We get together with Tracey Northcott & Emil Gorgees, of the JREP crew, to talk about short term and monthly stay properties in Japan - buying, licensing, operational efficiency, profitability and complications - as well as about that elusive search for "THE PERFECT PROPERTY" - how feasible is it?

A conversation with new clients, on the lookout for that elusive dream - a cheap, older Japanese house in Osaka city that they can rent out for short term stays, as well as leverage for a Japanese Business Manager Visa. What should they buy, how can they manage it remotely, how will they get their license, and when can they move to Japan?

We get together with Matt Ketchum, Emil Gorgees, Tracey Northcott & Ziv Nakajima-Magen of the JREP crew, to discuss Ito, Izu peninsula and the Izu islands, akiya projects and renovations, loans - and two exciting new initiatives from Japan's favourite English speaking real estate experts!

Two back to back conversations with two buyers - one looking to start a new life in Japan - the other to run a short term stay hospitality property in Otaru, in Hokkaido's snowy north. What should they be thinking about as they prepare to purchase their dream home?

We spoke to the awesome Dani & Evan Benton, of @bentonhomestead , who are living the dream - they purchased an old akiya on Omishima island for a few thousand dollars, turned it into an AirBnb guest house, and leveraged their new business to secure a visa to live in Japan. But it wasn't - and still isn't - all smooth sailing, honey (bees) and roses, as you'd expect - tune into the conversation to hear their story!

Two back to back video/audio conversations with first time investors to Japan's real estate property market, both on a limited budget - what should they invest in, how can they research, source and analyse deals, and what do the purchase and management processes look like?

In this comprehensive JREP session, we dive into the reality of Japan's education system, from elementary school and all the way to university - how getting into the "right" schools affects family choices on where to live, student housing for middle and high schoolers, as well as university students, what happens when spouses disagree on purchase budgets, financial literacy and the high net worth mindset.

We talk to a man on a budget - only $20,000 - who is wondering what he can buy at this budget - investment property? How about a holiday home? In what cities? Who would be the typical tenant for properties as cheap as that? What condition would a house be in at this price level? Join us as we explore his options, and discuss some basic market fundamentals.

Two back to back conversations with new clients, both in the market for older, cheaper houses, and both wanting to utilise them for income via short or medium term rentals. We talk locations, property profiles, tenants, guests, property management, and much more.

We speak to a first-time buyer, in the market for a central Tokyo holiday condo, who is also wondering what her options are to rent the property out when not in use. Legislation for short and monthly stays, owner union regulations, property management, supply and demand, guest profiles, and much, much more.

We talk to a first-time investor in Japan who wants to know how best to invest on a modest budget - property and tenant profiles, locations, renovations, rebuilds, ownership and much, much more.

Our short summary of Japan's property market in 2024 - residential, commercial, foreign and domestic investments, and more.

This is IT - clips from the most popular episodes of the Japan real estate podcast in 2024 - these are the conversations, interviews, business calls and panel discussions that our listeners and subscribers have downloaded the most in the past 12 months - check them out and, if you want to dig in deeper, feel free to listen to/ watch the full episodes and videos, following the list in the show notes.

The official announcement of the next Japan Real Estate Summit, 12-13 April, in Tokyo and online via streaming - tune in to find out about the new and exciting venue we've got locked in, the new and exciting speakers we've got confirmed, and to brainstorm some of our presentation topics with us!

The Japan Real Estate Experts Panel (JREP) gets together to discuss property management in Japan - how does it work for short, medium and long term rentals? How much does it cost? How is it different to other countries? Does it require a license? We also talk purchase, escrow, renovations, repairs and cleaning costs, discounts and bargains - tune in now!

We welcome returning relocation expert and founder of "Japan Remotely", Nick Woolsey, back to the podcast - and this time we discuss his exciting new venture, to provide temporary or medium term lodging solutions for digital nomads and remote workers arriving in Japan. ALSO - the Japan real estate summit, spring 2025, has just been officially announced! This one-of-a-kind industry event is your best chance to hear about the current state of Japan's real estate market, hear from experts in investments, financing, akiya, AirBnb/Short term stay management, and many, many more - mingle with like-minded fellow property enthusiasts, in-person, or via virtual participation in the online stream and chat room - see show notes below.

Conversation with Sean McBride, on the topics of purchasing akiya or holiday homes, condo units and investment properties in Japan for non-resident foreigners - what and where to buy, who should be investing here and who shouldn't, due diligence, and much, much more - ALSO - an interview with Ziv Nakajima-Magen, on the vast differences in working styles and doing business in Japan, as opposed to other countries around the world.

In this end-of-year JREP session, we discuss saving and investing for retirement, portfolio structures, asset allocations, risk appetites, and various investment vehicles - including your own business - that can help you get there.

The JREP crew gets back together to discuss the new commission structure for Japanese realtors, how that might affect the akiya (abandoned/ vacant homes) market, and what buyers should be aware of before purchasing a cheap home in Japan - whether for personal use, or as a hospitality/ AirBnb business. (Also - beardless Matt!!!)

In this interview with a consulting client, we discuss Japanese history, architecture, building practices - as well as culture differences, potential mistakes, hurdles, and possible frustrations - a must-watch episode for anyone considering purchasing their first property here on their own!