Barbara Abe, Your Hawaii Kai Realtor

Home Sales Dip Nationwide in June

Barbara Abe — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:33:00 GMT

A report on NewsGeni.us was not encouraging for the real estate industry. While prices are up from last year, there is no clear trend toward a solid recover. Here are some excerpts from the article. "In the latest sign of renewed turbulence in the housing market, an industry group said Thursday that sales of existing homes fell 5.1% in June. The National Association of Realtors reported that existing home sales fell last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.37 million units, down...(read more)

Trends in Multi-generational Housing Fit Hawaii Lifestyle

Barbara Abe — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:12:00 GMT

Building and modifying homes to accommodate multiple generations is increasingly popular as more Americans struggle to accommodate both their older parents and their grown children under the same roof. The National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders Show this year featured a single-level residence with a master suite at each end. "The grandparents' suite included universal design elements along with a small kitchenette," says Stephen Melman, director of economic...(read more)

June Numbers for Hawaii Kai Real Estate Market Very Positive

Barbara Abe — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:33:00 GMT

The numbers for year-to-date sales and June closings in Hawaii Kai were both positive. Here are the details: Single Family June Sales 2009 - 15, 2010 - 17 Median Sales Price 2009 - $750,000, 2010 - $840,000 Average Sales Price 2009 - $924,667, 2010 - $837,706 Days on Market 2009 - 29, 2010 - 36 Inventory at Month End 2009 - 125, 2010 - 93 Single Family Year-to-Date Sales 2009 - 171, 2010 - 177 Median Sales Price 2009 - $750,000, 2010 - $812,500 Average Sales Price 2009 - $931,994, 2010 - $1,005,195...(read more)

Farmers Market in Hawaii Kai has New Name, Same Purpose

Barbara Abe — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:49:00 GMT

The Makeke o Maunalua Farmers' Market has a new name, but its mission remains to serve as the weekly community social for East Oahu residents to support local farmers. Opened a month ago in the parking lot of Kaiser High, it is now called the Hawaii Kai Farmers Market and has a definite community focus. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the market features massage tables, live musical performances, cooking classes, arts and crafts in a Keiki Korner and a cafe area for patrons to dine. Nearly...(read more)

May Home Sales Statistics

Barbara Abe — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:31:00 GMT

According to the National Association of Realtors , existing-home sales remained at elevated levels in May on buyer response to the tax credit, characterized by stabilizing home prices and historically low mortgage interest rates. Gains in the West and South were offset by a decline in the Northeast; the Midwest was steady. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said he expects one more month of elevated home sales. "We are witnessing the ongoing effects of the home buyer tax credit, which we'll...(read more)

Home Sizes Declining Nationwide

Barbara Abe — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:40:00 GMT

According to detailed information about the characteristics of new homes completed in 2009 that was released recently by the Census Bureau, the size of new single-family homes completed declined last year, dropping to a nationwide average of 2,438 square feet. After increasing continually for nearly three decades, the average size of single-family homes completed in the United States peaked at 2,521 square feet in 2007. It was essentially flat in 2008, then dropped in 2009, so that new single-family...(read more)

Honolulu Jobless Rate 14th Best in New Study

Barbara Abe — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 01:15:00 GMT

Of 372 cities tracked by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Honolulu continues to have good numbers. The seasonally not-adjusted rate of 5.2% for Honolulu tied it with Billings, MT, as the 14th lowest, according to figures released by the agency. Bismark, N.D., had the distinction of having the lowest level of joblessness of the cities at 3.6%. El Centro, Calif., had a rate of 27.9%, the highest in the survey. Not to say 5.2% is good, but the news is a positive indicator of Hawaii's economic...(read more)

Hawaii Kai and Oahu Real Estate Sales Activity, May, 2010

Barbara Abe — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:27:00 GMT

May, 2010 showed a positive trend in real estate for both Hawaii Kai and East Oahu. Single family homes, Hawaii Kai Closed sales - 15, up from 13 last year Median sales price - $885,000, up from $750,000 last year Average sales price - $1,583,233, up from $845,123 last year % of original list price received at sale - 93.4%, up from 89.2% last year Median days on market - 27, down from 113 last year Inventory of homes for sale at month end - 84, down from 133 last year Condos, Hawaii Kai Closed sales...(read more)

