The Tip Off For Kakaako Luxury Condos

It all started almost a year ago when my phone rang. An Investment Banker was on the other end of the line. After a short introduction I asked what I could do for him. He of course is representing a Consortium who wanted to examine 'opportunities' in the Waikiki and more specifically Kakaako Luxury Condo Markets. The information needed by this gentleman included any 'distressed' property sales, Days On Market (D.O.M.), Price / Square Foot, amenities, Sold data, location within Honolulu, etc. More »

Home Sale Price Boosters: 10 Free or Cheap Tips

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If you need to sell, now could be your best time. No market goes up forever, so this is a part of the natural cycle of supply and demand. Don't wait for an unknown future market unless you can hold on for 5+ years, the minimum it has taken past cycles to swing back the other way. The past "good market" for sellers has been devastating for most buyers, so try to understand that this change is an essential part of the economic cycles. You can and will survive it if you make smart choices. More »

20 Jobs that Pay America's Average Salary

Salaries are always a hot topic in the office -- most often, as an area of complaint. In today's economy, most are simply grateful to earn a salary of any size, but you still hear things like, "I don't earn enough to survive or pay the bills" or "So-and-so is making X amount, I should be, too." Or -- my personal favorite -- "I deserve more." More »

Software Testing Tricky but Vital Part of Process

When evaluating or developing software, putting it through its paces under real-world conditions is a critical yet often overlooked step. Many times, testing plans are developed and implemented but do not take into account the size or technical savvy of the intended user community. More »

Eighteen Ways to Impress a New Employer

It can take four to 14 months to find the right job... and fewer than 90 days to lose it. According to executive coach Linda Seale, most professional and managerial dismissals are due to failure to understand and fit into a company's culture. More »

Can Your Favorite Color Determine Your Perfect Job?

Do you ever wish finding the perfect job could be as easy as 1, 2, 3? According to new research, it might be as easy as red, yellow or blue. That's right; by determining which primary, secondary and achromatic colors you prefer most and least, you can figure out a successful career path based on how you approach work, the types of workplaces where you work best and how you handle work tasks. More »

How to Choose the Right Realtor and Brokerage Company

What is your goal in either buying or selling Real Estate? One of the primary answers would be to either buy or sell your property with the least amount of stress, time, while getting the best price.
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Hawaii Real Estate Flashback: 1966

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The real estate landscape was very different in 1966. Home listings were kept on index cards at each real estate office. Since there was no computer database, a list was compiled with the properties represented by each firm. The monthly MLS book was oriented to buyers as well as Realtors, but listed no addresses. The black and white photos of each property were considered to be state-of-the-art. Buyers had no representation - their agent was a subagent of the seller. More »

What Is Really Happening In the Hawaii Real Estate Market - February 2007

Overall Inventory For Sale during this period fell. SFH's -4% and Condos -6%. Not a significant drop, but a drop. I don't think much about these figures as we are talking about the 'Holidays' when most Sellers who 'Really' had to sell and didn't took their properties Off The Market and will either wait for Spring to Re-Sell them or they have Rented Them. The Withdrawns and Expired Listings For Sale which I insist you need to pay attention to have been Significant. More »

Act 221 Has Been Successful

Technology companies are a major driver of the U.S. economy. Although Hawaii is an ideal location for a tech company, with a handful of exceptions, there hadn't been many success stories to come off our shores. In 2001, sensing a missed opportunity, the legislation commonly known as Act 221 was passed with the idea of stimulating the growth of the local technology community. The results have been very positive and point toward success in expanding Hawaii's economic base. More »

Be Careful With Your Bluetooth

There are basically three ways to facilitate hands-free cell phone use. First, you can use the built-in speaker capability of your cell phone. Most phones have speaker capabilities. An alternative is to use a wired earpiece, the likes of which have been around nearly since the advent of the cell phone. The last and best choice is a wireless solution based on Bluetooth technology. More »

Personal Finance, Common Sense

The old-fashioned common sense of our grandparents still stands as a reliable guide to money. Whether you are digging out of debt or managing substantial assets, the principles are similar. More »

SaaS Can Help You Save on Software Cost

As organizations struggle with the cost of software, many are turning to a licensing model known as Software as a Service. SaaS provides a couple of major benefits. More »

Buyer's Remorse and How to Avoid It

You have been looking for a home for longer than you care to admit. You missed out on some great opportunities, had a few false starts, and saw some good ones get away. Then it happened - you finally got an accepted offer on a home that you really like, for a price that you can live with. You are excited and ready to go forward. Your home purchase financing is coming together. Then, it hit you: a sinking feeling in your stomach that won't go away. Sleepless nights and stressed out days. It's not Bird Flu - you have a serious case of Buyer's Remorse!
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