We should all wear masks and here is why. でかける時はマスクをしましょう！

Hello everyone, hope you are staying safe in this Coronavirus pandemic. My heart drops every time I see the new updates on the wild spread of the virus...

I heard about the shortage of this and that, I would like to do my part to stay away from others, so I won't be the one to bother being helped.

 I have been thinking, seeing not many are already wearing masks, maybe they think it's ok to not wearing one as they are healthy. However, I feel like they are missing the point of the "keeping distance" order. Now that we know some won't show the symptom, those "healthy ones" should also consider wearing masks to stop the spread unknowingly.

Although there is argument about the regular masks not being effective to protect you, or only the ones with symptoms should wear the masks type of recommendations out there, as long as THE MASKS REDUCES THE CHANCE of spreading/getting the virus, why not implementing it?

The below picture is from Smart Air, who educates on antipollution globally and sells the filtration items/devices(smartairfilters.com). I have no affiliation to this organization at all yet I do admire what they do.

The picture shows how small the virus particle can be...

As I live in high rise condo, where we tend to be trapped in the elevator whenever we get to a car, go downstairs to check mails, go shopping...etc...my fear is to get virus in the elevator where there is no way to get 6 feet distance from each other. So, with my clear conscious, I tell my husband to wear masks.


(Reference from https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/)


Now, with the shortage of the masks happening and all, if you are crafty, or would like to try making one, those are the materials to consider making the mask with. From Vacuum Cleaner Bag to T-shirt, Pillow cases...I am sure you have one or two of them that you can use from the list below.

I tried making one with dish towel, and my husband was cracking up as it looked so humongous on my face, so I will try improving on it. :) My goal is to make a few washable ones so I can re-use it again and again. (As Pastor Wayne's service said, "God is asking for creativity" by enewhope.org.)

Dish towels are by the way, not the most softest material(therefore not so comfortable) that you place on your face, so consider doubling up with T-shirt/ Cotton material as lining.



(Reference: https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/)

Please stay safe, try covering your mouth/nose in public as the virus can live in the air more than 3 hours. We don't know if there was someone passed the area you just passed has potential of having the notorious virus.

Prayer to the end of all this...
God bless us all.

Go to my website for quick search! 

https://hitomi.c21.com

 　
Hitomi Ozawa Simmons
 ([RA] RE Lic# RS-74864)

1585 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1533

Phone/Text: 808.554.3410

Fax: 808.988.8077
Email:  hitomi808ozawa@gmail.com

What is 1031 Exchange? How it can save you money on Tax? １０３１エクスチェンジと呼ばれる税金対策

Tax season again! How's everybody doing with filing process? It feels like just yesterday that we had to go through with it, yet the time of the Tax filing came once again! Tax time makes us think more about saving on tax, and do better for the next filing period. 

税金申告の時期がやってまいりました。皆様いかがお過ごしでしょうか？

時間の立つのは早いもので、税金申告したかと思えば、又時期がやってきました。税金対策の見直しを考えさせられます。

Speaking of which, have you heard of 1031 exchange for investment properties? If you own a property that you are renting, you have an investment property. How's your investment property performing? Are you considering an option to change the investment property? Would you sell it and buy? Or EXCHANGE it if that's an option for you? 

IRS code 1031 allows investors to exchange the property you own with "Like-kind" property with deferral benefit on capital gains taxes on the sold property.

The crazy thing is  that you can exchange properties as much as you would like. 

アメリカの不動産投資物件の税金対策として、１０３１エクスチェンジという方法があります。ハワイで賃貸物件を所有しており、違う物件に投資をするような場合、現在の所有物件を売って、おいおい違う物件を買うよりもエクスチェンジをすると売却したときの利益にかかる税金の支払いを遅らせることができます。（交換した物件の所有が続く限り税金の支払い期限が来ない。）

However, of course it has rules on the days and if the situation doesn't meet the dead line, you will owe the tax on the capital gain. The whole process from selling the relinquished property to acquiring the replacement properties has to happen within 180 days. 

Now, the current Hawaii market is actually very favorable to try doing the 1031 exchange as the inventory has been stable, which triggered buyer's market. With the on-going low rate on home loans, equity, re-fi and commercial loan rate are relatively lowing also. This might just be the timing for you to consider shopping for good rates IF you need loans. As we always say at our seminars, 1% drop in interest rate saves you significant dollar amounts over time. 

