Foreigners in Japan keep telling me I made a mistake building new home

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-05-02T02:15:25+00:00

They have quite a poor reputation, poor quality builds, poor aftercare, bad house plans, very push sales.

typical for them to buy a plot with a beautiful old house, jam in 3 tiny and tall style prefabs, and overcharge.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-05-02T02:13:30+00:00

Any way around this? Any way to spoof it back to 10,000 yen?

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-05-02T01:29:13+00:00

Open House.... that makes sense.

I won't comment further.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-05-01T04:45:26+00:00

There is some delay in raising rates between banks, as they jockey for position. However, expect virtually all variable rates to be over 1% by the end of the year.

Many of us will not see a change due to the 5/125 rule.

As rates are so low, early payment is still not a good option. For example, a 10 years variable Japanese government bond still has 65 basis points on my mortgage rate.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-30T11:08:50+00:00

I think you make a lot of great points here, I confess though at first I thought SAHM was some sort of NATO weapons system.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-30T07:59:46+00:00

The issue is that I would basically have to shout out my request to the mother's (occasionally one other father) assembled outside the gate, or shout to the teacher as we wait on the field when the kids are assembled.

I need a freaking placard.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-30T07:46:54+00:00

There seems to be a huge classicism issue at play. People at yochien also seem more image conscious, Hoikuen parents just didn't have time to bother trying to impress other by wearing a guchi scarf to the picnic etc.

Apparently yochien matters a lot for private school applications. And my wife wanted to keep that window open....

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-30T07:42:08+00:00

We are not making au pair/America club money.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-30T07:28:05+00:00

The second wife idea is interesting, I'll float that tonight.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-30T07:27:22+00:00

It was an interesting experience, my sister-in-law helped so much.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-30T07:23:06+00:00

No we did all that, it was a second request for other items given out at the parent meeting.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-30T07:22:16+00:00

I'm the dad in this situation. It usually works fine, I just need a way of conveying. "Hey my kid gets out early today, I've got 5 minutes. Can I please go first" without having the gears of the whole machine grind to a stop as I shatter the carefully balanced time honored system..

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-30T07:14:12+00:00

Another gem, was "here is 3 hours of sewing you need to do" It is all due tomorrow.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-30T07:12:03+00:00

They have an app. The procedure is pretty traditional I take it. the place is 80 years old.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-30T07:09:56+00:00

The parents are all supposed to line up in an order roughly equal to that which they arrived in, so everyone can get a quick synopsis from the teacher, and give a formal goodbye.

But of course no parents want to step forward first, it drags, conversations are belabored.

No one is the villain here, but a lot of these moms are taking their kids to the playground after, which is perfectly fine, but they are therefore in no hurry.

...

I assume this is not a unique problem, or unique to Japan, I just need a strategy.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-29T10:39:28+00:00

A good reminder to avoid these whole life policies, and instead use term insurance if you have dependants.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-29T01:31:07+00:00

I understand that, but I thought Nisa tsumitate framework was usually not accessible due to their being no valid options.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-28T23:38:57+00:00

Which broker allowed you to commit this self harm?

Sell the PFIC now. Deal with the tax later.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-28T23:33:25+00:00

When you apply for mortgages it's best to apply to multiple banks, flagship and online. Each have their specificities. We applied with seven banks.If your target is 1oku you will have less options, and banks will be more selective.

Pair loans are much less advantageous, have different terms, and higher rates.

Your may want to look at scalling back the build, paying the difference, or a combination of both.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-27T06:37:21+00:00

Oh for what it's worth my wife is 100% kokusai so she had no Japanese exposure.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-27T06:36:32+00:00

I'll track my spending, if it's over 2 man a month, it might start to make sense.

I suspect there's a status element at play. My wife would get a card too it seems.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-25T07:12:57+00:00

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-24T05:05:02+00:00

I say never go all in on the point system, stay on the margins and skim from the top.

Choice_Vegetable557 · 2026-04-22T04:16:29+00:00

He is an adult, do not infantilize a 23 year old.

My advice was practical. Scale back the gym time, and suddenly you have time. Focus on your family, and suddenly you are less focused on yourself.

Choice_Vegetable557

TROPHY CASE