Fraud Prevention Tools

Enjoy convenient access to a number of effective and reliable tools that will help you mitigate losses

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ACH Block

  • Control the transactions that post to your account by defining the allowable parameters for authorized electronic transactions

  • Flexibility to block all ACH transactions, all ACH debits, or block all debits except those you specifically preauthorize
     

ACH BLOCK FORM

Positive Pay

  • Through Online Banking for Business, you have the option to upload an electronic listing or enter in issued checks and ASB can help you monitor your account for fraudulent activity

  • If discrepancies are detected, you will receive a notification to review exception items within Online Banking for Business so you can decision to pay or return

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Frequently Asked Questions

Lockbox Processing

Collect and process incoming payments faster while reducing float and reconcilement costs

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Product Features & Benefits

  • Save time — no envelopes to open, no copies to make, no preparation of deposits, or visits to the bank

  • Reduced float and increased cash flow

  • Fast and accurate processing

  • Lower risk of lost checks

  • Payments are addressed to you but are sent to your assigned lockbox to be processed by our team

  • Choose from automated, manual, or coupon options

  • Low monthly maintenance and per-transaction fees apply

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Frequently Asked Questions

Available to Analyzed Checking accounts only

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Moving to Hawaii? 5 Tips for Purchasing a Property in Hawaii

ASB May 17, 2023 | 4 MIN read Personal

Hawaii draws new residents from across the country and around the world with its warm beaches, rich and historic culture, and sun-soaked weather. However, buying a home in Hawaii has unique challenges. We’ll save you some researching time and tell you everything you’ll need to know before making the life-changing move.

American Savings Bank is a dedicated local resource for banking and home loans in Hawaii. Our experienced team has helped numerous people move from the mainland to the islands. Helping our customers buy their first home in Hawaii is as exciting for us as it is for them. Consider these five tips for buying a house in Hawaii:

family moving

TIP #1: BE PREPARED FOR HIGHER PRICES IN HAWAII

Hawaii is a collection of islands far removed from the mainland with a limited amount of space. Low inventory of construction materials and a desirable climate make buying a home in Hawaii much more expensive than most of the country. Be prepared to see home prices significantly higher than what you may be used to. Depending on where you plan to move, you may also be surprised by the size of the homes. Settling for a smaller home at a higher price if you want to live in a popular neighborhood or busy city is not uncommon. Living on an island also means that home improvement projects will cost more. Even if you can do the work yourself, construction materials might be more expensive as they’re most likely imported from the mainland. Keep this in mind when looking at potential homes — a fixer-upper in Hawaii may cost more to improve than one on the mainland.

TIP #2: WORK WITH A REAL ESTATE AGENT THAT KNOWS THE HAWAII MARKET

One of the most important things to remember when moving to Hawaii is how important it is to work with professionals that know the market. The Hawaii real estate market is unlike any other. Your real estate agent is an important choice when buying a home. In a market like Hawaii, you’ll want to select someone ready to be your advocate when it comes to negotiating with sellers. Do your research when picking a real estate agent — read reviews, ask friends or family living in Hawaii for recommendations, and speak with several agents before committing to one.

TIP #3: GET PRE-QUALIFIED FOR A MORTGAGE IN HAWAII

It’s a seller’s market in Hawaii, which means that houses sell fast, and each home may already have a few interested buyers. You want to be prepared to put in an offer as soon as you find the right house, so make sure your finances are ready to go before you start looking at houses. Like your real estate agent, it’s best to work with a Hawaii bank or mortgage lender to help you find the right home loan. As a local lender, ASB has loans to fit almost any buyer — from conventional loans to government-backed mortgages like Veterans Administration (VA) loans or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) rural development loans. Our mortgage loan officers have experience helping buyers get financing for their home in Hawaii. They can help you get pre-qualified for a mortgage and walk you through the home buying process in Hawaii.

family preparing to buy a home in hawaii

TIP #4: UNDERSTAND FEE SIMPLE VS LEASEHOLD PROPERTIES

Properties in Hawaii are Fee Simple or Leasehold. It’s a good idea to do your research on both types of property before purchasing.

  • Fee Simple is the most complete form of ownership and the most common throughout the United States and Hawaii. Fee Simple means you own the building and the land underneath.

  • Leasehold means that you own the building but someone else owns the land underneath. Leasehold properties aren’t overly common.

