Happy 4th Of July! Celebrate!
July 3rd, 2008 categories: Views of Honolulu
Today’s picture was taken from the water looking toward Lanikai and Bellows Beach. This Fourth of July take a moment to count your blessings. As Americans, we are sooooo fortunate and have a great deal to be thankful for. Enjoy the long weekend, the BBQ’s and your family!
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Honolulu’s “Lofty” Condo Project
July 2nd, 2008 categories: Honolulu Condominiums
A very interesting project is under construction next to Honolulu’s Lexus dealership. The developer is refitting the majority of the old National Cash Register Building at the corner of Cooke and Kapiolani. It is part of the growing “metropolitization” (my word) of Honolulu. The location puts your home within walking distance to down town Honolulu, Queens Medical Center, Straub Medical Center, Ala Moana Shopping Center and Victoria Ward. There will be a total of 32 units in the project and Pacific Business News announced the opening of sales for the first 14 units.
“The loft apartments range from 835 square feet to 2,058 square feet, have one, two or three bedrooms and are priced from $755,000 to $2.1 million. There are 26 different floor plans among the 32 units, and 17 units have either walk-out decks or walk-up roof-top decks, which developer Chris Deuchar, president of U.S. Pacific Development LLC, likens to an “urban yard.” A skydeck features a tension-edge pool, grill area and a bar.”
READ THE PACIFIC BUSINESS NEWS ARTICLE.
SEE THE VANGUARD LOFTS WEB SITE.
Today’s picture was taken from a unit which is for sale on the Gold Coast called the Kainalu.
Related Reading
Makakilo Gardens-$249,000
Terrace Towers-$350,000
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Bitter Sweet Hawaii Solar Law
July 1st, 2008 categories: Honolulu Real Estate 101, Rants & Riffs
“Gov. Linda Lingle signed the measure, Senate Bill 644, SD 3, HD 3, CD 1, into law yesterday to reduce Hawaii’s dependence on imported oil. It requires all building permits for single-family homes issued after Jan. 1, 2010, to include solar water heaters.
Exceptions will be allowed where homes have poor sunlight; if it is cost-prohibitive after 15 years; when the dwelling has a substitute renewable energy source; or if there is an approved tankless water heater and another appliance, both powered by gas.”
READ THE HONOLULU STAR BULLETIN ARTICLE.
Solar makes sense in Hawaii. I am for voluntary use of Solar and I don’t like government mandates. Mandated safety belts, then bicycle helmets and now solar, all things that are good, but what price are our freedoms paying for this “Nanny” Government?
Today’s picture is taken from the water off of Waimanalo Beach. Note the Koolau mountains in the back ground.
Other Reading
What Price Should You Offer On A Honolulu Home?
Lower Property Taxes On Historic Homes
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One of Kailua’s Best Condominium Projects
June 30th, 2008 categories: Honolulu Condominiums
As you come over the Pali to Kailua, there seems to be just one high rise condominium and that is Windward Passage. Most brokers agree that it is one of the (if not the) most desirable condominiums in the area. The ongoing redevelopment of Kailua Town makes the future of this project very bright. You may have heard that DR Horton has purchased all of the older 2 story apartments on Kailua Road across from the school. If you have not been to this area recently, I am happy to report that they have all been torn down and construction of a new condo project seems to be underway. When this construction is finished the entire area will be upgraded and this improvement should have a very positive impact local real estate values.
Over the years this unit has been a rental and could be moved into right now or someone might do a total remodel. It has the convenience of a stack washer and dryer, large storage closet in the unit and a second bedroom that can be opened to the living room. Here are more specifics.
2 bedrooms
2 baths
964 square feet interior
92 square feet of lanai
1056 square feet of total area
2 covered parking
$367 monthly maintenance fees (includes basic cable, hot water, water & sewer)
$149 a month current taxes
The building offers the luxury of being able to walk to dining, shopping and entertainment. The grounds are large and well maintained and offer the following amenities.
Dog run
Heated pool
Tennis courts
Sauna
Exercise room
Secured access entry (via fob)
Plenty of guest parking
For more details or to schedule a showing, please call me at 808-737-2093.
Related Posts To Read
King Manor-$250,000
Village Maluhia-$300,000
Makakilo Gardens-$249,000
Terrace Towers-$350,000
Palm Court
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Honolulu View Studio $250,000!
June 30th, 2008 categories: Honolulu Condominiums
So you want to be central to everything in Honolulu. How about being walking distance to Straub Medical Center, Queens Medical Center, the Municipal Building (Honolulu Hale), Blaisdale Concert Hall, Safeway, the Ward Area and much, much more. The King Manor condominium offers all of this!
This is a studio unit that has a knock your socks off view of the ocean and city of Honolulu. It has a great ground floor, full size, covered parking stall. Appointments also include washer and dryer, very usable lanai and true dining area. It is hard to believe that this is a studio.
Related Posts
Village Maluhia-$300,000
Makakilo Gardens-$249,000
Terrace Towers-$350,000
Palm Court
Ridge Home-$850,000
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Honolulu’s Building Code and Lanai Railings!
June 30th, 2008 categories: Reasons To Sell
I love what you could do before the tightening of the building codes. More than likely, the rail above would not be allowed under current building codes. The gaps between the leaves are too wide and a child could fall through. If this home were for sale and you purchased it, be ready for your professional inspector to note the irregularity.
