CIRJE-F-238 "Measuring the Cost of Imperfect Information in the Tokyo Housing Market"
Author Name Shimizu, Chihiro, Kiyohiko G. Nishimura and Yasushi Asami
Date August 2003
Full Paper PDF file@
Remarks @ Subsequently published as "Search and Vacancy Costs in the Tokyo Housing Market: Attempt to Measure Social Costs of Imperfect Information," Review of Urban and Regional Development Studies, 16 (2004), 22-43
Abstract

The cost of imperfect information is estimated in the real estate market of resale condominiums in central Tokyo by using a new, comprehensive data set of resale condominium transactions. The results suggest a substantial cost. Specifically, if information were perfectly available and marketing time is null, sellers would get benefits of 10.58% based on average interest rate, 31.28% on gross rent and 22.59% on net rent, against imputed rent of their property. Buyers spend 1,042,000 Yen on search activities for one transaction, which would be saved if information were prefect. This cost amounts to be equivalent to 13.2% of buyers' average annual income.