President Obama Arrives on Oahu to Spend Christmas with His Family

Last night President Obama and his family arrived on Oahu for the start to their Christmas holiday. As is traditonal for them, they are staying in the beautiful and picturesque beach town of Kailua, Oahu, where I also live. The President’s sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng and other family members live on Oahu, and the President was born in Honolulu.

Lanikai, Kailua Beach and Mokulua Islands by Tomas del Amo Kailua Real Estate Photographer

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Kailua Luxury Real Estate | Plantation Style Waterfront Home in Kailua

One of the loveliest homes for sale in Kailua is a charming, plantation-style, new construction home in the Kaimalino neighborhood of Kailua. This Kailua home is located at 776  Mokapu Boulevard, and is waterfront, on the Kawainui Canal, just across from the street where President Obama has stayed in the past during his Christmas holiday in Kailua.

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Kaneohe Street with Fabulous Christmas Lights and Kaneohe Home for Sale Too!

This year we took the Christmas trolley ride from my son’s school on a tour of several Kailua and Kaneohe streets with lots of Christmas lights and decorations. We carolled along the way to the sounds of a ukulele and songs led by the school’s music teacher. The ultimate destination was Namoku Street in Kaneohe. This is in the Pikoiloa neighborhood of Kaneohe, right next to the Windward City Shopping Center.

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Luxury Real Estate Marketing Specialists on Oahu | International Luxury Home Marketing

Many people think that marketing a luxury home on Oahu is the same as marketing any home on Oahu. Not so, marketing luxury homes on Oahu requires a special approach.

The luxury home marketing specialists at Home Shoppe Hawaii have special training and knowledge necessary to best market the most unique and expensive luxury homes in Honolulu, Kailua and other areas of the island.

Did you know that most luxury home buyers are busy people, possibly in other locations, that view their potential Oahu luxury home purchase first on the Internet? It’s true. One of the most important things luxury home sellers can do to effectively market their luxury Oahu home is to have numerous, high-quality professional photos taken. That, however, is only the first, and very basic step.

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How to Choose a Neighborhood When Buying Oahu Real Estate

Oahu has hundreds of neighborhoods! Which one should you choose? It’s best to narrow your home search on Oahu by identifying neighborhoods that are right for you. This helps keep your search focused and efficient. Home Shoppe Hawaii can offer you lots of neighborhood information to guide you in your search, and you can find Oahu Neighborhood Information on this website.

When evaluating Oahu Neighborhoods you should investigate the local conditions, as well as the prices. Depending on your own particular needs and tastes, some of the following factors may be more important considerations than others:

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Please Remove Your Slippers in Oahu Homes for Sale, Mahalo!

I recently read a blog article from a mainland realtor who expressed dismay that the seller of a home she and her client visited would require prospective buyers to remove their shoes before entering the home.  I had to laugh to myself; what was probably a legitimate complaint there, would not be even commented on here, on Oahu.

It is usual practice for most people on Oahu to remove their shoes before entering a home, whether the Oahu home’s for sale or not.  It is very common to see a shoe rack just outside or just inside the door of any Oahu real estate and perhaps, even a small ceramic sign, with a catchy phrase, asking visitors to remove their shoes before entering.  You can always tell a fun party too, by the huge pile of shoes near the hosts’ doormat.

Buyers of Oahu real esate from the mainland should be advised by their realtor to wear easy-on/easy-off shoes when going to look at Oahu properties for sale.  Where buyers do not wish to remove their shoes or can’t for stability reasons, buyers should discuss those circumstances with their realtor, prior to showings, and should bring house slippers to change into or booties to cover their shoes. 

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Ka Malanai Kailua Condos Releases New 3 Bedroom Floorplan

Updated on Sun, March 30, 2014 by By Yvonne Ahearn (B), Realtor-Broker

Ka Malanai Condos in Kailua (formerly the Ironwoods Kailua) has released another of its floorplans. This time, it is a three bedroom floorplan for the Ka Malanai condominiums. 

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Using A Buyer's Agent for Oahu Real Estate: Really, a No-Brainer

Accredited Buyers Representative on OahuOahu real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments of most people’s lifetime. Oahu real estate transactions often exceed $500,000 and can go up to tens of millions. If you had a $500,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a certified professional accountant? If you had a $500,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small or no upside cost and the large downside risk, it is always wise to work with a professional REALTOR^** when you are buying a home. And even among REALTORS, when buying, it is always best to use an Accredited Buyers Representative (denoted by the ABR designation), an elite group of REALTORS who are specially trained and committed to representing a Buyer’s best interests.

