Transcript
Speaker: And I was there. I visited it a couple of times and I saw the old lady there um in a restaurant just watching TV. That was back in those November. very November, December. You just pat passed by, looked in the window. Yeah, was this a pass? Straight up creeping back there. stop I'm like, is this something I really want to do And then eventually I'm like, yeah, it's something I want to do Perfect. And.
Speaker: and So then like we reached out to Rio and um we're like, okay, let's try to close this. And then Rio's like, so next with next week work. I'm like, yeah, next week will work.
Speaker: And then like um I didn't hear from um from him for a couple of days. Yeah, I was excited to join Ken in December so we can try to get this closing done. And it was like a week before I actually flew out there when Ryo reached out to us with this unfortunate message. Okay, tell us about the curveball. Here we go.
Speaker: Welcome back to the buying a house in Japan podcast, Joey. I know we say this every time, but we have some special guests on today. We have some very, very early Akiya Mart direct customers today, joined by Ken and Lan Soriano.
Speaker: Uh, you guys are dialing in from different locations, but welcome to the podcast and thank you guys for ah trusting us through this process. Thank you guys for having us. Just to start off. Yeah. ah Can you guys quickly introduce yourself to our listeners, like where you're from and what you do and where are you guys right now?
Speaker: Go ahead, Lan, you can start. like but but All right, I'll start. So I'm Lan, I'm a registered nurse, clinical nurse educator here in New Jersey.
Speaker: was actually born in the Philippines, but I came here when I was eight. yeah Been in Jersey girl since then. My name is Canon Da. I also live in New Jersey. um Right now I'm actually at the house that we purchased through you guys in Osaka.
Speaker: um I've been here a few weeks now and I work in finance in Manhattan. That's my nine to five. Yeah, I've been there. I've been doing finance for a few years now and I've been working East Coast hours um while I've been here in Osaka, which is pretty brutal. Oh no.
Speaker: Yeah, 13 hours ahead. so Uh, lunchtime for me is like 2 AM Osaka time. Um, so I go out to the Lawson to get my snacks or whatever, but yeah, it, it, the time, out yeah whatever's open.
Speaker: Yeah, exactly. But it's worth it. I mean, it's so convenient though. Everything like there's like two Lawsons right here, vending machines all over. So it's pretty convenient at this location.
Speaker: Can't complain. I didn't realize you're in the house right now. That's awesome. I'm in the house. I got my shaded curtains all over to keep the light out because I go to bed at like 2 p.m. Osaka time. So, yeah, it's pretty dark in here. Okay. you Working hard for the dream. Exactly. No pain, no gain.
Speaker: Exactly. We started the call and for those are listening, we started the call and I saw like Ken's background. Like, yo, is it like 1 a.m. m over there? He just has really, really good blackout curtains. So, I mean, those are, those are probably the top needed thing when you're working those hours, right, Ken?
Speaker: Yeah, definitely. I also got these covers for my eyes. They're pretty cool. They're, they're like made in Japan and i don't know, they got like this foam that goes around your eye area and then like, like this dark, the cover on top of that. It's pretty good.
Speaker: Oh, I'm always on the lookout for more sleeping gadgets. I wear air earplugs to sleep and then also like an eye mask myself too. So I'll pick you up after for the brand of that eye mask.
Speaker: Cool. Well, let's get on with it. I want to understand and listeners I'm sure like what, what drew you guys to Japan? had, we had talked to you almost a year ago. It feels like, and I know you guys are just so stoked on Japan for so many different reasons. Like what, what's the interest for you guys?
Speaker: So it actually started in Childhood in the Philippines. We used to get Japanese broadcasting over there. Everything was dubbed. But one of the most entertaining shows that I liked was the Eshi's Castle.
Speaker: Pretty hilarious. Like, yeah, like Joey said, it's like Ninja Warrior style. But, know, Kauan people, they actually revived it recently. So hopefully the future I could join in the past.
Speaker: Maybe you'll see me there. I don't know. Oh, you want to do it? I do want to do it. I could do that. I'm going to put monkey bars. I'm going to try my helmet. That's awesome.
Speaker: But yeah, i mean, I've always been interested in the culture. when Ken went 20 years ago, was still in college. I couldn't go. I didn't have the money to go it. So I was really jealous, but kind of lived through him and finally got to go last year in June with Ken.
Speaker: immediately fell in love. I feel like it suits my kind of introvert personality. um I mean, just the, the a you know, the courtesies that they have, ah the manners, it's more aligned to us with how I like to live.
Speaker: um going up in jersey the northeast area you know kind of get used to the rudeness but when you get over there it's like oh this is amazing everyone so polar opposite two two nights all right yeah i feel like more at peace over there right on what about you ken Oh man, for sure. What got me interested in Japan was the cars. My my buddies back home started a car club that I joined. And um I just remember getting parts from Japan that were so expensive.
