Cathi Uyemura-Reyes

Realtor, Principal Broker

Qualification

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 5:30 am Sunday Tai-Chi at the park.