Home Equity Gains Slow in Hawai‘i, But Owners Are Still Building Wealth
From a first-quarter high of $139,000, equity gains fell to $61,500 in the third quarter, which is still better than every other state except Florida.
Real Estate
$1 Million-Plus Mortgages Go Mainstream Next Month
A federal agency raises the limit on conforming mortgages in Hawai‘i and other high-cost markets.
Condo Flips: We Just Got the Keys, Let's Sell
More than 50 units in one Kaka‘ako tower are up for sale, just weeks after the owners got possession of units in the newly completed high-rise.
Interest Rates are Up, So Number of New Mortgages is Down
The total of home loans issued in Hawai‘i through the end of October dropped 38% from the same period last year.
Condo Sales Dip Only 3% on O‘ahu as Prices Keep Climbing
The median price for condos rose in 20 of 21 real estate regions on the island during the first three quarters of 2022.
Each Part of O‘ahu Has a Unique Real Estate Market
All 21 regions have higher median prices this year for single-family homes, with the two priciest markets seeing the smallest percentage increases, and two rural regions the largest.
Hurricane Ian's Aftereffects May Impact Hawai‘i in a Few Years
Sharilyn Tanaka of Atlas Insurance Agency says tens of billions of dollars in payouts by global reinsurance companies will likely ripple into premium increases here down the road.
Got $20 Million or More to Spare? Sorry, Hawai‘i Has Only a Few Homes for You
After a flurry of ultra-high-end sales over the past few years, just seven homes in that rarified price range are up for sale now.
Another Endangered Species in Hawai‘i: Starter Homes
Young people used to be able to buy a small single-family home or townhome as the first step on their homeownership ladder, but today they are priced out of that market.
How to Succeed in Real Estate Development When You’re Not a Man
5 women developers share advice about making it in a male-dominated field.
These 5 Women Are Changing the Face of Real Estate Development
Christine Camp, Laura Kodama, Cayenne Pe‘a, Karen Seddon and Michelle Swartman are proving that it’s not a man’s world anymore.
Fewer Mortgage Delinquencies Now than a Year Ago
Lenders have been stricter on loans since the Great Recession, which would likely limit the number of delinquencies in any new recession, one local expert says.
Rents up 8% on O‘ahu This Year, Study Says
The report from Ricky Cassiday covers rents for condominiums, townhouses and apartments.
Rising Interest Rates Sideline First-Time Homebuyers
Bidding wars are now rare, but the highest mortgage rates since 2008 put homeownership out of reach for many who thought it was possible at the start of the year.
Could a Local Building Collapse Like the One in Florida?
Experts say what happened at the Surfside condo is unlikely to happen here. But they warn condo boards: put off maintenance projects and you’ll end up paying far more.
Homeowners’ Omissions Provide More than $30 Million to Honolulu Treasury
More than a third of all owner-occupied homes on O‘ahu are not covered by property tax exemptions because owners did not submit the paperwork. You have until Sept. 30, 2022 to fix that oversight.
AIA Design Awards 2022
Shaping communities through design excellence — All of the awardees exemplified a vision to meet or exceed safety requirements, utilize sustainable and efficient methods, and fulfill our cultural and emotional needs.
Inspections Save Homebuyers from After-Closing Nightmares
A national survey found that 94% of home sellers admitted they didn’t disclose problems such as unpermitted repairs before they sold.
Fractional Ownership Puts You on the Deed for a Quarter of the Price
In Hawai‘i, it’s a way for the rich to buy luxury properties that they only want to use a few months of the year.
Higher Mortgage Rates and Fewer Sales May Finally Be Affecting Prices
In half of the 12 real estate regions on O‘ahu, asking prices have been reduced on at least 30% of the current listings.
More Homes Available for Sale on O‘ahu
A bigger inventory of homes for sale is usually good news for buyers but other data suggests they should not break out the champagne.
“Home for Sale” Sometimes Means Renters are Displaced
About 40% of Hawai‘i households are renters. Their relationships with their landlords can be friendly and supportive. But this two-part report examines when the wants and needs of tenants and landlords conflict, with perspectives from both sides.
Records Broken as the Rich Buy Hawai‘i Homes
During the first half of this year, 424 homes, condos and vacant land parcels sold for $3 million or more. The top price: $36.1 million for an oceanfront estate on Kaua‘i.
Sell Your Hawai‘i Home and You'll Likely Make a Big Profit
One analysis says there were huge gains statewide, with the biggest average profit during the second quarter of this year at 110.5% on Hawai‘i Island.
Your Diversity Policy Shouldn’t Focus on One or Two Groups
The best way to attract LGBTQ+ candidates is by elevating diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace – for everyone.
At Least 10% of U.S. Home Sales Are DIY
The number of homes for-sale-by-owner was up nationwide in 2022. Several local companies offer to list the homes on MLS and handle the closing for a flat fee, but you do most everything else.
