As a high schooler, Shu Matsuo left Japan for the United States with no desire to return. Today, Shu and his business partner Brett Lee are “all in” on Japan. In this episode, Shu and Brett share their personal and professional reasons for leaving the US, their newly-launched AkiyaHub service, critical tips for first-time buyers, and most importantly, who should (and shouldn’t) buy a Japanese home.
00:00 Introduction + Shu & Brett’s newly-launched AkiyaHub
05:32 ROI difference in US vs. Japanese real estate
08:51 Going “all in” on Japan
14:37 Cost of living comparisons (US vs. Japan)
15:43 The right kind of person to buy a Japanese home
22:29 How much should I expect to spend on a home?
22:31 Dream homes
24:58 Tips for first timers
28:37 Current Japanese real estate market trends
31:29 Should I wait for things to get cheaper?
32:58 Respecting local sensibilities
33:54 Lessons to learn in addressing the Akiya problem