Thank you for sharing this – can you please expand a bit on what kind of DD did your brother performed on these guys, if at all? Did he speak to existing (verifiable) clients? Did he check (verifiable) legal and financial references? Online or offline (verifiable) reviews etc? The fact that a company exists and is registered is, unfortunately, all…[Read more]

Can't open the file – sounds interesting, would love to have a peek and check out the differences/similarities to our own sheets.

Great comments there, and oh-so-true. Not sure if we can be classified as a turnkey operator, being buyers' agents but also proxies, who manage the portfolio post-purchase as well – but going off our typical clients' list, these seem to be internationally savvy individuals who live in one country and invest in (usually more than one) other. To…[Read more]

Brilliant textbook research and process, Joel. These are exactly the right steps one should take – and it also illustrates the importance of ground-work – once you've spent the time and money to lay down the infrastructure for all future purchases/sales and remote management and have the right people in place representing you, you can pounce on…[Read more]

Not sure what you mean by "rely" – there are ways to verify potential advisors, professionals, business partners etc in every country – and also ways to verify your recourse in case things go south. Clients do this to us every day, and we do the same to others in other countries. "Jumping into bed" with anyone who sounds promising is extreme…[Read more]

Or have (a) verifiable and accountable partner/s in place speaking that language 

I'd completely disagree on the second tip – why on earth would I want to pay double finder's fee (if not much beyond that)? I'd much rather invest (much less) in finding one good local agent in my destination country. The first and third tip, as well, seem to be mostly relevant to purchases for personal purposes, as opposed to investment…the…[Read more]

Sounds like a great project, best of luck

Oh, wow! Congrats, dude! Been wondering where you've absconded to where'd you go for your honeymoon? 
(Got our own coming up, almost six months after the act – too bloody busy – Spain and Italy, here we come!)

Look back through your posts, I'm sure you'll work it out, you're a smart guy. You also might be able to work out what "I've got better things to do with my time" means. If not, ask someone else because, as mentioned, I've got better things to do with my time. 

My intent (and that of my clients) is not to play fluctuations, but to make the best of any situations as they arise. As for the state of Japanese economy and its future, your opinion and attempts at crystalballing the future is one of many, as previously discussed here time and time again.

Forgive me if I don't enter another argument with you,…[Read more]

I don't get the idea behind posting gross figures (meaningless, except for very specific tax purposes) – but I'm even more lost as to how anyone can fail to ask whether figures are gross or net. Our website clearly specifies "pre-tax return" and "all running and purchase costs included", and still, it's the first question anyone asks when they…[Read more]

When I was trying to inform people about our January investors tour of Japan, the post was moved to the "meet ups" forum, which I don't think anybody accesses much, judging from the lack of responses.
 got far better results and bookings from our LinkedIn group, Facebook page and clients mailing list – many of those on the list are members here,…[Read more]

Yen dropped from 79-81 per aud several months ago to 84-86, hovered for awhile, and now at 88-89. Our clients (and me, piggybacking on their transfers ) have been moving funds to Japan continuously over the last 2 months, even if no immediate purchase in sight, even if just to capitalize. good few hundreds/thousands to be made on those…[Read more]

Thoughtful and comprehensive post, Alex, thank you. diverse exit strategies are a must in any market, and should never rely on whether speculations become reality or not – giving this issue the ample consideration it deserves separates the professionals from the fly-by-nighters, in my opinion.

Here's to a warm, loving and profitable year

Ah, finally, the voice of localized experience and reason. Thanks for chiming in, Scott, it's a refreshing change from the "beware the evil European property market" voices so common here! Of course there are risks and particular issues to look out for, but which country doesn't have those? That's what DD is all about – making informed choices, as…[Read more]

Not sure what you mean by "just asking questions"- this is how potential clients learn about a particular industry or opportunity, then decide if they wish to invest in it – once they have complete information. I for one am happy to answer questions and provide information for months on end, before, during, after or instead of the investment cycle…[Read more]

You really shouldn't, Alex, as my initial reply to the question implied, and as I wrote here on more than one occasion. There are great operators (I'd guess yourself included) that I've referred people to time and time again, operating in the US.

its just guys like these that give a country a bad name – but they exist everywhere (yes, even in…[Read more]

Facilitator wrote:

Dont buy off anyone who buys the property rehabs then onsells to you….your paying above true value.

I find that to be a very generalizing and unfair statement, Mark. It's like saying "don't use a realtor because they charge". There are excellent turnkey operators out there (quite a few reputable ones on these forums too)…[Read more]