Hawaii Kai Sales in May

Barbara Abe — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 01:50:00 GMT

18 condos sold in Hawaii Kai in May, ranging in price from $361,000 for a 1 bedroom on the 6th floor of the Mauna Luan, to $735,000 for a 3 bedroom/2.5 bath waterfront home in Kuapa Isle. 16 single family homes sold in May, with a low of $530,000 for a 3 bedroom/1.5 bath home in Koko Head Terrace, to $7,800,000 for a stunning custom home in Koko Kai. Numbers of listings and sales declined somewhat from April, which was expected because of the end of the 1st Time Buyer Tax Credit. Rates continue to...(read more)

Solar Industry will Help Hawaii Job Market

Barbara Abe — Sat, 29 May 2010 00:13:00 GMT

You've probably seen on my Hawaii Kai Local Events page the solar open houses recently held in Hawaii Kai. Solar has a strong foothold here, and obviously Hawaii has the resource to make it a big industry. I've wondered for years why every house didn't have a solar hot water heater, but I guess the time is finally coming. More than 1,500 jobs were added to the Hawai'i economy last year as the solar energy industry expanded, according to the industry group, Solar Energy Industries...(read more)

Costco Hawaii Kai Raising Money for Children's Miracle Network

Barbara Abe — Sat, 22 May 2010 00:14:00 GMT

During weekends in May, all nationwide Costcos will be raising money for the Children's Miracle Network, to assist local hospitals with essential equipment. The Hawaii Kai Costco is attracting donations with music and food events contributed by area restaurants. The money raised will go to the Kapiolani Medical Center for women and children. "This year the money's going to purchase Giraffe incubators for the prenatal unit," said Vince Hill of the Hawaii Kai Costco. "Our goal...(read more)

Hawaii Foreclosures Rise in April

Barbara Abe — Sat, 15 May 2010 01:41:00 GMT

Foreclosures in Hawaii hit a 2010 high in April, even as the overall economy shows signs of modest recovery. The number in Hawaii runs counter to the trend nationwide, where the numbers dipped for the first time in 2 years. Our real estate market is still being affected by the unemployment numbers in the state and the drop in values in many areas from a few years ago. Research firm RealtyTrac reported that 1,474 Hawai'i properties were in some stage of foreclosure in April. The figure was a little...(read more)

Less Than 10% of Hawaii Homeowners in Negative Equity Position

Barbara Abe — Sat, 15 May 2010 01:18:00 GMT

CoreLogic reports that 9.8% of all mortgages in Hawaii had negative equity in the 2010 first quarter, the 10th lowest percentage of any state in the country. Negative equity means the borrower owes more on the loan than the value of the home. The company also reported that in Honolulu 7.5% or 12,113 of all residential properties with a mortgage had negative equity. Nationwide, 23.7% of mortgages are in that situation, from a survey of 47 million properties, representing 85% of all US mortgages. Barbara...(read more)

Hawaii Kai Real Estate Market Statistics for April

Barbara Abe — Fri, 07 May 2010 22:15:00 GMT

The new company which is doing our Board of Realtors statistics now uses graphs in an easy-to-read format, and produces 3 reports: Monthly Indicators, Housing Supply Outlook, and Local Market Updates. If you would like any of these, just contact me for the links. Here are the April numbers for Hawaii Kai. Hawaii Kai Single Family - April vs Year-to-Date Sales 2010 - 15 April, 53 YtD 2009 - 11 April, 44 YtD Median Sales Price 2010 - $720,000 April, $780,000 YtD 2009 - $700,000 April, $730,000 YtD...(read more)

How's the Hawaii Kai Real Estate Market?

Barbara Abe — Sun, 02 May 2010 01:29:00 GMT

I'm asked the general question, "How's the market?" a lot, but interestingly, people don't really want a general answer. They want to know how the real estate market is in Hawaii Kai, or Portlock, or the Commodore condo building. So when asked, I try not to say, "It's slow" or "Prices are down a little" or "I'm pretty busy." Instead, I'll ask, "It all depends on where you live. I would love to do some research for you and send you...(read more)

Board of Water Supply Base in Hawaii Kai Raises Community Concern

Barbara Abe — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 01:14:00 GMT

The city of Honolulu wants to establish a Board of Water Supply base yard in east Oahu, and oe of the sites under consideration is within Koko Head District Park. The proposed site is less than 1,000 feet from homes on Kekupua Street and would occupy roughly two of 19 acres once used by Job Corps, a youth job training facility. City officials want a base yard in East Honolulu so they can respond more quickly to water main breaks there. The nearest base yard with heavy equipment is in Kalihi. According...(read more)

