The Home Buying Column

A step-by-step checklist of what to confirm before you buy, for anyone torn between a new-build and a pre-owned home.

Mortgage rate types include variable, fixed, and a mixed type combining both. This article breaks down the features, risks, and how to choose.

A mortgage can be arranged as a full loan with no down payment, but how much you put down affects your monthly payment and the cash you keep on hand.

Whether a property meets the new seismic standard — the line drawn in June 1981 — is a key factor when choosing a pre-owned condo.

The idea behind "buy the management," with concrete checkpoints like the reserve fund and how the management association is run.

An already-renovated condo offers a fresh interior you can move into right away, but checking the scope of the work matters just as much.

A checklist of eligibility requirements for the home loan tax deduction, and the process through to filing your tax return.

How pair loans and income combination differ for dual-income couples, and what to consider when choosing.

How things actually proceed from a purchase offer through price negotiation to the sale contract, once you've found a property you like.

Unlike a condo, buying a house means checking the land's boundaries and road access are in order.

A home inspection has a specialist check a house for deterioration and defects. Here's when it's useful, and what it typically costs.

Whether a building meets the new seismic standard comes down to the building confirmation date — June 1, 1981. Here's how to tell the two apart.

Tower condos offer views and amenities, but management and repair costs, plus disaster preparedness, deserve a close look before you buy.

A leasehold property means owning only the building, not the land. Here's why the price is lower, and what ongoing costs and contract terms to check.

Condos and houses differ in cost structure, location, and freedom. The right choice comes down to fit with your lifestyle, not which is objectively "better."

A practical home-buying budget is set by repayment ratio, not income multiple. Here's a guideline for a manageable repayment burden.

Flat 35, a full-term fixed-rate loan, and private mortgages differ in structure and screening criteria. Here's how to choose between them.

What lenders tend to scrutinize for recent job-changers or the self-employed, and ways to prepare.

How to read the floor area, walk time, and transaction type on a Japanese property listing sheet (maisoku), and what to watch for.

A look at stigmatized properties and disclosure obligations, based on the Real Estate Brokerage Act and Ministry of Land guidelines.

How to plan the finances for a bridge loan when your new home's settlement comes before your old one sells, and who it does and doesn't suit.

The full picture of ongoing costs after buying — property tax, management fees and reserve fund, and insurance.

How to approach buying a pre-owned home with renovation in mind, and how a renovation-integrated loan works.

How off-market properties work, their relationship to REINS registration, and how to gather listing information.

How earnest money cancellation and loan (mortgage) contingencies work and differ, and what to check about canceling after signing.

Group credit life insurance clears your remaining loan balance if something happens to you. Here's how standard and enhanced coverage differ, and how to choose.

Only a property under one year old and never lived in can be marketed as "new." Here's the difference with nearly-new pre-owned homes, and what to check.

Self-management means the association runs the building itself instead of outsourcing it. Lower fees, but documents and issues worth checking.

An owner-change property is sold with a tenant still in place, so you'd need them to move out to live there yourself. What to watch for.

The basics of gift tax when parents help fund a home purchase, and points to watch when using the tax-free housing fund gift allowance.

The difference between shortening your loan term and lowering your payment amount, and how to choose factoring in fees and the tax deduction.

How to choose the coverage for fire and earthquake insurance when you buy, with hazard maps as a reference point.

How the certification system for long-life quality homes and low-carbon homes works, and the tax and other benefits of certification.

How to research school districts and the surrounding area, and tips for checking the neighborhood at different times around your viewing.

How to think about ownership shares when parents and children, or spouses, pool funds to buy together, and what to watch for in registration.

How mortgage refinancing works, when it's likely to pay off, and its impact on closing costs and group credit life insurance.

How a mortgage differs from a second-home loan or an investment loan, and how to think about financing based on your purpose.

The process of buying a new-build condo, from touring the model room through registration and lottery to choosing options and handover.

Future resale ease isn't just about distance to the station. A checklist combining multiple factors.

Corner units, top floors, and ground-floor units each have clear pros and cons. Is the price difference worth it for how you'll live?

A "walk time" listing is based on 80 meters per minute of road distance, which can differ from the actual time it takes. How this relates to resale value.

How much freedom you have to change a pre-owned condo's layout depends on the building's structure and its management rules.

Pre-owned homes are handed over either "renovated" or "as-is." How to read the difference, including how liability for defects is handled.

A checklist of measurements worth taking during a viewing, for furniture and appliance delivery and ordering curtains.

Checking the management rules and bylaws before buying a condo is essential — pets, renovation, and bicycle parking rules among them.

You can apply for preliminary mortgage screening at multiple lenders. How it differs from final screening, and things to consider.

Checkpoints for each cost item, how to get estimates, and how to confirm the amount you should have ready.

South-facing units are popular for sunlight, but every orientation has its own character. A look at options beyond south-facing.

What to check about parking types and contract terms if you own a car, plus the upkeep costs of mechanical parking.

Insulation performance affects utility bills and comfort. How to read window and sash specs and insulation ratings.

Noise and views can look different depending on when you visit. Tips for checking a site at different times and days.

A property's resale value depends on more than distance to the station. How to research urban planning, redevelopment, and demographics.