hawaii: Oahu Still in Pretty Good Shape: August 2009 Foreclosure Stats - 09/22/09 01:13 PM
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hawaii: Hawaii Realtors Now Exempted From Distressed Property Law - 05/23/09 02:07 PM
Great news for Hawaii REALTORS that handle distressed properties and for homeowners in the unfortunate situation of being behind in their payments and facing the risk of foreclosure! As of Wednesday May 20, Realtors are exempted from many of the provisions of the Mortgage Rescue Fraud Prevention Act of 2008. This is an enormous benefit to distressed homeowners who can now rely on the help of their real estate agent working with their lender to help them sell their home prior to foreclosure.
The Mortgage Rescue Fraud Prevention Act is a law enacted to help protect homeowners that are behind on their mortgage payments from … (0 comments)

hawaii: Gorgeous Golf Course Frontage Home in Kailua - AMAZING DEAL - Short Sale $850K - 05/20/09 02:49 PM
NEW KAILUA LISTING: 463 IANA STREET - Open Sun 2-5pm
yvonne@homeshoppehawaii.com 808-721-8088 for showings.
WOW! Is what you will say when you see the views from this expansive 2200 sq ft home situated right on the Mid-Pac Golf Course in Kailua. On a 10,000 square foot lot, this breezy 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath retreat also has an office, den, laundry room, and enlarged Master Suite with dressing room. And the chef in your family will love that the kitchen has a gas stove! Catch a sneak preview of this great home at my OPEN HOUSE 2-5 this Sunday, May 28th!
Please note: This is a … (3 comments)

hawaii: Short Sale Advice from an "Underwater" Community in the Desert - 05/14/09 07:52 PM
Great advice from a Realtor in an area of the country that has been hit hard. We are seeing some short sales over here too and his advice is valuable. Thanks, James, for the post!

Over the course of the last week I've had the chance to read a large number of blogs and Realtor posts regarding short sales. I can't imagine there is another subject with a wider degree of opinion! There is so much information, both good and bad, it is easy to see how consumers and Realtors alike are easily confused. 
I have been a licensed Broker since … (1 comments)

hawaii: What is a Short Sale? - 05/11/09 09:42 PM
Wish I had ten dollars for each time I've been asked by my buyer clients and friends to explain options they might have in purchasing short sales or foreclosures, and to explain the notations they see on the MLS regarding various property types. Listing clients, as well, are starting to come to me with similar questions regarding various options to sell their home in the current market.
Hawaii has one of the lowest foreclosure rates in the nation, but recently, one of the highest rates of increase in foreclosures. As usual, we in Hawaii are behind the curve, and Buyers and Sellers in many places on … (0 comments)

hawaii: Hawaii Legislature Overturns Special Requirements for Remodeling of 50 Year Old Homes - 05/01/09 11:01 AM
Many Hawaii homeowners and realtors were dismayed last year when we heard about the new requirement for remodeling or tearing down properties 50 or more years old. Under this law, Act 228 of the 2008 Legislative Session, owners wishing to tear down or remodel such a structure, had to provide photographs of their property to the State Historic Preservation Division prior to being issued a building permit. There was no distinction made as to the condition or stuctural integrity of the building, or any other factor, other than age. On the East side of Oahu, this affected many, many people, as most homes here are … (0 comments)

hawaii: Oahu Luxury Home of the Week: Fun & Funky Tropical Paradise in Kailua - $1,695,000 FS - 04/30/09 11:54 AM
Thursdays are the days for Oahu Realtors Broker's Open in Kailua. I try to get out every week, so I can get a jump on the best deals for my clients who are looking to buy Oahu real esate and to keep up to date with the Oahu real estate on the market. 
My favorite Oahu home for sale for this week is located just a few homes from famed Kailua Beach and has deeded beach access. What makes this home unique and my favorite this week are three things: (1) a HUGE lot, almost 13,000 sq ft - there is plenty … (0 comments)

