Honolulu Condos: November 2009

Hawaii home sales are steady, with tax break or not

When economist Paul Brewbaker cracked this week that the government’s $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers affected only a handful of sales in Hawaii, no one in the audience of several hundred real estate executives disputed it. For all the hoopla last month about the burst in sales generated by the tax credit, it’s difficult to assess whether it’s driven many Hawaii sales. While some Realtors say they had several first-time buyers close sales in the past month, others said they’re actually seeing investors return to the market. The tax credit was due to expire on Monday but has now been extended for six months. Either way, the fact remains that sales have been steadily rising since bottoming out at the start of 2009. Rest of Story.....

Aloha!

Welcome to this month's issue of "Honolulu Condos - Real Estate News & Trends", provided by Douglas / Christopher Realtor Associates with RE/MAX Honolulu. This newsletter is published monthly and contains time sensitive information about the Honolulu Real Estate Market. It also combines the weekly newsletter, "Honolulu Condos - Listing Alerts" which includes current new condo listings and distressed property listings.

Don't miss the HOT LINKS at the bottom of this newsletter for such distressed property listings as:

• Lender Owned Property Listings
• Foreclosure Property Listings
• Short Sale Property Listings

Also, please feel free to visit our website, one of the most complete Honolulu Condominium Directories available online at www.HNLCondos.com.

Honolulu Market Update for 11/25/09

Overall, for the seven neighborhoods in Honolulu we are monitoring, the Honolulu Condo market has shown a decrease of 75 new listings. This is the sixth consecutive month of decreased listings, meaning inventory is shrinking.

Overall pending sales decreased by 8, compared to last month. Sold listings increased by 113. The sales price to listing price indicator was 94.25%, compared to 94.23% for the previous month, with an overall increase of 0.02%.

Keep in mind that pending sales can sometimes be a more accurate measurement of immediate sales activitry, since closing times can vary from 30-90 days.

With that in mind, this newsletter data provides the most comprehensive market information by comparing this month's data with the previous months. Feel free to visit the Newsletter Archive, if you haven't saved the newsletters yourself.

Neighborhood Market Watch

ALA MOANA

• 87 (2) Active
• 17 (0) Pending
• 79 (1) Sold
• +7 Change in Sold
• 92.91% (+0.44%) Sold Price/Listing Price

DIAMOND HEAD

• 78 (32) Active
• 1 (0) Pending
• 41 (8) Sold
• +4 Change in Sold
• 89.74% (-0.34%) Sold Price/Listing Price

DOWNTOWN/CHINATOWN

• 82 (8) Active
• 9 (0) Pending
• 118 (0) Sold
• +0 Change in Sold
• 96.08% (+0.06%) Sold Price/Listing Price

KAKAAKO

• 122 (36) Active
• 5 (1) Pending
• 206 (34) Sold
• +23 Change in Sold
• 93.90% (-0.07%) Sold Price/Listing Price

KAPIOLANI

• 52 (0) Active
• 1 (0) Pending
• 147 (0) Sold
• +18 Change in Sold
• 97.54% (+0.335) Sold Price/Listing Price

MAKIKI

• 113 (0) Active
• 7 (0) Pending
• 179 (0) Sold
• +24 Change in Sold
• 96.39% (-0.5%) Sold Price/Listing Price

WAIKIKI

• 679 (52) Active
• 19 (0) Pending
• 571 (10) Sold
• +37 Change in Sold
• 93.22% (+0.27%) Sold Price/Listing Price

1. The numbers in parantheses reflect the number of listings over $1M, but are included in the first, total number..

2. Sold listings are for the previous 12 months.

3. Change is the increase or decrease in number of sold listings from the previous month.

New Condo Listings

These condo listings are new listings that have come on the market for sale, since our last newsletter, dated November 18, 2009.