１０３１エクスチェンジをする場合、全ての条件を満たさない場合はもちろん税金が発生します。交換のプロセスは、既存の物件を売って、代わりの物件の購入までをすべて１８０日以内で行うことが条件であり、現在のハワイの不動産市場がとても良いため、（市場に十分な物件がある、住宅ローンの利率が良くなっている）

Are you a 1st time home buyer? Need down payment assistance? E-mail me for details.
Buyer's education program is also available through Hawaii Home Ownership Center.

Would you like to help your favorite on-profit organization? Refer us to help the buyers/sellers that you know. We will donate 10% on the proceedings in your name to your favorite non-profit organization!

初めて不動産売買される方必見！　頭金補助プログラム及び購入者のための無料セミナーもございます。（次回セミナー：３月１８日）まずはメールにてお問い合わせください。
非営業団体の皆様、今年もご紹介頂き契約が成立したときの利益の１０％の寄付を行っています。お友達、お知り合いの方で不動産の売り買い、投資のヘルプ及びサポートが必要な方をご紹介下さい。

#realtorwhocares #philanthropyrealtors #Honoluluhomes #Honoluluhawaii #Hawaiihomes #Hawaiirealestate #c21iproeprtieshawaii #1031exchangeinhawaii #Helpinghawaiibuyerssellers #ハワイに住む人を助ける　＃ハワイの不動産情報　＃ハワイの投資物件　＃投資物件の税金対策

Go to my website for quick search! 

https://hitomiozawa.c21.com

 　
Hitomi Ozawa Simmons
 ([RA] RE Lic# RS-74864)

1585 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1533

Phone/Text: 808.554.3410

Fax: 808.988.8077
Email:  hitomi808ozawa@gmail.com

Mortgage Rates are falling! This means a discount on the House of your dream! 住宅ローンの金利低下でお家のコストをセーブする！

Hope everybody has been staying safe and well! Due to the Corona Virus breakout (Among other things), the mortgage rates have been dropping to favor the current home buyers/ exchangers /investors. What does this mean for Hawaii real estate? Herein, the stats from January market result and report from Honolulu Board of REALTORS®.

皆様お元気でいらっしゃいますでしょうか？コロナウイルスのニュースが広がる中で、住宅ローンの利率が落ちてきています。ハワイに不動産購入（住居、投資）を考えられている方には好ましい傾向ですが、ハワイの実際の不動産状況も見てみましょう。以下、ホノルル不動産協会からの２０２０年１月の結果のレポートです。

“We continue to see a healthy real estate market with a moderate uptick in sales and a small increase in median days on market,” said Tricia Nekota, president, Honolulu Board of REALTORS®. “Both single family home and condominium sales were most active in the affordable to mid-range price categories, which is encouraging, especially for first-time home buyers.” Although new listings were down 18.9% compared to last year, the new listing volume in January 2019 was notably higher than any other January since 2009. Median days on market was 35 days for single family homes and 33 days for condos last month marking the first time since 2014 that monthly median days on market has been above 30 days. Approximately 41% of single-family home sales occurred in the $600,000-$799,999 price range. This price range also represented the most significant jump in sales volume at 19.8% or 18 more sales compared to January 2019. The most substantial portion of condominium sales occurred in the $300,000- $499,999 price range, while a 51.7% increase in sales volume occurred in the $400,000-$599,999 price range." 

概要：一軒家、及びコンドミニアムの売買が共に活発な中、やはり人気のある価格帯は３千万円辺りから６千万円辺り。新しく市場に出てくる物件が前年度と比べると１８．９％少なくなっているものの、前年度２０１９年の市場の物件数はあまりにも多く、その数は２００９年以来の高い数値でありました。市場に出ている物件の日数が３０日以上であるのも２０１４年以来。

The sales data shows the popular price range of $300K-$600K. Due to the hype of luxury condos in Honolulu, people in general tend to feel timid on the price point when it comes to home purchases, especially in Hawaii, yet you might just be pleasantly surprised when you find out what you can afford with today's low interest rate. It wouldn't hurt to start talking to your loan officer and see where it takes you. Time is money!

結局、人気のある価格帯は３千万円から６千万円代。高級コンドミニアムが多く売買される中で、ハワイは物件が高すぎるというイメージがありますが、現在の下がってきている利率で、もしかすると意外に買える物件がでてきているかもしれません。これを機会にローンの査定をしてみてはいかがでしょうか？

Announcement! FREE First Time Home Buyer Seminar from Abe Lee Seminar Room!

Join us for the 1st time home buyer seminar on March 18th, 2020 (6p.m.~) at Abe Lee Seminar Room. We will also introduce Down Payment Assistance Program from Hawaii Home Ownership Center. Please RSVP to hitomi808ozawa@gmail.com or hihomebuyer808@gmail.com. 

