Ranking of Real Estate Investment Properties: Which Ones Are Profitable? Survey of 128 Investors

Key facts

  • Ranking of Real Estate Investment Properties: Which Ones Are Profitable? Survey of 128 Investors
  • According to a survey of 128 experienced real estate investors conducted by AlbaLink Co., Ltd., the most commonly invested property type is 'condominium units' (43.0%). Furthermore, 'condominium units' and 'old detached houses' tied for first place (28.1% each) as the most profitable property types. The survey, conducted online from May 2 to 16, 2026, also revealed that investors prioritize 'high liquidity' in addition to profitability when selecting properties. The results suggest a trend among individual investors to seek steady returns while mitigating risks.
  • Source: PR Times
  • Date: May 29, 2026

Direct answer

According to a survey of 128 experienced real estate investors conducted by AlbaLink Co., Ltd., the most commonly invested property type is 'condominium units' (43.0%). Furthermore, 'condominium units' and 'old detached houses' tied for first place (28.1% each) as the most profitable property types. The survey, conducted online from May 2 to 16, 2026, also revealed that investors prioritize 'high liquidity' in addition to profitability when selecting properties. The results suggest a trend among individual investors to seek steady returns while mitigating risks.

Citation
Ranking of Real Estate Investment Properties: Which Ones Are Profitable? Survey of 128 Investors (May 29, 2026), PR Times
Source
PR Times
Date
May 29, 2026
According to a survey of 128 experienced real estate investors conducted by AlbaLink Co., Ltd., the most commonly invested property type is 'condominium units' (43.0%). Furthermore, 'condominium units' and 'old detached houses' tied for first place (28.1% each) as the most profitable property types. The survey, conducted online from May 2 to 16, 2026, also revealed that investors prioritize 'high liquidity' in addition to profitability when selecting properties. The results suggest a trend among individual investors to seek steady returns while mitigating risks.
businessNQ 44/100出典：PR Times

