Case Study
Securing The Perfect High-rise Condo with Stunning Tokyo Views
Finding the balance between unique preferences and practical options, while addressing differences in real estate practices, resulting in a property with stunning views and personalized features.
Overview
An American from Florida wanted to buy a condominium with a rooftop balcony. The client envisioned drinking wine while enjoying the night view from the balcony. Additionally, they wanted to renovate the property according to their own preferences. The client already owned multiple properties in places like Florida and New York, so they had extensive knowledge and experience with real estate, and as such, had specific preferences when it came to their dream property in Japan.
Challenges
I understood these preferences, but rooftop balconies are quite rare in Japan. The climate in Japan is different from that in the U.S. Summers are hot and winters are cold, so rooftop balconies are not very practical.
Even if a rooftop balcony wasn’t possible, I wanted to help them find a condominium in Tokyo with a beautiful view. They had a planned visit to Japan, but their stay was limited to about 10 days. During that time, I wanted to find a suitable property and have them make a decision.
The properties I suggested were focused on Shinjuku, as I understood they liked that area. I proposed several options in Shinjuku that met their criteria. I suggested 17 properties in total, of which they viewed 10.
Since their stay in Japan was limited, I had them prepare the necessary documents for the purchase in advance while they were still in the U.S. They obtained all the required documents before arriving in Japan. I think the process for purchasing the property went very smoothly because of this.
Solutions
Initially, they viewed a property on the 3rd floor of a high-rise condominium. At that time, the 12th-floor property was not yet available for sale. Since it was a pre-interior property, they were excited about the possibility of customizing the interior to their liking. They were interested in a second viewing.
However, the layout and specifications of Japanese properties differ from those in the U.S., making it difficult for them to visualize the finished interior. Then, the 12th-floor unit became available on the market. The interior was already completed and looked great. Still, they had a strong desire to make their own renovations, so they were torn between the 3rd and 12th floors. Ultimately, the 12th floor offered a better view of Tokyo, which allowed them to enjoy the night-scape of the city.
I realized that undertaking interior renovations without staying in Japan would be too challenging. Also, a high-floor unit with a view was closer to their preference. Even without a rooftop balcony, the glass-walled unit allowed them to enjoy the view with drinks year-round. The design of the renovation on the 12th floor was particularly impressive, so I recommended it.
Results
This was their first time purchasing property in Japan. Although they had extensive experience with purchasing property, there are many differences in business practices between Japan and the U.S. I continued to provide professional advice and support, carefully explaining these gaps and helping them find a property that closely matched their ideal.
It is common to encounter gaps between dream properties and reality. However, since the real estate market, construction practices, and business customs differ, buying property that is exactly the same as those that can be found in the U.S. is challenging. I think the successful result with this client came from thoroughly explaining these gaps and persistently working to find a wonderful property that met their wishes.
When I received their inquiry, I wanted to find the best property for them in Japan, so I acted with a sense of urgency and built a trusting relationship with them as a professional agent.
I’m truly glad we found a wonderful property through careful communication and attention to their ideals, and I was thrilled to see them pleased with the result.
From Bob & Satoshi ,Buyer From Florida:
Buying a condo in a foreign country can be daunting, but with the help of our agent, Rukiye Tohti, it was not only successful, it was a downright fun experience. We wanted to see so many places for our Shinjuku second home and she delivered. We looked at many condos and she diligently went through each of them with us. The condo we ended up buying was not even on our radar but after getting our feedback on the units we viewed, she suggested we take a look at a particular condo and she was right. We bought that condo and absolutely love it.
Rukiye’s experience and expertise was critical to our success. Everything from going through the Japanese process of buying a condo and setting realistic expectations. Having an agent fluent in both English and Japanese was critical. She was also very helpful in negotiating the price. Her help didn’t stop there. Even after closing she assisted us in setting up our utilities (which can be daunting in-and-of itself), understanding how to set up our property taxes, and even how to most efficiently transfer money from the U.S. into Japanese yen without getting hit with excessive bank fees. Her assistance went well beyond an agency’s duties.
We highly recommend Rukiye; our professional, experienced, helpful and fun agent who carried us through the Japanese condo buying process. Thank you Rukiye!
Contact Rukiye
Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing, our team is ready to assist you. Contact us to get started on your real estate journey and discover how we can be your trusted partner in the property market.
