Been trying to fight this myth for years. Got a livable house for $43K, no restrictions, including agent and closing costs, on public transport, near a beach. Free houses in Japan are unending money pits. The only way they are free is in the way they free you of your time and yen.
I myself was able to purchase my house (built in the 60s) for about 5k USD from the Akiya bank. The only extra costs were basically lawyer fees handling all the paperwork and sign over of ownership. About an extra 1k. After that the house was completely livable as is however EXTREMELY outdated. I’m gonna say the only real costs after o bought the house was all the DIY renovation that I did both inside and out. Less than 5k in cost of materials . After that I also owned the land which contained parking as well as a secondary smaller house (I used for storage) . It was quite a lot of land and property for the price. So I’m gonna say with proper research and contact with someone from city hall who helped in the entire process it was completely doable and extremely cheap. I also want to add I made a lot of local friends who helped with advice and even lent me tools. Also property taxes are only about 700 per year. Located literally waterfront ,seaside in Yamaguchi prefecture.
Nice!! That’s a great find! Many places were like that before the pandemic. I feel like property prices, even for Akiyas, popped up when the pandemic finally finished. Now houses are floating around 15k+
@@DIYJapan I moved here back in 2018. Just before the pandemic. Had no idea prices rose so much. Recently a friend of mine moved here from France and works for the city hall . He was able to get a free house from the owner . The only stipulation being that he restore the house . While it is a free house he tells me it’s nothing but stress as he’s having to spend an enormous amount of money to renovate himself, as well as the surrounding overgrown land. He’s dreading having to bring in equipment to dig the land out. I guess it’s just about how you view your own situation. A blessing or a curse 🤷♂️
@@Well_dunnWell_dunn she wasn’t really an agent but more of a city worker who worked for city hall in that department. I was able to find her when contacting city hall about a house that I saw for sale online. Unfortunately, well for the better I guess, she ended up leaving and going into business for herself. This was almost 6 years ago now. My family was actually the last that she worked with before leaving so she took extra care of us and we were very fortunate for that. Anyway with just a bit of research and lots of emailing , it’s totally doable. They are very accommodating if they know you are serious and even went so far as to tour the property on face time while we were still in the states. Good luck to you!
Thanks for explaining the costs of a free house in Japan. I was watching another documentary video yesterday by a Hong Kong team, and it looked very attractive this Free-House scheme in Japan. They didn't explain all the hidden costs as you mentioned. This is an eye-opener. Thank you.
Lived in Japan for 29 years. Lived in the Japanese countryside and have family in a village with no stores and half the houses are empty. It is depressing. For some it may sound appealing but the countryside is a very lonely place for most foreigners. You can get proper houses in big cities on the cheap.
That's because most foreigners are obsessed with being around a lot of people lol. I'm from the country. I love the country. I love nature. I love growing my own crops/produce. Also, it only takes one lever to no longer be lonely. Give it 10 years and we'll have a community 😂
City people who used to live easy life, buy anything they need at store, go everywhere using car maybe stressed living in village. Most of village people grow their own food and do lot of physical avtivity.City people may found this stressed. I used to live in big city. After retire I live in small city near village. I want to move to village. I love nature and village life. I grow my own food now.
@@someone-3499 it's so ironic because people in cities are scientifically more stressed than people not living in cities because of all of the unnatural things, especially the exposure to so many toxins.😅
Some towns have incentives for rennovations of certain parts. Example, 20% of a roof replacement of Kawara tile, for example.... but with a max of 200,000 yen. In my case it was close to 4 million yen. Theres also some difficulties with older land plots being wholely or partially classified as Farmland - which normal people cannot buy still (though this is changing now slowly, some towns already allow normal people to buy the land but its very, VERY strictly watched to prevent unapproved use of the land). For us, it wasnt free, but it also wasnt overly expensive. Doing the rennovations ourselves as a hobby for 3 years now. Got past the half way mark just recently. We adjusted the insurance coverage recently, the inspector was surprised how well the condition had improved. Gotta thank YT for providing most of the learning material I used to be able to do this.
Yeah the farm land laws seem to be relaxing a bit... but there is more to go with those. It's a tough one though, Japan definitely needs more local food production. It'll be in trouble soon if they erase all their farm land to development. But no one wants to be a farmer in Japan so it's tough. Congrats on the half way mark! It's tough but keep going!
Why is it hard to farm in japan? Society look down on it, or prices too low? It seems without a mortgage debt, it should be possible to farm on a subsistence level, you need some place to sell produce, but if there are no.shops in town, there won't be much competition.
@@liam3284 land ownership of land designated as farmland is restricted to actual farmers by trade. Even a small plot of 20x20m land that has this designation cannot be purchased by a non farmer. You cannot produce enough to live off such a small plot, of which the vast majority of farm here is such a small size. To become a farmer is also very strictly regulated so there is no faking it. Recently some villages have begun relaxing the laws about this to bring in younger people who want to live there but not be farmers. The original law was designed to prevent all the land being bought up by corporations. It is old and partially in need of official reform. Quite literally in all small towns in Japan, no one is moving there as most of the land is farmland. So the villages are literally dying as the older generations die of old age.
This video demonstrates well how the free houses are very much not void of costs. However I would find it a lot more interesting if you had compared and contrasted it with the costs of obtaining a house normally. Surely some of these costs are applicable to a normal purchase as well, the various service charges, taxes and upkeep costs. It would be interesting to see an accounting estimation of the full cost over 10 years of these two options. The way I see it at least is that while the idea of a free house is obviously a mirage, the more interesting question is whether or not it is a cheaper way to get a house at the end of the day/decade.
That would take quite a lot of time and research indeed. A lot of people live in my area who, by the looks of it, have never done renovations. It just depends on the individual and what they are capable of living with and accepting. Everyone has a different level of comfort and living standard. So even if I made such a video, some people can accept more than others in terms of discomforts and that would affect the price dramatically. In the end, if you own the house outright then it's already a savings in money compared to having a 30 year mortgage... I dunno... it's hard to quantify.
The information interjected with the comedy is so clean and sharp. The comedy helped hammer home the pitfalls. Without it, this would have been a slog to go through for many. Great job on the scripting.
Flippers beware indeed. But as a livable and very affordable house... probably the best bang for the buck given you find the right deal in the right location.
This phenomenon does not only affect Japan. In France, we have the “house for 1 euro” program. But it's generally the same thing. You pay 1 symbolic euro BUT you commit to living in the house for years, investing tens of thousands of euros to renovate the house with a time limit, etc.
I am elderly, unable to do repairs myself but have a small inheritance. These schemes are very seductive but I doubt they are doable unless you are a young, diy expert with quite a lot of savings. Disappointing as I have been homeless and would love my last years to be reasonably secure where I could make a garden as my legacy.
