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Honolulu, HI Real Estate News

By Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman, (RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
(Liberty Homes)
Last Wednesday we met our clients at Kahala - Title Guaranty Escrow to sign documents for the Honolulu Condo we had listed. I entered the listing into our MLS on July 6th and by that evening I already had an offer in hand. By Tuesday morning we were in contract and opened escrow. IN CONTRACT IN TWO DAYS! Can't beat that! On August 1st, I closed the listing in Mililani that had a few bumps along the way but in the end it all worked out. (torn down unpermitted back storage and all) From contract to keys it closed in 38 days!  Mililani Single Family Home (4 bdrm/2 bath) SOLD AT $520,000! On August 14th I closed a sale with another agent in my office for a Hawaii Home Buyer that relocated here from Germany. We opened escrow after two days of showings and closed within 50 days.  Mililani Si...
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August 20th, 2008 categories: Honolulu Real Estate 101 Hip-hip-hooray! The Honolulu Board of Realtors has finally adopted a lockbox system that is consistent with the technological age in which we find ourselves.   CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE POST.
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By Kimo Stowell, REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i
(HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 )
Tips for Staging a Studio: defining a small space  When it comes to staging a studio defining a livable area within a limited space can be a challenge. Empty studios often seem smaller and hard to define, leaving potential buyers with an unsettling feeling that there just isn't enough room. Occupied studios can feel cramped and cluttered. Maximizing functional square footage should be a priority. Defining basic living areas that are typically found in larger homes is essential to show buyers how the studio space can function for them.    Aside from being cluttered and disheveled this studio lacks clear definition making it difficult for buyers to picture themselves living in the space.Maximize Functionality. There are four basic living areas in most homes: living, eating, working, sleep...
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By Barbara Abe
(East Oahu Realty)
Those of us who live in Honolulu have always known this is a healthy place to live - the air is clean, water good, life expectancy longer.  The latest issue of AARP confirms the benefits, placing Honolulu #2 in the list of Healthiest Hometowns in the country. The weather makes outdoor exercise easy, and the scenery of beautiful Hawaii adds motivation (ever seen the sunset over Diamond Head?).  In fact, AARP said "residents of Honolulu spend more time exercising than people in almost any other city surveyed."   Any where you go on the island, you'll find folks walking, jogging, swimming, surfing, biking, or just enjoying the many parks along the water.  Oahu has a wide range of recreational facilities from Haunauma Bay to North Shore.  Honolulu County is committed to preserving the beaut...
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By Kelly Mitchell, TheWineSiren.com Food | Wine | Fab *Napa Valley
(The Wine Siren & Agent Caffeine)
I've always tried to live a healthier way of life, both for my family and for the environment.  Unfortunately, the novelty of making my son's organic baby food wore off after 3 months. It was time consuming and tideous and he would usually end up screaming by the time this working mother could get food grinder out.   I retreated to purchasing organic baby food from the grocery store because I wanted the best for him.  The  environmental issues we are faced with have never been more significant and making changes can be overwhelming.  Remember everything you put in a drain, whether it be in the tub, the toilet or the sink ends up one day in the ocean and ultimately in our drinking water.  We have to reduce the amount of toxins we are putting in our water.     My first venture began with ...
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By Kimo Stowell, REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i
(HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 )
Downtown Honolulu has many architectural styles indicative of the many cultural influences that have helped shape  modern Hawaii. Honolulu, during the early part of the 20th century, had adopted many of the architectural styles that were en vogue on the mainland in the sunny Pacific Southwest. One such style trend is Spanish Colonial Revival. Influenced by both California and the Philippines this tropic friendly design features stucco siding, ceramic tile roofs, and old world details. Many public buildings built in the late 20's and 30's here in Honolulu were constructed in this Mediterranean influenced design style. Here are some of my favorite examples.  This is the Old Bethal St. Police department or Gibson Building with its large ornate lintal moldings and coffered bronze doorway.  ...
