Honolulu Hawaii Homes Real Estate

Million Dollars Homes In East Oahu – Week Of September 28, 2009

Aina Haina, Black Point, Diamond Head, Dowsett , Kahala Area, Koko Kai, Mariners Cove Ove, Niu Beach, Paiko Lagoon, Portlock, Wailupe

Tags: Aina Haina, BLACK POINT, diamond head, DOWSETT, Hawaii Kai, hawaii million dollar, KAHALA AREA, Koko Kai, MARINERS C OVE, million dollar, million dollar homes hawaii, NIU BEACH, Paiko Lagoon, portlock, Wailupe

Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board Debates Golf Academy

By Nina Wu at nwu@starbulletin.com Nine months after purchasing the lands, a Utah-based investor is envisioning a golf academy above the Hawaii Kai Golf Course.

The proposal is likely to spark another debate at this evening’s Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board meeting, where the public has weighed in on previous controversial development plans for the preservation-zoned parcels.

Management Solutions of Fountain Green, Utah, which formed Kulia i ka Nu’u Estates, acquired 83 acres in Mauuwai and 98 acres at Queen’s Rise from QRM LLC in July.

City property tax records show two transactions occurred in July, one at $5.6 million and another at $3.5 million.

Project manager Skip McWhorter, who was in Honolulu this week, said Kulia envisions building a complete golf academy, with classrooms and simulators for individual and group instruction for just the Mauuwai parcel, although size and details have yet to be ironed out. McWhorter said he also was in discussions with possible pro golf sponsors for the academy. “We would like to use the golf academy as a place to teach and train junior golfers,” said McWhorter. “Our goal is to continue to promote the game of golf in Hawaii. We want to provide an opportunity that is fun, recreational and beneficial for locals and junior golfers all over the island.”

At the same time, McWhorter said it would make sense for there to be accommodations, possibly vacation cabins, at the site for out-of-town golfers. “If we don’t have that there, we’re left with people commuting back and forth from Waikiki,” he said.

The two parcels are Management Solutions’ first investment on Oahu, according to partner Allen Jacobson, from Utah. Jacobson said the company did 14 months of due diligence and has no plans for Queen’s Rise at this time. Permitted uses on P2 general preservation lands such as Mauuwai include cemeteries, outdoor recreational facilities and vacation cabins as an accessory to those outdoor facilities, according to city Planning and Permitting Director David Tanoue.

Tags: Hawaii Kai, hawaii kai real estate, mauuwai, Queens Gate, queens rise, real estate

First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit 2008 / 2009

Bringing the Dream of Homeownership Within Reach

As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed legislation that grants a tax credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers.

Here is more information about how the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit can help prospective home buyers become part of the American dream.

Who Qualifies?

First-time home buyers who purchase homes between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.

To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

Which Properties Are Eligible?

The 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.

How Much Will the Credit Be?

The maximum allowable credit for home buyers is $8,000. Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by two factors:

The price of the home—the credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to $8,000.

The buyer’s income—single buyers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000—may receive the maximum tax credit.

If the Buyer(s)’ Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?

Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit.

The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $75,000 and $95,000 for single buyers and between $150,000 and $170,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income—over $95,000 for singles and over $170,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.

Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?

No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during the three-year period, the credit will be recouped on the sale.

In-Depth: 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Tags: first home buyer credit, first home tax credit, first time home credit, first time home tax credit, home buyer tax credit 2008, home buyers tax credit, home improvement tax credit, home purchase tax credit, home tax credit, home tax credit 2008, home tax credits, tax credit for home, tax credit for home buyers, tax credit home

Hawaii Loa Ridge Homes – Honolulu

Here is a map of the Kuliouou / Hawaii Loa Ridge. As you can see, the Kuliouou Ridge Hike starts off of Kuliouou Road, whereas the Hawaii Loa Ridge hike starts on Puuikena Drive

Nearby communities are Wailupe, Waialai Iki, Kalana Iki, Aina Haina, Kahala, Kuliouou, Niu Valley, Paiko Lagoon, Waialae Nui Lower, Diamond Head and Kaimuki.

From Kalanianaole Hwy, turn onto Puuikena Drive (across from Kawaikui Beach Park). Tell the guard that you are a Hawaii resident and hiking the ridge. He will check your driver’s license (sometimes registration, and insurance) before letting you in. Proceed to the very end of the road and park at the trailhead.

