Is that rent really appropriate? Are you deciding the rent for your property based on a “hunch”?
When investing in real estate, many people focus on the “purchase.” What area is good? What about the yield? What are the financing terms? Will it appreciate in the future? Of course, these are all very important. However, what greatly affects actual profits is “post-purchase management.” Among these, "rent setting" is particularly important. If the current rent is too high compared to the market, it can lead to vacancy risk, and conversely, if it is too low, you may be missing out on profits that you could have otherwise earned. However, in reality, there are many cases where rent is set "vaguely" with reasons like: "This was the rent from the previous management company." "I've been renting it out for this amount for a long time." "It's currently occupied, so I haven't touched it."
Aiming for capital gains? Or income? - The “Essence of Real Estate Investment” That Such Arguments Alone Can't Reveal”
When discussing real estate investment, the terms "Are you aiming for capital gains?" and "Are you aiming for income?" almost always come up. Are you aiming for profit from price appreciation? Or are you accumulating monthly rental income? Real estate investment is a world often discussed in these two options. Of course, this way of thinking is not wrong. However, after being in the real estate industry for a long time, you realize that there are many investors who cannot be explained by these two options alone. Rather, those who truly build wealth tend to not divide themselves so simply into "I am a capital gains investor" or "I am an income investor." This time, we will discuss "capital gains," "income," and multiple other aspects of real estate investment...
2026.05.18
What's it like in Hokkaido "outside of Sapporo"? Considering areas strong with inbound tourism, and the potential for real estate and minpaku (private lodging).
When you think of Hokkaido, Sapporo is indeed the center. A large portion of the population, jobs, transportation, and commercial functions are concentrated in Sapporo, and Hokkaido's economic sphere, for better or worse, is built on this "Sapporo-centric" structure. However, in recent years, changes have begun to emerge in this structure. The areas that are strongly capturing inbound demand have seen particularly significant changes. The increase in foreign tourists has not only turned them into mere tourist destinations but has also transformed the regional economy itself, including the "accommodation industry," "real estate investment," and "minpaku (homestay) operations." This time, focusing on Niseko, Toyako Town, Furano, Biei Town, and Asahikawa, we will explore how "Hokkaido with strong inbound demand" is changing and what strategies can be considered from the perspective of real estate and minpaku.
2026.05.15
“Sapporo is safe” no longer applies. The “winning areas” and "assets that will remain" for real estate investment in Sapporo, as understood from demographic trends.”
Sapporo is one of the cities attracting significant attention from real estate investors nationwide. Compared to central Tokyo, property prices are more affordable, and it possesses the population size and urban functions of a designated city, leading many investors to think, “I'll start with a whole building in Sapporo.” In recent years, with the redevelopment around Sapporo Station, the recovery of inbound demand, and expectations for semiconductor-related investments across Hokkaido, positive views of the Sapporo real estate market have further increased. In fact, when looking nationwide, Sapporo remains an attractive market. However, one point to be cautious about is making investment decisions based solely on the broad category of “Sapporo City." Future real estate investments should not be about "whether it's Sapporo," but rather "Sapporo..."
2026.05.11
The Real Reason Good Properties Don't Hit the Market | Behind the Scenes of Sapporo Real Estate Investment
■ Introduction “Good properties just aren't coming up...” We often receive inquiries like this from people considering real estate investment in Sapporo. Many of you might feel that the properties showcased on portal sites or introduced by real estate companies lack a decisive factor. However, to get straight to the point, good properties aren't “not coming up” – they are simply "decided upon before they are publicly listed." This article will explain the reality of the Sapporo real estate investment market and why good investment properties don't generally circulate, from a ground-level perspective. ■ The World Where "It's Already Too Late When the Summary Document is Released" I previously worked in the real estate industry in Kyoto. At that time, I was often told...
2026.04.17
This is almost certainly why vacancies aren't being filled [Sapporo Vacancy Solutions]
Understanding the Real Reasons for Vacancies in Sapporo Many people searching for "Sapporo vacancy countermeasures," "reasons why vacancies aren't filling," or "rental vacancy improvement" are likely already experiencing long-term vacancies and are unsure what to improve. Put simply, the reason vacancies don't fill is straightforward yet often overlooked in many cases. It's that the property's conditions don't align with the market. What's important here is that this isn't about the "property being bad." In reality, it's simply that the right conditions haven't been set for the area, age of the building, or amenities. Many properties have the potential to be rented out successfully if the conditions were appropriate. Sapporo's rental market has a supply-demand balance by area...
2026.04.13
The Danger of Dependence on Financial Institutions that Makes a Difference in Sapporo Real Estate Investment
First, "If the bank will lend me the money, I'll buy it." and "If the loan goes through, I'd like to purchase it." These phrases are heard very often at real estate sales sites. At first glance, they may sound like a rational, risk-averse, and sound decision. However, I feel that these words carry a nuance that cannot be overlooked. The point is that the final investment decision may be left to the financial institution. Making the loan approval the criterion means that part, or a large part, of the decision to purchase a property is dependent on the financial institution's evaluation. Of course, the financial institution's evaluation is one of the important factors for decision-making, and many transactions cannot be completed without a loan...
2026.04.06
Sapporo Real Estate Investment: Is It Profitable? A Complete Explanation Covering Yields, Areas, Minpaku (Short-Term Rentals), and Exit Strategies
To answer the question "Is real estate investment in Sapporo profitable?", the answer is simple if you're just looking for the conclusion. Sapporo is not only a viable investment target, but depending on the strategy, it's a highly balanced market where you can aim for both stable income and capital gains. However, there are things you need to understand as a prerequisite. That is, it's not that "it's profitable because it's Sapporo." The results will vary greatly depending on whether you correctly understand the market structure of Sapporo, have a consistent strategy for property selection, operation, and exit. In reality, even within the same area of Sapporo, there are investors who consistently make profits over several years, while others struggle with vacancies and declining profits...
2026.04.02
Sapporo real estate investment with private accommodations is the best solution
■ Real estate investment in Sapporo: An era of considering “combinations” When considering real estate investment in Sapporo, many people first focus on "yield" and "stability." While a certain yield can be secured as it is a regional city, there are many voices concerned about the risks of population decline and vacancy. However, this way of thinking alone is not enough for real estate investment in Sapporo. This is because Sapporo is one of the few cities where both rental demand and accommodation demand are established, and it is a market where the results significantly change by designing "how to capture revenue." Among these, a notable investment strategy is the combination of "Sapporo Minpaku (private lodging)." By securing stable income through rentals, you can add to your revenue with private lodging. By creating this structure, "..."
2026.03.30