It is a common MYTH that buyers who do not use a Oahu Buyer’s Agent will save the amount of Buyer’s Agent commission on the price of the house. This is simply untrue. In addition, any Oahu Listing Agent that indicates somehow that you will save money on purchasing a Hawaii home by not using an agent at all or using them as a Dual Agent may be lying or acting unethically. Why is this?

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Kailua Christmas Lights 2012: Wordless Wednesday

Caste Hospital Christmas Tree Lights Up the Entrace to Kailua Town

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Please contact Home Shoppe Hawaii for all your Oahu real estate needs: Honolulu Real Estate, Kailua Real Estate, Kaneohe Real Estate, Hawaii Kai Real Estate. Yvonne Ahearn, B08-721-8088.

Light Up Kailua - December 5, Tree-Lighting Ceremony

Holiday season is here and it is almost time for the upcoming Light it up Kailua holiday tree lighting ceremony in Kailua. The giant tree at Castle Medical Center, at Kalanianaole Hwy and Kailua Road, will be strung with thousands of lights for the event.  Last year’s event featured a trolley ride, a live nativity scene, and many other festivities.

This year, the festivities will start at 5:00pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, with celebrity M.C.s, Gregg Hammer (Island 98.5) and Dawn O’Brien (The FISH FM 95.5). There will be performances by the Marine Forces Pacific Band (6:15 p.m.) Vaihi (7:30 p.m.) and a special perfomrance by Barrett and Tara Awai.

Event Parking will be available at the Kailua Town Center, Christ’s Church Uniting Disciples and Presyterians (1300 Kailua Road) and Faith Baptist Church (1230 Kailua Road). A shuttle to Castle Medical Center from Kailua Town Center and Pier One will run regularly, beginning at 5:00 pm. No parking on Manu Aloha street adjacent the the Castle E.R.

Come early, listen to Christmas music and enjoy a picnic in the lawn. Hot nacho bar available for purchase in the Bistro tent. See the lighting of the tree, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enter a drawing for great prizes, participate in keiki activities and partake in holiday munchies.

See you there!

Kailua Tree Lighting Ceremony at Castle Hospital

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Please contact Home Shoppe Hawaii for all your Oahu real estate needs: Honolulu Real Estate, Kailua Real Estate, Kaneohe Real Estate, Hawaii Kai Real Estate. Yvonne Ahearn, B08-721-8088.

Kailua Sunsets No Ka 'Oi

Kailua Sunset viewed from Enchanted Lake Home on the Kaelepulu CanalWhat a beautiful sunset this evening! The colors are just gorgeous. Another “lucky we live Hawaii” day!

~Aloha~

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Please contact Home Shoppe Hawaii for all your Oahu real estate needs: Honolulu Real Estate, Kailua Real Estate, Kaneohe Real Estate, Hawaii Kai Real Estate. Yvonne Ahearn, B08-721-8088.

Home Shoppe Hawaii Supports Small Business Saturday

Support Your Local Oahu Independent Businesses This Holiday Season and Year-Round!As most of you probably know, tomorrow Saturday, November 24, 2012, is the 3rd Annual Small Business Saturday.  This is a shopping promotion invented by American Express to help small businesses, by focusing on sending business their way, at least for a day, during the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

According to American Express, this day is, “a day for everyone – from the business owners who create jobs to the customers who buy locally – to support small businesses that invigorate the economy and keep communities thriving.”

The continued success of small businesses is important to the economy both locally, here on Oahu, and nationally. So instead of doing all of your holiday shopping at Big Box stores, why not Keep It Local and visit the independent businesses on Oahu, in your local communities of Honolulu, Kailua, Kaneohe, or Hawaii Kai or wherever you may be on Oahu?

Keeping It Local can apply to shopping for Oahu real estate brokerage services as well. Home Shoppe Hawaii is locally owned and is not affiliated with any national franchise or company — like Coldwell Banker or Century 21, who shares in every sale. When looking for Oahu real estate services, not only on Small Business Saturday, but year-around, go to Home Shoppe Hawaii, your independent, locally-owned and operated, and locally-focused Oahu real estate brokerage.

Not sure which other Oahu businesses near your qualify? Find out where to shop here.

To our independently-owned Oahu business friends and suppliers, and fellow members of the Kailua Chamber of Commerce, Home Shoppe Hawaii wishes you great success in this year’s Small Business Saturday!