ALA MOANA NEW CONDO LISTINGS

DIAMOND HEAD NEW CONDO LISTINGS

DOWNTOWN/CHINATOWN NEW CONDO LISTINGS

KAKAAKO NEW CONDO LISTINGS

KAPIOLANI NEW CONDO LISTINGS

MAKIKI NEW CONDO LISTINGS - No New Listings This Wekk

WAIKIKI NEW CONDO LISTINGS

To view all Honolulu condo listings please visit the MLS Search page on our Website or set up your own Listing Manager Account.

Distressed Condo Listings - Hot Links!!!

These distressed Honolulu condo listings include REO, or lender owned properties, foreclosures and short sales. New Listings are new this week, since our last week's newsletter.

Please click here to read a complete definition or description of Lender Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sale Properties .

LENDER OWNED PROPERTY LISTINGS - ALL

LENDER OWNED PROPERTY LISTINGS - NEW - no new listings this week

FORECLOSURE PROPERTY LISTINGS - ALL

FORECLOSURE PROPERTY LISTINGS - NEW - no new listings this week

SHORT SALE PROPERTY LISTINGS - ALL

SHORT SALES $0 - 200,000

SHORT SALES $200,000 - 400,000

SHORT SALES $400,000 AND OVER

SHORT SALE PROPERTY LISTINGS - NEW

Have a wonderful week and a Happy Thanksgiving! We all have a lot to be thankful for.

If you or anyone you know is thinking about buying or selling a condo in Honolulu, Hawaii, it would be our pleasure to help.

Team Douglas/Christopher

For a webpage view of this newsletter, Click here

 Access the Newsletter Archive for back issues.

Talk Story / Pidgin

Talk Story If you're a new arrival, you'll find there's plenty to learn about our unique Aloha State, starting with pidgin - the unofficial language of the Islands. If you're a kama‘aina, check out some of the new books on the local dialect and you'll likely learn something new. You hear it on Dog the Bounty Hunter and the 6 o'clock news, you read it in a growing body of local literature, and nowadays you can even take classes in it. Pidgin is a unique stew of Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Filipino and American influences that came together on the old plantations and melded into a commonly understood patois. Not all locals speak pidgin, especially in urban Honolulu. But old-time neighborhoods and country locales still ring with its lilting cadences, and thanks to local youth culture and new influences from the mainland, pidgin is still evolving. For a bare-bones primer on survival pidgin, read on. For more depth, get the classic Pidgin to Da Max or the newer Da Kine Dictionary, both available in bookstores, as is the more advanced Pidgin Grammar. PIDGIN 101 Broke da mout': So delicious it breaks your mouth. Bumbye: by and by, later on; or else later on. Choke: lots, plenty. Da kine: um; whatchamacallit. Often used when trying to recall a word or name. Garans: guaranteed. Grine: grind, or to eat. Its plural form, grinds, means food. Hammajang: not in good working condition; junk. Haole: Caucasian. Can also mean "too mainland," as in overly assertive or insensitive to local ways. Pau: finished.

To learn more about Hawaii culture and resources, please visit our website for Honolulu Condos.

One of My Favorite Neighborhoods in Honolulu, Hawaii - Diamond Head, also known as the Gold Coast

If there is one landmark that everyone remembers from Oahu, it's probably Diamond Head.  

The condominiums near the oceanside base of Diamond Head crater are highly desirable for unobstructed beachfront ocean views.

Island residents and returning visitors refer to the coastal strip, at the foot of Diamond Head, from the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel to the Kainalu residential apartment building as the "Gold Coast", because the real estate is considered "as good as gold."

The neighborhood is located at the base of Diamond Head, near the Waikiki Aquarium, across from Kapiolani Park, on the beautiful Pacific Ocean, and within walking distance of Waikiki and its attractions.

Nicely secluded from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu by the expansive open acreage of Kapiolani Park, Diamond Head is only about a ten minute drive from downtown.

The Gold Coast consists of residential condominiums and cooperatives built in the late '50s and '60s.  Many of the buildings have Kapiolani Park as a front yard, and all of the buildings have the Pacific Ocean as a back yard.

Most everyone agrees that those views are worth their weight in gold!!!

