Akiya Horror Story: My Instant Regret | Buying a house in Japan

After some house hunting in Japan, I settled on a cheap Akiya that had been vacant for some time. This is my story how I bought a property in Japan and had to overcome many issues before I could move in.
Buying a house in Japan is an affordable option but there are many unforeseen costs that can really blow out the budget. Thanks for stopping by as I share my story ‪@ChaniJapan‬
You can also follow along on instagram: @ChaniJapan
Thank you for supporting my channel. I have been drinking a lot of coffee making these videos! If you would like to do more to help me keep creating content here is my Ko-fi link: ko-fi.com/chanijapan

[@ChaniJapan]

*Updated video with purchase costs and renovation costs* : kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6a1pIN6n7iCjqs

[@Miya-ub5qn]

I am Japanese. Thank you for helping the Japanese countryside by contributing to the local economy. Renovation is a big hassle but I wish you a great success

[@ChaniJapan]

Awww thanks! I love the countryside of Japan and I am happy to be here. The people I have met are awesome and I want to support this area as much as I can. The house is nearly done now and I will shortly publish a follow up video.

[@Miya-ub5qn]

@@ChaniJapan Hopefully other foreigners and Japanese live in your area and revitalize it. Japan desperately needs good people like you

[@Miya-ub5qn]

@LovesGorillas Well. To be frank, many won't welcome. Especially in the countryside. （Tokyo people don't care. ）But if you make good efforts to assimilate yourself in the local community, many will change their perception and attitude in a positive way

[@LiquidFlower]

@@Miya-ub5qnhonestly.. I wish I could do it but the visa system makes it so I’d be forced to earn low even if I setup my own company. 😢 I want to give Japan all my tax money but they don’t want money made from international client contracts it seems. If it was possible I’d buy an akiya in a heartbeat and do it up. Probably turn it into a guesthouse and start a family here and learn the language. I really love Japan but I’d be crippling myself financially by going 4 times lower on income as an English teacher than I am now as a 3D artist working on a hello kitty game made by a US company..

[@carldavid6235]

Wish you well in your new home?

[@gilmartinez550]

Many home buyers often make the mistake of not having a home inspection. Even on brand new homes, get a home inspection because hidden problems due to exist. I understand this problem happened in Japan, but a home is still a home no matter where you may live. I have been selling homes in Las Vegas for many years, and if the new homeowners don't want to pay for a home inspection, I often times will offer to pay. Don't make that mistake!

[@ChaniJapan]

Yes I agree. It would have helped me prepare both mentally and financially. 😀

[@discorangutan]

Out of curiosity, would a home inspection have caught the water leaking issue under the house? Since you would need to be a homeowner to ask the city council to turn the water on for the house?

[@ChaniJapan]

@@discorangutan The leak was underground and even the repairman couldn’t find it so he just terminated the pipes and put in new ones.

[@gilmartinez550]

@discorangutan The water supply to most homes is supplied by municipal water companies just as gas power and electricity Is, and regulated my a meter count. When there is a leak somewhere within the house, look for the meter, and you will see "the meter" is moving, indicating water is flowing when no water is being used in the house.

[@pmeehan_3]

It is not a mistake for an adult to not get an inspection. It is a conscience decision an adult makes to be cheap.

[@rigelr5345]

When life's a bitch, I take some consolation in the fact that great problems make for great stories. And yours is a great one 👍 When you encounter problems like this, it's a sign you're living life boldly. I much respect you for that, don't beat yourself up too much, because instead you should be proud of yourself for stepping out of your comfort zone ! Also, you learn and gain experience along the way. We all start off knowing different things.

[@ChaniJapan]

Your comment made my day. Thank you so much for writing such thoughtful words. You are a wonderful person.

[@nicki_nick]

I love this comment! It’s so nice and encouraging! I really love your statement “When you encounter problems like this, it’s a sign you’re living life boldly.”

[@lawriefoster5587]

Bravo!!

[@TheCazz10]

Wonderful comment! Your a glass half full kind of a person. Love that!

[@samanthacarillo6851]

whoever you are that made this comment, I just want to let you know how inspiring that was and that you’re awesome. Also @ChaniJapan love your content, I appreciate your honesty and looking forward to more videos 😊

[@daveanderson244]

Nice video! I live in Japan too, outside of Tokyo about 2 hours. I wish we were further out in the countryside though. I love rural Japan. The guy who fixed your bathroom was really nice. Sounds like the worst is over, hope you can enjoy now!

[@ChaniJapan]

Yes I’m about 1 hour from Osaka. I can’t go any further because of work. But like you, I love rural Japan. As you said the handyman was the best. I have him on speed dial for any future problems.

