Surrounded By Excellence!
October 6th, 2010 categories: Condos For Sale, For Buyers
This condominium is located in Waikele and is walking distance to the Waikele Premium Outlets and Waikele Country Club. You find yourself entering a street that leads to the golf clubhouse and just before you roll onto the course property, you turn right into the well-kept and appointed Hookumu Town-Home development. This particular unit is located on the second floor interior side of the building, thus offering superior privacy and quiet. Perfect for the first time buyer wanting to use a FHA loan or a member of our armed service who qualifies for a VA loan (use your BAH to buy instead of rent). If you are looking for a clean, rather new (by Honolulu standards) town-home this one just may be for you.
Price: $309,900
Street: 94-217 Paioa Place, Waikele, HI 96797
Bedrooms: 2
Baths: 2 (dual bathroom arrangement)
Interior square feet: 830
Lanai Area (Patio): 90 square feet
Total Area: 920 square feet
Parking: 2 open stalls
Other parking: Guest parking stalls are available
Maintenance fees: $333
Condition: Good, it is ready for you to move in.
High School: Waikele
Middle School: Waipahu
Elementary School: Waipahu
CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF THE MLS INFORMATION SHEET
Call me at 808-398-3220 or email me at keahi@lava.net and let’s set a time for you to see it.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Whistle While You Walk To Work
September 30th, 2010 categories: Condos For Sale, For Buyers
This Honolulu condominium is walking distance to the State Capital, City Hall, business district, Queens Medical Center, Straub Medical and much more. One could literally live without a car. It is hard to believe that at this price you own the land too. Call me if you would like to see it.
Price: $125,000
Street: 2651 Kuilei Street, Honolulu, HI 96826
Bedrooms: 1 (currently no dividing wall so it is a studio)
Baths: 1
Interior square feet: 395
Lanai Area (Patio): 0
Total Area: 395 square feet
Parking: 1 open stall
Other parking: Street
Maintenance fee: $297
Condition: Fair, could use paint or a remodel.
High School: Royal
Middle School: Central
Elementary School: McKinley
CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF THE MLS INFORMATION SHEET
Call me at 808-398-3220 or email me at keahi@lava.net and let’s set a time for you to see it.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Well-Located Honolulu Condominium
September 30th, 2010 categories: Condos For Sale, For Buyers
Hono Hale Tower is located walking distance to the University of Hawaii, shopping, dining and just about every service one would need. The location is so central that you could live life without having to own a car (The Bus could take you just about everywhere). It is amazing to believe that you can buy a view unit at this price.
Price: $240,000
Street: 2651 Kuilei Street, Honolulu, HI 96826
Bedrooms: 1
Baths: 1
Interior square feet: 465
Lanai Area (Patio): 50 square feet
Total Area: 515 square feet
Parking: 1 open stall
Other parking: Guest parking is available
Maintenance fee: $373
Condition: Nice and clean
High School: Kaimuki
Middle School: Washington
Elementary School: Kuhio
CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF THE MLS INFORMATION SHEET
Call me at 808-398-3220 or email me at keahi@lava.net and let’s set a time for you to see it.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Aiea Heights Cedar Home
September 22nd, 2010 categories: For Buyers, Homes For Sale, Military
Aiea Heights is one of Honolulu’s most desirable neighborhoods because of its central location to Pearl Harbor, Hickam Air force Base, Pearl Ridge, Mililani and much, much more. This unique home is ready for you to move-in now and is priced within the values for the area. Hurry because this one won’t last!
Price: $699,000
Street: Hoio Street, Aiea, HI 96701
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 2
Additional rooms: Large family room
Interior square feet: 1,526
Lot size: 10,017
Parking: 2 car garage
Maintenance fees: None
Condition: Nice and clean
High School: Aiea
Middle School: Aiea
Elementary School: Alvah Scott
CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF THE MLS INFORMATION SHEET
Call me at 808-398-3220 or email me at keahi@lava.net and let’s set a time for you to see it.
| Discussion: No Comments »
What The Heck Is The Honolulu Real Estate Market Doing?
