Lessons From 911 Apply To Honolulu Real Estate

October 27th, 2009 categories: For Buyers, For Sellers

With Trulia, Zillow and other sources for real estate information, I am reminded of the problems created by technology in the pre-911 world. Prior to World Trade Center being hit, the USA’s intelligence community had been relying on our technological superiority in satellites and electronic eves dropping for intelligence on the bad guys. After 911 it become critically clear that there is no substitute for human beings on the ground.

This is true in real estate too. No amount of armchair researching via the Internet will give a buyer or seller a clear picture of what is really happening in a particular sub market of Honolulu real estate. Call me self-serving, but that’s where I come in. I am your boots on the ground! I can connect dots that provide a picture that can’t be seen from Google Earth or any other satellite-mapping program. You can’t smell the neighbors or hear a screaming child from you 21 inch LED monitor. That’s why I always make it a point to “kick a lot of stucco”, seeing a home, condo or neighborhood is the only way to catch nuances that might effect long-term happiness a real estate appreciation.

Today’s Wall Street Journal is reporting positive news showing in Standard & Poors/Case/Shiller home price index.

“”If the increases are consistent across the markets, this is key,” said Wharton School real estate professor Susan Wachter before the index was released. “Then we’re seeing the formation of a bottom.” However, Wachter along with other industry experts still worry that rising unemployment and more foreclosures could stifle the rebound. Another unknown is whether a temporary federal tax credit for first-time buyers will be extended to help boost sales.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FORBES ARTICLE

Note that the index does not include Honolulu, but I would not rely on it to determine a property move on Oahu in the first place. Use it like the CIA uses a satellite photo, it gives you a very general view of what might be going on, but always confirm the truth with human intelligence (me, Keahi Pelayo). Think about it.

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If you would like to discuss your real estate needs, feel free to call me at 808-737-2093 or toll free at 877-737-2093. You can email me at keahi@lava.net.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 10:09 am and is filed under For Buyers, For Sellers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.