How to Buy Abadoned Houses in Japan: Here Are Tips Non-Japanese Buyers Can Try to Secure an Akiya

There are many reasons why you should buy abandoned houses in Japan. One of these is their super affordable prices.

Yes, you still need to spend money when renovating them. But, compared to brand-new houses, you'll save tons of money.

How to Buy Abandoned Houses in Japan as Non-Japanese People

Buying abandoned Japanese houses (also called "akiya") is not a piece of cake, especially if you're a foreigner. Luckily, Eric McAskill, a 38-year-old Canadian father, shared tips on how to buy an akiya as a foreigner. In March 2021, he purchased an abandoned residence for only $23,600 (3.5 million Japanese yen).

"It had been actually a dream of mine for quite a long time. I spent - I don't know how many hours - just daydreaming of living in Japan and purchasing one of these houses," said MckAskill.

Via Business Insider, Eric said that foreigners can easily purchase a house in Japan, unlike in other countries. He added that non-Japanese people can legally own houses and have them in their names "forever."

Now, here are some of the tips shared by Eric to people interested in buying an akiya:

• Always buy an abandoned house via an akiya bank.
• When bidding for an akiya, ensure you are the first buyer to do it. Unlike traditional auctions, bidding for an abandoned house in Japan will always benefit the first bidders.
• Before buying an akiya, conduct a thorough research first about your preferred locations. It will be easier to purchase an abandoned house if you know what kind of place you want to live in.

Things To Know Before Buying an Akiya

Buying an abandoned Japanese house will benefit you in more ways than you think. But, there are some things you need to know before purchasing an akiya. Cheap Houses Japan provided some of them below:

Renovation Can Be Costly

You can buy an akiya for as low as $15,000. But, since they are usually in poor condition, you must renovate them before you start moving in or offering them as a rental. Renovating an akiya usually involves eliminating termite infestations, fixing electricity and plumbing, and repairing roofs and other house parts.

Beware of Unwanted Contract Requirements

If you are a foreigner, you need to ensure that you read your akiya contract properly. There will be instances when these contracts have unwanted requirements, which can be troublesome.

Expect Natural Disasters

Since Japan is located in the Ring of Fire, you need to expect natural disasters to happen in the Asian country commonly. This is why when renovating an akiya, always ensure the house is in its utmost living condition.