TIP #5: CONSIDER OTHER FACTORS WHEN MOVING TO HAWAII

The price of a home isn’t the only thing to know about when moving to Hawaii. You should also think about where you want to live and the type of home you want. Hawaii has many different types of neighborhoods — from quiet towns to lively cities. You also want to consider what type of amenities you want. Do you want to be near other families and top-tier schools, an active nightlife scene, or in a small community with a neighborhood watch group? Depending on the neighborhood or town you choose, you can also consider different types of properties. A condo, for example, may be a good option if you’re young and single during your initial move to Hawaii. On the other hand, a family with a couple of kids may want more space for their children to play and grow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BUYING A HOME IN HAWAII

Ready to make the move to Hawaii? As a local Hawaii bank and mortgage lender, we understand the unique factors that go into buying a home in Hawaii. Make the transition smoother with our experienced mortgage loan officers at ASB.

FIND A MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER



Nothing contained in this material is intended to constitute legal, tax, securities or investment advice, nor an opinion that it is appropriate for readers. The information that is contained in this material is general nature. Readers should seek professional advice for their respective situations.

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Banking Basics for Teens

ASB January 30, 2024 | 5 min read Personal

PICTURE THIS: You’re about to start a summer job and your boss asks you for your bank information so you can deposit your paycheck right into your bank account. If you don’t have a bank account, you’ll have to wait to cash your paycheck. You might be wondering, can a teenager have a bank account at all? The answer is yes!       

Bank accounts are essential to managing your money, and opening an account as a teen is a great way to build good money habits for the future. At American Savings Bank, we know bank accounts can seem a little intimidating. Keep reading to learn about different account types and how to manage your money with banking tools like mobile wallet and Online Banking.

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ACCOUNT TYPES: CHECKING AND SAVINGS

Not all bank accounts are the same. Different types of bank accounts give you access to different benefits and features. As a teen, you may not need more than one type of account to manage your finances. As you get older, your money situation will likely become more complicated, requiring you to maintain more than one account type. The two most basic bank account types for teens are:

  • CHECKING ACCOUNTS       
    An account that’s made to keep your money safe while making it easy to access. The money in your checking account is accessible when you need it through debit cards, ATM cash withdrawals or paper checks.

  • SAVINGS ACCOUNTS       
    An account that’s designed to keep your money safe for the long run . Most savings accounts, however, earn interest, which is money the bank pays you for putting and keeping money in the savings account. Interest can help to grow your savings over time. A savings accounts is great for saving for a big purchase you want to make in the future — like your first car or a new cell phone.

girl teen online banking

HOW CAN A TEENAGER OPEN A CHECKING OR SAVINGS ACCOUNT?

Teenagers can visit their nearest ASB Branch to open a joint checking or savings account with a parent or guardian.

HOW TO USE ONLINE BANKING

Online Banking is an easy and convenient way to manage your money and make basic transactions in your checking and savings accounts. Once you have an ASB account, you can sign up for Online Banking, which lets you:

  • See your current balance and transactions such as debit card purchases on your checking account

  • Access account statements

  • Deposit checks using the ASB Hawaii Mobile App

  • Transfer money between your ASB bank accounts

  • Sign up for eStatements so you no longer get a paper statement in the mail

  • Set up alerts to notify you about your account activity like transactions or security concerns

Online banking for teens is the best way to go when opening a new bank account!

HOW TO READ YOUR BANK STATEMENT

Each month, your bank will send you a bank statement with details about your bank accounts. This will list your account type and every transaction you’ve had since your last statement. It’s important to go over your bank statement as soon as you get it; carefully reading through your transactions can help you spot inaccuracies or fraud. For example, if you notice a debit card purchase that you didn’t make and think is fraudulent, you should contact your bank as soon as possible.

ARE YOU A TEEN LOOKING TO OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT?

Whether you’re starting your first job or heading to college, having a bank account is one of the easiest ways to manage your money. The earlier you get started, the more time you have to learn good banking and money management habits. Learn more about banking and our checking account options today.



Nothing contained in this material is intended to constitute legal, tax, securities or investment advice, nor an opinion that it is appropriate for readers. The information that is contained in this material is general nature. Readers should seek professional advice for their respective situations.

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American Savings Bank Opens Kapaa Digital Center

ASB August 09, 2021 | 5 min read News Releases

American Savings Bank held a blessing ceremony today at its Kapaa Digital Center, located at 4-831 Kuhio Highway, Suite 150. This is the fourth and final digital center ASB is opening this summer in its continued efforts to adapt to customers’ banking needs.

