Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers » Diamond Head

Diamond Head Home For Sale with Pool and Built in Alarm Clock

David E. Buck, R, BIC — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:00:38 +0000

Roosters in Diamond Head?

Like so many people looking to get in on New Year’s resolutions, I’ve been waking up early to squeeze in an early morning jog. One thing I don’t recall hearing in 2011 were roosters in Diamond Head…

The first time I heard them a week or two ago, I thought I was hearing something. It must have been coming from the Honolulu Zoo? Today was the 3rd of 4th time I’ve heard them now on my morning jog (when it is still dark outside). Now that I’ve honed in on the noise, it appears to be coming from the City and County’s nursery area just on the mauka (mountain) side of Kapiolani Park.

City and County of Honolulu’s Nursery View Larger Map

There’s actually a home for sale that is adjacent to the area. It’s been on the market for awhile, however, I feel it is a great value and now it appears to have its own “alarm clock” nearby…

Diamond Head home for sale (MLS# 1109847) with morning roosters nearby…

Now, how many other Realtors do you know that wake up in Diamond Head and hear roosters? This is one of many reasons to work with a local Realtor to know what’s going on in your community…

Oahu’s Million Dollar Home and Condo Sales For 2011

David E. Buck, R, BIC — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:35:19 +0000

Oahu home sales above $1 Million were up slightly in 2011. There were 393 this past year, which was up over 2010′s sales of 379 homes sold.

This Portlock home (MLS# 1112517) can be yours for $14,888,000

Home Sales

The highest sale on Oahu in 2011 was an oceanfront estate in the Kailua neighborhood of Beachside that sold for $14,000,000. When you break down sales above $5 Million on Oahu, there were 9 sales above $5 Million, which was down from 10 in 2010. Today, there are 42 active listings above $5 million, so if you have the cash, there is lots to choose from…Here are some of the better homes available I gathered for you in my Oahu Luxury Home Gallery.

Condo Sales

The highest condo sale on Oahu in 2010 was 2 units combined at the Diamond Head Apartments on the Gold Coast that went for $4,673,300. Meanwhile, the close runners up were a tie with Hokua 36K and Hokua 34B/C each selling for $4,550,000.

I know there were several on the neighbor islands that fetched higher sales prices this past year, however, don’t count Oahu out of the picture yet. We’ve had many sales here in the past above $20 Million, some above $30 Million and there was also one above $40 Million. Stay tuned to see what the Oahu luxury real estate market has in store for 2012…

Canadian Buyers Happy with Oahu Condo Purchase

David E. Buck, R, BIC — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:45:45 +0000

I recently had some clients from Canada come back to town to enjoy their condo I helped them purchase earlier this year for the first time. I am pleased to say, they are very happy. While just above freezing temperatures this time of year is considered “a good day” in Canada, our sunny skies, trade winds, and temperatures between 21-27 degrees Celsius are truly paradise.

We’ve seen a trend over the past few years with the weaker U.S. dollar, Canada’s wealth of natural resources such as oil and gas and have led Canadian investment in Hawaii to surpass Japanese investment. This is a trend I don’t see changing anytime soon…

Here’s what my happy clients allowed me to share:

“Our business dealings with Hawaii Life Real Estate was a pleasant experience. Their showings of the Diamond Head area were very informative and realistic to our price range. David Buck went above and beyond as far as returning our phone calls and relieving our confusions and concerns during the process. We highly recommend Hawaii Life Real Estate to any interested parties looking for their own foothold in paradise. They made our dreams a reality.”

Darren Wilson and Stacey Clayton
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Contest Results – Pink House on Diamond Head Gets Repainted

David E. Buck, R, BIC — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:58:01 +0000

A few months ago, I decided to run a contest about the fate of the pink house on Diamond Head. As I had mentioned, I was torn. Part of me couldn’t wait to see the color change and the other part of me knew I might lose my landmark for giving directions. As it turns out, the home ended up being painted recently. Below you’ll see the home being transformed.

Recently painted Kahala Ave. home on Diamond Head with remnant pink garage door

A man of my word, I would like to congratulate Sandra Tsuruda for your guess of “perfect greige.” Of all the votes we received on my blog, our company Facebook Page, and my personal Facebook Page, hers was definitely the closest. Assuming that Sandra lives on Oahu, she is now the proud winner of a $50 gift certificate for Wahoo’s Fish Tacos. Congratulations!

Below you will see the before and after photos and I must say the new owners have done a great job!

Before….

After—It’s amazing what paint can do!

If you’re interested in finding more about what is going on with Diamond Head and Kahala real estate, feel free to contact me for more information.

Oahu Home and Condo Sales Statistics For October (2011)

David E. Buck, R, BIC — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:13:26 +0000

After two months of increased sales volume on Oahu, single family home sales dropped by 9% in October. Meanwhile, condo sales were up 0.6%. The median sales price of a single family home on Oahu was down 2.3% from last year and the median condo price was up 1.7% to $305,000. Unfortunately, both are down from September’s median prices.