Speaker: But like I remember that the auto body guy put this like a body kit on the car and he was so amazed that it fit like OEM fitment and everything just like was so flush. It was amazing.
Speaker: um So for sure, it was the cars, also MMA. um Back in the day, they had the Pride FC, which is no longer around. I think UFC bought them out. And anime, like ah definitely big anime geek. Still watch anime to this day.
Speaker: But yeah, those were that's what attracted me to Japan. And I went there back in 2005 with my former roommates in college and really enjoyed it, wanted to come back.
Speaker: And finally, we were able to come back last year. And since then, I i feel like I've been in Japan in the last year and a half for maybe three months or so. So I've been here a lot and I haven't been sick of it at all. I i want to stay even longer, right longer and longer. So even checking out the used car market at all while you're there.
Speaker: Trying not to because we got renovations going on and I know it's going to be a bad idea if I start looking at those skylines and some of those Datsuns. Dream car. let's let let Let's say everything's settled, Ken. You're like, I'm in the car market. What what car are you going to try to buy yeah once things have settled?
Speaker: So man, that is a tough one. I really love my current car. Um, I got a 75 dots in two 80 Z and, but, but if there was something that I saw as it's parallel or it's equal, it would be the R34 GTR skyline. But those are, those are so pricey. I heard they're going over a hundred thousand dollars now or whatever. So, um, those are the two cars, but ah you know, if I don't get the GTR, that's fine. As long as I have my dots and
Speaker: Let's go. We actually, my family, my brother actually had the entire Fair Lady Z lineup growing up. And I didn't really realize like how big of a cult following the 240 or 280 or the Datsun 510 has.
Speaker: dots in five ten has so yeah that's interesting. cool. Lan's got a pretty sick Datsun too. We haven't showcased it yet, but hers is a 65 Datsun Roadster. That's still, I'm still working on it, but it it's, it's a really nice car too. So We love Datsuns.
Speaker: Okay, we're going to have to get you back on once you get that car, but Ken yeah and Landon, the topic today, ah you guys purchased such a cool house in Osaka. It's a really interesting story.
Speaker: Just a quick preview. It's like previous Udon shop. It's got all these floors. It's got this balcony. But before getting into that, like why did you guys pick Osaka? you know There's all these places in Japan. Had you been there before or you kind of just found it?
Speaker: So I'm going to have to blame you guys on that. It was ah episode 39 your podcast. Okay. I don't know what that was. Ryo was on there, right? Okay, okay. Yeah, yeah. Who had also turned out to be our agent.
Speaker: So Ryo was on there, and I think you asked him the million-dollar question of where he wanted, if he had, I think, like a a couple hundred thousand where he'd want to yeah move in.
Speaker: where he would buy property in Japan and he said Osaka. So I'm like, all right, I'm going to, you know, I'm on, I started looking into it and Osaka, I mean, in terms of it's very affordable compared to Tokyo.
Speaker: I love the accessibility. you have access to the bus stations. The bus station from our house is like a three minutes away walking. um You have the train station. It's 17 minutes away.
Speaker: You got Lawson's all over. You got vending machines that are like 30 seconds from my house. You got like four or five vending machines, 24 hour laundry. I mean, it's so convenient, like, and so clean. Like I, you know, it,
Speaker: It's just, I love how, you know, all the 24 hour services, the night shift, every yeah ah but you know, that's what I had to do, man. Cause like, you know, I didn't know what was open and I was getting hungry. I'm like, man, I didn't, I didn't, you know, I don't have a kitchen yet, like on in the living floors. And so had to Google it and there was some, there's a lot of places that are open like 24 hours here. It's, it's pretty amazing.
Speaker: and mean To add to that, Osaka itself is pretty close to a lot of other areas to visit, but like easy day trip. i mean Going to Kyoto is so easy, Nara, like you know the common like touristy spots, Kobe.
Speaker: um But there's still a lot more to explore down in echo east of Osaka or south of Osaka. Every direction, honestly. Yeah, I wanted to try to hit up that spot like when you visited this past June.
Speaker: It was too hot. was like, I don't know about hiking right now. Maybe next visit, maybe in the fall or winter. But yeah, I got to go to Shikoku Island.
Speaker: Hey, we're headed there soon. Actually, it's where Rio's from. ri from um But yeah, it's a nice region. And I got to visit Kurashiki Village, which is just ah we'll be yeah a short train ride away from ah sad and So yeah, a lot of great places to visit more there. Nagoya, too, you could visit maybe like an hour away.
Speaker: Yeah, that's so awesome. Right around the corner. Like, bila I think Osaka is really well situated. Yeah. And an international airport as well. Yeah. You guys listen to our podcast and decide Osaka. That's awesome.
Speaker: Like, I think that's the first official ah one we've heard. And I remember that podcast with Byo and we're like, we got to get it. We were really dead set on Osaka ourselves. I think we kind of fell off though.
