The "A-PEELE-ING" Edge

It’s been a busy year for housing on our island! From rental rules to new stadiums, a lot happened in 2025 that changes how we live, build, and invest in real estate. Here is the breakdown of how these changes hit home.

Inheriting a home in Oahu? Learn how to avoid Capital Gains Tax and preserve the Step-Up in Basis. Compare Trusts vs. Deeds in this Hawaii real estate guide.

Owning a rental in O‘ahu used to be like running the only lemonade stand in town. But the market has shifted. Here is why tenants have more leverage today and how owners can adapt to stay profitable.

When Washington, D.C. stalls, Hawaiʻi feels it faster than almost any other state — and it’s not just about politics. It’s about paychecks, rent payments, and local business cash flow.

A strategic 1031 exchange turned a stalled sale into a win for all parties. Discover how timing, trust, and creative pivots shaped this Oʻahu investment story.

Discover how we navigated a complex Honolulu real estate sale, overcoming major hurdles including HARPTA/FIRPTA taxes, a slow market, a tenant, and a cloud on title.

I asked ChatGPT for its advice on strategic real estate investing for building wealth. Here's what it said, along with my thoughts and experiences from the Oahu market. 

Or do they? With the One Big Beautiful Bill Act now in play, 2025 brings a wave of new tax perks for homeowners—including a juiced-up SALT deduction and the return of PMI write-offs. But are these benefits enough to tip the scales in Hawai‘i’s high-cost housing market? Let’s break it down.

There's a hidden challenge—and a fascinating opportunity—lurking in some of Oahu's most sought-after neighborhoods. When I first became a realtor here, the term 'monster homes' often came up, usually with a shake of the head or a sigh. For homeowners, they sometimes meant headaches; for savvy investors, a perplexing puzzle. As someone deeply involved in Oahu property management, I quickly realized that ignoring the story of these oversized dwellings meant missing a crucial piece of our island's real estate puzzle. Why did certain neighborhoods push back so hard against them, and what does their evolution mean for your investment future in paradise? Let's dive in.