Lanikai Pillbox Hike: Will The City Maintain This Area or Close Access?

Have you hiked up to the Lanikai Pillboxes? This Lankai, Kailua hike is one of the favorites for locals and visitors alike. When in Lanikai, just look up to the ridge that is behind the homes in Lanikai. You will see some old cement bunkers on the hill just past the area of the Lanikai Neighborhood Park. The entrance to this hike is on Kaelepulu Street near the Mid-Pacific County Club. Parking is not ideal there. You may be towed, so be careful where you park and, of course, respectful of the neighbors, as the entrance to the trailhead is admist several Lanikai homes.

This hike offers breathtaking views of the ocean, Mokulua islands, mountain ranges and other areas of Windward Oahu. We hope the DNLR will confirm the safety of the bunkers and keep the hike open to enjoy! Read more on this Topic below:

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/26136560/lanikai-pillbox-deteriorating-making-hikers-nervous

Kailua Real Estate | Lanikai Sales 2013 and First Half 2014

The Lanikai Kailua real estate market activity in Lanikai picked up in 2013 and has continued in a strong way in 2014. After a relatively slow 2011 and 2012, this was good news to Lanikai residents who had a Lanikai beach house to sell.

Most Lanikai homes are selling in under 90 days, including thoses at the higher price points, like the beachfront homes in Lanikai. Overall the Oahu luxury market is strong and growing stronger. Reports say that Hawaii luxury home sales have increased 33% from 2013 to 2014 and these statistics show that.

Lanikai Beachfront House

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Kailua Real Estate | Old Kailua Homes & Businesses Kailua Beach 1958

FOR THROWBACK TH - A look at Hawaii life in Kailua Oahu, circa 1958.  

For the VIDEO, SEE BELOW.

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Kailua 4th of July Fireworks and Parade | Kailua Oahu Activities

Happy 4th of July All! Today is the day for the Kailua 4th of July Parade and Fireworks Independence Day Celebration. Kailua has always been a great place to enjoy 4th of July activities on Oahu and is the location of the only Independence Day Parade on Oahu.

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Ewa Beach Real Estate | Hu'elani Gated Community - Rare 3BR/3BA!

Huelani Ewa Beach - Just listed - $650k - Three bedroom, three bath home in exclusive Hu’elani Gated Community.

There are many beautiful neighborhoods in Leeward Oahu, but none quite like Hu’elani, in Ewa Beach, nestled between Kapolei parkway and Coral Creek Golf Course.  Offered for sale is a three bedroom, three bathroom Huelani Persimmion model (one of only 29 built) two-story home built in 2004, at 91-729 Launahele Street in Ewa Beach.

91-729 Launahele, Ewa Beach - View from the street.

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Hawaii Kai Homes | Waterfront Townhome at Hale Makani Kai

JUST LISTED FOR $700K - Waterfront townhome in Hawaii Kai’s West Marina. This gorgeous townhome at Hale Makani Kai has been remodeled and is ready to move right in and enjoy the Hawaii Kai Marina lifestyle!

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Honolulu Real Estate | Ward Village Luxury Condominiums

I’m excited to announce that the Ward Village Oahu real estate project is Honolulu’s newest luxury condominium development. Ward Village’s luxury real estate in Honolulu, features LEED certification and a modern building design, interior and exterior, along the themes of renowned architect, Vladimir Ossipoff (who designed the historic IBM building on the property), with floor to ceiling windows and some of the best views on the island, featuring both the ocean and Diamond Head.

This luxury Honolulu real estate project will comprise 60 acres in the Kaka’ako area of Honolulu, with Ala Moana Shopping Center to the East and Downtown to the West. The Neil Blaisdell Center is to the North and Ala Moana Beach Park to the South. Lots of restaurants, shopping, & movie theaters are nearby, within walking distance of Ward Village.

Ward Village developers anticipate starting construction in the early Summer of 2014 for the Waiea Tower and late Summer 2014 for the Anaha Tower (subject to change). Estimated completion of Ward Village is the end of 2016 (subject to change).

Ward Village Towers: 

There will be two Ward Village towers. Waiea (meaning “Water of Life”) and Anaha (meaning “Reflection of Light”) - The Waeia is the more luxurious building of the two, and is closer to the water; however, they are both very high-end, luxury condominium buildings.  This project, at Ward Village, with its LEED Certification, is perhaps the most amenity-filled and high-end condominium project, in terms of both construction and design, to ever be built on Oahu.