@@DIYJapan In France I never heard about those terms. I think you rather have to go to the maire and you directly make the deal with him. So real estate agent is not required (at least from what I know). Pointless ? I agree. Most of the times probably. There was a documentary about this in France and I - and others people - were pretty embarrassed. The buyers of those 1 euro houses were very excited, and we were like 🤔🤔I mean, the houses were in very bad shape and I'm pretty sure they could find much better with less constraints. Not to mention the fact that many of these houses may be in a protected area (which involves much more expensive work and complicated procedures) If you are interested you can also take a look at the same kind of program in Italy. It looks pretty bad to my eyes too🤥🙂
@@kalayne6713 Exactly. It's seductive. And that's the problem. I think it's essential to be aware of all the constraints and terms before being seduced. But I understand. I myself when I saw that for the first time, I was like "Oh, look like an incredible deal !". Then now, after watching it closely, it looks like garbage.
Here in my little town in Sicily, Italy, the municipality is giving away (with a symbolical cost of 1€) old houses in the historic center of the town. The procedure is almost the same as the one shown in the video, you have to spend about €40,000 to renovate them, but from what I know it is not necessary to have Italian citizenship or live there for a pre-established period of time. This initiative is having great success, a lot of foreigners, especially Americans, are buying them.
And, from my limited time in Sicily, is that the food and wine are great! And the towns picturesque. But I lived in Umbria region for a year and I know that Italy can be difficult at times because of all the bureaucracy.
Not cited are back taxes. Also as part of the renovation, houses stuffed to the gills with furniture and appliances may need all that stuff trashed. Even if you own a pick-em-up truck, you must still pay for disposal which i have heard is expensive. This is also true of storage sheds. Pick a property that is at least free of clutter and has no sheds. Bear in mind that many Japanese homes were never wired for cable internet and having such a service added is expensive. Better to look for a home which is at least near a communications hub or telecommunications pole. Many homes in Japan may not have A/C either. Rural homes are not always hooked up to city sewage and may need their septic system renovated. Be sure to check out routes to bus service and rail service too. You may not want to be so remote. Hospital access may also be important for older folks.
lol it's like a reverse HOA telling you what to do after you get the house for free, but you have to live there for 10 years, forced to do community activities, forced to do the renovations within three years awhile paying out of pocket the 45,000.00 dollars in Renovations and how much labor and materials that will cost you too. Then give tax fee 6000. lawyers fee 500, another 500 fee extra strings, MMM You need to make a video of what type of community activities are what they do the history behind them too. See ya great video!
I hope to share my experience with the community service thing soon in a future video. Every community is different... and although I am not required to participate in anything, I bought my houses, but my wife feels compelled to do so because of how it looks upon us if we don't.
Here in Brazil we have a common saying: "There is no free lunch". It express exactly it, when something sounds too good to be true so it might have some hidden disadvantages.
I noticed that you first pointed out that buildings are separate from land in both (potential) ownership and taxes. The entire discussion after that only refers to free houses but doesn’t state if they include the land and if they do, whether the land is free or not. I have seen some other videos where the land was owned by someone else and not part of the offer. This can be either a blessing or a curse or both. If the land owner is willing to work with you or very lenient, doing the renovations and getting the necessary permits can be pretty easy and simple. Then, the real advantage is that you only pay taxes on the house, which can be a lot cheaper. However, if the land owner is difficult or not responsive, getting things done can be near impossible. In cases like that, getting the renovations done in the allotted timeframe can be almost impossible. The worst part is that you probably can’t know how the land owner will be before committing unless you are a local and know them or about them. And if you are a foreigner, this can hurt you with them as they may not want to work with you for a variety of reasons.
Both are usually included together. After all, the city owns it so they would want to tax you on both and not just one. It wouldn't benefit them. But of course you can easily check just by asking not just the city but any individual that is giving the house away.
@@DIYJapan Good grief those "chonaikai" groups will come knocking on your door even if you are just renting an apartment. There is always one of watching to see if you have sorted your trash properly as well.
Thanks for the great video. I just have a few questions: 1) Are most houses made of wood? 2) Is Okinawa a sought after location? 3) Lots of people are saying they’re going to turn them into rental properties, but with the Japanese population declining, how feesible do you think that is?
If we are talking about old houses then: 1. Yes 2. Not outside the major cities. 3. Not feasible. If you get a free house as an example, you have to live in it and you can't run it as a business. If you buy the house then you can run it as a rental. Rental market is still alive and well I think... but in the countryside... maybe harder for sure.
Thanks for the mock up interview with the free house representative. I now understand the difficulties & the idea of buying an akiya seems further from reach.
Another great video, thanks, with humor and the important data! Some people do like the challenge of fixing the really derelict homes. There's the question of community integration and support, as in is there more support for a person who joins this scheme rather than a person who buys a home independently? People in the countryside are so welcoming and knowledgeable, I find.
I think some of the houses deserve another chance at life for sure. There are some beautiful old traditional houses that deserve to be restored. There is just not enough people with the time, money and willingness to do so. Belonging to the community definitely has its perks. Many people might not like the prying eyes but I have nothing to hide lol Our community has been nothing but helpful for the most part.
That was eye opening!! I am assuming that you have to go there with cash in hand as well. Residency could take some time to acquire. I’ve heard different stories.
Honestly, living in a house in the countryside in japan, sounds like a dream. Imagine integrating with the local community and stablish your life there (10years), who knows maybe start a family and live a healthy lifestyle away from the city smog and social disparity. However, there's clearly obstacles to be aware of, i wouldnt mind to invest 10 years there, problem is work, making money and get retirement pension. Those are the real questions a men must know the answer for. Awesome video thanks
It makes sense if you have a desire to live there for a long time. You’d be surprised, many jobs are available because nit many working age people to take them. They are not the best paying jobs but enough to live a nice simple life. Thanks for watching!
Brilliant video. Thank you so much, very clear and well produced. How easy or difficult was it for people trying to find tradesmen, particularly carpenters, plumbers and electricians who are well versed in fixing up these kinds of traditional homes?
It can be a challenge in some areas. Depends on the town. Kyoto prefecture probably has more than most since it’s more traditional and still in demand because of tourism.
"I'll take this plow up....." lol Good video! There are always strings attached. The only thing anyone really owns in life...is their time....and even that has strings attached (gotta work to eat, to stay alive etc).
FREE Cookies!!! for home delivery. No Wait. What? The delivery fee is how much!!! A taste tax. Aww come on, I just some cookies with my free house. This video is definitely the reality of "FREE" houses in Japan that so many people need to hear. Well done.
I would consider it, I know a bit of low voltage, pluming, demo, roofing and all of that stuff cause my dad rented out houses. He taught us how to fix walls, add walls, septic tanks, light fixtures, adding new breaker for power from the houses he had. To me this looks fun, but will take years to bring it back to life. I tried concrete work, but that is no joke, I'll leave that to the professionals. All one needs is finances, a vision, reliable handy men, knowledge, and a code book😂 (I kid, there is more to it) but being a vet with disability and money saved up, he'll yea this looks great. And in the middle of nowhere means space for a big garrage, and a farm. I lived over there in 2001, so picking the language back up wouldn't be a problem, it was one of the first countries I've been to outside of USA. The only thing is, with all of my skills, I wouldn't even look at this place unless I had $50,000 to $60,000 of play money..... which is still F$#@!^& cheap to end up with a great house. That's the price of a slightly used moble.