Attractions:

Diamond Head Crater - Trail
A popular hiking trail of the old military compound with fantastic ocean and city views at the top.

Parks:

Kapiolani Park
A beautiful 500 acre park at the base of Diamondhead.

Restaurants:

Michael's Restaurant
A world famous restaurant, serving American food,  with fantastic ocean views located in the lobby of Colony Surf.  

Weather:

Diamond Head weather is pretty is ideal year round, with a nice cool breeze and moderate temperatures.  You'll find less rain in Diamond Head than on the Windward side in Kailua or Kaneohe, and the wind is not as strong either.  Diamond Head, and really most of East Oahu, offers ideal weather with a dryer climate than the Windward side, but cooler than the west side.

For listings of Condos for sale in the Diamond Head, Gold Coast area of Honolulu, please see the Honolulu Featured condos on our website at www.HNLCondos.com.

.

As we have been learning, there are many Hawaiian proverbs and sayings that have been fun learning and even more entertaining trying to speak and pronounce correctly, but more importantly convey real wisdom and spiritual value. 

 

Here is another one of my favorites.

Wae Aku I Ka Lani

Which translates as:

Let the selecting be done in heaven.

Nobody is sure if it is the weather, the beauty of the islands, or the spirit of aloha that accounts for the Hawaiian's laidback attitude towards life.

The outlook is simple:  if it didn't happen today, it was not meant to happen.  Maybe another task is made clearer and that is more important for the time-being.  People live and enjoy life as nature intended.

 

 

 

For more cultural information about Hawaii, please feel free to visit our website, Honolulu Condos..

Honolulu, Ala Moana Condo for Sale - Great Income, Stunning Views - Prime Location on 20th Floor

Did I mention how amazing the veiws were?

It's rare to find a condo that has been totally renovated and upgraded, in a first class building with tons of amenities, a first class location and offering stunning Pacific Ocean views.........all with rental income, plus the flexibility of personal usage.

This Ala Moana Hotel Condo offers it all!  You can place the condo in the hotel managed rental pool, rent it out on your own as a vacation rental and still use it at your own convenience.

Here are some details:

410 Atkinson Dr 2007
Honolulu, HI 96814


Price: $499,999

1 Bedrooms, 1 Bathrooms
559 Square Ft

Listing # 2914704

View Photo Gallery (10)

STUNNING PANORAMIC OCEAN & SUNSET VIEWS. Highly desirable 20th floor, one-bedroom unit with double door entry, living room with sliding glass wall opening to the views, kitchen, separate bedroom with private lanai and forever sweeping views of the ocean, marina, Ala Moana Park and downtown Honolulu. Spacious bath, nicely furnished. Many, many hotel amenities. MAJOR PRICE REDUCTION! 

Features:

Acres: 3.046
Region: Metro
City Name: Honolulu
County Name:
Neighborhood: ALA MOANA
Schools: Ala Wai
State: HI
Sub Area:
Subdivision:
Type:
Zip: 96814
Bathrooms: 1
Bedrooms: 1
Partial Baths:
Square Ft: 559
Additional Features: Additional Rooms: Den/Study,Dining Area,Eat In Kitchen/Nook,Open Lanai
Amenities: Club House,Community Laundry,Concierge,Doorman,Exercise Room,Heated Pool,Other,Patio/Deck,Pool,Recreation Area,Restaurant,Sauna,Security Guard,Valet
Building Name: Ala Moana Hotel Condo
Building Style: Condotel,High-Rise 7+ Stories
Floor Covering: Ceramic Tile,W/W Carpet
Frontage: Other
Furnished: F
Interior Living Area: 503
Land Area: 132664
Maintenance Fee Includes: AC Central,Cable TV,Electricity,Hot Water,Internet Service,Sewer,Water

Ala Moana Hotel Condo Unit #2007 Listing Details

Ala Moana Hotel Condo Unit #2007 Virtual Tour

Other Ala Moana Hotel Condo Listings ($85,000 to $1,200,000)

Ala Moana Hotel Condo Website

Trump Tower Waikiki Opens New Luxury Property in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii

The first new Waikiki luxury property to open in more than 20 years is welcoming its first guests, and it bears Donald Trump's name.

