The House Nobody Wants

November 2, 2026

It just might be the best buy.

When buyers begin looking for a home, it is easy to be drawn to the one with fresh paint, new flooring, a beautiful kitchen, and a perfectly maintained yard. But sometimes the property that deserves a closer look is the one everyone else is passing by.

There is an old real estate saying: “Buy the ugliest house in the best neighborhood, not the nicest house in the worst neighborhood.” There is a reason that advice has been around for so long. You can improve a house, but you can’t pick it up and move it to a different neighborhood.

Homes that are dated, cluttered, or in need of repairs can be difficult for buyers to see past. Old carpet, worn cabinets, overgrown landscaping, and years of accumulated belongings can make a property appear much worse than it really is.

The key is knowing the difference between ugly and expensive.

You can usually change paint, flooring, fixtures, and landscaping. Structural damage, major plumbing or electrical problems, a failing roof, or unpermitted improvements can cost much more to fix.

A fixer-upper also isn’t automatically a bargain simply because it needs work. Buyers need to consider the purchase price, repair costs, and what the property is likely to be worth once the improvements are completed. Financing may also be more difficult if the property is in poor condition.

On the other hand, a home that doesn’t show well may attract fewer buyers, creating an opportunity for someone willing and financially prepared to make improvements.

A beautiful kitchen can be replaced. Ugly flooring can be changed. An overgrown yard can be cleaned up. But location, lot size, and neighborhood aren’t nearly as easy to change.

Sometimes the house everyone else overlooks is the one worth a second look.

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Expect the Unexpected

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There are several things that first-time landlords often don’t consider when they buy a rental property. Take John, for example. He bought his first rental property thinking it would be simple: collect the rent each month, pay the mortgage, and pocket the rest. For the first few months, things went smoothly. But then the tenant lost his job, moved out early, and left the place a mess and without paying the last month’s rent. John spent his weekends cleaning up, only to have the water heater give out the next week. To make matters worse, his HOA sent him notice that maintenance fees were increasing by $100 a month. Unfortunately, John’s story isn’t unusual. Here are some ideas for aspiring landlords. No matter how strong the rental market seems, there will always be downtime between tenants. Smart landlords plan for one to two months of vacancy every year so they’re not blindsided when the rent stops coming in. Maintenance fees, property taxes, and insurance rarely stay the same. Landlord insurance costs more than a standard homeowner’s policy, and it’s important to build these rising expenses into your budget. Plumbing leaks, broken appliances, pest infestations—these are inevitable. Our salty air and humidity only speed up the wear and tear on properties. And then there are the big-ticket items: roofs, windows, or even foundation issues. A good rule of thumb is to set aside about 10% of the rent each month for repairs and maintenance. Even the best tenants don’t always return a property in “move-in ready” condition. Repainting, landscaping, and other turnover costs are part of the cycle. New landlords sometimes forget to budget for professional services. From property managers to accountants to attorneys, having the right team can save you money in the long run. Landlords who succeed aren’t just collecting checks; they’re running a small business. The key is to expect the unexpected by planning for vacancies, rising costs, repairs, and turnover. If you budget wisely, set aside reserves, and treat your property like an investment instead of a gamble,

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Hidden Stories Behind Abandoned Homes

January 31, 2026

We have all seen them. The mailbox is leaning against the fence, stuffed with unopened letters and junk mail, and the grass is so tall it hides the front steps. No one’s been home for a long time. Every community has a house everyone drives past and wonders about. Perhaps the owner passed away, the family relocated to the mainland, or the bank has yet to complete the foreclosure. Whatever the reason, each abandoned home has a story to tell. In real estate, we often see homes frozen in time. Life has stopped, but the house waits. Sometimes, it happens suddenly, such as when a homeowner dies without a will or kupuna move into care. At other times, financial hardship leaves the property in limbo, neither sold nor properly maintained. Delays or disagreements can leave homes sitting vacant for years. On average, it takes approximately six years to complete the foreclosure process in Hawai’i. In just a few months, stray cats move in, paint peels, vines climb walls, and everything seems to rust in the salt air. For neighbors, the sight of an abandoned home can be heartbreaking and upsetting, as these overgrown lots often attract pests, dumping, and trespassing, including squatters who occupy them for illegal activity, which can persist for years. However, even the worst can be brought back to life with patience and vision. If there’s an abandoned property on your street, don’t look away. Report safety issues and stay involved. And if you’re a homeowner, take steps now to keep your property out of limbo by creating a will or trust and communicating with your family. These small steps can prevent your home from becoming another boarded-up property in the neighborhood.