Erica Lehmkuhl - Seaside Realty - Owner/Real Estate Broker/Property Manager

08/22/2024

Have you thought about purchasing a newly built home or do you prefer an existing home?

Even newly built homes should have Home Inspections because even though they are newly built, many of them will still have defects.

It’s important to have a buyers agent representing your interests when purchasing a new or existing. a buyers agent has a fiduciary or legal responsibility to their clients. the buyers agent can negotiate terms and help interpret documents and stay on timeline whether the property is a new build or an existing home.

Many newly built homes on Oahu have HOA or maintenance fees if not both. Understanding what you are getting exchange for these fees is very important. They also have a lot of different rules of what you can and cannot do and number of pets, even in a single-family home.

In most instances, you can purchase a newly built using a VA loan, but not all of the time. This is also information that a quality buyers agent can assist you with.

For navigating the process, whether buying a new or existing home feel free to DM or text me anytime. I’m here to help and answer questions. 808-723-0953.

www.Seaside808.com

07/08/2024

Why are condo maintenance fees rising so quickly and so high? This article explains why.

https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/05/condo-owners-are-starting-to-feel-the-pain-from-rising-insurance-costs/ #:~:text=Anecdotes%20abound%20of%20premiums%20doubling,Deductibles%20have%20also%20skyrocketed.

07/08/2024

https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/05/condo-owners-are-starting-to-feel-the-pain-from-rising-insurance-costs/ #:~:text=Anecdotes%20abound%20of%20premiums%20doubling,Deductibles%20have%20also%20skyrocketed.

05/30/2024

https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/05/john-hill-state-investigators-need-to-take-a-much-closer-look-at-this-honolulu-property-management-company/

03/17/2024

My thoughts regarding the headlines about “gone are the days of 6% commissions.”

I’m a RE Broker here are reasons the headline is misleading and nothing is changing for the better right now:

1. 6% was never “the standard” since brokers are not allowed to conspire together to come up with price standards across the industry and RE commissions have always been negotiable.

2. Brokers and clients decide what amount they want the listing broker to earn and the listing broker decides what amount to share with the Buyer agent’s brokerage (In Hawaii both percentages have been outlined in our exclusive right to sell listing contract so there were no surprises).
It is my understanding that a lot of this lawsuit was stemming from Sellers thinking they had to offer the buyer’s brokerage a percentage to sell their homes when it was always a percentage they negotiated with the listing agent (their agent).

3. Although this settlement and the proposed changes to take effect in July will likely cause changes in the way homes are listed it will likely be a blip in the overall market and sales tactics.

VA buyers cannot pay their agent a commission and right now no one knows what will happen if a VA buyer wants to make an offer on a property with no buyers agent commission. If there is no commission our E&O insurance won’t cover the transaction so not only would the agent be completing weeks (to months) of work for free, they would also be taking on immense liability at the same time. There is no other industry I’m aware of that forces their workers to work for free and take on legal liability.

4. Effective July listing agents can no longer advertise the amount of commission they’re offering to the buyers brokerage on the MLS. This will result in less transparency in the market which has never been a good thing in any industry.

5. Not offering Buyer’s brokerages a commission will likely result in more dial agency situations in state’s where dual agency is legal. In states where dual agency isn’t legal I guess the buyer would have to have no representation which definitely isn’t good for the Buyer.

These are all the things I can think of right now.

02/25/2024

Randy’s holding open house today 2-5pm!

91-1045 Kanehoa loop #75!

02/17/2024

Trevor Drinen the owner of Signature Home Inspections shares lessons learned during his years of experience inspecting Hawaii homes.

If you’re interested in attending our monthly educational meet ups, text your email and phone number at 808-723-0953.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160151815337909&id=627272908

02/17/2024

Did you know there are three prong and four prong versions of dryer and range cords?

Many people do not know there’s a difference until they put them side-by-side.

Make sure when you go to the appliance store you grab the right cord for the right outlet.

02/14/2024

Single room air conditioners are on sale at Home Depot in Honolulu (Iwilei). After the military discount you pay $149.84.

02/10/2024

02/02/2024

Wanna see my finished Waikiki condo flip?

It only took us about six weeks to do the flip. But it has taken me six months to do the video. Lol.

Purchase price: $210,000

Renovation cost: $45,000

Current market value: $315,000

No, we are not selling it.

We did a 1031 exchange and are keeping it as a 30 day or more rental, and Waikiki crash pad for us, and our friends. 

Check out Erica Lehmkuhl's post.

01/30/2024