Speaker: Yeah. I mean, it's so good to hear. Actually, sorry to cut you off, but for the Minpaku, I thought it ah Osaka was really promising at that time. It seems like the city's going in a different direction. But were you guys thinking about Airbnb at all?
Speaker: Yeah, we were. um We're definitely thinking about it. And yeah, I mean, the special zone Minpaku, that was pretty big on our list because we're not going to be there right now for the entire year. So there's possibility to to get a a good ah ROI. I mean, why not?
Speaker: So definitely the Minpaku, that was big for us. Definitely a deciding factor as well. interesting There's been some talk recently actually about Osaka removing the special Mimpaku or not allowing any new applicants after. so I don't know when in the future, but ah you guys sound like you are aware of that.
Speaker: Do you know where you're situated if you're in the special zone or normal Mimpaku or hotel zone? So yeah, um we're in the special zone and I'm sure your viewers know it's the 365 days um Airbnb eligible. um So we're in that special zone. But yeah, it's scary. like I've just heard that talk ah recently, especially with Rio. when When I arrived here, he was telling me, he's like, oh, by the way, um the mayor is considering, i believe, possibly stopping the special zone Muntaku. I'm like, oh, man.
Speaker: So now we're kind of like in a rush to get the renovations done, the renovations done. And hopefully we're crossing our fingers that everything works out. So get the license.
Speaker: Yeah. As soon as possible. So um he said, he said that um he thinks there's going to be a freeze, I believe in early 2026, So yeah, we're definitely on the rush. We're we're definitely rushing right now just to get the furnishings in. i I believe that's what they're looking for, the fire inspection as well.
Speaker: So we're trying to get those in as fast as we can. so But it's it's taking a lot of time. I was trying, you know, I'm a DIYer. Like i I did all the plumbing in my house. I did all the electrical work because we had a fixer-upper initially.
Speaker: and And I was expecting to do the same with this house. And man, that was a huge mistake on my part. Like they use different, like for example, I was going to do the plumbing. We don't have a kitchen in the living areas.
Speaker: So i was going to use or tap into the water supply line from the be shop downstairs and um use that as well as the drain pipes. But they're all like stained. I believe they're steel pipes, which I've never worked with.
Speaker: I was going around to a lot of home improvement stores trying to get some copper pipes. I'm like, man, this one doesn't have copper pipes. i Like five stores later, none of them had copper pipes.
Speaker: What's going on? And then I find out they're they're not even using copper pipes. um They're using, i guess, steel pipes. And I had no idea. For example, also the the shutoff valves. There's usually usually shutoff valves back in the U.S. anyway, um under the sink ah or somewhere within the room, but here I couldn't find any. And I was so like, I didn't know how to shut off the water and I find out it's in front of your property, I guess there's like this. Yeah. Yeah. It's in the street and you lift it up and you shut it off from the outside.
Speaker: didn't even know that. And like, it's hard to find this information on YouTube, I guess. I don't know if I'm using the right search terms or if the search, the keywords are in Japanese that I have to use, but I'm having a difficult time finding that. Yeah, probably all in Japanese, I would reckon, actually. Maybe like a Japanese YouTube. don't know if YouTube can do the translation in the captions. Yeah. That's probably I would try.
Speaker: Yep. Ken, I'm so happy you're one of us. you've This is a rite of passage, you know? I was thinking the same thing. yeah you are you've crossed You've crossed the line. kind lens you guys, going to the hardware store, just like looking at stuff, trying to figure out like where, how do we show up the water? Yeah, I remember like Joey lifted up the plate. We're like, what?
Speaker: It's on street level? It's um all rusted. Oh, man. And one of the shocking things too, right, was the tools. You know, Makita is a very popular brand, even in the U.S. I i believe they're a Japanese company, if I'm not mistaken.
Speaker: And I was coming here expecting to buy some nice, nice, cheap Makita tools. But no, those things they're they're as much as the United States. They are in the United States. Expensive. Yeah.
Speaker: And I guess it's because a lot of them are, I guess, made in China, I guess. And maybe there's some export or import fees or whatever. So, but they were expensive. Like there's no discount whatsoever. So that was another lesson learned coming here, trying to do renovations.
Speaker: Well, Ken, glad you guys made it. ah But I want to actually talk about the property. I've seen the video a thousand times. It's such a cool property, but to our listeners, do you mind describing like what kind of property did you guys buy?
Speaker: Oh, so yeah, it was awesome. like it was It's a four floor steel frame property with a rooftop. It's about 2000 square feet. On the fourtht on the first floor, there's it used to be an udon shop.
Speaker: And what I like about the house too, it has two entrances, one into the living quarters and then one into the udon shop. So we have two separate entrances. Yeah. And yeah, I mean, I'm trying to think of what else. Lan, do you remember anything else that you like? It's got that udon counter downstairs. Oh yeah, the counters. Yeah.