[@eyesurgeon69]

No inspection...because it wasn't in the budget? That's the first thing you budget for. That's a very expensive way to save money.

[@shinyam75]

Agreed. She deserved the problems that came with cheaping out on the most important part of the house buying process.

[@nippolitica]

@@shinyam75 "deserved" I think is a bit harsh. No one deserves these problems. Rather "should be unsurprised" is more accurate and fair.

[@user-ku4yk4ut4z]

@@shinyam75 The contract she signed stated NO know Issues with leaks , foundation or termites....Blame lies on the Seller not the buyer ....She didnt Deserve any of this!!

[@deniscarlin]

@@shinyam75A bit of empathy goes a long way.

[@FoxyfloofJumps]

@@user-ku4yk4ut4z "known" is the trick word here. If the seller simply didn't look, or tried to ignore it, then it's on her for not insisting on an inspection prior to closing. But it still is awful, because no one wants to hear their new(to them) home is unlivable. 25k is a lot of money for a place you can't safely live in.

[@keiichi8191]

A house for under $20,000 AUD? Say what? That comes to about $13,000 USD. For that price, I couldn't buy a cardboard box next door to a crackhouse in the ghetto here...

[@pest174]

He ain't lying 😭

[@nesxya]

Seriously in my town they want you to buy falling apart trailers for $150,000 USD. It's nuts. I'm seriously thinking about leaving America and living elsewhere.

[@NekoAshiJapan]

Hi Chani! We can relate to your story. We also found a few surprises when we bought our akiya and spent a few sleepless nights worrying about how to fix up our 155 year old house. Looking forward to following your adventures!

[@ChaniJapan]

Oh Wow! You are so right about the sleepless nights. It is so stressful when you don't know what is behind the walls or under the ground. Thank you for the comment.

[@luisarashirovideo]

Just take it as a maintenance budget. It’s impossible to buy a used house without having to fix something. Take it easy, don’t loose hope, never. Goo luck

[@orca708]

That sounded stressful. I'm glad to hear that some of the problems have been rectified already. Good luck with the renovation, and I hope you enjoy life in Japan. We are kind of the opposite. I used to live in Japan but have moved to NZ to live. Please enjoy Japan for me, I miss it sometimes.

[@ChaniJapan]

NZ is so beautiful. I once did a road trip/working holiday there and loved it.

[@orca708]

@@ChaniJapan Yes, NZ is beautiful. What do you like the most about Japan? Hope people around you are nice. :)

[@ChaniJapan]

​@@orca708 Slowly I am meeting new people. Being in the countryside really helps. Everyone is friendly here. So far I have met some nice local people. My favourite thing about Japan is just Japan. I can't pin point one thing, its all the little things for me. I might still be in the honeymoon phase, but time will tell.

[@gigischuster3078]

Unfortunately this is something that is pulled on non-Japanese or non-Korean people moving there they won't tell you everything as you are not born there and a foreigner, so they will mislead you to get you to buy and then your stuck with the duds of the home. It's malicious abuse of housing sell system towards foreigners, but they get-away with it because again your 'Foreign' they don't feel you have a right to have everything disclosed to you as a Foreigner. However my Japanese friend said If moving there purchasing a house have a friend from Japan to act as a medium for best interests often they will be afraid to try and pull the stunt they did on you because an actual born Japanese citizen can get them into deep trouble, seller license pulled and fined while compensation to the foreign buyer for the deception acts by the owner and seller. That's why it's recommended have friend l, and if possible a male friend to help you handle the house issue if possible before purchasing as it is to those who would do such a thing think twice as they know there is someone who is Japanese/Korean born there and know the laws and won't let them get away with it.

[@Kiwiwanderer]

Good on you, you barrelled on and now have a lovely little home.

[@mm5478]

Just stumbled across your channel. Thanks KZbin algorithms. I admire your courage and tenacity.

[@TheCazz10]

Me too!

[@kennytam9514]

I have considered buying an abandoned Japanese home. While your incident has not deterred me from doing it, but for sure I have to be more careful. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@ChaniJapan]

It has all ended well now so I hope you can buy a good one!

[@prieten49]

I'm an American who has been living for over twenty years in Hokkaido. My wife's house is getting old and I'm worried about some major expenses like replacing the roof. I wish you and your cat a happy life in Japan!

[@werpu12]

20 years is nothing for a house in Europe, sure you have some minor repairs in that period, but nothing serious, guess it pays off to build really solid brick houses with solid roofing, on the other hand we do not have to deal with earthquakes here, I guess a major earthquake would leave a ton of rubble here but our houses in the absence of earthquakes can stand for hundreds of years with some maintenance.

