Discover Ieichiba: The Ultimate Marketplace for Selling Vacant Houses

The website "Ieichiba" (家いちば) offers a bulletin board for people wanting to sell their vacant properties. This platform connects sellers directly with buyers, allowing sellers to freely list their properties without intervention. Here's a summary of its key features and advantages:

Key Features of Ieichiba:

1. Self-Service Model:

   • Sellers prepare their own photos and descriptions for the listings.

   • Sellers handle inquiries and viewings directly.

   • The platform allows sellers to list any property, regardless of its condition (e.g., old, leaky, overgrown with weeds, filled with belongings).

2. Freedom and Flexibility:

   • There are no restrictions on what can be listed.

   • Sellers can list properties even if the price hasn't been determined yet.

3. Hybrid Service Model:

   • While the listing and negotiation phases are self-service, the contract phase involves professional real estate agents (宅地建物取引士) to ensure safe and legal transactions.

   • The site facilitates the entire transaction from listing to finalizing the sale, including legal documentation and registration through certified professionals.

4. Support for Difficult-to-Sell Properties:

   • The platform targets properties that have traditionally been hard to sell due to their condition.

   • It acts as a “last resort” for sellers struggling to find buyers through conventional methods.

Advantages for Owners of Vacant Houses:

1. Direct Market Access:

   • Owners can sell properties "as-is," without making improvements or repairs.

   • Even unregistered properties can be listed.

2. Reaching Interested Buyers:

   • Despite the condition of the properties, there is a significant demand from buyers looking for cheaper options.

   • The platform provides a solution to the problem of vacant houses, helping owners find buyers who might otherwise not have had a way to purchase these properties.

Addressing the Vacant House Problem:

• Japan has a growing problem with vacant houses, with over 4.18 million empty homes in 2018.

• Despite this, the construction of new houses continues at a high rate, exacerbating the issue.

• Ieichiba has demonstrated that even properties in poor condition can attract buyers, addressing the challenge of increasing vacant homes by providing an effective sales channel.

Ieichiba thus serves as a unique marketplace, offering a blend of self-service and professional assistance to help tackle Japan's vacant house problem.