Forbes magazine ranked the top 100 banks in the US as far as healthiness and our Bank of Hawaii came out on top. I have been reading some of the SEC filings and listening to conference calls for clues about how the Hawaiian economy was doing as well as the bank itself since this economic […]
The Honolulu Board of REALTORS® released resale figures today for the month of December 2009 and the year end statistics. According to the analysis conducted by the Board, using data collected from its computerized Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system, the statistics are: December 2009 Residential Resales Statistics for OahuSingle Family Home Resales Number of Sales […]
National existing home sales showed continued gains in November as first-time buyers rushed to close sales before the original November 30 deadline for the recently extended and expanded tax credit, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Existing home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – rose 7.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted […]
The unemployment rate for Hawaii went down 7% from October’s 7.2% showing possible signs of an improving economy for Hawaii. Hawaii’s unemployment rate is far lower than the 10% national average, but significantly higher than a year ago when it reported at 4.8%.
The Honolulu Board of REALTORS® released resale figures today for the month of November showing among other things that the number of condo sales more than doubled from November 2008. According to the analysis conducted by the Board, using data collected from its computerized Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system, the statistics are: November 2009 Residential […]
Pending home sales have risen for nine consecutive months, a first for the series of the index since its inception in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors. The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in October, increased 3.7 percent to 114.1 from 110.0 in September, and is 31.8 […]
Honolulu’s most luxurious condo, the Hokua at 1288 Ala Moana, have seen fairly regular sales over the past several months. It is a testament to the incredible views and even more incredible amenities for those lucky few that have the privilege of living here. Its popularity really shows, even just in the month of November […]
This week a new listing came up on Kailua Beach and it is now the lowest priced home on the beach. This is a quiet area of beach with lots of powder soft sand and gentle surf. The 4 bedroom, 2 bath home is an easy and comfortable beach house located on a fantastic swimming […]
For the fifth straight month, the Case-Shiller home price index showed further increase in home prices in their 20 city index. The increase was not at the same rate as was seen in September, however. “We have seen broad improvement in home prices for most of the past six months,” David M. Blitzer, chairman of […]
Everyone knows that there are bank owned properties out there in Hawaii. I have heard that there are perhaps hundreds of bank owned properties or REOs (Real estate owned) properties out there on Oahu just waiting to come onto the market. It has been the big shadow overhanging the market. People have been expecting that […]
As a result of the economic downturn, there are some interesting deals to be had not just on Lanikai Beachfront, but all around the island including Kailua, Kahala, and Diamond Head. I am starting to see some sales that have become attractive buys. This is not only in price, but location as well. Everyone who […]
Analysts at Credit Suisse published a report forecasting a further increase existing home sales. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) are reporting the Existing Home Sales numbers for October on Monday, November 23, 2009. The consensus for most analysts is that the number will rise 2.3% to 5.7 million sales, but Credit Suisse estimates an […]
The number of short sales of single-family homes on Oahu appears to be slowing. Looking back at the past 6 months, the number of short sales listed as being active has slowed. It appears that the peak of new listings of short sale properties was in September with 35 new short sale listings, with October […]
One of the first questions I receive when I meet people and they find out I am Realtor is, “Are we at the bottom yet?”. My reply is always, “Well, if I could tell for sure, I would not be selling real estate.” (Delivered with a big grin). I just follow the numbers and try […]
The Trump International Hotel Waikiki open on Monday to great fan fare. The new Trump property is the fourth in the Trump Hotel Collection. The other locations are New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas with a second property in New York expected to open in February 2010. There are future hotel projects announced for New […]
At the National Association of Realtors (NAR) convention in San Diego, California, a group of panelists of some of the industry’s leaders all agreed that they see positive growth for 2010. They all foresee that there will be steady rise in existing home sales in the coming year. One of the big keys that will […]
As a continuation of the first time home buyer tax credit, legislators have passed a bill that extends the first time home buyer tax credit and also expands the credit to other buyers that are selling their home and buying a new home or existing home. The new first time home buyer tax credit is […]
Credit Suisse reported their latest survey of real estate agents on activity for the month of October 2009 for the nation. Overall October traffic was slower than September. However, according the Credit Suisse analysts , that does not tell the whole story. The beginning of October was actually busier than the month of September. This […]
Honolulu sales of single-family homes were up in October according to resale figures released today by the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®. According to the analysis conducted by the Board, using data collected from its computerized Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system, the housing statistics are: October 2009 Residential Resales Statistics for OahuSingle Family Home Resales Number […]
Wonderful island style beachfront home in the ever popular community of Lanikai on the windward side of Oahu. Just a 30-minute drive from downtown Honolulu is this tranquil retreat set on a wide powder sand beach. The home is very open with vaulted ceilings and tropical landscaped grounds with a large blue tiled pool. There […]