Private School in East Oahu Closing

Barbara Abe — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 22:30:00 GMT

Private schools in the Islands are feeling the economic pinch just as are public schools. Unfortunately, Holy Trinity School, in Kuli'ou'ou, just a minute from the boundary of Hawaii Kai, will close June 7. The school has tried for years unsuccessfully to make ends meet, after being an institution in our part of the island since 1959. Word of Life Academy in Kaka'ako has announced it will also close. Private school administrators and others yesterday couldn't recall ever seeing two...(read more)

Hawaii Kai Real Estate Market Update for March, 2010

Barbara Abe — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:08:00 GMT

The Honolulu Board of Realtors is publishing new statistical data now for neighborhoods on Oahu, organized by TMK. For Hawaii Kai, this is 1-3-9. The new format comes with graphs, with single family homes and condos on the same page. Shown are Year-to-Date (YTD) New Listings, Closed Sales, Median Sales Price, % of Original List Price Received, Days on Market, and Inventory. If you would like a copy of the sheet, just let me know. It's certainly easy to read, compared to the many pages of the...(read more)

Hawaii Shore Access Bill

Barbara Abe — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 23:48:00 GMT

HB 1808 has been introduced in the Legislature to control shoreline access, and stop illegal acquisition of beachfront shoreline by homeowners. Both sides see a need to keep beach access free of barriers to the public. The bill passed out of the House and was sent to the Senate, where the committees on Water, Land, Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs, and Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs approved it with amendments and sent it to the committee on Judiciary and Government Operation....(read more)

Hawaii Joins Wind Energy Coalition

Barbara Abe — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:33:00 GMT

The Honolulu Advertiser reports that Hawai'i is one of 29 states that have joined with the Governors' Wind Energy Coalition to call for policies increasing the amount of renewable energy use and for more support for improvements to electric transmission systems. The goal is 20% of their electricity from sustainable sources. The coalition also asks the federal government to provide more incentives for smart grids, and the DOE to accelerate innovation and extend the production tax credit for...(read more)

Maunalua Bay to Benefit from Stimulus Money and Community Commitment

Barbara Abe — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:53:00 GMT

Organized by Malama Maunalua, a community group dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the part of Oahu stretching, mauka and makai, from Black Point in Kahala to Koko Head in Hawaii Kai, students are removing destructive invasive plants - leather mudweed - from Maunalua Bay. “When you walk around out here, you see it’s just goops of mud,” says the group’s outreach coordinator, Andrew Laurence. “The mudweed just holding it there like a sponge. And what happens...(read more)

Open House at 1425 Punahou on Sunday, March 14

Barbara Abe — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:25:00 GMT

Punahou, Honolulu - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 404-1425 Punahou on March 14 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Property information

Price Reduced on 228 Nomilo Place in Koko Head Terrace

Barbara Abe — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:54:00 GMT

Koko Head Terrace, Hawaii Kai - Announcing a price reduction on 228 Nomilo Place, a 1,407 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story. Now MLS® $565,000 - Great Investment Chance.

Property information

Hawaii Kai Real Estate Market Update for February, 2010

Barbara Abe — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:05:00 GMT

There were 11 sales in February of single family homes in Hawaii Kai. Prices ranged from $545,000, for a 3/2 home in Kalama Valley, to $2,500,000 for a gated view 4/3.5 home in Koko Kai on Hanapepe Place. Communities represented in the sales were Kalama Valley (3), West Marina (2), Kamiloiki, Koko Head Terrace, Mariners Cove, Anchorage, Luna Kai, and Koko Kai. The last 3 sales were over $1,000,000. Sales of condos in Hawaii Kai decreased to six units in February. Two sales were $440,000, one a leasehold...(read more)

Oahu real estate trending up

Barbara Abe — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:39:00 GMT

A federal report suggests O'ahu home prices may be in a rebound, joining other indicators that a housing market turnaround is strengthening. The Federal Housing Finance Agency yesterday reported that O'ahu single-family home values in the fourth quarter of last year declined 5.8% compared with the fourth quarter of 2008, smaller than the 3rd quarter decline of 6.5%. The Federal Housing Finance report is considered to be a good broad measure of the housing market because of how it calculates...(read more)