The Trump International Hotel & Tower Waikiki Beach Walk features 462 guest rooms and suites, a spa featuring Hawaiian therapies, a fitness center and a steakhouse.

The hotel's senior staff is hosting a ceremonial welcoming event Monday as the first guests check in. The ceremony features traditional Hawaiian dance and live music.

Three years ago, some 1,600 potential buyers from around the world tried to reserve units in the condominium-hotel, which is Trump's first in Hawaii. In just eight hours, all the suites were sold for an average of $1.5 million.

There are new quite a large number of resale condos for sale in the building.  Here are further details about Trump Tower Waikiki:

Trump Tower Waikiki

ARE YOU AN OWNER? Trump Tower Waikiki   200 Saratoga Road Fee Simple Waikiki - Central See Map or Satellite Photo Description:  Trump Tower and Hotel is located at the corner of Kalia Road and Saratoga Road, adjacent to Fort DeRussy Park, now the cornerstone of the new $1 Billion Beach Walk Redevelopment Project.  Trump Tower Waikiki offers full ownership condominiums complimented by an amazing full service luxury hotel and residences on the shores of Waikiki. A full range of floor plans is available from studios to penthouses, complimented by an architectural design of sophistication and elegance.  The building reaches 38 stories, and also includes 6,500 square feet of dining and retail space as a part of the billion dollar Waikiki Beach Walk revitalization. One, two and three bedroom configurations are available and range  from 350 square feet to 3,000 square feet in size..    Owners are offered all the comforts of a personal residence combined with the services and amenities of a 5-Star luxury hotel including: a full service spa, front desk assistance, room service, concierge, housekeeping, restaurants, a lushly landscaped pool, fitness center and breath-taking ocean and park views! Construction started in early 2007, and was complete November 2009.  For more information on Trump Tower Waikiki, visit www.TrumpWaikikiHotel.com. Building Details:   Units: 462 Year Built: 2009 Elementary School: Jefferson Studios:   Stories: 38 Middle School: Washington 1 bdrm/1ba:   Elevators: 5 High School: Kaimiku 2 bdrm/2 ba:   Unit Sizes (sq. ft.): size n.a.      3 bdrm/2-3  ba:   Lanai Sizes (sq. ft.): size n.a.     Land Tenure:  Fee Simple. Security:  The lobby is open, since this is run and operated as a hotel, however with a 24-hour doorman, security guards, video cameras and other measures, security is state of the art.  There are separate hotel and residential lobbies. Parking:  Parking is assigned and deeded with most units; guest parking and hotel guest valet parking are all available. Pets: Pet policies and rules have not been established at this time. Supermarkets: Food Pantry - 2370 Kuhio Avenue, Foodland - 2919 Kapiolani Boulevard. Regional Mall: Ala Moana Center - 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard. Comments:  Amenities include separate residential and hotel lobbies, valet parking,  24-hour front desk, room service, fitness center, pool, spa, recreation deck, sun terrace, cabanas, library, wine cellar, lobby bar, cafe, retail and dining spaces.  For investors, there is a one-day minimum for rentals. "Trump Tower will be the most luxurious development in Waikiki Beach... and I look forward to setting a new standard for luxury in Waikiki."  ~  Donald Trump

Trump Tower Waikiki Building and Condo Configurations and Floor Plans are available at our website, www.HNLCondos.com, as well as additional Trump Tower Waikiki photos and current, active listings of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom condos at Trump Tower Waikiki.

We also offer information regarding other Honolulu and Waikiki Featured Condo Buildings for sale, including floor plans, configurations, maps and current, active listings.

 

 

Kakaako Master Plan Moves Forward

Kakaako is a great neighborhood located just west of the Waikiki area and Ala Moana Park and Shopping Center.  One of the most valuable areas in this urban neighborhood is the Kewalo Basin, whcih is prime waterfront land.