Speaker: It looks like a restaurant downstairs. Yeah. And there's all these like gas ranges or whatever. Like I i guess I've never been to a legit udon shop before, but there's like these gas ranges all over on these tables. um it's it's pretty It's a pretty cool shop. We're still trying to decide on what to do, what type of business to run.
Speaker: How far gone is the property? I mean, and Tiger have bought everything from, you know, teardowns to like a newly renovated turnkey place. out Like where, where along the spectrum is the property?
Speaker: I think it's in pretty good. It's not bad. It's not bad at all. they
Speaker: The previous owner was actually still living there. Okay. So, uh, she moved out, I would say in May. better Was the shop in operation? Was the udon store operating or was that?
Speaker: No longer in operation. I think she stopped it a few years ago. She's pretty elderly. and think she was kind of um operating it herself and she was living alone in the house.
Speaker: um So I guess she was using my kitchen down the udon shop because she had no kitchen in the main living space. So that's why we have to install one up there. Got it.
Speaker: One of the crazy parts. but I'm sorry, talking. One of the crazy parts. Right. ah Speaking of the old lady, um we asked them to remove everything, basically, like any furniture, anything that doesn't work, any appliances that don't work.
Speaker: And they did a great job. But when I got here, of course, they left up some sort of like portrait of this person here. stick Like, like one yeah are they trying to spook me or whatever? Like, like oh, my God, i don't want to throw it away. That could be bad luck or whatever.
Speaker: but uh the that cafe after that person i don't know but the spirits have been friendly to me i can't complain they've been treating me nice so they haven't woken me up so i can't complain but i was in it so you can't you there was an empty vase there too we thought it was like one of those urns like you're afraid to open it it was empty it was like jade color All right, to confirm though, kent yeah kept right tap the photo.
Speaker: Is it hung up on the wall somewhere? It's still there. It's in the closet where I found it. I don't know what to do with it. I don't want to throw it out or whatever. I don't know why they left it.
Speaker: Okay. Keep it. I think that's a good luck charm. I would recommend hanging it up. but Actually, send us a photo of it. I'm curious what it looks like. ah All right. And so you guys got this dope property. I want to talk a little bit about the process. How did you guys search?
Speaker: Did you guys use our website to find it? Did you find it another site or what was that process like for you? um yeah i mean, initially, like after we left Japan our first time last year,
Speaker: Lan was forwarding me all these Instagram posts about these cheap homes or whatever. And I think it was first the Cheap Houses Japan Instagram that we ran into. And then, you know, a lot of other- the gateway.
Speaker: Yeah, he was the gateway. And then a lot of other posts, I guess, from other people were flowing through. And then we saw your post and then we went on to Aki Mart. I'm like, man, this website is is cool. like And then I think we we registered on the website and it it was amazing. And i was so amazed at how affordable the prices for these homes were in Japan.
Speaker: So that's how we started. And then, you know, this was, I think, back in july maybe June or July. And then we contacted you guys and we had the the initial consult, I think two weeks later after we contacted you.
Speaker: So it was definitely, we couldn't have done it without your website. So it that's ah an amazing tool. Okay. Yeah. recommend that website to anybody. We didn't sign that one. Yeah.
Speaker: yeah
Speaker: I remember you guys on our first consultation, I think you guys were, had a little bit of a lower budget. And I think along the process, you guys probably found this property up to like, talk talk to us a little bit about that process for you guys, or what did you guys think about having up the budget?
Speaker: Yeah, I mean... think it's just, like, I guess one of our, like, requirements um for a property, like, the the best options there are, yeah we have to increase the budget because Ken is really into having a steel-framed home just because, you know, it's very... Just because of earthquakes and all that. So that was really important.
Speaker: What else, Ken? I think the square footage of the home also we were looking at. Yeah, square footage. We wanted to get... square footage as possible. Special Minpaku and the rooftop. I was, man, I love the rooftop. There were so many homes we looked at that had this awesome rooftop. My, my dream was to put like an onsen or something up on that rooftop or whatever, or like a sauna or something.
Speaker: ah Yeah. Yeah. yeah That was, that was big. And then like either a garage or, or like that first floor restaurant. Initially it was a garage that we wanted, but then I'm like, man, we might be able to get at least two sources for for revenue if we have ah like a shop or something. So, um, we decided on the shop.
Speaker: I remember, yeah, we were looking at a couple of different properties and we saw this listing and I was like, man, that one's dope. You know, with the view up top, the Udon shop, I was like, okay, it's definitely worth it from what you were looking at before opinion. It has like a little sign out front too, right? If I remember. Yeah, we still have it.
Speaker: ah I still have that. We still have that sign. And yeah, that's something we're going to keep. if If we do a shop on that first floor that we'll probably put it on the first floor just for memories or whatever. That's one one thing we're not going to get rid of for sure.
Speaker: We'll put it right next to us so you the old lady portrait. There we go. That's the perfect. So you guys found this did the consultation with us. Then you guys jumped on the website. You found property.
