Scott Sakata, Realtor-Oahu, Hawaii

08/16/2025

One of my favorite restaurants in Hawaii Kai is Chopstick and Rice.
My favorite is the Spicy Beef Noodle soup and the House Fried Chicken.
Check them out!

08/15/2025

Painting has long been known as an affordable home remodel idea that can significantly improve a home’s appearance. Painting the entire home or even one room is the most common project real estate agents recommend to make properties more marketable.
So, what color should you paint? Whites continue to be popular, and warmer tones, like beiges and khakis.
So, what color should you paint? Whites continue to be popular and warmer tones, like beiges and khakis.

Here are some of the best paint colors to attract potential home buyers when selling a home.

Top colors for home’s living area:
Soft or warm whites: 85%
Greige: 28%
Beige: 24%
Taupe: 18%
Blush, earthy tones: 12%

Top colors for a bedroom:
Warm neutrals: 76%
Soft or warm whites: 42%
Earthy greens: 25%
Cool blues: 18%
Blush tones: 10%

08/14/2025

Accessibility & Comfort
🌟 Your forever home should work FOR you, not against you.

Living and creating a home with single-floor living, wider doorways, grab bars, and step-free entries aren't just "nice-to-haves" – they're smart investments in independence and comfort.

Let me help you find a home designed for aging in place. Everyone deserves to feel safe and comfortable in their own space.

Call me today to discuss accessible housing options for you.

08/13/2025

What is the rate of return on your investment property?

As a real estate investor, do you understand the rate of return on your investment property? Of course, you want to confirm with your financial professionals for a more detailed calculation. But basically, a simple net cap rate formula is as follows:

Net Rental amount (Gross rent minus mortgage payment minus all expenses)
divided by:
Net Real Estate Value (Sales price minus mortgage balance)
equals: % Net Cap Rate

What we have found in the past is that although some investors think they are receiving good monthly cash checks, they haven't really calculated their rate of return.

I have a simple cap rate calculation worksheet. Contact me and I'll send it to you.

If your cap rate is less than 3%, let's talk. There may be other options that could best suit your future needs.

08/12/2025

Downsizing Benefits
🏡 Thinking about rightsizing your home?
Many seniors find that moving to a smaller, more manageable home brings unexpected joy!
Less maintenance means more time for grandchildren, hobbies, and travel.
Plus, unlocking your home's equity can provide financial freedom for your golden years.
Ready to explore your options? Let's chat about finding a home that fits your lifestyle perfectly.

08/11/2025

IRC §1031: A 1031 Exchange is a swap of one business or investment asset for another. Although most swaps are taxable as sales, if you transacted through a 1031, you will either have no tax or limited tax due at the time of the exchange.

Timeline Requirements
45 Days - To identify replacement property
180 Days - To acquire replacement property
- Escrow closes on SOLD property. Next day is considered Day 1
- 45 Days is part of the 180 Days
- No Exceptions or Extensions, Except for Federally Declared Disasters

Methods of Identifying Replacement Property
1) Manner of Identifying Property - Must have complete address, must be signed and dated by an accommodator (Qualified Intermediary - someone who facilitates your 1031 exchange).

2) Alternate and Multiple Property Rules:
- 3 Property Rule: Identify up to 3 properties without regard to value.
- 200% Rule: Identify 4 or more properties, total value may not exceed 200% of the value of property sold.

Like-Kind Property
Properties are of Like-kind if of the same nature or character, even if they differ in grade or quality. For example: Condos, Duplex, Single-family Home, Multi-unit rental, Vacant land, Apartment building, Office building, and the Delaware Statutory Trust.

- 200% Rule: Identify 4 or more properties, total value may not exceed 200% of the value of the property sold.

Learn more about 1031 Exchange strategies at our upcoming seminar:
Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The Learning Center at Stadium Mall

Seats are limited and RSVP is required....free lunch too.

Let me know if you'd like to attend.
Cell: 808-228-4916 or email: [email protected]

08/10/2025

With the craziness that went on in the state the other week, here is a reminder to know where you are on the map for the evacuation zones.
Here is the City and County of Honolulu map. Enter you address and it will show up on the map:
https://cchnl.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=39a9e07068a14d01a85b437adcf50beb

08/04/2025

Indoor Air Quality Solutions for Your Home

Summer’s here and with the temperature being hot, many of us use air conditioners to keep our homes and rooms cool.

