Celebrating a Long Time Advertiser: Lava Rock Realty
REALTOR® Broker Peggy Yuan was licensed in 1990 and loves her Hawai‘i real estate experience. Peggy says it was always her dream to own and operate her own company, and when an opportunity presented itself 10 years ago, she took it enthusiastically and opened Lava Rock Realty in Kamuela.
The company is a full real estate service provider, dealing with properties across Hawai‘i Island, something not all real estate offices offer. Her agents specialize in different aspects within the company. In addition to running her own company, she also serves on multiple real estate and community boards and committees and volunteers in the community.
Peggy is well known on the Kohala Coast for having trained many of the agents who work in that area. She has been a mentor to many, who have become very successful following her advice.
She also says over the years, she has seen the business change dramatically. “When I first started in this industry, a purchase contract was front and back on a single sheet, and now we are at 14 pages minimum…with additional addendums…it can sometimes add up to 20–25 pages.
There are also more liability issues due to transparency in our industry with technology and the availability to access information,” Peggy says.
In addition, the influx of technology has also created changes in the way she communicates with her clients. She says it’s easy for them to locate homes on their own online. Her job now is more about educating them once they do find a property, so they can feel comfortable in the decision making process.
“Most people don’t need a real estate agent to find property anymore, so I’ve changed my philosophy. Once they find the property, [it’s more about] how I am able to understand their needs and explain the pros and cons of the property, because we are the local experts,” she says.
Many prospective clients are looking to relocate from the mainland or elsewhere and don’t always understand what it’s like to live in Hawai‘i, so she shares information with them. It’s not about making a sale—it’s about being sincere to help buyers and sellers find what’s right for them. Since she sells properties across the island, she also helps to make sure people are choosing a home in an area and climate that suits their needs.
She informs them about the complexities of living on an isolated island, including the higher cost of living.
“I actually recommend people new to the area to rent first before they buy, so they can become familiar with the island and areas before they plunge into their purchase. When they’re ready, they’ll come back,” she says.
“My new favorite term is ‘knowledge is power.’ In addition to having the knowledge of the homes themselves, you have to know about the locale, the culture, the state and county codes affecting the property. Only then can you educate your clients. Instead of focusing on the transaction, I like to educate them so they walk away with an understanding and knowledge to feel at ease with their decision. I have a lot of returning clients and prospective people who come back to me in a year and say, ‘I remember you,’” she says.
Peggy also works with international clients, as she is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese, and Japanese.
“You have to look at the different customs, and a lot of my clients don’t speak English, so you have to really educate them about how things are done in America and here in Hawai‘i, including our contracts and processes,” she says.
For Peggy, the greatest joy in being a REALTOR® is helping people realize the dream of living in Hawai‘i. “I take a lot of pride and gratitude from helping first time homebuyers and handing them their keys,” she says, “Past clients from 10 to 20 years ago still call me and I’m glad I can still help them.They’re clients for life.”
Lava Rock Realty
65-1298 B Kawaihae Road, Kamuela
808.887.2500
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