The Anaha building will have studio to 4 bedroom units. The Anaha Tower will have 238 Residences, including the Penthouses. There will also be 73 townhomes and studio and 2BR flats.

The Waiea building will have 171 Residences, including Penthouses.

Service Amenities for Ward Village include:
Resident manager, security patrol, concierge service, guest suites, guest parking, optional valet parking. 

Building Amenities for Ward Village include:

Ocean view pool (Waiea will have an infinity pool), hot tub, dog park, playground, tennis courts, fitness center, locker rooms with steam and sauna, library, bar, billiards, conference room, dining rooms with catering/kitchen, and theatre/performance room.

Interior Amenities include:

High ceilings, floor to ceiling windows, spectacular views from many units, Meile appliances and other finishes (depending upon tower and units).

SEE RENDERINGS OF WARD VILLAGE BELOW:

 

If you are interested in pre-registering, please let me know, email or call me at 808-721-8088

Honolulu Real Estate | Downtown Condo at Harbor Square - SOLD $314K

The Honolulu real estate market is still hot, but not too hot to find some great properties for our buyers! And, on that note, we’d like to congratulate one of our most recent Buyers who just purchased this lovely Honolulu condo at Harbor Square.   Harbor Square is located in Honolulu, near the ocean, in the Downtown neighborhood. This is a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, fully remodeled condo home, in fee simple.

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Staging Oahu Real Estate - Outdoor Space & Lanais Matter Too!

Most people understand the importance of staging Oahu real estate and homes for sale in other areas such as Honolulu and Kailua. Most statistics on real estate staging, claim that homes that are staged can fetch a higher price and sell with less time on the market.  In my experience, this is true.

 

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Home Shoppe Hawaii Oahu Real Estate Presents The Aloha Project by Ryan Moss

Aloha Friends ~

People are always asking what it’s like living on Oahu, or living in Hawaii.  Hawaii life is many things to many people, but one thing that anyone - no matter your material wealth or where you’re from - can have here, in Hawaii, is access to the beauty of nature, the bounty of outdoor activites, and the warmth of the aloha spirit.

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Ko 'Olina Real Estate | Ko'Olina Fairways Golf Retreat SOLD $515K FS

Home Shoppe Hawaii closed today on the sale of a lovely town-home in Ko’Olina Fairways for our delighted Buyer clients. The got a great price at $515,000 Fee Simple. The beautiful Ko’ Olina home they purchased features a large master suite with both a bedroom and separate office, as well as a second bedroom, with its own bath. Sold furnished, this unit would be perfect for a second home or corporate getaway. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances and bathrooms have been remodeled.

Ko ‘Olina Fairways amenities include a pool and recreation area. This townhome is also unique, as compared to many in the area, because it has a 2 car garage, with 2 additional driveway parking spaces. 

Ko ‘Olina is a premier golf resort community, in the municipality of Kapolei, on the West (Leeward) Coast of Oahu. This is the area where the J.W. Marriott, as well as the Disney Aulani Hotel, are located. Ko ‘Olina features not only a championship golf course (LPGA just finished there this month) and a marina for your boat, but also, gorgeous beaches. Real estate in Ko ‘Olina provides owners with an amazing active lifestyle, great weather, and numerous opportunities for recreation.

Please contact Home Shoppe Hawaii today at 808-721-8088, if you have questions about this property or purchasing or selling real estate in Ko ‘Olina.

Kailua Fireworks 2014 - Donations are Needed from the Kailua Community

Aloha ~ As many of you know, Kailua has traditionally had one of the best 4th of July Fireworks displays on the island of Oahu. Unfortunately, each year, the Kailua fireworks must be funded privately, by our community.  The outcome of the fireworks display, in the past, has often been uncertain until just shortly prior to the 4th, when enough funds have been contributed.  And, in 2012, there were no fireworks in Kailua at all.

