How to sell your property in Japan

How to sell your property in Japan

Step 1

Selling Costs

Get a full understanding of the costs involved with selling your property.

The costs of selling your home

The main costs associated with selling property in Japan are as follows:

  • Tax
  • Agent Commission
  • Registration Cost
  • Surveyor's Commission
  • Stamp Duty

Buyers and Sellers have a responsibility to bear and share the stamp duty on the Purchase and Sales Agreement (PSA) in a real estate transaction.

Contract amount Stamp tax amount (until April 2024)
Up to ¥100,000 Tax exempt
Over ¥100,000 to ¥0.5 million ¥200
Over ¥0.5 million to ¥1 million ¥500
Over ¥1 million to ¥5 million ¥1,000
Over ¥5 million to ¥10 million ¥5,000
Over ¥10 million to ¥50 million ¥10,000
Over ¥50 million to ¥100 million ¥30,000
Over ¥100 million to ¥500 million ¥60,000
Over ¥500 million to ¥1 billion ¥160,000
Over ¥1 billion to ¥5 billion ¥320,000
Over ¥5 billion ¥480,000
Amount not stated ¥200

Step 2

Listing Your Property

Assess the value of your property and sign a listing agreement.

Listing your property on the Japanese housing market
Getting a property assessment

Property Assessment

To accurately value your property, Apts.jp will show you unbiased estimate of what your property is worth. Property location, age, size, and amenities/features are some basic factors that will affect valuation. Comparables (similar properties in the same area) and market conditions are other determinates of valuation and we will break the respective data down for you so that you have the appropriate tools to make the best decision.

Listing agreement types

Listing Agreement

There are two types of listing agreements: an open listing agreement and an exclusive listing agreement.

1. Open Listing Agreement

With this contract, the seller retains the right to enter into agreements with other real estate agencies.

Advantages

  • Creates competition between agents
  • Increases marketing exposure with multiple agents

Disadvantages

  • Marketing quality depends on yourself
  • Agents’ competitiveness may lead to lower selling price
  • One client can use your multiple agents to negotiate
  • Quality of sales is less tailored and exceptional

2. Exclusive Listing Agreement

With this agreement, the seller waives their rights to enter into agreements with other agents for a set duration. The real estate agent retains exclusive rights to sell the property on the market. Also, the agent must report all details of the status of the property to the seller once a week.

Advantages

  • Collaboration with your agent is much easier and more detailed.
  • Agents with exclusive agreement will ensure your property is marketed and presented in your best interest with every available resource at agent’s disposal.
  • Best for sellers that care for higher sales price and more control over the direction of each deal
  • Agent will screen potential buyers so you won’t need to waste energy and time in superficial prospects.

Disadvantages

  • Agent will tend to take more time to find potential buyers that matches your expectations.

Why choose Apts.jp? – After a listing agreement has been signed, if the agreement is exclusive, we will promptly enter your property onto the national database Reigns. We will also list your property on private portal sites such as At Home and Suumo. Finally, we will make professional advertisements for your property and list them on our site We will always listen to your needs and cater our services accordingly.

Step 3

Contract Signing

Negotiate the best offer with potential buyers. Confirm important contract information and receive payment.

Contract Signing
Prospect buyer applications

Applications

Prospect buyers will apply with an offer price, the contract date, the payment method, and their preferred terms and conditions. Thereafter, your agent will negotiate on your behalf with counter offers that most closely match your expectations.

Doing your due diligence

Due Diligence

Finalizing the contract requires the buyer and seller to confirm that everything stated is factual and honest. You must confirm that the state of the property is exactly as is listed in the contract. This includes damages, available facilities, dates of renovations, etc. If any of this information is found to be false after the contract is signed, the law allows for negotiation on the price of the deal or for appropriate compensation.

Closing and Delivery of Property

When both parties sign and seal the contract, the buyer makes the deposit and the contract will be legally binding. Once signed, a final check of the property will be conducted by both parties and a judicial scrivener will check and confirm application for the transfer of Registration of Ownership. As soon as the remaining balance is settled, the delivery of property keys will be made and confirmed by both parties. Fees to the agent and judicial scrivener are made thereafter.

Closing the property
The following documents from the buyer are necessary for signing the contract:
  • Valid Personal Identification (Residence card, driver’s license, etc.)
  • Registered Seal or Signature
  • Registered Seal or Signature Certificate (issued within 3 months)
  • Deposit (5-10% of the sales price of the property)
  • Stamp Duty (Depends on the PSA)

Why choose Apts.jp? – Our agents are real estate experts and will always negotiate the best deal in your favor by using current market data and analysis. Furthermore, our services do not stop at contract signing. We offer all-inclusive relocation services and will assist you with cancelling your utilities as well as any other translation assistance you may require.

We are bilingual agents specializing in home sales for expats.

Big decisions need clear communication. We speak English, French, and Japanese.

Get Started

Get in Touch

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 by  KenSho Logo
Sanno Park Tower, 3F, 2-11-1 Nagata-Cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

You will need a pass to access our floor. Please contact us to schedule a visit.

Call Us

03-6205-3313
+81-3-6205-3313

Office Hours

Monday-Friday: 10:00 to 18:00 (JST)
Saturday-Sunday: Appointment Only

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