Kapolei, HI

I've been asked a few times about the shopping center that is currently being built in Ko Olina in front of Coconut Plantations. While I had the leasing information, I had never really explored what was going to be there and who the tenants were going to be. The best part of this "cyberworld" that we live in is the ability to have information shared and passed from one to the other. Such is the way I learned enough to post some details on Ko Olina Center and Ko Olina Station.

My thanks to Doc who sent me the following links:


Honolulu Advertiser article

Ko Olina Station leasing information

Ko Olina Center Information

As the article from the Advertiser details, there will be a 56,000 sq foot center in 2 buildings and will save us from having to leave Ko Olina for an impromptu meal or to do a little shopping. Tenants will include:

Nick's Fish Market, a gourmet supermarket (my Favorite)
Kimo Bean Coffee Co.
Home furnishing store Blue Lobster Cottage
Z Pizza
Ko Olina Barbeque
Walking in Paradise

These should be great for both the people who live here and the guests who are staying at the local resorts and hotels since the options within the resort were a little limited before the addition of these stores.

Originally planned for 80,000 sq feet, the Center has been sized down and will no longer include a gas station and is scheduled to open in September of 2009. We look forward to welcoming our newest neighbors.

So the economy is pretty BAD right now, most people say it hasn't been this bad since the great depression. So what should we do...pack up our things and feel sorry for ourselves? NO THANKS!

I consider myself pretty knowledgeable even though I am young, not a mogul yet but on my way (one day). So I like to pick the brains of other successful agents and business people on occasion. Although there is a wide range of things that they share with me, there is one thing that most have in common. "You sure picked a tough time to get into the business." (Granted I have been in the business for a few years now.) This is true and yes it is a tough time for the market, but if you can make it now then you are really going to BLOW UP when the economy gets back on its feet.

Now is the time that Realtors can truly show their worth...

Chris M.T. Bodden

www.BoddenRealEstate.com

I walked the entire property with a client today who is shopping for a three bedroom villa.

A good question to ask is what might be available by the time it's your turn to pick if you sent in your deposit today. With 100+ reservation deposits in for an available 123 units, the pickings get slimmer as each day passes.

After the touring around, I conclude that the best selection is going to be right at the $1,200,000.00 price point. At this level, you will be purchasing villas that were going for around $2,200,000.00 and these villas have some of the best views at the property. At this price point, you may be able to score a 14th - 16th floor penthouse level villa in the Ocean Tower with amazing 180 degree views of the three lagoons. At this same price point, you might also be able to purchase a three bedroom villa in the Beach Tower facing towards the swimming pool with a beach view when looking towards the right.

Give me a call to setup a tour of the property or to discuss strategy on which villa may be the correct fit for your situation. Tomorrow, it's alternating between the sauna and steam room on this rainy day with a dip in the pool and ocean if the sun peaks out.

Aloha, Alfred--

Ocean Tower Penthouse Beach Panorama

Ocean Tower Penthouse Golf Course Panorama

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Alfred Harding is a licensed Hawaii real estate professional providing clients with insight and knowledge as it relates to the Beach Villas at Ko Olina on Oahu, Hawaii. You can also find him blogging about the resort at: Beach Villa Resort Blog and on Facebook. Vacation Villa Reservations available at: Beach Villa Resort Reservations.

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If you are thinking about purchasing at the Final Sales Event at the Beach Villas, please allow me to represent you as your buyers agent on selection day. There is no cost to you and your purchase price is exactly the same. However, the villa you select and how much you pay for it will make a big difference in your profitability; both from an appreciation standpoint and if renting, covering expenses by "getting heads in beds"

(All of the thoughts expressed in this blog are my own personal opinion, they are no guarantee that you will achieve similar results, it's just me sharing my own experiences and what has happened in my own situation. I cannot know what will happen in the future.)

A realtor mentioned that they thought construction had halted at the Disney Resort in Ko Olina. Well as I have observed with my own eyes, (see below photo) and the news article, I don't believe that this is the case.

As reported by NBC WPTV channel 5 today:

Preliminary site work is underway at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts first family destination resort in Hawaii. The company says they were establishing where the foundations will be placed and laying the underground utilities at Ko Olina.

The twenty-one acre oceanfront resort is scheduled to open in 2011.

The Disney resort is to include 350 traditional hotel rooms. It will also feature 480 timeshare vacation villas. Plans call for a pool and water play area, an 18,000 square-foot spa, a wedding lawn, an 8,000 square-foot convention center and a children's club

So it's nice to see that our Beach Villa's neighbor is continuing to move forward with their "family destination", welcome to the neighborhood.

Alfred Harding is a licensed Hawaii real estate professional providing clients with insight and knowledge as it relates to the Beach Villas at Ko Olina on Oahu, Hawaii. You can also find him blogging about the resort at: Beach Villa Resort Blog and on Facebook. Vacation Villa Reservations available at: Beach Villa Resort Reservations.

I still do not understand why there are so many buyers that are still on the fence and not taking the plunge into the market. With home prices having dropped substantially and interest rates as low as they are, homes are on SALE. The economy of course is not in very good shape, but people still need a roof over their head right? If you don't own a home you are going to rent somewhere...why pay rent to someone when you could purchase a home and pay the same amount (or very close to it) monthly. I have spoken to a good number of buyers who have money in the bank (which is losing money) and could easily purchase a home, but they are stuck on the idea that the economy is going to get much worse and prices are going to fall another 50%...

The economy is obviously in terrible shape and every market is different, but how much lower do you think home prices will go? Maybe I'm too optimistic, but I'd rather my glass be half full then empty.

Buyers, now is the time to buy real estate and if you are still skeptical at least look at your options. Many first time home buyers have no idea that they can purchase a home when they are more then qualified. Don't miss out on the REAL ESTATE SALE!

Chris M.T. Bodden

www.BoddenRealEstate.com