Strategies for first STR in Hawaii

Strategies for first STR in Hawaii

Member since 2024 · 7 posts · 0 votes

Hello Bigger Pockets, I'm a newbie. I just sold my business and in looking for ways to offset capital gains taxes stumbled across a strategy in which a STR can write off all depreciation in year one via a cost segregation analysis, thereby reducing taxable income greatly for a specific year. Owning a vacation property in Hawaii has been a lifelong dream of mine, and it seems that this dream may also be able to generate some tax savings for me.

I'm looking for a 2 bedroom or more condo in a resort-zoned area of Hawaii, specifically the Waikoloa Beach or Mauna Lani Resort areas which are already resort-zoned.  I know that Hawaii is trying to reign in STRs so I don't want to stray outside of a resort-zoned area, however this means that costs are inflated.  There are very few condo units selling sub $1M, and I really don't want to spend much more than that.

Hawaii is a year-round rental area, so shooting for 80-90% occupancy seems do-able. I don't really expect the property to cash flow, I realize that it's an expensive place to operate a STR and that on-island management is necessary by Hawaii law, but I'd like to be able to cover most of my mortgage and expenses after putting 30-40% down.

I'm looking for references and advice for finding lenders, property managers, etc. in the competitive Big Island Hawaii STR market. Thanks!

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  • River SavaPro Member
    Lender · USA · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y

    Hi Christopher - 

    Congratulations on your recent business sale! Is this going to be your first STR? Would love to connect and hear more.

  • Member since 2019 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Christopher Jordan:

    Hello Bigger Pockets, I'm a newbie. I just sold my business and in looking for ways to offset capital gains taxes stumbled across a strategy in which a STR can write off all depreciation in year one via a cost segregation analysis, thereby reducing taxable income greatly for a specific year. Owning a vacation property in Hawaii has been a lifelong dream of mine, and it seems that this dream may also be able to generate some tax savings for me.

    I'm looking for a 2 bedroom or more condo in a resort-zoned area of Hawaii, specifically the Waikoloa Beach or Mauna Lani Resort areas which are already resort-zoned.  I know that Hawaii is trying to reign in STRs so I don't want to stray outside of a resort-zoned area, however this means that costs are inflated.  There are very few condo units selling sub $1M, and I really don't want to spend much more than that.

    Hawaii is a year-round rental area, so shooting for 80-90% occupancy seems do-able. I don't really expect the property to cash flow, I realize that it's an expensive place to operate a STR and that on-island management is necessary by Hawaii law, but I'd like to be able to cover most of my mortgage and expenses after putting 30-40% down.

    I'm looking for references and advice for finding lenders, property managers, etc. in the competitive Big Island Hawaii STR market. Thanks!


     Most are just using BOH and another one is that local CU.

    I know few PM in the area , there are only 5-6 that’s very active. Fee is 20% and above.

    This year is little bit less vacancy than last year.


    put like 45% down.

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