Seems like there are quite a number of BP'ers based in Japan, so here goes my first post:In the U.S., it seems like a 1031 exchange would one of the better methods for building a bigger portfolio while minimizing tax leakage, but it doesnt seem like Japan has such a tax deferment scheme with respect to investment property (but there is such a scheme for self-use residential property in Japan).  

The 13th Annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey covers 406 metropolitan housing markets (metropolitan areas) in nine countries (Australia, Canada, China, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States) for the third quarter of 2016.

So with that in mind agree that having the cash on hand is probably the better move and provides more options moving forward - I just saw the amount I could save on monthly interest payments and got excited, however you can't look at investments in just that manner.My situation is a bit of a unique one as I live in Japan and am speaking with local banks in the greater Boston area (where I'm from and often back to visit) for a building in California - thus the low LTV offers.  

I'm up because it's only 8:45PM right now...I'm in Japan!

But I love South Pasadena it's truly like a getaway neighborhood.Years ago, I had to move to Japan for work and made short landscape movie of Pasadena in case I get home sick lol.  

My wife and I recently moved back to Atlanta (Decatur), Georgia, from Tokyo, Japan.  

A bit about me: I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, but am currently living in Tokyo, Japan.

I saw you are stationed in Japan!

I had an owner go to japan and he was concerned because we had to rent the property for what his mortgage was and after paying me and having an accountant here do his deprecation schedule he actually broke even, plus when the hurricane came threw and blew his roof off I was here to get the roof replaced and he didn't have to worry about anything.Also the quality of the property, location and list price of the house determines the speed in which the property is rented.

Not knowing which niche is best for beginner's (I'm stationed in Japan and there aren't too many that I can pursue).