Larissa Hidalgo da
Silva

Languages I work in

• Portuguêsfluent
• Englishbasic

Frequent questions

The questions almost everyone brings to our first conversation.

• Home sales

  • Can a foreign resident buy a home in Japan?

    Yes. Japan places no nationality restriction on buying property. The tricky part is the mortgage. Each bank sets its own requirements on visa status, years in Japan and income. I go through what is realistic for you today, without promising what a bank would not approve.

  • Can I get a mortgage without permanent residency?

    In many cases, yes. Some banks only lend to permanent residents (永住権). Others accept other visa types and look at your years in Japan, time with your employer and income. I take your case to the banks that work with your profile before you set your heart on a property.

  • Do I need savings for a down payment?

    Very little. Some banks finance the full price and others ask for a down payment, depending on your visa and income. On top of the price there are purchase costs (諸費用), such as taxes, registration, bank fees and insurance, which end up included in the loan. Only a small amount is asked to reserve the house, and it is returned when the contract is signed. I show you the full figure before you commit to anything.

  • Will the mortgage payment be higher than my rent?

    In many cases it ends up similar, and sometimes even lower. That depends on the interest rate, the loan term and the price of the home. I run the simulation and put the two numbers side by side, so you decide from the figures rather than a guess.

• Renovation

  • Is it worth renovating an old house (古家) instead of buying a new one?

    It depends on the condition of the structure and the year it was built. Both directly affect the warranty and the final cost. I see the property with you before running the numbers, and I tell you when it is not worth it.

  • How does the renovation quote work?

    First I understand what you want and see the place. Then the quote comes in writing, item by item, before any work starts. You only go ahead if you want to, and I explain every line in your language.

  • Can I stay in the house during the renovation?

    In most cases, yes. It depends on the room, because the kitchen and bathroom are out of use for a few days, and that is planned ahead. I agree the schedule with you and the work crew so it weighs as little as possible on your family routine.

• Outdoor areas

  • What can be done with the outside of the house?

    You can have a carport (カーポート), a barbecue area, paving, fencing, a deck, a garden and a gate. What fits depends on the plot and on how your family uses the space. I see the place and show you the options with the cost of each, so you choose with no surprises.

• Solar panels and batteries

  • Do solar panels really lower my electricity bill?

    They do, and how much depends on the roof, the region and how much power the house uses during the day. I run the simulation with your electricity bill in hand, before any quote.

  • Do solar panels pay off for my house?

    It depends on the size, direction and shade of the roof, and on how much electricity you use. I run a simulation with your electricity bill and show how long the system takes to pay for itself, before you decide anything.

  • What is the battery for, alongside the solar panels?

    It stores the power generated during the day for you to use at night, and keeps the house running when the grid goes down, in a typhoon or an earthquake. Not every home needs one, so I show you the figures with and without a battery and you choose.

• Refinancing

  • When is it worth moving my mortgage to another bank (借り換え)?

    When you are struggling to keep up with several payments, such as the house, the car and credit cards. With refinancing we can lighten your monthly bill, and you can make your home nicer too.

  • Is it worth refinancing the home I already have?

    It depends on the rate you pay today, the balance left and the remaining term. Switching banks has a cost, in fees and registration, and it only pays off when the saving is bigger than that. I run the numbers on your current loan and tell you plainly whether it is worth it. When it is not, I tell you that too.

  • What do I need to have my mortgage reviewed?

    For a first estimate, the repayment schedule of your current loan (返済予定表) and proof of income are enough. Have your other debts and the loans you are paying today at hand too. If it is worth going ahead, each bank asks for its own list, and I send you the exact one before you start gathering paperwork.

• Property investment

  • Can a foreign resident buy investment property in Japan?

    Yes. There is no nationality restriction. What changes is the strategy and how much you are willing to start with. Do not leave it for later. Just tap the button and I will get in touch with you.

  • How much does an investment property earn?

    It depends on the property and the area. Done the right way, property is the safest way to earn a profitable return and gain independence from the factory floor.

• Building a house

  • Do I need to own the land already to build?

    No. Every house already includes the land. The land does not come leased, something that happened in the past and caught many people by surprise. If the house you choose has leased land, I will tell you very clearly.

  • How long does it take to build the house?

    It depends on the design and the builder. From the chosen plot to handover it usually takes months. I give you the schedule for your case before you sign and follow each stage, so you know when you can move.

• Will you speak my language all the way through?

  Yes. From the first message to signing, including talking to the management company and going through the contract with you. The languages I work in are listed above on this page.

• Does talking to you cost anything?

  No. Asking questions, viewing properties and getting a cost breakdown are all free. The brokerage fee only applies if a contract goes through, and it appears in the breakdown I show you before you sign.