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Ownership at Timbers Kauai is as effortless as it is enjoyable, with Owners enjoying membership to exclusive amenities, activities and programming at the Hokuala Club, featuring member benefits at the Ocean Course at Hokuala, Kauai’s only Signature Jack Nicklaus course, and exclusive access to the Beach Club at Kalapaki Beach.  At Timbers Kauai, you are an instant local. Personal concierge services, including our Adventure Guides, will get you to the island’s best-kept secrets. Dining. Local art. Beaches. Fishing holes. Reef breaks and dive spots. And from lessons in outrigger canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding to one-on-one instruction with top surfers, you will gain direct access to the real Kauai.

For more information, go to Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences

or call:   808.829.3467

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At first, you might envision a monster home as one that is 8 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and a couple of guest bathrooms on each floor, approximately 10,000 sq.ft. complete with family room, theater, craft and hobby room, winery, photography studio, dining room, breakfast room, large kitchen, game room, man cave, yoga studio, office, maids quarters, in-law suite and guest rooms.  But what about the 29 bedrooms, 17 bathroom home on a 9500 sq.ft. lot next to a humble 3 bedroom 1100 sq.ft. home on a 5100 sq.ft. lot neighbor?

The following KITV story is not a new one but is coming to light as more of these large homes are being constructed in already high-density neighborhoods with narrow streets.

Invasion of Monster Homes Creating Conflict

I think examples of these monster homes in Kaimuki, Kalihi, Kamehameha Heights and the neighbor conflict will create a backlash in Honolulu…particularly against Chinese (from PRC) contractors, designers, and investors who are not sensitive to neighborhood character. The backlash can include lobbying for stricter building codes, enforcement, and more fines.

A friend asked me what my thoughts were on monster homes and what I thought the 29 bedroom home might sell for.  Pricing is not a science. For example, you would think that the larger home with more bedrooms and bathrooms would have a higher price/sq.ft. But if the home is poorly designed and constructed or not very functional, it could be a white elephant. I’ve seen tastefully designed homes with large yards sell for more in terms of $ per sq.ft. because the aesthetic factor of landscaping contributes to value. A neighborhood location and its desirability factor are often determined by its design features. For example, are the homes nicely designed and maintained. Is there high density, wide or narrow streets, gardens noise, traffic, highly rated schools, low crime, and or low neighborhood disputes?

I think prices will soar unbelievably if communities were mindful and designed homes with more green lush lawns and landscaping as well as beautifully designed spaces. It is homes designed like this that drive prices up for the smaller homes on large lots. I wish people would buy A-2 apartment zoned properties and erect newer, better condition, high-quality structures.  Right now, the property tax on A-2 zoned buildings is relatively low too even if the property is assessed more than 1 Million.

Do you think Honolulu is due for stricter building codes?  Should Honolulu have more fines or penalties for violations? Do you think we need monster homes to address housing needs or to encourage investment?

I believe our leaders and community need to think deeply what our actions today will bring us tomorrow.

What kind of solutions do you think would work to create harmony amongst neighbors, develop beautiful neighborhoods and improve Honolulu?

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When you read the Honolulu report on the (median) price of homes, remember that the island of Oahu is the County of Honolulu. Therefore, the Honolulu report is the report on the island and not the city of Honolulu.

You can see from this chart from Title Guaranty that the median sales price in July for the Kahala area was $1,250,000 (for a condominium).

Kahala is a tony neighborhood whose shopping mall activity increased by its anchor tenant Whole Foods.  It has a large deli-style area for take-out food and a generous outdoor seating area outside its doors.  Whether you’re meeting a friend or eating alone, the Kahala Mall is a nice place to venture.

Ocean Pointe homes continue to climb and the median price of a single-family home is $707,000.  Two years ago, you could find a 4 Bedroom 2 Bath home there for approximately $638,904.

Here’s our islandwide July 2017 report.  Prices are continuing to climb in many neighborhoods.

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Here’s a reposting from the National Association of Realtors:

The post Why Sellers should use a Realtor when selling. appeared first on Ronda Ching Day.

Signiel Residences at the Lotte World Tower NOW SELLING

Our offices at Century 21 All Islands is presenting in Honolulu on August 11, 2017, the Signiel Residences at the Lotte World Tower of Seoul, Korea.  Available residences begin at approximately 3.5 Million.

The post Magnificent Signiel Residences at the Lotte World Tower Now Selling appeared first on Ronda Ching Day.

This fire, as well as London’s Grenfell Tower, raised the importance and awareness of older buildings throughout the U.S. Both fires occurred in buildings with no sprinkler systems.  Should older buildings be required by law to retrofit them with sprinkler systems?  On Monday following the fire, Honolulu Mayor Kirk CaldwellHonolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell introduced a bill Monday that would require sprinklers in all high-rise buildings regardless of when they were constructed.  Many homeowner associations of buildings taller than 8 stories should have been meeting all week to discuss the issue.  There are about 300 high-rises on Oahu that were built before a 1975 law made sprinkler systems mandatory in new structures, according to a survey conducted by the Honolulu Fire Department.

The post The Marco Polo building fire made worse due to no sprinkler systems appeared first on Ronda Ching Day.

Appraisers will now consider other factors when evaluating VA Permit Issues

Ronda, VA Permit issues NO MORE!

The post Breaking News: VA Permit Issues No More! appeared first on Ronda Ching Day.

Here is a snapshot of June 2017 Market Statistics for Hawaii.  You can also see neighborhood values comparing 2016 and 2017.  The single family home price continues to climb.

I usually see clients choosing a home over a condominium when they have more than four people or a large pet in their household as there are not many condominiums larger than 1200 sq.ft.  Some clients are choosing to move up from a small condominium to a multi-family property where they have the option of renting out a unit or having a relative live with them.  Airbnb has affected Hawaii which is a visitor destination.

Statistics alone may not tell the complete story for your property.  Neighborhood issues, spurious low or high sales in your area, individual owner issues affect sales price.  Please call me at 808-387-1474 so we discuss your property or situation.

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Here’s a short clip of where Musubi Cafe is.  It’s a block or so away from the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Hotel at the Pacific Monarch Hotel on Kuhio Avenue at the corner of Kaiulani Street in Waikiki.  (that’s a mouthful!)

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