Tokyo House Hunting Challenges: A Roller Coaster Journey

House Hunting in Tokyo

Tokyo House Hunting Challenges have made our search quite an adventure. Since our child was born two years ago, we’ve lived in a UR rental apartment. This affordable, government-run housing is surrounded by elderly neighbors. Our energetic two-year-old doesn’t grasp “quiet time,” leading to two noise complaints. Despite trying thick carpets and yoga mats, the noise issue persists.

Why We Decided to Buy a House

Faced with these challenges, we decided it was time to buy a house. We had casually browsed listings before, but now we’re serious. Every weekend, we visit properties, focusing on Suumo and Homes, Japan’s equivalents of Zillow. However, the quality of listings often disappoints. Blurry photos and poorly lit images make finding an exciting property tough. We’ve come to accept these shortcomings due to Japan’s lower price range compared to the U.S.

Frustrations with Real Estate Agents

The real frustration began with the agents. We reached out to a well-known real estate franchise, expecting high standards. However, their service was shockingly poor. My emails with three questions were answered with only one response each time. When I inquired about property taxes, the figures seemed absurdly high. Despite requesting a double-check, the agents insisted their numbers were correct.

Taking Matters into My Own Hands

I decided to research the tax details myself. The actual amount was 50% lower than quoted. When I confronted the agents, all I received was a half-hearted “sorry.” I even requested a different agent, but the service didn’t improve. With a 3-4% commission on the line, you’d expect better diligence. Unfortunately, slow responses and inaccurate info seem to be the norm. It feels like the universe is nudging us to continue our search elsewhere.

The Journey Continues

Tokyo House Hunting Challenges are far from over, but we’re determined. We’ll persist in our search, hoping to find the perfect home for our family. Stay tuned as we navigate this challenging yet exciting journey of house hunting in Tokyo!