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By Daniel Newbill
(Realty Executives Oahu)
  The Watermark Condominium is Waikiki's newest 37 story Luxury Building.                   This building features the following ammenities making it one of the best on island:   Library and media room featuring mahogany-bladed ceiling fans, cabinets and bookshelves of rich tropical woods overlooking the gardens and pool.  · Private gardens, walking/jogging paths · Pool, whirlpool and fitness center · Outdoor barbecue and picnic area · Private library/media room with pool view · Wireless Internet access in common areas  · Guest parking      
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By Kimo Stowell, REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i
(HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 )
Manu-o-Ku, Fairy, or White Terns (Gygis alba) are found only on Oahu, with regards to the main Islands of Hawaii but are common in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands and other parts of Polynesia.  Manu-o-Ku are listed as a threatened species by the State of Hawaii.     They do not build nests but rather lay their eggs in craggy ledges and tree knots. Their diet consists almost entirely of flying and goat fish and both parents take turns caring and feeding their young.  The female does not leave the incubating egg until it hatches and the male will keep his mate amply fed while she keeps vigil.   Breeding pairs will sometimes produce three broods a year and nest either in solitude or in small groups preferring to nest in the same place year after year.  They are very social birds noted by...
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By Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman, (RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
(Liberty Homes)
We decided to start doing more to make our townhouse more energy efficient. Well, there's just so much you can do for a small townhouse so we started with the lightbulbs and an air conditioner a couple of years ago. Then, a couple of weeks ago we went to Costco and we found TWO 52" Hunter ceiling fans with lights and on the box it had a sticker "Energy Star". Why did we start getting to be energy efficient wise guys? Our Hawaiian Electric bill was almost one hundred eighty dollars And....our electric bill will KEEP climbing We needed to reduce our energy consumption. We also found that we were leaving lights on unnecessarily Our old ceiling fans were cheapy small ones that were really doing a bunch of nothing. (and the new ones sure pump out some wind and look pretty too) We changed the...
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By Barbara Abe
(East Oahu Realty)
The Hawaii Kai real estate market is a little softer than 2007, but not significantly.  Sellers are paying more concessions, but prices are generally holding at earlier levels. Hawaii Kai Single Family Market 16 homes sold in July, compared to 22 last year.  Median sales price was $820,000 compared to $878,800 in 2007. Year-to-date, 103 homes have sold, with a median sales price of $868,000, compared to 136 for last year, and $875,000 median price. Hawaii Kai Condo Market 16 condos sold in July, compared to 23 last year.  Median sales price was $498,000, compared to $509,000 in 2007. Year-to-date, 120 condos have sold, with a median sales price of $540,000, compared to 159 for last year, and $543,000 median price. While the months fluctuate more broadly, the trend is easier to see in th...
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The Hawaii Kai condo market had 16 sales in July, 2008, ranging from $380,000 for a one bedroom unit in the Esplanade, to $805,000 for a four bedroom home in Kuapa Isle.Average Days on Market for the month was 62, average price $517,000.  Complexes with sold units included the Commodore, Esplanade, Kaimala Marina, Kalele Kai, Koko Isle, Kuapa Isle, Lalea, Marina Palms, Mariners Village 3, Mawaena Kai, Moorings, Naniwa Gardens, and Plaza Hawaii Kai.These figures compare with June statistics of 13 sales, average Days on Market of 49, and average sales price of $625,000.  The small numbers make fluctuations look large, but one or two big sales can significantly impact the average sales price.  In June, the low sale was $453,000, a two bedroom unit in the Esplanade, and high sale was $800,0...
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By Keahi Pelayo
(KU Realty)
August 6th, 2008 categories: Honolulu Real Estate 101, Rants & Riffs There is an old saying that goes something like this, “The time to buy is when the blood is in the streets!”  The blood is not necessarily in the streets in Honolulu, but values are down some, selection is up some and there are opportunities to get more value.
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By Keahi Pelayo
(KU Realty)
August 5th, 2008 categories: Rants & Riffs Hooray for Alaska. Alaska is suing the Department of Interior in an attempt to have it reverse its recent decision to list the polar bear as a threatened species. They are not threatened! The decision was based on a projection that they might become threatened and therefore action should be taken now. The reality of decision like this is not a desire to protect an animal or plant, but it is a back door way for environmentalists to control land. CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE POST
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By Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman, (RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
(Liberty Homes)
You ever notice how different the polls are from different magazines, groups and so forth that have different statistics for different cities? One thing I noticed is that Hawaii never seems to be on those nationwide statistics for like cleaner air, schools or even being ‘green'. So I did a little research and had to literally type in Hawaii...clean air and stuff like that. I guess because we're out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean we aren't considered part of the nation or something. NOT! We are just as important and play a vital part in Hawaii Military Relocations and Hawaii Job Transfers and Moves to Hawaii no matter what the reason. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Following are some "statistics" from different sites and such for "pertinent" opinions on what rank Hawaii and Honolulu County play in th...
