Kapolei, HI

The Power of Homeselling Negotiations

In my previous post I’ve mentioned one of the most important pieces of advice on how to buy a perfect house. The advice was “Negotiate!” And yes, the art of negotiation will serve you the best helper in whatever you do: buying a house or selling it. Recognizing that being a good negotiator does not come naturally to most people - it must be worked at - is the first step in becoming one. And, moreover, you must always remember that your opponent can turn out to be a better negotiator.

This preachy story, I want to tell, was narrated by Jaron Summers – a novelist and a bittersweet tales writer. So make yourself comfortable and enjoy.

“One of the many reasons I am so successful with my life is that I have studied how the masters of negotiations achieve spectacular results.

There are three rules you must master if you are to come out ahead in a negotiation.

Rule number one realize that the person you are dealing with is your enemy.
Rule number two find out what he wants.
Rule number three make him pay top dollar.

It’s as simple as that.

Recently I flew to Arizona with my wife to sell her parents’ home… Read more

The Beach Villas at Ko Olina

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
Henry David Thoreau



I'm about to celebrate my second anniversary of living in Ko Olina. When I'm asked
why I moved here, the best answer I've come up with is "sheer desire". It's hard to
describe with words, but it has been a move that has brought the quote above to life
for me.



The Beach Villas at Ko Olina were being built when we moved here. Now they are
100% complete and the Developer's vision of creating a unique residential beach
front paradise have been achieved beyond belief. Built on the 2nd of the 4 signature
lagoons of Ko Olina, the Beach Villas provide an opportunity to own a year round
luxury residence or 2nd home that waits for you until you can come and relax in a
setting that rivals most world class resorts.



Imagine yourselves owning your own luxurious beachfront Villa. Choose the model that
fits your lifestyle the best and settle in for the ride of your life. Models range from 1,100
square feet to nearly 1,500 square feet. Choose between models with 2 or 3 bedrooms
and pick the views that speak to your soul. Each unit has it's own private lanai and
access to the full menu of amenities offered through your ownership at the Beach Villas at
Ko Olina.


The enchantment of Ko Olina is that the Beach Villas at Ko Olina are just a portion of
all that Ko Olina has to offer. When you live in Ko Olina, you enjoy a 642 acre residential
community that is truly unique in Hawaii. Located less than 3 miles from the center of
Kapolei, you enjoy all the conveniences of the fastest growing community in Hawaii
with the seclusion of your own slice of paradise.

The quality of the Ko Olina experience is able to support the 5 star Marriott Hotel
Ihilani Resort and Spa, the 5 star Marriott Beach Club, a Ted Robinson designed 18
Hole Championship Golf course (Michelle Wie's home course and site of the annual
"Fields" LPGA tournament). We are also home to a world class 330 slip full-service
marina that is arguably the best marina in the State of Hawaii with miles of beachfront
walking paths that connect you to all of your new neighbors while enjoying the 4 crystal
blue lagoons.

Perhaps the greatest recent validation of Ko Olina is it's selection by Disney to be the
location of it's newest Hotel and Timeshare development which has begun construction
and will be open in 2011. At an investment of nearly a Billion dollars for the new Disney
project, the Beach Villas at Ko Olina have good neighbors and provide an opportunity
for you to live your life where others can only come to vacation. Click here to learn more
about the Disney Hotel .




With two towers to choose from, the Ocean Tower with 155 villas on 15 floors and the
Beach Tower with 92 villas on 11 floors, the Beach Villas at Ko Olina offer the first
beachfront resort condominium that has been built on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu in
25 years. Prices start in the $900's with a median price of about $1.6MM. With over
half of the units already sold. The Beach Villas at Ko Olina have been well received by
people from all over the world and offer an upscale option for people who demand the
best for themselves, their families and their friends.

I know that I can't begin to convey the experience of this remarkable development with a
few pictures and words. If you are going to be on Oahu and would like to take a tour of
the Villas, I would love to meet you and show you around. Between myself and the
talented staff of the Villas, I'm sure you'll be impressed with what you see. If you would
like me to send you a brochure with photos and floor plans or to answer any questions
you might have, click here .

I look forward to hearing from you and to welcoming you to my neighborhood. If you are
still interested, but want to see more and have a little time while you're here, here is a
great collection of interviews, photos and information. Click on the Island of Oahu and
then follow the links in the lower right corner of the page. Take the virtual tour. .



Aloha!