At the Kapaa Digital Center, customers can perform all of their cash transactions, including deposits, withdrawals, balance inquiries, and more at the full-service multi-denomination ATMs. They can also talk in-person to an experienced banker for assistance with their unique financial needs and goals, visit the Digital Bar for guided demonstrations of ASB’s robust online and mobile banking solutions, or connect virtually to other bankers via an on-site conference room for additional support and services.

kapaa digital center

“We are constantly looking for ways to make banking easy for customers and people are loving the convenience of our new digital centers,” said Ann Teranishi, ASB President and Chief Executive Officer. “Since a large amount of Kauai’s residents live in the Kapaa and Wailua areas, this location allows us to continue serving these terrific communities and introduce a new and simple way to bank.”

The Kapaa Digital Center is the biggest of ASB’s four digital centers and the only one that is free-standing and not an in-store location.

Those who are new to online and mobile banking can receive one-on-one guided support from on-site bankers. Customers can learn to securely open an account, apply for a mortgage, deposit checks and take a financial checkup, among other services.

Here are a few things customers can do at the Kapaa Digital Center:

  • Use the full-service ATMs to make a deposit, withdraw cash and more

  • Visit the Digital Bar for personalized financial solutions

  • Get assistance from a banker in-person or virtually

  • Learn how to get started with online and mobile banking

For photos of the Kapaa Digital Center blessing ceremony, click here.

Learn more and see our other digital center locations

Media Contact

Karwin Sui
Communications Manager
(808) 539-7268
ksui@asbhawaii.com

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Make Banking Easy With ASB Mobile Banking

ASB August 04, 2021 | 5 min read Personal

We’re on a mission to make banking easy for customers anytime, anywhere. Ari Haiola, Consumer Product Strategy Analyst, recently joined HI Now Daily to share our newest digital banking solutions, financial education tools and promote our awesome ASB Digital Centers.

Watch the video below to see how we’re adapting and responding to our customers’ needs and providing personalized and convenient solutions, including:

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Buying a Condo in Hawaii: What to Think About When Purchasing Your Vacation Home

ASB May 30, 2023 | 6 MIN read Personal

Sparkling blue water, soft sand beaches, and exciting local culture make Hawaii a go-to destination for vacationers from around the world. Maybe you’ve visited Hawaii on vacation or spent time here for work and fell in love with it and want to return regularly. Or perhaps you see the potential for ongoing rental income on an investment property. No matter why you want to purchase a vacation condo in Hawaii, there are some things you need to know before you start shopping. Read on so you know what to expect when looking for a vacation property in Hawaii.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE BUYING A VACATION RENTAL PROPERTY IN HAWAII

You’ll want to do a lot of research before starting to look for properties. Buying a home or condo in Hawaii is different than buying in other areas of the United States and have unique challenges. Start your shopping process by following these steps:

family

1. SEEK OUT LOCAL PROFESSIONALS

One of the first things you’ll notice about Hawaii is how much residents rely on local businesses. Life in Hawaii isn’t the same as in other places. Being so far from the mainland means local businesses and professionals have an unmatched knowledge of the area. Before you browse real estate websites or visit condos, find a team of trustworthy local professionals to help you buy your rental property. This includes looking for a local real estate agent who can visit properties, meet with property managers, and research zoning or tax laws on your behalf. You’ll also want to work with a local bank to get your home loan, as most national banks don’t have offices on the islands.

2. UNDERSTAND THE ZONING LAWS

An unexpected and often unpleasant surprise for new rental owners in Hawaii is learning that many locations don’t allow short-term rentals. If you plan on renting your home to short-term vacationers (someone who stays at your property for less than 180 consecutive days), be sure to find a city, neighborhood, and property that allows short-term renters.

3. ASK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Talk with residents of the condominium property and the property management company to learn more about the property and surrounding community. Some questions to ask include:

  • Are the resident amenities (swimming pools, tennis courts, etc.) in good condition?

  • How walkable is the area surrounding the property? Can you easily get to popular tourist spots like beaches, shopping, or restaurants?

  • What services are provided by property management?

  • How do community members feel about renters staying in the condo complex?

4. CONSIDER RENTAL TAXES AND FEES

When you collect rental income for your Hawaii property, you’ll be subject to three different taxes:

  1. Hawaii Income Tax

  2. General Excise Tax (GET)

  3. Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) (only applies if you rent to short-term renters)

In addition to taxes on your rental income, you’ll have to consider property taxes and any fees associated with renting your property. For example, many property owners use an online booking service like AirBnB or VRBO to list and book their property. There may be fees associated with owning an AirBnB in Hawaii.

