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He converted old and neglected houses into a thriving rental business.
Hayato Kawamura’s interest deepened into a passion for real estate during his student years. (Photo Credits: QQ.com)
People with a wealth mindset know they are in charge of their own fate. Successful investors often identify value in overlooked or undervalued assets, turning liabilities into lucrative ones. An example of this mindset is a Japanese man who is in the headlines for transforming decayed houses into a profitable rental business.
This is the story of a 38-year-old Hayato Kawamura from Osaka who bought 200 old and neglected houses and converted them into a thriving rental business, earning a total of 140 million yen (Rs 7.7 crore). Hayato’s distinct approach to real estate investment, along with years of experience and passion, has made him a remarkable figure in the industry.
Fascinated by houses since childhood, Kawamura loved gazing at the diverse houses in the city from a mountaintop deck. This interest deepened into a passion for real estate during his student years. Even though he couldn’t afford any at the time, he would take his girlfriend to visit properties as part of his dates. Kawamura spent all his free time learning about real estate.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), he worked at a property rental company after graduation. However, once his boss was demoted following a disagreement with high management, he realised the risks of working for someone else. He also noticed that the work pressure was too much and his salary did not match his hard work.
“I realised promotions were not about ability, but whether your superior liked you. I wanted an income that would allow me to live without relying on my pay cheque,” Kawamura said.
He started saving money with the goal of becoming a landlord. At the age of 23, Kawamura bought an auctioned flat for 1.7 million yen (Rs 9.3 lakh). He owned the property for six years, earning a yearly rent of 340,000 yen (Rs 1.87 lakh) and later he sold it for 4.3 million yen (Rs 23.7 lakh).
He then targeted run-down houses in remote areas priced under 1 million yen (Rs 5.5 lakh). He recognised these dilapidated houses as an opportunity to cut costs; by investing a small amount in improvements, he could immediately rent them out for a profit. Kawamura then purchased some unusual properties, such as houses filled with dead stray animals or those with leaking roofs.
Later, in 2018, he left his job to start his own real estate firm named Merryhome. Reportedly, he has bought 200 run-down houses over the past few years and earned a rental income of more than 140 million yen. “I never expected to get rich overnight. Real estate investment is a long-term game that requires patience and careful attention,” he added.
