April Luga Ra

The right real estate agent in Hawaii can save you significant time and money.

Hawaii's real estate market has its own legal structures that catch mainland buyers and sellers off guard regularly. The leasehold versus fee simple distinction is the most significant. Leasehold property involves a ground lease, typically 55 years at origination, after which the land reverts to the landowner unless the lease is renegotiated. Leasehold condos in Honolulu, particularly from the 1960s and 1970s, are approaching the end of their original lease terms, which affects financing, pricing, and resale significantly. Conveyance tax, property tax classifications for owner-occupied versus investment properties, and the GET implications of real estate transactions all have Hawaii-specific nuances. The agent you work with should understand all of these fluently, not learn them on your transaction. An experienced local agent has closed enough Hawaii deals to know where surprises hide. The agents listed here are licensed Hawaii real estate professionals who work regularly in the markets they represent, covering Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.