What to Prioritize When Buying Real Estate in Urbanization Control Areas: Survey Results

Survey on Priorities When Purchasing Real Estate in Urbanization Control Areas

Properties in urbanization control areas offer abundant nature and low prices, but they come with specific risks such as building restrictions and delayed infrastructure development.

As a result, many people struggle to decide whether to prioritize 'cheapness and space' or 'inconvenience of living' when considering a purchase.

To address this, URUHOME, a real estate problem-solving website operated by Dream Planning Co., Ltd. (Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; CEO: Tatsuhito Takahashi), conducted a survey among 353 people interested in real estate to understand 'What is prioritized when buying real estate in urbanization control areas'.

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Urbanization Control Area Survey: Respondent Demographics (Valid responses: 353)

Gender Breakdown

Male: 199 (approx. 56%) Female: 154 (approx. 44%)

Age Breakdown

20s: 35 (9.9%) 30s: 100 (28.3%) 40s: 124 (35.1%) 50s: 71 (20.1%) 60s: 20 (5.7%) 70s and above: 3 (0.8%)

Survey Period

Feb 21 - Mar 16, 2026

What would you prioritize if you were to buy real estate in an urbanization control area? (Multiple choices allowed)

What would you prioritize if you were to buy real estate in an urbanization control area? (Multiple choices allowed)

1st: Established infrastructure - 170/353 (48.2%)

2nd: Low purchase price - 140/353 (39.7%)

3rd: Good convenience despite being in an urbanization control area - 104/353 (29.5%)

4th: Absence of neighborhood troubles - 95/353 (26.9%)

5th: Large land area - 78/353 (22.1%)

6th: Would not purchase in the first place - 73/353 (20.7%)

7th: Potential for improved convenience through future urban planning - 70/353 (19.8%)

8th: Calm surrounding environment with plenty of nature - 66/353 (18.7%)

Total responses: 796 Number of respondents: 353

The survey results revealed that when purchasing real estate in urbanization control areas, there is a strong demand for a balance between the certainty of the living foundation and cost performance.

First, 'Established infrastructure' ranked 1st at 48.2%, indicating that infrastructure development in urbanization control areas is a significant concern.

Next, we introduce the comments of those who chose items ranked 1st to 5th.

1st: Established infrastructure (especially since there may be no sewage) - 170/353 (48.2%)

Nearly half of the total respondents cited the 'state of infrastructure development', a lifeline of daily life, as their top priority.

There was a noticeable attitude of severely evaluating 'whether the living foundation is established', fearing not only the inconvenience that 'the ease of living changes drastically' brought about by the undeveloped state characteristic of control areas but also the risk of incurring additional costs due to the installation of septic tanks, etc.

★ <Comments from those who selected 'Established infrastructure' (1st place)> ★

'Since I believe the state of infrastructure development in urbanization control areas varies by location, I place particular emphasis on whether living foundations such as sewage are established. Also, considering future burdens, it is important whether the purchase price is reasonable. In addition, since I think relationships with the local community are important, I would like to check in advance about the presence or absence of neighborhood troubles.' (Male, 40s)

'No matter how cheap it is, considering daily life, I think it is difficult to live there unless the infrastructure is established first. Also, even if it is inconvenient at present, if convenience improves through urban planning in the future, I think it might be worth buying. Since I will probably be moving to a place I don't know at all, it is desirable that there are no neighborhood troubles.' (Female, 50s)

'When purchasing real estate in an urbanization control area, I think it is important to first check to what extent the infrastructure is developed. I feel that the ease of living changes significantly depending on the state of water supply, sewage, and roads in particular. Also, I think it is necessary to check in advance whether construction will be possible in the future and about the surrounding environment.' (Female, 30s)

2nd: Low purchase price - 140/353 (39.7%)

'Low purchase price', which can be said to be the greatest merit of control areas, was chosen as the 2nd place.

In order to swallow numerous demerits such as building restrictions and anxiety about infrastructure,