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Please contact Home Shoppe Hawaii for all your Oahu real estate needs: Honolulu Real Estate, Kailua Real Estate, Kaneohe Real Estate, Hawaii Kai Real Estate. Yvonne Ahearn, B08-721-8088.

Local Hawaiian Thanksgiving Tradition: Imu Your Turkey!

This year, I am going to the mainland for Thanksgiving and will not be here, in Kailua, Oahu, for the holiday.  As a result, I am going to have to miss one of my favorite local Hawaiian traditions, which is to cook a Thanksgiving turkey in an Imu.

Beautiful Hawaiian-Style Turkey - Photo Courtesy of Whole Foods Kailua Facebook Page

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Most Expensive Home on Oahu Back on Market --- Kailua Beachfront Real Estate

The Most Expensive Home on Oahu is back on the market with a new listing agent (CB Pacific Properties) and a new list price of $24,950,000. This is a significant price reduction from $36,000,000, as it was first listed back in January of 2012. I was able to preview this property on Thursday, at Broker’s Open House, and was given permission to take photos of this amazing, unique Kailua beach estate. It is truly a one of a kind beachfront home in Hawaii.

210 N Kalaheo Ave. in Kailua. Beachfront Kailua Estate. Most Expensive Home on Oahu © 2012, Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn.

This home is a custom, Kailua beachfront estate designed and developed by the well-known Kerr-Michaels Design partnership. Kerr-Michaels developed another Kailua beachfront estate sold last year at 604D N. Kalaheo, also beachfront in Kailua. Like the beachfront residence at 604D, this spectacular home features a beautiful signature spiral staircase to the second floor, and lots and lots of covered outdoor living space.

Spiral Staircase in Kailua Beachfront Estate at 210 N. Kalaheo. © 2012, Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn.

This Kailua beachfront property is resort-like, with a relaxed tropical style and incredible privacy. This estate property in Kailua consists of three parcels, totalling almost 1 1/2 acres of lush paradise. The outside features the privacy and solitude of being far off the main road and down a meandering landscaped drive. 

The main residence on this fabulous Kailua beach propert has 5 bedrooms and over 10,000 sq ft of lavish interior living and lanais. There is also a completely separate 3 bedroom guest house on the property, outside the main gate of the home. While every amenity is provided in this home, it is understated and not ostentatious. This beachfront Hawaii home is truly a haven where you can kick back, and put your feet up to relax.

This Kailua Beach House has Many Areas to Relax with Seamless Indoor/Outdoor Living Space. © 2012, Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn.

This Kailua beachfront home features gorgeous, custom details, which include beautiful stonework and fabulous hardwood details and workmanship. The use of lava rock is amazing! There is a gourmet chef’s kitchen and a home theatre, as well. There is approximately 100 feet of property frontage on the sweet spot on Kailua Beach, one of the #1 rated beaches in the world. Kailua Beach is known for its soft, white sand and swimmable turquoise waters. Sports activities such as windsurfing, snorkeling, surfing, Stand-up paddling, outrigger canoeing, and kayaking are perfect here. This amazing location complements the seamless indoor/outdoor living space that makes this Oahu beachfront home simply exquisite.

Gorgeous Custom Door is Only One Unique Feature of this Kailua Beachfront Estate. © 2012, Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn.The guest house is in front of the main home, again, helping to ensure privacy. The main house is set far back from the beach, as well behind and expansive lawn area. Recording artist, Beyonce has stayed here on vacation and there is a large landscaped privacy wall fronting the pool to help ensure that looky-loo neighbors cannot see into the pool area. It was rumored recently that this home was being purchased by President Obama, but that rumor is unfounded.  Certainly, it would meet his privacy requirements, and those of most any other celebrity. The entries to both the property and to the main home are gated. This home is conveniently located approximately 1 mile to the center of Kailua Town and about 30 minutes from Honolulu International Airport.

White Sandy Kailua Beach is Just Steps Away from this Beachfront Home in Kailua Oahu. © 2012, Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn.This property may be shown to pre-qualified buyers. Please contact me, Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn, Principal Broker of Home Shoppe Hawaii, at 808-721-8088 if you would like to schedule a showing. 

For more photos of this Kailua Beachfront Home, click here.

