Selling & vacant houses

Even if an old house has little building value, it can sell for the value of the land. A local real estate company explains the new earthquake resistance standards as a guide, the advantages of selling as it is without demolition, contract non-conformity liability under Civil Code Article 566 and how to deal with it, and when a building condition survey is useful.

If you stop living in your house because of a job transfer, you can use the ¥30 million special deduction, even if you rent it out in the meantime, as long as you sell by 31 December of the year in which 3 years pass from the day you moved out. A local real estate company explains how to decide based on when you will return, points to note about the mortgage and fixed-term leases when renting out, and winter maintenance.

When your pension alone is not enough, we compare four ways to use your home: selling and moving, a leaseback, a reverse mortgage, and renting out. A local real estate company explains the cautions in the leaseback guidebook from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the ¥30 million special deduction, and how a gain from the sale affects insurance premiums.

To sell an inherited house, you must first complete the division of the estate and the inheritance registration (which must be filed within 3 years). A local real estate company explains the list of deadlines, the four ways to divide a house, how to choose between the ¥30 million special deduction for vacant houses and the acquisition cost addition, and the procedures in Tomakomai City.

If you fall behind on resident tax or property tax, a demand notice is followed by seizure of your wages, savings or real estate. A local real estate company explains Tomakomai City's tax payment consultation service, how a seizure on your house is lifted once you pay the overdue tax in full so the house can be sold, and the advantages of selling it yourself rather than through a public auction.

In Tomakomai City, the water supply pipes on the house side of the water meter belong to the owner, and the owner pays for repairs. A local real estate company explains how to arrange repairs for an owned home, freeze protection for vacant houses, the notification required for owners who live far away, and how to sell as it is without repairs.

When you sell a house because of divorce, first check three things: whose name it is in, the remaining loan balance, and who will keep living there. A local real estate company explains whether to sell before or after the divorce, how to think about a remaining loan, the deadline to claim division of property (5 years from April 2026), and points to note about taxes.

Property tax on a vacant house rises up to six times only for land where the city has issued a recommendation (kankoku) for a "specified vacant house" or a "poorly managed vacant house". A local real estate company explains how the tax reduction is removed, a sample calculation, the steps up to a recommendation, Tomakomai City's demolition subsidy, and the special deduction of ¥30 million when selling.

Residential land in Chitose has risen 1.5 to 2.5 times in five years. Conditions are good for sellers, but an outdated valuation can mean a difference of several million yen. A local real estate company explains the steps from valuation to handover, when to use brokerage or a direct purchase, and how to calculate the brokerage fee and capital gains tax.

Residential land in Tomakomai rose by an average of +4.15% in the 2026 official land price survey, and around +7% in the east (Takuyu, Numanohata). For people unsure when to sell, a local real estate company explains the 7 steps from valuation to handover, when to use brokerage or direct purchase, brokerage fees (capped at ¥330,000 for properties of ¥8 million or less), and capital gains tax and the ¥30 million deduction.

For a vacant house in Shiraoi, you can use the town's demolition subsidy (50% of the construction cost, up to ¥500,000), the Hokkaido Vacant House Information Bank, and the ¥30 million special deduction for inherited vacant houses. Land prices in Shiraoi keep falling, so the longer you hold a property, the more you tend to lose. A local real estate company explains the steps, requirements and where to get advice.

Chitose has no demolition subsidy for vacant houses, but you can use a free vacant house advice line run on behalf of the city (0120-304-395), the Hokkaido Vacant House Information Bank, and the ¥30 million special deduction for inherited vacant houses. Land prices in Chitose are rising, so the earlier you decide to sell, the better. A local real estate company explains the steps and requirements.