08/22/2026
Buying a home in Hawaii feels out of reach for a lot of local families. Reina Miyamoto of the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center joins Adrienne Lally and Attilio Leonardi to explain what first-time buyers can actually do about it, starting with education that costs $10 out of pocket with a Realtor referral.
What is the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center? A Hawaii nonprofit that prepares people for homeownership through classes, one-on-one coaching, and post-purchase support. It does not sell homes and it does not lend money.
What does it cost? $75 per buying unit. If a Honolulu Board of Realtors member refers you, HBR covers $65. Your cost is $10. Use Adrienne Lally and Attilio Leonardi as your referral source.
What do first-time buyers get wrong? How much cash they need to close, how a lender calculates what they qualify for, and their credit score. Buyers in the mid to high 600s often assume they're disqualified when they're not.
What if you already own and can't make payments? HHOC counsels renters and owners facing hardship. They don't pay your mortgage. They build a crisis budget with you and connect you to resources.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Attilio's tip: what early risers do differently
04:42 Career Night, Monday September 7
06:49 July Oahu market stats
14:15 Guest: Reina Miyamoto, Hawaii HomeOwnership Center
18:14 Where to start if you don't know you're ready
19:19 What it costs
20:50 Myths that stop people from exploring
23:53 Wills, trusts, and holding title
31:05 Down payment assistance programs
32:35 Success story: buyers in their 20s, no family help
35:32 Help for renters and owners behind on payments
40:05 The 10K for Upgrades program
47:46 Agent wins: first escrows under 90 days
HAWAII HOMEOWNERSHIP CENTER
hihomeownership.org 808-523-9500
TEAM LALLY
Home of the Guaranteed Sold Program. If we can't sell your home at the agreed price and terms, we'll buy it.
808-799-9596 TeamLally.com
Career Night: HawaiiCareerNight.com
The Team Lally Real Estate Show airs Saturdays at 10 AM HST on AM830 KHVH.
This episode is general education only and is not legal, tax, financial, investment, or mortgage advice.
first time home buyer HomeOwnership Center, a home in Hawaii, real estate, Miyamoto, payment assistance Hawaii, Lally