Reaching for the Sky - Be Great in 2008!

First of all, I would like to say Happy New Year! I am really excited about 2008.  Every RE/MAX Realtor will be "Reaching for the Sky", some literally and some figuratively.  Dave Liniger, the founder of RE/MAX predicts this year will be real similar to 2007 on the national level.  However, locally Oahu still seems to defy national housing statistics.  We are one of a few select markets including San Francisco and New York where prices have held strong over the past year.  The reason: Demand still outstrips Supply.  There is only so much land in all 3 markets mentioned.  The tough thing about moving to Hawaii from some of the slower markets on the mainland is that those markets are slower.... I now have 4-5 clients that are "ready and able" to purchase here "as soon as they sell" another property elsewhere.  These slower markets I'm referring to are southern California, Las Vegas and the Big Island of Hawaii.  For those looking to relocate to the mainland, now is the time :) Homes can still be sold relatively fast with median days on market being 51 for homes and 47 for condos for December, 2007.

I am normally not one to be superstitious.  Growing up in Hawaii, I have heard of how the Chinese consider 8 a lucky number and have even seen some Realtors taking that into consideration in pricing a home (ie. $788,888) with the hopes of attracting a buyer considering that to be "lucky".  During a recent conversation with a client that is studying Chinese, he made me aware of how proud the Chinese are to have the Olympics in Beijing this year.  They even set the kickoff date to August 8th -  8/8/08 I am a big fan of the Olympics having tried out in 1996 for flatwater kayaking after 7 years on the U.S. national team.  My wife and I also celebrated our honeymoon at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.  I am really looking forward to this exciting year and let me know how I can serve your real estate needs!