Posted by Ron Hamic (RA), SRES, CDPE , e-PRO, SFR, AHWD on August 31st, 2010 |
Tags: First Time Buyers
R, RA, RB, RS, R you kidding?
Most people outside of the real estate industry are unaware of what all those letters after an agent’s name mean. Heck, even many insiders don’t know about all the credentials available since just a small percentage of real estate salespeople attain them.
Posted by Bob Whitmer, RS on August 12th, 2010 |
Tags: Big Island, First Time Buyers, Hawaii, Homes, Kauai, Maui, Oahu
For those of you who aren’t familiar with house and cottage it’s a common term for buying two houses together in Hawaii.
I have sold allot of house and cottages. The reason I have sold so many is that the numbers work. Once you start adding up your mortgage, taxes, utilities, and other expenses, the added rental income makes a huge difference.
Let’s look at a simple math equation. If you pay $600k for a property and Read entire post →
Posted by Ken Molina, RS on July 30th, 2010 |
Tags: Big Island, First Time Buyers, Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, News, Oahu
Wow, I don’t mean to be heavy or anything, but have you ever asked yourself questions like, “Where is the Real Estate market?” and “Will I ever fit in?”
These two questions are actually related…at least they were for me. When I was in my early 20’s, a real estate career was never on my mind. I, however, always felt that I wanted to live a comfortable life but I didn’t quite know how to get there. I suppose the phrase, “the universe will provide,” proved accurate for me. Everyone has their own meaning of “provide,” so ours may not be the same, but here are a few thoughts about both questions. Read entire post →
Posted by Jeremy Stice, R(S) on July 13th, 2010 |
Tags: First Time Buyers, Foreclosures, Hawaii, Maui, REO, Video, Wailuku
A corporate REO, what’s that?
I talk to a lot of buyers who want to buy foreclosures; the first question that I ask them is if they have all cash. This is important because almost all foreclosed properties purchased at auction are purchased with cash, they generally do not accept loan contingencies and one needs to have a cashiers check on the spot for 10% of the purchase price.
So, how does one compete with banks (sellers of bank owned homes) and or other wealthy investors (sellers of corporate REOs) with cash? Generally you don’t, you let them buy the property, perform the necessary repairs and renovations, and purchase the property as a bank owned home or in this case a corporate REO. This can be especially nice considering that one can leverage the entire asset by financing it as a turn key home rather purchasing it and needing to come cash out of pocket after closing it to bring it up to a more desirable standard.
556 Akolea Place in Nanea @ Kehalani (MLS#343969) just listed for $349,000 and is perfect for a first time buyer.
Posted by Alex Cortez, RS on July 7th, 2010 |
Tags: Condos, First Time Buyers, For Sale, Hawaii, Leasehold, Maui
Posted by Bob Whitmer, RS on July 2nd, 2010 |
Tags: Buyers, First Time Buyers, Hawaii, Maui
In my opinion, there has never been a better time to buy here on Maui.
My wife and I are currently buying our first house here. We’ve been looking for 9 years, and the right house has finally come along.
As with other buyers, it helps that interest rates are simply awesome, and that prices are way down. While people have been telling me for the past couple of years that it was the right time to buy, I didn’t agree with them. I think that now, however, is the time, as prices are coming back to reality, and interest rates are unbelievably low.
Below I offer a couple of helpful hints for fellow buyers: Read entire post →
Posted by Michele McKinley, RS on July 2nd, 2010 |
Tags: Big Island, First Time Buyers, For Sale, Hawaii, Homes, North Kailua Kona, Price Reductions
Enjoy a nearly new home (MLS# 232786) kept up with care and quality. Offered at a great price. Panoramic coastline views, a cooler elevation, and central Kona location.
Nearly new Kona Palisades home has lots of curb appeal
This home offers dramatic and soaring open ceilings with a large lanai that extends living space for entertaining. Fine materials and craftsmanship are seen in the stainless steel appliances, fine cabinetry, wood floors and custom treatments.
Price: $499,500 ($-59,500)
Posted by Lori Owens, RS on June 21st, 2010 |
Tags: First Time Buyers, Loans, News, Obama Tax Credit
I was reading an article at Inman News regarding the Tax credit extension titled, Senate OKs new tax credit closing deadline where they provided some “Clarification” on the issue:
“While the Senate has amended HR 4213, the “American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010,” to extend the closing deadline for the tax credit, it has not held a vote on the amended bill itself. Senate Democrats have reportedly trimmed $60 billion in spending from the bill in hopes of passing it this week. The House and Senate must resolve differences between previous versions of the bill passed in both chambers before it can become law.” Read full article →
It shouldn’t be surprising that there seems to be a bit of confusion regarding why the June 30 closing deadline has not been extended, but it was accepted as an amendment. The Senate’s amended bill gives homebuyers who were under contract on a home purchase by April 30 an additional three months until September 30 to close the deal and claim the federal homebuyer tax credit. The amendment does not extend the deadline for homebuyers to qualify for the tax credit.
Posted by Matt Beall, PB on April 14th, 2010 |
Tags: Big Island, Buyers, First Time Buyers, Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Sales Stats, Sellers
Mark Twain used to say, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.”
Real Estate agents are an incredibly narcissistic bunch. We love to be “#1,” “top-producing,” etc. We’re experts at padding sales figures to support our cause.
Unfortunately, the favorite measure of #1 is money (sale volume). After all, that’s what matters most, right? But…if I sell a billion dollar house, does that make me the best real estate agent in my market? What about the most “productive”?
If I “represent” both the buyer and the seller in that transaction, don’t I get “credit” for $2 billion of sales? If I sell a billion dollar house, and then 10 houses for $1 million each… my “average” home sale is $100m! Boo-yah!
Don’t believe the hype.
Sales volume isn’t what matters most. For us, the standard of service is everything. We’re not organized around the money, we’re organized around the people we represent. People hire us not because we’re “top-producing,” but because we provide a higher level of service.
We’re not #1, YOU are (and that’s no lie).
Posted by Ron Margolis, RA, ABR on March 19th, 2010 |
Tags: Education, First Time Buyers, Foreclosures, Kauai, REO, Short Sales
Knowledge is power. I’m sure you’ve probably heard that somewhere before. Well, it’s certainly true in today’s changing real estate market.
Knowing how to maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as how to identify the distinct real estate opportunities in foreclosure are not merely good skills to have in today’s market—they are critical.
We’ve moved a long way from the boom days of 2003 through 2006. And to better understand the challenges of today’s market, it’s important for Realtors to move with the market. Change in any industry is inevitable. The ability to morph with the advancements is a powerful asset for any business endeavor. Read entire post →
Your current location: Home » Blog
Terms of Use | Site Map | © 1997 - 2009 Hawaii Life Real Estate Services, LLC | Realtors: Join Our Team
Contact us online or call (800) 667-5028