Speaker: ah How was the transaction process with you? Again, I know there's a big hiccup here, so let's let's jump into it. Yeah, I mean, Rio is awesome. I i mean, we we did a consult with him directly or right after we consulted with you just to make sure, I guess, we were compatible with him. And he was awesome from the beginning to the end.
Speaker: And yeah. Yeah, we were looking. We started looking. We had a pretty good list already, right, Lynn, that we gave over Rio, and he was at it. He had several, right?
Speaker: He was always asking, like, choose your top three. um and we gave him our top three, and he went above and beyond really just going to those places. here we He was our our eyes, ears, and nose, and visiting those places.
Speaker: It was, like, in the heat of the summer, so he... Some of the times I think we were able to do it through Google google Me live. Some of them he like pre-recorded and sent it to us.
Speaker: Yeah, he really, and they were all in different locations. So kind of went across the city um to get to all the three spots. You could see him sweating in the video. ah ah Huffing and puffing. Yeah. Eyes ear and nose is is important. Sometimes, you know, funky smells.
Speaker: Yeah. Or mosquitoes. We, we did a virtual viewing once and and the guy that was helping us was just like, guys, I'm gonna be honest. There's a ton of mosquitoes here. Me and Tiger were like, okay, okay. out we I remember Dio does a 360 video, so we'll always turn it while I look at his face, and we're like, Dio, you got to grow a mustache, bro.
Speaker: ah and so I think he looked good with the mustache. Yeah, me too. But okay, he did the viewings for you, and you know, how did you guys, you guys did the viewing of this one remotely, or did you guys see the Google Meet or Insta 360 video? of that Yeah, this one, he read this this house, he he recorded. He recorded that.
Speaker: Yeah. Yeah. He recorded it and. um Real estate agent with the ladies. So um yeah, it's funny because you actually see them in the background. They were down in the shop. but Yeah.
Speaker: And, you know, before we even got to this home, I just wanted to mention, like, there were there were other homes we were already putting it down an offer for. but they they fell through.
Speaker: So i could i was getting the sense that Osaka was going to be very competitive. And I remember, I think through that whole process, we must've put down offers for maybe four or five homes. the last you know though you know The last two were kind of tough because we didn't even have an opportunity to visit those homes.
Speaker: One of the homes in Osaka was a really nice home and it was affordable, steel frame and everything. And um the a realtor group um snatched that home without even viewing the property.
Speaker: And then like at that point, Lan and I were like, ah it might not even be at this point, it might not even be beneficial for Rio to, to go see these properties because they're, they're basically gone within a matter of a couple of weeks after they're listening. Basically the last one, one of the last ones we put an offer down for, it was also a nice property. They had the viewings were,
Speaker: not yet available because the owner lived there. Um, but we, because of what happened in the last house, we wanted to try to put an offer here.
Speaker: And, um, so we did put an offer here without viewing the house, just looking at the pictures on Nokia Mart and it was, We, we offered what Lynn, I think it was, uh, the offering, uh, the, the price, the regular, the price they were, they wanted to sell at.
Speaker: We didn't even drop it 10% from that price. And, uh, we still missed out on it because, um, another couple, I guess offered the same amount and they wanted to sell it to a local.
Speaker: So we missed out on that. So it it was getting frustrating at, at some points.
Speaker: All because of our a podcast, Joey. you know We really sparked a movement. No, I'm just kidding. but We've been seeing a lot of movement towards Osaka just because how how developed they're they're developing so fast.
Speaker: they They are quite progressive in a lot of things. so It is not just you guys. We are seeing the Osaka market heat up, but a good deal is a good deal. and We find that no matter where In Japan, if the deal's good enough, people snatch it up quite quickly. Yeah. I think there's also one of the reasons why we kind of amped up on our budget when looking at places to kind of increase the amount of properties we could potentially see and take on.
Speaker: How long was the Udon shop on market or what was that offer process for you guys? How much did you guys negotiate? um Was it a smooth, at least getting into contract and getting the offer accepted?
Speaker: yeah Man, that was anything but smooth. um we I think initially we did 10% below asking price. And then they came back to us and I think the lady was like, yeah, we we did a lot to this house.
Speaker: We think that that's too low. And so i think we we agreed to 24 million yen. um I don't remember what the original asking price was, 25 million yen or 26 million yen. So it wasn't, I don't think it it was below 10% from what I remember. Yeah, it wasn't below, it wasn't more than 10% of the asking price. So I think it was 25 million that they were asking for.
Speaker: And we got it at 24. And yeah, so we did the inspections already. And i flew over to Japan to just to check it out before we started that closing process.
Speaker: And I was there. i visited it a couple of times. And I saw the old lady there in a restaurant just watching TV. That was back in November. Yeah, November, December. He just pat passed by, looked in the window. Yeah, was this a pass? Straight up creeping back there. however I'm like, is this something I really want to do And then eventually I'm like, yeah, it's something I want to do effort not and And so then like we reached out to Rio and we're like, okay, let's try to close this.
