Ep. 28 Buying Sight Unseen
Military Spouse to Millionaire
In this episode of Military Spouse to Millionaire, I tackle one of the most common questions military families face when moving to Hawaii: should you buy a home sight unseen? Nearly a quarter of my clients purchase before they ever set foot on the island, and I explain why this has become increasingly common—thanks to factors like COVID, pets, kids, and school timelines—while also sharing why it’s not always my personal preference. I walk through my Finding Home Method and how detailed video tours of both homes and neighborhoods give families the confidence to move forward remotely. I...
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Ep. 27 Hot Takes… Understanding The Assignment
Military Spouse to Millionaire
In this episode of Military Spouse to Millionaire, I get real about why I started this platform and what military families need to understand about building wealth, especially using your BAH and VA loan benefits. After a quick behind-the-scenes update on my first brand collab with Oak & Liberty (yes, the shirt is that soft), we dive into the real mission: helping you stop wasting your tax-free housing allowance and start making smart, strategic moves toward financial independence. I break down why you're not too young, why interest rates aren’t the enemy, and why renting or living on...
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Ep. 26 Real Estate Things That Give Me The ICK
Military Spouse to Millionaire
In this episode of Military Spouse to Millionaire, I pull back the curtain and vent about the real estate practices that give me the “ick” as an agent. From listings not marked correctly in the MLS, to agents hovering at vacant showings, to bad or non-professional listing photos that undermine a seller’s success, I share how these habits frustrate both me and my clients. I also highlight issues like agents ignoring MLS notes, poor timeline management, homes not ready at final walkthroughs, and—my biggest pet peeve—the pointless time-waste of reverse prospecting calls. At the core, my...
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EP. 25 Expectation Management: Vehicles and Parking In Hawaii
Military Spouse to Millionaire
In this episode of Military Spouse To Millionaire, I dive into a topic that surprises a lot of people moving to Hawaii—parking and garages. It may not seem like a big deal at first, but managing expectations around parking is crucial here, especially for families PCSing from the mainland. Unlike in places like Colorado where driveways and spacious garages are common, in Hawaii, driveways are rare, and garages are often small or used for storage—which means people forget to account for where they’ll actually park their cars. Guest parking can’t be used overnight without a placard, and...
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Ep. 24 Real Estate Chickens
Military Spouse to Millionaire
In this episode of Military Spouse to Millionaire, we are breaking down the term “Real Estate Chicken” to describe buyers who are hesitant to purchase because they’re scared or waiting for the “perfect” time. I truly believe there’s no such thing as perfect timing in real estate—especially here in Hawaii, where demand is high and inventory is limited. Right now, interest rates (especially for VA loans) are still below the 30-year average, and buyers are able to negotiate huge concessions from sellers. I’ve seen my clients use these to cover closing costs, buy down rates, or...
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Ep. 23 Maintenance Fee Madness
Military Spouse to Millionaire
In this episode of Military Spouse Millionaire, we dive into a topic that affects every buyer and renter in Hawaii—maintenance and association fees. I am breaking down why these fees are so high, what they actually cover (think water, sewer, trash, insurance, landscaping, and amenities), and why they're essentially unavoidable unless you're dropping $900K+ on a single-family home. Whether you're buying or renting, you're paying them—directly or indirectly. We also cover how these fees impact your buying power, how to navigate special assessments (like those triggered by the Maui fires),...
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Ep. 22 You GET To Live In Hawaii
Military Spouse to Millionaire
In this episode of Military Spouse to Millionaire, I’m stepping away from the usual real estate talk to get real about something I see far too often — military families dreading their move to Hawaii. After a stunning trip to the Big Island and seeing a live volcano erupting, I was reminded just how incredible it is that we get to live here. I’m sharing why it’s time to shift the mindset from complaining to appreciating, how to make the most of your time on island (without spending a ton), and how my free PCS packet can help you save money and stress less. Hawaii might not be your...
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Ep. 21 Professionalism Is A Two Way Street
Military Spouse to Millionaire
In this episode of Military Spouse to Millionaire, I open up about a tough but necessary decision—firing a client for the first time. As a top real estate agent, I was excited to work on a $1.1 million listing, but constant last-minute cancellations and blatant disregard for my time pushed me to draw the line. From missed appointments to disrupted schedules (including one that impacted a teammate who had arranged childcare), the lack of respect became impossible to ignore. I share how I professionally parted ways with the client, and why setting boundaries is essential for success. Plus, I...
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Ep. 20 ATTN SELLERS
Military Spouse to Millionaire
Welcome to the 20th episode of Military Spouse to Millionaire! This episode is for all of my sellers or future sellers out there! The reality of the Hawaii market has vastly changed from 2021 to today; these two markets are not the same. People who bought in 2021, where homes were selling like hotcakes, are now having to face a very different market. Even though homes are still selling and sellers are still making a profit from selling, the market has shifted and it’s not like it was in 2021. Fortunately for you, I will always be here to be a reliable point of information and help manage...
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Ep. 19 Who The Heck Are All These People In My Real Estate Transaction
Military Spouse to Millionaire
Welcome to the Military Spouse to Millionaire podcast, in this episode I explain the different players within a real estate transaction. The number of hands in the pot when in a real estate contract can be daunting to understand and wrap your head around. I know buyers and sellers have questions that come up during a transaction, so this episode will definitely help you understand who to best direct your questions to, because the truth is I can’t answer every question you have! Let’s educate you and make you feel empowered during your transaction! Please consider subscribing as it...
info_outlineWelcome to Military Spouse to Millionaire Episode 8, where we will be discussing becoming a landlord here in Hawaii vs on the mainland. Think it’s as easy as keeping your property and renting to someone that will pay your mortgage? Think again! I dive deep into the potential costs, tax implications and financial reserves you need to have on hand when considering renting out our property. Gathering all of the facts on whether renting or selling is a better choice when it comes to pcsing off island!
As a real estate agent, I give you first hand examples of my clients potential profits from selling versus the costs of renting out their properties. I give you insight on my own personal experiences of being a landlord (including the time I paid $6000 in repairs!) and what it’s actually like to rent your home in Hawaii!
On today's episode:
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01:50 My personal experience having a vacancy in our rental properties
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03:00 Talking with clients about renting vs selling their homes
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04:29 Example #1: Running the numbers on a townhouse
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05:29 Taxes in Hawaii
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07:43 From long term investment standpoint
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08:29 Talking to a tax professional can be crucial
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09:03 Capital gains rules for military
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10:34 HARPTA and how much Hawaii will withhold in taxes
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12:52 What a two month vacancy cost will be for the townhome example
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13:32 Interest rates dropping and how that affects rental properties
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14:03 How much profit my clients will make selling their townhome
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14:20 Investing profits into multiple rental properties on the mainland
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15:47 Necessity of money in savings for your rental property
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16:50 Personal experience with having rental properties
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18:10 Example #2: Running the numbers for a single family home
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20:50 Let’s talk about a 1031 exchange
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23:19 Strategy when it comes to your future personal plans