In a world where real estate is often synonymous with astronomical expenses, it’s not unusual for us to encounter a story as surprising as that of Romain, a 42-year-old from Bordeaux (France), who has just fulfilled an improbable dream: becoming the owner of a house in Japan for the modest sum of 5,500 euros. For many, this seems unbelievable, even impossible, especially in France, where real estate prices keep soaring. Yet, this is the reality for Romain, whose journey reflects both a spirit of adventure and a pragmatic approach to the challenges of the French real estate market.
Romain decided to take the plunge and buy a property in a country as distant as it is fascinating, attracted not only by the affordable prices but also by the opportunity to immerse himself in a culture he has long admired. In this interview, he shares his experience, from initial hesitation to the satisfaction of having made such a bold investment. Romain overcame his doubts and managed to seize this unique opportunity, all while navigating the cultural differences and challenges he encountered along the way.
What motivated you to buy a house here in Japan?
My motivation was primarily financial because in France, it’s very complicated to acquire a house, and it’s especially expensive. When you see the prices of houses here in Japan, it’s incredible… For a very small budget, you can become a homeowner! So that was my first motivation. The second was the fact that Japan is a very idealized country in Europe, where many people dream of coming. When you combine these two aspects, you really want to buy a house in Japan.
I see you’re very happy…
Yes, it’s true, it’s true!
… But at first, you were a bit hesitant…
Yes, at first, I was a bit hesitant. You have to understand that, for the French, when we see that you can become a homeowner for five or six thousand euros, our brain is conditioned to think it’s a scam. We think it’s not possible, that we’re going to get ripped off. We’re not familiar with the Japanese market. Once you become aware and a trust relationship is established, it gets better. But it’s true that at the beginning, I wasn’t confident. Also, you had just launched your business, so your Instagram profile didn’t have many followers, and there were no online reviews. I thought, “Wow, I don’t know them, I don’t know…” But in the end, everything turned out perfectly. What reassured me was when I asked you, “Can I go through the process with a lawyer?” and you said, “No problem.” From that moment on, I knew it was serious.
It’s normal, we’ve had the same experience with other clients at the beginning… You were one of our first clients, which particularly motivated us to inspire confidence in you. What type of property were you initially considering?
At first, I was really looking for a concrete house, with bricks. But when I saw the one I finally chose, it wasn’t necessarily the price that attracted me. I had a much higher budget, but when I saw this house with Japanese architecture, and especially that it had the earthquake document, that reassured me. I said to myself, “Go for it!” The house I initially envisioned wasn’t the one I ended up owning, but it changed along the way.
The process was a bit long…
There’s a story behind it, but the process was rather smooth. Even though it was long, I found that everything went well.
How would you evaluate the communication between you and us?
I found it incredible. Even with the time difference – it was 7 or 8 in the morning for me, and the afternoon for you – you responded quickly. Sometimes, Miguel would respond 24 hours later, but I knew I would get a response. In France, when you don’t get an answer, you panic. You immediately think it’s a scam. But with you, it was smooth, you always responded. Even when daily life got in the way, the answers were clear and well-constructed. There’s nothing to complain about regarding the communication. You were always accessible. I remember the first meeting; it must have been 8 or 9 p.m. for you, bath time for your family, but you still prioritized that moment to be with me and support me. That showed me how professional and serious you are. So, for me, the communication with you was superb.
Our goal is that our clients are satisfied in a familiar environment with mutual trust. Was your experience positive?
Yes, absolutely positive. There were moments of uncertainty, like when Miguel explained that, unlike in France where the notary reads the contract, in Japan, it’s the seller who does it. There are many little differences like that which aren’t done in France. But everything was smooth. The documents to be signed electronically, the shipments by FedEx or Chronopost… Everything was done quickly. It was long, but smooth.
Now the question is: how will you do your radio show once you’re in Japan?
Yes, well… I’m going back to France for now, but with the magic of the Internet, we can do it via streaming remotely. I even plan to broadcast the show on video. I’m on vacation in Japan at the moment, but next year, I don’t think I’ll live in the house. I’ll continue the show starting in September on-site, but if I have to do it remotely, the magic of the Internet will allow me to do it.
Will you talk about us on your show?
Yes, that’s for sure! I’ve decided to talk about you because I’m very happy. The show resumes in mid-September, so early or mid-October, I will talk about my experience. I’ve already started talking to my friends about it. I even have a couple of friends who are motivated to buy, but I told them to wait for my return to France to give them all the details.
I want to add: if you find a house like mine near my place, I have a couple of friends who want to buy. They are into real estate investments in France and would like to start abroad. They are very interested. They’re just waiting for my return to know how it went. I told Frédéric, and they said: “Ok, it’s good, let’s go.” We also talked to other friends. This is something that really needs to be emphasized: when you tell French people that you own a house in Japan for five or six thousand euros, they immediately think it’s a scam. They can’t believe it. That’s why, in France, a lot of things work by word of mouth and by the experience you had. The French find it hard to believe that you can buy a house for five, six, seven, even twenty thousand euros. Here’s the proof, with the papers.
At Your House in Japan, we are committed to making our clients’ dream of investing in a house in Japan at an amazing price a reality. We guide our clients through every step of the process, from the initial consultation to handing over the keys, ensuring everything is done with transparency and trust. Romain’s story is a perfect example of how we work: we not only helped him acquire a property at an exceptionally affordable price, but also provided the necessary support to make his real estate experience in Japan smooth and satisfying. Our commitment is always to seek the best for our clients, offering personalized service that understands their needs and exceeds their expectations. As Romain said, “The communication with you was excellent.” This level of customer care is what sets us apart and allows us to offer not just a successful investment, but also a positive experience in Japan.