Speaker: And then Rio's like, so next, would next week work? I'm like, yeah, next week will work. And then like, I didn't hear from him for a couple of days. and Yeah, i was excited to join Ken in December so we can try to get this closing done. And it was like a week before I actually flew out there when Rio reached out to us with this unfortunate message. Okay, tell us about the curveball. Here we go.
Speaker: Yeah, Rio said that they couldn't find the old lady. The old lady was missing. And they couldn't get in touch with her. And I think she had to sign off on some papers and I'm like, oh, we oh God, here we go. They're in dirt.
Speaker: Something's going on. It smells really fishy. Somebody probably offered a lot more than we did. That was my initial thinking. And so I actually went back there the day after he emailed me that information and I went there.
Speaker: I looked and nobody was there like the old lady wasn't there. it was completely dark. I went back the next day towards night. None of the lights were on. The old lady wasn't there. And even I think I did that three or four more times after and nobody was there at all. So then I'm like, OK, something must have legit happened.
Speaker: And so and at that point, I think you guys were telling us to get a private eye or whatever. And and but I I I secretly want to hire a private eye someday. So I was maybe pushing that.
Speaker: Yeah, that would have been a pretty good idea. That's so funny. It was pretty crazy because we were watching those swindlers. I'm like, I hope it's not one of those cases where it was the a fake lady and then something happened to Now they got to find somebody new to kind of play the part.
Speaker: At this point, you guys had not put down money yet, though. It was just like, you're going to make the deposit and sign the contract. or Is that right? Yeah, I think thats that's how I remembered it. Yeah.
Speaker: yeah so we didn't have yeah we didn't all of us thought like maybe they got a higher offer yeah that's what i thought yeah we we thought they had got a higher offer yeah yeah but ken you're you're detective man that's awesome yeah yeah again to our listeners we don't condone walking by the property you're trying to buy frequently but ken in this case it was it was a the right move I didn't think hire off her. I thought she got hurt or, you know, she's an old lady, she's in the hospital, but like maybe her, she's not very close with her family and like nobody can, nobody actually can find her. And that's why i was like, oh, we got to hire a private eye to like ask the neighbors or whatever. That's exactly what they said. right
Speaker: Rio ended up finding out from her real estate agent. They were able to I guess, reach out to one of our family members who confirmed that she was in the hospital. She got hospitalized, um but they weren't sure how long she's going to be in the hospital for.
Speaker: So was like, I was really worried. I was like, ah I was like praying for her, making sure she's okay. I'm like, I'm a nurse. So I'm like, i hope she didn't have a stroke. And Rio was like, there's a couple of hospitals nearby. There's actually one around the corner. i don't know if you heard earlier in the background. i think you might've heard an ambulance there.
Speaker: Yeah, literally hospital right across the street. Rio's like, should I go visit them? yeah Going above and beyond, Nero. Let's go. Check out the hospitals.
Speaker: So did the family, but then you got in contact with a family member, if I remember correctly, or my son, I think the son, the son, the son, the son. Yeah, that's right. The son. Yeah. And they had an estranged relationship from what I remember.
Speaker: He didn't want to or you want have to do anything with the property. He didn't want to be bothered, like, don't contact me again, even to her real estate agent. So and they were trying their best to like reach out to him kind of hand off on the process, but he didn't want any part of it.
Speaker: Damn. At what point, I know there was like a sad email chain where we're just kind of like, okay, I mean, there's nothing we can do, you know, like what, what did that feel like? What what was that situation like on your guys? And we were, we were so sad for you guys, but like, did you guys just like, go okay, this is gone.
Speaker: What were the emotions? I thought it was gone. Like I knocked the wind out of me basically. Cause I was expecting to was like love that trip.
Speaker: It's great property. So we're like, oh, I don't know if we can find something even close to it elsewhere. so i mean, we did start searching again for something similar, but nothing really came close. But yeah, it was, it was tough. We couldn't really find, we couldn't really find anything. Um, and I felt like we were getting a little bit desperate at that point just to, to, to find something, which is probably not good, but, uh, yeah, it was, it was tough, tough on us, I guess.
Speaker: Okay. so I think we went dormant for maybe like two or three months or something. And like, tell us how did, how did things come back and get revived here? I think during that time, did find ah like three more places that Rio visited toured for us.
Speaker: I think there was one that's closer to the bay that we were starting to look at and potentially make an offer for. I think was four stories as well, too, and had a rooftop.
Speaker: It didn't have a separate like shop or anything, right, Ken? Yeah, it had a small That wasn't too thrilling. pretty, like, the square footage was and much smaller.
Speaker: The stairs looked pretty steep. And I think when Rio was touring in, he said, yeah, the stairs are pretty cheap steep. But it was in a good location. It was pretty close to, like, the train station.
