About Real Estate in Hawaii Hawaii housing market has become much more competitive. Many communities are beginning to see homes remain longer on the market and the bargaining pendulum swing in favor of the buyer. This is called a buyer’s market, as the number of available homes outnumbers the buyers. As a seller, your challenge is to turn a buyer’s market to your advantage.

Home market stabilizes

HONOLULU ADVERTISER   September 10 2006  BY LISA SCONTRAS Custom Publishing Group

As expected, Oahu home prices are leveling off as sales activity returns to more moderate levels. Sales statistics for the month of August are right in line with what experts predicted as the eight-year long period of expansion takes a breather.

According to data compiled by the research department at Prudential Locations LLC, prices in some of the neighborhoods on the Island went up slightly, some dropped, and some essentially stayed the same in contrast to the records set in previous periods. READ MORE

Housing market to stabilize in time - Prices predited to move sideways for next three years.

HONOLULU ADVERTISER   September 17, 2006 BY LISA SCONTRAS Custom Publishing Group

As the local real estate market transitions from a selling frenzy to more stable territory, the landscape has changed significantly. Analysis of home sale statistics reported last week reveal some less obvious facts that may help buyers and sellers navigate the future. READ MORE

Buyers return as home sales stabilize - Sideline buyers are remotivated to come back and try again.

HONOLULU ADVERTISER July 23, 2006 BY LISA SCONTRAS Custom Publishing Group

As the housing market stabilizes on Oahu and around the country and inventories return to normal levels, some once-discouraged buyers are getting up the courage to jump back into the game again. READ MORE

Location attracts international buyers

HONOLULU ADVERTISER April 30, 2006 BY LISA SCONTRAS  Custom Publishing Group

While the surging real estate market is predicted to lose some of its “frenzy” this year, the popularity of second-home purchases should remain robust throughout the coming decade. The National Association of Realtors forecasts that since more baby boomers will reach their mid 50s — prime second-home buying years — construction will continue to meet escalating demand.

New construction on Oahu — particularly in the condominium market — is attracting a combination of local, Mainland and international buyers.

“The whole world is looking at Hawaii,” says Prudential Locations LLC agent John Hayama, project sales manager at 909 Kapiolani. “It’s our location that makes this spot so unique. READ MORE

Home Buyers Enticed by Sweet Deals

HONOLULU ADVERTISER   September 24, 2006  BY LISA SCONTRAS Custom Publishing Group

Timing is everything. Rather than waiting, intuitive buyers are customizing offers to take advantage of both low interest rates and the seller's competitive interest to sell.

It's part of a national trend. Why? Two reasons.

First, frustrated that it is taking longer to sell a listing, sellers are more open to negotiating — price, terms, ... pretty much everything is on the table.

And secondly, buyers know that with the possibility of interest rates rising, any savings realized by waiting for prices to dip slightly could be ultimately offset or negated altogether by the significant increase in monthly payments that comes with as little as a half-percent rate increase.

On the Mainland, sellers are sweetening the deal by throwing a car into the sale, or maybe a trip or the furniture. But, generally, those types of incentives are being offered in regional areas where an over supply of homes has shifted the market more dramatically than it has here. READ MORE

Whether you're a buyer, seller, or just keeping tabs on the market, these articles put up-to-date market forcasts in perspective, keeping you one step ahead.

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Attract Hawaii Buyers With A Home That Has Eye Appeal

Many homeowners make the mistake believing they are selling “their home,” but once on the market your home is actually a product.  You need to create an environment the buyer can’t resist. In other words, do everything you can to make the home so attractive, charming, cozy, inviting, comfortable and exciting that a buyer will want to buy that lifestyle for himself. 

This can be accomplished by making just a few improvements in your home’s presentation.  Here are some guidelines to make your property distinctive and memorable.

1.  Eliminate clutter.  Have you ever noticed how model homes are perfect with no mess, clutter, or mass of personal belongings heaped about?  There should only be a few exquisite and well-placed accessories on tables, desks, chests, etc.  Also, clear kitchen and bathroom counters and furniture of everything except decorative accessories.  Put the personal things--cosmetics, toiletries, clothes, bills, papers, and homework—out of sight.  Tuck wastebaskets under counters or inside cabinets.  Clutter and personal belongings detract from the important features of the home.

2. Create a color theme.  If you embark on any investment decorating, like painting, wallpaper, draperies or new furniture purchases, create a color theme that’s consistent.  Wall-to-wall carpeting should be the same throughout the house.  Neutral colors are best to please all tastes.

3. Rearrange the furniture. Just the slightest readjustments can make a big difference. Pull the furniture from against the walls to create a more intimate setting. Move furniture from one room to another. That extra armchair in the living room may create a cozy sitting area in the guest bedroom.

4.  Create custom spaces.  Luxury master bathrooms, decorator kitchens, built-in cabinets, computer workstations, exercise rooms, and children’s play areas are the kinds of features that generate sales appeal.  Even if you don’t have these specific custom spaces, you can fashion them or suggest the potential for creating them.  Accessories, mirrors, plants and fluffy new towels can generate a feeling of luxury even in a plain-Jane bathroom.  Turn an extra bedroom into an exercise room if you’ve got the equipment, or a loft space into a child’s play area or hobby center.

5. Keep it clean and pristine.  Dust, vacuum, mop and polish on a regular basis.  You’re not selling the furniture, but a high shine on wood furniture and floors can make a room sing.  Touch up nicks on walls and make sure the porcelain sinks and tubs and metallic fixtures shine.  Windows should sparkle.  Keep yards and landscaping neat and attractive.  Add color spots of flowers to perk up entryways and yards.

6. Consult with a professional.  There are decorator professionals trained to “stage” a home for sale. They are able to offer an objective view of what buyers are looking for in your competitive market.  Depending upon location, neighborhood, demographics and price range, the special touches that turn on buyers may range from splashy master bathrooms and gourmet kitchens to children’s play areas or home offices.

You don’t have to spend a great deal of money to give your property the competitive edge. Just try to imagine the kind of lifestyle your target buyer would enjoy, and use a few decorative touch-ups to create it.