[@prieten49]

@@werpu12 I think the house was already twenty years old when my wife moved in and that was only a few years before we married, so the house is well over 40 years old. Yes, the Japanese do do not build their houses to last through the ages like the Germans do. They are wood framed houses that bend with the wind!

[@ShaylaAnthony]

@@werpu12 Houses in Japan completely depreciate in about 30 years and are literally worth $0 there most of the time. That's why you can find all these abandoned houses. They cost more to tear down and rebuild than to abandon them and walk away.

[@JoseGarcia-hl8th]

The great thing about your experience is what you learned and finding a good handyman. I wish you the best on your next purchase.

[@WaldoBagelTopper]

What an incredible story. I hope that everything works out. Looking beyond the issues that you described, and the belongings that were left behind, it really is a lovely home and I'm sure that you'll turn it around. Good luck!

[@dcdx8966]

Don’t know why but your videos are weirdly relaxing??? Subscribed! Looking forward to new videos

[@ChaniJapan]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@shannarudovclark]

Yep, she has a lovely calm manner of speaking, even when it's about horrors 😊

[@ibislife]

Thats why, in Norway, we always sign up for sellers insurance, and buyers insurance. A big tip for anyone looking to buy or sell a property! 💰

[@hedgehoghogtel1694]

Brave woman! Japan is on my radar to visit. Looks a lovely place. Good luck with the renovations. Hope you can generate some help and funds to help with costs.

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks! It's mostly done now. I will post an update soon.

[@user-vb6cx1vh8u]

Dear Chani, how happy envious I am of you. You are so adventurous and brave. I am sorry you had issues, but I bet there is not a thing in this world you could not handle. I love Japan, the people, the culture. I'm 74 and I am going to watch every one of your videos so I can live the dream.😅 I hope you weren't affected by the earthquake. I pray that you find your experience better than you could have ever imagined and be proud of yourself. Hugs from Sherie Rodrigues in your old country.😊 Wish you good health and happiness.

[@ChaniJapan]

Thank you so much for your kind words! All is good now and I will be posting an update on the house very soon. Thank you for watching and supporting. 😀

[@nrqed]

This is very informative, thank you for sharing! And what a lovely kitty!

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks 😀🐱

[@bradbeckett]

I think your problems are overstated. You got a house, mortgage free, with what like $8,000 USD or under of issues that needed to be addressed? I'd still call that a deal.

[@HartleySan]

Chani, thanks a lot for the willingness to share your story. As an American that lived in Japan for eight years, I very much want to move back someday, and my wife and I have definitely considered the akiya route. One thing I learned the hard way myself on a few occasions in Japan is to not get lolled into a false sense of security because Japan feels so much safer than America. There are several times I blindly trusted someone in Japan and got bit as a result. And that's not to speak badly of Japan or Japanese people. Both are wonderful, and on the whole, very trustworthy. Just, I learned that you gotta be careful no matter where you are. Anyway, apologies for the pains you've had to go through. This is the only video of yours I've watched, but I am curious whether or not the real estate company covered the termite damage, since they stated in the contract that there was no termite damage. Thanks again for sharing.

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks for your comment 😀. I hope you can watch the follow up Akiya video. There is a positive ending and I do agree with you about being careful. 😀

[@kronfel]

You can do it chani! I wish you success lady 💪🏻

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks so much!

[@rgaijin]

I've stumbled upon your channel thanks to the algorithm and it's inspiring. Wishing you all the best in your new life!

[@ChaniJapan]

Thank you so much!

[@warrikata]

Fantastic video. Maybe you can include some advice on how to avoid things that you encounter? Your stories are super interesting, and I think providing answers to questions that might have helped you will definitely help others, and grow your community of viewers even faster. Wonderful news about the handyman! He soinds like a savior, lol

[@kendawg_mcawesome]

Thanks for this video, it's good to know some of the things to be mindful of with these properties.

[@Lihoa]

They signed a contract saying that there is no termite damage, can you follow up on that legally and make them pay for the cost of fixing the damage?

[@ChaniJapan]

I've just let it go now. I made a few phone calls about it but the agent kept telling me I bought the house 'as is' so I had to accept the issues. So I've made peace with that as it was a very cheap house.

[@MariaPetalcorin]

I don’t understand how a house inspection wasn’t in the budget. Had one done for less than ¥70k and saved me from making a huge mistake (there were major problems with the foundation and would have had to literally tear the house down and start over). Glad to see that at least it seems like it worked out for you in the end! Did you get any compensation from the sellers since it stated in the contract there were no issues with the house ?

[@ChaniJapan]

Yeah I do regret being tight with the budget and not doing the inspection. I guess it’s a lesson learnt. Thankfully all has worked out now. No chance of compensation as there was an ‘as is’ clause in the contract.