~Aloha~

Beachside Kailua Home Sold by Home Shoppe Hawaii --- $1,200,000 FS

Home Shoppe Hawaii closed today on the sale of the adorable Kailua beach home at 110A N Kalaheo Avenue. Congratulations to our Buyers! This beautiful piece of Kailua real estate was an unlisted home at the time of purchase and, through some creative problem solving and negotiating, were were able to come to a mutually acceptable agreement with the Sellers and make the sale happen. With the market for Kailua real estate so hot right now, and with so little inventory available in Kailua, it was a great opportunity.

This charming beach house in Kailua’s upscale Beachside neighborhood was located only 3 houses from the white sands of Kailua Beach.  This Kailua property includes a share in the private beach lane and a private deeded beach access.  This Kailua home, was sold for $1,200,000 and features a main house with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and a separate 1/1 guest cottage.  The home is situated on a sandy beach knoll, bringing it high enough to get an ocean view from the first story.  It has a great plantation cottage feel and the homes is prime for renovation.  Or, this unique piece of Kailua real estate could be used to build a custom home on this large Kailua beach lot.

Kailua Real Estate sold by Home Shoppe Hawaii in Beachside Kailua

If you are looking for Kailua real estate or a home in the Beachside Kailua neighborhood, please contact Home Shoppe Hawaii. We specialize in beachfront, or beachside homes for sale on Oahu.

3.8% Tax on Sales of Oahu Real Estate in 2013

REAL ESTATE TAX OR MEDICARE TAX?

There has been a lot of misinformation thrown around about the 3.8% Tax on Real Estate starting in 2013.  For example, I have seen blogs and comments where people are proclaiming that anyone who sells their home will be subject to this tax and that the tax applies to the entire sale price of the home.  I have also heard some people who think this tax applies to the purchase of real estate.  Neither of these statements is true.

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Celebrating the Military on Oahu

Happy Veteran’s Day to all those who have served!  There may be no other state in the United States where the military culture is more a part of life than in Hawaii.  This may come as a suprise to some, but anyone who has lived here, on Oahu, knows that the military living on Oahu are an integral part of the community and the island economy is dependent upon it.  Military service members and their dependents make up roughly 1/8 to 1/10 of the entire population of the State of Hawaii.  On Oahu, where there are numerous military bases, the percentage of the military population is even higher.

On Friday, I attended a Military Appreciation Day Celebration and Mass at St. Anthony School in Kailua.  This Military Appreciation Day Celebration was made even more special because my husband, who is currently serving in Afghanistan, was home on leave and able to attend with my son and me.

Lt. Col. Neil C. Ahearn and Dean AhearnAt the mass, Oahu military service members from all branches of the military, including the US Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, and even the Australian Army, were honored and remembered. Representatives from Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base in Kailua (MCBH) attended.  The Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts attending the school served as ushers, handing out programs and paper leis to the Oahu military service members and spouses.

Lt. Col. Jeff Davis, Commanding Officer of HMH 436 on MCBH spoke about the role of the military.  He talked about the times of war, which we have been through over the past several years, but reinforced that historically, there have been more times of peace than war.  At times of peace, the role of the military is to provide service and humanitarian aid.  He mentioned many of the things that the military does to care for the poor and underserved in our communities. 

The Principal of the school also spoke and thanked the Oahu military service members in attendance, and others that were not present.  She emphasized that were it not for the military, we all would not have the freedoms that we enjoy in our country, including the freedom to choose where and how we worship.  I was impressed with all the speakers and the focus of the program, in highlighting all of the good that the military does both on Oahu and other parts of the U.S., and abroad, keeping us secure, and in helping to guarantee our valuable Constitutional rights. And I am thankful for our military.

Lt. Col. Neil Ahearn, Afghan National Security Force Development, Marine Expeditionary Force (FORWARD), Lt. Col. Olllie Oliver, Commanding Officer, HMH 362 MCBH, Lt. Col. Jeff Davis, Commanding Officer HMH 463 MCBH, Major Dan Rubel, HMH 362 MCBH 

Ka Malanai in Kailua Update - New Construction Condos in Kailua

Ka Malanai, the new construction condominium in Kailua, was discussed at the Windward Regional Meeting of REALTORS recently, at the Mid-Pacific Country Club.  Formerly called the Ironwoods, this development is the first new construction condominium development in Kailua in decades.

Several key personnel from D.R. Horton were in attendance to speak on the new Ka Malanai condominium development, to give updates, and to answer questions.

Of interest was the following information:

Pricing: $400-900K, for 1 to 3 bedroom units. They still have not gotten any more specific on pricing at this time.