Concrete work is no joke indeed. I'll try a sidewalk project this fall... wish me luck lol I think you could get by with much less money to renovate a house here especially if you are keeping it more traditional with tatami mats.
as much as I don't like these rules as a foreigner who would love to buy a Japanese home to live in, I imagine many communities here in the States would benefit from such rules and protect buyers and neigbhorhoods from house flippers who put cheap materials into condemned houses in order to make a profit when they resell them. I especially like the part about forcing people to be involved in the community. At least for a limited time, like maybe the first 2 years of purchasing. That would actually facilitate community bonds and civil responsibility.
Wow...! I have been hearing this for sometime... Thank you so much for opening the lid and revealing the myth of this tempting offer...! Yes, there's actually nothing free in this world. We didn't pay anything to our parents for bringing us up. But they sure paid a heavy price. There's absolutely nothing free in this world. Someone has to pay the price. Thank you my friend...! What a lesson...!
Didn't know this existed in Japan. The end result is similar to Italy where you spend lots to still live with very few people although I'm not sure full requirements for buying
Great video explaining the costs involved in "free" house there. Yes you can get cheap houses in Japan, you can get as many as you like as a foreigner, problem is its next to impossible to immigrate to Japan. I have a high net wealth and I cant even qualify for the business manager visa because of ridiculous, tedious rules designed to keep people out of the country. There is literally no visa for someone like myself. The visa system is set up to basically make it easy for foreigners to come in and work there temporarily but once your visa is up the Japanese government has made it very clear that its your time to pack up and go back to your own country. Im not saying its impossible but its probably the hardest country in the world to become a permanent resident/citizen. There is nothing more I would love than to move there, start a business, buy a house and settle there for the rest of my life, but its very clear that the government has put so many restrictions in place to stop that from happening.
You're right. The visa system is broken for sure. It seems like it's easier to get a visa as a low level worker than for an educated person. It's designed for low level workers to come and work in positions that no Japanese want to do. If you're educated than you're seen as a threat more than a help.
Just saw this video. Very well made, simple and straightforward. The whole free house thing really seems like a huge scam. Pay for a house that has hidden price tag, literally imprisoned at that place, and on the verge of falling into slavery.
Honestly, still sounds like a great deal if can remotely guarantee costs fall within $60k for renovations over that 3 years. As a foreigner would be only right to involve self in some community activity to improve language skills and understanding of the culture. I would be wary of any legal loophole that allowed repossession if put a foot a wrong with something.
Renovations can definitely be less than 60k, especially if you do the work yourself. No legal loopholes but if for instance you did have a 10 year resident stipulation, and left, then you’d be billed for the asset value of the house in full. I agree though, most community events are a great way to get to know your neighbors and practice the old tongue lol because their dialect is strange compared to the cities.
@@DIYJapan You're not kidding. Most people do not speak English. Japanese is not like French or Italian that have similar roots. Japanese is totally different in structure. P
I'm going to start adding content about living here soon. But I guess, in the end, home is where you have family and can make friends. They are the ones that really make a place no matter where you are.
My main question is if the house need to be fixed, is it just for the sake of you living condition, or the its enforced by goverment or HoA? Like hypothetically can you just buy a broken house, but only use the parking land to park your RV or camp there indefinitely without fixing the house??? Cuz ive watched the video about cheap house in italy but you are tied by contract to fix the house or employ the locals to fix your house or something like that.
I never got or gave anything for free so I didn't know the specifics lol That's a crazy system that almost guarantees no one is going to gift you anything.
Idk where you got this idea, it's usually the recipient paying taxes on gifts in the US. Look at the fine print on any sweepstakes, it'll usually say the winner is responsible for that because the IRS treats it like income.
That skit about the free house in mid-size towns 🤣 The Japanese and their doublespeak. 🤣 I'm reminded of one of my favorite lines from Tom Cruise's last samurai. That Englishman about what he's doing there. "Now I skillfully translate other people's lies in a country where people never say what they mean" 🤣
I just had a conversation about that very idea. It can get tiring trying to read through all the subtext behind what people say. I just want to say what I want and people give it to me straight lol
Land is usually included. Running water, for sure unless it’s super country and running on well water… the bathrooms are almost always septic or pit toilets. Rare to get one on sewage.
I don't know too much about zoning... but it's complicated because if you want to get the property for free, then you have to deal with it staying residential and you living in it for a certain period of time. If you just buy the property then you can do whatever you want to it with no restrictions.
if all conditions are met, do you get both the land and the house or just the house alone? say after 10 years will those conditions (community service and living in the house for 10 years) still be viable or they goes away?
It is for land and building of course. You can move or do whatever you like after the 10 years. You can also move before the 10 years but then you’d be required to pay the value of the house in full back to the government.
Honestly that still doesn't sound so bad if you consider that around here they often sell similar houses in relatively similar conditions for like 100k or more.
Depends on where you live prior to moving to Japan. I see most people part with $50k to get and renovate their akiya. But in where I live, homes are 10x more expensive, and that's just apartments not detached landed property. So would be very fine for me if I ever decide to move over
I agree, it’s still a very good deal compared to many western countries. I just compared free homes to the already cheap akiya market. Those houses are no strings attached and just as cheap.
Exactly. I'm in NYC, and it'll cost me $500k to purchase a one bedroom apartment in a 100 year old building in Queens. In some instances you'll still need to spend an additional $100k to $200k to renovate the apartment. I'm sorry, but boohoo that you need to spend $50k on renovations for an akiya. Some folks commenting here have unrealistic expectations.
My wife's family home was built in the 1960's. It's big, but has open space under the eaves to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from the kerosene heaters that were once used every place. So the house has zero value, but the land is indeed worth something since it has become a suburb of a huge city today. The land is a really big area. Pay to knock it down , then put the land up for sale is the only way. There are still a lot of incidental expenses with that process as well.
I lived in Osaka for some time and there was an old derelict akiya down the road. Beautiful old style house but in total neglect on an enormous piece of land with a big garden. They razed it, flattened the land and put it up for sale in less than two months. Six months later they started constructing a high rise condo. The old houses have no chance in the big cities.
@@eddenoy321 My childhood house was septic… remember it overflowing once and covering the back yard with human waste lol the smell was bad. Some rural cities here have sewage if you’re willing to pay to connect to it.
@@DIYJapan Yeah I hear you. LOL. Not living in Japan atm, but if and when I do return, I will head for the suburbs of a big city, in some sort of new type building. Even then I have to watch out for busy streets, and RR X's. Which are noisy. Just looking for convenience and quiet in my later years.
