So you’re ready to put your home on the market and to you, everything looks great. Unfortunately, much of the wear and tear on your home becomes unnoticeable when it is something you see everyday. While you may not think about the one light switch that doesn’t work or the chipping paint in the guest bedroom, now is the time to take a step back and look at your home with fresh eyes. When you decide to sell your home, the first thing you should do is make any repairs you can to save yourself money in the long run. Here are a few repairs to cross off so you can get the best deal for your home! Continue reading ...

Let’s say you have your heart set on buying a home in a community with a swimming pool, a clubhouse, and maybe even a playground or trails. Having access to these amenities often means living in a community with a homeowners association, or HOA. Continue reading ...

In today’s market,  it’s not uncommon to be in competition with several other buyers for your dream home.  When you find that perfect house, with the chic chandelier and the doggy door for Fido,  the last thing you want to do is lose it because your offer didn’t stand out to the seller, Taking the time to put forth a well-written offer can work wonders for a buyer. Each seller and agent may have different opinions on what makes the best offer, but here are some that we’ve found are the most consistent:

1. Include a pre-approval.

If you want to show the seller that you’re serious about buying a home,  get pre-approved before you ever sign an offer.   Not only does it show that you didn’t just waltz up, see the for sale sign and throw something out there, but it also alleviates some of the seller’s worries that you’ll back out when the bank finds out your credit isn’t actually as good as you thought it was.  Be sure to include that pre-approval letter from the bank with the signed offer.

2.  Make a decent earnest money deposit.

When you’re sure you can’t picture yourself without this house,  be ready to boost your earnest money deposit. Earnest money shows the seller that you’re putting your money where your mouth is, and you’re prepared to give up that chunk of cash if you back of the contract for any reason other than those allowed under the contract terms.  There is usually a typical amount offered for your area, so if you really want to look good, go above and beyond that amount.

3.  Remove all the contingencies you can.

Having two mortgages while trying to sell the home you’re in now isn’t really a dream that anyone has, but if you have the cash to do it, it’s definitely going to make your offer more desirable.  Anytime you can waive contingencies in the contract, like the sale of your current home,  it gives the seller more confidence that the deal will go through without a hitch.  Another option would be to shorten the typical time periods.  If it’s customary for your inspection period to be 15 days, shorten it to 10 to let the seller know you’re looking to make this happen quickly.

4.  Make it Your Best

When you’re up against multiple offers,  don’t waste a lot of time expecting to negotiate.  Base your offer on solid research of surrounding comparables and really offer what you’d be willing to pay.  If you don’t,  your offer may be tossed aside for others that did. This includes more than the price, too.  Maybe pay out of pocket for some of those extras, like a home warranty or closing costs, instead of asking the seller to contribute.

5. Get Personal

It’s time to let the seller know why you’re dying to buy their house, and be honest.  Is it because you want to raise your family in the neighborhood?  Do you see Fido rolling around in the big, fenced backyard?  Connecting with the seller and creating a sense of relatability can go a long way, but avoid sounding desperate.  The idea is to keep it short, simple, and honest, and don’t forget to have your buyer’s agent proofread it. Don’t hesitate to go out of the box to make your offer standout to the seller. It may end up getting you your dream home.

Change Up Your Lighting Situation

Switching out the light fixtures and upgrading to something a bit more modern is an easy fix for any room - but definitely helpful in your laundry space. New fixtures with the right bulbs can change the look and vibe of your laundry space instantly.

Replace Cabinet Handles

Cabinet handles make a small but mighty impact on the way a room looks. If you have cabinets in your laundry room, consider switching out all the hardware or if possible, painting the current hardware. Black knobs or pulls can add the perfect pop of contrast to white cabinets.

Upgrade Your Sink

Just like a kitchen, adding some subway tile and a ceramic sink can make a space go from drab to fab. White cabinets, black hardware, and your new sink + backsplash will have you wanting to spend more time in your laundry room than you thought was possible - and it won’t crush your wallet!

Spice Up Your Cabinets

Modify the inside of your cabinets with additional storage options to meet your needs. Create open shelves by removing doors so you can sort by types of laundry or family member!

What’s Behind The Door?

Maximize the space behind your door - especially if your laundry room is on the smaller side. A shelf is perfect for storing your iron, laundry detergent, cleaners and cloths.

Hang Some Curtains

Bring color and pattern into your laundry room with fresh curtains. This relatively inexpensive option can really add the perfect touch to your space without having to fuss with paint or wallpaper.