[@Anonymous551656]

@@ChaniJapan I'm not an expert in Japanese contract law, however I find it extremely unlikely that an "as is" clause overrides very specific claims within either the contract or a condition report supplied by the vendor to you which influenced your decision to purchase the property. The "as is" clause would apply if the contract had not contained any comment on the pipes/termites. However if as you say the contract very specifically stated that those issues did not exist then the vendor provided false information and you are almost certainly entitled to compensation.

[@kellyhou9594]

This is the thing with AKIYA, empty homes; they are cheap for a reason. Many times, the money you paid is only for the land value, the house is kind of free. My husband also bought one, but we budget the surprise repair into the price. He is Japanese so easier for him to deal with the problems. @@Anonymous551656

[@steford]

@@Anonymous551656 I was also under that impression. In fact at many places we viewed the issues were the first thing they mentioned. We also had our estate agent ring us after a week telling us it was the last chance to check everything was in order should we need to make any claims. Thankfully all was OK.

[@ShaylaAnthony]

@@Anonymous551656 Agreed - as is means they aren't fixing anything, but they lied on the contract stating there were no water issues or termites. I'm sure that has to be breech of contract.

[@alukuhito]

I moved into a somewhat abandoned house just over a year ago. Being from Canada, it's a whole different thing here in Japan. In Canada, you're almost guaranteed a house's value will appreciate. In my case, I assume this old house will only depreciate. On the plus side, I've got a nice chunk of land, which is why I moved here despite the house being in rough shape. The real estate agent said something about not legally being able to demolish and rebuild. As I don't have the money to build a new house anyway, that's not an issue. On the other hand, it could be an issue when selling the property. I can't see myself living here forever, so I imagine I'll move out anytime from 1 to 20 years from now. I paid a lot for renovations, but the place could do with a lot more. It was still cheaper doing that than getting a more expensive house. Plus, there's the nice side of having fresh tatami and sliding doors, freshly painted walls in some areas. I'm isolated here, which has pluses and minuses. It's quiet and peaceful. Watching the plants and animals is fun. Almost never seeing anyone can be a bit difficult at times. It's too much of a commute into Tokyo if my job changes, which it will almost inevitably do. There aren't many jobs locally. Anyway, it's been an adventure so far.

[@ChaniJapan]

Sounds like an awesome adventure!

[@simonsmatthew]

Probably depends where you buy.I lived in Kyoto for six years 20 years ago. I went back there for 18 months 10 years ago. Houses and apartments there were very affordable, even in the best parts of the city. Now it is a favorite place of the global elite and you will not find anything there. It's a pity for me as I have many great friends in Kyoto and its a place I know well. The prices there now means I cannot really move back there.

[@mossygreenlog]

Wow, you had several of the same nightmares I incurred in my last couple houses in one place. So brave, but you got it resolved! Way to go!

[@georgew8586]

At first I was amazed, Japan and termites, I read further and many of the country homes (abandoned, old folks) typically have a termite problem. Also the way these homes are built and if there is a high water table or problems with drainage, you have an issue. Also they don’t rely on a leach field, most of these septic systems need to be pumped out periodically. Also even though Japan has both hot/humid summers and potentially cold, snowy winters, many of these homes have little insulation or double pane windows. So heating and cooling typically only happens in a small part of the home. I have seen shows on new construction and they do emphasize insulation now.

[@angelad7445]

I love this. The reality of Akiya!

[@johnmeikle7672]

Well done, I'm hoping to do something similar towards the end of the year, so I will follow your progress with interest. Your handyman guy sounds very helpful!

[@ChaniJapan]

Great, I hope you can find a nice house. Japan is a great place to live.

[@ombii6599]

​@@ChaniJapan how do you make a living in Japan?, I am also Australian and the thought of getting a house here is impossible, so getting and renovating an akiya seems viable.

[@phylmariaarai3940]

Millie is such a cuteee kitty cat ..she's the only whisp of bright hopes for the procurement of the house .she s like a bright shiny faery cat....yu ve made well solving those difficult problems thank God

[@mattj5492]

what a great handyman! sounds like a lifesaver.

[@ChaniJapan]

I have him on speed dial! Honestly the nicest guy and a real hard worker. I am eternally grateful.

[@michaelmccarthy3704]

We had the opposite experience - bought a run down house. The locals couldn't believe we weren't knocking down and rebuilding. 9 years on we are still here and recouped our investments.

[@ChaniJapan]

You rebuilt! Great idea when you love the location but not the house.