Reservation System: Ka Malanai will use a lottery system and will offer units, by building. The lottery for Ka Malanai will be publicized in local media for at least two weeks prior to starting. And, as I understand it, if you are selected for one building and the unit type you want is no longer available, you can select another available unit in the building, but are not autmatically eligible for a unit in another building. The lotteries will be held one building at a time, as they are completed.

Completion: The buildings will be completed one at a time, starting from the North (Kailua Town) side of the Ka Malanai development and heading toward Enchanted Lake. It appears that there may be only 5 and not 6 buildings now.

Upgrades: There will be a base kitchen/appliance package available and an upgraded one, as well at Ka Malanai

Pets: Ka Malanai will be a pet-friendly building.

Floor Plans: Three floor plans have been realeased, this far.

Advice of Realtors: You can use your own real estate broker to represent your interests in your purchase Ka Malanai and they will compensate your broker, but you must register your brokers name with Ka Malanai.

If you would like more information or need assistance with your Ka Malanai purchase, please do not hesitate to email or call Home Shoppe Hawaii at 808-721-8088.

~Aloha~

Most Expensive Luxury Home on Oahu --- Kailua Beachfront Estate

A Kailua beach home, which is the most expensive home that has been on the market on Oahu this year, was recently taken off the market. However, I understand that this Kailua beachfront home is still being sold and is available to show during this interim period of being temporarily withdrawn.

This luxury Kailua beach home was most recently listed for $29,000,000 and is located at 210 N Kalaheo in the Beachside neighborhood of Kailua. This is a beachfront estate property that stretches from North Kalaheo Avenue on the Mauka side to the beach on the Makai side.

This spectacular Kailua beach estate consists of nearly 11,000 sq ft on 1.5 acres of sandy beachfront property, on the turquoise waters of Kailua Bay. The Main House of this Kailua estate property has 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths, and 2 powder rooms. The Guest House on this fabulous Kailua beachfront property has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 1 powder room.

Take a look in more detail via this video produced by Honolulu Magazine from YouTube:

Please do not hesitate to contact me at 808-721-8088 if you are a qualified buyer and you would like to view this spectacular Kailua beachfront estate property.

~Aloha~

 SEE MORE: Most Expensive Home on Oahu Back on Market Kailua Beachfront

Mokulua Islands, Kailua, Oahu.

Kailua Beach House with Bed & Breakfast License --- SOLD $1,210,000

Home Shoppe Hawaii is pleased to have just closed on this charming Kailua beach house with private beach access to Kailua beach. This Kailua beach house, in the upscale Beachside neighborhood of Kailua, is 4BR /2BA with spacious living area, remodeled bathrooms and an adorable retro cottage kitchen.

Kailua Real Estate sold by Home Shoppe Hawaii in Beachside Kailua

This solidly built, well-maintained, 2 story Kailua Beach house is only 3 homes from the “sweet spot” on sandy Kailua Beach, rated #1 beach in America by Dr. Beach. It features a great, low maintenance outdoor space for relaxing and entertaining. This Kailua real estate sale includes non-exclusive deeded beach access at end of the beach lane and access from main road via the private beach lane. Sale also includes a 50% undivided interest in TMK 1-4-3-015-025, which is the driveway parcel for access to the carport.

This beach house in Kailua has 4 car parking, which is important especially for a small beach lane. There is also a lovely fenced, slate-tiled lanai, where you have space for outdoor dining and relaxation, container gardening, etc. Very minimal yard maintenance! Spend you time on Kailua Beach and not doing yard work.

This Kailua beach house provides a fantastic opportunity to live practically on Kailua Beach and run your own B&B!!! Great income potential!! Home currently has Legal B&B non-conforming use certificate through September 2014. Rules and restrictions apply. Buyer to do their own due diligence on feasibility and requirements for maintaining this license. Kailua real estate with nightly rentals, like this one, produces great rents, even for long-terms rentals. This property is ideal for either Kailua owner-occupant or Kailua real estate investor, and anyone who loves Kailua Beach!

Staged by Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn, Principal Broker, Home Shoppe Hawaii and listed for $1,200,000 Fee simple. Sold over asking at $1,210,000. Congrats to our Sellers!

If you are looking for Kailua real estate or a home in the Beachside Kailua neighborhood, please contact Home Shoppe Hawaii. We specialize in beachfront, or beachside homes for sale on Oahu.

~Aloha~

Kailua Real Estate sold by Home Shoppe Hawaii in Beachside Kailua

Kailua Real Estate sold by Home Shoppe Hawaii in Beachside Kailua

Kailua Beach in Beachside Neighborhood of Kailua