Pre-owned home sales index in Japan 2014-2023

In 2023, the existing home sales index in Japan stood at 116.8 index points, reaching a decade high. The index for used home sales measures the development of the second-hand housing market based on the number of ownership transfers due to the sale and purchase of buildings. It includes data for detached houses and condominiums.

Second-hand housing market in Japan

Japan’s second-hand home market only accounts for a small share of the overall housing market. Despite the country’s massive housing stock, a large quantity of new homes is built every year as Japanese consumers prefer new homes over used ones. This is probably rooted in the housing policies of the post-war period, which were aimed at the rapid supply of new housing units at the cost of quality. As a result, many older homes are poor quality, and an average home fully depreciates within 30 years. These circumstances have created uncertainty about used homes and are reflected by the scrap and build approach of completely destroying and rebuilding used homes instead of reusing and renovating them.

Revitalizing the existing home market

In the past years, however, the government has shifted its focus to revitalizing the used housing market and utilizing the massive existing housing stock that comprises around 62 million units. By implementing a reliable home inspection system, subsidizing renovations, and offering appropriate pricing models, it is trying to change people’s perception of used homes. Driven by rising prices for new homes, demand for second-hand homes, especially condominiums, has recently increased in the metropolises of Tokyo and Osaka.