Posts Tagged ‘Real Estate’

Taking Advantage of Lower Prices in West Hawaii

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

House with poolNot only the wealthy are actively buying West Hawaii real estate


While most Americans are not buying much due to the economy, in terms of wealth, what are the top 9% buying?  The Luxury Institute recently reported that 24% of those wealthy consumers have purchased residential real estate since 2008.  Early 2008 through early 2011, 38% of that group purchased at least one second home.  Of those, nearly half took advantage of the lower prices to purchase a second home more than 500 miles away from the primary residence.

What got me digging into these records were recent news reports that Mercedes Benz unit sales in the United States recently broke a record; an Italian handbag retailer experienced difficulty keeping its $1,000+ handbags on the shelves; and the top two luxury purchase types by wealthy consumers were either a $1,000+ case of wine or piece of jewelry.

South Kohala Market Update

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtor’s Chief Economist, said last month that homes sales will rise this year.  Well, those of us familiar with Kona and Kohala Coast real estate here on the Big Island took this as old news.  Real estate isn’t just local, these days it is hyper-local.  What’s happening in Puna is completely different than what’s happening in South Kohala.  When I talk to mainland residents looking to buy a vacation home, they often incorrectly assume what’s happening in their local market is what’s happening in our market.

Mauna Kea Resort Market Update

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

April-June 2011

There’s been significant activity at Mauna Kea Resort lately. Here are the second quarter property sales:

1. $640,000; 2/2; Kumulani condo #B3; located on golf course with ocean view
2. $909,500; 3/2; Wai’ula’ula condo #M202; located on golf course with ocean and Maui views
3. $1,300,000; 3/3; Moani Heights residence #8; located on golf course with ocean and Maui view
4. $1,525,000; 3/3; Moani Height residence #9; located on golf course with ocean and Maui view
5. $2,600,000; 4/3.5; Kauna’oa condo #1A; ocean view
6. $2,400,000; Kauna’oa lot #6; located on golf course with ocean view
7. $1,500,000; Mauna Kea Fairways North lot #12; located on golf course with ocean view
8. $2,000,000; Mauna Kea Fairways South residence #3; structure is either a tear down or will be a demolition remodel with an outstanding ocean view
9. $1,350,000; 2/2.5; The Villas at Mauna Kea condo #37; original 1987 condition with ocean view

Kumulani at Mauna Kea Resort

Friday, March 25th, 2011

For the past two years, nobody was buying Kohala Coast, Big Island real estate.  Well, a few people were, but so few that escrow companies, lenders and real estate firms lost many employees and agents.  That all changed in December.  Buyers are back, especially for affordably priced homes.  Ours are typically second home buyers, but lately, it’s the locals who are buying.  That doesn’t mean there aren’t any second home buyers.  They are shopping too, and the Kumulani neighborhood is a good example of where they are buying.  For a list of recent Kumulani sales, please email me a request.

Pending Recovery

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Part 4 of 4

 

Investors are entering deeply discounted real estate markets.  According to Dr  Yun, Las Vegas is experiencing an influx of investors.  Since Las Vegas is the nadir of the US housing market drop, this is good news.  Refreshingly deep pink firewood blosooms are first to return to a blackened northern forest after a devastating fire.  While investors better resemble civil war carpet baggers more than fireweed, their effect is the same.  They are the first to venture in, and they provide foundation for future growth. 

The Lack of Loans for Vacation Rental Properties

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Part 2 of  4

 Dr Yun commented on our frustration with the lack of loan products to finance second homes which will be used occasionally as short term vacation rentals.  Currently only portfolio loans are available for these properties, as the government is not backing second home purchases, regardless of the excellent qualifications of ready buyers or the subject property.

Leisure Travel to Hawaii May Soon Increase

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

A U.S. Travel Association poll taken in April shows a significant increase in perceived “money available for travel.”  In October 2008 the Traveler Sentiment Index bottomed below 80, and in April 2010 it was measured at 90.  This brighter number suggests consumers may be more confident about their finances, and may be more inclined to travel to Hawaii. 

“Interest in travel,” “time available to travel,” and “money available for travel,” variables from which the index is derived, have risen. Unfortunately, the increased cost to travel, and lingering concern about job loss may keep people at home.  However, financial factors that influence near-term leisure travel are mostly positive.  For example, the percentage of U.S. adults citing a “high level of personal credit card debt” fell from 56% in April 2009 to 46% in April 2010.  

Buying a Home as an Investment

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

These days, most of the listed homes for sale in Kona, Kohala, or Mauna Kea Resort are all about building a family future. Savvy buyers know that the market is theirs, and they can bargain for things like better school districts, home improvements, and other amenities that make owning real estate in Hawaii great. However, when the Kona real estate market boasts more homes than there are buyers, there’s another advantage: homes for investment opportunities are cheaper and have greater potential than ever before.

The Importance of Curb Appeal

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

Most real estate agents will tell you that the best time to sell a home in the Kona, Kohala, Mauna Kea Resort Hawaii areas is during the late spring and early summer months. When the weather turns warm, the vibrant growing season commences, and children can be seen playing happily in the yard, potential homebuyers really begin to connect with a house – even before they set foot across the threshold.

In real estate lingo, this is known as curb appeal.

Real Estate during the Holidays

Friday, December 19th, 2008

Now is still a really good time for Real Estate in Kona, Kohala, Mauna Kea Resort Hawaii areas. Buyers can, and do, get serious during this busy time of year. Lots of sellers take their homes off the market during the holidays, assuming no one will be buying at this time. But with serious buyers still out there and a lower inventory of homes, your home has a good chance of standing out. With fewer homes for sale, competition is decreased. There are good reasons to sell your home during the holidays.