Which realtor should I choose? The features for major real estate companies.
アパマンショップ [APAMAN SHOP] (あぱまん しょっぷ)
- They boast the largest number of stores among rental housing brokers.
- There are stores in all 47 prefectures in Japan, so the support area is nationwide
- Many stores, so there are many properties to handle
- Due to the large number of employees and stores, the quality of customer service is uneven
- Sales agents tend to be pushy
- 仲介手数料 [CHUKAI TESURYO] (ちゅうかいてすうりょう) “Brokerage fee” is equal to one month’s rent
ピタットハウス [PITATTO HOUSE] (ぴたっと はうす)
- It has stores in all of Japan as well as 35 cities abroad.
- There are many properties that allow you to pay rent with a credit card
- The screening process tends to be more stringent than other real estate agencies. There are also a few more documents to submit when applying to move in.
- Sales agents are not pushy.
ミニミニ [MINIMINI] (みにみに)
- There are stores all over Japan.
- Many properties are for single people and few for families
- Have to have a credit card for the mini-mini
- Since there are many properties managed by themselves, they tend to give priority to those properties on suggesting properties.
- 仲介手数料 [CHUKAI TESURYO] (ちゅうかいてすうりょう) “Brokerage fee” is half the rent.
- Set plans with furniture and appliances
- Services to support you in setting up the Internet
賃貸住宅サービス [CHINTAI JYUTAKU SERVICE] (ちんたいじゅうたくさーびす)
- Many stores in the Kansai area, few in the Kanto area
- You can pay the rent and initial costs with a credit card
- You can search for a room by using LINE. (Osaka and Hyogo only)
- If you become a member, you will receive a variety of benefits
(e.g., discounted brokerage fees, free Internet installation, discounted moving fees, etc.)
センチュリー21 [CENTURY 21] (せんちゅりーとぅえんてぃーわん)
- In many cases, real estate agencies that have been in the local area for a long time have been converted to Century 21 through franchising and are likely to have staff members who are familiar with the area’s information
- A service (Lease Back Service) that allow you to sell the property you own and still continue to live in it as a tenant.
- Not many stores across the country and not many properties that are available. However, there are stores in other countries and you can search for properties abroad.
リブマックス [LIVE MAX] (りぶまっくす)
- Managing Monthly apartments or Weekly apartments
- 仲介手数料 [CHUKAI TESURYO] (ちゅうかいてすうりょう) “Brokerage fee” is half the rent.
- Have a property that comes with furniture and appliances
- Many properties have no initial fees (security deposit and key money)
- Many staff with poor customer service
レオパレス [LEOPALACE] (れおぱれす)
- Many properties have higher rents than others because they are equipped with furniture and appliances.
- Many are wooden two-story apartments, often with a reputation for thin walls.
- No guarantor is required but you must join a guarantee company. A guarantee fee is required.
- There is a “monthly contract” that allows you to specify the length of your stay for a minimum of 30 days. Since you can move out in a short period of time, it can be used as a temporary residence.
- They have original services such as Wifi internet facilities (LeoNet) and a system (Leo Lock) that allows you to unlock the front door with your smartphone
エイブル [ABLE] (えいぶる)
- 仲介手数料 [CHUKAI TESURYO] (ちゅうかいてすうりょう) “Brokerage fee” is half the rent.
- Many properties have no initial fees (security deposit and key money)
- Sales agents tend to be pushy
- There are some reputations that there exist おとり物件 [OTORI BUKKEN] (おとりぶっけん)”Fictitious properties just to catch the eye of the customer, despite the fact that they do not actually exist”
- A service that allow you to rent home appliances such as televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and microwaves