Cathi believes the future for Hawaii's real
estate is very bright. Aging American and Canadian baby boomers
are starting to think about where to retire. Those on fixed pensions
and limited budget will continue with the Southern migration.
The lower cost of living offered by Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa
Rica, Belize and Panama is very appealing for them. However,
soon-to-retire senior executives, highly compensated professionals
and more affluent individuals will place Hawaii on top of their
list.
Japan has the world's fastest aging population. By 2020, demographic
projections indicate more than 25% or one in four Japanese will
be 65 years and older. While US residency visas remain a problem,
healthy Japanese seniors have already discovered they can stay
in Hawaii up to 90 days under the reciprocal visa waiver program.
Hawaii's real estate will benefit from this new concept of seasonal
residency.
Cathi attended Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles where
she majored in Advertising Design. After a successful advertising
career in Asia, Cathi became involved in international licensing
agreements, cross-border business transactions, and mergers &
acquisitions. Her knowledge of Asia markets and Japanese language
skills were particularly valuable.
After traveling around the world for a year with her husband
and two sons, the close knit family decided on Hawaii as the
place that offers the best of two worlds. A practioner of Tai-Chi,
Yoga and Qui-Gong, Cathi is constantly balancing a strong commitment
to her real estate profession with a sense of purpose in life.
"Why live in Hawaii if you cannot set aside time to walk
through a rain forest or on a sandy beach?" This philosophy
is being passed on to her clients. Many are busy international
executives living in the Orient. They purchase Hawaii condominiums
and residences for winter breaks, family summer holidays and
long weekend trips to play golf. Clients particularly enjoy Cathi's
oceanside, late afternoon picnics where everything stops for
a few minutes so everyone can watch and applaud another beautiful
sunset. However, clients remain reluctant to join her for 5:30am
Sunday Tai-Chi at the park. |