Oahu Real Estate Blog
Home Inspection on Oahu: What Buyers Should Expect and Check
A home inspection on Oahu checks more than the basics: termites, salt air rust, cesspools, permits and solar. What buyers should expect and check.
What Is a CPR Home in Hawaii? A Buyer’s Guide for Oahu
A CPR home in Hawaii means you own your unit and share the land. How limited common elements, CPR documents, insurance and financing work on Oahu.
Kahala vs Diamond Head vs Portlock (Hawaii Kai): A Luxury Buyer’s Comparison
Kahala vs Diamond Head vs Portlock compared for Oahu luxury buyers: shoreline setbacks, oceanfront vs view, leasehold pockets, HOAs and disclosures.
Hawaii Conveyance Tax: What Oahu Sellers Pay in 2026
Hawaii conveyance tax explained for Oahu sellers: 2026 rates, who pays, how your buyer’s plans change the rate, exemptions and real dollar examples.
Closing Costs for Buyers on Oahu: What You Pay and Who Pays What
Closing costs for buyers on Oahu: lender fees, escrow, title, prepaids and property tax, who pays the conveyance tax, and how to lower your cash to close.
Hawaii First-Time Home Buyer Programs: Hale Kama’aina and More
Hawaii first-time home buyer programs in plain English: the state’s Hale Kama’aina Mortgage Program (formerly Hula Mae), Honolulu’s Down Payment Loan Program, VA and FHA loans, and how to see what you qualify for.
Buying Your First Condo in Honolulu: A First-Time Buyer Checklist
Buying your first condo in Honolulu? The checklist to use before you make an offer: fee simple vs leasehold, maintenance fees, loan approval, association documents, parking, house rules and insurance.
How Much House Your BAH Actually Buys on Oahu (2026 Numbers)
The 2026 BAH rates on Oahu by pay grade, what a lender counts against your BAH, and where the monthly payment lands at today’s rates.
VA Approved Condos on Oahu: What to Do When Your Building Is Not on the List
Oahu has nearly 1,400 VA approved condo projects. Here is how to check any building, what the statuses mean, and what to do when the one you want is not on the list.
Oahu Home Exemption: File by September 30 or Pay Twice the Property Tax
Honolulu’s home exemption deadline is September 30. If your home is assessed over $1 million and you have not filed, you could be paying more than double. Here is how to file.
Selling Oahu Property From Out of State: 2026 Guide
Selling Oahu property when you live somewhere else comes with a set of rules that don’t apply to local owners.
Physician Mortgage Programs in Hawaii: What Doctors Buying on Oahu Should Know
Physician mortgage programs in Hawaii solve a problem most doctors don’t see coming until their first pre-approval comes back low.
How to Buy a Home on Oahu From the Mainland: 2026 Remote Buyer Guide
You have your PCS orders. Or you just accepted a job offer in Honolulu. Or maybe you have been dreaming
PCS to Hawaii? Your Complete Guide to Buying a Home on Oahu
A PCS to Hawaii is exciting. It might also be a little overwhelming when you realize just how different the
Leasehold vs. Fee Simple on Oahu: What That Cheap Listing Is Actually Selling You
Leasehold vs fee simple comes down to one question: do you own the land under your home, or are you
Nanahea at Ho’opili: New Single Family Homes Releasing in Kapolei on June 30, 2026
D.R. Horton Hawaii just announced the release of homes at Nanahea at Ho’opili, and if you’ve been looking for new
Oahu HOA Fees Explained: What Buyers Should Expect in 2026
Oahu HOA fees are the monthly charge that covers shared costs like building insurance, maintenance and common area upkeep. Here
Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates on Oahu? Here’s What That’s Actually Costing You in 2026
Waiting for lower rates is one of the most common things I hear from Oahu buyers, and I understand why.
Luxury Homes on Oahu: What Buyers and Sellers Should Check
What I check on luxury homes on Oahu for buyers and sellers: shoreline setbacks, the SMA, leasehold vs fee simple, CPR and road documents, Diamond Head design rules and tax class.
Renting vs. Buying on Oahu in 2026: When Does It Make Sense to Buy?
This guide is for people who already rent on Oahu and are weighing a purchase. Average rent is about $2,664