[Chelly] Mansion de écrasée Vol. 5 Title Transfer and Renovation

Vol. 5: Title Transfer and Renovation

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After signing the contract on April 10, the seller began renovating Unit 1. We did not discuss details about what material to use or which areas to fix, but we both held the general principle of minimizing cost. After all, monthly rent for low-income individuals/families in the governmental welfare system is fixed:

35,500 yen (≈$220) per month for a single person

43,000 yen (≈$265) per month for a family of two

46,000 yen (≈$285) per month for a family of three to five

The cost-effective renovation took about a week. Almost immediately, the seller agency, which also manages properties, began advertising for renters. Let's see some before and after pictures.

Before renovation

At first glance, Unit 1 looks rentable with some basic cleaning. However, if you look at the details, there are a few spots that need fixing, especially the kitchen. The old flooring was actually sinking a bit.

Before

After

Yes. The new kitchen flooring is just adhesive floor paper on top of the cheapest wood planks.

What? The adhesive tiles won't last long and the countertop looks dirty? Meh. As long as the kitchen is functional, who cares if it's pretty as new. Eventually, it will get dirty and messy again, so why bother keeping it pristine in the first place? I think most landlords worldwide will agree with me that most renters don't take good care of their homes anyway!!! It's part of human nature. We tend to be less careful about things that belong to others.

Some other close-up "after" pictures:

The bathroom is also not pretty, but it is spacious and functional.

Living room. Tatami looks old and used? At least the mats look clean and one won't feel too guilty to butcher them.

One of the bedrooms. Looks cozy enough for me.

One of the other bedrooms had a flooring replacement. It's amazing how these cheap adhesive paper titles brighten a room.

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So, what do you think about the "after" pictures of Unit 1? Would you be willing to live in this spacious 3-bedroom house for less than US$300 per month?

Most importantly, will it attract renters within the first few months? The answer is "Yes!" The Niigata District Legal Affairs Bureau was a bit busy then, so registering the deeds took a while but was finished on May 1. One week into May, we got an inquiry from an old couple, who eventually moved in at the beginning of June. I will document the process in the next blog. Stay tuned!