August 30th, 2010 categories: The Market
Now that the end of summer is here and nearly 75% of 2010 is gone, many have been asking me what is going on with the Honolulu real estate market? Here are my thoughts.
1. In general, the market is good for properties that show well and are priced within the range of the most recent comparable closed sales. Is it as strong as it was at the peak? No, but there is good demand and I have been seeing listings sell relatively quickly in core Honolulu.
2. Financing is the key. Houses and condos that fit into conventional, FHA and VA financing guidelines are in demand and they’re selling quicker than properties that need jumbo financing.
3. Appraisers seem to be loosening up. Last year at this time, it seemed that appraisers were being very stingy with their valuation prices for homes. A year ago, appraisers were committed to giving values at the lowest possible market level and therefore; they were, in my opinion, artificially holding back the market. In the last 5 months, I have noticed that appraisers are more willing to move prices to the middle and upper range of a properties market value.
4. Washington needs to get its act together. In general, Hawaii is seeing gains in our tourism market and since this is one of the major driving forces in our economy, it is not surprising to see Waikiki, Ala Moana and retailers full of shoppers. HOWEVER, I sense a bit of fear regarding the national economy! It seems that people are unsure of what will be coming out of the elected “nuts” in D.C. and therefore they are a bit hesitant to jump into the real estate market with reckless abandon. When things settle down on a national level, I believe you will see Hawaii real estate pick up very quickly.
5. Potential increase in taxes. Since taxes are scheduled to go up on January 1 (if congress does nothing), I have a number of clients that are selling their properties this year to take advantage of the lower long-term capital gains rate. If you are thinking about selling next year, you may want to investigate your exposure to the capital gains tax. If you have to pay taxes, then it might make sense move the sale into 2010 (CHECK WITH YOUR ACCOUNTANT).
In summary, I am pessimistically optimistic about our market. For reasons outlined in this blog over the last several years, Honolulu remains a good long-term investment. Given the recent slowing in the number of homes resold nationally, now may be a very good time to buy into our market. Since urban Honolulu has recovered some of the equity it lost between 2007 and 2009, this maybe a very good time to sell (if you are planning on selling between now and 2012).
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.
More Video Blogs
Honolulu Real Estate Is A Good Investment
Honolulu real estate makes a lot of sense over 10 years
Buying more might make your retirement better
| Discussion: No Comments »
Honolulu Hotel Occupancy Leads Hawaii
August 19th, 2010 categories: The Market
Pacific Business News is reporting the following.
“Oahu maintained the highest occupancy rate at 87.8 percent, up 4 percentage points from a year ago.”
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
This may explain why a past client mentioned that Honolulu doesn’t feel like it is having economically hard times. He noted that malls and restaurants are packed. What does this mean for Honolulu real estate?
Though hotel occupancy is a single indicator, it is one of the more important ones in our market. As tourism improves, businesses reliant on visitors will do better and this will strengthen other sectors too. If you have not yet purchased your part of Oahu, then now may be a great time to do to step up and buyer your house or condo.
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.
More Video Blogs
Honolulu Home Median Price of $1,000,000
Buying more might make your retirement better
| Discussion: No Comments »
America The Great!
August 18th, 2010 categories: Rants & Riffs
A writer for the Wall Street Journal, Fouad Ajami, recently wrote an article comparing the attitudes of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. I know by posting this article I risk offending some, however, I believe in the greatness of this nation and shall not remain quiet anymore. Hopefully, you will find this quote to be inspiring.
“Big as Reagan’s mandate was, in two elections, the man was never bigger than his country. There was never narcissism or a bloated sense of personal destiny in him. He gloried in the country, and drew sustenance from its heroic deeds and its capacity for recovery. No political class rode with him to power anxious to lay its hands on the nation’s treasure, eager to supplant the forces of the market with its own economic preferences.
To be sure, Reagan faltered midway through his second term—the arms-for-hostages trade, the Iran-Contra affair, nearly wrecked his presidency. But he recovered, the nation rallied around him and carried him across the finish line, his bond with the electorate deep and true. He had two years left of his stewardship, and his political recovery was so miraculous that he, and his first mate, Secretary of State George P. Shultz, would seal the nation’s victory in the Cold War.
