As a high schooler, Shu Matsuo left Japan for the United States with no desire to return. Today, Shu and his business partner Brett Lee are “all in” on Japan. In this episode, Shu and Brett share their personal and professional reasons for leaving the US, their newly-launched AkiyaHub service, critical tips for first-time buyers, and most importantly, who should (and shouldn’t) buy a Japanese home. 00:00 Introduction + Shu & Brett’s newly-launched AkiyaHub 05:32 ROI difference in US vs. Japanese real estate 08:51 Going “all in” on Japan 14:37 Cost of living comparisons (US vs. Japan) 15:43 The right kind of person to buy a Japanese home 22:29 How much should I expect to spend on a home? 22:31 Dream homes 24:58 Tips for first timers 28:37 Current Japanese real estate market trends 31:29 Should I wait for things to get cheaper? 32:58 Respecting local sensibilities 33:54 Lessons to learn in addressing the Akiya problem
