From renting to owning

Cindy Susada
Mar 24, 2023
3 min read

According to the statistics of the Philippines, there are 291,066 Filipinos in Japan as of June 2022.

Japan is one of the few countries that allow foreigners to own properties without rigorous rules, so long as you're qualified. (you can check the list of requirements here: https://www.realestate-tokyo.com/buy/loan-info/ or you can inquire through this FB page ME Fudousan Atsugi https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=me%20fudousan%20atsugi )

I decided to write this blog because recently, a long time friend and her family from the Philippines stayed in Our house for a vacation and I just realized how amazing it is to now have my own house when we were both just staying at my sister's house then (whenever she's in Japan and me when I was still single).

When I got married on July 29, 2020, I moved from my sister's house to my husband's place (Leo palace), a semi furnished apartment wherein, literally, we almost owned nothing but our own clothes.

"To have a written goal helps push you to not be idle and lazy but instead, to be focused and determined".

We made this list of our faith goals in the first week of 2021. Although, we had it written down, we were not seriously thinking about it because it was too early to own a house in the early stage of our marriage.

However, our timeline is different from God's. He let it fall unto our laps, smoothly.

Nov. 10, 2021- We submitted the documents for initial screening.

Nov. 11, 2021- We were told that it's "almost" approved.

Nov. 14, 2021- We looked for potential houses and we signed the contract with the real estate agent that night for a house impressed by God.

Nov. 20, 2021- We signed the contract with the builder.

Nov. 29, 2021- We met at the bank for initial contract signing and went to the house for final checking.

Dec. 6, 2021- We got the bank's final approval.

Dec. 10, 2021- Final signing at the bank.

Dec. 17, 2021- House turnover.

God gave us a house (we're both not permanent residents yet and only on working Visas) in 37 days.

It is only by His hands and His alone. Moreover, we also did our part in the process.

Here are the greatest lessons I learned that may help you too in the future:

Vision. Have a clear vision. Write it, believe it and work for it.
Save. Because we have a clear vision, large chunk of our entire monthly income goes to our savings. We also use excel file to record where our money went so we can see possible adjustments to prevent overspending.
Tithe. Prior to having my eyes being opened about the truth in tithing, I was a “persecutor” and even claimed that it’s the greatest scam in Christianity. Imagine “giving” 10% of your monthly gross income? But you know what, I have proven that it is nothing compared to God’s protection upon our entire family, our work and His manifest presence. You can never outgive God. Never.
Serve. God rewards His faithful servants.
Be generous. In God’s economy, the one who is generous gains more. At the end of the day, we are just “managers” of God’s money.

(Disclaimer: Some may not be applicable to you)

Out of 291,066 Filipinos here, the Lord has chosen us and entrusted to us, Quatro, this house, thus, we made a commitment to fill this house with beautiful memories and to have stories to boast, not about our accomplishments but about God and His faithfulness.

Do you also want to experience His hand in your life? Seek Him and His will.