For those just starting out in real estate investment, acquiring reliable knowledge is the first hurdle to overcome. Without sufficient knowledge, you risk becoming an easy target for real estate agents, potentially ending up with properties that offer extremely low returns or struggle to attract tenants. This is where attending real estate investment seminars can be invaluable. While information can be gathered from online articles and books, seminars are considered more effective because they provide detailed, non-public information. According to a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, many landlords cite “attending seminars or real estate investment schools” as a means of acquiring knowledge about rental property management, with seminars ranking highly among knowledge acquisition methods.
At seminars on single-building apartment investments, participants take notes diligently while listening to the instructor's explanations. The knowledge gained in such settings is often practical and difficult to acquire through self-study, making it a powerful tool for beginners in real estate investment. Especially in single-building apartment investments, which are often undertaken by landowners or wealthy individuals, a wide range of knowledge is required, from property selection and financial planning to rental management, tax strategies, and exit strategies. The key points to focus on vary depending on the type of property. For example, in new condominium unit investments, selecting a location with potential for future appreciation is the most important factor, while in used single-family apartment investments, maximizing tax savings and preparing for maintenance risks are key considerations. To systematically learn such specialized and diverse topics, information gathering through seminars is extremely important.
The first point is the reliability of the seminar instructor. The quality of information provided in a seminar is greatly influenced by the instructor's experience and expertise. If the instructor's track record in real estate investment is unclear, the reliability of the seminar content itself may be low. In fact, it has been pointed out that seminars where the instructor's track record is unclear tend to fail to adequately explain the difficulties and risks of investment, instead emphasizing that “you can easily achieve large profits.” Such seminars may also be aimed at selling properties from specific companies, which can be risky for beginners.
On the other hand, if the instructor has extensive investment experience and proven results, the seminar is likely to be reliable and provide high-quality information. Seminars led by experienced instructors provide practical advice based on their own experiences, making it easier for participants to gain insights that can be applied in real-world situations. Therefore, it is essential to carefully assess “who is teaching” when selecting a seminar. Specifically, check the following points.
Why is the reliability of the instructor particularly important for landowners and wealthy individuals? The reason is whether the instructor is knowledgeable about large-scale investments and asset utilization. For example, if a landowner is considering building an apartment on land inherited through inheritance, learning from an instructor familiar with similar cases can provide practical insights into construction costs, tax considerations, and long-term management plans. If the instructor lacks such experience, they may focus on superficial topics and overlook important pitfalls. In fact, experts have warned that even if one builds or purchases an apartment for tax savings purposes, without proper knowledge and planning, there is a risk of falling into unforeseen pitfalls. For example, if the instructor fails to adequately emphasize the importance of vacancy risks or loan repayment plans due to insufficient expertise, participants may mistakenly assume that “if we build it, tenants will come,” leading to a situation where the property ends up with vacant units and operating losses. To avoid such failures, the instructor's credibility is a non-negotiable factor when selecting a seminar.
The next important factor is how practical the seminar content is. Even for beginners, seminars that merely introduce general theories will not equip participants with the skills needed for actual investment decisions. Especially in single-building apartment investment, there are many practical challenges that cannot be addressed with theoretical knowledge alone. What beginners in real estate investment should seek is concrete, applicable knowledge such as real-world success and failure cases and market analysis. For example, in a high-quality seminar, the instructor will share not only their own success stories but also their failures, explaining in detail “why it led to failure” and “how it should have been handled.” Such lectures based on concrete examples help participants understand the real investment environment and are extremely beneficial for developing their own judgment skills.
Additionally, practical seminars incorporate innovative approaches to encourage active learning. These may include hands-on exercises such as calculating income and expense simulations together with the instructor or group discussions based on case studies. Through such exercises, participants can develop the ability to think critically and make decisions on their own. Seminars that incorporate investment simulations and case studies are particularly valuable because they lead directly to the acquisition of practical skills, not just theoretical understanding.
When choosing a seminar, focus on the following points to assess its practicality.
The practicality that landowners and wealthy individuals should seek in a single-building apartment investment seminar is whether the content provides a clear vision of “what to do starting tomorrow.” For example, for wealthy individuals starting apartment management as part of inheritance planning, it is crucial to gain specific know-how such as tax-saving methods utilizing depreciation, negotiation techniques with financial institutions, and key points for maintaining and managing properties. On the other hand, attending a seminar with superficial content may result in acquiring only superficial knowledge without mastering essential know-how. As a result, there is a risk of making incorrect judgments in real investment situations and incurring significant losses.
An example of a pitfall is attending a seminar that emphasizes tax savings alone and blindly following its advice. While tax savings through depreciation are indeed attractive for single-building apartment investments, practical planning—such as balancing rental income with loan repayments and strategies to mitigate vacancy risks—must be thoroughly considered. Otherwise, the plan remains theoretical. In fact, some experts point out that “purchasing an apartment for tax savings purposes can lead to unexpected pitfalls without proper knowledge and planning.” For example, purchasing a property without sufficient market research or risk simulations may result in the property being fully occupied initially but eventually facing an increase in vacancies and turning into a loss over time. Such situations can be prevented by anticipating them in the initial planning stage and developing countermeasures. A seminar that provides practical content will cover long-term risk management and how to create a revenue and expense plan, enabling participants to prevent failures before they occur. The practicality of the seminar content is a key factor in determining the success rate of an investment.
