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July 14, 2011

Kawailoa Beach - Oahu North Shore

Kawailoa Beach is a sandy beach located on north Oahu. Chun’s Reef, a popular surfing site is within a short distance from Kawailoa Beach. Chun’s Reef covers an area of 20,000 square foot. It is a very popular surfing spot. You can view Kawailoa Beach from the Kamehameha Highway. The Hawaiian people name the beach after the longest Oahu stream, which is Kawailoa Stream. In the Hawaii language, Kawailoa refers to the long water. This fits the description of the beach because its water comes from the Kawailoa Streams, the longest stream in Oahu. Nearby Kawailoa Beach, there are many real estate houses.  There is no parking lot near to Kawailoa Beach. If you come by car, you can park it at the street across the beach. If you are the kind of person that likes to spend the whole day at the beach, you will like Kawailoa Beach. Kawailoa beach does not offer as many facilities as other beaches in Oahu. However, it is a great beach to spend your time. There is a camping ground near to the beach.  

 

There aren’t many accommodations nearby the Kawailoa Beach. However, if you want to reserve a room, you will have to travel a distance. Tourists should book the room many days in advanced because it can get fully booked quickly. The water of the Kawailoa Beach is calm so it is suitable for tourists to perform swimming activities. If you have time, you should visit Puaena. Most of the visitors that come to Kawailoa beach are from Haleiwa. If you like to play golf, you can visit the Turtle Bay Golf or Jungle River Mini Golf Village. If you like to ride horses, you can visit the Krafty Horse. You can also ride horse at the Gunstock Ranch.

 

Haleiwa Boat Harbor is located at Kawailoa Beach. The Papailoa Beach is located quite near to this beach. Other places you can visit while at Kawailoa Beach are Schofield Bowling Center, Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau State Monument, Fun Factory, Puu Kolea, and Hawaii Country Club. The sand of the Kawailoa Beach is soft golden brown color. The beach is well maintained so you should not expect any litter there. At the back of the beach, there are many trees. You will find a grassy field at the back of the shore. You can go picnic at the large green field at the back of the Kawailoa Beach.

Posted in Oahu Guide
July 12, 2011

Tips on Buying a Hawaii Home with Resale Value

The old adage is that you make your profit when you buy, not when you sell. What you should look for are those amenities that are usually preferred by the majority of people. These include: a good appearance, a good location on the block, a good school district, a low crime area, and a big enough size to appeal to a wide variety of buyers. Avoid features that only a few people would like, thus limiting your spectrum of potential buyers later on.

Buy with the right features and later on you can sell more quickly and for a greater profit. So, what amenities do most buyers want? Since you're a buyer, you probably have some strong feelings on this subject yourself. However, while you may be right on target in some cases, you could be miles off in others.

Here's a list of some of the most preferred items, not necessarily in order of priority.

1. Three or four bedrooms. A two-bedroom home with each being a master bedroom has become popular recently, particularly for families without children. But there are far more buyers with children than without children out there. More bedrooms make the home more versatile.

2. Two to three bathrooms. Some older homes have only one bath, which is considered a detracting feature. Generally, most buyers will subtract the cost of putting in a second bathroom from any price you set. (If you're considering buying a home with a single bathroom, you should do the same thing!)

3. Two- or three-car garages. A one-car garage is consid­ered a detracting feature. People prefer bigger garages because homes generally have limited storage space and the garage becomes a great place to store items.

4. Fireplace and air-conditioning. These are no longer extras, but are expected in almost all climates. A house without them may sell for less, and it may take much longer to find a buyer.

5. Family room. Formal dining rooms are shrinking in size or being eliminated entirely, while family rooms are growing in size. A dining L or nook may suffice, but a house without a good size family room is a no-no.

6. Adequate footage. At least 1500 but preferably 2000 or more square feet for a house. At least 1200 but preferably 1500 or more square feet for a condo or town house.

7. A large kitchen.   Buyers these days are returning to the old style of a farm kitchen with at least a breakfast nook or eating area inside.

Posted in Home Buying Guide
July 12, 2011

How does Owning Real Estate in Hawaii Benefit Consumers in Hawaii?

If you want to live in Paradise then Hawaii is the place for you. Many people who own are very lucky. They have a chance to enjoy a lifestyle and have experiences, which are truly unique.

