All Forum Posts by: Bruce Crawford

Hi @James York - They are the 3rd Thurs of every month in Roppongi at the Brew Dog. So the next one is the 18th. It would be great to have you there if you can make it. Every time there are some different people but from all over. 
Look forward to meeting up. 

Bruce

Hi @Yuji Miyamoto and @James York

Several people in Tokyo and on BP. Happy to meet up when you’re in town Yuji and if you come down from Ibaraki, James :-)

Bruce

@Chris Nelson - I just talked to a guy about commercial properties and loans that may work for you. They focus only in the 5 main wards of Tokyo so it would allow you to live there and rent out the rest. Depending on credit, you could get up to 90% LTV. There are also some other brokers that you could speak with. Banks are still hesitant to give loans but are slowly making a comeback. Even Suruga is starting to make loans again (albeit under very close scrutiny I am sure). PM me and I'll be happy to discuss.

I won’t be at the Meetup tonight but will try next month. 

Bruce

Welcome @Chinyere Okoli - Depending on where you live in Japan, there are meetups you can probably join. I live in Tokyo and there is a meetup here on the 3rd Thurs of every month. 

Happy to talk and connect you with others, depending on your goals / needs. Feel free to PM me. 

Bruce

Hi @Daniel Mills - I am currently traveling but will PM you to set up a time to call or if I head down to Osaka / Kobe we can try to meet up. 

@Casey Maeda - ask at the next meet up as well. Several of us own commercial RE in Japan and would be happy to introduce you to various brokers, PM companies, etc (including Priti's company - disclosure - I own a couple of properties through NTI and it's been a good experience; not commercial though). PM me if you want more info as I won't be at the meetups for a while due to travel. 

@Daniel Mills - Thanks for this post and details. Very useful for me. 

Hi @Jodi Tommerdahl

Any details you can share about the "unfriendly" approach of the French gov't towards REI? You may PM me or post here. My wife is on business in Paris every few months (she lived there for 9 yrs) and we were considering buying a place and VRBO / AirBnB for months we are not there. Any insights you have would be greatly appreciated.

Really useful @Daniel Mills. Thanks! I am not looking to reduce my tax burden as I have 2 buildings and 2 small condos in Japan already that helping (maybe because one is in the "refill" phase after losing my PM). Didn't even consider the transfer of a mortgage in the US - excellent point for me to consider. 

I am just looking to build enough wealth and passive income that I don't need to worry about retirement for either of and can still cover costs of schooling for kids. We love to travel and keep busy so our lifestyle is not cheap - but we don't want to reduce this either (not yet). 

Would be great to catch up after you outline your guide. International life insurance is also a good consideration. 

Appreciate your thoughts! 

I am trying to learn the best way to protect assets in the US when I die. My wife is Japanese (we live in Tokyo) and I want to be sure she will inherit all assets in the US. Any suggestions on the best way to do this?

I heard from a CPA (not lawyer) that I should set up a living will and/or a trust to put everything in. I don't want to put her name on the mortgages as in Japan, we have to file separately and trying to divide up buildings can be a headache (but possible) but doesn't address previously purchased properties. 

Thanks for any advice people can give. I know there are several other BPers asking the same question

Bruce Crawford