I think a cheap house is better than a free house, because in the end, a cheap house will be in better condition because the owners are confident enough they can sell it for something, and it will save you so much repairs and expenses that you would get from a "free" house.
My understanding was a larger part of why these houses are vacant is also the property tax which is so high, (like land rates) the family of the owner does not wish to pay it - as incomes can be quite poor per hours worked in Japan. But the gift tax is a new point i have never heard before. Very Interesting.
@@SmartYouTubification inheritance tax too? So Gift Tax, inheritance Tax, land tax/rates?, and I suppose on top of that income tax too. Not to mention the doubling annually registration fee for a vehicle. No wonder nobody wants to live more than 30 minutes from the middle of a city anymore. In any other country you would have to wonder how the current political party doesnt get voted out, but i suppose all the parties leave the taxes alone. I feel really sad for the youth over there. ;(
@@phoenixx5092 yeah the unavoidable inherence tax for a property when it's owner dies ensure that most beneficiaries deny their inherence of the house of it's in the countryside, and these houses end up in an akiya bank because of it. Gift tax, a shrinking population and no immigration ensures that they stay there.
Property tax isn’t super bad… if you live in it. But if you don’t claim that house as your residence then they double the property tax. That’s where it becomes a liability. You don’t have the time to maintain it, pay double on taxes, and it’s worthless to sell…. It’s a big issue.
It’s not a bad deal if you can accept their terms. Fixing it yourself will definitely make it cheaper. You have to be careful because material costs are expensive these days.
Right?! I have no problem driving a while to buy groceries... Just stock up when I go lol Night time is when countryside places shine... stars, extremely quiet, clean air. It's the best in my opinion.
Very well said! I Thank you for your honest information as a Japanese. I am worried of many people grabbing the free houses without knowing the reality and leave feeling unhappy about Japan.
Depends on the location for the akiya. I believe you can stay at the akiya (free home) without any renovation needing to be done for a homeless person. There is a rule called MOP (Minimum Occupation Period) for housing costs half a million or millions of dollars for a small apartment unit only in some country as well. Jail for 5 years and up to 10 years too !!!
Tax value of the house is what will determine the gift tax. In the examples given you can see that that value is still rather bloated. But in the end, given the right deal and house, could be worth it.
This sounds the same as, "land contract" houses here in the US. You get the house itself for "free" or "cheap" but you have to make improvements to the house and/or property.
@@DIYJapanThat answers my first question. 😢 Can you just buy the land while applying to have the house demolished, or negotiate with the government to buy the land if they demolish the house?
Been trying to fight this myth for years. Got a livable house for $43K, no restrictions, including agent and closing costs, on public transport, near a beach. Free houses in Japan are unending money pits. The only way they are free is in the way they free you of your time and yen.
That's really cool, dude! I hope you share more about that! Sounds like you nailed it.
lol Yeah, I felt the same as you. I got tired of seeing clickbait articles talking about it. I felt compelled to make a video about it.
Exactly- such clickbait nonsense especially now with inflation on building materials.
yeah, materials costs are insane... should have started my renovations 3 years ago 😪
@@DIYJapan Thank God for the Yen vs Eagle Buck exchange rate. It has netted me something like a 50% discount in dollars.
I myself was able to purchase my house (built in the 60s) for about 5k USD from the Akiya bank. The only extra costs were basically lawyer fees handling all the paperwork and sign over of ownership. About an extra 1k. After that the house was completely livable as is however EXTREMELY outdated. I’m gonna say the only real costs after o bought the house was all the DIY renovation that I did both inside and out. Less than 5k in cost of materials . After that I also owned the land which contained parking as well as a secondary smaller house (I used for storage) . It was quite a lot of land and property for the price. So I’m gonna say with proper research and contact with someone from city hall who helped in the entire process it was completely doable and extremely cheap. I also want to add I made a lot of local friends who helped with advice and even lent me tools. Also property taxes are only about 700 per year. Located literally waterfront ,seaside in Yamaguchi prefecture.
Can I please contact you for more details?
Nice!! That’s a great find! Many places were like that before the pandemic. I feel like property prices, even for Akiyas, popped up when the pandemic finally finished. Now houses are floating around 15k+
@@DIYJapan I moved here back in 2018. Just before the pandemic. Had no idea prices rose so much. Recently a friend of mine moved here from France and works for the city hall . He was able to get a free house from the owner . The only stipulation being that he restore the house . While it is a free house he tells me it’s nothing but stress as he’s having to spend an enormous amount of money to renovate himself, as well as the surrounding overgrown land. He’s dreading having to bring in equipment to dig the land out. I guess it’s just about how you view your own situation. A blessing or a curse 🤷♂️
Who was your agent
@@Well_dunnWell_dunn she wasn’t really an agent but more of a city worker who worked for city hall in that department. I was able to find her when contacting city hall about a house that I saw for sale online. Unfortunately, well for the better I guess, she ended up leaving and going into business for herself. This was almost 6 years ago now. My family was actually the last that she worked with before leaving so she took extra care of us and we were very fortunate for that. Anyway with just a bit of research and lots of emailing , it’s totally doable. They are very accommodating if they know you are serious and even went so far as to tour the property on face time while we were still in the states. Good luck to you!
Thanks for explaining the costs of a free house in Japan. I was watching another documentary video yesterday by a Hong Kong team, and it looked very attractive this Free-House scheme in Japan. They didn't explain all the hidden costs as you mentioned. This is an eye-opener. Thank you.
Lived in Japan for 29 years. Lived in the Japanese countryside and have family in a village with no stores and half the houses are empty. It is depressing. For some it may sound appealing but the countryside is a very lonely place for most foreigners. You can get proper houses in big cities on the cheap.
Most towns we looked at fit your description… our town luckily is kinda touristy so it’s still vibrant… maybe too so lol 😂
That's because most foreigners are obsessed with being around a lot of people lol. I'm from the country. I love the country. I love nature. I love growing my own crops/produce. Also, it only takes one lever to no longer be lonely. Give it 10 years and we'll have a community 😂
Hey, do you know why they dont remove the empty houses? I guess a small village doesn't feel as deppresing as a dead village
City people who used to live easy life, buy anything they need at store, go everywhere using car maybe stressed living in village.
Most of village people grow their own food and do lot of physical avtivity.City people may found this stressed.
I used to live in big city.
After retire I live in small city near village.
I want to move to village.
I love nature and village life.
I grow my own food now.
@@someone-3499 it's so ironic because people in cities are scientifically more stressed than people not living in cities because of all of the unnatural things, especially the exposure to so many toxins.😅
At first I was thinking, this guy makes terrible videos. Then I realized, he's doing it on purpose for comedic effect. Sugoi. Liked and subscribed.
