Q&A
Frequently asked
questions.
Questions I'm asked often about finding a home in Seattle and on the Eastside. If yours isn't here, please get in touch.
Working together
- Which areas do you serve?
I work across the Greater Seattle area, with a particular focus on the Eastside — Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland.
I also serve Seattle, Mercer Island, Issaquah, Sammamish, Bothell, Shoreline, Edmonds, Renton, Kent, Maple Valley, and Tacoma.
Each area has its own character, and what makes a neighborhood right depends on your commute, your schools, and how you want to spend your days. I'll talk all of that through with you before we start looking.
- When should we start looking?
For a rental, two to three months before your intended move-in date is ideal — especially if you haven't settled on an area yet. That leaves time to weigh commute, schools, and daily life before committing to a neighborhood.
If you're moving from out of state or from overseas, earlier is better still. That said, "we land in a week and still have nowhere to live" is a call I get fairly often, and it works out. Reach out whenever you are — we'll work with the time we have.
- Do you work with clients who speak little or no English?
Yes. I'm a native Japanese speaker and can handle the whole process in Japanese — the first conversation, the search, negotiation, contracts, and closing.
I work in English just as readily, so a household that mixes both languages is no trouble at all. If you're helping a parent, spouse, or colleague who is more comfortable in Japanese, you're welcome to introduce us and step back, or stay as involved as you'd like.
Buying a home
- Do you need a green card or US citizenship to buy a home?
No. You can buy a home in the US without citizenship or a green card — from Japan, or while you're here on a work or student visa.
If you'll be financing, the terms depend on your visa type, length of stay, income, and credit history. I can introduce you to lenders who work with these situations regularly. Cash purchases are straightforward.
Renting a home
- Can we find a home and sign a lease before arriving in the US?
Yes. I run viewings over Zoom or LINE and handle leases by electronic signature, so it's possible to arrive with keys in hand rather than paying for a hotel while you search.
More than nine in ten of my clients move here from another state or from overseas, so this is how I normally work rather than an exception.
- What's needed to apply for a rental without US credit history?
Proof of income, employment details, and identification — the requirements differ from what you may be used to in Japan.
A short or non-existent US credit history is common for people who have just arrived, and there are ways to work around it. I'll walk you through the options for your situation.
- What does rental support cost?
A flat $2,000, regardless of the size of the property or the rent. The fee is due once the lease is signed.
It covers the search, viewings, negotiation, lease review, utility setup, and being there with you at move-in. The Services page has more on how buying, selling, and leasing work.