Japan home costs equivalent of a Kiwi deposit

Get the 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 from Stuff's Homed team ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [Support our Journalism]( [Support our Journalism »](   HOMED 03 August 2024   Kia ora {NAME}, One of our biggest stories this week was about [the Kiwi mum buying a second home]( in Chiba, Japan. It’s surprising enough to read that Rosie Kininmonth-Deans is happy travelling that distance to spend time in her new home, but what is more remarkable is how little she paid for a 130m², three-bedroom house - a mere NZ$123,000. And her annual rates bill is just $390. And yes, it is all about supply and demand, but historically house prices have depreciated in many parts of Japan. Her home cost five times more to build back in the 1980s. All of which means she got a bargain, but not an investment. But for Rosie, it is all about lifestyle - being able to spend several months a year in Japan and the rest back in NZ where she works as a real estate agent. She hopes her children will grow up bilingual and have more opportunities in life. Having family nearby in Japan will be a big help. The huge response from readers brought home just how expensive it is in New Zealand to [get on the property ladder](. And, [the sheer cost of building materials]( is downright baffling, which makes any renovation hugely expensive, let alone building a new house. I regularly write about kitchens that cost more than Rosie’s entire house. We are learning to live in smaller and smaller homes, because that is all we can afford. But there is a plus side. It may not be especially exciting, but we do live in the best little country in the world, with the best beaches, the best climate and a small population. And Rosie is fortunate, because her family will get to enjoy the best of both worlds. Enjoy your weekend! Colleen Hawkes Senior journalist, Homed Colleen Hawkes Senior journalist, Homed Enjoying this email? [Check out Stuff's other daily and weekly newsletters.](   [Granny Flats are coming: Here's three ways to build a unique one]( Architects only design 3% of the house starts every year, says Roger Walker. He hopes new legislation will change that. [Why this ad]( [Could a cat mausoleum be the Tiny House of the Year?]( When Kina Sai Card’s “best friend” of 20 years, William the Cat, died, there was only one way to honour his memory. New life in regional NZ for under $400k?]( “We really love it here ... When the sun’s shining here, it’s amazing.” These people say there’s a really long list of reasons why their town is fantastic. Beautiful kitchen in new home goes organic]( What’s on-trend in kitchen design? This New Plymouth home highlights the textural, organic design approach favoured today. Agent bucking downward trend spills his secret]( When you’re as successful as Aman Gulia and still in your early 30s, you don’t mind showing it. Support the Stuff you love. If you enjoy this content, please consider making a contribution. It can be as little as the cost of the coffees you drink while enjoying our news, podcasts and videos. [I'd like to contribute →]( [Discover more at Homed]( [Manage Stuff Account]( [Unsubscribe]( | [Terms & Conditions]( | [Privacy Policy]( You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the Stuff Homed newsletter. Did a friend forward you this email? [Sign up to get the Stuff Homed newsletter in your inbox.]( Stuff, 4 Williamson Ave, Ponsonby, Auckland 1021, New Zealand [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [YouTube]( * You can email us at [feedback@stuff.co.nz](mailto:*%20You%20can%20email%20us%20at%20feedback@stuff.co.nz,%20or%20call%20us%20on%C2%A00800%20339%20000.), or call us on [0800 339 000](tel:0800%20339%20000).