[@BeingJapan]

I sympathize with you. I think a lot of non-Japanese are caught up in the romance of buying a cheap abandoned house, not understanding that the house is pre-1995 building code and structurally weak if a strong earthquake were to hit. You may have been 'lucky' in finding a good handyman and replacing old beams.

[@milaemouse8442]

smart idea to add access hatches in the floor. when renovating...always try to future-proof your house. you have it all (part of it) tore up...might as well ADD things to it. :)

[@ChaniJapan]

Very true!

[@seeksustainablejapan]

So sorry to hear of all your problems and thanks for sharing to remind others thinking of buying property to get a 3rd party assessment of these key issues- we had guys under the floor and inside the roof to check before we signed the contract. But the fact the agent said it was termite free & it wasn't is bad & unethical business practice - I have a friend here whose a paralegal in case you want to talk legal letters to get some compensation. There are also some funds she might help you find for akiya repairs. 😅 Hang in there!

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks. The owners were unaware so I just couldn’t bring myself to seek compensation. They are also elderly and were selling the house less than land value. The agent was basing the contract off what they told him so he wasn’t totally wrong either. I guess it’s just one of those things you learn from. I’m just going to let it go.

[@seeksustainablejapan]

It's very good of you, nice to hear they hadn't done it on purpose which is usually the case with so many honest people in Japan

[@TrueBluePlus]

New Aussie dream...buy a house in Japan...what a mess we are in now 😅😢

[@melissadougherty7662]

OH MY. How scary. Glad you found a handyman that knows his stuff and is reasonable in cost. He will be good to keep around and if he can't he probably knows someone that can help you. Sounds like the problems have be solved but NOT something you were expecting. Hang in there

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks. It is all good now and I will keep the handyman on speed dial if anything else pops up! 😀

[@HappyBerryCrochet]

I love your channel! New sub. It's so fascinating to hear about your experiences.

[@ChaniJapan]

Thank you so much!

[@AA-db9cb]

Lady, this is normal. The problem is you didn't know how to check property. You're super lucky it isn't a problem with a part of the land actually being on public property and you can't touch it, neighbor's rainwater flowing to your lot, or some other crap. You are lucky.

[@micgant]

Do you think she could have avoided these issues if she had had hired a Japanese home inspector prior to buying?

[@maddi3582]

Do keep an eye on the termites. I understand they will stay dormant in the location so could easily return... The bungalow I rented when I lived in SE Asia had termites in a tree right next to the property. They ate all the beautiful wood carved lintels, everything! You could hear them munching away... Landlord just shrugged 🤷‍♀️ Loving your videos. Thank you YT algorithm 🙏

[@ChaniJapan]

Good to know! I will get the house treated for sure. 😃

[@miriam2909]

I have a feeling most houses you buy have hidden problems. Especially older ones. If these are the worst of it I think you’ve done well for the price! Just subscribed.. supporting another Aussie 😊

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks!

[@ChickensAndGardening]

"I decided not to get an inspection." In the U.S., you can't even get your mortgage loan approval without an inspection; the bank will not allow that level of recklessness. Perhaps for an all-cash deal, however, it is not necessary. Anyway, good luck with the rehab.

[@janebaker4912]

Nice. I hope youre enjoying Japan 😊✨

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks 🤗

[@wardfiction5693]

You do get what you paid for and abandoned houses will need a lot more cost to do up then buying from someone new... But once its been fixed, you know whats been done and it should last if the repair job is done properly and planned well. In the end, this property might last a long time, problem free and easy to fix with modifications you did now. Stick with it... Looks like a nice place, not a nightmare and no need to regret... A house will always have problems.

[@amandas7659]

New subscriber here 🙋🏻‍♀️I’ve always wanted to do this, but I have a kid, so probably shouldn’t 😅 So looking forward to seeing all of the renovations and your vlogging of life in Japan ☺️

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks. Before moving here I watched so many videos. It really kept the dream alive.

[@miriam2909]

It would be an amazing experience for a child!

[@sunnydelight3046]

Your child and husband would love ❤️ it

[@kentwood9821]

You took a chance, stuck with it and it paid off in the end. Good on you! If the previous owner had done the same thing the house would have sold for much more.

[@user-wh3ec5vc6j]

I don't know why I felt a sense of relief while watching the video

[@leaodev]

Best of luck on your journey!

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks so much!

[@Sabundy]

Great video. Really interesting

[@brianlanning836]

Not sure if you can do it in Japan, but pre-sale inspections in the US are done with the water turned on for exactly this reason.

[@MP-lv5vk]

Thank you for this video. As the kids might say, I am learning from the fail. We all learned something from this.

