The Story of When I Bought a Used Condo

To mentally prepare for the process after selling, I am keeping a record of the real schedule from when I bought my used condo. Digging through the emails from that time, I feel like myself seeing the very rough start: 'Size enough for 4 people, budget roughly under 40 million yen.'

■ September 3, 2017

I inquired about used condos in my desired area (around X-chome, Y-chome, or Z-chome of the town I live in now) via SUUMO. The next day, I received a call from the agent at Company A and was introduced to 4 properties that met my criteria → I started receiving notifications about price changes and sales updates along the way.

■ September 24, 2017

Viewed 1 property (2nd floor, 37.8 million yen). A man was living there alone, and I didn't dislike it that much. But the selling point was that the view in front is very beautiful during cherry blossom season, which I agreed with. & I was told, 'A property just went on the market today, so please come see it next week (the current house).'

■ October 1, 2017

Viewed 3 properties (35 million yen at the next station, the one from the 24th again, and a 43 million yen unit on the 4th floor, plus the current 42 million yen home with a 99-square-meter garden on the 1st floor) & requested proposals for smaller condos in case I end up living separately from my parents.

My son's impressions: He couldn't imagine what the room we saw again would look like after renovating the cigarette-yellowed wallpaper; he didn't like that the river view from the 4th floor wasn't very clean; he wanted to practice baseball swings in the 1st-floor garden (I hate bugs and maintenance, but my parents persuaded me a little—wait, are you planning to live with me after all? lol).

■ October 2, 2017

My son, who liked the garden, and my parents, who grew up in a detached house and love the garden and flowers of this first condo we've ever owned, decided on the spot to go for this condo! Since it was 15 years old but the couple living there were just two people, it was very clean. Also, another family had come to view it just before me that day, and I heard they 'really liked it.' I was also in a rush to get it done by the end of the year. You know, new house, new feelings for the New Year? Everything went smoothly, and by the next week, I had to prepare a few percent as a deposit.

■ October 5, 2017

Started preparing the preliminary documents for a 35-year loan including closing costs. Retrospectively paying tens of thousands in taxes, getting documents from the city office, tax office, and a former side-job employer—it was all a hassle, but it was steady, important work to build trust.

■ Early November 2019

Some banks said no because it had only been a year since I changed jobs, but I got formal approval from several banks like Sumitomo Mitsui Trust and Resona! And the seller's move-out date was confirmed. Honestly, both sides were relieved, and I remember buying a cake on the way home 🍰

■ November 16, 2019

Took my parents to view it again to get an idea of the move. The moving date was set for December 14. The seller said, 'Our new place is small, so we are throwing away the dining table, living table, and sofa,' so we decided to take them. If I brought my current furniture, it wouldn't fit the 18-tatami mat living room, so I figured it was fine.

■ Morning of December 11, 2019

Settlement at the bank where I took out the loan. Tens of millions for the loan came in all at once, and I paid the remaining balance to the seller all at once.

■ December 14, 2019

Moving day. I persuaded my parents, who are of the generation that finds happiness in being surrounded by things, to dispose of as many large items as possible for their 'end-of-life' planning, but since there were 30 flower pots, it ended up costing quite a bit even though it was just a 10-minute walk away.

■End of 2019

With the cleaning finished, I had a peaceful New Year's holiday.

Come to think of it, I have only ever lived in properties with light coming in from three or more sides, so I realized after moving in that this was why this place felt right. Even with many rooms, every single one has a window, letting in light and allowing for a breeze; I discovered a rather important point. As an aside, I also kept finding things the seller had left behind, like shoes and a lawnmower.

■And now

Thinking back, I believe both buying a property and getting married come down to "momentum." Property, meeting people, everything is about "fate"; it appeared right while I was looking, and I decided immediately. I hope someone else can ride this wave! Well, tomorrow I will sign the contract with Company A to request the sale.