Will Tanaka is a real estate professional, attorney and Hawaii property investor of 15 years who brings invaluable expertise and unique perspective to his clients’ real estate experience. He knows firsthand the stress and emotional tolls, but ultimately, the joy and excitement that purchasing or selling a home can bring, and prides himself in providing only first-class service to his clients. Thisincludes collaborating with best-in-class service partners and working with the most-trusted vendors. His core belief is that communication is key and he is trusted for being upfront when it comes to weighing the pros and cons, guiding clients with expertise through tough decisions and representing their best interests by walking them through the real estate and escrow process every step of the way.
“I’ve had the privilege of wearing a few different hats throughout my career, from President to general counsel for some of Hawaii’s leading real estate service firms. I’ve tackled and resolved every imaginable situation that could make, delay or break a real estate transaction. Now, I’m in a position that finally allows me to bring all of my expertise to the table to genuinely help people—one at a time—to have freedom and opportunity in their lives through real estate. And nothing has made me happier.”
Will admits that empowering others is a personal passion that developed when he was just 6-years old. Born in Tokyo, Japan, he distinctly remembers the financial sacrifices and struggles his parents endured when they gave up everything they had to move their family to Gardena, California.
“My parents never owned a home. They hopped from one job to another to support us. They sacrificed their comfortable life in Japan so that my siblings and I could have the opportunities they never did—to pursue our passions.”
Will majored in English at UCLA before attending William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii, where he received his Juris Doctor degree. It was his passion for law early in his career that landed him at Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, one of Hawaii’s largest and premier law firms, where he spent nearly 5 years as a litigation attorney. His segue into real estate came when he took on the role of Vice President and General Counsel for Fidelity National Title & Escrow of Hawaii, a Fortune 500 company and the nation’s largest real estate service/title insurance company. It was there that his natural instinct for business and leadership also thrived. So much so that in 2016, Will was asked to join First Hawaii Title Corporation, a longstanding and highly-respected Hawaii escrow and title company, as President.
“I was tasked to create sustainable growth and open new markets for the company. Aside from the obvious business measures, this also meant establishing a new, authentically happy growth culture. My vision was to become known as the best customer-service company. And that starts with the employees. I’m proud to have left that legacy.”
With his inherent passion for empowering others, combined with his business acumen and legal prowess, Will has often been described as “the ultimate real estate trifecta.” He is a fierce, but fair negotiator, a creative problem solver, and is always thinking two-steps ahead to ensure a smooth transaction and give peace of mind to his clients.
Will’s primary focus is on residential homes and investment properties on the island of Oahu. He also specializes in:
• 1031 exchanges • Trust property and probate/estate transactions• Divorce Sales• REO Transactions, Short Sales, Foreclosure Auctions
Teaming with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty, whose clients-always-first mindset, innovative marketing strategies and immense network is a perfect match for his commitment to superior customer service. Will and his team of leading real estate experts continually raise the standard in Hawaii's residential real estate industry.
