[SINGAPORE] Investors in Singapore will soon gain access to more Japanese real estate opportunities through OrangeTee’s partnership with Tokyu Livable, one of Japan’s largest real estate agencies.
Through OrangeTee, the proptech and real estate agency arm of Realion Group, Singapore-based investors will be able to tap Tokyu Livable’s exclusive portfolio of residential and investment-grade properties.
These include “premium” renovated apartments in city-fringe districts, such as Nakameguro and Kichijoji in Tokyo; newly built condominiums in sought-after districts, such as Shinjuku and Shibuya; and brand-new investment residences in high-demand areas such as Minato, Chiyoda and Tokyo Bay.
While OrangeTee’s current focus is primarily on residential and retail investors, it said on Thursday (Aug 21) that its partnership with Tokyu Livable will also support clients exploring other strategic asset classes, such as hospitality, boutique developments and commercial assets in major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto.
This would apply particularly to institutional and business-to-business (B2B) clients in Singapore and the region, it added.
OrangeTee will provide end-to-end support, including curated property tours, personalised consultations and regular market insights, to help clients navigate the Japanese real estate market.
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“The curated property opportunities undergo strict due diligence and come with the option of in-person viewings prior to transaction,” it said.
As at Thursday, there were four listings of residences in Japan on OrangeTee’s website. This included freehold one-bedroom units spanning 576 square feet in Tokyo’s Asakusa area from around 69.8 million yen (S$607,570), and freehold 593 sq ft two-bedroom units in Yokohama from around 83.8 million yen.
Steven Tan, director of OrangeTee International, noted that Japanese real estate is compelling for investors, given its stable yields, accessible financing and the growing demand for quality homes.
“Importantly, by backing (investors’ exclusive access to Tokyu Livable’s portfolio) with personalised consultation, on-ground local insights and seamless transaction support, we are making property investment in Japan more accessible than ever,” he added.
An old favourite
Japan has long been a favourite among Singapore-based property investors, who continue to plough money into the market despite falling global interest rates.
Earlier in June, for instance, Frasers Hospitality launched Yotel Tokyo Ginza for business and leisure travellers. Real estate and private-equity firm Patience Capital Group also partnered with Hong Kong-based Gaw Capital to acquire Tokyu Plaza Ginza for more than US$1 billion in February.
In the past decade, OrangeTee’s B2B division in Japan has transacted more than 50 billion yen worth of assets across the residential sector, as well as in offices, hotels, assisted living, dormitories and land. Clients include large family offices and Singapore real estate investment trusts.
“We are now broadening this focus to include the retail residential market, thereby extending our footprint beyond institutional engagements,” said OrangeTee chief executive officer Justin Quek.
Market observers attribute the strong interest to the country’s relatively low borrowing costs and yields that have remained in the 3.5 to 4 per cent range. The yen’s continued depreciation has made Japanese assets more affordable for Singapore investors, too.
Quek, who is also deputy group CEO of Realion Group, added that the latest move is part of the group’s aim of building an integrated regional real estate services platform.
“Japan is a key market in our growth strategy, and deepening ties with Tokyu Livable strengthens our capabilities to serve both institutional and retail clients across asset classes,” he said.
An investor seminar will be held on Sunday to kick-start the launch, with a team of OrangeTee consultants sharing market insights and opportunities in Japan.
Established in 1972, Tokyu Livable is one of Japan’s largest real estate providers, with 198 offices across the country. Currently, it has 228 locations in its domestic network, covering areas such as Tokyo, Kansai, Nagoya, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Tohoku.
The company in 2014 acquired a 22.5 per cent stake in OrangeTee.
Beyond Japan, OrangeTee offers listings in other international markets such as Australia, Dubai, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand and the UK.
AloJapan.com