This home in Wailuna (MLS# 1109197) is listed for October’s median sales price of $579,000

The reason for the drop in single family sales is twofold. First, we are in what is traditionally a slower season, and second, there is less and less single family inventory. New single family listings were down 11.9%, which is the 7th out of 10 months this year where we have less inventory coming on market than the previous year.

This Salt Lake condo (MLS# 1113516) is listed for October’s median sales price of $305,000

Concern with Days on Market?

The days on market (DOM) for homes and condos (that have sold) jumped dramatically, up 28.6% for homes and up 18.8% for condos. Should we be concerned? My answer is “not yet.” The DOM for homes are now at 45 days, while condos are at 38 days. This is still a healthy market for sellers. Anything under 60 days is considered a “seller’s market” according to the National Association of Realtors. Although less inventory, it is taking longer for things to sell. This is a stat we will continue to monitor.

Homes that are selling are continuing to get great prices! Single family homes got 94.8% of asking price and condos that sold got 94.7% of asking price. The saying holds true that “well priced properties do sell.”

What neighborhoods were ‘hot’ for sellers in October?

Home sales in Kapahulu-Diamond Head were up 122%
Home prices in Waialae-Kahala were up 33.1%
Condo sales in Kalihi-Palama, Kapahulu-Diamond Head and the North Shore were each up 100%
Condo prices on the North Shore were up 165.7%

What neighborhoods were ‘hot’ for buyers in October?

Home sales in Hawaii Kai were down 52.4%
Home prices in Aina Haina-Kuliouou were down 60.6%
Condo sales in Wahiawa and the Windward Coast were each down 100%
Condo prices in Wahiawa and the Windward Coast were each down 100%

As always, all real estate is local. To find out what is happening in your neighborhood, contact one of our great Realtors on Oahu to see what is going on in your market, and if now is the time to buy or sell. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Oahu Home and Condo Sales Remained Hot in September

David E. Buck, R, BIC — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:16:17 +0000

After 5 months of downward sales of homes and condos on Oahu, the market finally started to heat up in August. September remained hot as year-over-year sales were up 4% for homes and 19% for condos! That’s the good news for buyers, sellers, and Realtors alike—deals are getting done. The bad news is prices were down by 8.1% for homes and 4.1% for condos.

This Waikele home (MLS# 1110700) is listed for the same amount as September’s median sales price

The median sales price for a single family home on Oahu in September was $570,000. Meanwhile, the median price for a condo was $316,500. Although that was down from last year, it was up from August’s price of $300,000.

If there’s something that can be said about the mood of the market lately, it’s that we are now getting short on inventory. New listings were down 13.9% for homes and 6.5% for condos compared to last year. I’ve also noticed this trend on a personal level, as I’ve sold many of my listings and I’m looking for more product to sell.

This Waikele condo (MLS# 1112258) is priced just over September’s median price

The average days on market (DOM) for homes to sell in September was 31 and 39 DOM for condos. In theory, this is a seller’s market!. Although prices aren’t as high as they were in the peak of the market, low inventory, low DOM, and low interest rates have all created the perfect storm for strong September sales on Oahu.

What neighborhoods were ‘hot’ for sellers in September?

Home sales in Kapahulu-Diamond Head were up 86.7%
Home prices in Wahiawa were up 63%
Condo sales on the North Shore were up 500%
Condo prices in Kapahulu-Diamond Head were up 317%

What neighborhoods were ‘hot’ for buyers in September?

Home sales Aina Haina-Kuliouou were down 44.4%
Home prices in Moanalua-Salt Lake were down 29.4%
Condo sales in Downtown-Nuuanu were down 48.6%
Condo prices in Ala Moana to Kakaako were down 47.5%

Check back soon, as October’s stats should be released in about a week and a half. Aloha!

Contest – Vote on the Fate of the Pink House

David E. Buck, R, BIC — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:20:39 +0000

The famous Diamond Head Pink House on Kahala Avenue sold on Friday.Yard workers were out there on Saturday going to town, cutting the trees and the bushes.

I know, talking to the neighbors, that there are mixed emotions as to what the new owners will do to the home. Instead of waiting in boredom, I thought it would be fun to run a contest for Oahu residents!*

Vote on the Fate of the Pink House

It will be painted another color (You must choose a color scheme from Sherwin Williams)
It will be torn down to build a new home
Nothing will happen

Prizes

$50 gift certificate to Wahoo’s Fish Taco (If answer is #1 is correct and you choose the closest color to the actual color the house is painted).
$2 tacos on Taco Tuesdays (If #2 or #3 are correct**)

*Rules

Submit your comments on this Facebook post or here on this blog post
Friends/family of the buyer, buyer’s agent, and any contractor/paint vendors that have looked or bid on this home are ineligible
Voting Ends December 31, 2011
Only 1 entry per person

Everyone is a potential winner! Good luck :)

**I’ll be designating a night in January where I’ll treat those winners to one $2 taco per person on Taco Tuesdays at Wahoo’s Fish Taco.

Diamond Head’s Triangle Park at Dusk – Luxury Real Estate For Sale on Oahu

David E. Buck, R, BIC — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:46:40 +0000

I took the family for a nice walk this evening around Triangle Park. Outside of the grass being a little brown, it was a beautiful evening.