There are many things, which make the state of Hawaii a perfect place to live. Hawaii is a mix of blended cultures that make it unique as one of the worlds the largest sought-after areas to live. Ethnic diversity is what many call Hawaiian representation of harmony for the residents. You can enjoy the excellent qualities of all the clearly diverse cultures.

The difference in each island is it has its own charm and appealing natural beauty. All potential buyers should be able to sample the life as if it is on many of the various islands before deciding to purchase the property. The eight main islands of Hawaii have their own unique qualities. If you have a home in Hawaii then many of your relatives will want to visit you. Almost everyone enjoys the beaches. Hawaii has been ranked as the world's most beautiful places to visit and especially to live where its residents enjoy its beauty every day.

Hawaii has lush green valleys, Volcanoes National Park, snow covered mountains, a rocky coastline, incredible beaches and gardens, lava fields, and native forest, plus much more. The variety in the beauty of the land is the fact that the elevation in a particular area, the location and the origin of the geology. There are many fabricated creations, which only add to the natural beauty of the island.

Hawaii is a bird lover's paradise. The Nene is a very interesting bird and can be seen frequently along the road on the Big Island. It is the name also given by the residents to the Canadian Geese, whose descendants are now in Hawaii. They were blown far off course in a storm and they reproduce.

A vast array of tropical plant species, whales, dolphins, and coral reefs and cascading waterfalls, add to the impressive scenery. The lucky Hawaiian Real Estate Owners have a vast number of alternatives to do, see and experience.

Hawaii has the perfect waves for surfing. Many visitors and residents of Hawaii enjoy the surfing in Pacific Ocean. Then, after a day on the beach, everyone enjoys a luau, and hula dancers, which displays the stories, grace and beauty that can be equaled by anything else.

Take a day to go horseback riding or visiting the volcanoes to see lava flowing. If shopping is on your list then visit the unique shops that offer many local art or quilts. There are always activities for your creativity.

Posted in Real Estate
July 12, 2011

How to Find Affordable Honolulu Real Estate for investing

How would you feel if today you clinched a real estate deal that will save you up to $30,000 on a single property? Yes, it is very possible. The first and most important thing that you need to realize is the fact that saving this money is easy and simple, but only if you know the steps that need to be taken, and take them carefully.

What many people do not realize is that these lucrative and attractive deals are never advertised. This is simply because they do not need to be advertised. All you need to know is that for you to be able to locate the most lucrative deals out there and find the cheapest properties in the market, you will need to be very knowledgeable. Here are a few simple tips and measures to make it happen. 

The first step when looking for a real estate deal is to contact a Hawaii real estate agent to help you do the legwork. Before you even start the process though, you might want to ensure your finances are in order. This is so because a very good deal may pass you by as you try to collect the money. Remember these deals are a real hot cake, and something very good may pass you by very easily. When you locate that good deal you should understand that you should jump on to it with both hands and place your offer ASAP or else someone else will take on the godsend opportunity.

The second tip is quite simple. If you locate an affordable property, you shouldn’t think that the seller will not reduce the price, you can always throw out a lower figure. You will be very surprised to discover that there are very many people out there, especially those on desperate money situations, that won't mind leaving $30,000 on the table if it means getting access to a larger amount and dispose of their property.

Where do you locate Cheap Real Estate?

Search online – the first important tip is to check online. More often than not people place advertisements and real estate deals on websites. Places such as Craigslist might contain a lot of valuable information that would lead you to a very irresistible real estate deal.

Ads on newspapers – the age old newspaper ads are still a great channel when looking for cheap real estate deals, and so are real estate magazines. The reason why many people place advertisements on the newspaper is because it is very cheap to advertise there, and so is the internet, hence many people opt for this affordable ways. Most of the time these advertisements are placed by property owners and not agents, meaning you will have to deal with the owner directly.

In conclusion, one thing that you should know is that no matter where you are located in the world, there are always amazing deals when it comes to cheap real estate investment. 

Posted in Real Estate
July 12, 2011

First Time Hawaii Home Buying Tips and Tricks

Buying a home in Hawaii is a huge investment as and is the case with all huge investments, the processes are always frightening and complicated, especially to first timers. It is always important to be well prepared and come armed with the right information; knowledge is always power when it comes to buying your first home.

 

It will allow you to negotiate the prices, the loans, the interest rates, and all else that needs negotiation. First a first timer, there are so many things that need to be considered before making the first purchase. The more information you have the better and easier the process will be for you. Let us get started.

