What are the Key Points in Choosing a Real Estate Agent When Selling Property in an Urbanization Control Area? [Survey Results Announced]

A survey on real estate agent selection for selling properties in urbanization control areas.

Urbanization control areas are zones where taxes are low, but building restrictions are strict, making sales extremely difficult.

Even when owners want to sell, finding a buyer is tough and requires specialized knowledge, leading many to wonder, "Which real estate agent should I ask to ensure a sale?"

In response, Fudosan Kaitori Center, a real estate problem-solving site operated by Dream Planning Co., Ltd. (Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa / CEO: Tatsuto Takahashi), conducted a survey of 353 individuals interested in real estate on "key points when choosing a real estate agent to sell property in an urbanization control area."

[Regarding Quotation and Reprinting of Data] When using the survey results or images from this release, please include a link to the Fudosan Kaitori Center's URL (https://dream-plan.com/fudosan/chosei-agent-selection-survey/) where the results are published.

Permission for publication is not required.

Urbanization Control Area Survey: Respondent Attributes (Valid responses: 353)

Gender Composition Male: 199 (approx. 56%) Female: 154 (approx. 44%)

Age Group Composition 20s: 35 (9.9%) 30s: 100 (28.3%) 40s: 124 (35.1%) 50s: 71 (20.1%) 60s: 20 (5.7%) 70s and over: 3 (0.8%)

Survey Period 2026.2.21-3.16

What are the key points when choosing a real estate agent to sell property in an urbanization control area? (Multiple selections allowed)

1st: Whether it can be sold or bought out - 201/353 (56.9%) 2nd: Whether they can explain the appropriate market price with evidence - 133/353 (37.7%) 3rd: Whether they can handle the purchase or sale without trouble - 131/353 (37.1%) 4th: Whether they can also provide advice on taxes, etc. - 103/353 (29.2%) 5th: Whether they can find a buyer quickly - 95/353 (26.9%) 6th: Whether they are an experienced real estate agent - 87/353 (24.6%) 7th: Whether they are a real estate company strong in the local area - 83/353 (23.5%) 8th: Whether they explain about avoiding violations of the City Planning Act or Agricultural Land Act - 79/353 (22.4%) 9th: Simply buying it for a high price - 64/353 (18.1%) 10th: Whether it is a company that can do direct purchase instead of brokerage - 46/353 (13.0%) 11th: Whether it is a well-known real estate company - 23/353 (6.5%) 12th: Whether it is a major real estate company - 15/353 (4.2%)

Total answers: 1060, Respondents: 353

First, under the premise of having inherited property in an urbanization control area, we asked about the key points in choosing a real estate agent for selling. It became clear that for such difficult-to-sell properties, respondents strongly demand practical ability to dispose of the property and highly transparent explanations from the real estate company.

"Whether it can be sold or bought out" came in 1st at 56.9%, and "Whether they can explain the appropriate market price with evidence" was 2nd at 37.7%, showing these two points are particularly emphasized.

This is thought to reflect a strong sense of caution against holding onto land that is hard to find a buyer for as a "negative asset," and the earnest psychology of respondents seeking convincing explanations based on specialized grounds, precisely because the general market price is opaque.

Next, we will introduce comments from those who chose the top 5 points.

1st: Whether it can be sold or bought out - 201/353 (56.9%)

"Whether it can be sold or bought out" was chosen for 1st place. Many voices were heard, such as "There's a high risk that property in a control area will remain unsold forever." To avoid it becoming a "negative asset" where one only continues to pay property tax without finding a buyer, the earnest desire to prioritize the "guarantee of a certain land sale" or the certainty of a company "directly purchasing it themselves" is reflected.

★ <Comments from those who chose 1st place: "Whether it can be sold or bought out"> ★

"Since there's a high risk of property in a control area remaining unsold, rather than looking for a general buyer through brokerage, I would prioritize a purchasing company with the financial strength and specialized know-how to buy it directly." - Male, 30s

"A real estate agent that offers a guarantee of a certain land sale, such as buying the property if it cannot be sold within a certain period, provides an appropriate price suggestion, and handles the necessary procedures for a trouble-free sale."