What Pushes People to Decide to Sell Their Home?

NEXER, together with Eve G ee, a real estate sales and free appraisal company, conducted a survey on the triggers and motivations behind real estate sales. The survey targeted 342 men and women across Japan who said in a preliminary screening that they currently own, or have previously owned, real estate such as land, detached houses, or condominiums. The survey was conducted online from April 27 to May 7, 2026. The results showed that 37.7% of respondents had either considered or actually sold real estate. Specifically, 10.8% had considered selling, while 26.9% had completed a sale. Meanwhile, 62.3% said they had done neither, indicating that many property owners have not yet had occasion to seriously consider selling. Among those who had considered or carried out a sale, the most common trigger was moving to another residence, cited by 35.7%. This was followed by inheritance at 18.6%, asset reorganization at 10.9%, the property becoming vacant at 7.8%, and the burden of maintenance and management at 5.4%. The top three reasons together exceeded 65%, suggesting that life-stage changes and reassessment of assets are central motivations for selling real estate. The survey also found that 7.6% of all respondents had thought about selling but ultimately could not proceed. Reasons included difficulty finding a suitable buyer, concerns about complaints after the sale, inability to secure a next residence, the burden of procedures and time, emotional attachment to the home, and low valuations due to the age of the building. These responses show that selling property involves not only price but also housing plans, family consensus, administrative burden, and emotional factors. Among respondents who had actually sold real estate, 27.2% said it took less than one month to make the decision. Another 20.7% took three to under six months, while 19.6% took one to under three months. In total, 46.8% decided within three months. At the same time, 18.5% took one year or longer, showing that the timeline for deciding to sell can vary greatly depending on buyers, sale price, inheritance issues, family discussions, and the availability of a next home. The main factors that encouraged people to make the decision were the burden of ongoing costs, family approval, satisfaction with the expected sale price, and securing a new place to live. Some respondents pointed to rising repair reserve funds, management fees, and property taxes as key reasons for selling. Others decided after learning that they could sell at a high price or because local land prices had surged. However, some also regretted their timing after prices continued to rise following the sale. The findings suggest that making a decision without regret requires understanding local market prices and the characteristics of the property, as well as consulting specialists when necessary. For those with concerns about property they own, starting with a free appraisal may be a useful first step to understand the current situation.