 

Look Beyond the Price

When you are securing a good mortgage loan, it is always advisable to look beyond the rate of interest but to the real cost of the mortgage, both in the present and future. Ensure you go through all paperwork, read and understand the terms and conditions, read the fine print carefully, particularly if the rate of interest is below the average market prices.

 

When you give it a close scrutiny, you will find that the attractive interest rate is always only for a shorter period of time, or it is always designed to rise in the near future. The mortgage loan contract could be the most important contract you can sign in the whole home buying process, hence it is important that you understand your rights and privileges before you sign on the dotted line.

 

Many a times, you would rather hire a qualified home buying attorney to help interpret the jargon for you. Most communities today provide some form of first time home buying programs meant to help transform renters into real homeowners. Such groups can give you the legal advice you need to make an informed decision, at a very affordable price.

 

Each situation is distinctive

Remember that each and every homebuyer has a unique set of circumstances; hence lenders ought to consider your specific factors. There are those who are OK with variable rate mortgage loans, while others are good with fixed rate mortgages because of their stable and predictable monthly income and payments.  

 

Cost of the Mortgage loan

You also need to factor in the actual cost of the mortgage loan that you are thinking of taking and how much you can comfortably afford to raise as a down payment. Such things as mortgage closing costs as well as private mortgage insurance are normally the responsibility of the homebuyer. Such costs can really drive up the cost of a mortgage and dig into the little funds that would have been available for such things as furnishings, home improvements, among other basics.

 

Be an informed first time Hawaii home buyer and the process will run smoothly. 

Posted in Home Buying Guide
July 12, 2011

How to Buy Hawaii Foreclosed Properties

If you are a home owner looking for an affordable house to buy, or if you are an investor looking for a diverse investment portfolio, Hawaii Real Estate Owned properties and foreclosed properties can be an interesting option to look at. This is because lending institutions are always more than willing to dispose of these troubled properties at a significantly lower price than the actual market value. This way, the banks get to recover their money while the buyers get a great opportunity to secure an affordable deal.  

 

But, an important thing that all prospective homeowners should be aware of when opting for this option is that real estate transactions can be very complex and tricky. As such, you need to gain at least some basic knowledge about how business is done and the way the foreclosed property sector operates so as to clinch a great deal. Following are some useful tips on how you can go about buying foreclosed properties.

 

Where to find foreclosed properties – as is with almost searching for anything else today, the best place to start your search for foreclosed properties is online. Today there are a number of websites which are entirely dedicated to providing listings of foreclosed property, based on your geographical location and preferences.

 

As expected, there are websites that will request for a fee in order to give you full access to the listings, and there are others that offer the services for free. Don’t make any payments to such websites. Always go for the free ones as you will only be making your research.

 

The other place to check is with the county Sherriff sales office, local real estate agents, auctioning agents, or on classified ads in magazines and/ or newspapers. All these places will contain information on where you can find foreclosed properties in your area of interest.

 

Do a thorough preliminary research – just because it is foreclosed property doesn’t mean it is the best there is in the market. You will need to take your time to do some preliminary research regarding the property. Inquire about the surroundings, the neighborhood, proximity to social amenities etc, of course and the actual cost of the property in that area.

 

Seek mortgage pre-approval – even before you approach your real estate agent or the property seller, it would be wise to get a mortgage pre-approval first. This way, you will have a clear understanding of the kind of property that qualifies you for funding. This will make your work even easier as you can be able to narrow down your list to only the properties that you qualify for.

 

Ensure the property is inspected – never decide on a foreclosed property before it is properly inspected. Home inspection is best done by a certified home inspector, who will look for such things as damages, repairs, utility bills among other unpaid dues.

 

This is just a roundup of how to go about the process. Your Hawaii real estate agent can be in a great position to advice you on how the process is done, and how it can run smoothly. 

Posted in Foreclosures
July 12, 2011

Basic Considerations When Buying Oahu Real Estate

The most important and time-consuming investment, yet rewarding at the same time, that you will probably ever make in your life is the purchase of a new home. It is important to keep in mind that finding the right home, even for seasoned homebuyers, is normally a long and difficult process, but there is no shortcut; things must be done the right way, right from the first time. Following are some basic considerations when looking to buy your new home in Hawaii that you should focus on.