Thanks! I do have an odd sense of humor maybe lol
Some towns have incentives for rennovations of certain parts. Example, 20% of a roof replacement of Kawara tile, for example.... but with a max of 200,000 yen. In my case it was close to 4 million yen. Theres also some difficulties with older land plots being wholely or partially classified as Farmland - which normal people cannot buy still (though this is changing now slowly, some towns already allow normal people to buy the land but its very, VERY strictly watched to prevent unapproved use of the land). For us, it wasnt free, but it also wasnt overly expensive. Doing the rennovations ourselves as a hobby for 3 years now. Got past the half way mark just recently. We adjusted the insurance coverage recently, the inspector was surprised how well the condition had improved. Gotta thank YT for providing most of the learning material I used to be able to do this.
Yeah the farm land laws seem to be relaxing a bit... but there is more to go with those. It's a tough one though, Japan definitely needs more local food production. It'll be in trouble soon if they erase all their farm land to development. But no one wants to be a farmer in Japan so it's tough.
Congrats on the half way mark! It's tough but keep going!
Good info, well done and congratulations.
Why is it hard to farm in japan? Society look down on it, or prices too low? It seems without a mortgage debt, it should be possible to farm on a subsistence level, you need some place to sell produce, but if there are no.shops in town, there won't be much competition.
@@liam3284 land ownership of land designated as farmland is restricted to actual farmers by trade. Even a small plot of 20x20m land that has this designation cannot be purchased by a non farmer. You cannot produce enough to live off such a small plot, of which the vast majority of farm here is such a small size. To become a farmer is also very strictly regulated so there is no faking it. Recently some villages have begun relaxing the laws about this to bring in younger people who want to live there but not be farmers. The original law was designed to prevent all the land being bought up by corporations. It is old and partially in need of official reform. Quite literally in all small towns in Japan, no one is moving there as most of the land is farmland. So the villages are literally dying as the older generations die of old age.
This video demonstrates well how the free houses are very much not void of costs. However I would find it a lot more interesting if you had compared and contrasted it with the costs of obtaining a house normally. Surely some of these costs are applicable to a normal purchase as well, the various service charges, taxes and upkeep costs. It would be interesting to see an accounting estimation of the full cost over 10 years of these two options.
The way I see it at least is that while the idea of a free house is obviously a mirage, the more interesting question is whether or not it is a cheaper way to get a house at the end of the day/decade.
That would take quite a lot of time and research indeed. A lot of people live in my area who, by the looks of it, have never done renovations. It just depends on the individual and what they are capable of living with and accepting. Everyone has a different level of comfort and living standard.
So even if I made such a video, some people can accept more than others in terms of discomforts and that would affect the price dramatically.
In the end, if you own the house outright then it's already a savings in money compared to having a 30 year mortgage... I dunno... it's hard to quantify.
The information interjected with the comedy is so clean and sharp. The comedy helped hammer home the pitfalls. Without it, this would have been a slog to go through for many. Great job on the scripting.
Much appreciated! I tried my best not to make it boring lol
Excellent, informative and as always spiked with humor! Great watch. Thank you.
Thanks always!
So this is not a good idea for someone who is looking to flip. But for someone who would actually like to live in it, it is an option.
Flippers beware indeed. But as a livable and very affordable house... probably the best bang for the buck given you find the right deal in the right location.
This phenomenon does not only affect Japan. In France, we have the “house for 1 euro” program. But it's generally the same thing. You pay 1 symbolic euro BUT you commit to living in the house for years, investing tens of thousands of euros to renovate the house with a time limit, etc.
Exactly… and from what I heard, you pay high cost real estate agent fees and you have to hire their local tradesmen to do the work. Seems pointless.
I am elderly, unable to do repairs myself but have a small inheritance. These schemes are very seductive but I doubt they are doable unless you are a young, diy expert with quite a lot of savings. Disappointing as I have been homeless and would love my last years to be reasonably secure where I could make a garden as my legacy.
@@DIYJapan In France I never heard about those terms. I think you rather have to go to the maire and you directly make the deal with him. So real estate agent is not required (at least from what I know). Pointless ? I agree. Most of the times probably. There was a documentary about this in France and I - and others people - were pretty embarrassed. The buyers of those 1 euro houses were very excited, and we were like 🤔🤔I mean, the houses were in very bad shape and I'm pretty sure they could find much better with less constraints. Not to mention the fact that many of these houses may be in a protected area (which involves much more expensive work and complicated procedures)
If you are interested you can also take a look at the same kind of program in Italy. It looks pretty bad to my eyes too🤥🙂
@@kalayne6713 Exactly. It's seductive. And that's the problem. I think it's essential to be aware of all the constraints and terms before being seduced. But I understand. I myself when I saw that for the first time, I was like "Oh, look like an incredible deal !". Then now, after watching it closely, it looks like garbage.
Same in Italy, I once found an entire Spanish town for sale for roughly 200k euro featuring 6 or so houses a bar a hotel etc.
Here in my little town in Sicily, Italy, the municipality is giving away (with a symbolical cost of 1€) old houses in the historic center of the town.
The procedure is almost the same as the one shown in the video, you have to spend about €40,000 to renovate them, but from what I know it is not necessary to have Italian citizenship or live there for a pre-established period of time. This initiative is having great success, a lot of foreigners, especially Americans, are buying them.
And, from my limited time in Sicily, is that the food and wine are great! And the towns picturesque. But I lived in Umbria region for a year and I know that Italy can be difficult at times because of all the bureaucracy.
spain is same lot of emppty homes . there is reason if something is cheep or free😁
Not cited are back taxes. Also as part of the renovation, houses stuffed to the gills with furniture and appliances may need all that stuff trashed. Even if you own a pick-em-up truck, you must still pay for disposal which i have heard is expensive. This is also true of storage sheds. Pick a property that is at least free of clutter and has no sheds. Bear in mind that many Japanese homes were never wired for cable internet and having such a service added is expensive. Better to look for a home which is at least near a communications hub or telecommunications pole. Many homes in Japan may not have A/C either. Rural homes are not always hooked up to city sewage and may need their septic system renovated. Be sure to check out routes to bus service and rail service too. You may not want to be so remote. Hospital access may also be important for older folks.
All valid points! The list could go on actually. Maybe the next video could be an hour long!
Fantastic info and great professional video. It's really nice to see quality videos on UA-cam!
Glad you appreciate the effort put into it!
Loved the article. Humorous and informative. Well done. Show me more. I’ve already bought a few places. But never for free.
Thanks! 🙏
lol it's like a reverse HOA telling you what to do after you get the house for free, but you have to live there for 10 years, forced to do community activities, forced to do the renovations within three years awhile paying out of pocket the 45,000.00 dollars in Renovations and how much labor and materials that will cost you too. Then give tax fee 6000. lawyers fee 500, another 500 fee extra strings,
MMM You need to make a video of what type of community activities are what they do the history behind them too. See ya great video!
they also want babies.
