Why Shou Toyama, with Real Estate Experience in Japan, Bangkok, and Dubai, Emphasizes Post-Purchase Support
Even after a contract is signed, the work for overseas real estate is not over. There are situations where support is needed on behalf of owners who are not on-site, including checking upon handover, tenant recruitment, addressing indoor defects, and communication with property management companies.
Shiro Toyama, CEO of YAMATO CAPITAL, is committed to post-purchase support because he has seen people "struggle after buying" not only in sales but also in property management. His experience acting on behalf of owners in Bangkok and encountering handover issues in Dubai shaped his current philosophy of support.
The Origin of Our Commitment to Post-Purchase Support: Field Experience
Most people who buy overseas properties cannot regularly check on them in person. When an issue arises indoors or communication with tenants is required, who will assess the situation and make decisions? If this isn't decided before purchase, you'll be scrambling to find someone to consult with after a problem occurs.
Toyama became keenly aware of this challenge during his time working for a Thai real estate company in Bangkok. For four years, he consistently handled not only sales and marketing but also property management and proposals for interior design and furnishings. Many of his clients resided in Japan or other countries, and he often made daily decisions and took action on behalf of owners who were not present locally.
What I Learned in Bangkok: Post-Purchase Management of Overseas Real Estate
While drawn to the active market for off-plan properties, Toyama also confronted issues like defects, repairs, and tenant relations after handover. Since clients were not on-site, he often acted effectively as the owner.
What he learned here was that future operations cannot be fully judged solely by documents at the time of purchase. Who will it be rented to? How will the interior be maintained? Who will take action if a problem arises? Unless one considers the practicalities after purchase, simply focusing on buying and selling cannot truly serve clients. This experience became the genesis of Toyama's conviction that consultation should extend to post-purchase support.
After graduating, he joined the real estate division of Relo Holdings, gaining about three and a half years of experience in leasing and property management. Seeing clients with assets earn rental income, he decided to move to Thailand to learn the practicalities of overseas real estate sales and investment on-site. The foundation in leasing and management he built in Japan supported his work in Bangkok.
The Importance of Documenting: Lessons from a Handover Issue in Dubai
In one of the earliest rental cases he handled in Dubai, he experienced a problem where promised cleaning and fixture repairs were not completed before handover. He recalls that a lack of sufficient documentation for agreements with the other agent was one of the contributing factors.
If defects remain even on the move-in date, clients cannot start their new life with peace of mind. A discrepancy from the condition explained beforehand causes significant anxiety for tenants.
From this experience, he learned the importance of documenting repair locations, deadlines, and cost burdens in contracts and records. Before purchase, it is crucial to confirm and record payment and handover conditions, equipment status, and the division of management roles. If one advocates for post-purchase support, it is essential to first clarify "who does what and to what extent."
Contracts and legal systems vary by region, property, and transaction conditions. Assuming individual verification and consultation with local experts, please also refer to the Dubai Real Estate Price, Area Selection, and Purchase Guide for information on the purchase process and costs/risks to be checked.
Transforming Experience into a System for Post-Purchase Consultation
Moving to Dubai during the pandemic, Toyama increased his client interactions while continuing to disseminate information through channels like YouTube at Driven Properties. He initially handled rental consultations and, with accumulating experience, became involved in sales support. Toyama's personal transaction record includes supporting over 100 Dubai and Abu Dhabi real estate sales and rental contracts, totaling approximately 8 billion JPY in 2023 and 9 billion JPY in 2024.
Even while building his track record, what Toyama valued most was providing as much support as possible from the moment of initial consultation. This involves distinguishing between what is known and what requires verification, avoiding overreach, and engaging honestly and realistically. He reflects that this approach led to client trust and referrals.
His decision to become independent in 2025 was to formalize this type of support himself. At YAMATO CAPITAL, the vision extends beyond merely introducing properties to include organizing contract terms, checking upon handover, and providing consultation on post-purchase leasing, management, and sale.
Toyama believes the role of a real estate agent is to be a reliable point of contact for clients facing issues after purchase and to support their long-term decisions.
Three Things to Confirm with Your Overseas Real Estate Agent Before Purchase
When considering purchasing overseas real estate, in addition to the property description, verify the scope of support offered by the agent and company.
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How they handle repairs or defects before handover, and how contract terms are explained and documented. Check how handover conditions, as well as cancellation or termination clauses, are stipulated in the contract.
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Can they explain options for leasing or selling the property? Evaluate if the agent can explain holding costs, operational options, and sales procedures.
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Are they forthright about situations where you should reconsider a purchase? Confirm if they demonstrate an attitude of not pushing a purchase if it doesn't align with your budget, intended use date, or risk tolerance.
Consult on Dubai Real Estate with a Focus on Post-Purchase
Price, contract terms, completion date, management fees, and rental demand vary by property. Investing in overseas real estate also carries risks such as price fluctuations, exchange rates, vacancies, and regulatory changes.
After clarifying your purchase objectives, budget, planned start of use, and holding period, consider post-purchase management and future sale. YAMATO CAPITAL offers consultations ranging from clarifying conditions and selecting properties to post-handover management, leasing, and sales. Please discuss your objectives and any concerns you may have.
