Looking to turn a fixer-upper into your dream home?

Or perhaps planning to put your existing home on the market which requires a few updates before doing so? 

Either way, the types of financing for your home improvements vary quite a bit.

Choosing the best one depends on your current situation and goals.

Here's a comparison to help you decide on the type of financing for your remodel. 

If you have any questions I would love to help answer them feel free to call or email. 

New Year, New Predictions, what does the crystal ball hold for mortgage rates in 2019.

The consensus, rates will pierce the 10 year high.

How will that impact the Oahu market?

Experts weigh in on what the 2019 housing market will bring "A year ago, several experts predicted the new tax law would cause a slowdown in the housing market. So far, the limitations on mortgage-interest and property-tax deductions haven’t had a negative impact. Instead, rising mortgage rates and home prices are doing more to put a damper on the market."

2019 Predictions: Worse Affordability, Commutes, Natural Disaster Losses "The 30-year, fixed rate mortgage reaches 5.8 percent – territory not seen since the dark days of 2008, when rates were racing downward in response to the housing crisis. In 2019, rising rates will compound the effect of still-climbing home values, making homeownership even less affordable. Already, rising mortgage payments eclipse home-value gains, a phenomenon that can both encourage homeowners to stay put – to hold onto low mortgage rates that are disappearing in the rear-view mirror – and discourage would-be first-time home buyers."

2019 Real Estate Forecast: What Home Buyers, Sellers And Investors Can Expect  "In recent months though, home price growth has faltered, rates have risen to their highest point in nearly eight years, and favor has started to shift from seller to buyer."

VA Announces the 2019 Loan Limits For Loans Closed on or After January 1, 2019

If you are a doctor with deferred student loans, our Doctor Loan Program can help you save time and money on the purchase of your NEW home or refinance. If you are a qualified doctorate medical professional (MD, DDS, DMD, OD, DO eligible)with student loans deferred 12 months or more our team has a lender ready to help you. 

Program Details:

• 95% Loan to Value (LTV) for conforming and super conforming limits. 
• Minimum credit score as low as 720 
• 5 and 7 year Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs)
• MD, DDS, DMD, OD, DO eligible 
• Student loans must be deferred for 12+ months

If you have questions or would like to learn more please reach out I am happy to help!

Did you know that although interest rates have been climbing these last few years, they are still relatively low historically? 

That’s because over the past fifty year, interest rates on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage ranged from a high of 18.63% to as low as 3.31% in 2012.

The graph below provides a visual of the average interest rate on the 30 year fixed rate mortgage. When put into a historical perspective, it’s clear that even though rates are rising, they remain at historically low levels. 

To learn how you can benefit from today’s historically low rate for a purchase in Hawaii, contact me today. I would be happy to help you find a licensed mortgage professional. 

2018 Tax Bill Changes

What Homeowners need to know

My goal is to help my clients understand our interpretation of the tax law, but please note that I do not offer tax advice. You should always refer to your own tax professional for specific questions about how the tax law affects you. If you have any mortgage or tax related questions, or would like my recommendation for trusted mortgage and tax professionals, please reach out and let me know. 

With all of the facts and myths surrounding homeownership, you may be left wondering if you would be better off renting. On one hand, homeownership offers the possibility of a positive return on your investment, while on the other renting lowers your financial risk and enables quick mobility. 

Homeownership Makes Cent$

Affordability – it is cheaper to own in most of Oahu. According to Rent Jungle as of August 2018, average rent for an apartment on Oahu, HI is $1,655 (see report) 

Force Savings – The amount you pay for your home goes towards building your equity. On the other hand you could keep paying down your landlord’s mortgage. I’m sure they appreciate it… 

Tax Advantages – Property taxes and interest can be itemized for tax deductions. Check out this handy matrix.

Stability – With fixed rate mortgages, your payment will stay the same each month. On the other hand you are at the mercy of potential rent increase yearly! Oahu rent increase  

Improved Credit – When mortgage payments are made on time, you can achieve a better credit score. We know everyone likes to brag about their 800 credit score at the BBQ.

I’ve put together an awesome list of current listing in some of the hottest hoods, take a peak. I would love to help you in your house hunt. Feel free to call (808)439-8250 or email. 

Take a look at this awesome matrix to see how much you will be throwing away renting over the next few years. 

The median price for single-family homes on Oahu reached an all-time high in August, according to resales figures released today by the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®. The analysis conducted by the Board, using data collected from its computerized Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system, offer the following statistics:

Single-Family Home Resales

Condominium Resales

In August, the median price for single-family homes increased by 3.0 percent to reach a new record of $810,000, which was previously set in June 2017 at $795,000. The median price for condominiums rose by 1.9 percent to $427,000. Sales for single-family homes dipped by 2.2 percent and condominium sales also decreased by 9.4 percent from the same month last year. According to the Days on Market indicator, the median days for single-family homes was 15 and 18 days for condominiums.

“While the median price for single-family homes has been pushed to a new high, homebuyers are also finding properties at or below the $600,000 price range,” said Darryl Macha, president of the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®. “Though overall inventory is tight, we are seeing pockets of the island where inventory is increasing, including the Ewa Plain and to some extent, Central Oahu. With the decline in pending sales for both single-family homes and condominiums, buyers may be experiencing a bit of ‘fatigue’ in a market where multiple offers have been common and are taking a pause in their home search. It’s something that other markets are also seeing.”

The information contained in this report is provided to the National Association of REALTORS® and the Hawaii State Department of Economic Development, Business and Tourism for its official reports. This report reflects information about resales of existing properties only and does not include new home sales. All of the MLS information is compiled from sales reported during the cited months; this data is known only after closing of escrow.

Info provide by http://www.hicentral.com/mpr/mpr-2018-08.php

I am a total troll when it comes to looking for “deals” on the Oahu real estate market.

I look every single day for opportunities for my clients, and it is very rare that I find something special that does not go under contract within hours after my discovery.  Well, here are five homes that I found last night that are potentially the best deals in
(Click the neighborhood to view)

1. Kapolei 

2. Kailua 

3. Kaneohe 

4. Kakaako 

5. Kaimuki