The effort to create a community-based master plan for 31.5 acres of mostly vacant state property next to Kewalo Basin in Kaka'ako will take another important step tomorrow, introducing a design consultant to the planning process.

Representatives of design firm MVE will be at a meeting tomorrow with a community advisory council and the Hawai'i Community Development Authority.

The public is encouraged to attend the meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. at HCDA's offices at 677 Ala Moana.

The agency earlier this year approved spending $600,000 to create a master plan for the land three years after the cancellation of an ambitious yet controversial plan from Alexander & Baldwin Inc. to redevelop much of the Kaka'ako peninsula with a mix of high-rise condominiums, retail and public attractions.

MVE is an experienced design firm based in California with a Honolulu office. The firm has been involved in a variety of Hawai'i projects, including an affordable housing community on the Big Island and the planned affordable high-rise tower Halekauwila Place in Kaka'ako. The firm also was involved in design work for a Kaka'ako Peninsula plan by local developer Stanford Carr that was third runner-up to the A&B plan selected by HCDA.

Ron Iwami, chairman of the 50-member Kaka'ako Makai Community Planning Advisory Council, said the group needs more residents to help shape the new master plan for the site that now prohibits housing.

The council has produced a set of guiding principles that include expanding the area's shoreline parks, preserving open view planes, providing a shoreline promenade and including cultural facilities such as museums and a community center.

Some restaurants, cafes and small shops are also part of the group's vision to complement public facilities.

Actual conceptual design features will be a product of work between the HCDA, the public and the design consultant.

Planning meetings with the council are held on the first Tuesday of each month. A series of planning workshops are also slated for Jan. 29 to 31. A final master plan is anticipated to be finished in June 2010.

More information can be found at http://www.hcdaweb.org.

Honolulu Zoo in Hawaii- One of Oahu's Hidden Treasures

Too often overlooked by visitors to Honolulu and Waikiki, the Honolulu Zoo is one of the island of Oahu's hidden treasures.

Located in Kapi'oplani Park between the hotels and resorts of Waikiki and Diamond Head, the Honolulu Zoo is an easy walk from most Waikiki hotels.

The only zoo within 2300 miles, the Honolulu Zoo features many species of animals that you won't see in any mainland zoo, including a family of Komodo Dragons, Sumatran Tigers and several species unique to Hawaii such as the Hawaii State Bird, the Nene.

Find our more about the Honolulu Zoo at About.com, Hawaii and South Pacific Travel.

Or, view a gallery of 84 photos taken at the Honolulu Zoo.

And, if you're interested in owning a home or a vacation property walking distance to the zoo, the neighborhoods of Diamond Head and Waikiki offer many excellent opportunities.

Unfinished Moana Vista Condo Highrise in Honolulu, Hawaii to Become Pacifica

I had previously written two blog articles about the Moana Vista Condo building, located in the Kakaako neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii, "SOLD!!! Would You Like to Purchase an Unfinished Honolulu Condo Tower? " and "SOLD AGAIN!!! Would You Like to Purchase an Unfinished Honolulu Condo Tower?"

A San Diego-based developer has closed on a deal to take over the stalled Moana Vista high-rise condominium project and plans to resume work early next year.

The project will be renamed Pacifica, developer OliverMcMillan said in a news release.

A number of readers have shown interest in learning more about pricing and availability for the new Pacifica.  From what we have learned so far, the developer plans to give the half-completed 492-unit residential tower on Kapiolani Boulevard new exterior elevations, upgraded interior design and resort-level amenities, development director Dan Nishikawa has stated.

"OliverMcMillan intends to improve the common area amenities and some upper-unit floor plans," Nishikawa said. "When completed, Pacifica is going to be a special place, a high-quality home, and will enhance the surrounding communities."

The developer plans to begin a new sales and marketing program for the building and as soon as that information becomes available, we will be sure and share it with our clients and post it here as well.