FAQ
Buying Property
Yes! Typically there are no restrictions on foreign purchase or ownership of property in Hokkaido, whether under a company or individual name. There are very rare exceptions, but we will find you properties with no restrictions.
Yes! Nearly all properties in the Niseko area (both land and buildings) are freehold title. There are some properties – particularly around Annupuri – that are leasehold, but we will inform you in those cases. While leasehold properties come with additional restrictions, they can offer great value, so should not necessarily be overlooked.
No. Apologies. Typically it is extremely difficult for non-residents of Japan to obtain financing from a Japanese bank. Purchases made here are nearly all made with cash, or funding secured offshore.
For any properties that you are looking to purchase, we will provide a clear, itemised summary of all of the purchase related costs.
For our services, we charge the market standard agency fee of 3% of the purchase price + 60,000 yen, on which 10% consumption tax is also levied.
Additional costs typically include solicitor fees, real estate acquisition tax, fixed asset tax and stamp duty.
Often, yes. Feel free to make an offer that you think is fair, but be wary that the best deals move very quickly, often secured within days of listing. It’s not worth missing the perfect property for the sake of a couple of % off the asking price!
Once buyer and seller have reached agreement on the terms of the deal, you can complete the entire purchase process in roughly 2 months.
It’ll take around 2 weeks to draw up and finalise contract documents, during which time both parties have a chance to review and approve them before proceeding to contracting.
During this period, the buyer readies their funds for the deposit payment.
When everyone is happy to move forward, buyer & seller sign the contract documents, and the buyer sends the funds to our secure holding account.
To complete the deposit, we will release the deposit funds to the seller, only after receiving the buyer’s specific written consent to do so.
The time between deposit & settlement is typically between 30 – 60 days, and allows both parties time to work with the solicitor to arrange the documentation required for successful property registration and title transfer at the time of settlement.
Around a week before the settlement date, the buyer transfers the settlement funds to our holding account. Once the buyer provides written authorisation to release the funds to the seller, the sale is complete.
The solicitor will update the property registration and arrange for new title deeds to be issued. Property registration happens on the day of the settlement, and issuance of new title deeds takes roughly 2 weeks.
Congratulations, you are now a Niseko property owner!
We pride ourselves on service and a professional relationship that goes beyond the initial transaction.
If you have purchased a house or apartment that needs management, we will be able to recommend the right property manager to assist you, if we cannot take it on ourselves.
If you’ve bought a land plot with the intention to build a dream home, our in-house architectural design service will be the first step in turning it into a reality.
Selling Property
Feel free to contact us at any time to discuss a potential sale, even if you’re just curious about the current state of the market.
We will be happy to provide you with a no obligation valuation – a realistic price target supported by market data, which allows you to maximise its potential, and secure a successful exit.
All we need to get started is the address of your property, and access to the building, if there is one.
Should you choose to list your property for sale with us, there will be no fee for our services until we successfully contract with a buyer.
In the event that we are able to find a buyer for your property, our standard fee is 3% of the purchase price + 60,000 yen, on which 10% consumption tax is also levied.
Half of this is payable at the time of deposit, with the remaining 50% due at settlement.
It’s worth noting that in many cases, agency commission paid on a sale is deductible from your capital gains tax (but please confirm this with your tax representative).
We will prepare a comprehensive marketing package, including ground & aerial photos, a Matterport virtual tour and an in depth web listing, to show your property in its best light.
We will introduce it directly to our large (and growing) network of active Niseko buyers.
We will provide you with a full, clear summary of the sales related costs, in order to help you make an informed decision on the sale.
Typically (if you are an overseas seller) at the time of settlement a Withholding Tax of 10.21% of the sale price is levied by the Japanese government on the sale price to cover Capital Gains Tax – more on this below.
There is also Stamp Duty payable, in addition to the above mentioned agency fees.
Please understand that we are not qualified tax advisers, so this information is a rule of thumb. Specific details relevant to your individual case must be checked and the payment process done with the help of a licensed, professional tax representative in Japan.
If selling property within the first 5 years of ownership*, the Capital Gains Tax rate is approximately 30% (closer to 40% if you are a Japanese resident).
If selling after the first 5 years*, it is approximately 15% (closer to 20% for Japanese residents).
The Withholding Tax levied at the time of settlement goes towards the payment of Capital Gains Tax due. If the amount paid constitutes an underpayment of the Capital Gains Tax, you will likely need to pay the difference, with the assistance of your tax representative.
If the Withholding Tax amount constitutes an overpayment of Capital Gains Tax, you may be eligible for a refund.
*The 5 year period is not from the date of purchase, but 5 full calendar years. For example, if you purchase a property with the settlement & title transfer in May 2025, the 5 year period will start from January 2026.
Yes, but all pre-existing tenancy agreements or bookings must be honoured by the buyer.
Typically the buyer will earn the revenue from the tenancy / bookings from the date of property settlement, unless negotiated otherwise.
That depends on many factors including the location, price and sales conditions. We will work closely with you to achieve your desired exit.
Property Management
Niseko’s epic winter snowfalls and climate swings throughout the year provide a unique set of challenges in terms of building maintenance.
It is strongly advisable to employ a manager who can ensure your investment is in safe hands, to be enjoyed by generations to come.
Beyond simple maintenance and snow clearing, managers can be extremely useful for general property administration, utility provision and much more.
There are certain properties within the National Park area or under a leasehold agreement that must be offered for rental, but the vast majority of properties can be kept for your personal enjoyment, if this is desired.
Renting out your property is a great way to ensure that it covers its own expenses and generates passive income.
Managers give Owners the chance to block out their own dates before releasing the property into the rental pool.
Yes, of course! We have a wide range of contacts and can help find the perfect, English speaking property management solution for you.