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 Lori Owens, RS on June 28th, 2010 |
Tags: Big Island, Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, Lanai, Loans, Maui, Molokai, Oahu
Hawaii’s lowest 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are on par with the national average according to Lending Tree.
The lowest 30-year-fixed mortgage found for Hawaii and the nation was 4.375% (4.51% APR). Get a pre-approval from Bank of America →
Read entire post →
Posted by Alex Cortez, RS on June 21st, 2010 |
Tags: Big Island, Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Loans, Maui, Military, Molokai, News, Oahu
Hawaii Military Real Estate Owners Can Qualify for DoD’s Housing Assistance Program
For many serving proudly in the military, being assigned to different posts throughout their careers becomes a fact of life. And with such a high influx of Armed Forces personnel being stationed in Hawaii, many become property owners during their stay. However, with the crash of the real estate market and all the fluctuations that have followed, many face the possibility of a short sale upon their relocation to another station elsewhere or deployment to a combat zone.
In response to service members facing financial losses due to the nature of military service, the Department of Defense has effectively implemented the Housing Assistance Program. Read entire post →
Posted by Erik Hinshaw, R(S) on June 18th, 2010 |
Tags: Big Island, Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, Lanai, Loans, Maui, Molokai, Oahu
I was just checking out the link from Hawaii Life’s Home page to Bank of America’s Hawaii mortgage rates and I saw that rates have dropped to as low as 3.75% for an adjustable mortgage and 4.5% for a 30 year fixed. Read entire post →
Posted by Tracy Stice, R, Broker In Charge, ABR, CRB, CRS, GRI, GREEN on June 16th, 2010 |
Tags: Agents, Big Island, Honolulu, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, News, Oahu
President’s message for July 2010
Returning back from the California Association of Realtors (CAR) on Saturday June 12, I couldn’t wait to hit my garden and pick some fresh veggies. I picked some chard, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, lettuce and caught a big Tilapia out of the pond and headed home for dinner. Unfortunately, nobody was home except Brianna. Laura, my wife was off care taking her mother from surgery and my youngest Chloe was off to Camp Imua to run the horse riding for the camp. Dinner was great, but I was beat and trying to shift my clock back to Maui time again. We had some great food and incredible hosting by the California leadership, but home grown is always “ mo betta “
Berton Hamamoto, Judy Kalbrener, Nancy Donahue-Jones and I spent 4 days with about 3000 California members, directors, and executive officers during their mid year legislative meetings in Sacramento. California does it all super sized. They have an executive committee of around 30 members (we have 6), they have hundreds of directors (we have around 20), and they have a small committee and a designated person for every legislator in the state. Their legislative day looks a lot like NAR’s visit to Washington DC in May. With a large legislative staff, they are able to get in to every nook and cranny in Sacramento.
Super sizing comes at a cost though. Their budget for their legislative program is huge and effective. This year, leadership pushed through a dues increase of $49 totally dedicated towards their legislative and PAC programs. This can be offset by a voluntary contribution to their PACs, but the intention is still to influence legislation.
Why is this happening and could it also happen in Hawaii? Read entire post →
I recently blogged on the praises of CFL’s (compact fluorescent bulbs). Today, I’m addressing the topic of mercury gas in the bulb. Yes, they do contain a small amount of mercury gas, and I have included a chart here to show some of the other household uses of mercury.
I was reading the Maui News a week or so ago, and a reader sent a letter about the evils of broken fluorescent bulbs. That got me thinking about what to do if one breaks or just gives out…so I did a little research. Home Depot will recycle any “expired” compact fluorescent bulb. However, they will not recycle bulbs that are broken.
So what are you to do with a bulb that is broken? Read entire post →
Looking for a great deal or a hidden treasure? This Molokai foreclosure is it!
Private end unit at Ke Nani Kai, #156 (MLS# 342707) located in Maunaloa, Molokai
Most out-of-state buyers visiting Hawaii in speculation of a condo purchase are looking for one that offers short-term vacation rental income. Not all condos are approved for short term rentals and if they are, most likely they are not a popular vacation spot like Ke Nani Ka. Read entire post →
Posted by Ken Molina, RS on May 27th, 2010 |
Tags: Big Island, Energy Efficiency, Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Oahu
Why in the world would you live in the sunniest place on earth and not take advantage of it? Replacing your electric water heater with a solar water heater system reduces your monthly electricity bill by 40% … yes, that much money left in your pocket. Plus, 88% of our energy in Hawaii is derived from oil. The less we use, the less reliant we are.
Energy efficiency should be fun. If it feels like a chore you are taking it too far to the extreme. Concentrate of a few “low hanging fruits”: Read entire post →
Posted by David Buck, R, BIC on May 19th, 2010 |
Tags: Big Island, Ewa Beach, Foreclosures, Hawaii, Honolulu, Kailua Kona, Kauai, Kihei, Lahaina, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, News, Oahu, REO, Waikoloa
Hawaii is now ranked 11th in the nation for foreclosures according to RealtyTrac. Maui and the Big Island led the state with each containing two out of the top five zip codes. Here are the top foreclosure zipcodes for the state:
- Kailua-Kona led the way with 193
- Kihei was the highest on Maui with 122
- Ewa Beach had the most on Oahu with 89
- Lahaina was Maui’s 2nd on the list with 75
- Waikoloa was the Big Island’s 2nd on the list with 73
Read entire post →
Posted by Cheryl Gillotti, RS on May 18th, 2010 |
Tags: Big Island, Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, News, Oahu, Obama Tax Credit
Military and certain other federal employees have until April 30, 2011 to buy a home that qualifies for the federal first-time homebuyer credit.
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
You may be aware that the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 extended and expanded the first-time homebuyer credit allowed by previous Acts so long as eligible taxpayers bought, or contracted to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2010. Read entire post →