I hope to share my experience with the community service thing soon in a future video. Every community is different... and although I am not required to participate in anything, I bought my houses, but my wife feels compelled to do so because of how it looks upon us if we don't.
Great video. Very clear and thorough explanation of all concepts.
Glad it was helpful!
Here in Brazil we have a common saying: "There is no free lunch". It express exactly it, when something sounds too good to be true so it might have some hidden disadvantages.
That's right! I think every country has their own saying. In America we say '' If it's too good to be true then it can't be trusted''.
Great video! Finally somebody telling the truth! Thanks so much.
You're welcome!
Great job and very informative and it makes you laugh a little bit on a serious subject.
Thanks a bunch! Glad you liked the video!
Thanks for breaking it down for us in a simple way ! Congrats! Rly enjoying ur content here! Best Regards from Brazil!
Brasil!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for watching! Brazil is across the world! 🗺️ nice! 👍
Really well-put together video and very informative!
Appreciate it!
Vert informative. Great job. Got a question: any restictions for foreign (such as American) buyers?
Anyone can buy property, but like others have said, buying doesn’t give you a visa. The visa will have to be acquired through work or other means.
I noticed that you first pointed out that buildings are separate from land in both (potential) ownership and taxes. The entire discussion after that only refers to free houses but doesn’t state if they include the land and if they do, whether the land is free or not. I have seen some other videos where the land was owned by someone else and not part of the offer. This can be either a blessing or a curse or both. If the land owner is willing to work with you or very lenient, doing the renovations and getting the necessary permits can be pretty easy and simple. Then, the real advantage is that you only pay taxes on the house, which can be a lot cheaper. However, if the land owner is difficult or not responsive, getting things done can be near impossible. In cases like that, getting the renovations done in the allotted timeframe can be almost impossible.
The worst part is that you probably can’t know how the land owner will be before committing unless you are a local and know them or about them. And if you are a foreigner, this can hurt you with them as they may not want to work with you for a variety of reasons.
Both are usually included together. After all, the city owns it so they would want to tax you on both and not just one. It wouldn't benefit them. But of course you can easily check just by asking not just the city but any individual that is giving the house away.
Good stuff! Very well made video.
Thanks man, means a lot coming from Anton In Japan! I watch your channel as well!
I always enjoy your videos , thanks for this one as it’s something that needs to be told to the world and those wanting a free house .
My pleasure!
Great video, thanks for all the info!
You're welcome! I hope it was helpful.
Been waitin' for you to get this video made, boa! Good on ya! Maybe we'll let you stay in the community organization a while longer!
My wife attends the meetings for me lol I can pull the gaijin card on this one and just be the useless foreigner lol
@@DIYJapan Good grief those "chonaikai" groups will come knocking on your door even if you are just renting an apartment. There is always one of watching to see if you have sorted your trash properly as well.
This was a great video with clean humor. I could watch this for sleeping. Thank you.
Also, I knew there was a catch. Free... Right.. lol
Haha, yeah... nothing is free. But there are still some good deals to be had.
Thank you so much for your report and your humour 🙏👋😀🇨🇭
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks for the great video. I just have a few questions:
1) Are most houses made of wood?
2) Is Okinawa a sought after location?
3) Lots of people are saying they’re going to turn them into rental properties, but with the Japanese population declining, how feesible do you think that is?
If we are talking about old houses then:
1. Yes
2. Not outside the major cities.
3. Not feasible. If you get a free house as an example, you have to live in it and you can't run it as a business. If you buy the house then you can run it as a rental. Rental market is still alive and well I think... but in the countryside... maybe harder for sure.
Thanks for the mock up interview with the free house representative. I now understand the difficulties & the idea of buying an akiya seems further from reach.
It’s a wide spectrum of quality amount houses. You can find some good deals if you dig deep.
Thanks for video, very cool style of editing
I'm always trying to experiment!
Another great video, thanks, with humor and the important data! Some people do like the challenge of fixing the really derelict homes. There's the question of community integration and support, as in is there more support for a person who joins this scheme rather than a person who buys a home independently? People in the countryside are so welcoming and knowledgeable, I find.
I think some of the houses deserve another chance at life for sure. There are some beautiful old traditional houses that deserve to be restored. There is just not enough people with the time, money and willingness to do so. Belonging to the community definitely has its perks. Many people might not like the prying eyes but I have nothing to hide lol Our community has been nothing but helpful for the most part.
Well made video, dude .
Love it , subscribed and liked.
Thank you ❤
Appreciate it!!
Very enjoyable and very informative. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very interesting keep going bro
Thanks, I'm glad you found it interesting!
Thank you so much for sharing this video with us I learnt so much about this
Hope it helped a little!
That was eye opening!! I am assuming that you have to go there with cash in hand as well.
Residency could take some time to acquire. I’ve heard different stories.
Permanent residency is tough. Cash is king and the only way to do these deals. No bank will touch these houses.
@@DIYJapan I figured. Thanks for replying. It’s so pretty there!
Good to know the information !
Honestly, living in a house in the countryside in japan, sounds like a dream. Imagine integrating with the local community and stablish your life there (10years), who knows maybe start a family and live a healthy lifestyle away from the city smog and social disparity.
However, there's clearly obstacles to be aware of, i wouldnt mind to invest 10 years there, problem is work, making money and get retirement pension. Those are the real questions a men must know the answer for.
Awesome video thanks
I won the lotto, I’d never move there though . I’ve seen enough anime to know there’s demons.
It makes sense if you have a desire to live there for a long time. You’d be surprised, many jobs are available because nit many working age people to take them. They are not the best paying jobs but enough to live a nice simple life. Thanks for watching!
Brilliant video. Thank you so much, very clear and well produced.
How easy or difficult was it for people trying to find tradesmen, particularly carpenters, plumbers and electricians who are well versed in fixing up these kinds of traditional homes?
It can be a challenge in some areas. Depends on the town. Kyoto prefecture probably has more than most since it’s more traditional and still in demand because of tourism.
@@DIYJapan Got it. Thank you again for the cool video.
"I'll take this plow up....." lol Good video! There are always strings attached. The only thing anyone really owns in life...is their time....and even that has strings attached (gotta work to eat, to stay alive etc).
So true!
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IS EXCELLENT!!
Not gonna lie, I'd love it too... too hard to convince my wife of that though lol
FREE Cookies!!! for home delivery. No Wait. What? The delivery fee is how much!!! A taste tax. Aww come on, I just some cookies with my free house. This video is definitely the reality of "FREE" houses in Japan that so many people need to hear. Well done.
That shipping and handling will kill ya lol But no one better ''handle'' my cookies lol
I would consider it, I know a bit of low voltage, pluming, demo, roofing and all of that stuff cause my dad rented out houses. He taught us how to fix walls, add walls, septic tanks, light fixtures, adding new breaker for power from the houses he had. To me this looks fun, but will take years to bring it back to life. I tried concrete work, but that is no joke, I'll leave that to the professionals. All one needs is finances, a vision, reliable handy men, knowledge, and a code book😂 (I kid, there is more to it) but being a vet with disability and money saved up, he'll yea this looks great. And in the middle of nowhere means space for a big garrage, and a farm.
