Surprisingly this is still an accurate portrayal of the island of Hawaii. Wonderful shots and great narrative from Don Blanding.
Enjoy, it is a bit long but worth every bit of it.
“Summer is typically the peak of housing sales and this year we’re off to a great start with May bringing near-record closed sales,” said Sue Ann Lee, president of Honolulu Board of REALTORS®. “Single-family home sales were the highest we’ve seen since August 2013 and condominiums are up by double digits. With the continued demand for housing and limited inventory, it’s not surprising that pending sales quickly translated to closed sales from eager homebuyers in all price ranges. We anticipate a high number of closed sales in the coming weeks as pending single-family home sales are up by 37.7% and condo sales are 25.3% higher than last May.”
Call your Realtor for the particular statistics for your neighborhood.
Now that you are prepared to move forward with purchasing a home
This is where it gets fun! Looking at homes in the communities that fit your lifestyle and budget. Sundays are a great day to cruise the properties on the market, many are open to the public for viewing.
Here’s an interesting perspective of Waikiki from the penthouse floor of the Colony Surf on the ‘Gold Coast’ of Waikiki (click images to enlarge):
Shaded in the morning
View from the top.
Perched at the foot of Diamondhead the cluster of buildings makes up a neighborhood deemed the ‘Gold Coast.’ Sandy beachfront welcomes the owners and visitors at Colony Surf and San Souci, the building in the foreground.
Waikiki Shell at night
Kapiolani Park, directly across from the beach, hosts many musical events in the outdoor amphitheater, The Waikiki Shell.
Email me for up-to-the-minute real estate information about Honolulu’s Gold Coast!
Listen up! Two of my favorite spots are in Kaimuki, an eclectic neighborhood located just a hop, skip, and jump away from Waikiki. It’s a world apart in terms of character and charm!
8 Half Desserts has incredible sorbet and ice cream. Named for it’s location between 8th and 9th Ave on Waialae Ave. They are famous for their watermelon pie, an incredible party dessert. Cozy is the best way to describe the size of this shop, hence the chairs outside.
Juicy Brew is another new addition to the neighborhood, grab and go or there are a few tables for inside dining. Next door to Ace Hardware on Waialae as well. Their focus is on locally sourced food. The vegan selections are plentiful and creatively prepared. The ulu mochi is a winner every time for those with a sweet tooth.
An architect will help you determine whether a specific site will work for your dream home. If the lot you found won’t work for your individual priorities, or if that parcel won’t allow your project to come in on budget, your architect will be the first to know. Part 4 of 4
Site analysis is a crucial first component in the equation. Architects are trained to examine and evaluate various sites to find the right one for your needs and budget.
Once a site is selected, an architect can design your home. An architect will maximize views and daylighting, focus on energy efficiency, and fit your design into the neighborhood, without looking like every other house on the block.
Complex site analysis is most definitely not a project for a do-it-yourselfer! An architect brings substantial value to your project … your dream home, on your budget.
An architect will work with you to determine your priorities, where you are willing to compromise, and how to get as many of your “wants” and “needs” as possible into an attractive and functional home. Part 3 of 4
An architect can provide high quality design and detailing, beyond a builder’s standard set of house plans.
An architect can suggest special features or options, different material choices, or fixtures.
A sustainable architect can also suggest healthier materials for your family and the planet.
An architect can help work through design and construction issues, and possibly save you energy and money in the long run.
An architect will also work with team members to assure the structural, mechanical, and electrical integrity of your home, while also meeting applicable codes and regulations.
Just because certain materials or a mechanical system is “typical” or available to a contractor, doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your circumstance.
Your home in Hawaii will be far more valuable when you have an architect on your side … both for intrinsic reasons (like fitting your lifestyle) and for extrinsic reasons (getting more bang for your housing budget). Part 1 of 4
First and foremost, your architect is your advocate.
An architect has a fiduciary duty to look out for your best interest and is your advocate in the design and construction process. Listening to what you want, and pulling together the functional, structural, circulation, orientation, and aesthetic considerations of your home into a unified whole.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a professional dedicated to the highest standards of integrity, and competence helping you through it?
Successful Hawaii realtors know the value that an architect brings to the project. Trust your professional advisors when making one of the most expensive decisions of your life.
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