About Us

How We Started

Obsidian Real Estate Hawaii began in the summer of 2021 with Sheldon's vision of a specialized boutique brokerage tailored to investor clients' needs. We offer superb service and go above and beyond to make sure our clients get what they need. Many of our transactions are off-market found through our network or direct calls. We are experts in the Honolulu market and pride ourselves on being real "street brokers."

Our Philosophy

 


Service above all else. To make our clients feel as if they are our only clients.

The Obsidian Real Estate Team

Sheldon Kaiakapu Glassco (B)

Sheldon serves as President and Principal Broker of Obsidian Real Estate Hawaii. Sheldon has 13 years of local real estate brokerage, with transacted volumes in excess of $150 million. He began his career at Grubb & Ellis | CBI, Inc. without a client base or past experience in commercial real estate. He worked his way up the ranks in CBI, Inc., leaving as Managing Director of the Investment Advisory Group. He built his business from the ground up, methodically, and with excellent client service. Over the last 4 years, Sheldon focused primarily on properties in TOD (Transit Oriented Development) neighborhoods, development projects, and income properties. He regularly works with developers, property owners, city officials, architects, and engineers to successfully structure and close transactions. Sheldon enjoys spending time with his family and surfing with his friends at Sandy Beach Park in his free time.

Contact Sheldon

Christian S. Ferrer (S) MA, M.M.F

Christian serves as the Director of Research within Obsidian Real Estate Hawaii. Leveraging his prior investment banking, risk management, strategy consulting, and business ownership experience, he brings a broad perspective to the market research and analytic problem-solving space within the commercial real estate market. He has served private client, corporate / commercial, and institutional investor clients across his career. He holds graduate degrees in Economics and Mathematics, and is a Level 2 Chartered Financial Analyst candidate. In Canada, he was a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute, and held the Canadian Investment Manager designation.

Testimonials

I am writing this letter to recognize and recommend the outstanding service, professionalism, and expertise of Sheldon Glassco as a real estate professional. As a real estate manager and investor, I recognize the difference between average and excellent performance in those with whom I do business. Sheldon has an amazing work ethic and excellent market knowledge. I highly recommend Sheldon Glascco for your consideration as your real estate Broker. Sheldon first represented my company in the purchase of a multifamily building in 2014. We were looking for a very specific type of property and Sheldon was able to find us one at the price we wanted. Since that time we have worked with him on a number of transactions both as the buyer and as the seller. Sheldon is always responsive and goes the extra mile for his clients. He is always available to talk with me, email me, and/or text message me regarding my real estate transactions. I have worked with many brokers in the past and Sheldon has earned my highest respect and as a result, I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of professional real estate services.

Sincerely, Chris Fitz-Henry (B) Queens Realty

Testimonials

This is one of the letters I truly wish I were not writing. Sheldon Glassco (B), Independent commercial real estate, is one of the finest individuals I have enjoyed working with. Sheldon came to be associated with my firm in 2008. The best part of the relationship is watching Sheldon mature into a fine professional. He did this thru hard work prospecting, evaluating opportunities to help clients and prospects that he uncovered. When recruiting independent agents like Sheldon, as the Principal Broker and CEO of my firm, I look for fundamental qualities that individuals possess that are innate and displayed by their actual involvement with prospects, clients, and working the real estate transaction. Sheldon is very hard working at prospecting and converting prospects to clients. In the years that have gone by, and the many, many real estate brokers that have worked with me, this must be only the second letter of recommendation. Candidly, I would not write recommendation letters except for very, very few individuals. Sheldon is a gem. The qualities ingrain in Sheldon are as follows: Highest level of integrity with (a) prospects, (b) clients, (c) fellow real estate agents in-house and competition, and (d) fellow agents of CBI, Inc., and our paid staff. He knows his marketplace because Sheldon works his marketplace. Professionalism at its finest. Knows how to protect his clients with (a) Purchase Agreements, (b) Exclusive Authorization to Lease or Sell, (c) working with escrow proficiently, (d) working with lenders, (e) working with professionals like engineers, architects, investors, sellers, vendors, etc. My trust in Sheldon Glassco is demonstrated by the number of transactions we worked on together, with me surrendering to his expertise in these transactions. So again, with deep respect for Sheldon Glassco, we hate to see him go but understand why he must venture out of his own. We truly wish him all the success he deserves. We were fortunate to have him these many years. MAHALO NUI LOA! Sheldon, and truly Thank You for your professional performance here at CBI, Inc. that has left us much better in the community while you represented our firm.