The moon was up, the air was crisp, and there was some cool real estate to stroll past along the park perimeter as well. There are two listings in MLS that border the park.

This Kahala Ave. home (MLS# 1014120) on the ocean side of the park recently got an accepted offer

Things are starting to move as the home above is under contract. The pink house I wrote about awhile back should be closing soon and another home a block up towards Diamond Head lookout recently sold for $3,850,000.

This home (MLS# 1102859) on the Diamond Head side of the park is available for $1,650,000

The home above is only one of a half dozen homes on the market in Diamond Head under $2 million. At the peak of the market, there were times where you couldn’t find anything under $2 million…

If you’re looking to live your Hawaii life in Diamond Head, contact me for more information.

David E. Buck, R
Hawaii Life Real Estate Services
808.371.3509
David@HawaiiLife.com

Oahu’s Luxury Beachfront Estates – Drop Dead Digs For August, 2011

Kelly A. Lee, R — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Hawaii Beachfront Estates—Oahu real estate Drop Dead Digs for August, 2011.

A beachfront estate on the shores of Oahu is likened to grand castles of Europe in prestige. There are very few available at any given time and having the opportunity to experience the Hawaii lifestyle is the key to acquiring one of these rare gems.

Yes, they are priced high when looking at conventional real estate markets, but given the fact that Oahu, Hawaii is an island with very limited oceanfront property available, it is no surprise that these estates are most often priced in the multi-million dollar range. As we say here in Hawaii, “That is the price you pay for a piece of paradise.”

Let’s take a look at a few of the oceanfront villas that can be bought at today’s rock bottom prices. For more information on how to choose which beach you want to buy on, check out my article (coming soon) about the differences in our beautiful oceanfront properties, so you can choose the beachfront that is right for you (yes, there are extreme differences in tide, sandy, rocky, windy, and seawall conditions that you will want to know about—“Oahu’s Finest Luxury Shorelines”).

3047 Kalakaua Ave.

3047 Kalakaua Ave., priced at $8,900,000, is a home built recently in 2008. It is just a couple of blocks from Kapiolani Park and just a few blocks from the edge of Waikiki’s prominent Gold Coast. With 3,564 sq. ft. under roof and 7,256 sq. ft. of land (MLS# 1107885), it is an average sized luxury home on a below average sized lot. However, due to its location being so close to Waikiki, lots in this area tend to be smaller.

The oceanfront is protected by seawall and a rocky frontage. There is a sandy beach area approximately 3 lots East, which would be suitable for swimming. The winds sweep nicely across this area of oceanfront.

The house itself has 3 master suites, several large glass window walls to highlight the crystal blue waters, an elevator, and nicely landscaped gardens. Since this area was developed in the early 1900’s, this would be ideal for someone who wants a modern home in a traditional neighborhood.

4461 Kahala Ave. beachfront estate

4461 Kahala Ave., priced at $16,950,000, is along Oahu’s premium Kahala Avenue. The properties along this beachfront street tend to be large homes on long narrow lots with smaller linear footage along the Oahu shoreline.

The home (MLS# 1014286) was built in 1976 and remodeled in 2002. It features a chairman’s office, a lady’s salon/office, a media room, and a large, nicely landscaped yard. It has a seawall with some sandy beach frontage.

120/128 Hanapepe Lp.—Oahu beachfront estate

120/128 Hanapepe is listed at $9,800,000 and is a unique property (MLS# 1102635) with 2 full-size luxury homes on a family compound along the rocky shoreline of Oahu’s Koko Kai. This neighborhood is on the east end of Oahu and features many custom luxury homes.

This property has 31,487 sq. ft. of land with 195 linear ocean frontage feet. In Hawaii, the more linear feet along the shoreline the more valuable the property. After all, we have limited ocean frontage on our little island paradise and everyone wants a piece.

For more information on these Drop Dead Digs, or any other piece of Oahu’s premier real estate contact me. To search for more homes, click here.

Kelly A. Lee, (R) CHMS, e-PRO
Realtor-Broker
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers, LLC
808-225-0349
kelly.lee@hawaiilife.com

Hawaiian Entertainment Legend Don Ho’s Diamond Head Home For Sale

David E. Buck, R, BIC — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 04:30:19 +0000

The late Don Ho’s private residence is available for sale in Diamond Head.

Don Ho’s home (MLS# 1108514) on Gail St. is available for $3,000,000

Don Ho was a legend when it comes to Hawaiian entertainment, both here in Hawaii and all over the world. Although his songs Tiny Bubbles and Pearly Shells have put him on the map, there was so much more to this local icon. He’s worked with the best-of-the-best in showbiz and people would fly in from all over the world to see him perform his shows in Waikiki. He will be missed by many…

Don Ho sings “Tiny Bubbles”

For more information on Don Ho’s property, or any other homes in Diamond Head, contact me for more information.

David E. Buck, R
Hawaii Life Real Estate Services
808.371.3509
David@HawaiiLife.com