Truths and Myths About Zoning Rules

The zoning rules in the city and county of Honolulu is regulated by the "Land Use Ordinance" otherwise known as the LUO. The LUO is the bible of zoning for Oahu residents. The LUO is written in English but you almost need a translator to explain the details in the LUO. The LUO is available online or you can purchase the hard copy at the City and County City Hall bookstore. More »

Timeless Beauty - Why We Adore Old Homes

Do your senses come alive when you see a classic home built in the early part of the last century? You know who you are. Perhaps you are swept away by gleaming hardwood floors, lofty ceilings, spacious lanais, custom woodwork and built-ins. While some people run away from the challenges, others are seduced by the beauty and - in many cases - the potential of old homes. More »

What's Really Happening in the Oahu Real Estate Market 1st Quarter Results and Beyond

So, when did you all start to realize that the business of Real Estate Sales was not going to be 'business as normal' anymore? For myself I remember the exact time and it was April 13th 2008 when the New York Times ran a piece titled "You Thought You Had an Equity Line." More »

Condominium Basics - Strategies for Lifestyle Changes

Home can mean many different things. For some people, home is a wood frame house with a large, inviting front yard, perhaps enclosed by a low fence and some nice tropical landscaping. Other people want the convenience of condominium living, free from the maintenance, yard work, roof repairs, etc. of a traditional single family home. Many people choose a condominium because it better fits their budget. While condos can be cheaper, there are spacious luxury condos for those who can afford the best. What are the considerations when you have to choose between a house and a condo?
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What Is Really Happening In the Hawaii Real Estate Market - September 2006

At the end of July '06 there were 2,396 Single Family Homes (SFH) Sold on Oahu. This figure was off by from a year ago, July'05 of 2,618 or -8.5% decrease over the past 12 months. This is not unusual as you must remember that the Market turned into a Buyer's Market in Dec.'06 and July'05 was in the height of the Summer Sales Season.
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What Is Really Happening In the Hawaii Real Estate Market - February 2007

Overall Inventory For Sale during this period fell. SFH's -4% and Condos -6%. Not a significant drop, but a drop. I don't think much about these figures as we are talking about the 'Holidays' when most Sellers who 'Really' had to sell and didn't took their properties Off The Market and will either wait for Spring to Re-Sell them or they have Rented Them. The Withdrawns and Expired Listings For Sale which I insist you need to pay attention to have been Significant. More »

Is Now the Time? How to View Real Estate Cycles

Timing is everything is real estate. If you have been waiting to sell your home until the time is right, is that time now? This is a question that is on the minds of many homeowners who have been watching home prices go up. The current real estate cycle shows that Hawaii home values started rising in 2001 and have been on a steady climb since then.
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Sell Your Own Home? Take the FSBO Challenge and Find Out

The Real Estate market is changing. Prices have peaked, and the next several years are not likely to bring the appreciation that homeowners have become accustomed to. If you are thinking of selling, should you go it alone, without a real estate professional and those high fees?? Perhaps you are considering becoming a FSBO, or For Sale By Owner in real estate lingo. More »

How to Price Your Home

There is change in the wind. Real estate prices are starting to slow down - that's no secret.. But if you want to sell, do you know how much to ask for your home, and what determines the value? It's the market. The inventory of homes to purchase has come up - the number of available single family homes has increased by 13% over last year and available condos are up by over 28%.* The days on the market has also increased since last year. At the same time, mortgage interest rates are rising and buyers are struggling to afford homes that they could have bought easily a year ago. Sale prices are feeling the squeeze.
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Should I Buy or Wait?

Decisions, decisions, decisions... We all have to make them. Some of us dislike making decisions, especially important ones, so much that we just choose to make the decision to... not make a decision. However, when it comes to an important decision such as when should you make that certain real estate investment, you have to have the facts to also go with your gut instinct. More »

What Do You Want to Know About Real Estate in Hawaii This Year?

What do you want to know about Real Estate in Hawaii this year? More »

What's Really Happening in the Oahu Real Estate Market

What you don't know about this, may loose you your sale! More »

What Is Really Happening In the Hawaii Real Estate Market - July 2006

In June's column, I said that this was a "very healthy market." Well, it still is, only, with two exceptions... D.O.M. (Days on Market) and For Sale Inventory are rising dramatically. In most neighborhoods, the For Sale Inventory is rising well above and beyond the rate of increasing sales! If there is any doubt left out there that this is a Buyer's Market, well then believe me when I tell you ... This is a Buyer's Market, and will continue to be for some time to come!
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