[@janinesheedy8432]

All’s well that ends well! House plus renovation plus problems would just about pay stamp duty in Sydney

[@neilsonhans4763]

For such "Akiyas" you definitely will need to get someone professional to inspect before making the decision to buy it. I worked in property management and one thing that I learned is that you cannot trust property agents and a lot of them will try to hide whatever defects by getting a contractor to touch the place and make it look presentable so that they can jack up the price. Besides for properties that have been abandoned for long period it is likely to have maintenance issues.

[@jholtz9970]

Great video. American here. I think for anyone who plans to go into buying an akiya, they should realize that they will need to budget for VERY major repairs and renovations. That includes bringing the house up to current earthquake specs. At the end of the day, these are unwanted properties in Japan, many have long been abandoned. Resale value will be next to nothing. In other words, all that money poured into renovating will most likely not come back. I see people suggesting buying sellers/buyers insurance, etc. Also realize that every country does things in their own way, and you can't assume that the laws, regulations, and protections you have in your country are going to apply in Japan. A good understanding of Japanese real estate law is necessary. I have also heard that there are akiya banks that are basically scams, forcing the buyer to use certain plumbers, roofers, electricians, etc. AT SET PRICES, basically setting the buyer up. Be careful and use your DUE DILIGENCE. Research, research, and research.

[@davidclaro152]

Hey! Welcome to Japan! There’s a lot about real estate buying that foreigners don’t know. I’ve lived in Japan for almost 20 years. You’re better off renting than buying. It’s not like many countries where real estate usually appreciates in value. No. It’s like buying a car, where the value goes down after purchase.

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks for the comment! Even if it’s worth nothing, I will make it into my home 🏡 then it’s worth everything ❤️

[@minillamas3150]

That might be true in terms of property value, but there are issues in Japan regarding age discrimination with renting ie landlords aren’t as willing to rent to older people (and I imagine it might be even harder for older foreigners). In that case, you are probably much better off owning your own property

[@bradg7701]

@@ChaniJapan I disagree with his comment. I lived in Japan for a long time a regretted not buying something. Buying is cheaper in the long term, and you'll get a bigger place for a similar cost. Property prices may not climb, but it's all relative in the long run.

[@smudgepost]

Sorry to learn of your challenges. I will be on a similar path in August but I am a property consultant and builder so my goal is to provide western support for expats in Japan. Thank you for sharing your experience and I hope you are settled in now.

[@ChaniJapan]

Sounds great!

[@EdwinCV-dh8qc]

Yes,even with an inspection you need a friend thats good with property to inspect it for you .Also mold is often overlooked.

[@fugu4163]

The little i know about the japanese housingmarket are that you get the house really cheap because usually the new owners demolish the old house to build another house on that site instead. Just make sure that the previous owners dolls get their shinto ceremony and then you will be just fine.

[@JohnDoe-wf1dy]

I went through similar problems refurbishing my wife's parent's 40 year old house in Japan. Termites galore. In the States, they have warranty bonds you can buy. Something unheard of in Japan.

[@Charles-de9xt]

Great house, no inspection, this is a gamble unless you have a background in what to look for. Hope it all goes well going forward.

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks!

[@TheBeatles..]

Not a great start, and you seem amazinly calm discussig this..LOL. Im sure that wasnt the case on the onset tho! Ive subscribed!

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks! Yeah I was not calm at the time.

[@bennydeguzman7668]

very informative, and truthful

[@k9healthy]

Sorry to hear all this. It's extremely important to have an inspection before buying a home.

[@ChaniJapan]

Yes and I do agree with you there. It would have helped me prepare financially and mentally for the work that needed doing.

[@k9healthy]

@@ChaniJapan I also learned this the hard way. My current residence is a lemon.

[@tsukiila]

I believe you are very brave embarking your self in a foreign country and buying also an house! kudos to you! This is my dream, but with a small kid, I feel like this would be a big scary jump. Maybe one day I'll be brave as well. In the mean time I'll follow your adventure :D

[@salookie8000]

You decided welll it seems to fix the plumbing issue and renovate bathroom at same time

[@TenYen4796]

Hello from new subscriber 😊 buying this type of house in Japan can be filled with nightmares. And this is way I'm so cautious. Yes, I'm going by what I've seen on KZbin.

[@Gukworks]

Damn, interesting story... My dad always said if money is not an issue, marry a handyman.

[@myozzio5025]

Anyone buying this type of house here in Japan must reckon on at least plus 70% of the cost available for renovations, and at least one or two diy abilities ie; plumbing or carpentry etc. Artisans are notoriously expensive just like other countries. Good luck, and btw you still got an amazing bargain. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

[@multijanni100]

so sorry to hear this, but i think it happens more often than one would think. would you say now your total cost for the house was in the end more than one of the other more expensive properties were priced at, or did it still come in lower ?

