Dear Diary Series: What's the Catch?

It’s hard to ignore the headlines: An urban condo for under $9,000. A European style bed & breakfast for $5,000. A traditional home for free. Too good to be true, right?

Well, it depends. Having purchased a home for $3,500, Joey and Take walk through their personal experience, set realistic expectations for lower-budget properties, and outline what it actually takes financially—and personally—to buy a cheap Japanese home.

00:00 Introduction - Hello from New Mexico + First-ever AkiyaMart data insights

01:27 The Akiyas we’ve bought thus far

02:09 Akiya #1 - An off-market ski cabin with brittle bones

09:50 Akiya #2 - A struggle to long-term rent

15:04 Akiya #3 - A gorgeous seaside getaway

20:43 For prospective buyers who’ve never been to Japan…

22:27 Cheap home seekers: What to expect & how to behave

25:38 Don't obsess over the lowest price!