Key facts
- Lloyd Enbom and his wife purchased an abandoned home in Hakuba, Japan.
- The total closing price was 3.6 million yen, equivalent to $22,000.
- The family plans to use the Japanese property as a home base while continuing to travel.
- Significant renovations are needed, with expected costs potentially matching the purchase price.
- The couple can stay in Japan for up to six months per year under their current visa status.
Lloyd Enbom, a 40-year-old content creator from Australia, and his wife, Mandy Rutherford, have purchased an abandoned home in Hakuba, a ski town in Japan's Nagano Prefecture, for approximately $22,000. The couple, who have been creating travel content for nearly five years and previously lived nomadically, sought a stable home base. They discovered that purchasing property in Japan is possible even without residency, allowing them to buy the house remotely. The total cost, including fees, amounted to 4.1 million Japanese yen. While the electricity and water systems are functional, the house requires substantial renovations, particularly the bathroom, with anticipated renovation expenses potentially matching the initial purchase price. The family plans to continue their travels but will use Japan as their home base for up to six months of the year, leveraging their current visa status.