Hi,

Moving to Yokosuka soon. Plan to live in Yokohama to allow spouse to work in Tokyo more readily (commute-wise).

Can anyone recommend a Yokohama real estate agent? All I've come across is Ken Corp, and while decent, have a very limited set of apartments listings.

Fine with English or Japanese speaking (prefer the former).

Thanks!

I used Ken Corp and have not been thrilled with them. Zee Brothers Real Estate is a popular one. They have a decent website--www.zbhomes.com However, they focus in Naka-ku. What makes it difficult here is that the realtors each have different properties they show you, so you really need to go out with multiple agencies to get a good selection. Ken Corp is big so definitely try them, but contact others as well. I also used Tokunaga and a woman by the name of Risa (info on both is available in the housing office). Very few have websites, so you cannot see much until you get here.

My recommendation is to first figure out the area in which you want to live. If you are both taking the train, find a station that has decent access both directions. I live near Chinatown and take 2 trains to get to Yokosuka. It takes me about 1.25 hours including the 10 min walk at each end. Once you get here, walk around the area you have chosen. There should be a lot of small realtors, each with different properties. Check with as many as you need. I used only the ones from the housing office, which is limited for Yokohama, but they do understand the US Govt. lease. Of course, Yokohama has a lot of foreigners, so hopefully the questions of which lease, whether a guantor is needed (if Japanese lease), etc. can be worked out. It is all very complicated so start with the housing office and thier list, but definitely walk around the area and scope out the other agents. I feel like I missed a lot of properties I would have prefered. Hope that helps a little.

Many thanks.