* Buying a Home in Hawaii

Buying a home: Are you looking to buy a home in Hawaii? You have come to the right place.

Whether you're buying your first home in Oahu, Honolulu, Waikiki, Maui, Leeward Coast, Kaiua, East Shore, North Shore, West Shore, Windward Coast, Big Island, Molokai, Lanai or building your portfolio of investment properties, read these articles for insight, research, success stories and buying strategies.

First-time homebuying myths disputed

HONOLULU ADVERTISER   October 29, 2006 BY LISA SCONTRAS  Custom Publishing Group

Experts say buying as soon as possible is the best strategy. You’re not really into speculation, day trading, condo flipping or get-rich-quick schemes — you just want to buy a house, establish some roots and invest your hard-earned money in a modest home instead of putting it into your landlord’s pocket. What’s stopping you?

"Buying a home can be a powerful tool in building a secure future for you and your family.

If you have a reasonable financial history and a steady job, you may be able to take advantage of some low-down-payment financing programs and land your first home once you see past some of the first-time homebuying myths.

Myth 1: You need to have a big down payment.  Not true. Today’s financing options include a variety of programs — some requiring very little cash or none at all. In fact, seven out of 10 first-time home-buyers make a down payment of 10 percent or less.

Myth 2: With the median price of homes on Oahu at $620,000, prices are too high, especially for first-timers.  Wrong again. Toan Doran, Realtor Associate with Prudential Locations LLC, reminds buyers that the “median price” means that half the homes are selling for more than $620,000 — and, more importantly, half are selling for less.

Myth 3: It’s not a good time to buy.  On the contrary, according to experts who list several reasons that support why it’s a great time to buy READ MORE

Home-price increases slow to normal - There may still be some room for growth in condos HONOLULU ADVERTISER , June 18 2006 BY LISA SCONTRAS 

The housing boom may have ended, but sales at historically healthy levels will continue and price appreciation will return to more normal patterns across much of the country, according to the National Association of Realtors. READ MORE

Condos allow first timers to start small - first Purchase can be stepping-stone to a dream home

FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS PART 3 OF 3 Three-part series focusing on the challenges that face first-time homebuyers. HONOLULU ADVERTISER , January 29 2006 BY LISA SCONTRAS  Custom Publishing Group

Half-million-dollar-plus home prices and random triple-digit growth across the Island since 2000 have intimidated even seasoned investors from jumping into today’s real estate marketing place. But making an unexpected presence on the real estate scene, first-time homebuyers are buying homes or condos and building equity by defying conventional wisdom and doing whatever it takes.

No matter if you are buying a home for the first time or you are seasoned home buyer, buying a home in Oahu can sometimes be complicated. By having Elena Roud & Realestate-Oahu help you with you realestate indever, you get the professional help on everything you ever wanted to know about buying a home in Oahu, Hawaii. Elena Roud has been helping people find that luxury condo, single family, multi-family, they desire to buy or sell, for over a decade and is the realtor of choice for all of Oahu.

First-time homebuyers / seller: Do you have questions about the process of selling your house such as what is the value of my home? How much are other homes, similar to mine selling for in my neighborhood? Let Real Estate-Oahu find the perfect home for you! Buying a home can be an overwhelming process, Real Estate-Oahu will guide you step-by-step through the entire process.

Home Selling or Home Buying: Looking to sell or buy a home in Hawaii ? Let Elena and Real Estate Oahu put our marketing approach to work for you during your home buying or selling process. Buying or Selling a home with a professional realtor can help make a potentially complicated, intimidating process simple. Call my office today and get the help of a real estate professional in selling your home.

I offer access to listings of all types - single family homes, condominiums, multi-families, land, Luxury beachfront property and more. Feel free to search my database with hundreds of houses to choose from.

Hawaii offers more then just great houses & condos, with it’s great weather and easy way of life, it is a great place to live and to raise a family.

The Hawaiian Archipelago (islands) comprises eighteen islands. Of these, eight high islands are considered the "main islands" and are located at the southeastern end of the archipelago. These islands are, in order from the northwest to southeast, Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii.

Amoung Hawaii's many beautiful beachs there are other great areas of attraction suchs as Hanauma Bay, Kuhului, Kalaupapa, active volcano's, Wahiawa, Waimea and more.

I'm happy to assist you with any of your real estate needs.