From a Facebook Recommendation to a Home in Japan: Lewis's Story

A while ago, I came across a Facebook post that said:

"Does anyone know someone who can help me buy a property in Japan?"

Lewis's Post on Facebook

To my surprise, several of my previous clients recommended my services.

That's how I met Lewis from New Zealand.

Several of my previous clients kindly recommended my services, which is how Lewis and I first connected.

Lewis had visited Japan many times over the years. He fell in love with the culture, the people, and eventually a beautiful island called Etajima. He decided to buy a home there.

When we found a property that seemed like the perfect fit, we contacted the seller's agent. They were understandably a little cautious about selling to a foreign buyer.

This can happen from time to time, especially in smaller communities where owners have strong emotional ties to both the property and the local area.

To help build trust, we arranged an online meeting and talked about Lewis, his connection to Japan, and his plans for the property.

We arranged an online meeting before the purchase so everyone could connect, ask questions, and feel comfortable moving forward together.

Fortunately, the conversation went very well.

The purchase itself wasn't the easiest transaction I've handled.

One challenge was that the property included farmland. In Japan, farmland can be difficult for foreign buyers to acquire, and in many cases it isn't possible to transfer ownership directly.

Fortunately, after reviewing the situation carefully, we found a solution. The farmland was eligible for conversion, which allowed us to proceed with the purchase and complete the transfer successfully.

Just when everything seemed to be moving forward, another challenge appeared.

Out of the blue, Lewis sent me a message saying he might have to cancel the purchase due to changes in his personal circumstances.

I knew how much he loved the property and how excited he was about living in Etajima, so I suggested we have a phone call.

During our conversation, he shared what was happening and the concerns that were making him reconsider the purchase.

After listening to his situation, I felt there might be a way forward. I discussed the matter with my team, explored a few options, and together we found a solution.

Moments like this remind me that life doesn't always go according to plan.

Sometimes unexpected challenges appear when we least expect them. They can be stressful and discouraging, but they can also lead us in new directions.

All we can do is take things one step at a time and keep moving forward.

And that's exactly what we did.

In the end, Lewis achieved his dream of owning a home in Japan. 🇯🇵🏡

Here is the short video of his journey. Please check it out ! Watch the video

Lewis's house in Etajima

Thank you, Lewis, for trusting me to be part of your journey.

Enjoy your new life in Japan.

Regards,

Haruka from Akiya Supporter