In this area you will find “high end” Hawaii homes, located on, Ikena Circle, Kaialii Place, Kaulana Place, Kokololio Place, Lelekepue Place, Maono Loop, Maono Place, Moaniala Streeg, Puuikena Drive and Puuikena Place.

This community was named after Hawaii Loa, traditional discoverer of the land. It is also a form of Hawaiki, the traditional home of the Polynesians. A couple of theories exist on the origin of the name Hawaii. One theory has it that the name comes from a combination of the words “Hawa” and “ii” and means a small or new homeland; “Hawa” meaning a traditionl homeland and “ii” meaning small and raging. The other theory is that the name comes from the traditional discoverer of the islands, Hawaii Loa.

Tags: Hawaii Loa, hawaii loa ridge, Kalana Iki, Kuliouou, Niu Valley, Oahu, Paiko Lagoon, Waialae Nui Lower, Waialai Iki, Wailupe

Staging a House – What is Home Staging

Marketing a Lifestyle

What is it that a buyer sees when they arrive at your home for sale? Are you selling a home? No, you are selling a lifestyle. You need to do your best to convey the positive aspects of that lifestyle in as little time as possible.  But why all the fuss? Is it going to pay off?

Making Changes to the Property

REALTORS often advise sellers on tips on how to sell a home. Declutter. Spruce up. Paint the kitchens and bathrooms. Use neutral colors as much as possible. Wash the windows, mirrors and sidewalks. This is all good advice, but we’re just getting warmed up. You need to continue to think of ideas on how to give your Hawaii home that certain aura. With “House Staging” you want to give the home an overall feel, beyond the bricks, paint and plaster. Once you have completed the basics , then you need to decide whether you want to go it alone, or hire a professional. Do you want to (or can you) move furniture around? Do you have storage for the numerous items you may need? On the first pass, your basic low-cost options are to move it, plant it, paint it, organize it, hide it, replace it, light it and clean it. When it comes to painting, white or off-white is not always best. You should do a little research on how to select the best colors for your home. If you decide to make big changes, think about how much remodeling you want to do and whether it is worth the time and money. See NAR’s Cost vs. Value Report.

Staging, Training and Marketing

I believe that real estate agents have many roles and wear many hats, marketing, sales, advertising, office organization, taxi driver, concierge, confidante and many more. For most agents, home staging is not one of them. Just as you wouldn’t leave a home sale to anyone, leave the specialization of staging a house to the professionals. Do you want to try to learn interior design in one week? There are many resources out there to get you started, but to give homes that inside appeal, you want to inquire and interview candidates about professional designations and memberships. Some of them include the American Society of Home Stagers and Redesigners, and the Real Estate Staging Association.

House Staging – Your Home

Does staging work? If we revisit the NAR cost vs. value report, what do you see most? Kitchens and bathrooms. Although you may not make back 100% on remodeling, you will almost always make 100% back on basic home improvements such as fixing up the bathrooms. Here’s a checklist:

1. Replace outdated lighting fixtures
2. Strip off wallpaper. Although you may like Gummi Bears, it’s a personal choice.
3. Replace electrical outlets with GFCI receptacles
4. Wash all windows (I mean really scrub them, so they are spotless)
5. Replace hardware – faucets, cabinet handles, mirrors, racks, hooks, and toilets (at a minimum replace toilet seat and internal fill valves)
6. Scrape or sand all surfaces, primer and paint with two coats (or primer with two coats). White is well…too white, choose
7. Get everything off the floor and everything off the counters
8. Time to add some finishing touches

• Potted plants, flowers if you can
• Plush cotton towels, preferably in a set. Tied with a ribbon works nicely
• Fresh candles, scented soaps (not too strong though), lotions in a small basket
• Polished stones or seashells
• Wicker basket (to keep clutter out of sight)
• Spend at least $30 and get a nice shower curtain

The Power of Staging

Clean is good, but empty houses are not always better. Staging is good, but can also be used to hide defects in the home, such as carpet stains, broken fixtures, and other deferred maintenance. If you need a professional Home Stager call me to get recommendations for local staging professionals. Most will do a consultation for less than $500 and get you pointed in the right direction. It is money well spent.

There is no question that staging will allow the home to sell for more money. Keep this in mind, when buying a home as well. Compare the home to other similar homes in the neighborhood. When there a lot of homes on the market, you can often find two similar homes in similar condition for comparison. As your local REALTOR, I will keep an eye out to spot that tall potted plant blocking the 10-year-old air conditioner that is about to fail. I always insist on a home inspection and most sellers will pitch in half or buy you a one year home warranty.

Tags: home staging, homes, house staging