Investment Property

With all the headlines circulating about home prices and mortgage rates, you may be asking yourself if it still makes sense to buy a home right now, or if it’s better to keep renting. Here’s some information that could help put your mind at ease by showing that investing in a home is still a powerful decision.

Home prices continue to rise as we move through the summer, and that’s good news for sellers who are looking to maximize their home’s potential. If you’re on the fence about whether to list your house now or later, the question you should really ask is: will this price appreciation last?

Still on the fence about whether to sell your home or condo now? Properties on Maui are selling quickly at premium prices. Knowing what to expect will help you decide if this is the right time capitalize on your sale during this seller’s market.

Many elements went into creating our current strong seller’s market, but things could shift towards buyers in the future. This year, high buyer demand coupled with low inventory elevated home prices and continues to cause stiff competition when new listings hit the market. Overall, new home construction hasn’t kept pace with demand for the past decade. It didn’t help that the lumber industry was severely affected by the pandemic, driving up home building costs. When you look

If you are in the market for any type of wood—from plywood or sheeting to standard 2x4s, be prepared for a massive sticker shock. U.S. lumber futures contracts for May 2021 delivery were priced at $1,645 per 1,000 board feet, about 60% higher than they were a month ago and 374% above the $347 contract price average in May 2020. This marks the fastest rise since the housing boom that followed World War II.

While a public health crisis gripped the country for the last year, the housing market for some stayed red hot. Most areas of the country remain in a solid seller’s market.

It is interesting to compare today’s market with where we were a year ago. Would we have predicted this activity in a pandemic? Maui sales activity is up in March 2021. Home sales are up 46% and condo sales up 43% from last year.

Most investors know the basic premise for success: “Buy Low and Sell High.” Seems simple, but in practice it is not. In real estate, we really don’t know the best time to buy until years past the purchase, when see if purchase prices have gone up or down.

While still wrapped up in a pandemic, the median price of a single-family home on Maui jumped by 20% last month, compared to February 2020, as sales grew by 22%. The number of condominiums sold also rose 24% as the median price held, according to statistics from the Realtors Association of Maui.

2020 was an odd year for the mortgage industry. Instead of a market crash due to the pandemic and economic turmoil, home prices and sales actually rose. At the beginning, low-interest rates, low unemployment, and rising rents drove the housing market up. As the pandemic wore on, people fleeing urban areas, or looking for more space to work from home, plus historically low interest rates kept demand for housing high. The important question is, where will interest rates go now?

There are many ways to invest in real estate, but one way which typically generates income is through purchasing rental property. Sometimes people buy rental property to fix up and quickly sell, or flip. Another option is to invest in a property for the long-term and rent it out, which is what we will focus on.

If you have been following our real estate market reports, you know closed condo sales lagged behind residential sales in 2020 on Maui. However, in December statistics we saw that start to turn around. Whether you want to take advantage of a robust market, or have an urgent need to sell for any reason, this guide will help you move your property in an efficient way.

Instead of just relying a crystal ball, there are some facts that help predict what will happen to home buying and selling in the coming year.

Home prices on Maui have held steady and more listings are coming on the market, even while still in the midst of COVID-19. There are also more listings for condos, but condo prices have not fared so well. Here is a recap of data from the Maui Board of Realtors for June, 2020.

Perhaps you were planning on buying a house this year. Then a global pandemic hit, shuttering businesses and causing layoffs across the country. If you are one of the newly unemployed, you are not alone. According to PEW Research, unemployment ranks swelled by more than 14 million due to COVID-19. While it is generally more difficult to qualify for a home loan while you’re unemployed, there are steps to take to get back on track.A mortgage lender will look for proof that you

One positive byproduct of the COVID-19 pandemic is incredibly low mortgage interest rates. For those that are able, this has made an incredible opportunity to buy a new home. As evidenced on Maui, listings that are priced right are being snapped up almost as soon as they hit the market. If you just purchased a home, congratulations on taking this big step! Whether it’s your first one or the next landing spot on your ohana’s journey, you have a new opportunity to design the pe

Life flows a little easier with good tenants. Those that pay rent on time, are easy to deal with and are consistent and dependable. Keeping a tenant long-term can help avoid the cost of rental turnover. Especially during these challenging economic times, keeping a good tenant is essential.

Ever wonder how designers seem to effortlessly pull together a stylish and functional room? Years of practice does help, but with a few simple steps, you too can plan and arrange your furniture layout like a pro!

If you find a little extra time on your hands during the “Pandemic Period,” there may be a few maintenance items with your rental to consider. We’ll throw out a few tips in small chunks- starting with garbage disposals.  A garbage disposal can make life easier for discarding some kitchen waste. However, the device can lead to trouble if not used correctly. Many landlords opt for taking garbage disposals out entirely. However, if you plan to someday live in the home again, you

Staging a rental property is a little like dating. Not only do you want to make a good first impression, you also want to make a good match for a long-term relationship. People stage homes for sale, and similarly, a staged rental may help you get top dollar. But there are a few differences. Here are the basics of rental staging- including when not to stage.