I lived over there in 2001, so picking the language back up wouldn't be a problem, it was one of the first countries I've been to outside of USA. The only thing is, with all of my skills, I wouldn't even look at this place unless I had $50,000 to $60,000 of play money..... which is still F$#@!^& cheap to end up with a great house. That's the price of a slightly used moble.
Concrete work is no joke indeed. I'll try a sidewalk project this fall... wish me luck lol I think you could get by with much less money to renovate a house here especially if you are keeping it more traditional with tatami mats.
I’m going to look at this I’m really interested seeing what available
It’s not all bad. You should look into affordable houses as well. Same process but more freedom.
as much as I don't like these rules as a foreigner who would love to buy a Japanese home to live in, I imagine many communities here in the States would benefit from such rules and protect buyers and neigbhorhoods from house flippers who put cheap materials into condemned houses in order to make a profit when they resell them. I especially like the part about forcing people to be involved in the community. At least for a limited time, like maybe the first 2 years of purchasing. That would actually facilitate community bonds and civil responsibility.
It’s a good way of looking at it. You definitely have good points. The house flipping part is probably the main reason why they do it.
6:07 - Reminds me of the house from My Neighbor Totoro lol
It's very Totoro out here lol
Wow...! I have been hearing this for sometime... Thank you so much for opening the lid and revealing the myth of this tempting offer...! Yes, there's actually nothing free in this world. We didn't pay anything to our parents for bringing us up. But they sure paid a heavy price. There's absolutely nothing free in this world. Someone has to pay the price. Thank you my friend...! What a lesson...!
No problem! I think once you get old enough you learn you have to take everything with a grain of salt... especially ''free'' things.
"You better keep your plow line straight boy!" 🤣
Lol 😆
😅
Didn't know this existed in Japan. The end result is similar to Italy where you spend lots to still live with very few people although I'm not sure full requirements for buying
I reckon 20 years my town will be half gone. Lots of old people passing away every year.
Great video explaining the costs involved in "free" house there. Yes you can get cheap houses in Japan, you can get as many as you like as a foreigner, problem is its next to impossible to immigrate to Japan. I have a high net wealth and I cant even qualify for the business manager visa because of ridiculous, tedious rules designed to keep people out of the country. There is literally no visa for someone like myself. The visa system is set up to basically make it easy for foreigners to come in and work there temporarily but once your visa is up the Japanese government has made it very clear that its your time to pack up and go back to your own country. Im not saying its impossible but its probably the hardest country in the world to become a permanent resident/citizen. There is nothing more I would love than to move there, start a business, buy a house and settle there for the rest of my life, but its very clear that the government has put so many restrictions in place to stop that from happening.
You're right. The visa system is broken for sure. It seems like it's easier to get a visa as a low level worker than for an educated person. It's designed for low level workers to come and work in positions that no Japanese want to do. If you're educated than you're seen as a threat more than a help.
great video. Well explained.
Appreciate it!
Love the humor! No thanks, no free house needed.
Just saw this video. Very well made, simple and straightforward. The whole free house thing really seems like a huge scam. Pay for a house that has hidden price tag, literally imprisoned at that place, and on the verge of falling into slavery.
If you really like the area and the house is in decent condition then it might be good for some. But I’ve yet to see any ideal circumstances.
One thing I can say your humor is everything bro you said yeah where?? 🤣🤣
Hello for you from Germany and Thank you .
10 for 10
Honestly, still sounds like a great deal if can remotely guarantee costs fall within $60k for renovations over that 3 years.
As a foreigner would be only right to involve self in some community activity to improve language skills and understanding of the culture.
I would be wary of any legal loophole that allowed repossession if put a foot a wrong with something.
Renovations can definitely be less than 60k, especially if you do the work yourself. No legal loopholes but if for instance you did have a 10 year resident stipulation, and left, then you’d be billed for the asset value of the house in full.
I agree though, most community events are a great way to get to know your neighbors and practice the old tongue lol because their dialect is strange compared to the cities.
@@DIYJapan You're not kidding. Most people do not speak English. Japanese is not like French or Italian that have similar roots. Japanese is totally different in structure. P
Great explanation. Love it handsome!
thank you for the video. maybe I'd think about renovating some of the beauty you shown, but... doko desuka....?
Where is up to you. You could point a finger anywhere in Japan and find cheap homes. Then it's just a matter of finding a town and area you like.
Excellent video Danny.
Thanks!!
Entertaining. Ive always wondered what it might be like to live there for a while.
I'm going to start adding content about living here soon. But I guess, in the end, home is where you have family and can make friends. They are the ones that really make a place no matter where you are.
My main question is if the house need to be fixed, is it just for the sake of you living condition, or the its enforced by goverment or HoA? Like hypothetically can you just buy a broken house, but only use the parking land to park your RV or camp there indefinitely without fixing the house???
Cuz ive watched the video about cheap house in italy but you are tied by contract to fix the house or employ the locals to fix your house or something like that.
@Hangs With Christian is this true!?
In the US the gift tax only applied to the Giftee, not the recipient.
I never got or gave anything for free so I didn't know the specifics lol That's a crazy system that almost guarantees no one is going to gift you anything.
Idk where you got this idea, it's usually the recipient paying taxes on gifts in the US. Look at the fine print on any sweepstakes, it'll usually say the winner is responsible for that because the IRS treats it like income.
Thank you for the video. Just my opinion but I had to speed it up cuz it's a very slow paced video ! Hope this doens't rub you the wrong way
All good! I still have work to do on my pacing, I’ll keep it in mind! Thanks!
That skit about the free house in mid-size towns 🤣
The Japanese and their doublespeak. 🤣
I'm reminded of one of my favorite lines from Tom Cruise's last samurai.
That Englishman about what he's doing there.
"Now I skillfully translate other people's lies in a country where people never say what they mean" 🤣
I just had a conversation about that very idea. It can get tiring trying to read through all the subtext behind what people say. I just want to say what I want and people give it to me straight lol
Thanks for explaining in simply terms.
Most welcome!
Is the land part of the house deal? ie free land? Is there running water? Or septic?
Land is usually included. Running water, for sure unless it’s super country and running on well water… the bathrooms are almost always septic or pit toilets. Rare to get one on sewage.
Rather than renovating, are you allowed to tear down and build a property for business or is it strictly zoned for residential?
I don't know too much about zoning... but it's complicated because if you want to get the property for free, then you have to deal with it staying residential and you living in it for a certain period of time. If you just buy the property then you can do whatever you want to it with no restrictions.
Thanks for your research on this topic
My pleasure
I've been dying just to go visit Japan 🇯🇵 a free house im welling to live out there for ever
Can I demolish the house and use the land to build a new house or a supermarket for example?