November 2008 Oahu Real Estate Statistics

As we come to the close of another month, we find the news continues to be half empty or half full, depending on your perspective. While demand for housing was the lowest in ten years, the inventory of both single family homes and condominiums also went down. This resulted in a drop of the "monthly inventory remaining" from 9.8 months to 8.6 months in single family homes and from 8.7 months to 8.4 months in condominiums. From a "trend" point of view, this is a trend in the right direction.


The number of units sold on Oahu were 170 single family homes and 201 condominiums for decreases of 30.6% and 47% respectively as compared to a year ago. With such dramatic decreases in the number of sales, the marketplace continues to show tremendous resiliency with the median value of both single family and condominiums remaining amazingly strong as compared to last year November at -2.5% for single family and +.4% for condominiums. **

November 2008 Residential Resales Statistics for Oahu Single Family Home Resales
	Number of Sales	This Month Compared To		Median* Sales Price	This Month Compared To
November 2008	170			$ 594,500
October 2008				$ 625,000	dn 4.9%
November 2007	245	dn 30.6%		$ 610,000	dn 2.5%
Condominium Resales
	Number of Sales	This Month Compared To		Median* Sales Price	This Month Compared To
November 2008	201			$ 316,200
October 2008				$ 325,000	dn 2.7%
November 2007	379	dn 47.0%		$ 315,000	up 0.4%

**

"Although Oahu residential home sales declined substantially in November, our prices are still exhibiting much more stability than those for cities on the Mainland," said Dana Chandler, President of the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®. "Time will tell what the complete effects of the current economic conditions will be, but we're hopeful that the slowdown will be shallow and only of short-term duration here in the islands."

As prices remained fairly constant Island wide, the markets of Kapolei, Ko Olina and Makakilo seemed to be feeling more of a softening while the affordability of those homes has increased dramatically as a function of price and prevailing interest rates. Quotes for 30 year fixed rate conventional mortgages are now under 5% and FHA and VA rates are now in the low 5's. Short sales and foreclosures continue to play a large role in our market and for buyers who are capable of purchasing homes, there are some GREAT buys.

For the complete Monthly Statistical Report for November 2008, please click here .

As always, for your own personalized searches or information, please visit my real estate website and I'll do my best to answer any questions you might have.

** Source - Honolulu Board of REALTORS® Research Department, compiled from MLS data.

There are currently 263 Kapolei Homes for sale compared to 290 last month, the average price of these homes has gone down approx $8500. So Far 6 Homes have sold and we are trending for a smaller number of transacted properties compared to last month.

In Hawaii The average temperature is between 78 to 85, with August being the hottest month and December being the coldest month at mid 60 degrees. The rain season goes from September through February, although an unexpected down pour for two minutes can turn the day around at the beach. Snow does not fall in the State of Hawaii except for the peaks on Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, both located on the island of Hawaii (Big Island).

I specialize in representing my clients in the purchases and sales of single-family residences and income properties within the Central area of Oahu, Military Relocations on Oahu, First Time buyers and VA Loan Requirments. I keep current of all transactions in these areas, and I'm also a Neighborhood expert in Pearl City, Mililani, Waipio, Waikele, Royal Kunia, Kapolei, Makakilo and Ewa. My expertise goes beyond those areas to Windward and East side of Oahu.

I was born and raised in the islands my entire life. My Childhood was spent in school, church and athletics. I graduated from Heald Business College and Hawaii Pacific University with a degree in Accounting. Current hobbies of mine include spending time with the family, traveling, participating in tennis leagues and volunteering with various youth programs and organizations

For more information about Hawaii relocation, Homes for Sale, VA Loans, Financing, or the Hawaii Lifestyle, call or email me today. or Visit www.deniseamrichhomes.com

Beach Villas at Ko'Olina by Centex Destination Properties.

Oahu Luxury New Construction. Location: Kapolei area, the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Don't miss this special event in June! Huge Final Sales Event! Beach Villas at Ko'Olina by Centex Destination Properties will be ON SALE. Every single remaining Villa during the sales event must be sold. Which means the units will be dramatically discounted. Plus incentives- complete furniture packages (worth between $65,000 - $76,000) & one free year of HOA dues and of course a covered parking stall is included too. This is a value of close to $100K, PLUS the discounts in price.

In addition, Del Osman Realty offers a special incentive to our clients when you use us as your buyer's agent.

The first beachfront resort condominium on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu in 25 years. On white sandy beaches of Ko'Olina Resort & Marina with four, tempting, turquoise lagoons make for a flawless respite, there is an elegant place, where shimmering lagoons reflect the moon, exotic flowers scent the sky, and the ocean laps at your feet. So lush and pure, you unwind in a dream.