初めてハワイで物件の購入をお考えの方、ぜひご参加下さい！参加は無料！

３月１８日（水曜日）午後６時　ハワイで初めてお家を買う方のためのセミナーをエイブリーセミナールームにて行います。要予約。参加無料。お友達、ご家族とお気軽に参加下さい。非営業団体のハワイホームオーナーシップセンターからのローンオフィサーをお呼びして、頭金援助プログラム等、特別なプログラムの紹介もございます。Eメールにてご予約下さい。hitomi808ozawa@gmail.com/hihomebuyer808@gmail.com

Are you a 1st time home buyer? Need down payment assistance? E-mail me for details.
Buyer's education program is also available through Hawaii Home Ownership Center.

初めて不動産売買される方必見！　頭金補助プログラム及び購入者のための無料セミナーもございます。（次回セミナー：３月１８日）まずはメールにてお問い合わせください。

Go to my website for quick search! 

https://hitomiozawa.c21.com

 　
Hitomi Ozawa Simmons
 ([RA] RE Lic# RS-74864)

1585 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1533

Phone/Text: 808.554.3410

Fax: 808.988.8077
Email:  hitomi808ozawa@gmail.com

Our heroes living in Hawaii needed this! NO LIMIT ON VA LOAN!!

Happy Chinese New Year! It's said that the year of Rat has a meaning of trying something new, what's the new thing you would like to try this year? 

ハッピーチャイニーズニューイヤー！ネズミの年というのは、新しいことにトライするという年らしいですが、皆様は何か新しいことを試す予定などありますか？

Well, VA(Veterans Affair) loan also has something new! Everyone was talking about this new rule. Let me list it herein:
アメリカでは、以前軍人として働かれていた、あるいは現在も軍人として働いているという方に特有のベテランアフエアーローン（VAローン）というものがあります。今年の新しいルールをお教えします。

The most significant change is that there won't be any limit to the full entitlement VA loan. What does it mean?? If you are eligible for VA loan and qualified, you can take out however much you need it. Last year, the limit was $726,525. It makes sense for Hawaii not having the limit to the VA loan as the house price in Hawaii, is already more than the amount than it was allowed.
(VA limit $726,525< Average house price in Hawaii $820,000) You can see the graph below as a reference how stably value of properties go up in Honolulu, Hawaii. Although there is no limit on the VA loan itself, please consult with a loan officer how much you can comfortably afford the house of your dreams!

一番の大きな違いはやはり、そのローンに限度額がなくなったということ。以前は借り入れの限度額が$726,525でした。ハワイは物件の価格が他の州に比べとても高いため（一軒家物件価格の平均は$820,000)限度額を設けていないという変更はとても良いですね。下記のグラフでもおわかりいただけると思いますが、毎年物件の価値が順調に上がり続けるのはハワイだからこそのメリットと言えるでしょう。

( Median sales prices also increased for both single-family homes and condominiums in December, up 4.1% to $820,000 for homes, and 6.8% to $425,500 for condos. - Honolulu Board of Realtors Market Report)

Are you a 1st time home buyer? Need down payment assistance? E-mail me for details.
Buyer's education program is also available through Hawaii Home Ownership Center.

初めて不動産売買される方必見！　頭金補助プログラム及び購入者のための無料セミナーもございます。（次回セミナー：３月１８日）まずはメールにてお問い合わせください。

Go to my website for quick search! 

https://hitomiozawa.c21.com

 　
Hitomi Ozawa Simmons
 ([RA] RE Lic# RS-74864)

1585 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1533

Phone: 808.554.3410

Fax: 808.988.8077
Email:  hitomi808ozawa@gmail.com

Happy New Year of 2020!
May this year be the most joyful and prosperous year for you! (..and if it was the best year you've ever seen at the end of this year, I will wish the same for the next year too! :) )
新年あけましておめでとうございます。今年の皆様の喜びと繁栄に満ちた年をお祈りさせていただきます。

So we had the recap on the Kakaako Developments and updates on the New Developments at Honolulu Board of Realtor meeting.
As the Central Ala Moana (The recent affordable housing project) has been completely sold out, the honorable developer Sam Koo was requested to provide a speech and it was...emotional. (Well..to me at least)
ホノルルの不動産協会のミーティングで新しいプロジェクト及び既存のプロジェクトのアップデート等のプレゼンテーションがありました。弊社の中低所得者向けに発売されたThe Central Ala Moana の完売を祝して、開発者のサムクー氏からの挨拶がありました。（とても良いスピーチで、感動しました。）

I have been a licensed realtor only for 7 years and have seen people coming and going as I have witnessed how strong Hawaii Oahu market has been.

