When Buying a Detached House, Do You Consider "How Many More Years the Building Will Last"? [Survey Results Revealed]

Philia Corporation Ltd. (Headquarters: Itabashi-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Naoyuki Koshikawa) operates a real estate revitalization support website specializing in problematic properties, and conducted a nationwide survey targeting men and women across Japan.

Full details are published in our column ▶ https://philia-co.com/media/other/questionnaire-kodate-ishiki/

Issues such as inheriting family homes and leaving vacant houses unattended have become unavoidable social problems. Starting in April 2024, inheritance registration will become mandatory, and under revised legislation enacted in December 2023, poorly managed vacant houses face the real risk of property taxes increasing up to sixfold.

From the perspective of experts who have handled over 1,000 consultations, many people share similar dilemmas—"What should I do with a house full of memories?" or "Is the house too old to sell?" This article dives deep into the true nature of the "anxieties" preventing people from dealing with their family homes, based on survey results from 500 men and women nationwide.

(Request for Quoting or Reproducing Survey Results)

1 When using the results or images from this survey, please clearly credit the source as:

"For buying non-rebuildable properties, row houses, terraced houses, or shared ownership interests, contact Philia Corporation."

2 If used on a website, please include the following URLs as the source:

[ https://philia-co.com/media/other/questionnaire-kodate-ishiki/ ]

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No permission is required from our company for publication.

(Survey Overview)

Target: Men and women across Japan

Survey Period: April 25–26, 2026

Method: Internet-based voluntary responses

Valid Responses: 500 people (320 women / 180 men)

(Survey Summary)

• Over 80% of respondents strongly consider the remaining lifespan of a building

• Top reason: Concern about repair costs in old age

• Respondents express financial and emotional concerns related to building deterioration over time

When buying a detached house, do you consider "how many more years the building will last"?

The survey revealed that over 80% of respondents strongly consider the lifespan of a building. As homes represent one of life’s largest purchases and can become either an "asset" or a "liability" upon inheritance, an increasing number of people appear to be taking a long-term view.

Reasons for Considering How Long a Building Will Last

We analyze the top concerns expressed by respondents from a professional standpoint to understand the specific issues facing today’s property owners.

1st: Worry about repair costs in old age (72.4%)

As buildings age, problems with roofs, exterior walls, and plumbing systems become frequent. Particularly after 30 to 40 years, maintenance alone can cost several million yen.

(Expert Insight): In the current market, older homes are difficult to sell through traditional brokerage unless they have been renovated. However, by using specialized channels that buy properties "as-is" (in their current condition), sellers can avoid bearing repair costs. When significant future repair expenses are expected, selling the property in its current state before it completely loses value often makes sound economic sense.

2nd: Fear of leaving debt to children (58.1%)

The desire to avoid turning a family home into a liability is strong, and with the revised Vacant House Law enacted in 2023, this concern has become increasingly realistic. Poorly managed vacant houses may be designated as "neglected vacant houses," losing tax benefits and facing property taxes up to six times higher.

(Expert Insight): When multiple heirs are involved, holding property under joint ownership often leads to complex rights issues, making it difficult to sell or demolish—resulting in a "paralyzed" situation. To avoid burdening the next generation, it is crucial to consider exit strategies such as early consultation before inheritance or selling only one’s shared ownership interest. Involving specialists well-versed in legal and tax matters can prevent the property from becoming a liability for future generations.

3rd: Concern about collapse during earthquakes (49.6%)

For properties built under outdated seismic standards or located on land that does not meet road access requirements ("non-rebuildable properties"), the inability to reconstruct after collapse makes this concern especially serious.

(Expert Insight): Non-rebuildable properties cannot be replaced with new homes if destroyed by disaster, and if left unattended, they may be designated as "specific vacant houses" and subject to administrative demolition. Even for such difficult properties, specialized firms with expertise in resolving legal and structural constraints—such as boundary adjustments with neighboring land or rental conversion through renovation—can facilitate transactions at fair prices.

4th: Concern about sustained asset value (35.2%)

Respondents worry that the property may have no market value when they eventually decide to sell. In urban areas like Tokyo, properties with legal restrictions often have extremely low market liquidity.

(Expert Insight): A property’s value depends not only on its physical condition but also on the availability of an "exit strategy." Even for non-rebuildable or row houses, maintaining or monetizing asset value is possible by choosing the right distribution channel—such as high-value brokerage using investor networks or direct purchase—tailored to the property’s unique characteristics. We recommend obtaining an objective appraisal before the property is labeled as "neglected."

5th: Calculating based on one’s own life expectancy (21.8%)

This reflects practical decisions aligned with personal life stages, such as wanting to downsize while still healthy or using proceeds for future care facility expenses.

(Expert Insight): Selling a family home after a parent enters a care facility is a very common consultation case. As people age, complex procedures such as boundary confirmation and negotiations with neighbors become increasingly burdensome. Therefore, direct purchase—where the buyer handles everything from land surveying to disposal of leftover items and neighbor negotiations—offers the smoothest solution.

Conclusion: Accurately Assessing a Building’s "Lifespan" and "Value"

As this survey highlights, many property owners fear the financial and emotional burdens associated with building deterioration over time. Leaving real estate unattended does not only lead to physical decay but also carries the risk of legal disadvantages such as tax increases and penalties.

At Philia Corporation, we aim not only to appraise properties but also to become a trusted partner that fully takes on our clients’ "worries about the future."

This content is operated and written by Philia Corporation Ltd.

▶ About Philia Corporation

Philia Corporation specializes in buying and reselling "vacant houses" and "problematic real estate"—such as non-rebuildable properties, shared ownership interests, and row houses or terraced buildings—that are generally considered difficult to sell. Operating primarily in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa, the company has handled over 1,000 consultations. The president, who holds the qualification of "Vacant House Consultant," personally untangles complex ownership rights and legal constraints, finding new value even in properties rejected by other companies.

▶ Company Information

President: Naoyuki Koshikawa

Business: Real estate buying, selling, and revitalization

Address: 1-25-17 Akatsuka-shinmachi, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 175-0093, Japan (1st Floor, Maison NOWROAD)

URL: https://philia-co.com/

▶ Contact

Public Relations: Katsuno

press@philia-co.com