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This article explains five key points that are often overlooked when selecting a used condominium. It covers seismic standards, future projections of maintenance reserve funds, the functionality of the condominium association, ensuring adequate sunlight, and other factors that determine whether you can live comfortably for ten years or more.
After the Bank of Japan raised interest rates to about 1% in June 2026, variable mortgage rates also rose, making rates above 1% the norm. Rising rates and soaring home prices have progressed simultaneously, leaving those considering home purchases confused. The average rates of major banks are already above 1%, and if the rate hike is reflected, they could rise to about 1.3%. New borrowing is expected to start around October, and existing borrowers will see the new rates applied from around January 2027; experts predict that interest rates will continue to rise.
This article introduces the main points to check before purchasing a traditional house. It is important to verify issues such as termite damage to the foundation, leaks, insulation and seismic performance, corrosion of columns and beams, reusability of interior materials, and the deterioration of roofs and exterior walls, and to determine how much the building can be improved.
Because the disclosure of important matters is limited to the minimum content stipulated by law, we encourage buyers to conduct their own investigations. As points to verify, we introduce how to check risks such as flooding, liquefaction, landslides, and earthquakes using municipal hazard maps.
Single-story houses are popular because they are barrier-free with no stairs, and their simple layout makes household chores and movement easier. The ease of maintaining exterior walls and roofs, as well as the sense of openness created by connections to ceilings and gardens, are also cited as reasons. It is explained that the demand for future-oriented, easy-to-live-with homes is increasing, especially among the elderly and families with young children.
The choice between a detached house and an apartment when searching for a home depends on one's lifestyle. Detached houses offer greater freedom, less noise, and are suitable for raising children, but maintenance and security are the owner's responsibility. Apartments are convenient with proximity to stations and high security, and are easier to manage, but they incur management fees and maintenance reserves, and there are restrictions on renovations.
Custom homes are contracted separately for land and building, so the purchase process and timing of required funds differ from those of condominiums or pre-built houses. Down payments, settlement fees for land, and initial construction payments may be required before completion and handover, when a mortgage can be arranged.
It explains that concerns about dirt and performance issues in used detached houses can be resolved by planning for renovation. It stresses that an architect is essential for verifying building performance and recommends consulting with construction or renovation companies that employ architects.
Zoning areas are designated regions that define the use and form of buildings for the purpose of preserving urban environments and improving convenience. They are divided into 12 categories—residential, commercial, and industrial—and the restrictions on the types of buildings and their heights vary by region. For example, in a first-class low-rise residential zone, there are strict form restrictions, while in an industrial zone, residential buildings cannot be constructed.
For couples considering purchasing real estate, this explains money management and ownership from the perspectives of everyday life, divorce, and inheritance. The text introduces that, based on Article 760 of the Civil Code, couples share marital expenses by taking into account assets and income.