5. ADD UP THE COSTS – FROM RECURRING TO UNEXPECTED EXPENSES

Like any home purchase, buying a vacation rental property in Hawaii comes with a lot of expenses. You may want to make a list of all of the potential costs associated with purchasing, renting, and maintaining a rental property to get a better idea of the risks and potential income. Expenses may include:

  1. Buying the Condo: Whether you pay cash or take out a mortgage, your biggest expense will most likely be buying the property.

  2. Renovations or Upgrades: Properties that have lower upfront costs may need renovations or upgrades to bring them up to an acceptable standard for renters.

  3. Utilities: You’ll be responsible for covering costs such as electricity or internet connections for your guests.

  4. Homeowners Association (HOA) Expenses: HOA fees help cover the cost of maintaining the condominium complex as well as any services or amenities provided by the property.

  5. Insurance: In addition to normal condo or homeowners' insurance, you may need to purchase additional insurance, such as business liability coverage, in case of accidents involving renters.

  6. Property Management Fees: Will you hire a property management company to deal with immediate issues or day-to-day maintenance of your property? You’ll have to cover the property management company’s fees.

  7. Booking and Payment Processing Fees: Sites like AirBnB charge fees to list and book your property in Hawaii, but you’ll also need to cover payment processing fees. Credit card processors often charge between 2-3% of each payment transaction.

  8. Guest Amenities: Most vacationers expect their rental to have certain amenities to help make their stay comfortable. You may need to provide everyday items to your guests, including dish soap, dishes, cooking utensils, towels and linens, baby furniture (e.g. cribs, highchairs, etc.), and paper goods (e.g. paper towels, toilet paper, etc.).

condo

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’VE FOUND THE RIGHT CONDO TO PURCHASE

You’ve factored in the costs, considered your finances, and have found the perfect rental property in Hawaii. What now? Your next steps involve verifying you’ve got the right property for your needs, finding the right mortgage programs through a local lender, and applying for your condo financing.

  1. Double-Check Your Prospective Property: Working with your local real estate agent and property manager, double-check that the property you want to buy fits all of your needs. Most importantly, make sure it’s zoned to allow for short-term vacation rentals. Then check that it’s in the condition you expect — whether it’s turnkey or needs repairs that you’ve budgeted for. You should also talk with the property management company or HOA to make sure you understand any fees and what services or amenities your fees cover.

  2. Find a Local Lender: Local Hawaii banks like American Savings Bank offer unmatched insights into your options for securing your rental property in Hawaii. Speak with an experienced loan officer to learn about potential financing options — including new condominium financing and Jumbo Loans for high-value properties.

  3. Apply for Financing: After talking with your loan officer and deciding on the right home financing for your rental condo in Hawaii, you’re ready to apply for a home loan. Working with ASB lets you apply for a mortgage online, reducing the time it takes to apply for your vacation rental loan.

RESOURCES FOR BUYING A VACATION RENTAL IN HAWAII

Buying a second home, investment property, or condo to rent out to vacationers in Hawaii is a big financial undertaking. You must consider all of the potential expenses involved in the process — from closing costs and taxes to cleaning fees and property maintenance.

The best way to figure out the potential costs and benefits of buying a vacation rental in Hawaii is to work with local professionals. Your local real estate agent, home loan officer, and property manager will help you get a realistic idea of how much buying a condo will cost, as well as your potential for rental income. To learn more about financing your vacation rental condo in Hawaii, get in touch with one of ASBs experienced mortgage loan officers today.

FIND A MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER



Nothing contained in this material is intended to constitute legal, tax, securities or investment advice, nor an opinion that it is appropriate for readers. The information that is contained in this material is general nature. Readers should seek professional advice for their respective situations.

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Detect and Deflect Identity Theft

ASB July 28, 2021 | 5 min read Personal

Identity thieves are continuously finding new ways to steal your information, but we can help you remain one step ahead and avoid their tricks. Identity theft happens when an unauthorized individual uses your personal information to steal money from your accounts, open new credit cards, apply for loans, rent a home and other similar unauthorized activities. The negative effects of identity theft can be time-consuming and expensive. They can also damage your credit and leave you with unwanted bills.

Read on for tips on how to recognize identity theft, protect yourself and loved ones, and recover if you’ve been a victim.