hawaii: Potential Tax Increase for Sellers of Luxury Homes Passed by Hawaii Legislature - 04/23/09 12:07 PM
UPDATE: The Governor Did Sign This Into Law.____________________________________________
Yesterday, the Hawaii Legislature passed House Bill 1741 which (among many other things) aims to increase the conveyance taxes on the seller for the sale of properties priced at $2 Million and more. If Governor Lingle signs this bill, conveyance taxes will go from the current tiered structure, for owner-occupied homes, ranging from 10 cents to 30 cents per 100 dollars in purchase price:OLD10 cents per $100 - Property Price $0-$599,999 (15 cents for non-owner occupied)20 cents per $100 - Property Price $600,000 - $999,999 (25 cents for non-owner occupied)30 cents per $100 - Property Price $1M and up (35 cents … (0 comments)

hawaii: Honolulu Magazine - Kailua Edition 2009 - Pick it up Quick Before its Gone! - 04/22/09 09:21 AM
One of the things I look forward to the most with my annual subscription to Honolulu Magazine is the Kailua edition that comes out every April.
Last year, I was fortunate enough to be interviewed for the magazine's article, "Wanted: Kailua" by Catherine Toth, on Kailua real estate. They even featured a home that I sold and my clients in the article.
This year, the Kailua section featured the history of three very different Kailua families and 13 fun new things to do in Kailua. In the article "Kailua Generations," by Jenny Quill told stories of the Kanentake, Rodrigues-Pope and Peters families of Kailua. … (0 comments)

hawaii: "I Love Kailua" Town Festival - Sunday, April 27, 2009 11am-4pm - 04/21/09 03:26 PM
This 17th Annual Event, hosted by the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle, Kaneohe Ranch and the Castle Foundation, promises to be a great time for residents from all parts of the island and visitors too. Held in the center of Kailua town, on Sunday, April 27 from 11 am to 4 pm, this event is Kailua's biggest party of the year. Kailua Road, from Kuulei Road to Hahani Street, will be closed off to automobiles for the event. Thousands are expected to attend, enjoying food, music, live entertainment, and handmade arts and crafts of local artists. You can also buy plants and learn more about many … (0 comments)

hawaii: EVENT: Re-Discover Kailua - Sept. 13 and 14, 2008 - 09/09/08 02:48 PM
The Kailua Mustangs Pop Warner Assocation &
the City and County of Honolulu Invites you to the
 
RE-DISCOVER KAILUA!
Family Festival
 
Sept. 13th & 14th, 2008
Kailua District Park Field
10am to 10pm Daily
EVENT WEBSITE: www.rediscoverkailua.webs.com
The  Kailua Mustangs Pop Warner Association is proud to announce that it will be hosting "RE-DISCOVER KAILUA" an outdoor family festival sponsored by the City and County of Honolulu, and the Mayor's Office of Economic Development. The festival will take place on the weekend of September 13th and 14th, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on both days.
               This … (2 comments)

hawaii: Second Quarter Zillow Market Report for Kailua - 08/26/08 07:30 AM
According to the latest Zillow Real Estate Market Report, home values in Kailua decreased 3.80%% in the second quarter of 2008, compared to the second quarter of 2007. Nationally, home values decreased 9.9% during this same period. For more details, check Zillow.
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hawaii: "Hawaii Public Schools" Issue of Honolulu Magazine - Ratings for Leeward & Central Oahu Public Schools - 05/27/08 07:52 PM
Out of the top 50 public schools in Hawaii, nine Leeward Oahu schools were listed in Honolulu Magazine's recent rankings. In fact, the #1 Top-rated School in all of Hawaii was a Leeward Oahu school. This is the list:
#1 Momilani Elementary
#9 Palisades Elementary
#28 Manana Elementary
#29 Leihoku Elementary
#33 Holomua Elementary
#35 Iroquois Point Elementary
#49 Pearl City Highlands Elementary
Now that I mentioned Leeward Oahu, I should probably list the Central Oahu schools, as well. Ten (10) central Oahu schools were named in the Top 50 for all of Hawaii in the Honolulu Magazine Report.
#2 Mililani … (5 comments)

