Proposals Focused on Asset Value and the Behind-the-Scenes of Real Estate Agent Work Based on Personal Experience

Work Philosophy

The Founding Scene

Meishi+

What was the situation and team structure like when you started the company?

Kei Koizumi

After gaining experience in luxury residence leasing sales at Mitsui Fudosan Group, where I joined as a new graduate, I became interested in the field of real estate sales. When I changed jobs to a real estate tech company invested in by SoftBank Vision Fund, I learned from a supervisor, with whom I also became friends privately, about the logic of purchasing residential real estate from an investment perspective, and I experienced buying and selling real estate myself. Also, like other advanced countries, I feel that Japan will soon enter an era where all citizens are engaged in some form of asset management—the era of 100 million investors. To respond to this, I felt that a new service was needed that could provide real estate and finance seamlessly and from a neutral standpoint, rather than offering services based on specific products. Through these experiences, I hit it off with a university acquaintance who was a top runner in the financial industry, and last summer we founded 08Equitas Inc.

Origin

Industry Barriers

Meishi+

What issues or discomfort did you feel when conceptualizing a service that connects real estate and finance?

Kei Koizumi

In general real estate brokerage, the final goal tends to be the brokerage commission. As a result, many agents prioritize how cheaply they can take on properties from owners. However, after experiencing selling as an owner myself, I strongly felt that the true goal of an agent should be maximizing the owner's profit. On the other hand, I also felt uncomfortable with the sales methods of major firms that present prices above market value to secure exclusive listings. I believe that the balance between proper market analysis and proposing a convincing sale price is the most important.

Turning Point

Specific Actions

Meishi+

What specific actions or adjustments did you make at the time of founding?

Kei Koizumi

Since real estate transactions involve large sums of money, I learned from my own selling experience that it is important to consider how to manage assets if unexpected profits arise after a sale. Referring to the latest contract prices, we recommend selling at a fair price and within a reasonable period, and after the sale, we offer three services: replacement purchases, introductions to investment properties, and asset management using financial products. As a result of consciously designing this flow, our real estate agents have naturally come to value building medium- to long-term relationships with sellers and buyers, and this is becoming part of our company culture. This has enabled us to differentiate our services and responses from typical real estate brokerages that pursue only short-term results.

Life

Changes and Standards

Meishi+

What changes or realizations have you had through your actual efforts?

Kei Koizumi

A year has passed since the company was established, and I am surprised that consultations on asset management have increased more than expected, not just real estate transactions. The organization has also grown from five people at the start to about 40, and a flow has emerged where members who joined as real estate salespeople obtain licenses for financial products as part of their studies, purchase the products themselves, and propose them to clients after analyzing the pros and cons. Rather than just introducing real estate, by also handling other financial products, we can put them all on the table, compare them, and propose them from a neutral standpoint. I have come to believe that having this ability is the role of a next-generation agent who helps with asset formation in a broad sense.

Future

About the Future

Meishi+

What kind of people or themes do you want to engage with, and what do you want to value going forward?

Kei Koizumi

While my strength is analyzing real estate from an asset value perspective, I value providing services through high-quality communication just as much. I cherish connections with clients and believe that sincerely serving each client in front of me will lead to the long-term growth of my company and the maximization of clients' assets. If the entire industry shifts from pursuing only short-term profits for companies or individuals to valuing medium- to long-term relationships with clients, I believe that the unique customs and transactions of the real estate industry, which are often difficult for the general public to understand, will gradually improve in a positive direction.