More than likely yes. As long as the area and property are not in a protected zone. But that's usually rare for a house to be protected.
Thanks. Good informative video.
Glad it was helpful!
thats the hero we been waiting for! keep exposing the naked truth!!
🙏
if all conditions are met, do you get both the land and the house or just the house alone? say after 10 years will those conditions (community service and living in the house for 10 years) still be viable or they goes away?
It is for land and building of course. You can move or do whatever you like after the 10 years. You can also move before the 10 years but then you’d be required to pay the value of the house in full back to the government.
Maybe i missed it... what's annual taxes here?
Honestly that still doesn't sound so bad if you consider that around here they often sell similar houses in relatively similar conditions for like 100k or more.
Is this vacant house in county side comes free with the land ownership or without it...
They usually include both house and land.
Depends on where you live prior to moving to Japan. I see most people part with $50k to get and renovate their akiya. But in where I live, homes are 10x more expensive, and that's just apartments not detached landed property. So would be very fine for me if I ever decide to move over
I agree, it’s still a very good deal compared to many western countries. I just compared free homes to the already cheap akiya market. Those houses are no strings attached and just as cheap.
Exactly. I'm in NYC, and it'll cost me $500k to purchase a one bedroom apartment in a 100 year old building in Queens. In some instances you'll still need to spend an additional $100k to $200k to renovate the apartment.
I'm sorry, but boohoo that you need to spend $50k on renovations for an akiya. Some folks commenting here have unrealistic expectations.
Great video and very informative!
Glad it was helpful!
My wife's family home was built in the 1960's. It's big, but has open space under the eaves to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from the kerosene heaters that were once used every place. So the house has zero value, but the land is indeed worth something since it has become a suburb of a huge city today. The land is a really big area. Pay to knock it down , then put the land up for sale is the only way. There are still a lot of incidental expenses with that process as well.
I lived in Osaka for some time and there was an old derelict akiya down the road. Beautiful old style house but in total neglect on an enormous piece of land with a big garden. They razed it, flattened the land and put it up for sale in less than two months. Six months later they started constructing a high rise condo. The old houses have no chance in the big cities.
@@DIYJapan I can't live with the septic tanks, I did it for many years when I was young, though.
@@eddenoy321 My childhood house was septic… remember it overflowing once and covering the back yard with human waste lol the smell was bad. Some rural cities here have sewage if you’re willing to pay to connect to it.
@@DIYJapan Yeah I hear you. LOL. Not living in Japan atm, but if and when I do return, I will head for the suburbs of a big city, in some sort of new type building. Even then I have to watch out for busy streets, and RR X's. Which are noisy. Just looking for convenience and quiet in my later years.
I think a cheap house is better than a free house, because in the end, a cheap house will be in better condition because the owners are confident enough they can sell it for something, and it will save you so much repairs and expenses that you would get from a "free" house.
That's true! People who sell their homes have taken better care of them and have some pride in selling them.
fantastic video, liked and subscribed
Thanks for the sub!
What kind of visa do you have to get to live there full time?
Many different types but a work visa gets you only a few years at a time before renewal. Marriage is the second option… but could be harder lol
If it's leaning, leave it...
Thanks for the video mate. Let the people know! 😂
Hope your reno's are going well. ❤
Thanks 👍 All is going well so far! Just taking my time and trying to enjoy life at the same time!
very good！ thanks
I'd be interested in seeing what it costs to buy a house vs a free house.
What can you get for your money buting a house in a rural area?
That varies wildly from prefecture to prefecture.
Love your videos
Thank a bunch!
Thanks for the information 👍
You’re welcome!
My understanding was a larger part of why these houses are vacant is also the property tax which is so high, (like land rates) the family of the owner does not wish to pay it - as incomes can be quite poor per hours worked in Japan. But the gift tax is a new point i have never heard before. Very Interesting.
Inheritance tax applies to all amounts afaik, so I think that is a bigger problem
@@SmartYouTubification inheritance tax too? So Gift Tax, inheritance Tax, land tax/rates?, and I suppose on top of that income tax too. Not to mention the doubling annually registration fee for a vehicle. No wonder nobody wants to live more than 30 minutes from the middle of a city anymore. In any other country you would have to wonder how the current political party doesnt get voted out, but i suppose all the parties leave the taxes alone. I feel really sad for the youth over there. ;(
@@phoenixx5092 yeah the unavoidable inherence tax for a property when it's owner dies ensure that most beneficiaries deny their inherence of the house of it's in the countryside, and these houses end up in an akiya bank because of it. Gift tax, a shrinking population and no immigration ensures that they stay there.
Property tax isn’t super bad… if you live in it. But if you don’t claim that house as your residence then they double the property tax. That’s where it becomes a liability. You don’t have the time to maintain it, pay double on taxes, and it’s worthless to sell…. It’s a big issue.
But would it be a bad deal even if I did the restoration of the house in person? Paying only the cost of materials.
It’s not a bad deal if you can accept their terms. Fixing it yourself will definitely make it cheaper. You have to be careful because material costs are expensive these days.
Houses in the countyside in the middle of nowhere sound absolutely perfect in all honesty...😅
Right?! I have no problem driving a while to buy groceries... Just stock up when I go lol Night time is when countryside places shine... stars, extremely quiet, clean air. It's the best in my opinion.
Very well said! I Thank you for your honest information as a Japanese. I am worried of many people grabbing the free houses without knowing the reality and leave feeling unhappy about Japan.
It’s good for everyone to have the correct expectations for sure. 👍
Depends on the location for the akiya. I believe you can stay at the akiya (free home) without any renovation needing to be done for a homeless person. There is a rule called MOP (Minimum Occupation Period) for housing costs half a million or millions of dollars for a small apartment unit only in some country as well. Jail for 5 years and up to 10 years too !!!
Is this a Japanese law? I’ve never heard of it… I’ll have to research it.
1. Is this a gift or a purchase at $0 market value?
2. Is the gift tax levied on the tax value or the market value?
Tax value of the house is what will determine the gift tax. In the examples given you can see that that value is still rather bloated. But in the end, given the right deal and house, could be worth it.
And if I buy it less tax value?
This may be a stupid question, but how can you get a residency Visa to live in Japan?
Unmarried you’d have to live here 8-10 years as a working visa resident who pays perfect taxes. 3-5 years as a married worker. It’s not so simple.
The 'acting" was excruciating, however the information was quite helpful. 😅
Sorry about that lol I should retire the acting.
This sounds the same as, "land contract" houses here in the US. You get the house itself for "free" or "cheap" but you have to make improvements to the house and/or property.
Never heard of that. But reminds me of associations that mandate you keep your house in certain conditions or face lawsuits. Pretty crazy.
@@DIYJapanThat answers my first question. 😢 Can you just buy the land while applying to have the house demolished, or negotiate with the government to buy the land if they demolish the house?