中古住宅を買うときに注意してほしいこと

Today, I'll explain some points to consider when buying a used home. First, let's summarize the advantages and disadvantages of used homes. A major advantage of used homes is their relatively lower price. Even newly built homes can quickly depreciate to the same price as used homes. Therefore, used homes are generally more affordable. Furthermore, like newly built homes, used homes are purchased after viewing the actual property. This reduces the likelihood of discrepancies between expectations and reality. Also, I've noticed recently that the number of used homes on the market seems to be increasing. This is an advantage in terms of ease of selection and a wider range of choices. Next, let's consider the disadvantages. First, and this is obvious, repairs are relatively common. You might buy a home thinking it's fine, only to have something suddenly break or a problem arise. Another thing to be surprisingly careful about is the brokerage fee. You might buy a used home thinking it's cheap, only to be surprised later by the amount of the brokerage fee. The biggest disadvantage is that, in some cases, you may not be eligible for the mortgage interest deduction. This is a very important point. One example of a building that is not covered is a reinforced concrete building that is more than 25 years old. Only buildings less than 25 years old are eligible. Furthermore, wooden houses must be less than 40 years old. This is a fairly important point. Next, let's look at the process of purchasing a used home. First, you go to a real estate agent and, once you find a property that you think is good, the next step is a viewing. You actually go to the house and carefully inspect both the interior and exterior. If you think, "This is great," the next step is usually to apply for a pre-approval for a mortgage. This is assuming you will be taking out a mortgage; it's unnecessary for those paying cash. After the pre-approval is complete, you finally apply for the property. While you can apply for the property directly, real estate agents often ask you to undergo a pre-approval for a loan first. This is because, from the real estate agent's perspective, there's no point in recommending a property to someone who can't afford it. When applying for a property, a deposit is required. Typically, in real estate transactions, the deposit is about 10% of the property price. For example, for a property priced at 25 million yen, a down payment of 2.5 million yen is required. After the application is complete, the sales contract is finalized. When signing the sales contract, it's crucial to check for important special clauses. This is the "loan clause." It's usually included, but it's best to confirm it. The loan clause is a special clause designed to protect the buyer. After signing the sales contract, you apply for a mortgage, but occasionally, for some reason, the loan may not be approved. In such cases, this clause allows you to cancel the contract. Without this clause, 10% of the down payment would be forfeited and not returned. To avoid this, confirm whether the loan clause is included. It's your responsibility, so check carefully. Once these steps are complete and the mortgage is approved, the handover takes place. Paying the remaining 90% finally makes the house yours – this is the general flow of purchasing a used home. There are many things to do within this overall process. Failing to do this can lead to a purchase you regret. I especially believe that a preliminary investigation is essential before viewing a property. A preliminary investigation includes not only personally inspecting the property, but also confirming so-called "important details" with the real estate agent handling the transaction. When it comes to viewing the property, things get serious. What I check during a preliminary investigation, though it may seem obvious, is the property boundaries. In older neighborhoods, boundaries can be unclear, so this must be confirmed. It's difficult to discuss this between the parties involved later, so it's best to confirm it thoroughly while the real estate agent is acting as an intermediary. Also, pay attention to any encroachments from neighboring properties. Furthermore, check all utilities such as water, electricity, and gas. Furthermore, check for cracks in the foundation. If there's concrete paving around the house, check if it's uneven (not level or bumpy). Also, check not only your own house, but also the retaining walls and stone walls of your neighbors. In particular, concrete retaining walls and stone walls may lack drainage depending on the era. Differences in elevation can also be a cause for concern, so be sure to check them. There are now items that allow you to check the condition of roofs using drones. Real estate agents rarely do this, but they may be able to introduce you to a company that does this kind of check. It's a good idea to check houses with tiled or colonial-style roofs....