If you have kids, a simple and safe solution, that could keep the view open, would be the installation of 1 inch by 1 inch wire mesh on the inward side of the railing. Another issue that cannot be determined from afar is the height of the rail. To me it looks too low. When buying an older Honolulu home, be sure to check the lanai rails.
Related Articles
What Price Should You Offer On A Honolulu Home?
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Watch Your Honolulu Property Rights
June 27th, 2008 categories: Honolulu Real Estate 101, Rants & Riffs
I am a Honolulu Realtor because I have seen how home ownership changes the lives of those who own them. Certainly, the financial aspect of potential long-term appreciation is enticing, but property rights are fundamental to the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. One of our great founders, James Madison, writes about our property rights.
“In a word, as a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights. Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possessions. . . . Government is instituted to protect property of every sort; as well that which lies in the various rights of individuals, as that which the term particularly expresses. This being the end of government, that alone is a just government, which impartially secures to every man, whatever is his own.”
June 23 is the 3-year anniversary of a Supreme Court decision that should raise a cry from all of us. Traditionally, government can “take” your property if there is a “public use” for which your property is needed (i.e. roads, sewers, parks, etc.). However, in 2005, a decision known as KELO, the Supreme Court allowed the City of New London to take a property for development by a private developer for private use. The logic behind the decision was that the area was blighted and that the “public” would benefit from the renewal of the area. Since I am not a lawyer, let alone a constitutional scholar visit a post by Hugh Hewitt. He does a great job explaining how our constitutional rights have been trampled.
Today’s picture was taken from the lanai of a Tahitienne Cooperative unit for sale on the Gold Coast.
More Posts to Read
Determining An Offering Price For Honolulu Property
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Great View Home In Aiea (Newtown) $850,000
June 26th, 2008 categories: Buying Honolulu Real Estate
This 3 bedroom 2 bathroom 1,744 square foot home is located at the end of a cul-de-sac on a 6,561 square foot rim lot. This location offers fabulous views and a level of privacy that is hard to find. It is priced at $850,000 and can be moved into right away. The kitchen is very usable with a large dining area located just beyond the pass through. The two-car garage is big with high ceilings and it has access right into to the kitchen for easy unloading of groceries. Vaulted ceilings throughout the home make it feel much larger than one might expect for its square footage. Please call me at 808-737-2093 to schedule a showing.
COMPARABLE SALES FOR THE AREA.
Other Properties Available For Sale
Fairway Villa-$300,000
Sun Rise-$225,000
Village Maluhia-$300,000
Makakilo Gardens-$249,000
Terrace Towers-$350,000
Palm Court
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In Hawaii, You May Want To Buy Existing Rather Than Build!
June 26th, 2008 categories: Buying Honolulu Real Estate, Rants & Riffs
I have great respect for anyone who attempts to build a home or develop real estate in Hawaii. The list of projects that have been approved and then strung out endlessly via the courts is very, very long. Yesterday’s Honolulu newspapers had separate articles concerning a project on Kauai and one here in Nuuanu. Both had received approval to move forward and then a fight ensued.
“Perry halted the work on the home, on an oceanfront parcel once owned by movie star Sylvester Stallone, saying that any work done on the property would violate state laws of grave desecration.
However, the owner of the property, Joseph Brescia, had clearance from nearly a half-dozen state and county agencies, including the Burial Council of Kauai and Niihau, the state Historic Preservation Division, the Kauai Planning Department and others.”
READ THE HONOLULU STAR BULLETIN STORY HERE
“The idea to build on the hillside was first proposed in 2004, by the property’s previous owner.
Shin received tentative approval for his subdivision application in May 2006, and last month the city approved his construction plan and issued him a grading permit, giving him clearance to move forward with clearing the land and putting in infrastructure improvements, such as roads, drainage systems and sewer, water and other utility lines.”
READ THE HONOLULU ADVERTISER STORY HERE
In the case of Kauai, I am not for building on burial grounds, but the owner of the property had met the necessary guidelines to build and the County approved his project. Given the fact that he cleared the necessary hurdles, he should be allowed to build.
When developers are put through extended battles we all pay. First, should the developer ultimately finish the project, the additional costs associated with being drawn out will be added to the cost, thus we pay for it. Second, if those fighting the development win, our supply of existing homes does not grow and this limits the supply of available homes. If supply is limited, you and I pay more for the homes that are available for sale.
With all of the risk associated with developing, I think you are better off buying existing homes. If you don’t like an aspect of the house you buy, then remodel it. In the long run you may have less stress and save money and time.
OTHER POSTS TO READ
How To Determine Your Honolulu Offering Price
Today’s picture is looking down Waimanalo Beach toward Bellow’s and Lanikai.
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The Chinese Are Here!
June 25th, 2008 categories: Rants & Riffs, Views of Honolulu
For the last few months I have been writing that the Chinese are on their way to Honolulu! Here is an article confirming the first group is here. Hopefully, it is the beginning of many more visitors from China. If so, it could bode well for local real estate values.
“One of the first groups of Chinese leisure travelers and tourism officials to arrive in Hawaii will receive a welcoming reception Wednesday.”
READ THE ENTIRE PACIFIC BUSINESS NEWS ARTICLE
Have you ever wondered what Rabbit Island looks like from the water? This picture was taken from the starting line of this past Sunday’s canoe regatta.
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