Speaker: And, of course, we have the World Expo there in Osaka. So it was actually pretty access to the train station to get to there. So we thought it would be a great area. But there was, like, a questionable,
Speaker: wait factory like across the street we weren't sure what kind of factory it was so we didn't know how it have would affect like the comfort of staying there and and living but i yeah we were like ken said we were in a desperate point so we were starting to consider making an offer for that place and mean
Speaker: and Yeah, we were going to get an offer. but And like we got a message from Rio. It's like, hey, are you still interested in that, you know, that Udon shop place? we like Okay, Rio never gave up hope. like The candle was still burning inside him. Yeah, that was crazy. that was That was some crazy news. And we had to go back we had to go back and reevaluate that udon shop. And yeah, we decided to move forward with that. And here we are.
Speaker: So the good news was that she got out of the hospital. I think her original real estate agent, it's still within the same agency, but her real estate agent changed.
Speaker: So whoever took over, I think, reached out to, riyh like, hey, I think there were some potential buyers. So I guess they were still, can she must have remembered us. that um Like, hey, we were in the process of um getting this contract signed. So like what happened?
Speaker: So I'm glad they reached out to Rio and Rio told us about the news before we even made an offer in the other place. So we were really stoked and thankful. So were a bit cautious getting back into you know signing a contract with that property, but yet very happy.
Speaker: So we really wanted to make sure everything was still legit. what What was scary as well was ah Rio called us or messaged us after the lady signed off on it. um And he was like, so he said something along the lines that she didn't look like she was 100%. I'm like, oh, man.
Speaker: but Like, she looked like she was still alive. I'm like, man. And then, you know, the closing, I think at that time was, i think we said two months or something to close to to for her to move out.
Speaker: And then when we were nearing that date, they extended the but they extended the time an extra two weeks or whatever. And I'm like, oh, gosh, more drama to secure where she was going to move to after that.
Speaker: So we gave her a month and then I think she added for she asked for another extension because she was still trying to find another another place to live. yeah So nerve wracking. Yeah. So that was like from February. And then I think we went closed in April or May.
Speaker: I think it was towards June. It was in June, I believe. Closer to June. Yeah. But um yeah, so we we did give her an extension just to to make sure she had a safe place to go.
Speaker: And thankfully, I think we heard that her other son who lives in Tokyo took her in So she moved to Tokyo with him. Cool. So happy ending here. Families back together. Yeah. we' get back together yeah You guys actually have some kids too, right? So tell us about the first time you, I i saw videos and when you guys went to the house for the first time. How did your kids like it? How did you guys like it? Tell us about that experience. Those are our kids.
Speaker: That's my nephews and nieces. However, since you brought it up, Take, announcement, Lan is pregnant and expecting first child in December. Okay, heard it here. Maybe first.
Speaker: the world yeah congratulations did in june and we met up with rio for um to transfer the keys over to us and visit the house his wife is also expecting and it's also due around the same time okay so niece and nephew how did they like the house were they just like what the heck my uncles or and aunts are buying a house in japan or like what what did they think of the whole situation I think they liked it. um My niece said she wants to stay here. They want to come back.
Speaker: So they definitely they definitely want to um come here and they they like the house. And I think one of her friends who lives in Kyoto, they're doing something as well. One of her classmates is also has a home in Kyoto doing a...
Speaker: 100 day 180 day Airbnb. So that was pretty cool. I got to talk to him and you know, he shared some information as well. Okay. Did any point through that first viewing you go like, oh, we made a mistake. This has happened to Joey and I a couple of times. I'm curious, what was that first walkthrough like? You were like, oh yes. Or you're like, oh,
Speaker: but That's actually as we expected, I think. I mean, I wasn't disappointed. Everything looked like it it was in a pretty good condition. Nothing was worse than what we've seen in the pictures and the videos.
Speaker: Like I said, she cleaned house. They did a great job. but taking out those extra furnitures. And um even in the udon shop, they took ah like took out like the counters and and so cooking equipment. So it has a squatty potty, of course, down in the udon shop.
Speaker: But up in the living spaces, everything's supposed to be in a working condition. I think there was, we were concerned more with the electrical outlets and the ACs are outdated, so we'd have to replace those. But I think a few few of them are working, right, Ken?
Speaker: Yeah, I only feel like one of them is emitting some cold air. The rest, it's just like regular air. um It's not even hot or cold. So I don't know. they they' probably They probably got to get replaced. I was looking at Amazon and they do some, it's crazy because they and replace or install new ones.
Speaker: And ah it it wasn't that expensive from what I remember. Amazon Japan. Yeah, it's quite cheap for to do installations. And yeah, that's the service that Leo is actually providing. So touch base with him. But I'm curious for you guys, like kind of looking back, what was the hardest part of this journey?
Speaker: You know, it seems like you had a lot of mountains and valleys here that you guys went through. What would you say the hardest part of the purchase process was for you guys? I would say the weeding game. The patience. Yeah. A lot of people took a lot of patience. Yeah. Going back and forth.