Respectfully, Jackson Nakasone PB President NAI CBI Hawaii

Testimonials

Mr. Glassco has represented my company for over ten years, on multiple industrial properties, as a leasing agent, property manager, and sales agent. Over that period, I have developed a very good understanding of Mr. Glassco’s integrity, business acumen and practicality. As discussed below, I recommend Mr. Glassco in the strongest possible terms. In my experience with him, Mr. Glassco displayed integrity at the highest levels. He proactively supplied financial records, ensuring that I was consistently fully apprised of the state of all business accounts. In instances of very mundane payments, such as property taxes, he highlighted that he had used company funds to pay company obligations. In lessthan-usual situations, such as property repair, he ensured that I had opportunity to review multiple bids, and would not expend company money until I had approved the expenditure. “No surprises,” would accurately characterize Mr. Glassco’s approach to business matters. And that’s what you get with him, no surprises. As to his business acumen, Mr. Glassco demonstrates a keen sense for walking the fine line between what a property owner wants in a perfect world, and what may be a better longterm business decision. He keeps himself updated not only on a landlord’s needs, but those of the tenant as well; he knows what changes can help a tenant cut expenses or streamline a business process. This puts him in a position to better advise a landlord on how to maximize leasing income. For example, a tenant may be more willing to sign a lease extension at an above-market rate if specific alterations are made during a repair, alterations which a landlord might not ordinarily consider. His outside-the-box recommendations made a difference in my company’s bottom line on numerous occasions. Mr. Glassco’s clients also benefit from his vast construction resources. Where repairs have been necessary, Mr. Glassco consistently advised me of the nature of the problem, and simultaneously introduced a variety of solutions. To be sure, industrial repair can be complicated. To pick just one example, Kaka’ako buildings might be made of wood, concrete or corrugated iron, and sometimes a combination of those. Repair of these types of construction varies greatly, and Mr. Glassco is well-versed in each of them. He stays abreast of the latest methods of repairing these materials, as well as which contractors perform consistently. In sum, my experience over the years with Mr. Glassco gives me ample evidence on which to base my opinions. He has never disappointed me or caused me to doubt his intentions or abilities. To the contrary, the more situations I saw him address, the more impressed I became with his integrity and his practical problem solving. As I stated above: No surprises. Ever.

Sincerely, Peter Thompson Pebbles Holdings LLC Peter Thompson Manager

Testimonials

To Whom It May Concern:
Our company has had a longstanding relationship with Sheldon Glassco because of his dedication, hard work, and versatility. Sheldon tracks and provides updates on his marketing efforts. In addition, he is persistent in chasing down prospects and follow-up. We like a sales agent who works aggressively for us while maintaining integrity. We have tried other established firms but find that the agent's talent overrides the firm's name brand. Sheldon has made a name for himself in complementary circles that have helped achieve results. His contacts include many members of local government and government agencies like the OPP. Sheldon offers or incorporates consultative, value-added services above and beyond the scope of the traditional commercial realtor, all in the name of getting better results.

Roy Tai President Pacific United, Ltd.

Testimonials

To Whom It May Concern:
Sheldon and I have been personal friends for nearly thirty (30) years and have worked professionally on various real estate matters for the past ten (10) years. I can attest to Sheldon’s professionalism, integrity, and fair dealing with clients and other real estate professionals. Sheldon and I have worked together on real estate transactions. He holds the requisite skills and experience while also curious to expand his knowledge to serve his clients better. I would not hesitate to recommend Sheldon as a broker.

Dana R. Lyons Lyons Law LLLC