The final point is the stance and track record of the company hosting the seminar. No matter how excellent the lecturers or how interesting the content may be, if the company behind the seminar is not trustworthy, participants cannot learn with peace of mind. On the other hand, if the seminar is hosted by a reputable company with a proven track record, participants can expect accurate content and reliable follow-up support. In fact, the reliability of the hosting company is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a real estate investment seminar. This is because companies with experience and a proven track record can provide participants with accurate and beneficial information.
The first thing to check is the basic track record of the organizing company. The number of years since the company was established and its reputation in the industry are important indicators of reliability. Generally, companies with over 10 years of experience in the real estate investment industry can be considered trustworthy. Additionally, check the company's seminar hosting history. Companies that have hosted a large number of seminars in the past (e.g., over 100) are likely to have accumulated expertise and be experienced in event management. Furthermore, check the seminar information listed on real estate investment portal sites (such as Rakumachi or Kenbika) to confirm the details of the organizer, and see if past seminar photos, videos, and participant feedback are publicly available. Companies that openly share information about their events demonstrate transparency, allowing you to gain a better understanding of the seminar's atmosphere and content in advance, which can provide reassurance.
Additionally, the scale of the host company's operations and its transaction history are also indicators of reliability. For example, the number of rental properties managed by the company or the number of investors and partner financial institutions it deals with can serve as benchmarks for performance. If the number of managed properties is extremely low or the company has a very short history, it may lack sufficient experience. On the other hand, companies that are trusted and have transactions with many owners and financial institutions are likely to have a certain level of proven track record. Additionally, companies that disclose the types of investment properties they handle (e.g., whether they focus on condominium units or entire buildings) make it easier to determine if the seminar aligns with your needs.
Based on the above points, we have compiled the following checkpoints to assess the reliability of the hosting company.
Why trustworthiness is crucial for landowners and high-net-worth individuals is that attending a seminar is not a one-time learning opportunity. After the seminar, when it comes to actually purchasing or constructing properties, you may rely on the company for property recommendations, introductions to lenders, or property management services, potentially forming a long-term partnership. The larger the asset size of the landowner or wealthy individual, the greater the impact of each investment decision on their overall assets. Therefore, it is essential to partner with a trustworthy and experienced company. For example, it is important to avoid situations where an unknown company with little industry experience hosts a seminar and entices participants with claims such as “We have access to high-quality properties through special channels,” leading them to sign a contract without proper consideration. Companies with limited experience may resort to aggressive sales tactics or fail to provide adequate post-contract support. Reliable companies prioritize building long-term trust with their clients, so they do not engage in excessive sales pitches or offer unrealistic incentives at seminars. For example, if a seminar advertises “high-value gift cards for all attendees,” this may indicate that the true purpose of the seminar is to sell the company's products rather than provide valuable information. Landowners and asset holders should pay particular attention to a company's honest approach rather than superficial enticements. High-quality seminars naturally attract people through word of mouth and reputation, and companies that are confident in their content tend to operate with integrity.
We have explained the three key points to consider when choosing a single-building apartment investment seminar for beginners: “the credibility of the instructor,” “the practicality of the content,” and “the attitude and track record of the organizing company.” Carefully evaluating these points when selecting a seminar is more important than simply choosing a study method. The knowledge and network gained from a high-quality seminar directly impact actual investment decisions and, ultimately, investment outcomes. For example, the property selection skills and risk management know-how acquired through a high-quality seminar can help you identify profitable properties and avoid unfavorable contracts, guiding your investments toward success. On the other hand, relying on seminars that provide inaccurate information or biased perspectives may lead to purchasing unsuitable properties, incurring losses, or missing out on favorable investment opportunities.
That is why you must not compromise when choosing seminars. “Information is the greatest weapon,” and learning from reliable sources lays the foundation for sound asset management. The knowledge gained from seminars directly translates into decision-making ability in real-world situations, ultimately manifesting as differences in investment performance. In fact, those who have thoroughly studied property selection, rental management, and exit strategies through real estate investment seminars tend to avoid failures more easily than those who begin without any preparation. This is because the knowledge gained from seminars allows you to avoid properties with extremely low returns or those that will cause difficulties in the future.
Finally, I would like to touch on the importance of actively utilizing reliable information sources. In addition to learning from seminars, gather information eagerly from related books, individual consultations with experts, and the experiences of senior investors. However, in this age of information overload, selecting and filtering information is crucial. Place greater weight on information from reliable seminars and experts, and develop the habit of making decisions based on objective evidence. When it comes to seminars, you can assess their quality by researching participant reviews and reputation. The voices of actual participants are invaluable, and a seminar with many positive reviews is evidence that participants are satisfied, while one with mostly negative reviews should be reconsidered. Take into account the experiences of others and choose the learning environment that best suits you.
Real estate investment, especially single-building apartment investment, is a high-stakes game involving large sums of money. Therefore, being cautious at the outset—deciding which seminar to attend, who to learn from, and what to learn—is a wise strategy that can lead to future success. By learning practical knowledge from trustworthy instructors and receiving support from established companies, you will be able to protect and maximize the value of your valuable assets as landowners and asset holders. Take the points discussed in this article into consideration when selecting a seminar, and use solid information to put your real estate investment on the path to success.