Archive for the 'Rants & Riffs' Category
Obama-The Scrooge That Taxed Christmas!
November 9th, 2011 categories: Rants & Riffs
One of my favorite morning radio programs is hosted by the comedian Dennis Miller. When he proposed the headline that leads this blog, I laughed out-loud, listened and giggled much more. Once I gained my senses, I didn’t think it was possible, but a Google search confirmed that Dennis was not joking. It was posted at Foxnews.com.
“One of Christmas’ most recognizable symbols apparently needs a PR campaign — and a new tax to pay for it. The Obama administration has imposed a 15-cent tax on Christmas trees in order to pay for a new board tasked with promoting the Christmas tree industry.” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE POST.
To be fair, the purpose of the 15 cent tax is to set up a “Christmas Tree Promotion Board”, but let’s be honest do the Christmas tree growers really need the Federal Government doing this for them? Secondly, if the Christmas tree growers wanted a “Christmas Tree Promotion Board” why not just set one up (in America they are free to do so)? Thirdly, this is evidence that the current presidential administration just doesn’t get it. I can’t wait to vote in 2012.
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Choice Thoughts For Occupy Wall Street
October 27th, 2011 categories: Rants & Riffs
I have had enough with the the occupy Wall Street whiners. Watch and have fun!
http://www.vimeo.com/31170122Call or send me your thoughts.
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America The Great!
August 18th, 2010 categories: Rants & Riffs
A writer for the Wall Street Journal, Fouad Ajami, recently wrote an article comparing the attitudes of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. I know by posting this article I risk offending some, however, I believe in the greatness of this nation and shall not remain quiet anymore. Hopefully, you will find this quote to be inspiring.
“Big as Reagan’s mandate was, in two elections, the man was never bigger than his country. There was never narcissism or a bloated sense of personal destiny in him. He gloried in the country, and drew sustenance from its heroic deeds and its capacity for recovery. No political class rode with him to power anxious to lay its hands on the nation’s treasure, eager to supplant the forces of the market with its own economic preferences.
To be sure, Reagan faltered midway through his second term—the arms-for-hostages trade, the Iran-Contra affair, nearly wrecked his presidency. But he recovered, the nation rallied around him and carried him across the finish line, his bond with the electorate deep and true. He had two years left of his stewardship, and his political recovery was so miraculous that he, and his first mate, Secretary of State George P. Shultz, would seal the nation’s victory in the Cold War.
There is little evidence that the Obama presidency could yet find new vindication, another lease on life. Mr. Obama will mark time, but henceforth he will not define the national agenda. He will not be the repository of its hopes and sentiments. The ambition that his would be a “transformational” presidency—he rightly described Reagan’s stewardship in these terms—is for naught.
It is in the nature of charisma that it rises out of thin air, out of need and distress, and then dissipates when the magic fails. The country has had its fill with a scapegoating that knows no end from a president who had vowed to break with recriminations and partisanship. The magic of 2008 can’t be recreated, and good riddance to it. Slowly, the nation has recovered its poise. There is a widespread sense of unstated embarrassment that a political majority, if only for a moment, fell for the promise of an untested redeemer—a belief alien to the temperament of this so practical and sober a nation.”
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
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Put College Money To Work For You
August 10th, 2010 categories: Rants & Riffs
A recent Wall Street Journal online article estimated that the average college student attending a public four-year university spends approximately $8,193 per year for room and board.
Consider that students attend college for 9 months a year; this means they are spending $910 per month to pay for their housing. If a student used this money to purchase an apartment, this amount will pay for a mortgage of $170,000 (5.0% amortized over 30 years).
Proper planning may help a family reduce the cost of going to college and create the possibility of gaining a good return on investment for funds that might otherwise be used for rent only. Think about it.
If you would like to discuss your real estate needs, feel free to call me at 808-737-2093 or toll free at 877-737-2093. You can email me at keahi@lava.net.
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Honolulu Home Median Price of $1,000,000
Buying more might make your retirement better
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Not A Laffer
August 4th, 2010 categories: Rants & Riffs
Sorry to be political, but taxes directly and indirectly impact owners of Honolulu real estate. Since it looks like the Obama administration and Congress are going to allow our taxes to increase on January 1, 2011, I feel it is my duty to make my opposition known. In past posts, I have quoted the economist Arthur Laffer and today I quote his post at the Wall Street Journal online. Laffer starts his article with the following.
“Tax reduction thus sets off a process that can bring gains for everyone, gains won by marshalling resources that would otherwise stand idle—workers without jobs and farm and factory capacity without markets. Yet many taxpayers seemed prepared to deny the nation the fruits of tax reduction because they question the financial soundness of reducing taxes when the federal budget is already in deficit. Let me make clear why, in today’s economy, fiscal prudence and responsibility call for tax reduction even if it temporarily enlarged the federal deficit—why reducing taxes is the best way open to us to increase revenues.”—President John F. Kennedy,
Economic Report of the President, January 1963
President Kennedy understood that tax cuts spur the economy and leads to more money going to the government. Here is what I think he knew. 39.6% of $100 is $39.60. 25% of $200 is $50. By lowering taxes, economic activity grows and the taxable pie grows, thus a lower tax rate means more tax dollars for the feds. Our nation doesn’t have problem with have to little in the way of taxes, our problem is that we have a bunch of drunken sailors in Washington, DC, that are spending geometrically more money than they have.
