The "A-PEELE-ING" Edge

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.

Can you believe we're already halfway through the year? As July rolls around here in beautiful Oahu, it's the perfect time to pause and ask yourself: Have you truly been tax planning for 2025? Or are you simply waiting until next spring to see what Uncle Sam demands?

I want to share a real-life closing story that perfectly shows just how unique and sometimes tricky our island's property market can be. We're going to dive into the world of leasehold properties and what happens when they get a rare chance to become fee simple – and how I helped a client navigate all the twists and turns.