4th of July in Kailua is very festive. It starts with the only 4th of July Parade on the island of Oahu. Floats, put together by schools, businesses, and other community organizations, can be found traveling down Kainalu Avenue beginning around 10:00 am. Kailua residents, tourists, and residents from all around Oahu line the street, to watch and participate in a relatively small, local, yet still very colorful, parade. Fourth of July afternoons in Kailua are usually spent at Kailua or Lanikai Beach, or in neighborhood backyards and house parties, where residents and visitors cook out and spend time with friends and family. The culmination of the Kailua Independence Day festivities is the Kailua Independence Day Fireworks Show. Usually, the fireworks are set off from the ocean, at Flat Island, off of Kailua Beach. The show can be seen from the beach and from many homes and rooftops. Some people also watch fireworks from the informally conducted boat parade on the Kaelepulu Stream. Thousands of people usually attend Kailua Fireworks.

The goal for Kailua Fireworks is to raise $80,000 this year.  The funds are being collected at local businesses, such as the Kalapawai Market. You can also donate at the Kailua Fireworks Website. 

The Kailua Chamber of Commerce recently had a really fun fundraiser, held at the Kaelepulu Streamfront home of Don and Jana Holden.   

It was a beautiful setting, with great food and drinks, a raffle, and a silent auction. There were also boat rides on the Kaelepulu Stream, to help raise additional funds.

 

However, Kailua Fireworks still needs more help from the community to raise enough for the Kailua Fireworks in 2014.

Please help in any way you can and join us for a great time on the 4th of July!

Honolulu Real Estate | Kapahulu Home with Ocean Views SOLD: $706,500 FS

Home Shoppe Hawaii is pleased to have recently helped our Buyers purchase a Honolulu Home at 3518 McCorriston Street in the Kapahulu neighborhood of Diamond Head.  This was a private sale of an unlisted Honolulu property that Home Shoppe Hawaii arranged on behalf of our clients. Because this Kapahulu home was not listed, Home Shoppe Hawaii managed both sides of the transaction, though we represented only the Buyers on the transaction. Having no listing agent resulted in significant savings to my Buyers in their purchase.  It also enabled my Buyers to purchase this home without having outside competition. Due to the low inventory we are experiencing on Oahu, most single family properties in the Diamond Head area of Honolulu receive multiple offers.

This Kapahulu home, in the Diamond Head region of Honolulu, was built in the 1930s and had some of the traditional details of homes of this period. Unfortunately, there had been a lot of deferred maintenance and the home was in average to fair condition. The location is great, however, just a short walk to Monsarrat Ave and Kapiolani Park, as well as Waikiki Beach. The second story of this home featured ocean and Diamond Head views, which was exactly what my clients desired.

Purchasing homes in a Sellers’ market requires unique strategies to help Buyers find the home of their dreams. Home Shoppe Hawaii thinks outside of the box to help secure the home you want and frequently has access to unlisted homes. Contact Home Shoppe Hawaii at 808-721-8088 to hear how we can help you find a great Honolulu home.

Ka Malanai in Kailua Condos Available Outside of Lottery

Ka Malanai has condos still available!  For buyers who have not signed up for the Ka Malanai in Kailua lottery, there are several units that are available without participating in the lottery. These are in Buildings 1 and 2.  Please contact me for more information on how to purchase these units.

PLEASE NOTE: Availability is first come, first served and subject to change at any time.

Ka Malanai in Kailua Availability

Floor Plan	INT SQ FT	BR	BA	LANAI(S)	LANAI SQ FT	TOTAL	PRICES
Aoloa A-1 #1205 #2205	1,285	2	2	Y (1)	116	1,401	$756,755 $778,755
Wana’ao A-4 #1204 #2204	1,287	2	2	Y (1)	116	1,403	$759,755 $781,755
Kakahiaka G-1 #1102 #2102	1,433	3	2	Y (2)	163	1,586	$847,700 $867,700
Auwina G-2 #1202 #1302 #2202	1,433	3	2	Y (1)	100	1,533	$852,700 $857,700 $876,700
Hekili B-2 #1107 #1207 #2207	1,529	3	2	Y (2)	106	1,635	$872,755 $878,735 $900,375
Kailua E #2101	1,811	3	2	Y (wrap)	241	2,052	$952,755

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

READ MORE ABOUT KA MALANAI IN KAILUA

Ka Malanai Kailua Condos Lottery Building 3 - March 29

Aloha ~ The second lottery for the Ka Malanai Kailua condominiums has been announced. This is for Building 3 Units.  All of the condos of Ka Malanai’s third building will be offered at this time, except for one the top floor one bedroom unit #3303. That is a total of 20 units: eight (8) 3-bedroom units, ten (10) 2-bedroom units, and two (2) 1-bedroom units.

THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR THIS LOTTERY IS FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 at 12:00 noon. 

The lottery will be held Saturday March 29 at the Mid-Pacific Country Club at 10:00am. Refreshments served beginning at 9:30.

For the 30 days after each lottery release of units, those units are offered to Owner Ocuupants only. After thirty (30) days, the units are offered to Owner Non-Occupants/Investors.

As of 3/29, there are still some 2 and 3 bedroom units available to Owner Non-Occupants/Investors, as the 30 day wait period for the first lottery (Buildings 1 and 2) has passed.

If you are interested in the second lottery please contact me to make an appointment to register and notarize your Owner Occupant Affadavit at 808-721-8088. I will represent buyers in this project and do not represent the developer. Buyer representation is at no additional cost to you and prices are not affected by having buyer representation.

Floor plans for Ka Malanai and Prices for Ka Malanai are below.

Ka Malanai Floor Plans: http://www.homeshoppehawaii.com/blog/2014/1/3/ka-malanai-in-kailua-floor-plans-for-ironwoods-kailua-condom.html

Ka Malanai Prices for Building 3 Units (1 page)

Lottery Instructions (1 page)

Ka Malanai Lottery Registration Form (1 page)

Ka Malanai Notice of Lottery Form (3 pages)

Owner Occupancy Affadavit (3 pages)

If you would like to learn more about these beautiful new construction condos in Kailua, please do not hesitate to call me at 808-721-8088 or email me at kamalanai@homeshoppehawaii.com

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

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Photos of Honolulu in 1954

HAPPY SUNDAY!  Here’s a blast from the past.

Photos of Honolulu in 1954 - Waikiki, Ala Moana Beach Park, etc. ENJOY!!

VA Loan Amounts for Conforming Loans on Oahu Back Up!

VA Lenders on Oahu and many of our VA Buyers are pleased now that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that conforming VA Loan amounts in Hawaii are back up where they should be.

The VA had lowered the conforming loan upper limit for 2014 to $625,000, which did not make sense, given the high cost of real estate on Oahu and other areas of Hawaii.  This change was also a significant drop from the prior 2013 Hawaii VA loan limit on Oahu of $750,000, in the face of rising housing costs in Hawaii.

After appeals, the VA has raised the conforming loan upper limit to $721,050 for Oahu (Honolulu County).

Other VA Loan Limits in Hawaii, by County, are as follows:

Honolulu County $721,050
Kauai County $713,000
Maui County $657,800
Kalawao County $657,800
Hawaii County $625,500

Note that VA jumbo loans are still available up to $1,000,000, with a down payment of 25% of the difference between the conforming loan upper limit and the purchase price..

According to the Hawaii Association of REALTORS®, it’s extremely difficult for Hawaii residents to gather together enough money for a down payment due to our high cost of living and high home prices.  For many, the VA loan is the only way they can purchase a home.   Many of our active duty, reserve and national guard members purchase homes using no down VA loans.  Last year, more than 5,000 families in Hawai’i relied on VA loan guarantees.

Kailua Real Estate | Keolu Hills Remodeled Home SOLD $805K FS

Keolu Hills is a great neighborhood in Kailua, near Enchanted Lake. Homes in the area range from plantation-style cottages to executive homes with sweeping views of the ocean and/or Enchanted Lake.

Home Shoppe Hawaii recently helped find and closed on a Keolu Hills Kailua home for some of our delightful VA buyers. This prime piece of Keolu Hills Kailua real estate was a 4/3 home, with 3/2 in the main part of the house and 1/1 as a mother-in-law suite, that could be used for guests or even as a rental. This charming Kailua home for sale was fully remodeled and move-in ready. The kitchen had stainless steel applicances and granite countertops. The entire home had new flooring and all bathrooms were new. All remodels and additions were permitted. The spacious master suite featured two sinks and a shower-tub combo.  The back yard had mature fruit trees and new grass with sprinklers and the home was freshing painted.

Great homes at this price point, particularly those than meet VA Loan requirements, can be hard to find in Kailua. My clients were able to secure this one by acting quickly when the Kailua home fell out of escrow with another buyer. Buying a home in Kailua often requires dilligence and unique buying and offering strategies, given the low inventory and high demand for Kailua real estate that we are currently experiencing.

