In 1985, the average single-family home on Oahu rented for $1,000 a month. By 1995, the same home rented for $1,500 and today the average monthly rent for that home will run you $2,000. Tracking rents since 1970 indicate that Hawaii rental costs – which are some of the most expensive in the country – […]

BY LISA SCONTRAS In an average month, First Hawaiian Bank assists between 250 and 300 homeowners refinance their home. Last month, that number shot up to nearly 1,000. Why the large jump in refi applications? Here are the top six reasons homeowners in Hawaii are refinancing their mortgage. 1. Historic low rates Without a doubt, […]

BY LISA SCONTRAS It appears that sales in Oahu’s high-end neighborhoods are likely on the upswing, according to a new luxury market report released this week by Prudential Locations. After declines in the first two quarters of 2009, luxury-home market activity reawakened towards the end of that year. “Sales are up significantly in the first […]

BY LISA SCONTRAS This week, University of Hawai’i at Manoa students moved into their dorms in preparation for the upcoming school year. Like college towns around the country, the annual stream of students and faculty bring a certain familiar energy to the well-educated surrounding community, and … may play a key role in keeping real […]

BY LISA SCONTRAS If you think building wealth by investing in real estate is easier for Realtors to do than the average person, you might be right. It’s not, however, because Realtors keep all the good properties for themselves or have a crystal ball. It’s because they have a plan. For John Hayama, partner and […]