Speaker: And I think you know i mean I would say we would have been great if we were there to actually view the places, but we were very thankful for Rio. He did such a great job, um very thorough in giving us descriptions of the places as he saw them.
Speaker: um That eased our concerns. Any like lessons learned or like if a friend of yours was going to go down this path, like advice you would give them or or what? Like, yeah. what What would you tell a friend of yours who's thinking about Oh man, that one's easy. Number one, listen to your podcasts.
Speaker: Cause that's how I started. I listened to all of your podcasts. Like I think I listened to every single one of your podcasts and I listened to your last podcast. So listen to the podcast. A lot of the questions you have are going to be answered in those podcasts.
Speaker: Number two, use the Akimara website. I don't think there's a better tool out there if you're looking to invest in Japanese property. Yeah, that website was an amazing was amazing. That was a lifesaver.
Speaker: Yeah, you did a good job on that, Joey. I mean, now that i I was trying to look at those ah other um Japanese realtor websites and it was just hard to navigate. the the i don't know.
Speaker: It was just very difficult. And then yeah, like Lan mentioned a lot of patience a lot of patience for sure and the last one Go with Akia Mart We initially you guys weren't our first we didn't know about you guys at first, right? We went with another company. This person is actually very famous on YouTube.
Speaker: I'm not gonna mention any names or whatever and um Like we, you know, one of the things they asked us was like, how much do you make, I guess a month or whatever, what's your income like? And they're trying to get all this information and you know, we sent it over and we never got a reply back.
Speaker: And so with you guys, we got a reply immediately and we had our meeting, our consult with you guys, like two weeks later, ah the process was so smooth. Yeah. I re I highly recommend you guys.
Speaker: Swear to God, we listeners, we did not pay for this advertisement. This is an organic advertisement, so thank you, Ken. Yes, I've been posting that post on Instagram with the announcement that we secured the place.
Speaker: We've had a lot of inquiries. Even one my colleagues said, Her brother is in Okinawa. I guess he's stationed out there. So he's been ah really interested in um buying properties there in Japan. So and he was asking her about how we purchased the place. What was our process?
Speaker: So i actually recommended you guys to her to send to him. Yeah. Yeah. A lot of people reached out and I DM me after that post. And I said the same thing. I'm like, you got to listen to their podcast and go with DocuMart. Basically, that's what I recommend.
Speaker: Damn. Well, thank you so much, Ken men and Lon. No problem. Such a good, good experience working with you guys. It was really sad to see the fallout, but. You know, you got the the hero story. You guys got the house.
Speaker: I guess final question for you, Ken, what are you doing in the house right now? How long are you how much longer are you here? Were you renovating? What's, what's, what's plans for the Osaka Udon shop? Man, we're renovating. We're trying to renovate it. I was supposed to go home.
Speaker: last weekend, but I'm staying for another week or two. We ordered a lot of stuff that I'm still waiting on. ah We installed new floors. the The renovators are coming in to do the the supply lines for the the new kitchen.
Speaker: So there's a lot going on. And then eventually we're going to have to consider what to do with that first floor. um But that's going to be down the road. um I'm assuming another year. or two before we even decide what to do with that place because they're just curable idea joey's thinking it i think was just gonna ask what what what are your top three ideas for it but i want to hear what dake's idea is what you guys is okay we've been trying to buy a coin laundry place any thoughts on it right i saw that that's actually a smart move i would say rent it to us and we'll rent it to us do we do the coin laundry downstairs could be sick
Speaker: Yeah. Corn Lounge or coffee shop. Those are popular now. That'd be pretty cool. We're big coffee lovers, so and Japan has a great coffee culture, and so I think we want to to bring something in that neighborhood.
Speaker: There's a lot of, like, ah it's set they're labeled as coffee shops, but they're more like kisatens. Yeah, yeah in in the area. so ah Pizza toast.
Speaker: Yeah. So maybe like a specialty coffee shop. i I didn't see one around there yet. So that would be a good offer. Okay. Okay. Heard it here first. We're going to be, we'll get you guys back on the pod in a couple months down the line. I'd love to see progress. But again, thank you guys so much for being our customers and sticking through with it. I know it was challenging at times, but So excited for you. You guys have one of the coolest houses out of anyone we've helped purchase. So congratulations.
Speaker: Thanks for listening to this week's episode of Buying a House in Japan. If you find the show helpful or at least entertaining, give us a five-star rating. Takes five seconds and really goes a long way. If you or someone you know is looking for a Japanese home, check out Akiyamart.com, our English-friendly site that lets you browse over half a million listings.
Speaker: That's A-K-I-Y-A-M-A-R-T.com to find your dream home in Japan. If you've got questions or feedback, drop us a line, email contact at akiamart.com.
Speaker: You can also find us on Instagram as well as TikTok, where we post properties, tips on the home buying process, and updates on our own purchases and renovations. Thanks again for listening, and we'll see you next week.