Beach Villas at Ko'Olina is a community of exquisite 2 & 3 bedroom high-end residential beachfront residences with resort lifestyle living. Ten floor plans are ranging from approximately 1,171 to 1,650 square feet of interior living space. The prices are starting from low $ 900,000 to over $ 2,000,000. (Fee Simple) Prices vary on views and location.

Blue Ginger Villa

2 Bedroom/2Bath

Net living area 1,171 sq. ft.

Lanai 215 sq. ft.

Total living area 1,386 sq. ft.

‘Ena'Ena Villa

2 Bedroom/2Bath

Net living area 1,187 sq. ft.

Lanai 178 sq. ft.

Total living area 1,365 sq. ft.

Loke Lani Villa

2 Bedroom/2Bath

Net living area 1,265 sq. ft.

Lanai 201 sq. ft.

Total living area 1,466 sq. ft.

Dendrobium Villa

2 Bedroom/2Bath

Net living area 1,315 sq. ft.

Lanai 260 sq. ft.

Total living area 1,575 sq. ft.

Akala "pink" Villa

3 Bedroom/3Bath

Net living area 1,478 sq. ft.

Lanai 215 sq. ft.

Total living area 1,693 sq. ft.

Hala Pepe Villa

3 Bedroom/3Bath

Net living area 1,484 sq. ft.

Lanai 215 sq. ft.

Total living area 1,699 sq. ft.

Carnation Villa

3 Bedroom/3Bath

Net living area 1,498 sq. ft.

Lanai 406 sq. ft.

Total living area 1,904 sq. ft.

Freesia Villa

3 Bedroom/2.5 Bath

Net living area 1,507 sq. ft.

Lanai 227 sq. ft.

Total living area 1,734 sq. ft.

Noni Villa

3 Bedroom/3Bath

Net living area 1,532 sq. ft.

Lanai 427 sq. ft.

Total living area 1,959 sq. ft.

Jasmine Villa

3 Bedroom/2.5 Bath

Net living area 1,611 sq. ft.

Lanai 203 sq. ft.

Total living area 1,814 sq. ft.

Beach Villas at Ko'Olina

EXTERIOR AMENITIES

Private fitness center

Owner's lounge

Lagoon-style swimming pool

Sand bottom kiddie pool

Extensive walking paths

Koi ponds

Oceanside Mai Tai bar (Nanea Hale)

INTERIOR AMENITIES

The centerpiece of your home, the Roy Yamaguchi signature kitchen features:

•- Shaker style Sapele wood cabinets with glass insets

•- Black granite countertops

•- Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Fisher Paykell Appliances

STANDARD FEATURES

Exotic wood finishes-Sappele/African Mahagony

Semi-private elevator foyers at the Ocean Tower

Designer lighting-sconces, pendant down lights, living room fan

Custom wood vanities with coordinating stained wood mirror frames (Wood frame in master bath only)

Travertine flooring on lanai, living room, and master bath

Rich color palette - in neutral tones

Wolf framed electric cooktop, 5 high-performances elements & 8 heating zones, classic stainless steel

Wolf framed single oven dual convection system, electronic control panel, self-cleaning, classic stainless steel

Fisher & Paykel double dishwasher, easy clean stainless steel

Sub-Zero 26 bottle capacity, wine storage classic model

Bosch stacking washer/dryer

OWNER AMENITIES

Member's Club for private owners' receptions and functions

Fitness center

Lagoon-style swimming pool and lap pool, spas and sand-bottom children's pool

Nanea Hale - owners beachside bar

RESORT LIFESTYLE

Exclusive, high-end residential community with a five-star resort feel

Self contained 642-acre gated tropical resort with sweeping sunsets on Oahu's western shoreline

Ted Robinson designed 18-Hole Championship Golf Course with exceptional water features, multi-tiered greens and ocean views

330 slip, full service marina with ocean activities and on-site deli

Roy's Restaurant and Bridge Bar serving island favorites for lunch and dinner

JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa - a luxury resort hotel with full service spa

Marriott's Ko'Olina Beach Club with ocean dining

Miles of beachfront walking path next to crystal blue lagoons

For additional information about floor plans, features, incentives, photos and/or pricing please contact Svetlana Filippone RA at (808)358-1342 direct

svetlanafilippone@yahoo.com

Disclaimer: Square footages are approximate. Pictures are of the model homes.

Information, prices and availability subject to change without prior notice or obligation.