Make Moving With Pets Stress-Free

You’ve just bought a new home, and Kanani and Kolohe are starting to worry about all the moving boxes going into the truck outside. Pets can easily become stressed during a move, which might cause them to lose their fur, become aggressive, or even run away.Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to reduce your pet’s anxiety before, during, and after your move.

Plan Ahead and In Detail

Many people consider their pets as part of the family, so it’s only natural to be concerned for their comfort and safety during a move. Meticulous planning well in advance of moving day is the best way to ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible with moving to a new home.

Make a Checklist of Moving Tasks

We recommend making a checklist of things to do — call the vet, have your pet microchipped, research veterinarians, buy calming medicine, etc. If you’re planning to transport your pet in a crate or carrier, take time to introduce them to it, especially if your dog or cat hasn’t been in their carrier in a while. Put their food or a few treats in it in the weeks before the move; that way, they’ll be more accustomed to the space and will feel less stressed.

Gather Important Documents

Your new state, county, or community might have different rules for owning a pet, so research what records you will need and what fees you must pay in order to register them. It might be best to put the following in one organized file just in case:

• Vaccination records and health certificate

• Rabies tags (if they’re not already on your pet’s collar)

• Emergency contact info for your current veterinarian

• Contact info for a recommended veterinarian

Keep Medication, Food, and Toys Handy

You won’t want to pack your pet’s medications, treats, toys, or food until moving day, so you may want to set aside a box just for your pet. Be sure to pack this box either in the car with you or within easy reach, just in case of an emergency.

Update Your Pet’s ID

Engrave a new ID tag with your new home address and phone number in case your pet gets lost. Hopefully, this will never happen, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Make sure that your dog or cat is microchipped or at least is wearing a collar, especially in the weeks leading up to moving day.

Keep Them Comfy on Moving Day

In the chaos of loading boxes into the moving van, the last thing you want to happen is your beloved furry friend escaping. Keep your dog or cat in a separate room with their toys, food, and carrier until the time comes to load them into the car. Alternatively, you could let a friend or family member pet sit until it’s time to go.

Book a Pet-Friendly Hotel in Advance

If you’re driving a long way or need to stay at a hotel overnight, reserve a pet-friendly hotel room well in advance so you’ll have one less thing to worry about on moving day.

Take Plenty of Stops on Long Car Rides

While on extended car trips, take frequent stops along the way to give your pet fresh water and food, let your pet go to the bathroom, and take your dog for a refreshing walk around the rest area.

Give Them Time to Adjust to New Surroundings

Pets can become agitated when exposed to new surroundings, so it’s important to keep their collars on and keep an eye on them for the first few days after moving. Surround them with their favorite toys and comfort items, like a blanket or pet bed from the old house, to give them a familiar scent to latch on to.

Be sure to stick to a routine, too! Take your dog on a walk at the same time and stick to your regular feeding schedule.

We all have that friend whose home seems to be spotless, no matter the time of day. You could swing by for a morning coffee or stop over for dinner, and it always looks like someone just cleaned. Can you imagine if your house could be like that? Well, it can! Tidy homes are created out of habit. Here are 5 habits of people with tidy homes, so that you too can have a house that looks like a magazine feature all the time. Continue reading ...

This weekend, most of us will be turning our clocks an hour ahead as we ‘spring forward.’ We may be losing an hour of sleep, but that doesn't mean you should lose hope on finding a home you love. Continue reading ...

Before you put your home up for sale, you'll want to ensure it's clean for all of the buyers that will come through. A dirty house isn't appealing, and you won't get a good offer, if you get one at all, if your home isn't in tip-top shape. Cleaning your home doesn't have to be overwhelming, below we've listed the top things to remember to clean for each room. Continue reading ...

If you’ve never purchased a house before, you may have no idea where to begin when preparing to become a homeowner. You may be on the fence about buying, or you may feel like you are ready to buy a home today. Either way, these tips can help anyone feel a little more prepared for their first home purchase! Continue reading ...

Check out Kauai Market Continue reading ...