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1. UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

Having the most up-to-date contact information on your accounts will ensure you are receiving all communication from American Savings Bank. We will contact you through phone, email and/or physical mail if we suspect any unauthorized or suspicious activity. Your contact information could also serve as a form of authentication in the event that you forget your password.

Always consider the contact information you share on social media. Chances are, if you share your personal information on social media, it will appear in online searches. Below are some ways identity thieves can use your personal information:

  • Call your bank to change your mailing address

  • Open new bank accounts and credit cards in your name

  • Sign up for utility services

  • Buy automobiles by taking out auto loans in your name

If you are not sure what information we have on file for you, please contact our Customer Banking Center toll-free at (800) 272-2566 or (808) 627-6900.

2. FREQUENTLY CHECK YOUR ACCOUNTS

Banking with us is convenient and can be done anytime, anywhere. We encourage you to utilize our easy online banking features to regularly monitor your accounts. You can opt-in for eStatements, a simple way to monitor all of your transactions. If you have experienced any of the incidents below or feel you may be a victim of identity theft, please immediately contact us:

  • Identified unauthorized transactions on your account

  • Been a victim of theft (stolen credit and debit cards, checkbooks, account information, mail)

  • Misplaced personal information (lost items containing your social security number (SSN), date of birth or online login credentials)

As an added precaution, we encourage identity theft victims to visit https://www.identitytheft.gov to learn more about resources available to you. For example, you may want to consider filing an identity theft report, and freezing your credit by reaching out to the three credit-reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

3. FIGHT BACK AGAINST IDENTITY THIEVES

In addition to promptly alerting us of possible identity theft, please continue to take the following steps to protect your personal identity:

  • Change Your Usernames and Passwords
    We recommend against recycling previously used usernames or passwords, especially those that have been used on multiple platforms. Sharing your account sign-in information with other parties is not recommended.

  • Enable Secure Access Code
    When possible, enable Secure Access Code for extra security. Users of this mechanism will only be granted access to an account after successfully presenting two or more authentication items proving their identity.

  • Examine Your Electronic Devices for Malicious Programs
    Look through any cell phones, tablets and computers in which you store sensitive information. There may be programs on your device that are being compromised by malicious programs. These programs can potentially capture your usernames, passwords, bank account numbers and credit card numbers. Running a consistent anti-virus program can help you protect against viruses.

4. IDENTITY THEFT RESOURCES

Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): If you are a victim of identity theft, report to the FTC at https://www.identitytheft.gov

  • Pull a credit score report: Most companies offer a complimentary report once a year. Some companies may even offer unlimited reports! https://www.AnnualCreditReport.com

  • Consider placing a freeze on your credit: If you suspect that you are a victim of identity fraud, you can prevent someone from opening an account or obtaining credit in your name by alerting the three credit reporting companies.

    • Equifax: (800) 525-6285

    • Experian: (888) 397-3742

    • TransUnion: (800) 680-7289

Share these resources with your family and friends so that they can learn more about identity theft, protecting themselves and how to recover if they’ve already been a victim.

As a reminder, American Savings Bank will never request verbally or via e-mail/text, your Password, Debit Card PIN, or Secure Access Code. We encourage customers to closely monitor accounts regularly. For best practice, you should report immediately any suspicious activity to our Customer Banking Center at (808) 627-6900 or toll-free (800) 272-2566.

View our security hub to learn more about how you can protect yourself and your finances.

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Hawaii Condo Projects & Planned Communities Loans

American Savings Bank recognizes the unique challenges that come with new developments. We are here for you and provide financing for the purchase of a new condo project unit or planned community in Hawaii. 

Ready to reach your homeownership goal? Start exploring:

ASB Number One Lender

American Savings Bank is Hawaii's #1 Local Mortgage Lender*

*State of Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances Jan-Oct 2024, recorded total value of residential, non-wholesale, purchase mortgages. 

Why Finance Condos & Planned Communities with ASB?

  1. Experienced project lender for many new condo projects as well as developments in planned communities

  2. ASB loan officers are here to help you navigate through the entire loan process and deadlines for a stress-free experience

  3. We have a dedicated loan manager for condo and new development projects ensuring the strict project guidelines are met

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Hawaii Condo Projects & Developments1

Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head in Honolulu Hawaii

The Park at Ward Village

The Park on Ke'eaumoku

Sky Ala Moana

Victoria Place

Ko'ula at Ward Village

Ālia

Ililani

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Anuhea at Kehalani

Cottages at Mauna `Olu

Hokuʻula

Lima Ola

The Parkways at Maui Lani

Walea at Koa Ridge

Waioha at Koa Ridge

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1. List of Projects/Condos is subject to change without notice. Financing for new development/developer’s projects is subject to borrower loan application, loan qualification and satisfactory review of final condo documents for the respective projects.