hawaii: Shangri-La in Keolu Hills $780,000 FS (SOLD) - 05/03/08 02:40 PM
Forget your troubles when you step inside the gate to this charming, beautifully landscaped 3BR, 2BA bungalow, with approx. 1457 sq. ft. living area.   This enchanting home was rebuilt in 2004 with new electrical, plumbing, roof, siding and more. Upgrades include bamboo flooring, plantation shutters, crown molding, stained glass, rain chains, mahogany doors, and an art-glass chandelier. Enjoy the large kitchen with granite and slate, cooktop island, eating bar, vaulted ceiling and skylight. Pleasant nights await you in the breezy master suite, with French doors to a covered lanai that overlooks a tropical garden, and a large walk-in glass block shower. Additional features … (7 comments)

hawaii: Oahu Real Estate Gains - Not Too Shabby - 02/27/08 07:22 AM
The Honolulu Advertiser reported today that Oahu 2007 4th quarter sales statistics were up 4.5% from 2006 at this time.
Out of 291 metropolitan areas, Honolulu/Oahu was ranked 56th nationally for 4th quarter 2007 price gains (as compared to 4th quarter 2006). This report was based on Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight Statistics.For more details:http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Feb/27/bz/hawaii802270374.html 
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hawaii: 2006-2007 Kailua Single Family Home Sales (Prices and Days on Market) by Neighborhood - 02/15/08 11:00 AM
Compiled using statistics from the Honolulu Board of Realtors MLS. SP is sale price. LP list price at time of sale. DOM is days on market.
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hawaii: Honolulu is Rated in Top 10 of Most Secure Cities to Live in US - 02/09/08 06:48 PM
In a recent report of Sperlings Best Places, which ranked the "Most Secure" large metropolitan areas in the US, our lovely city of Honolulu was ranked right up there.
This ranking system is based on crime statistics, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, environmental hazards, terrorism threats, air quality, life expectancy and job loss numbers. 379 municipalities were rated. Honolulu received a rating of #10 of metropolitan areas with 500,000 or more residents and 44th overall.
For more information about living in Honolulu, please contact me at 721-8088.
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hawaii: Gorgeous, Remodeled Condo in Premiere Honolulu Building - SOLD for $405K Leasehold w/Fee Available - 12/11/07 08:19 AM
The Royal Iolani, Diamondhead Tower #2605
Spacious living area with oak laminate flooring
Another view of living space
Remodeled kitchen with new sand-colored granite counters/backsplash & ceramic tile, lighting, and stainless accents.
Good-sized guest bedroom with adjoining Jack-n-Jill style bath and sweeping Diamondhead & ocean views.
Master bedroom with city and ocean views, walk-in closet and double-sized mirrored clost.
Large Master bath with double vanity, new tile floors and faucets, and teak cabinets.
Master bath includes a large walk-in shower, as well as a spa-like sunken tub/shower combination.
Gorgeous, Jack-n-Jill style remodeled guest bath - one entry to guest bedroom, one to hallway.
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hawaii: Highest 2007 Sale on Oahu Records - Portlock Road Home - 10/15/07 12:33 PM
530 Portlock Road in the Hawaii Kai region of Honolulu
At $15,900,000, this property is the most expensive sold (so far) in 2007, topping the $11 million dollar beachfront lot on Kailuana Place, which was sold earlier this year in Kailua.
This custom-built (in 2005) beachfront property has 4BR and 5BA, a roofed living space of over 10,000 square feet, lanais of over 2,000 square feet, and is situated on almost two acres of private, beautifully landcaped grounds. With too many gorgeous custom features to mention, including amazing views of Diamondhead, this is a truly spectacular property.



Listed by MWA-SIR. If you are … (3 comments)

hawaii: September 2007 Market Data Released by Honolulu Board of Realtors - Island of Oahu, Hawaii - 10/15/07 11:10 AM
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