Case Study
A Finnish client who frequently visits Japan for work and vacations wanted to buy a second house in Tokyo.
Overview
Initially, they were looking for a property in Shimokitazawa, with a size of over 50㎡.
However, since they live in Finland and are not physically in Japan, we conducted property viewings via video calls.
Challenges
The time difference made it difficult to schedule viewings for occupied properties. Although they viewed a property in Shimokitazawa that met their criteria, it was a maisonette with a semi-basement, which had poor views. I then introduced a property in Meguro, which I believed would maintain stable real estate value in the future. They liked it, but wanted to see it in person, so we waited for their visit. Unfortunately, the property was sold before they could arrive.
Solutions
At first, they wanted to view the properties in person after video calls, but after showing them several properties and building trust, they became confident in making decisions without visiting Japan.
I recommended a property that would retain its value in the long term, and after prioritizing their preferences, it turned out that location was the most important factor for them. We then focused on areas in Minato-ku, Nakameguro, and Shibuya, eventually leading them to purchase a studio-type property in Azabu-Juban.
Results
Although the room was a bit small, they decided on a fantastic property in Azabu-Juban with great views and an excellent location. Azabu-Juban is a vibrant international area with many shops and restaurants, which they really liked.
Although it is a second house, they plan to use it first themselves and are also considering turning it into a monthly rental property in the future.
From Taru Lindblom and Arto Lindblom:
Our long-time dream has been to find a small flat in Tokyo, a city that has captured our hearts in many ways. After years of thinking about it, we were finally able to make that dream a reality.
We couldn’t have done this without Rukiye Tohti, whose help and support was invaluable throughout the entire process. Her expertise in all matters related to the search of the apartment and buying process was outstanding. She made sure to guide us step-by-step, ensuring we understood every detail and helping us navigate any challenges that came our way, as the Japanese retail intricacies are very different from our native country.
Rukiye was incredibly responsive, and she always made time to answer our questions, no matter how big or small. We never felt rushed, and it was clear she genuinely cared about our success in finding the right place for us.
From the bottom of our hearts, we can truly recommend Rukiye to anyone who is looking to realize their own dreams in Japan. Her dedication, professionalism, and personal touch made all the difference, and we are so grateful for everything she did for us.
Taru Lindblom and Arto Lindblom, Finland
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