Kansai

If you’re planning the big move to Japan, you may have your heart set on buying your own place rather than renting a home. Kansai has some great properties to buy in places like Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. However, the Japanese home-buying process might be a bit different from what you’d expect. Here’s a quick rundown. Who Can Buy Property in Japan? Legally, anyone can buy property in Japan even if they don’t live there. However, if you need a mortgage to buy a home then you will need to have Japanese residency. Expats will typically need permanent residence status, although some lenders may offer small mortgages to temporary residents. Additionally, you will usually need a Japanese bank account and a Japanese ID number (known as My Number) to get a mortgage. Property Prices in Kansai Japanese property prices tend to vary according to factors such as property type, size, location and age. Apartments (condominiums) are typically more expensive than houses, many of which are wooden and decrease more quickly in value due to having a shorter lifespan. Kansai is slightly cheaper on average than Japan as a whole. New condominiums cost an average of just under 47 million yen…