Kitchen Improvements Under $100 Want to spruce up your kitchen but stuck on a tight budget? Check out the list of improvements you can get started on for under $100. These tips can come in handy when you're ready to list your home to sell on the market. 1. REFRESH THE SINK: If your sink is starting to look outdated, find an affordable, yet stylish, replacement. If you have the eye for DIY, you can also purchase some sandpaper and a $4 can of spray paint that is made for metal, and dye it to refresh and brighten the color. 2. HANG A NEW LIGHT FIXTURE A decorative light fixture doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. You can generally find some decent ones that are under $100. Go for a chrome finish or choose the rustic route, whichever suits the current decor in your kitchen. You can also add LED lights under your kitchen cabinets for around $10-$20. 3. PAINT THE CABINETS With care taken in the prep work, you can refinish the paint on your cabinets. You can generally get a kit around $75. Refreshing the paint color or the stain can make your kitchen feel brand new. 4. TURN YOUR FRIDGE INTO A CHALKBOARD Chalkboard finishes are a hot trend, especially on the fridge! They add more functionality by allowing home owners to write grocery lists, menus, and even to-dos. Use painters tape to outline the shape and size you want to use as the chalkboard then coat it with magnetic primer, then chalkboard paint. 5. REPLACE OUTLET PLATES Replace the outdated outlet wall plates for your light switches. You can add some character to it by using bold patterns, bright colors, or elegant textures. If they look faded, yellow, or chipped, they're a cheap fix to replace. 6. CHANGE HARDWARE Replacing the hardware on your kitchen cabinets and drawers can provide a drastic change to your kitchen. Not only can you get rid of hideous outdated hardware, but you can add a completely new feel to the theme of your kitchen just by updating the hardware throughout it. 7. EXPAND STORAGE Have empty wall space? Search your local home stores for cute baskets or storage containers you can use to fill the space. Not only can it add some character to your kitchen, it also adds functionality and more storage options. A feature buyers love if you're thinking of listing your home. 8. DRESS UP YOUR DECOR Bring some color to your kitchen. Throw out decor that looks like it belongs in the 90's, rugs that are falling apart, and anything else that weighs down a fresh look. Add in some new rugs and hand towels that match your personality and the theme you're trying to achieve. You can also add some plants and decorative pieces to add character. 9. CLEAN UP THE CLUTTER The best cleaning tip I can give all of my clients is to remove the clutter. Nothing is a bigger eye sore than too many things. It also messes with the energy in a home. Throw out a lot of things that are taking up too much space. If it's sentimental, see if you can store it in a new place or even donate it. Continue reading ...

Want to spruce up your kitchen but stuck on a tight budget? Check out the list of improvements you can get started on for under $100. These tips can come in handy when you're ready to list your home to sell on the market. Continue reading ...

Ready to make a move? Have a certain figure in mind that you need to sell for? Depending on your market, you might be able to get a little more than what you may be needing. Go over with your agent if setting a bidding war is smart for the sale of your home, and if they give the green light, here are a few things to consider to help get your sales price over asking after starting a bidding competition. Continue reading ...

Kitchen floors get put through quite a lot! Between all of the dropped utensils, the spills and drips; being one of the most used rooms in a home, your floors need to handle kitchen hazards and look good doing it. A large variety of floor materials won't be an ideal fit for the kitchen because of this. Below, I'm listing my favorite kitchen floors that help with maintaining low maintenance, and keeping a balance between style and functionality. Continue reading ...

The current trends are all about utilizing rich color, maximizing texture and creating comfortable interiors you can’t wait to relax in. Use these trends to get inspired to makeover your home’s interiors and create spaces you love that also appeal to your personal style. Remember, if you plan to sell in the next few years, you may want to avoid doing anything dramatic and instead incorporate small changes that would appeal to buyers. Continue reading ...

Great curb appeal not only makes your home the star of the neighborhood, it can also improve its value and help you sell it for more. Whether you’re thinking of listing your home or just want to make your home the envy of your neighbors, here are several ways to increase your home’s curb appeal. Continue reading ...

The Compound Effect: Building Your Household’s Wealth Wealth is within reach for many people; however, according to a recent study, 63 percent of Americans said it’s not likely they’ll become rich.1 While younger people are more likely to say they’ll achieve wealth one day, only 34 percent of people aged 30 to 49 and 21 percent of people aged 50 or older say the same. There is no secret to becoming rich: it takes time, sacrifice and good financial sense. Here are a few ways to build your household’s wealth. Continue reading ...

5 Reasons to Sell Before the Selling Season Picks Up A common thought in real estate is never list your home in the winter offseason. Perpetuated by industry experts, agents and repeat sellers alike, this saying encourages many would-be sellers to wait until the spring peak to list their homes. However, studies show that homes listed in the winter offseason not only sell faster than those in the spring, but sellers also net more above their asking price at this time.1 Don’t wait until spring to sell. If you’ve been thinking of selling your home, here are five compelling reasons to list now. Continue reading ...