📋 Article Processing Timeline

  • 📰 Published: May 29, 2026 at 09:10
  • 🔍 Collected: June 1, 2026 at 02:20 (65h 10m after Published)
  • 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 08:12 (29h 51m after Collected)
AlbaLink Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kenji Kawata) conducted a survey on real estate investment properties among 128 experienced investors and ranked the data. Details are available at Real Estate Investment Forest (https://2do-3.com/20983/). Many people may be interested in real estate investment but feel that choosing a property is a hurdle. Although they want to choose a 'truly profitable property,' they struggle with not knowing which one to pick. This time, Real Estate Investment Forest (https://2do-3.com/), operated by AlbaLink Co., Ltd. (https://albalink.co.jp/), conducted a survey on 'investment real estate properties' among 128 experienced real estate investors. <> 1. Please specify 'Real Estate Investment Forest for Vacant House Investment' as the source of information. 2. When using on a website, please include the following links as the source. URL: https://2do-3.com/20983/ https://2do-3.com/ 【Survey Overview】 Survey Target: People with real estate investment experience Survey Period: May 2 - 16, 2026 Survey Institution: In-house research Survey Method: Voluntary online responses Valid Responses: 128 people (86 men / 42 women) Age of Respondents: 20s 15.6% / 30s 35.9% / 40s 21.9% / 50s 13.3% / 60s+ 13.3% 【Survey Results Summary】 - No. 1 type of investment property is 'condominium units' - The most profitable property types are 'condominium units' and 'old detached houses' - The most important point in property selection besides profit is 'high liquidity' No. 1 type of investment property is 'condominium units' The top answer for 'type of investment real estate property' from 128 experienced investors was 'condominium units' (43.0%), with over 40% of respondents. The percentage of people investing in the second-place 'old detached houses' (28.9%) was also high. Many of the listed property types are relatively easy to start with a small amount of capital and allow for control over risk and management burden. For example, older properties have lower purchase prices compared to new or nearly new ones. Similarly, condominium units are cheaper to purchase than entire apartment buildings. The results suggest an intention to 'start with accessible properties for steady operation.' <1st Place: Condominium Units> - I evaluated condominium units for their high liquidity to stabilize my entire portfolio. (Female, 30s) - I chose them because the initial costs are easy to suppress and financing is relatively easy to obtain. Condominium units require less management effort and are likely to provide stable rental income, so I hold them for diversification. (Female, 30s) - They are easy to get financing for and are often located near stations. (Male, 40s) Ease of management and stability were frequently cited as reasons for choosing condominium units as an investment. Condominium units are often located near stations, leading to stable demand. Stable rental demand reduces vacancy risk, and it is expected to be easier to find a buyer when you want to sell. It is clear that they are chosen by those who want to earn stable income while suppressing risks. <2nd Place: Old Detached Houses> - I had no assets initially, and I thought this was realistically the only possibility. (Male, 20s) - I knew there was high demand for housing for foreigners. I heard there were few properties for the demand. (Female, 40s) - I could start even with little savings. Old houses can be bought cheaply, and I thought the damage would be small even if I failed. (Male, 40s) The point of being able to start with a small amount of capital was often cited as a reason for choosing old detached houses. Since the price is relatively low, there is a sense of security in being able to start real estate investment while suppressing initial investment and potential damage from failure. Also, lower initial costs lead to higher yields. Testimonials were also received from people who invested with specific needs in mind, such as for foreigners or people who want to have pets. This property type is supported by those who want to aim for profitability at a low cost. <3rd Place: Old Entire Apartment Buildings> - I focus on 'old property regeneration projects.' While new and nearly new properties have long depreciation periods, the purchase price includes the developer's profit, which tends to lower profitability. I deliberately choose old properties that have a 'reason for being left cheap' and add value through appropriate renovation to secure yields exceeding the market average. (Female, 20s) - Because the price is low. The high degree of freedom for things like remodeling is also attractive. (Male, 40s) - The building's assessed value is low, so even if the operation fails, I won't lose much if I sell it as land. Also, the loan period is short, so I expected a burst in cash flow after repayment. (Male, 40s) Old entire apartment buildings have the merit of being purchasable at a low price. Several opinions were also received that 'there is room to add uniqueness and increase value through remodeling and renovation.' Increasing the property value through remodeling and renovation can also increase profitability and potentially lead to capital gains. The low purchase price, which helps to suppress risk in case of failure, is also highly rated. <4th Place: Nearly New Entire Apartment Buildings> - I heard that apartments are the most profitable. (Female, 30s) - I thought it would be hard for them to become vacant. (Female, 40s) - I operate a maisonette-type 'rental-combined housing,' which is like a two-family house where I rent out the adjacent unit. The reason I chose this type is that I could use a housing loan. The rent was set slightly higher than the mortgage payment, and my goal was to reduce my monthly housing expenses. (Male, 50s) People who choose nearly new entire apartment buildings cited expectations of stable tenant demand as a reason. It is understood that new properties are competitive in terms of facilities, making it easier to suppress vacancy risk. There are also examples of using them as a combination of home and investment, like rental-combined housing. With rental-combined housing, tax-saving effects can also be expected, showing a mindset of wanting to advance asset formation while keeping costs down. <5th Place: Nearly New Detached Houses> - Because they are easy to rent out. (Female, 30s) - Because I bought a new house. (Male, 30s) - Because it's easy to get financing. (Male, 40s) For nearly new detached houses, the sense of security that they are easy to rent out was a major reason. New detached houses have a good impression in terms of facilities and appearance, and stable demand can be expected, mainly from families. There were also cases where people rented out their previous home after purchasing a new one. The most profitable property types are 'condominium units' and 'old detached houses' When 128 experienced real estate investors were asked 'which type of property is making the most profit,' 'condominium units' (28.1%) and 'old detached houses' (28.1%) tied for first place. Third place was 'old entire apartment buildings' (10.9%). While the high ranking of 'condominium units' and 'old detached houses' is influenced by the large number of people investing in them, it can also be said that 'many people are successfully monetizing relatively low-priced properties.' <1st Place: Condominium Units> - There are many large companies nearby, and I rent it out at a high price to high-income earners. (Female, 30s) - It's old. It's close to the station, but not too close to be expensive, so it's a good distance but still near the station. Good convenience. (Male, 40s) - Even if it's old, the management is solid, so I