Larry Gonzales

Selling a home in Hawaii in 2026 won’t be about luck — it will be about strategy.

This market is built for strong agents and smart sellers.

Pricing correctly from day one, investing in professional media, and choosing the right representation are what separate homes that sell from homes that sit.

Buyers are making decisions in seconds.
That means your photos, video, staging, and overall positioning matter more than ever.

And no — not all agents approach this the same way.

In this conversation, we pull back the curtain on what’s actually working right now, so sellers can move smarter — not harder heading into 2026.

📍 Hawaii Real Estate | Seller Strategy | 2026 Market Outlook

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Another big week ahead for economic reports that can impact mortgage rates.

Last week’s Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report was delayed due to the temporary government shutdown — so we’ll get it this week instead.

Here’s how the week lines up:

📅 Monday
No major economic reports.

📅 Tuesday
Retail sales
Weekly ADP estimate
3-year Treasury note auction

📅 Wednesday
The big one — the BLS jobs report
Expectations:
• ~80,000 new jobs
• Unemployment holding at 4.4%

If unemployment ticks higher, rates typically come down.

Also on Wednesday:
📊 10-year Treasury auction — very important for mortgage rates.

📅 Thursday
Initial and continuing jobless claims
Existing home sales — weather impacts will be worth watching.

📅 Friday
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Core inflation expected around 2.6%
Headline around 2.5%

What we don’t want to see is inflation moving higher — that would make a March rate cut by the Federal Reserve less likely.

📉 Mortgage Rates Check

• Conventional: ~6.1% to 6.5%
• VA: ~5.77%
Most lenders opening the week around 5.75%–6.125%.

Rates have been drifting lower since July — not dramatic, but steady.
That’s exactly what the market needs: less volatility, more consistency.

Have a great week.

#MondayRateUpdate #mortgagerates #interestrates #jobsreport #cpi #valoan #hawaiirealestate

Let’s wrap with VA loan rates.

VA rates edged slightly lower this week — moving from 5.83% to about 5.81% as we head into Friday and next week.

Nothing dramatic — but direction matters.

Next week is inflation week, and that’s the key driver from here.
If inflation comes in steady or a little lower, rates can move down.
If inflation moves higher, rates tend to stall.

We’ll also get the delayed Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report on the 11th.

Last month:
• Unemployment was 4.4%, down from 4.6%

The big question is whether that trend holds — or starts to turn.
Markets are watching inflation and employment closely, because that’s what ultimately guides rate direction.

#housingmarketupdate #valoan #vabuyers #mortgagerates #inflation #jobsreport #hawaiirealestate

Self-employed and thinking about buying a home?

You’re not alone — and yes, it can be done.

The biggest issue for self-employed buyers isn’t income — it’s understanding what lenders look for.

Here’s the reality:
• Income is about consistency, not just how much you make
• Typically two years of self-employed income is required
• Lenders look for stability, not perfection
• Tax returns matter, and write-offs can lower qualifying income

The process also takes longer because of documentation:
📄 Personal tax returns
📄 Business tax returns
📄 Profit & loss statements
📄 Bank statements
The good news?

There are more loan options than most buyers realize — especially when you plan ahead.

In today’s market, strategy matters more than assumptions.

#housingmarketupdate #SelfEmployedBuyers #homebuying #mortgagetips #hawaiirealestate

Staying on the jobs data — this week’s JOLTS report showed another meaningful drop.

Job openings fell to 6.5 million, well below the 7.2 million expected.

When you zoom out, the trend is clear:
📉 Fewer job openings
📉 A steady decline in opportunities nationwide

That’s important context as we wait for the delayed Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report, now scheduled to be released on the 11th.

The Fed is watching these numbers closely.

With job openings falling and hiring slowing, pressure is building on the Federal Reserve to consider rate cuts when they meet again in March.

This doesn’t mean rates drop overnight — but it does change the conversation.

#housingmarketupdate #JobsData #jolts #interestrates #federalreserve #hawaiirealestate

This week’s private-sector jobs data was not good.

The ADP jobs report came in 50% below expectations.

We saw:
📉 22,000 new jobs added in January
📊 44,000 were expected

There was a little good news:
💰 Wage growth stayed steady
⬆️ Slightly higher for people staying in their jobs
⬇️ Down a bit for job switchers

We also saw jobless claims move higher:
• Initial claims up 22,000 to 231,000
• Continuing claims up 25,000 to 1.84 million

None of this signals a collapse — but it does suggest the labor market is cooling.

And when jobs soften, that’s something the bond market — and interest rates — pay very close attention to.

#housingmarketupdate #jobsreport #ADPJobs #interestrates #economicdata #hawaiirealestate

In this Housing Market Update segment, we focus on one group of buyers who often feel stuck: self-employed home buyers.

Many self-employed buyers assume they won’t qualify for a mortgage because they don’t earn W-2 income. That’s not true — but the rules are different. Lenders focus on consistency, tax returns, and documentation, not just how much you make.

In this update, we explain what lenders look for, why write-offs matter, what documentation is required, and the loan options available for self-employed buyers — including bank statement and alternative documentation programs.

The biggest mistake self-employed buyers make is applying before planning. A small strategy adjustment ahead of time can save months of frustration later.

Is the economy really as strong as it’s being portrayed — or are cracks starting to show?

GDP looks solid on the surface, but this week’s jobs data tells a very different story. Private-sector hiring missed badly, job cuts surged to levels not seen since the Great Recession, and job openings continue to slide. That combination matters — especially for mortgage rates.

In this update, I break down:

• Why the ADP jobs report came in 50% below expectations
• What rising jobless claims signal about the broader economy
• Why the Fed may be forced to cut rates sooner than expected
• What flat home prices and shrinking inventory really mean for buyers
• Why self-employed buyers struggle — and the loan options most don’t know exist
• Where VA mortgage rates are heading into inflation week

Bottom line: the housing market isn’t frozen — it’s selective. Buyers who understand how lenders view income, employment, and timing still have opportunities, even in uncertain conditions.

📉 Jobs & the economy
🏠 Housing supply & pricing
💼 Self-employed mortgage strategies
🇺🇸 VA loan rate outlook

If you’re self-employed, a veteran, or planning to buy this year, strategy matters more than headlines.

Drop a comment — Seahawks or Patriots?
Aloha 🤙

After nearly 20 years in real estate, something interesting happens.
You stop chasing business — and the business starts coming to you.
Most of my clients today come from:

Social media

Past clients

Long-term exposure and consistency

I’ve always been drawn to photos and video, so without even realizing it, I was building a personal brand. First on Facebook — then Instagram became my primary business platform.

Social media doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be authentic, consistent, and aligned with who you are.

Over time, people see you everywhere — and when they’re ready, they call.

#realestatemarketing #realtorbranding #socialmediaforrealtors #personalbrand #agentlife