What is Your Property REALLY Worth?

July 17, 2023

Where do you find the correct information?

A person is using a calculator on a wooden table.

There are several options for finding out the value of your property but the results can be very different. It is important to know which option is providing you with accurate information.

Zillow and other similar online programs provide estimates of value. Zillow estimates are called “Zestimates.” Algorithms that use various public information sources calculate these estimates of value. While they can be correct, especially if the property was sold recently, the numbers are often wrong. They do not consider the condition or special features of the property. Also, the sales information they use is sometimes very old. The values given by Zillow are not reliable enough to be used to obtain financing but can give you a ballpark number.

The Honolulu City and County’s yearly tax assessment can also provide an estimate of your property’s value but it also has problems. For example, the tax assessor may not know that your property has a better view than other properties that have sold recently. They also make no adjustment for a leasehold property versus a fee simple property. In these examples, the difference can be substantial and the taxpayer is paying property taxes based on the assessment. About 1,300 to 1,700 homeowners appeal their property tax assessment every year.

A real estate agent can provide a Broker Price Opinion, or a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). These tend to be more accurate than tax assessments or online websites because the agent has access to the most recent sold data and knows more about the area and potential buyer preferences. It is important to select an agent that is familiar with the neighborhood and allow them access to the property to improve the reliability of the value provided.

While these options can provide you with some information, there is no substitute for an appraisal by a Hawaii-licensed and certified appraiser. An appraisal can cost between $550 and $800 for a typical single-family home. It is usually required by the lender to obtain a loan to purchase a home or to refinance an existing property. Sometimes a homeowner will have an appraisal done prior to listing for sale if it is an unusual property with special conditions or there are no comparable sales in recent history.

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Expect the Unexpected

January 31, 2026

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.