(Apr 01, 2024, 21:15 pm)Ladyanne3 Wrote: [ -> ]I've put in an offer on a home in Japan. It's too cheap for me to pass up ! So, I'm on Duolingo learning the language
Duolingo? If I remember correctly, that's way too old method and way old Japanese, many locals don't understand the phrases it teaches as daily conversation, like "whats your name?". Or maybe it was another app, or it changed (a lot) more recently.
Ex: Anata no o namae too moshi masu? = Namae ka?
It's like "May I have your name?" when people more often say "Name?"
What a video documentary about abandoned houses in Japan by NHK, they're cheaper than dirt, many are FREE with official prefecture issued deed, but there're many catches that may cost you a LOT.
A retired American teacher bought a big estate and it came with everything inside, including three authentic samurai swords, full size, sharp as razors. She naively put them in a bag and drove to the police station to ask what to do with those, just to be arrested for illegal weapon carry, entering a government building with a lethal weapon, possession of unregistered weaponry, possession of undeclared origin antiques, and a dozen other charges. But after a couple hours of heated interrogation, she left cleared of legal problems under condition of hiring a certified swords specialist to appraise the weapons and then, if not cultural or historic valuables, surrender them for destruction; if so, then she had to pay for review, appraisal, restoration, build a proper safe in the house, submit for police interrogation, inspection, psychiatric evaluation, aquire a weapon license, etc...
Not to mention a traditional house in japan costs a small fortune to restore, because they're made of old wood with old craftsmanship. And you cna't just do it yourself. And... Well, just check all due taxes and hidden costs before you sign a letter of intent on the purchase. Because breaking the promise may cost you more than the house itself.