The National Association of Realtors (NAR) introduced the Clear Cooperation Policy to foster transparency in real estate transactions in 2019. The policy requires agents to submit listings to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) within one business day of any public marketing. While the policy aims to ensure open access to property listings, many in the […]
I recently had the opportunity to meet Steve Jefferson, the founder and CEO of Kuleana Rum Works, on the Big Island of Hawaii. In fact, I’ve been a fan of Kuleana Rum for a while now, and we even have a bottle at home. Traditionally, rum is made from sugarcane juice, but nowadays, it is […]
Each month, we share our data flipbook featuring essential insights, focusing on the west side of the Big Island. If you have any questions or want to discuss market trends in your neighborhood, please feel free to reach out! September kicked off much like August, with the U.S. stock market experiencing a significant pullback as […]
We are thrilled to share the news of a successful closing on a beautiful home in the gated Keauhou Estates community. KE TEAM had the privilege of representing both the buyers and the sellers in this wonderful transaction, ensuring a seamless experience for everyone involved. We couldn’t be more pleased with how smoothly everything came […]
Understanding the Hawaii Condo Insurance Crisis In recent months, condo projects in Hawaii have faced skyrocketing insurance premiums, with some seeing increases of up to 400%. These hikes can lead to special assessments and significant increases in monthly maintenance fees for condo owners, as master insurance typically makes up about 30% of the budget. The […]
The Hawaiian islands are known for their unique blend of culture, natural beauty, and the spirit of Aloha. This spirit has a new symbol recently recognized officially: the Shaka gesture. This simple hand signal, made by extending the thumb and pinky finger while curling the other three fingers, has long been a quintessential part of […]
On March 15, 2024, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reached a settlement agreement with plaintiffs that could potentially end ongoing litigation regarding broker commissions. The $418M antitrust settlement took effect on August 17, 2024, and the final approval hearing is scheduled for November 26, 2024. It’s important to note that consumers will continue to […]
Aloha, I have safely returned to the Big Island. Japan was quite hot! Before diving into the market trends… here is a brief overview of last weekend’s U.S. economic activities. Economic Activities At the Federal Open Market Committee meeting on July 30, Federal Reserve Chairman Powell announced that the policy rate would remain at 5.25-5.5%, […]
What are the determining factors of mortgage interest rate? We often hear that the mortgage rate is linked to yields of long term bonds and inflation. Here is the basics. Federal Reserve (FED) Rate: The FED sets the short-term interest rates for banks. When the FED rate goes up, borrowing money becomes more expensive for […]
While Emil and I have handled many transactions involving financing, we admit there are lots we do not know about financing. That is why we rely on experts like Todd Parsons and Origin Point to guide our clients to successful closing. Here is “Mortgage Myths” Series #2 with help from Todd. Below are some common […]
