Larry Gonzales

VA rates are near 3-year lows as we head into spring.

Builder sentiment is down. Inventory is rising. Pending home sales are soft — but a rebound is coming.

If you're self-employed, be careful:
Your tax write-offs could reduce your buying power by $150,000+.

Before you file, let’s run the numbers.

Message me “Tax Plan.”

#vahomeloans #hawaiirealestate #mortgagerates #housingmarketupdate

Honolulu, this is not theory, this is field-tested insight.

I sat down with Erik Taniguchi, one of Oahu’s top-performing real estate agents, to talk about what actually drove success in 2025 and what buyers and sellers need to understand heading into 2026.

Here’s what we break down:

• Why we are officially in a buyer’s market
• How sellers are covering permanent rate buydowns into the 4s
• Why the holidays may be the biggest opportunity window
• The power of sphere of influence and consistency
• What new agents (and buyers) get wrong

If you're renting and frustrated…
If you're thinking about listing in 2026…
If you're watching rates and waiting…

This episode gives you clarity.

Opportunity doesn’t wait and neither does Hawaii real estate.

📲 Reach out if you want to build a strategy for 2026.

#oahurealestate #HonoluluHousingMarket #hawaiihomesforsale #ErikTaniguchi #buyersmarket #realestate2026

Mortgage rates are hovering near three-year lows — and we may be knocking on the door of 5%.

Last week’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation dropping from 2.7% to 2.4%, which is great news for interest rates. But this week, we’ve got several major reports that could move the market:

• FOMC Meeting Minutes (Wednesday)
• Jobless Claims + Leading Indicators (Thursday)
• PCE Inflation Report (Friday)
• GDP Update

The big question: Will the Fed cut rates in March?

Right now:
• Conventional rates are just over 6%
• VA rates have dropped from 5.87% to 5.64%
• We’re seeing a steady downward trend — not a cliff drop, which is healthy

If inflation keeps cooling and the data cooperates, we could see continued improvement.

Have questions about how this impacts your buying power? Reach out anytime.

Aloha 🌺

#mortgagerates #rateupdate #vahomeloans #interestrates #housingmarket

What does long-term success in Hawaii real estate actually look like?

In this conversation, Erin Evans shares her journey from Canada to becoming one of Oʻahu’s top Realtors and owners at Century 21 Island Homes and why adaptability, relationships, and timing matter more than any “secret sauce.”

We talk about:

How entering the market during short sales and foreclosures shaped her success

Why tenacity and client care beat tools, trends, and lead gen

The difference between transactional agents and relationship-based professionals

How building your sphere early creates long-term momentum

What Realtors should focus on now to prepare for 2026

Erin also breaks down why 2026 is shaping up to be an opportunity year:

Inventory is higher than it’s been in nearly a decade

Interest rates are easing gradually, not crashing

Homeowners who feel “locked in” often have more options than they realize

We cover real-world strategies for homeowners, including:

When selling isn’t the right move

How renting a low-rate home can fund your next purchase

Why equity is an asset not a piggy bank

How the right Realtor helps you choose strategy based on goals, not fear

Whether you’re a homeowner weighing your next move, a buyer watching the market, or a Realtor building a business that lasts — this conversation will help you move smarter, not harder.

📍 Honolulu | Oʻahu | Hawaiʻi Real Estate
📈 Market Outlook 2026
🤝 Relationships over transactions

👇 Drop a comment: What part of the 2026 market are you preparing for right now?

January saw a 28% drop in single-family home sales.

That’s significant.

Condos dropped 17.5%.

Homes are also sitting longer:
• Condos: 44 → 47 days
• Single-family: 22 → 27 days

Now here’s the twist…

Median prices stayed steady.

So what does that actually mean?

Is the market slowing — or just resetting?

👉 Watch the full Hawaii Market Update on YouTube for the full breakdown.

Link in bio.

#hawaiirealestate #oahumarket #hawaiimarketupdate #housingmarketupdate #vahomeloans

Before you apply for a mortgage…

Make sure you're in financial shape.

I’m not talking about the gym.

I’m talking about:

• Checking your credit report
• Monitoring your score
• Using tools that actually help you improve it

There are 5 smart moves you should make before you ever apply.

Most buyers rush this part.

And it can cost them.

If you want the full breakdown and all 5 steps.

👉 Watch the full Hawaii Market Update on YouTube.

Link in bio.

#vahomeloans #hawaiirealestate #homebuyingtips #mortgagetips #militaryhomebuyers

Active inventory is climbing again.

We went from 2,800 to 2,884 almost back to 2,900.

Now here’s what’s interesting…

Those numbers could actually be higher.

Pending sales increased likely tied to the recent dip in mortgage rates.

And as we head into spring?

You’re going to see:
• More sellers list
• More buyers step back in
• And more competition

The question is how fast it builds.

If you want the full breakdown and what this means for buyers and sellers.

👉 Watch the full Hawaii Market Update on YouTube.

Link in bio.

#hawaiirealestate #oahumarket #hawaiimarketupdate #vahomeloans #housinginventory

We just saw over 1,000 new listings hit the market in January.

That’s a major shift.

For six straight months, we were under 1,000.
Now? 1,039.

Single-family homes nearly doubled.

So what changed?

• Sellers are taking advantage of equity
• December’s rate drop gave some confidence
• And people still need to move

This isn’t panic.
But it is movement.

If you want to understand what this means for buyers and sellers in Hawaii —

👉 Watch the full Hawaii Market Update on YouTube.

Link in bio.

#hawaiirealestate #oahumarket #hawaiimarketupdate #vahomeloans #housingmarketupdate

The January jobs report crushed expectations.

Expected: 55,000 new jobs.
Actual: 130,000.

The market reacted immediately rates shot up Wednesday.

But here’s what most people missed…

Every jobs report includes revisions to prior months.
November and December were revised DOWN 17,000 jobs.

So once you dig into the data, it wasn’t as strong as the headline made it seem.

Still solid.
But not explosive.

That’s why rates spiked then pulled back.

Understanding the why behind rate movement gives you the edge.

👉 Click the link in bio for the full Hawaii Market Update.

#hawaiirealestate #mortgagerates #valoan #hawaiimarketupdate