In Japan, when you don’t have any acquaintances or referrals, how do you go about selecting a real estate agency? Do you simply visit a nearby real estate office, or do you rely on online reviews and make inquiries?
Based on my extensive experience in the real estate industry, it is a fact that major real estate companies outperform their smaller counterparts in terms of information, expertise, and service quality.
Many people opt for large real estate firms due to a vague sense of reassurance, and as a result, both selling and buying information tend to gravitate towards these choices.
In this article, we will focus on the top three real estate companies – Mitsui’s Rehouse, Sumitomo Real Estate Sales, and Tokyu Livable – and provide an analysis to help you decide which one would be the recommended choice among the three.
The Reliability of This Article
This article was written by someone with the following background:
- Over 15 years of experience in real estate brokerage at a well-known major real estate agency
- Successfully closed more than 300 real estate brokerage cases to date
- A certified 1st Class Financial Planner
- A Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- A licensed Real Estate Transaction Specialist
First Things First: What You Need to Know
Before Considering Specific Companies, There are Key Points You Should Know About Choosing a Real Estate Agency.
Choosing a Branch in Your Desired Area
In the real estate world, information is everything, and fresh property listings always emanate from the local real estate agencies.
While most real estate companies have access to a shared information platform called ‘REINS,’ which allows them to access property data from other regions, it’s important to note that this information might be a step or two behind. Keep in mind that rare property listings often don’t appear on the REINS platform.
The same logic applies when selling a property. High-quality and up-to-date buyer information is also held by real estate agencies operating in that specific area.
More Important Than the Company: Your Real Estate Agent Matters
The success of a real estate transaction depends entirely on the agent’s sincerity and enthusiasm.
In any real estate company, there are both outstanding agents and those who may not be as reliable. If you have a trustworthy agent, don’t hesitate to entrust them with your needs. On the other hand, if you encounter a subpar agent, be sure to assertively request a change of representation.
Rankings
Recommended Real Estate Companies: A Personal Perspective Based on Experience, Subjectivity, and Bias
🥇Mitsui’s Rehouse
As outlined on their official website, Mitsui’s Rehouse has held the top spot in the national real estate transaction volume ranking for an impressive 37 consecutive years. They pride themselves on their community-focused approach, boasting a remarkable 97% customer satisfaction rate and an impressive 75% success rate for property sales within three months. Offering AI assessment services and support from qualified professionals, along with a building check and repair system before and after sales, they ensure a worry-free experience for their clients. Since starting their brokerage operations in 1975, they have handled over one million successful transactions, utilizing their extensive experience and knowledge to provide customers with optimal proposals. With over 200 stores nationwide, they are actively engaged in community-centric business activities.
My Personal Perspective Based on Experience
Mitsui’s Rehouse has been the undisputed leader in the industry’s sales ranking for many years, and they also boast the highest number of stores in the industry. They are well-known for their expertise in residential property transactions, catering to a wide range from affordable homes to ultra-luxury properties. Due to their strong client base, they attract a high volume of clients and achieve a high success rate in selling properties.
Prior to merging with Mitsui Real Estate Sales, they operated as a franchise, resulting in significant variations in the capabilities of individual stores. However, currently, they have standardized their operations, providing a more consistent and unified approach.
Additionally, their proactive approach to engaging with other brokerage firms allows them to access a wide range of information, aiming for favorable and successful deals.
Overall, Mitsui’s Rehouse is the most highly recommended company.”
🥈Tokyu Livable
As the name suggests, Tokyu Livable is a real estate company under the railway group. Apart from brokerage services, they also engage in real estate solutions and planning and selling condominiums under their own brand. Furthermore, they offer a wide range of services, including real estate strategy proposals and corporate problem-solving. Founded in 1972, they have a track record of pioneering various innovative services, contributing to the expansion and increased reliability of the industry.
My Personal Perspective Based on Experience
Tokyu Livable stands out for its innovative approach within the industry, offering cutting-edge services like buried object removal guarantees and inheritance planning services in collaboration with tax accountants. They have the most diverse array of services for their customers.
Their expertise extends beyond residential properties to include income properties and commercial properties. When it comes to bidding projects, they are always a formidable contender. They maintain strong ties with property purchasing companies and often seem inclined to direct their sales requests to these firms.
As their name suggests, being part of the Tokyu Electric Railway Group, their strength significantly increases along the Tokyu train lines, making it challenging for other competitors to match their prowess.
If you are seeking advice along the Tokyu train lines, Tokyu Livable is the number one recommended company.”
🥉Sumitomo Real Estate Sales
Utilizing a network of over 230 directly-managed brokerage branches nationwide, Sumitomo Real Estate Sales provides a multifaceted approach to property assessments and proposals. They have also introduced a unique system called ‘Step Auction’ to support optimal selling prices. With a strong focus on local communities, they offer services through various advertising networks, including their website and real estate portals, conducting extensive sales activities.
My Personal Perspective Based on Experience
In the past, Sumitomo Real Estate Sales was known for adopting a practice of enclosing listings received for sale within their own company, which didn’t leave a favorable impression within the industry. However, in recent times, there have been indications of increased collaboration within the industry, and it appears that their corporate culture has undergone significant changes.
Originally, the company specialized in collecting property information through intensive posting advertisements and was primarily focused on selling these properties, making them more adept at handling selling consultations than buying consultations.”
In Conclusion
In this article, we focused on the three major real estate companies, also known as the Big Three: Mitsui’s Rehouse, Sumitomo Real Estate Sales, and Tokyu Livable. We provided an overview of these companies from the perspective of real estate agents and discussed their unique characteristics, ultimately recommending one of them.
While each company has its own distinct features, it is essential to remember that the sincerity and enthusiasm of the agents play a pivotal role in the success of a property transaction. After hearing from representatives of these companies, it might be best to entrust your needs to an agent whom you feel is the most reliable and dedicated.
We hope your real estate transactions go smoothly.
Thank you for reading this article, and we appreciate your time and attention.
