An Ohioan in Tokyo looking to get into property investment

An Ohioan in Tokyo looking to get into property investment

Sumida-ku, Tokyo · Member since 2017 · 6 posts · 2 votes

Grew up in Ohio, but have resided in Tokyo the past 6 years. I have my own business out here, but now looking into property investment. Particularly interested in investing in Columbus, Ohio and Tokyo or Fukuoka, Japan.

Recently read a few books including Rich Dad, Poor Dad and Bigger Pocket's The Book on Rental Property Investing. and as a result have been looking more seriously into it.


Although investing in the US seems pretty straight forward (especially as an American and with all the resources available), investing in Japan as a foreigner seems to be a bit tricky and not so black and white. 

Also might be worth mentioning, my wife and I will be inheriting a couple apartment complexes in both Japan and the US. I figured I better start understanding the system and possibly expand our portfolio in the process.


Would love to network and meet other investors in the Tokyo area.

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Attorney · Tokyo, Japan · Member since 2016 · 184 posts · 145 votes
9y

Hey @George Lea - welcome.  I'm also in Tokyo.

Good timing on your, as we have a monthly meet up in Tokyo on the third Thursday of each month.  You should try to join us at the next one, Thursday, March 16.  We meet at 7 pm at Brew Dog in Roppongi.  Feel free to message me for more info.

Good luck,

Dave

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  • Dave VisayaPro Member
    Moderator
    Audio Engineer and Investor · Cebu City, Cebu · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 881 votes
    9y

    Hey @George Lea welcome to the site! It's great to have you here. Feel free to ask any questions in the forums. Seeya around!

    BiggerPockets
  • Attorney · Tokyo, Japan · Member since 2016 · 184 posts · 145 votes
    9y

    Hey @George Lea - welcome.  I'm also in Tokyo.

    Good timing on your, as we have a monthly meet up in Tokyo on the third Thursday of each month.  You should try to join us at the next one, Thursday, March 16.  We meet at 7 pm at Brew Dog in Roppongi.  Feel free to message me for more info.

    Good luck,

    Dave

  • Sumida-ku, Tokyo · Member since 2017 · 6 posts · 2 votes
    9y
    Thank you, Dave Visaya David Gotsill , would love to go. Consider me signed up. I'll be there at 7pm this Thursday.
  • Lockport , NY · Member since 2014 · 265 posts · 124 votes
    9y
    although im currently in NY, my wife is from the Yokohama area. ive lived and work in Japan on and off for about 9 years, mostly in the military. im in a similar position and may be inheriting a 4 plex from her parents. i always thought that japanese make great tenants, respectful, clean, pay on time. ive watched some youtube videos of foreignors rehabbing old farm houses in Japan, just do a search for them. pretty interesting, but you goes thru the whole buying process and talks about financing and woring with agents. good luck.
  • Sumida-ku, Tokyo · Member since 2017 · 6 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    @Jeff Sprunger - Yeah, I've noticed tenants over here tend to be very clean (as long as they don't hoard!) But, I assume it ultimately comes down to area and income class. That said, some things seem to be quite backwards over here - such as the tenant having to pay a renewal fee every two years.

  • Robert EllisBusiness Member
    Developer · Miami, FL · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @George Lea:

    Grew up in Ohio, but have resided in Tokyo the past 6 years. I have my own business out here, but now looking into property investment. Particularly interested in investing in Columbus, Ohio and Tokyo or Fukuoka, Japan.

    Recently read a few books including Rich Dad, Poor Dad and Bigger Pocket's The Book on Rental Property Investing. and as a result have been looking more seriously into it.


    Although investing in the US seems pretty straight forward (especially as an American and with all the resources available), investing in Japan as a foreigner seems to be a bit tricky and not so black and white. 

    Also might be worth mentioning, my wife and I will be inheriting a couple apartment complexes in both Japan and the US. I figured I better start understanding the system and possibly expand our portfolio in the process.


    Would love to network and meet other investors in the Tokyo area.

     I'm an agent here in Columbus if you need local knowledge. What part of Columbus are you considering? are you familiar with some of the areas?

  • Investor · Shibuya Ku, Tōkyō-to · Member since 2015 · 90 posts · 36 votes
    9y

    Hey George welcome - I'm also in the same boat as an American invested both back home and in Japan. They both have their benefits, however if you're self employed you may not be able to take advantage of the top reason to invest in Japan, which is the insanely advantageous bank financing. 

    My advice on investing back in the states is definitely make sure you have someone back there you fully trust (preferably with a stake in the properties success) before you do.

    The Tokyo Brewdog monthly meetup can be a good place to get some details on what's out there but be wary of everything you are told as Ivery found a lot of info I was getting wasn't entirely complete and found myself discussing more in some other circles with friends and colleagues these days.

    Happy to talk specifics sometime of you have questions. 

  • Sumida-ku, Tokyo · Member since 2017 · 6 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    @Account Closed, thanks for the advice. Yeah, the bank financing is one I definitely want to take advantage of. Will keep all in mind. For now just looking to network and will be sure to do my own research as well. 

  • Investor · Dublin, OH · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 0 votes
    9y

    @David Gotsill and @George Lea: I've been living in Tokyo for 10 years now but originally from Dublin, Ohio. My wife and I currently own one property in Cbus, and finalizing our second single fam prop at the moment. Would love to join any discussions in Tokyo going fwd. Is there a way to get in personal contact? This Thurs may be tough, but may be able to join late. 

  • Investor · Shibuya Ku, Tōkyō-to · Member since 2015 · 90 posts · 36 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Will Hundley:

    @David Gotsill and @George Lea: I've been living in Tokyo for 10 years now but originally from Dublin, Ohio. My wife and I currently own one property in Cbus, and finalizing our second single fam prop at the moment. Would love to join any discussions in Tokyo going fwd. Is there a way to get in personal contact? This Thurs may be tough, but may be able to join late. 

    Will feel free to connect, I've been in Tokyo 12 years myself and always happy to talk shop with like minded investors.

    Here I am saying I never go to the meetup anymore (the last couple I went to weren't great) but may possibly swing by at some point tomorrow if schedule allows.

  • Sumida-ku, Tokyo · Member since 2017 · 6 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    @Will Hundley and @Account Closed, looking forward to possibly meeting you tomorrow.

  • Real Estate Agent · Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2014 · 250 posts · 60 votes
    9y

    @George Lea

    Welcome George!! 

    Hows the quality of life in Tokyo different from America?

  • Real Estate Broker · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2012 · 771 posts · 252 votes
    9y

    @George Lea

    Hi George. A lot of our clients are in similar position as to you. If you want to remote investment and / or turnkey, be sure you vet your providers and management companies thoroughly. If you're interested in the Cleveland, Ohio market I'd be happy to speak with you.

  • Sumida-ku, Tokyo · Member since 2017 · 6 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    @Iverem Rose

    Thank you, quality of life isn't bad over here. You can definitely get by cheaper here than in most metropolitan cities.

    @Timothy Murphy III

    Will be in touch if I start considering that area, but for now plan on focusing on just Columbus.

  • Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    9y

    Welcome to the site @George Lea

  • Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2014 · 73 posts · 22 votes
    9y
    If your wife is inheriting multi family properties in multiple countries my advice would be to study up the best you can on property management so that when the time comes you have the knowledge and tools to hire a quality property manager for those properties. There are many property managers out there that are bad at what they do. If property management is not chosen wisely you can loose a lot of money very fast.
  • Member since 2024 · 2 posts · 3 votes
    2y

    Hey George, I know this was a long time ago, how is your REI going?

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