Laffer writes the following.
“Anyone who is familiar with the historical data available from the IRS knows full well that raising income tax rates on the top 1% of income earners will most likely reduce the direct tax receipts from the now higher taxed income—even without considering the secondary tax revenue effects, all of which will be negative. And who on Earth wants higher tax rates on anyone if it means larger deficits?” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
In summary, its not too late, let your Senator, Congressman and the President know that they need to stop spending and to not allow our taxes to be increased in 2011.
If you would like to discuss your real estate needs, feel free to call me at 808-737-2093 or toll free at 877-737-2093. You can email me at keahi@lava.net.
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Honolulu Home Median Price of $1,000,000
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Don’t Hide If You Are In Foreclosure
July 28th, 2010 categories: Rants & Riffs
A recent article in Honolulu’s StarAdvertiser newspaper reminded me how important it is to face your problems. In the story they talk about how Hawaii’s foreclosure law favors lenders.
“The vast majority of residential foreclosures being conducted in Hawaii are proceeding under a state law that is more than a century old, provides no court oversight and is widely panned by consumer advocates for failing to adequately safeguard the rights of homeowners.
One expert who has analyzed foreclosure laws nationally says Hawaii’s 1874 law is among the weakest in the country, partly because it allows a home to be sold relatively quickly without safeguards common in other states.” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
Here a few simple rules if you can’t make your payments or if it looks like you are going to be foreclosed on your home.
1. Talk to the lender. Many people have told me that if you keep a line of communication open with the bank, they may have some latitude in giving you more time to work things out. If they won’t give you more time, then at least you will know their plan and how you will have to work within it.
2. Be realistic. If there is no way you can save your home, then accept that and try to use the foreclosure to your advantage.
3. Get legal advice. A foreclosure is no small thing and it is important that you to speak with a qualified attorney so that you know what rights you might have.
If you would like to discuss your real estate needs, feel free to call me at 808-737-2093 or toll free at 877-737-2093. You can email me at keahi@lava.net.
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Upside Down? Why Moving Up Might Make Sense!
July 26th, 2010 categories: Rants & Riffs, The Market
The Wall Street Journal on-line posted a very interesting article today. It makes a great case for moving up to a new Honolulu home or condo.
“Katie Everett, a real-estate broker in Denver, says none of her clients kicked in cash when selling their homes last year. This year, “about half are willing to bring money to closing, anywhere from $5,000 to $45,000,” she says.
Are these people crazy to be tying up even more of their cash in their homes, in effect doubling down on what has been a losing bet thus far? After all, any number of variables, from the employment picture to the credit markets, could weigh on housing for years to come.
Yet economists say trading up to new homes or refinancing existing ones can be smart—even if it means plunking down more cash to get out of old mortgages. People living in less-desirable neighborhoods might be able to find better homes in tonier ones that offer better appreciation potential. And with mortgage rates so low, such buyers can keep their monthly payments manageable, even though the new homes are more expensive.”
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
If you would like to discuss your real estate needs, feel free to call me at 808-737-2093 or toll free at 877-737-2093. You can email me at keahi@lava.net.
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A Different View Of The 4th Of July!
July 4th, 2010 categories: Rants & Riffs
Today’s video blog gives thanks for the United States of America and asks you to take action on this 4th of July.
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The Battle!
July 2nd, 2010 categories: Rants & Riffs
Today’s video blog is about a book that I am reading, “The Battle”, by Arthur C. Brooks. It doesn’t relate directly to Honolulu real estate, but it’s theme concerning the current tug of war between free enterprise and big government has a direct impact on our freedoms. Since the ownership of private property has been one of the fundamental underpinnings of America for the last 234 years, the message we send with our vote this coming November will have a great impact on our future.
If you would like to discuss your real estate needs, feel free to call me at 808-737-2093 or toll free at 877-737-2093. You can email me at keahi@lava.net.
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Honolulu Real Estate Is A Good Investment
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Building An Unusual Home? Don’t Count On The Banks!
July 1st, 2010 categories: Mortgages & Financing, Rants & Riffs
Before you plan to build your Honolulu home constructed of recycled CD’s impregnated with cattle dung, make sure you have a long term lender committed to making you a normal fixed rate mortgage. A recent Wall Street Journal online article discusses the barrowing problems facing homes that are unusual or built in a non-traditional manner.
“A niche mortgage mess is brewing in homes made of earth, tires, concrete and trash. Environmentally minded people built them, hoping to conserve energy and to re-use what might otherwise wind up in a landfill.
Such sentiments in some cases have been no match for the new resolve of the banking industry in the wake of the housing bust. Banks have become much pickier about examining sales of comparable homes, in deciding whether and how much to lend. Owners of odd homes can be out of luck.”
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
Given the current lending environment, you may be better off building your dream home in a conventional manner.
If you would like to discuss your real estate needs, feel free to call me at 808-737-2093 or toll free at 877-737-2093. You can email me at keahi@lava.net.
More Video Blogs
Honolulu Real Estate Is A Good Investment
Honolulu Home Median Price of $1,000,000
Honolulu real estate makes a lot of sense over 10 years
Buying more might make your retirement better
Under New Rules-Lenders Even More Important
Sellers Beware Of Company Addenda
Sellers Get Your Surveys In Advance
| Discussion: No Comments »
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