Here are a few tips to keep the air clear in your home.

#1 Invest in an Air Purifier: These devices are designed to filter the air in a single room or area. There are many out there so do your research. I have been using my AirDoctor purifier for a few years now and I like it. It definitely catches dog hair and dust.

#2 Maintain a clean home: Cleaning your home regularly can help reduce indoor pollutants like dust, pet dander, and mold. Wipe down hard surfaces with a damp cloth and vacuum carpets weekly. Don’t forget to wash bedding weekly in hot water.

#3 Open the Windows: we have great trade winds here in Hawaii, so on those days when they are blowing, open the windows and let the fresh air in.

#4 Flip on a Fan: whether it’s a floor fan or ceiling fan, they can be used to increase the movement of the air within the home.

#5 Clean Your Pet: pets leave behind their fur, dander, and even microscopic skin flakes that can cause allergies and respiratory issues. Like your own bed, clean pet bedding regularly.

#6 Turn on the vent while cooking: About a third of indoor contaminants come from cooking. Gas stoves emit nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide when cooking. A range hood fan, which should be vented to the outside, creates a vacuum in the house to help remove dangerous gases when cooking.

#7 Limit indoor chemicals: be careful of the cleaning products that you use. Some can irritate eyes, nose, and throat and even cause organ damage after heavy exposure. If you do use cleaners increase ventilation by turning on fans or opening windows. Look for cleaning products with natural ingredients, like baking soda or vinegar.

Making some changes in your home can help you and your family breathe a lot easier.

08/02/2025

Losing more agricultural land.....

Hawaii Kai farmers face an uncertain future, as long-term leases come to an end.

08/01/2025

Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar can be used to treat laundry stains and hand-wash clothes. It is often grated and included as an ingredient in homemade laundry detergent. It is particularly effective in removing oily stains and ring-around-the-collar.

I first heard of this from my nephews who said it works great on sneakers.

Other uses for Fels-Naptha Soap:
- Personal pest repellent: Bathe with the soap to repel mosquitoes, lice, and other pests.
- Silence squeaks: Rub on squeaky door hinges and the drawer glides.
- Household cleaner: Grate and mix with hot water to clean floors, toilets, and sinks.
- Air freshener: Use unwrapped bars to freshen the air.
- DIY insecticidal soap: Mix 1 tablespoon of soap with 1 gallon of water and spray affected plants weekly.
- Remove stains from leather: Gently rub the soap bar into stains on various leather goods to lift them.
- Remove grease stains: Pre-treat grease stains with soap before washing them in the washing machine.

Courtesy: The Spruce

07/31/2025

A home is a long-term financial asset. Estate planning helps you prepare for the future by deciding what happens to your home and other assets if you can no longer care for them.

Join us on Saturday, August 16 at 12:00 PM as Michelle Ogata, Principal Attorney of Estate Planning Partners will talk about the Nuts & Bolts of Estate Planning.

- Protect your loved ones with smart planning
- Maintain control over your assets
- Reduce family conflict
- Minimize estate taxes
- Avoid common planning pitfalls

Seminar will be held at The Learning Center at Stadium Mall
Seats are limited so RSVP is required. Lunch to be served.

Message me if you'd like to attend. Or contact me at 808-228-4916 / Email: [email protected]

07/30/2025

The home selling process can be stressful. But I'm here to help along with the rest of the experts involved in the sale.
Here’s your birds-eye view of the 12 main steps to selling a house.

Step 1: Decide to sell your house
Step 2: Research the market
Step 3: Price your home
Step 4: Prepare your home
Step 5: Market your home
Step 6: Be ready for home showings
Step 7: Entertain offers
Step 8: Negotiate offers
Step 9: Accept the offer
Step 10: Satisfy contingencies of the contract
Step 11: Parties sign the closing documents
Step 12: Home sale recorded

Of course, this is just a broad overview and their are other things that go on within the sale. As your agent I'll be with you along the way.