Home Equity seems to be a very simple calulation - the total amount of mortgages owed subtracted from the current market value of a home.

Cut Utility Bills by $2000 or More With Smart Home Tech The ‘Smart Home’ is the new ‘Internet of Things’ or objects that can communicate with each other. The ideal version of the wired future might look like this: Continue reading ...

Home Inspections are an important part of real estate transactions Continue reading ...

The decision to buy a turnkey home or build your dream house is always a daunting one.We explore the pros and cons of each, in today's Blog Continue reading ...

Mirroring national trends, Kauai's vacation home market appears to be rebounding. This article from CNN details the upswing being realized countywide. On Kauai, our personal experience tells a similair story with demand for vacation rental properties clearly "on the rise". Continue reading ...

Kauai's Real Estate Market is clearly moving. Below, we have attached all of the latest market statistics (for February 2013). As you can see, 2013 is not yet keeping pace with 2012, year to date wise, in number of sales. But, median prices are showing marked changes. For those of you who have been on the fence, now may be the time to make the move to paradise! Continue reading ...

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) After years of wild swings, the U.S. housing market is slowly returning to normal. Continue reading ...

Chickens, Chickens,Chickens! Apparently Kauai is not the only Island where our local chicken population is causing havoc. Read this fowl story of the damage they caused, and inconvenience to travlers, on Maui. Continue reading ...

Social Media, i.e.Twitter, finds that Hawaii is the happiest place in the United States! Continue reading ...

Will Insurance cover your property if it is hit by a Meteor? Cnn gives a great accounting of who pays the bill. Continue reading ...

"As the leading advocate for housing and home ownership issues, NAR firmly believes that the mortgage interest deduction (MID) is vital to the stability of the American housing market and economy.

"The MID must not be targeted for change. NAR is actively engaged on behalf of the nation's 75 million home owners and 1.1 million Realtors® to ensure that the current deduction is not modified as was recommended in the Deficit Reduction Commission report released today.

"The tax deductibility of interest paid on mortgages is a powerful incentive for home ownership and has been one of the simplest provisions in the federal tax code for more than 80 years. In a new survey commissioned by NAR and conducted online in October 2010 by Harris Interactive of nearly 3,000 homeowners and renters, nearly three-fourths of homeowners and two-thirds of renters said the mortgage interest deduction was extremely or very important to them.

"Recent progress has been made in bringing stability to the housing market and any changes to the MID now or in the future could critically erode home prices and the value of homes by as much as 15 percent, according to our research. This would negatively impact home ownership for millions of Americans, including those who own their homes outright and have no mortgage.

"Any further downward pressure on home prices will hamper the economic recovery, raise foreclosures and hurt banks' abilities to lend and likely tip the economy into another recession resulting in further job losses for the country. It will effectively close the door on the American dream.

"NAR will remain vigilant in opposing any plan that modifies or excludes the deductibility of mortgage interest."

The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Click the link below an make the call today.

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=ixlw95bab&et=1104012235247&s=278&e=001vB9pdvdg0hs7JBavvBYz5ZT5PnHR4-yFyMH_Xdo9E2menkvbHgZVS1MgvkO6w-b6FKAJbKY3COzXlGI-SbVmuJaJsxaKnjxAuSGxFg8uocVXJkTzbg1kgaqNn7bvyEd3bd1iDjEtzKk_nfHvmb5EOnF_vHrHJN1O0A-xlY30PBesNz2ADOtaR4feNxC_JBpXtRQ8e_1-8RoMIsz7s2BjpX0GUePlOReAKH63kWKXvLhLCPFY_NLq45xW7VgwhOs-MYL5Geb0KRqSQxZhvMLl2LtoQgasYeL4Lb6hSd3FrQ0= 

Third Quarter 2010 Continue reading ...

Kauai's Market Statistics are speaking volumes about the state of our island real estate market. Sales are up from a year ago as is overall sales dollar volume. However, median home, land, and condominium prices are generally continuing to plummet. These statistics remind us that we are firmly entrenched in a buyer's market. Inventory also remains extremly high. Yes, sellers are competing for every buyer. additionally, distressed property, short-sales and REO (bank owned) property are driving the market. it may just be the perfect time to invest in Kauai for the long run! Continue reading ...