can get rent. The annual balance is positive. (Male, 60s+) Behind the profitability of condominium units are the strength of location and stable demand. Properties 'near a station' or 'near large companies' have stable demand, making it easier to secure tenants even with relatively high rent settings. There were also examples of maintaining rental income for old condominium units through proper management. However, not all condominium units are guaranteed to be profitable, so it is important to choose properties with high demand in stable areas. <2nd Place: Old Detached Houses> - The location is good, a tenant was found immediately, and they have been living there for a long time. (Male, 30s) - I bought an old detached house cheaply and advertised with broad tenant conditions like 'pets allowed' and 'foreigners OK.' (Female, 30s) - Being able to buy an old detached house in a rural area for less than the market price and renting it out after only necessary repairs was a big factor. There is demand from families, and once they move in, they tend to stay for a long time. Because I could keep the purchase price down, it was easier to get a good yield. (Male, 60s+) Reasons for profitability in old detached houses include 'being able to buy them cheaply' and 'leading to long-term tenancy.' Rural properties and old detached houses can be acquired at a lower price, making it easier to achieve high yields. When families move in, they tend to stay for a long time for reasons such as 'it's sad for the children to leave their friends.' There were also efforts to reduce vacancy risk by differentiating from competitors by setting flexible conditions, such as allowing pets or welcoming foreigners. It shows how investors are increasing profitability by utilizing low-cost properties with ingenuity. <3rd Place: Old Entire Apartment Buildings> - It's old, but it's near a station, so there are no vacancies. (Male, 20s) - I purchased the property when its price had dropped sufficiently. Since the decline in rent has stabilized, I can maintain a stable high yield. By renovating to meet tenant needs, I've been able to set a slightly higher rent than the market rate while minimizing vacancy periods, which has led to maximizing cash flow. (Female, 30s) - I acquired it for less than the market price through auction or negotiated price, and I was able to keep the initial investment down by combining minimal self-renovation with professional services. (Male, 40s) For old entire apartment buildings, efforts to keep the purchase price low lead to profits. By buying an old apartment building cheaply and renting it out with minimal renovations, they are achieving high yields while keeping initial costs down. There were also comments that 'if the location has high demand, such as being near a station, the vacancy risk can be lowered even if the building is old.' It shows investors trying to increase profits through property selection and operational ingenuity. <4th Place: Entire Condominium Buildings> - Because many people live there, it works out. (Female, 30s) - The community-based management company takes good care of it. (Male, 50s) - I bought an old entire condominium building cheaply and am operating it with a high yield. (Male, 60s+) Although it depends on the property, condominiums generally have more units than apartments. With more units, the impact of a few vacancies on overall revenue is reduced, making it easier to maintain a stable cash flow. There are also examples of purchasing old properties relatively cheaply and operating them with high yields. It is clear that some investors are generating stable profits by leveraging economies of scale. - A university is nearby, and it's fully occupied. (Male, 20s) - I can get tenants even with high rent. (Female, 30s) - Condominiums are too expensive to maintain due to 'rising personnel costs for managers' and 'rising management fees from management companies.' With an entire apartment building, I can manage it myself and only pay a commission to a real estate agent when tenants move in or out, so there are no extra management costs, making it cost-effective. (Male, 60s+) Reasons for profitability in nearly new entire apartment buildings include 'high tenant demand' and 'low management fees.' For example, in areas with a clear target audience, such as near a university, vacancies are less likely, leading to stable rental income. Also, nearly new properties are attractive in terms of facilities, and it is expected to be easier to secure tenants even with higher rent settings. - I haven't been able to sell it yet, so there's no profit. (Female, 20s) - Haven't made any yet. (Male, 30s) - It's a nearly new property, but since it's in a rural area, it's break-even or negative when including expenses. (Male, 30s) Reasons for not being profitable included 'still being in the operational phase' and 'the burden of expenses.' Real estate investment does not always generate large profits in a short period. If maintenance costs are heavy or tenants are not found as expected, it can result in a loss. Also, for investments aiming for capital gains, profit is only realized upon sale. <7th Place: Nearly New Detached Houses> - Because they are popular. (Male, 20s) - It's a nearly new detached house, so I can get tenants even with an aggressive price. (Female, 30s) - I bought it cheap and am operating it with a high yield. (Male, 40s) For nearly new detached houses, many people cited strong demand due to their popularity as a reason for profitability. Since there are few detached rental properties, they are supported by families who prefer a detached house even for renting. Also, being nearly new provides a sense of security regarding facilities and comfort, so tenants are easier to find even with relatively high rent settings. Furthermore, if the property can be acquired cheaply, the yield increases, making it easier to secure profitability. Point emphasized in property selection other than profit is 'high liquidity' The overwhelming No. 1 'point emphasized in property selection other than profit' was 'high liquidity' (37.5%). This was followed by 'good location' (25.0%) in second place and 'large tax-saving effect' (20.3%) in third. - Other than profitability, I emphasize whether it will be easy to sell in the future and the stability of the location. I always check the distance from the station, the surrounding environment, and population trends. Even if I hold it for a long time, the peace of mind of being able to sell it quickly in an emergency is significant, so I am very conscious of it. (Male, 20s) - In the case of apartments and condominiums, avoiding vacancy risk. (Female, 30s) - I also emphasize understanding repair risks, having few neighborhood troubles, and ease of management.

FAQ

What is the most popular type of real estate property for individual investors in Japan?

According to a survey by AlbaLink Co., Ltd., the most popular type is the 'condominium unit,' with 43.0% of investors owning them.

What types of real estate investments are most profitable in Japan?

The survey ranked 'condominium units' and 'old detached houses' as tied for first place for being the most profitable properties.

Why do Japanese investors choose old detached houses?

Reasons include the potential for high yields due to low initial investment, lower risk in case of failure, and the prospect of long-term tenancy from families.

What do Japanese real estate investors prioritize when choosing a property, besides profitability?

Besides profitability, 'high liquidity (ease of selling)' is the most prioritized factor, followed by 'good location' and 'tax-saving effects'.

What are the advantages of investing in condominium units?

The advantages include stable demand and low vacancy risk due to proximity to stations, less management effort, and lower purchase costs and easier financing compared to entire buildings.

Back to Newsroom (772)