Part 1 : http://ameblo.jp/workingkent/entry-11882835438.html
その代わり固定資産税など、土地建物の保有にかかる税金は日本と比べて極めて高いです。私はかつてテキサス州ヒューストン市郊外の、湖を囲むリゾート地の一区画を約１万ドルで購入しました。その他の経費はわずかな登記手数料だけでした。ちなみにアメリカでは、不動産仲介業者への手数料は売主だけが支払います。
On the other hand, the taxes on continued ownership such as property taxes are much higher in the U.S. than in Japan. I once bought a piece of land on a lake in a resort area in the suburbs of Houston, Texas for about $10,000. The only extra expense was a small recording fee. By the way, real estate commissions in the U.S. are paid entirely by the seller.
当時、石油に基づくテキサス州の経済は活発でした。ちょうど大人気テレビドラマ「ダラス」が放映されていた時期でした。しかしその後、石油の値下がりでテキサス経済がだめになり、不動産価格も急落。私の土地の時価が３０００ドルを割ったとき、年間の固定資産税は約３００ドルで、加えて管理費が３８４ドルでした。つまり５年も保有すれば時価以上の出費になります。利用する予定も無かったので、最後は１５００ドル（不動産屋の最低手数料額）で投げ売りしました。
When I bought the property, the economy in Texas, which is based on the oil industry, was booming. However, shortly after that the price of oil dropped, the economy suffered, and real estate prices fell dramatically. When the value of my property fell below $3,000, the property taxes were $300 per year and the annual homeowner association fees were $384.In other words, if I held the property for five more years, I would pay out more in expenses that the total value of the property. Since I didn’t actually plan to use the property, I finally dumped it for $1,500 (which was the minimum amount of the real estate commission).
他方、日本の老夫婦の場合、固定資産税が高くないので大きい家を売る必要はありません。逆に売ってしまうと、税金や手数料が大変です。しかも買う人は莫大な費用がかかるので、大きい家を売りに出しても買い手はなかなかつきません。
By contrast, Japanese property taxes are relatively low, so there is no need for an older couple to sell their large home. In fact, if they were to sell it, they would be hit with various high taxes and fees on the transfer. The buyer likewise would face high taxes and fees, so it is actually quite hard to find buyers for large homes even if the owner wants to sell.
目黒や世田谷などの住宅街で売りに出された大きな家屋敷の大半は、不動産業者が購入しています。通常、建物を取り壊した後に、細かく切り分けられて販売されるか、マンションが建築されます。元の建物がリフォームされて再販されるケースは滅多に見かけません。
In residential areas like Meguro or Setagaya, most of the large properties put up for sale are bought by real estate companies. Generally, the house is torn down and the property is subdivided for sale, or else a condominium is constructed on the site. It is highly unusual to see the original house remodeled and then resold.
ここで疑問を持った人も多いでしょう。年を取った夫婦が持ち家を売ってしまったら、子供に残すものが無くなるのではないかと。はい、その通りです。しかし、個人主義のアメリカでは、子供に土地を残そうと思う親は少ないのです。子供は自分の力で稼いで不動産を取得し、死ぬまでに自分で処分すればいいのです。
Many of you may be thinking that if the older couple sells the home, they will have nothing to leave to their children. That is correct. However, since U.S. society emphasizes individualism, most parents don’t put a high priority on leaving real estate to their children. Children can earn their own money, buy their own real estate, and use up the assets during their lifetime.
不動産の流動性が高いから、そのようなライフサイクルも可能なのです。日本人のように先祖代々の土地への執着が無いことも影響しているでしょう。ネイティブアメリカンを除けば、アメリカ人は全員が移民の子孫ですからね。
This kind of life cycle is made possible because the real estate market has high liquidity. There is little emotional attachment to the land such as that seen in Japan where the same property has been in the family for several generations. After all, aside from native Americans, all Americans are descendants of immigrants.