 

Know your basic needs and wants

Of course before you start your house-hunting mission you will need to know exactly what it is that you should be looking for. Take some time, sit down with a paper and pen and list all the things that you want. Things like size of house, location, size of parking, style, ideal neighborhood etc., will be great pointers into the right direction when you embark on the house hunting journey in Honolulu.

 

Have your credit report at hand

By the same token, before you embark on this arduous process, it would be good to ensure your finances are in their best order. This will go a very long way in helping make the hard task a little easier. Review your credit report and if it has any wrong entries, you should clean it… in an effort to improve your credit score.

 

Evaluate all your home-buying options

You need to decide on the kind of property that you want. Are you looking for a foreclosure, a HUD property, An FSBO, or a real estate? This will also guide you and help you avoid wasting time looking for things that are not on your plan. Most websites today list properties for sale according to the price range, type, city, and, or State.

 

Seek mortgage pre-approval

With the abovementioned things in check, you are ready to search for the ideal lender to pre-approve you for the loan. Mortgage pre-approval has its share of great advantages. For one, it will tell you exactly what you qualify for, so you will also save time by not looking at properties that are out of your reach. The second reason why pre-approval is advantageous is because the moment you find your ideal home, you can always place your offer immediately. In other words, waiting for pre-approval after finding the 'ideal home' could open the door for someone else placing an order before you get approved. 

 

Get a good realtor

It is always advisable, especially to first time homebuyers to rely on real estate agents regardless of the kind of property that they are eyeing. An experienced and knowledgeable realtor will make your worm much easier. An experienced realtor is always a good negotiator and can help with the complex paperwork as well as in closing a deal.

 

These are few of the many Hawaii home buying tips available. While you will discover a lot in the process, arming yourself with these basics will give you a good head start. 

Posted in Home Buying Guide
July 8, 2011

Honolulu Real Estate - Should You Offer Your Top Price?

The implication, of course, is that you have a top price. I believe that it's a real mistake to set a top price when buy­ing Honolulu real estate. The reason is that at least half the deal is terms. What if the seller wants more than you're prepared to pay, but offers you such favorable terms that it's a bet­ter deal for you? Setting a top price could keep you from making this deal. Be flexible. Remember, buying real estate is always a combination of price and terms. Sometimes you may actually want to offer far more than your "top" price, to get the better terms!

If we all bought for cash, then price would be everything and we could set a top limit. But the truth is very few peo­ple pay cash for homes. Almost everything is financed. And therein lie all kinds of opportunities.

For example, let's say that you want to buy a home, and you don't want to pay more than $125,000. But the seller wants $130,000 and won't budge.

You aren't paying cash; you're getting a mortgage. So, instead of getting a new first mortgage for the entire amount, ask the seller to carry back a second mortgage for 20 percent of the sales price (you'll put 20 percent down and you'll get a new first mortgage for 60 percent). Yes, you'll pay what the seller is asking, $130,000. But you want the seller to carry the second mortgage at an inter­est rate of 4 percent.

Now, is that a good deal for you? Chances are the new first mortgage will carry an interest rate of close to 8 per­cent, depending on the market at the time. Your second will be for half that amount. Think of the interest you'll be saving. On a $20,000 mortgage, that's $800 a year. In 7 years (statistically about as long as you'll keep the house), it will be $5600. It's almost the same as paying $5000 less for the property!

Is it a good deal for the sellers? Could be, if they are hung up on getting their price. I've seen many sellers accept onerous terms, just so they could say they didn't budge below a certain amount. No, you didn't get your price; but you did get the house, and the terms you got offset the extra amount you paid. It's definitely a win-win situation.

The moral of this story is to be very careful when talking about top-price offers. You should never determine in advance what your top price is. Just get a feel for what the market value of the house is and what you can afford to come up with in terms of the down payment and monthly payments, then see if a deal to satisfy all can be negotiated.

