Home Sale Price Boosters: 10 Free or Cheap Tips

Rated 2.0 Stars

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 »

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 »

Down Payment and Other Real Estate Facts & Myths

Mortgage rates remain at record low rates making home ownership an attractive but sometimes stressful choice for first timers.  Over the past 6 or so years, rising prices have added to the intensity. If you have tried unsuccessfully to buy in the past, you probably experienced some frustrations. It was like jumping onto a moving vehicle – it’s great once you get on, but until then you’re chasing a speeding target! More »

Real Haunted Houses: Fear Lurks Within

Picture a dark attic with exposed wiring draped with spider webs and scurrying rats. Stick your head into a slimy crawl space with dripping, moldy pipes and tilted foundation blocks. A termite-ridden cabinet under a rusty kitchen sink reveals a dozen B-52 cockroaches running for cover. Is your home haunted by the ghost of past leaks, cracks, or even perhaps the spirit of long-departed residents? More »

What's Really Happening in the Oahu Real Estate Market July '08 2nd. Quarter Results

The demand for Oahu's SFH's continues to slide and the number of sales are off by -31% for past 12 months. The current ACS is 16% and is -33% less than a year ago. At the same time demand is dramatically slowing the inventory has risen +12% over the past 12 months and is up another +2% for June over May. This sounds bad, but wait, it's much worse for Condos. More »

Renovating Your Home - Will It Pay Off?

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If your home no longer meets your needs, should you move to one that does, or renovate? Most homes have lots of unrealized potential. You know - the things you planned to do right away when you first bought the place, before your busy life took over. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing your home transformed from ordinary to spectacular. More »

How Do I Make Money In Real Estate?

Some financial planners will tell you that your investment portfolio should consist of 1/3 Cash or liquid funds, 1/3 stocks and bonds and 1/3 real estate. On the mainland many investors play the stock market and some make money and some lose money. In Hawaii, there are probably more investors in real estate than stock investors. More »

1st Quarter Results '09 Oahu Real Estate

Rated 4.0 Stars

As promised, I have produced the 1st. Quarter '09 Sales Report that will clearly show you the trends we are experiencing today. The graphs are in a new easier to understand format and should readily reveal to you what is happening in today's Oahu Real Estate Market. More »

2005 Real Estate Facts; Thomas Jefferson and a Crystal Ball

It's a great time to review the statistics for real estate sales as of the beginning of December 2005. It's been another astounding year by almost any measure - sales prices, number of homes sold, and time on the market. Here is a 2005 summary for the 5 major Oahu districts. Note that these numbers reflect the first eleven months of the year, and cover resale properties entered into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
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Judicial and Nonjudicial Foreclosure Process

The banks will go through a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process if the bank and the debtor cannot come to an agreement on resolving the issue of late payments. The lender decides whether to pursue a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure. More »

How To Avoid Foreclosure: Fast Facts on Short Sales

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I owe more than my home is worth and I can't make the payment. How do I know if I qualify for a short sale? If you can't make your payment and your total debts are greater than your assets you may qualify for a short sale. However if you have other assets to cover the mortgage, you might not fit their requirements. Your mortgage lender will make a final decision after receiving our Short Sale package. More »

What Is a Condominium?

Nearly 40% of all sales in real estate are condominiums. Condominium projects can be found in high rise buildings, low rise buildings, single family homes, duplexes and even on agricultural land. A wise consumer needs to know what is involved in a condominium development so that they can understand the intricacies of a condominium project. More »