The partnership of the developer of Sam Koo and real estate licensing /continuing education educator and owner/broker of Century 21 iProperties Hawaii(www.century21ipropertieshawaii.com), Abe Lee was the perfect marriage to say the least. They both aimed to serve this community with 1000% dedication to fill the critical affordable housing needs in the heart of Oahu. This project was 60% affordable units while other affordable projects were averaging 30-40% affordable units in the building. Also, what was so touchy was that he stated that interior designs are exactly the same throughout the units, either affordable or market units. So the neighbors who interact each other either going to visit market units or affordable units won't see any difference (Other than having the restrictions on the affordable housing rules like 10 year buy back and equity sharing).
この中・低所得者をターゲットにして開発されたセントラルのプロジェクトは、不動産プロフェッショナルの教育及び育成に携わるエイブリー氏とのとてもふさわしいコンビで、ハワイ不動産業者の手本となる住民を助けることをまず第一に考えたプロジェクトでした。通常低所得者のためという文句で宣伝しているプロジェクトでも、せいぜいビルの３０％ー４０％のユニットがターゲットで、サムクー氏のコミュニティーを助けるという熱い思いがマーケットユニットとの差別をしないデザインにまで反映されました。

Sam Koo mentioned that there will be another project coming in the future. I bet everybody is anxious to see what's next.

次回の中・低所得者を対象にしたプロジェクトも弊社とのコンビでプランをしているということなので、ご興味のある方はメールにてお問い合わせ下さい。

(Source: hicentral.com Oahu Monthly Statistical Report, December 2019)

This report is extracted directly from the Honolulu Board of Realtor website to show what price range has the most sales, and THAT's what our community needs for the most working population.
ホノルルの不動産協会からのレポートです（１２月２０１９年結果）。一番売れている値段の枠が人気のある価格帯であることがわかります。


初めて不動産売買される方必見。頭金補助プログラム及び購入者のための無料セミナーもございます。まずはメールにてお問い合わせください。

Hitomi Ozawa Simmons                       ([RA] RE Lic# RS-74864)
Email :	hitomi808ozawa@gmail.com
Mobile/Text :	808-554-3410
Office :	808-791-1020
	www.ipropertieshawaii.com

Continue to show the Buyer Favored Market!

How's everybody doing in this hot summer?
Oahu Real Estate Market is also showing the favorable factors for both sellers and buyers.
Oahu Real Estate has been showing the stable growth both sellers and buyers would like to see, and plus low interest rate on home loans work perfectly to get into real estate or trade up.
暑い夏が続いていますが、皆様お元気でいらっしゃいますでしょうか？
7月のオアフ不動産統計、売り手にも買い手にも良い条件がそろっていたと言えるでしょう。順調に成長し続けています。さらには引き続き住宅ローンの金利が控えめトレンドのため、売買をされる予定のある方はぜひローンオフィサーと相談されて見てください。ローンオフィサーの紹介も承っております。



Are you a 1st time home buyer? Need down payment assistance? E-mail me for details.
Buyer's education program is also available through Hawaii Home Ownership Center.
初めて不動産売買される方必見！　頭金補助プログラム及び購入者のための無料セミナーもございます。まずはメールにてお問い合わせください。

Go to my website for quick search! 

https://hitomiozawa.c21.com

　
Hitomi Ozawa Simmons
 ([RA] RE Lic# RS-74864)

1585 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1533

Phone: 808.554.3410

Fax: 808.988.8077
Email:  hitomi808ozawa@gmail.com

ハワイでお家を買う初めの一歩セミナー

 Hello everyone! Hope all is well with you! We will host a first time home buyer seminar in Japanese for the very first time from Abe Lee Seminar Room. It's a known fact that it's expensive to live in Hawaii, especially Oahu island. Despite of that, we will share the actual buyer's experience, who was single and didn't have a help from families, and ultimately able to see the positive financial effect gradually. If you know anyone who can use this seminar, please share this info. RSVP only: hihomebuyer808@gmail.com

皆様、とても暑い日が続いておりますが、お元気に過ごされていらっしゃいますでしょうか？ハワイに住む方でお家の購入を考えられている方向けに、今回初めて日本語でのセミナーを行います。ハワイは住居費が高いと言われていますが、独身、家族の援助なしでお家が買えた経験者の内容をセミナー参加者だけに公開します！ご予約はお早めに。hihomebuyer808@gmail.com