Reversing the Trend of Rural Vacancies: A Rental Model Achieving 100% Occupancy and Waiting Lists through Area Research-Driven 'Case Study Houses' #8 & #9 Released
Create Lemon Co., Ltd. has unveiled its latest 'Case Study House' examples (#8 & #9) that achieve 100% occupancy and waiting lists in rural areas, countering the increasing vacancy trend. This model, driven by area-specific research, aims to create demand and establish a sustainable rental management approach.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 03:25
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Create Lemon Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, Representative Director CEO: Tomokazu Oba) has released the latest case studies (#8 and #9) of its "Case Study House" series, which achieves stable rental property management even in rural areas experiencing population decline.
This project was implemented in Funagata Town, Yamagata Prefecture, achieving a 100% occupancy rate and even generating a waiting list. In an era where the traditional idea of "build it and they will come" is ending, this project is gaining attention as a new rental model that creates demand starting from area research.
■Background: Structural Changes in the Rural Rental Market
The increasing vacancy rate in rural housing markets is a challenge due to population decline and changes in household structure. Specifically, cases where new properties struggle to secure stable tenancy are increasing, and a "supply surplus" situation is becoming apparent.
On the other hand, there is also a tendency for demand to concentrate on properties that match regional characteristics, leading to a polarization between "chosen rentals" and "unchosen rentals."
■Solution: Design Based on Area Research
Create Lemon adopts a design approach that starts with "area research," meticulously examining local demand, rather than conventional standardized housing supply.
This method emphasizes the following elements:
- Clarifying the target demographic (e.g., students, single-person households)
- Analyzing local lifestyle patterns and demand
- Optimizing floor plans and specifications
This approach enables the creation of rental housing where the "reason for living there" is clear.
■Case Study: Case Study House #8 & #9 in Funagata Town
In the cases released this time, the design was implemented in Funagata Town, Yamagata Prefecture, taking into account regional characteristics.
By clearly setting targets and designing spaces according to needs, the project achieved:
- 100% occupancy rate
- Generated a waiting list
(※Insert LP visual here)
This case study is not merely a success story but demonstrates the potential for demand creation in rural areas.
■Reproducibility: Development as Town Planning
A key feature of this project is that it is not limited to the success of individual properties but is a "reproducible design method" that derives optimal solutions for each region. Going forward, the company aims to redefine the concept of rental housing in rural areas from the perspective of "town planning," with an eye toward expanding to other regions.
Brand and Project Background: Unite House Philosophy — "Housing is a Question"
Unite House has pursued "QOL housing," a simple and rational housing structure, to maximize the lives and happiness of residents. In its past home building, it has prioritized the balance of basic performance and design, rational living flow, and comfort.
What is "Case Study House 2026"?
CASE STUDY HOUSE 2026
Inspired by the "Case Study House" housing experiments that began in post-war America, this project, reconstructed for 2026, is a continuous presentation series that not only showcases the completed form of housing but also verifies in full scale the question, "How happily can people live in this era?" A total of 20 models are scheduled to be released by December 2026.
▼Case Study House 2026 Details Page
https://createlemon.jp/LP/new_products_2026
■Related Information
Completion of 'Uniterrace IV' in collaboration with Funagata Town
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000082.000058352.html
【Company Profile】
【About Create Lemon Co., Ltd.】
Established in 1990, Create Lemon Co., Ltd. has developed architecture, real estate, and dining businesses. Its "Unite House," which has been No. 1 in housing starts in Yamagata Prefecture for 15 consecutive years (※according to research by Living Tsushinsha from 2008-2023), is characterized by its simple design and high cost performance. It offers semi-custom "Unite House" and fully standardized "Smart Unite," both adopting long-term superior housing as standard. With the motto "Let's be nosy.", the company actively engages in community contribution activities and continues to challenge itself as a company that supports rich living.
Company Name: Create Lemon Co., Ltd.
Representative: Tomokazu Oba, Representative Director
Location: 2-7-39 Minamihara-machi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Official Website: https://createlemon.jp
Unite House Yamagata: http://unitehouse-yamagata.jp/
【What is Uniterrace?】
Uniterrace is a unique rental housing product that inherits the philosophy of Unite House, enhancing the QOL for renters (residents), landlords (owners), and sellers (our company). It is a series of rental housing primarily for single individuals, typically furnished with appliances.