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By Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman, (RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
(Liberty Homes)
If you are planning a Hawaii Military Relocation to Honolulu County in a few months or even a year down the road, there is no better time to start planning than right now. You can be proactive in your property search for purchasing real estate now by getting in touch with a Realtor® who knows about the VA Transaction Process and can assist you with your Hawaii Military Relocation. This Realtors® Perspective: Hawaii Military & the VA Loan is one article I wrote so you can see how the VA transation process works. As a former military dependent for most of my life I know what it's like:  Military Transfers & Relocations to Hawaii: A Geographical Shock To start with your property search this agent will go through your criteria with you and then set you up with your own personal web page wit...
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By Kimo Stowell, REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i
(HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 )
This stately home belonged to the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lydia Lili'uokalani. After the over throw of the Kingdom of Hawaii she remained in residence here under virtual house arrest until her death on November 11, 1917. Threat of counter insurgency kept her a political prisoner for several years after the overthrow. Once Hawaii became a US territory the queen was powerless to regain her Kingdom despite the fact that the President Cleveland had supported the restoration of Hawaiian sovereignty.The lower portion of the house is constructed of coral blocks and the rest is of wood construction. Built in the 1840s, the home was constructed by the parents of the Queens consort, General John Dominus, in the Greek Revival style reminiscent of plantation homes in Louisiana. The d...
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By Kimo Stowell, REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i
(HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 )
Honolulu has some beautiful Art Deco architecture and one of my favorite buildings is the Downtown Fire Department on Beretania St. near China Town. Honolulu has some amazing public buildings and here is just one example.  The giant zinc doors and the Hawaiian styled motifs are what really draw your attention to this building. The doors stand about 15 feet high not including the monogram and transome and are excellent examples of Art Deco detail. The triangles are an Ancient Hawaiian motif that were commonly found in Tapa cloth and body decoration. The light fixture, layered squares and name plate font are all classic Art Deco details, as well as, the stucco wall treatment. Many of Honolulu's public buildings are quite beautiful and this one is no exception.   JDS Consulting- Staging Ha...
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By Keahi Pelayo
(KU Realty)
July 30th, 2008 categories: Rants & Riffs This past weekend I visited a friend on Molokai and the entire experience reminded me of days gone by in Hawaii. There was no traffic, friendly people and a simplicity and freedom that were very refreshing. There was one thing that really struck a chord in my heart and that was the existence of coconuts! Yes, coconuts! As a child, I remember eating them, carving them, playing catch with the small ones and an abundance of coconuts at the base of coconut trees. Flash-forward to 2008, I challenge you to drive around Honolulu and find a coconut tree…with nuts! To find one is a very rare occurrence. In fact if you do find one, take a picture and e-mail it to me, I would love to see it. So the question is, why have coconuts become endangered?   CLICK ...
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Aloha Evryone from Dan Dan The Trump Tower Man, Todays blog is on the ever popular subject of The Trump International Hotel and Residences just off of the billion dollar renovation in Waikiki known as the Beachwalk.  This photo is the 2 bedroom plus Den Stack of the wildly popular building being developed by none other than Real estate Tycoon Donald Trump.  This 5 star, luxurious undertaking is well under way and promises to be one of the most incredible places to stay in all of Hawaii.  Although the initial sales event was sold out in only a few hours, I may have the ability to find inventory not currently on the market for you.  Call me at 808-228-8434 if you have an interest in Trump International Hotel in Waikiki!
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By Keahi Pelayo
(KU Realty)
July 29th, 2008 categories: Honolulu Real Estate 101, Rants & Riffs It’s great to be in Hawaii. Our tropical paradise has always been attractive to people from other parts of the world. Our warm breezes, blue skies and soothing water have made us the place of dreams. It seems interest in our real estate ebbs and flows with the economic fortunes of the rest of the world.   CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE POST.
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