🌺 Knowledge Is Aloha
Free Resources.
Buying or selling in Hawaiʻi is its own world — DHHL timelines, leasehold quirks, HARPTA, condo docs, military VA, and a dozen other things mainland realtors won't warn you about.
These guides, tools, and quick articles are here to help you get your bearings — no email gate on most of them, no strings, no pressure. 🌺
Guides You Can Take With You.
Print them, save them, share them with ʻohana. Built for real Hawaiʻi situations.
First-Time Buyer in Hawaiʻi
Pre-qualification, down payment programs, what to expect from offer to closing.
Read the Guide →
DHHL Walk-Home Guide
Lease transfers, ERTS, application steps, and what to expect at every stage.
Read the Guide →
Military & VA in Hawaiʻi
VA loan ins-and-outs, BAH math, PCS timing, and Hawaiʻi-specific lender tips.
Request the Guide →
Seller's Prep Checklist
What to fix, what to skip, what to gather, and how to make your home shine before listing.
Request the Checklist →
🌺 Useful Tools
Tools That Actually Help.
No fluff, no algorithm guesses. Quick ways to start running real numbers for your Hawaiʻi home decision.
Home Value Estimator
Skip the algorithm. I'll prepare a hand-crafted Hawaiʻi home value report from real comps in your neighborhood.
Get Yours →
Mortgage Calculator
Run the numbers with my preferred Hawaiʻi lender Jamaica Canas at NFM. Estimate monthly payments, down payments, and what's truly in reach.
Run the Numbers →
BAH vs Buy Calculator
For military families — see if buying makes more sense than renting on BAH. Factors in PCS timing, rental viability, and 2026 Hawaiʻi rates.
Try the Calculator →
🌺 Plain English, Real Answers
Quick-Reference Articles.
Short, evergreen explainers for the Hawaiʻi questions that come up most.
For Sellers
What is HARPTA?
The Hawaiʻi withholding tax for non-resident sellers — what it is and how to handle it.
Request the Article →
For Buyers
Leasehold vs Fee Simple
The most important Hawaiʻi property concept to understand before you make an offer.
Request the Article →
DHHL
How ERTS Extensions Work
Extension Right To Sell timelines, what triggers them, and what to expect.
Request the Article →
For Buyers
Reading Condo Docs
AOAO budgets, reserve funds, pet rules, rental restrictions — what to look for.
Request the Article →
Military
VA Loans in Hawaiʻi
How VA financing actually works in Hawaiʻi — limits, condos, and what surprises buyers.
Request the Article →
Mainland Movers
Buying from the Mainland
Virtual tours, remote offers, escrow timing, and the things mainland buyers miss.
Request the Article →
🌺 Don't See Your Question?
Ask Me Anything.
If you have a Hawaiʻi real estate question that isn't covered here yet, send it my way. I read every email myself, and your question might just become the next article on this page. 🌺
No pressure, no sales pitch. Just real answers from someone who works this market every day.
🌺 About These Resources
Educational Use Only: The guides, articles, calculators, tools, and downloads on this page are provided for general educational and informational purposes only. They are starting points to help you ask better questions and understand the Hawaiʻi real estate landscape — not substitutes for personalized professional advice. Every real estate situation is unique.
Not Legal, Tax, or Financial Advice: Nothing on this page (or in any downloadable guide, PDF, calculator, or tool linked from this page) constitutes legal, tax, financial, mortgage, insurance, or investment advice. For specific decisions affecting your real estate transaction, consult qualified professionals: a Hawaiʻi-licensed real estate attorney for legal questions, a CPA experienced with Hawaiʻi tax issues for tax matters, a licensed loan officer for mortgage questions, and a financial advisor for investment decisions.
Calculator & Tool Accuracy: Mortgage calculators, home value estimators, BAH-vs-buy calculators, and other tools shown or linked from this page produce ESTIMATES based on inputs you provide and assumptions built into the tool. Results are illustrative only — actual loan terms, home values, payments, and outcomes depend on factors including credit, down payment, current rates, market conditions, property specifics, and lender qualifications. Verify all numbers with a licensed loan officer or appraiser before relying on them.
Information Currency: Real estate market conditions, loan programs, tax laws, government incentives, FHA/VA/USDA limits, and Hawaiʻi-specific regulations change frequently. While I strive to keep resources updated, content may become outdated between revisions. Verify program details, rates, and rules with current sources before relying on any information here.
Third-Party Tools & Links: Some tools and resources linked from this page (such as external mortgage calculators, government program portals, or partner websites) are operated by third parties. Sascha Thompson is not responsible for the accuracy, content, privacy practices, or availability of third-party websites or tools. Links are provided as a convenience based on past usefulness, not as endorsements.
Lead Capture & Privacy: Some resources on this page may require an email address, phone number, or contact information to access. Information you provide will be used to deliver the requested resource and may be used to follow up about your real estate goals. Sascha Thompson does not sell, rent, or share your personal information with unaffiliated third parties for their marketing purposes.
Lender Recommendations: Any lenders mentioned in resources or referenced from this page are personal recommendations based on past working relationships. Sascha Thompson does not receive compensation, referral fees, or other payments from any lender in exchange for referrals. You are free to use any qualified loan officer of your choice.
Equal Opportunity: All resources on this page are available to anyone interested in Hawaiʻi real estate, regardless of any protected class. Sascha Thompson serves all clients equally.