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How to Calculate the Equity in Your Hawaii Home

ASB July 26, 2021 | 5 min read Personal

Your home’s equity is the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and what your home is currently worth. In Hawaii, many homeowners decide to use the equity in their homes to meet financial needs — like a big home renovation project or as a line of emergency credit in case of unexpected expenses.

We’re here to help if you’re thinking about tapping into the equity on your home in Hawaii. Our friendly team can help answer your questions. Keep reading to learn more about how to determine the equity in your home and how you can leverage it to achieve your goals.

family

HOW DO I DETERMINE THE EQUITY IN MY HOME?

To find your current home equity, consider this equation:

Current Home Value – Outstanding Mortgage Balance = Home Equity

Let’s say your home is currently worth $500,000 and you still have $300,000 left to pay on your mortgage. That means, your home’s equity is approximately $200,000.

This is a quick and easy equation to give you an approximate number. You’ll most likely need a home appraisal to get the exact amount of equity you have in your home in Hawaii because an appraisal tells you the current fair market value of your home.

HOW IS A HOME EQUITY LOAN OR LINE OF CREDIT DETERMINED?

What does home equity mean? For many homeowners in Hawaii, it’s an additional resource you can use to access financing. Home equity loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) let you borrow against the equity in your home. Many times, home equity loans and HELOCs have lower interest rates and fees than other types of personal financing.

Lenders like ASB set a loan-to-value ratio to help determine how much of your home’s equity you can borrow. The loan-to-value ratio is a percentage of your home’s appraised value. This is the maximum amount you can borrow against your home’s equity but doesn’t include any outstanding mortgage balances.

For example, if your home is appraised at $100,000 and your lender’s loan-to-value ratio is 80%, you could potentially borrow up to $80,000 of your home’s value. However, if you have a balance on your home loan, you’ll need to subtract the loan balance from the total. For example, if you owe $50,000 on your loan, you could potentially borrow up to $30,000.

$80,000 (80% of your home’s $100,000 value) - $50,000 (remaining loan balance) = $30,000 (maximum you could borrow)

homeownership computer

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET AN APPRAISAL ON MY HOME?

You’ll generally need to get a home appraisal on any home that you’re buying, but what about after the sale? Do you need to get a home appraisal regularly? The answer is that it's up to you. Home appraisals could be expensive, but they’re also a good way to see how much your home’s value has gone up or down since you bought it. You may also be required to get a new home appraisal if you refinance your mortgage or take out a HELOC.

HOW CAN I INCREASE MY HOME’S EQUITY?

Your home’s equity increases as your home loan liability decreases. The easiest way to increase the equity in your home in Hawaii is to continue paying off your mortgage. If you’re looking to increase your equity quickly, you can consider making extra payments toward your home loan or increasing your payment amount. This helps put more of your payments toward the principal of the loan.

Equity also increases if your home value rises. Many homes in Hawaii will appreciate over time, meaning your home’s value is likely to increase each year. If you don’t feel like waiting for home values to go up in your area, you can increase your home’s value — and your equity — by making strategic home improvements to increase property value. For example, you might take on a small remodel project or redo the landscaping to make your home more desirable to potential buyers.

CALCULATE YOUR HOME’S EQUITY AND PUT IT TO USE WITH A HELOC

Learning how to determine the equity of your home is simple in theory — you’ll subtract the remaining balance of your mortgage from your home’s current value. In practice, however, this process can be a little more confusing. You’ll need to have at least a rough estimate of the current value of your home. Depending on where you live, your home may have seen a recent increase in value.

You can get the exact fair market value of your home in Hawaii by considering a home appraisal. It’s important to note that there may be a cost to obtaining an appraisal. You might even be able to borrow against your home’s equity without the need for an additional appraisal. You should get in touch with a knowledgeable home loan officer who understands Hawaii’s real estate market and can answer your questions about a HELOC. The ASB home loan team can help homeowners in Hawaii tap into their home equity for renovation projects, new furniture purchases, and other financial needs. Make an appointment with a loan officer today to learn more about home equity and applying for a HELOC.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT



Nothing contained in this material is intended to constitute legal, tax, securities or investment advice, nor an opinion that it is appropriate for readers. The information that is contained in this material is general nature. Readers should seek professional advice for their respective situations.

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