[@ChaniJapan]

Good question. I am still way under! All up it was another $10K AUD to do all the renovations. I was going to do this later in stages as I could afford it but the issues forced me to get it done earlier than planned. I'm making a follow up video soon. 😀

[@ceciliamanalo2619]

Good thing Millie is with you 😊

[@onitutu]

Hello from Chile Chani ! Its the first video of yours i see, i liked it. Its my dream to go there to Japan and live there but unfortunately i think its too late for me but i would check your videos and imagine i m there too. For house furniture you should go to HARD OFF, i saw in amny videos tons of good stuff and great prices to begin at least in a new place. Have a great day !

[@lainiwaku]

i think price of akyia not only because underpopulation of japan but also because they are made of wood, wood have it advantage but it will definitely last shorter than EU concrete house in brick/stone/concrete i brought an old 1960 house in france for 140k when in japan you can have a 60/70 for 10x lower price

[@MrIdontknowww]

I'm thankful that I grew up poor, so the houses everyone cringes at, look like amazing fixer uppers to me

[@user-ip9bh1lp6o]

Me too!

[@ReflectionTool637]

Bought and lived in a condo in downtown Seattle for 20+ years. Sold it. Living on the proceeds from that sale in early retirement, allowing my investments to grow more. Expat now and I can tell you - I don't want to own again. Renting and airbnb is a great life if you want to look around the planet and not have to deal with hassles and restrictions on how you choose to live.

[@ScrewyDriverTheMan]

Yeah. Japan is a very MOIST country, full of MOULD. Just like all of Asia, SouthEast Asia, MOISTURE is a huge issue. Very humid country. Rot gets into the wood very fast. In fact, MOISTURE and HUMIDITY are what makes taste food so much better in Japan. It's in everything. If you are looking to steal an empty place for cheap, that's the first thing you should look for and ask about, and SEARCH. Especially if the place is a classic build of wood base.

[@dios8256]

Well done on this video!

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks!

[@fabulousrobert6607]

I once heard someone say, whenever in a foreign country, it is better to lease and/or rent. This way your not stuck with all the drama 😧 Your best bet is to put it back on the market at a discount, just to get out of there. Lesson learned

[@Marlon044]

God bless ya on your adventures I was thinking of getting a house like this, so good info, is there any recourse since you contract said no termites?

[@ChaniJapan]

Nothing I could do but it all worked out in th end. I will post an update soon.

[@AlainStewart]

Thanks for sharing. I'm wondering if you could make a complaint to the seller on the premise that they stated in writing on the contract that there was no termites or leaking? I wonder if you could get compensation for this?

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks for the comment! I called the agent who spoke to the seller. The owners were elderly and hadn’t lived here so they just didn’t know. At the end of the day I just accept that I bought the house cheap, without an inspection. I’m ok now and just taking it as a life lesson.

[@markraymundomarkitproperty4306]

Hi, would you be able to provide any advice regarding earthquake resistance for these older houses? Thank you.

[@ChaniJapan]

My house is build early 80's but to be honest its really hard to know how it would go in a big earthquake. It's survived up until now but the rest is unknown. I have taken out good insurance on the property if it is damaged or destroyed.

[@markraymundomarkitproperty4306]

@@ChaniJapan Thank you

[@homebrandrules]

termites ?? so wasnt that a breach of the contract in some way ?? thanx for this vid. liked, subbed , commented omukashi kyushu to kansai de sundeta jimbutsu desu.

[@simob7862]

I live in an apartment and purchased it new and we have had a huge amount of problems with leaks, basement cracks flooding and things that break down. I recently replaced my carpets with flooring as they began to fall to pieces after only 6 years. Annoying

[@kathythompson9931]

Yes, just because things are brand new doesn’t mean that there aren’t just as many problems!!! People don’t understand this! I’ve known people with brand new houses and many with brand new cars and there’s nothing but problems. So there’s no guarantee.

[@BlackFireWolf13]

It's such a shame that your house hunting went so poorly. If there is anything I've learned over the years of buying and selling homes is to always get an inspection. Some owners aren't even aware of problem they have while others are just trying to pass the buck onto you. While inspections don't catch everything, they are a really good start to either make sure the home has good bones or that you go into a fixer with eyes wide open. You can often renegotiate pricing if issues are found.

[@WANDERER0070]

Live n learn,,once all is fixed its like new 😊

[@jonathanjacob5453]

Seems like you got a great deal. For that amount of money you couldn’t even buy a parking lot in the Netherlands.

[@ChaniJapan]

Same in Australia! House prices are ridiculous now.