Posted in Home Buying Guide
July 7, 2011

Acquiring a Hawaii Real Estate through Home Loans

There are many different types of mortgage or housing loans to choose from if you are planning to acquire a home.  Check out the following mortgage types and carefully study each one of them:

  1. Conventional Mortgage.  In a conventional mortgage, the interest rates applied to it will remain unchanged from the time you have obtained it until you’ll be able to pay off the entire amount even if it means 30 long years from now.  Any person with an acceptable credit rating can avail of this mortgage.  You’ll be required to pay 10% to 20% down payment and the amount of down payment usually depends on your credit rating, credit record, and on your debt-to-income ratio.
  2. Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM).  The interest rate of this type of mortgage is dependent on the market or economic condition.  This means that your monthly repayments are unpredictable.  
  3. Bridge Mortgage.  This mortgage is for homeowners who are planning to move into a new home.  This bridge mortgage, however, is not for the home to be purchased, but for the first home that is being sold to use it as collateral.   
  4. Jumbo Loans.  As the name suggests, jumbo loans involve a big mortgage and they are usually more than $350,000.  The interest rates applied on this type of loan vary and they depend on the changes in the current market.    
  5. No Closing Cost Loans.  What’s good about this loan is that no fees will be charged upon application.  However, the interest rates for this type of loan are much higher. 
  6. Interest Only Mortgage.  With this interest only mortgage, borrowers are allowed to pay only the interest for a certain period, usually about a year, without affecting the principal amount.   
  7. FHA Loans.  This mortgage is granted to people with the required debt-to-income ratio.  In case you fail to settle your FHA loan, the Federal Housing Authority will have to settle it for you.  The money will be taken from the insurance premium that FHA has collected from you and from other borrowers of this loan.  Unlike other mortgages, this loan allows borrowers to take out a bigger mortgage and pay much lesser down payment, which is only at about 3%.  This is a good type of loan for individuals who are willing to pay an insurance premium on a monthly basis. 

VA Loans.  This loan is intended only for the veterans of the U.S. military. Conventional loans are offered to the veterans without requiring them to pay any down payment. 

Posted in Mortgage
July 5, 2011

Hawaii Real Estate - A Guide to Contingencies in a Purchase Offer

A contingency clause makes the purchase subject to certain conditions being met. (That's why it's also sometimes referred to as a subject-to clause.) A com­mon example is a clause inserted into the sales agreement which states that the sale is subject to the buyers getting a new mortgage at a particular interest rate and payment. If the buyers don't get a new mortgage, there's no sale. Buyers like to include contingency clauses because it gives them a graceful way to back out of the deal without losing their deposit, if things don't work out the way they want. Sellers, however, may refuse to accept contracts with contingency clauses that give buyers too much wig­gle room. If you insist on such a clause, it could protect you, but it also might cost you the deal.

Often a contingency clause is vitally necessary for your protection. For example, you are buying a home and plan to use the money from the sale of your current home to pay for the new one. Only the deal hasn't closed on your old home, and you can't be sure it will. Therefore, you may want to insert a clause which states that the purchase of the new home in Hawaii is contingent upon the sale of the old. It's perfectly reasonable, to you.

However, from the sellers' perspective, to sign a sales agreement with such a clause in it might be foolish. The sellers would be tying up the sale of their home in the hope your old house would sell. Now, instead of worry­ing about selling just one house, the sellers have to worry about the sale of two! Further, if for any reason your old home doesn't sell, their deal doesn't go through either. Therefore, such a clause, though probably necessary for you as a buyer in such a situation, can be a deal wrecker from the sellers' perspective. Only if the market is very weak, the sellers are grasping for straws, or your house is already sold and in escrow are they likely to go for it.

 

However, you can make any contingency more enticing by limiting it, usually in terms of time. You could say that the sale is subject to your escrow (on your old house) clos­ing within two weeks. If it doesn't close by then, the deal's off. Here the sellers are only tying up their prop­erty for a short time. Further, during that time you would normally be inspecting their property and going through disclosures—it's little time wasted. Further, you can agree to let the sellers continue to show the property and to accept "backup offers" during the two weeks. Now you have constructed a far more acceptable offer, from the sellers' perspective.

 

But note, each step above weakens your position. Instead of tying up the sellers' home, you've only locked it in for two weeks. If your house doesn't sell by then, you're back to ground zero. (Almost...after a couple of weeks, if it looks like the sale of your old home will only take a few more days, most sellers will go along.)

 

You can insert anything as a contingency in a sales agreement, even ridiculous things. For example, you could make the sale contingent upon the melting of the polar ice caps or the approval of the home by your Uncle Harry in Australia. Just remember, however, that the more unlimited and wild the contingency, the less likely the seller is to accept it.

 

Most good Hawaii agents and attorneys can draft a proper con­tingency clause for you.

Posted in Home Buying Guide