By adopting a multi-story row house design, it reduces construction costs and maintenance expenses, while simultaneously ensuring comfortable living for residents and stable rental management.
Uniterrace (for residents): https://uniterrac
This project was implemented in Funagata Town, Yamagata Prefecture, achieving a 100% occupancy rate and even generating a waiting list. In an era where the traditional idea of "build it and they will come" is ending, this project is gaining attention as a new rental model that creates demand starting from area research.
■Background: Structural Changes in the Rural Rental Market
The increasing vacancy rate in rural housing markets is a challenge due to population decline and changes in household structure. Specifically, cases where new properties struggle to secure stable tenancy are increasing, and a "supply surplus" situation is becoming apparent.
On the other hand, there is also a tendency for demand to concentrate on properties that match regional characteristics, leading to a polarization between "chosen rentals" and "unchosen rentals."
■Solution: Design Based on Area Research
Create Lemon adopts a design approach that starts with "area research," meticulously examining local demand, rather than conventional standardized housing supply.
This method emphasizes the following elements:
- Clarifying the target demographic (e.g., students, single-person households)
- Analyzing local lifestyle patterns and demand
- Optimizing floor plans and specifications
This approach enables the creation of rental housing where the "reason for living there" is clear.
■Case Study: Case Study House #8 & #9 in Funagata Town
In the cases released this time, the design was implemented in Funagata Town, Yamagata Prefecture, taking into account regional characteristics.
By clearly setting targets and designing spaces according to needs, the project achieved:
- 100% occupancy rate
- Generated a waiting list
(※Insert LP visual here)
This case study is not merely a success story but demonstrates the potential for demand creation in rural areas.
■Reproducibility: Development as Town Planning
A key feature of this project is that it is not limited to the success of individual properties but is a "reproducible design method" that derives optimal solutions for each region. Going forward, the company aims to redefine the concept of rental housing in rural areas from the perspective of "town planning," with an eye toward expanding to other regions.
Brand and Project Background: Unite House Philosophy — "Housing is a Question"
Unite House has pursued "QOL housing," a simple and rational housing structure, to maximize the lives and happiness of residents. In its past home building, it has prioritized the balance of basic performance and design, rational living flow, and comfort.
What is "Case Study House 2026"?
CASE STUDY HOUSE 2026
Inspired by the "Case Study House" housing experiments that began in post-war America, this project, reconstructed for 2026, is a continuous presentation series that not only showcases the completed form of housing but also verifies in full scale the question, "How happily can people live in this era?" A total of 20 models are scheduled to be released by December 2026.
▼Case Study House 2026 Details Page
https://createlemon.jp/LP/new_products_2026
■Related Information
Completion of 'Uniterrace IV' in collaboration with Funagata Town
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000082.000058352.html
【Company Profile】
【About Create Lemon Co., Ltd.】
Established in 1990, Create Lemon Co., Ltd. has developed architecture, real estate, and dining businesses. Its "Unite House," which has been No. 1 in housing starts in Yamagata Prefecture for 15 consecutive years (※according to research by Living Tsushinsha from 2008-2023), is characterized by its simple design and high cost performance. It offers semi-custom "Unite House" and fully standardized "Smart Unite," both adopting long-term superior housing as standard. With the motto "Let's be nosy.", the company actively engages in community contribution activities and continues to challenge itself as a company that supports rich living.
Company Name: Create Lemon Co., Ltd.
Representative: Tomokazu Oba, Representative Director
Location: 2-7-39 Minamihara-machi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Official Website: https://createlemon.jp
Unite House Yamagata: http://unitehouse-yamagata.jp/
【What is Uniterrace?】
Uniterrace is a unique rental housing product that inherits the philosophy of Unite House, enhancing the QOL for renters (residents), landlords (owners), and sellers (our company). It is a series of rental housing primarily for single individuals, typically furnished with appliances.
By adopting a multi-story row house design, it reduces construction costs and maintenance expenses, while simultaneously ensuring comfortable living for residents and stable rental management.
Uniterrace (for residents): https://uniterrac