different area. The hosts...

In this podcast episode, Joey and Take discuss their recent move to Beppu, Japan. They initially had a challenging experience upon arrival, finding their new house in worse condition than expected. Quickly adapting, they embarked on cleaning and making necessary improvements. Despite the initial difficulties, they are excited about the potential in Beppu and are determined to make their house suit...

Take and Joey have just landed in Tokyo and are staying with a friend. They discuss their travel experiences, plans for furnishing their new house using Amazon, and their excitement about exploring Tokyo. They also talk about their upcoming drive to Beppu, where their new home is located. The episode offers a glimpse into their adventures and preparations for this new chapter. Japanese Real Estate...

In this episode, the hosts, Take and Joey, discuss the pros and cons of buying a house in Japan.  They present five reasons to buy a house in Japan, which include: 1) The ease of purchasing property as a non-resident, 2) Favorable exchange rates for the US dollar, 3) Affordable housing and cost of living, 4) Japan's appealing culture and 5) Japan's safety On the flip side, they provide five r...

In this episode, hosts Take and Joey share their experiences and insights into purchasing their property in Japan. Their goal is to help others navigate the process of buying a house in Japan by sharing their own journey. The episode covers the following eight steps: Identifying a Property Connecting with an Intermediary Virtual Viewing Offer Extension and Negotiation Home Inspection and Final Off...