Windward Homes, Oahu, HI

03/04/2013

The newest condo project in Kailua....due to be completed sometime in the fall. Sales will be by Lottery.

**Facebook Exclusive, Ka Malanai 3 Bedroom** Here is the first Peek at another of our upcoming floor plans at our Most Anticipated Community yet in Beautiful Kailua. **FB fans will continue to get the information on this page FIRST, so be sure to "like" our page and visit it often to get the latest and greatest as it comes out**

08/28/2012

Energy-wise Home Improvements: Look for ENERGY STAR qualified models, which can reduce your household energy costs by 15%.

08/20/2012

What do you know about the 3.8% Tax?

This tax was added to President Obama's Health Care plan because its proceeds will be allocated to shore up the $325 billion deficit in the Medicare Fund.
The 3.8% tax will be imposed on upper income taxpayers only. It will affect those with more than $200000 of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) ($250000 on a joint return) and will take effect in 2013. For those earning the above amounts a year and more, certain investment income above these income levels MIGHT be subject to the 3.8% tax on portion of that income. Might because whether the tax applies or not depends on many factors having to do with the kind and amount of the investment income the household receives. This tax applies to just a portion of investment income for certain upper income households and remember that the capital gains exclusion remains untouched... ($250000 for singles, and $500000 for married couples)

04/30/2012

Cinco de Mayo is this Saturday. You may not know that this event helped play an important role in shaping the United States as we know today. Many people believe that this event celebrates Mexico's independence from Spain, however that conquest happened on 9/15/1810. Cinco de Mayo celebrates an event that took place 50 years later.
On May 5, 1862, the Mexican calvary, under the command of Texas born General Zaragosa, defeated the French at the battle at Puebla, a city 100 miles east of Mexico City.
The French army, having not suffered a defeat in nearly 50 years, landed in the port of Vera Cruz and headed toward the capital city with a specific mission. Fearless of any opponent, the French sought to overthrow the capitol and gain control of Mexico, even bringing along a Hapsburg prince to oversee the would-be empire.
The goal of France's leader, Emperor Napoleon III, was to gain proximity to the US in hopes of supplying the Confederate Army in their fight against the North. He had a vested interest in sustaining the division within America.
To America's benefit, the undersized Mexican cavalry used their knowledge of the terrain to defeat the powerful French army. The victory enabled the northern states to build the greatest army in the world at that time.
Fourteen months laater, the North soundly defeated the Confederate Army in the battle at Gettysburg, thus ending the civil war. Union troops were subsequently rushed to the Texas/Mexican border to help expel the French from Mexico. For this reason, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in both countries. More importantly, it's a great occasion to honor freedom and liberty!

04/23/2012

Whole Foods opened in Kailua this week...I haven't been yet....I'm waiting for the crowd to dwindle, so I can see what they have. There were over 600 people on opening day.

04/23/2012

THE STEPS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP

Save for down payment and other home related costs. Make saving a regular habit. The earlier you start saving, the more cash you will have for a home.
Build credit score....many Lenders require a score of at least 620 to get a mortgage. Those with scores 720 and above usually get the best interest rates. Making payments on time, lowering your credit balances, and paying off collection accounts can boost your score and make it easier to get a mortgage.
Get pre-pproved for a loan....Being pre-approved helps you determine what you can afford and strengthens any offer you might make on the home of your choice.
Search for a property....think about what features you want in a house, and keep your budget in mind. A Real Estate Agent can be a valuable asset during the home search. Once you find the home you want, you can make an offer.
Enter the pre-closing period....If your offer is accepted, you can have a home inspection done and notify your lender that you found a home. Make sure to remain in contact with your lender and provide them with anything they need.
Attend closing...closing or recording is the day that the mortgage is finalized, and the title of the home is transferred to you. There is a lot pf paperwork to sign, but take the time to read and understand everything. After you sign all of the documents, and they have been recorded at the Bureau of Conveyances/or Court House, you will receive the keys to your new home.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS ALONE!!! A REALTOR can answer your questions, help you to review your credit report, help you find a Lender to work with, and can even help you create a budget.

04/16/2012

According to the Lending institutions, the last message about SKIMMING is not possible, for the current ATM machines are made to avoid SKIMMING practices. Let's hope this is true.

03/24/2012

Hope you all saw the newscast of the lightning show off Lanikai Beach during last week's storms. Such awesome pictures were taken by someone using a cell phone.

03/24/2012

SKIMMING....Before inserting your CC into an ATM machine, check to see if the slot wiggles. If it does, there may be a skimmer on it which would read your card information and PIN can be captured with a hidden camera or keyboard overlay device. Use another terminal and report the incident to local law enforcement. Cover the keypad when you are entering your PIN so the camera is unable to capture it. Always check your statements for fraudulent activity, and if you suspect anything suspicious, call your lending institution immediately.

02/22/2012

Kaelepulu Drive is becoming a driving nightmare on weekends due to the additional traffic of people coming up to the pillbox ttrail People stand in the middle of the road, car doors are left open, cars are parked on both sides of the snarrow street, etc.. HUMBUG!!

02/15/2012

To Get Organized for your successors, leave instructions for the care of any pets.

02/15/2012

Organize and list all the places you keep under lock and key or protected by password, such as safe deposit boxes, safe combination, security alarms, etc. Provide contact information of the companies or people who provide you regular services such as lawn service, cleaning companies, etc..