Hi Enrique, as a realtor you have access to the MLS and Neighorhood Scout and AreaVibe if its available in you area can give you ratings on crime and schools.  

Steam boiler that heats the bottom floor and top floor apartments.

In the “old” days, people would have the seller pay the lender so as to not “alert” the lender that a property sale had taken place, so that the lender def wouldn’t trigger the so called “due on sale” that’s a part of almost every mortgage or deed of trust document.  

So house for house, apartment building for apartment building.Have your parents considered renting the house they are living in for two years and moving back into the rental unit for 25 months.

DM me your email and I can connect you with the organizer.The group discusses buy & hold real estate, both single family and apartments. 

For instance, you could look into refinancing the property to access some of its equity while still maintaining ownership and cash flow.

You'd be surprised to learn that someone living in a rental or apartment, that has a family and is a successful small businessman, has the money and is willing to take that deal.

You'll have access to owner occupied loan products, therefore saving on your down payment, typically 3-5% compared to 20-25% for non owner occupied properties.

And your net worth will thank you.If you still want to go ahead, you'd be better off buying a house than an apartment because, while the value of the building itself will go to 0, you'll still have the value of the land, bearing in mind that the land might actually lose value too given the depopulation and the yen depreciation.Sorry if I'm pooping a party but make sure you understand what you're getting into (which you're already doing by asking the forum) and then make the decision that's right for you according to your objectives.

At one point years ago, I toyed with the idea of owning giant apartment complexes in multiple cities.