Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent For You

In Japan, real estate brokers are equipped to handle both the brokerage and legal aspects of every property transaction, offering a comprehensive and streamlined experience for buyers and sellers. Read through to get a deep insight on real estate brokers in Japan.

Japan’s Real Estate Licensing Exam: Takken Examination

The Real Estate Licensing Exam in Japan, commonly known as the “Takken Exam”, is a comprehensive examination for individuals seeking to become licensed real estate brokers. The test is separated into three sections: ownership rights, construction, zoning, broker practices and is held annually with a low acceptance rate of 15-16%. The difficulty of the test ensures that only the most knowledgeable and competent individuals are granted licenses, making real estate brokerage in Japan a safe and trustworthy industry.

Setting the Standard: The Dual Role of Real Estate Agents in Japan

In Japan, real estate agents are responsible for ensuring that all necessary information is disclosed and that all regulations and laws, such as those relating to land zoning and categorization, are strictly followed. Both a seller’s agent and a buyer’s agent are involved in each trade, with the seller’s agent writing contracts and the buyer’s agent verifying their accuracy and explaining the details of the trade. Agents must personally stamp each contract they execute, and clients can sue if an agent performs their job improperly. This level of responsibility and accountability sets Japanese real estate agents apart from those in other countries, where the role of a broker is typically limited to just brokerage practices and a separate lawyer is required to ensure compliance with legal regulations. While judicial scriveners exist to register title transfers, it is the real estate agents who play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.

There are still good and bad brokers with experience being the main factor that separates the good from the great. The difficulty of passing the real estate exam allows for one licensed holder to cover five sales staff, which can lead to brokers gaining experience before achieving a license.

Compare that to someone who passed the real estate exam but has no real-world experience. They understand the theory and regulations but when it comes to negotiation, they will be lacking.

Why Housing Japan Brokers?

Housing Japan has internally employed, licensed real estate agents / property managers with an independent legal team on payroll too. only operate in Tokyo, Niseko, and Hakuba so if you are purchasing outside of these areas then you would be wise to look for a brokerage firm that possesses these qualities.