There is little evidence that the Obama presidency could yet find new vindication, another lease on life. Mr. Obama will mark time, but henceforth he will not define the national agenda. He will not be the repository of its hopes and sentiments. The ambition that his would be a “transformational” presidency—he rightly described Reagan’s stewardship in these terms—is for naught.
It is in the nature of charisma that it rises out of thin air, out of need and distress, and then dissipates when the magic fails. The country has had its fill with a scapegoating that knows no end from a president who had vowed to break with recriminations and partisanship. The magic of 2008 can’t be recreated, and good riddance to it. Slowly, the nation has recovered its poise. There is a widespread sense of unstated embarrassment that a political majority, if only for a moment, fell for the promise of an untested redeemer—a belief alien to the temperament of this so practical and sober a nation.”
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
Buyers Of Hawaii Oceanfront Properties Beware!
August 16th, 2010 categories: For Buyers, For Sellers
If you are thinking about buying an oceanfront home or parcel be sure to do your homework. There has always been a large set back from the waterfront property line and determining the location of this mark has required a Special Management Area (SMA) survey. The Honolulu StarAdvertiser is reporting a clarification and change in the SMA Rules.
“The proposed change would establish the setback line about 40 feet from the certified shoreline, plus 70 times the average annual coastal erosion rate. The city and University of Hawaii is working on establishing that rate, said Samuel Lemmo, administrator for the state Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands, which oversees about 2 million acres of private and public lands in the state Land Use Conservation District.” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
Given the importance of determining the certified shoreline, BEFORE CLOSING AN OCEANFRONT SALE, a buyer should get a valid and approved SMA survey on any ocean front property. If you don’t get it or decide to make improvements on your lot, you may are exposing yourself to serious penalties and problems. Ironically, a few days after the article above was posted, The Maui News posted an article about the largest fine ever paid for violating SMA rules.
“The largest fine for shoreline setback encroachments ever imposed by Maui County was approved as part of a settlement agreement by the Maui Planning Commission on Tuesday. Larry and Sara Dodge, of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and Makena, will pay $65,000 to settle four county violations, remove a wall and seek after-the-fact permits for repairs done to their deck.” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
If you are a seller of an oceanfront property, it is a good idea to get your SMA survey in advance. This way you can show the buyer exactly where the line is and where they can place the home they want to build. Furthermore, because getting the survey can take a few years, getting it up front will save time and head ache.
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.
More Video Blogs
Honolulu Real Estate Is A Good Investment
Honolulu Home Median Price of $1,000,000
Buying more might make your retirement better
Sellers Get Your Surveys In Advance
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
Great Honolulu Foreclosure News
August 12th, 2010 categories: The Market
The Honolulu StarAdvertiser is reporting some great news!
“A 37-month string of rising Hawaii foreclosure filings was broken last month, but industry observers don’t agree on whether homeowner mortgage troubles are subsiding.”
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
The Honolulu real estate market has been brisk since the first of the year and this news could show that another drag on the market could be falling by the wayside.
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.
More Video Blogs
Honolulu Home Median Price of $1,000,000
Honolulu real estate makes a lot of sense over 10 years
Buying more might make your retirement better
| Discussion: No Comments »
Put College Money To Work For You
August 10th, 2010 categories: Rants & Riffs
A recent Wall Street Journal online article estimated that the average college student attending a public four-year university spends approximately $8,193 per year for room and board.
Consider that students attend college for 9 months a year; this means they are spending $910 per month to pay for their housing. If a student used this money to purchase an apartment, this amount will pay for a mortgage of $170,000 (5.0% amortized over 30 years).
Proper planning may help a family reduce the cost of going to college and create the possibility of gaining a good return on investment for funds that might otherwise be used for rent only. Think about it.
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.
More Video Blogs
Honolulu Home Median Price of $1,000,000
Buying more might make your retirement better
| Discussion: No Comments »
; ?>/images/MatoChiclet.gif)
