How to buy and sell real estate privately
The Complete Guide to Selling Your Property with Zero Brokerage Fees
"I want to sell my property, but the brokerage fees are too high." "I want to find a buyer directly without going through a real estate agent." — For people like that, this is attracting attention.Private real estate transactionsis.
This page provides all the necessary information about private sales, including what they are, their advantages, points to note, and the specific procedures involved.
💡 What is private real estate sales?
Private real estate transactions are conducted without the involvement of a real estate company (broker).A sales method in which the seller and buyer deal directly with each other.That's right. Because there is no real estate company involved, there are no brokerage fees that would normally be incurred (31 TP3 T + 60,000 yen, excluding tax) at all.
Legally, buying and selling real estate between individuals is perfectly legal. However, following proper procedures is essential for a safe transaction.
📋 Private sale vs. Real estate agency comparison
| Private sales | via real estate company | |
|---|---|---|
| Brokerage fee | zero | Up to 330,000 yen(For amounts under 8 million yen) |
| Sold as is | Free to choose | Often it is difficult. |
| Pricing | You can decide freely | Influenced by the contractor's opinion |
| Looking for a buyer | Do it yourself | The contractor |
| Contract drafting | You or a judicial scrivener | The contractor |
| Low-priced properties | No problem | Often, you will be refused. |
✅ Advantages and disadvantages of private sales
Benefit 1| No brokerage fees whatsoever
The biggest advantage is that there are no brokerage fees. Due to a legal revision in July 2024, even properties priced at 8 million yen or less are subject to a brokerage fee of up to 330,000 yen (including tax). With a private sale, you keep all of this money.
If you sell a 3 million yen property through a private sale, you'll get more than if you go through a real estate company.You'll have up to 330,000 yen more left over.This will be calculated.
Benefit 2| Selling as-is, with remaining items.
When selling through a real estate company, conditions such as "after cleaning up" or "after renovations" are often imposed.It can be put up for sale under the condition that it remains as is.This saves you unnecessary costs and effort.
DIY enthusiasts and investors often prefer to buy items "as is," and in many cases, buyers are found for items in their current condition.
Benefit 3Even low-priced properties can sell.
Even low-priced properties that real estate companies often refuse to sell because they are "not profitable" can be sold without any problems through private sales. Because you connect directly with the buyer, the transaction can be completed regardless of the property price.
Even properties priced under 1 million yen or in the hundreds of thousands of yen can be listed and sold.Therefore, private sales are the perfect option for properties that have been rejected by real estate companies.
Note 1| Always create a contract.
The biggest cause of problems in private sales is "verbal agreements" or "simple contracts." Real estate sales contracts should include the sale price, delivery conditions, confirmation of the property being sold "as is," and the scope of warranty against defects.Please be sure to specifyPlease do so.
J Home 2 U provides a sales contract template. Furthermore, if you have any concerns, you can have a judicial scrivener draft the contract to ensure a safe transaction.
- Please specify the purchase price and payment method.
- Please specify the handover date and conditions.
- If the item is sold "as is," this should be clearly stated.
- Specify how to handle any remaining items.
Note 2| I will entrust the name change to a judicial scrivener.
Once the sale of real estate is finalized, it is necessary to register the transfer of ownership (change of name) at the Legal Affairs Bureau. This procedure isIt is common to hire a judicial scrivener.The cost is approximately 30,000 to 100,000 yen.
Failure to properly handle the transfer of ownership could lead to future legal disputes. Entrusting contract drafting and ownership transfer to a professional significantly reduces the risks associated with private sales.
📋 The process of buying and selling items privately (5 steps)
Prepare property information
Prepare documents such as the land registry certificate, property tax assessment certificate, and floor plan. Photos taken with a smartphone are acceptable.
List on a personal trading site
We list your property on peer-to-peer real estate platforms such as J Home 2 U. There are no listing fees or brokerage fees.
Deal directly with the buyer.
You'll receive messages from interested buyers. You can schedule viewings and negotiate prices directly via chat. Automatic translation allows you to negotiate with overseas buyers without language barriers.
Prepare a sales contract.
Once the terms are agreed upon, a sales contract will be drawn up. This can be done safely by using the J Home 2 U format or by entrusting the process to a legal professional.
Handover and Name Change
The property will be handed over after payment is received. We recommend hiring a judicial scrivener to handle the transfer of ownership registration (change of name). The cost will be approximately 30,000 to 100,000 yen.
💬 Private sales are not difficult.
Many people feel that "personal sales seem difficult," but in realityBy utilizing the platform and legal professionals, anyone can conduct transactions safely.No brokerage fees, "as is" sales accepted, low-priced properties welcome—selling under conditions that real estate companies can't match is possible with private sales. Start by listing your property for free.