What does it mean when someone says they buy or invest in real estate? Or even when they simply say that they want to buy a house? It's not always Ken and Barbie looking for a 3-bed single family home in Honolulu with a white picket fence and room for Fido in the back. Today's real estate scene is savvier and more sophisticated than ever. Non-real estate professionals know more about the real … [Read more...]
Over 100K in Renovations – Large Home for Sale in Honolulu NOW!
We just finished a long project in Moanalua Gardens, Honolulu. We put over $100,000 into rehabbing this large 2-story, 5-bed 3-bath home at 1720 Ala Amoamo Street behind Fort Shafter. A long journey but well worth it as we turned out a BEAUTY of a house! Kudos to general contractor Sam Kim and KO Builders for all the hard work they did. This stunner just hit the local real estate market on … [Read more...]
Are You Committed to Hawaii Real Estate?
Are you committed to Hawaii real estate? I mean really committed? What does that even mean and why would I even ask? Well, the word "commitment" has special meaning for me lately as I just got married last week to the most wonderful woman. To be committed to anything -- or anyone -- means to pursue, devote and persevere toward a worthy goal. Well, that may not be the Webster's definition but it … [Read more...]
Mortgage Rates Rising – Still Time to Buy a House?
Aloha, friend. The latest news in the world of real estate is that suddenly mortgage rates are rising. Well, at least they've risen in the past month, now creeping over 4%-4.25% on average. Mortgages rates nationwide have been at historic lows for quite some time and even now, interest rates are still extremely attractive. Many home shoppers in Hawaii have taken advantage of these low rates to … [Read more...]
Should You Wait to Buy a Short Sale?
It's a frequently asked question in today's hot Hawaii real estate market. Most people, especially today's actively shopping homebuyers, are aware of the massive amounts of foreclosed homes in Hawaii and every other state that have been the bane of the housing market for a few years now. But should today's homebuyers be looking at short sales for their next home or should they be running for … [Read more...]
What Makes Hawaii Real Estate Different
Whenever I speak with some of my real estate investor colleagues beyond Hawaii, the conversation inevitably comes back to what it's like to work in the Hawaii real estate scene. Of course, they get jealous of our consistently beautiful weather, high housing market value and in-demand inventory, not to mention the freedom to wear t-shirts and shorts to open houses in January. And who can blame … [Read more...]
Bidding Above Asking Price When Buying a House
If you've been keeping up with the Hawaii real estate market these past couple months, you've noticed that inventory is super low. There just aren't that many available homes on the market. That means, all things being equal, that home sellers are in a position of relative power. It's no secret that it's a seller's market right now. So if you're looking to buy a house in Hawaii, you need to … [Read more...]
Tips for Finding Real Estate Deals in 2013
It's no secret that investing in real estate can be a fantastic way to build your wealth portfolio, and we have some tips for finding real estate deals here. However, there's been this giant dark, grey cloud hanging over the national housing market since the mid 2000s that understandably has made everyone extremely cautious. With banks 'too big to fail' and neighbors being foreclosed on left and … [Read more...]
Will Your Next Four Years Be Different?
Yesterday the nation hit the polling stations and voted to re-elect President Barack Obama for the next four years. Hawaii, Obama's childhood home and current vacation spot (Kailua), predictably went 'blue' (Democrat), but for anyone who was glued to the sets for much of the day, like me, it was a nail-biter until about 6:00PM Hawaii time. No matter how you voted, as long as you voted then … [Read more...]
Attention to Details: Lessons from Japan
Konichiwa! I'm here in Atsugi, Japan on mostly family business and wanted to get out this quick post while I had a minute (amid my jet lag). This is my third time to Japan this year with my girlfriend to visit her family, and I've learned a thing or two about this fascinating country. I've learned that Japanese culture is very much about paying attention to details! Case in point: individually … [Read more...]