25
Lost my job in April and started a business helping foreigners buy homes in Japan
r/SideProject
6/26/2025
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Substack | https://substack.com/@yukihomes?r=49ohr1&utm_medium=ios | Content Marketing / Newsletter | Used for bi-weekly updates and business information sharing |
| Linktree | https://linktr.ee/Yukihomes?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=6170e619-9fe9-4324-8834-62b58d056aa6 | Link Aggregation / Social Media Management | Central hub for calendar, Instagram, website, Substack, and other resources |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Onerous process for foreigners buying homes in Japan
- Language barriers and lack of local knowledge
- Difficulty navigating Japanese real estate regulations and market
- Abandoned homes becoming eyesores due to population decline
Problems to Solve:
- Streamlining home buying process for foreigners in Japan
- Renovating and repurposing abandoned Japanese homes
- Connecting foreign buyers with licensed local partners
- Providing English-speaking liaison services
Potential Solutions:
- Creating a streamlined setup for property acquisition
- Partnering with licensed local teams in Japan
- Acting as English-speaking liaisons and managing online presence
- Converting old homes into renovated properties or Airbnbs
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Leveraging personal experience to identify market gap
- Partnering with local licensed professionals for credibility
- Rapidly scaling due to high demand
- Spending significant time in target market (4-6 months/year) to build connections
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Using Substack for bi-weekly content marketing and information sharing
- Utilizing Linktree as a central hub for all resources
- Engaging through Instagram and other social platforms
- Direct outreach via Reddit and personal connections
Monetization & Product:
- Business model: Buying homes at low cost ($26k example), renovating ($25k), and renting as Airbnb ($250/night)
- Targeting foreign investors/tourists seeking Japanese properties
- Addressing product-market fit: High demand for simplified foreign property acquisition in Japan
- Solving Japan's abandoned home crisis by repurposing properties
User Engagement:
- Building community through Substack newsletter with regular updates
- Offering multiple contact points (DM, calendar booking, social media)
- Sharing success stories and personal experiences to build trust
- Engaging with critics to clarify business model and social impact