[@sohhfee]

My heart goes out to you in this - what a stressful experience! I've just seen your recent video that shows it all came together in the end, but wow what a process to go through when you've just made such a big life change! I'm curious, how did you navigate the language barrier? Do you speak Japanese?

[@ChaniJapan]

Yes I speak Japanese. I'm not perfect but it seems to be enough to get by. I have certainly learnt a lot of new words dealing with all the issues with the house!

[@sohhfee]

@@ChaniJapan Wow, that's so great! I'd be curious to hear about your experience/process learning the language (and/or getting accustomed to cultural differences). I'm in a similar boat (moved far away by myself to a place where English isn't the first language) and it's been a challenging process as I had to learn the language from scratch. Really admire your story, thank you for sharing it!

[@norwegianblue2017]

It's hard to believe that you can get a nice house in a good area for $70k in Japan. My first 2br condo in San Diego, in an okay area, was $110k....thirty one years ago. Today that condo is $650k and a very average single family home is worth about $1 million. Madness!

[@ChaniJapan]

I agree!

[@matsalvatore9074]

Lifes to short to learn from only your own mistakes, so thank you for being vulnerable with us and honest. Wish you the best of luck. I really would love to rent one of these style homes in a very rural part and live there 3 months out of the year, but i heard you must have an income to live there on a visa. I dont know if thats true. I seen a canadian couple say they rented one 300 a year or smother claim to bought his for 6000 USD. They are in small communities in the country, i assume thats why. This is something i wouod love to do, so your video is very informative. I seen on abroad in japans channel how these homes in the city can cost you 150,000 usd to renovate, and they tend to start leaning over time. Many times its better to hull out the inside completely, and that scared me to see how these homes arent as affordable as i thought.

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks for the lovely comment!

[@matsalvatore9074]

​@@ChaniJapannever lose your optimism. Always have the confidence you can handle anything and it'll be okay. Don't stress about these things. Good on you for taking risks. That's how we should live. Take lots of risks and never fear to fail.

[@matsalvatore9074]

​@@ChaniJapanalso for termites look into if you can get something they would gravitate towards away from your property. I understand size of the plot is small, but I heard that's what most people do. Try planting lots of mints, lavender, rosemary around the house right up against it to keep bugs out and off it is another.

[@ChaniJapan]

@@matsalvatore9074 ohhh! Great ideas. I don’t know about planting mint etc… For the moment I think I’ve managed to solve the major issues (fingers crossed). I just need to work on the cosmetic side bit by bit. And stay positive!!

[@gamadelta109]

I almost bought old akiya houses but decide not to. I am not a new homebuyer, the price is attractive but looking at some of the conditions, repair cost can be hefty. Also most of them are far away from big cities. For that price + potential repair cost, i figure can get somethign near to the city. I end up buying 2 apartments in the heart of tokyo. 1 for rental and the other for vacation home. The rental yield from the first pay for the monthly cost of the other. The disadvantage of apartment is small and with hoa fee. But the advantage is you can select nearer to the city for the same price of an Akiya +repair.

[@ChaniJapan]

Good points!

[@anamariagutierrez2019]

That sounds like the movie, Baby Boom she got so stressed out she scream at the contractor that repair the house, was taken by him to the doctor ( I recommend that movie had funny moments) finally every thing worked out for her As it,ll work out for you and Milly.

[@ChaniJapan]

Thank you ♥️

[@Jh0nnY2k]

Doesn’t sound horror at all to me. Those problems were due to show up. When buying an old home you should budget and expect plumbing and electrical problems. I always redo the electrical system from the ground up when i buy a new place. And i expect and solve plumbing problems

[@lqfr8813]

i heard in japan if the house's main pillar broken, the whole house basically needs renovation. is that true?

[@ChaniJapan]

I really don't know the answer to that.

[@Defender888888]

how are you able to stay in japan long term? do you have a job there or you have a specific type of visa?

[@OhnoYutaka]

家のリノベーションのビデオをたくさん見ていたからか、チャニさんのビデオがお勧めされてきました。大変だと思いますが、負けないで、幸せになってください。応援しています！

[@ChaniJapan]

ありがとうございます😊

[@JERRY_ONG]

Congrats you made it. Thinking about moving to Japan as well. Which city do you prefer?

[@ChaniJapan]

I really love the countryside. One of my favourite smaller cities is Matsuyama in Shikoku. It just has a great vibe. Hiroshima is also a great city but I’ve only ever stayed a couple of days. For a major city - I do love Osaka.

[@johnnynephrite6147]

Doesn't sound like a horror story at all. About what you would expect from an older abandoned home. I'd say you still did pretty good all things considered.

[@ChaniJapan]

It all worked out in the end 😃