Please contact me at 808-721-8088 if you would like to hear my unique strategies for helping buyers find a Kailua home.

House Hunters in Kailua! HGTV Films House Hunters in Windward Oahu

House Hunters from HGTV came to Oahu last week to film a new episode. They followed clients of Yvonne Ahearn, Kailua REALTOR and Principal Broker of Home Shoppe Hawaii, in their Oahu Hawaii home search, which included three lovely homes in the Windward Oahu locations of Lanikai, Kailua, and Kaneohe, in the over $1 million price range.

House Hunters films in Lanikai, Kailua and other areas of Windward Oahu. Photo Courtesy of Diane Pizarro.

Despite mostly rainy and grey days during shooting, the gracious and professional House Hunters crew was able to film not only the great features of the tropical Hawaiian homes in the show, but also the incredible beauty of Kaneohe, Lanikai and other areas of Windward Oahu.  This episode of House Hunters will also showcase, several of the active lifestyle opportunities that residents have when living in the Kailua and Kaneohe areas of Windward Oahu.

House Hunters in Lanikai, Kailua. Photo by Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn, Home Shoppe Hawaii LLC.

The Kaneohe and Lanikai, Kailua filming of House Hunters was a lot of fun for both Home Shoppe Hawaii REALTOR, Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn, and her clients. The homes toured were all beautiful, with great locations and/or views, and the clients ended up finding the perfect house for their family. We are all looking forward to the Windward Oahu, Kailua episode of House Hunters when it airs later this year.  Many MAHALOS to House Hunters’ wonderful production crew!!

 
Home Shoppe Hawaii clients with Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn and House Hunters production crew. Photo courtesy of Diane Pizarro.

Would YOU like to be featured on House Hunters, during your Oahu Hawaii home search?

House Hunters loves to follow home searches in Kailua, Honolulu, or any of the other areas of Oahu, Hawaii. Please contact House Hunters REALTOR, Yvonne Ahearn, at 808-721-8088, to purchase your Oahu, Hawaii home and learn more about this opportunity.

Ka Malanai Lottery - Tomorrow at MidPac Country Club 10:00 am

The deadline for submission of applications for the first Ka Malanai Lottery ended today at noon.  I was there just minutes before the end, but was told they did not know exactly how many applicants were entering the this Kailua condo lottery.

My guess is that there are about 100 excited prospective purchasers of this much anticipated new construction condominium development in Kailua. When I asked earlier this week, there were 60 applicants. Formerly the Ironwoods, Ka Malanai is Kailua’s first new condo development in about 20 years. Sales are to be conducted using a lottery system, to account for anticipated high demand.

The lottery will be held at 10:00 am at the Mid-Pacific Country Club in Lanikai, Kailua in the Grand Ballroom.

PLEASE NOTE, IF YOU WOULD LIKE BUYER REPRESENTATION:  This is FREE to you. I would be happy to help you and am not in any way affiliated with and do not represent the developer. However, I must accompany you on the first visit to represent you as a BUYER’S AGENT. Please contact me at 808-721-8088 and I can help you get an application in, arrange a notary, and can set up an appointment for us to visit the sales office at your convenience.

In total there will be over 150 one, two, and three bedroom units in the Ka Malanai Lottery in Kailua.  These spacious units will span over beautifully landscaped grounds, in 6 low-rise buildings, with parking underneath three floors of condominiums. The Prices for Ka Malanai Units in the first condo lottery range from about $477K to about $953K.

The first Ka Malanai Lottery consists of units in Buildings 1 and 2, which will be completed first. There are the Northern-most buildings in the development (closer to Kailua Town center, than Waimanalo).  Interestingly, there is only one 1-bedroom unit in this lottery. Apparently, the developer is holding back 5 of the 6 1-bedroom condos in Ka Malanai Buildings 1 and 2, for later release. Several of the other units in Buildings 1 and 2 are also being held back. Click here for a complete Price List and Itemization of the Ka Malanai Lottery 1 units.

I will let you know how the Ka Malanai lottery went when it is over, later tomorrow.

For more information, such as Ka Malanai Prices, and Ka Malanai Floor Plans, please click here, or call Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn, Principal Broker of Home Shoppe Hawaii, at 808-721-8088.

~ Aloha

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

READ MORE ABOUT KA MALANAI IN KAILUA