Debra A. Jason, Kauai Realtor (Kauai homes for sale, Kapaa to Haena)

When talking about Kauai real estate, it’s important to keep in mind that the island of Kauai is divided into 5 districts. Many people are drawn to Hanalei and why not? Great views, beautiful ocean, great surf, wonderful people, and more.

However, when talking about Hanalei, keep in mind that the Hanalei “district” is one of those 5 districts and it covers the area from Kilauea to Haena. So, when you’re looking at property and it says “Hanalei district” that doesn't necessarily mean the home (condo or land) is in the “town” of Hanalei.

Now that we’ve cleared that up... In looking at the MLS sales statistics posted for October 2008, they indicate that the median price for single-family residential homes in the Hanalei district increased 42.37% between October 2007 (when it was $737,500) and Oct. 2008 (when it was $1,050,000).

I decided to take a closer look at “average” prices versus “median” prices. Between Oct. 1, 2008 and Oct. 31, 2008, three homes were sold in the Hanalei district (two in Kilauea and one in Princeville). The average (not median) sale price was under one million (i.e. $985,833.33).

Between Oct. 1, 2007 and Oct. 31, 2007, six homes were sold in the Hanalei district (one in Kilauea, 2 in Princeville, one in Hanalei, one in Wainiha and one in Haena) with an average price of over one million (i.e. $1,230,833.30). While the number of sales, between Oct. 2007 and Oct. 2008, went down 50%, the average sales price (not asking price) decreased by approximately 20% - even though the median price increased.

In the meantime, for those interested in single family homes specifically between Hanalei town and Haena, there are currently 31 of them on the market priced from $799,000 (Days on market = 231) to $15,000,000 (DOM=1,624).

Two of the newest homes on the market in this area, since my last update, are:

• A 2-bedroom/2-bath at 05-7111 Kuhio Hwy (MLS 218007) for $1,595,000 (960 SF living space, DOM=2).
• A 2.97 acre estate at 5-7234 Kuhio Hwy (MLS 208632, DOM=15) with two 4-bedroom homes and a tennis court on the property (one home is oceanfront).

(Information has been supplied by third parties and has not been independently verified by Hawaii Information Service and is, therefore, not guaranteed).

Want more information about property in the Hanalei district (i.e. Kilauea, Princeville, Hanalei, Wainiha, Haena)? When paradise is calling you, call me!

Have a great day. Mahalo for your time.

Debra A. Jason, RA, ABR

Realtor-Associate, Accredited Buyers Rep.

(808) 826 1846, cell: (808) 635 8031

www.kauaihawaii-realestate.com

Vision Realty All Islands Kauai - located on the highway in Hanalei, Kapaa & Lihue

As many of you know, I do my best to report positive news regarding the real estate market as I know newspapers, TV and the Internet do a great job of posting the other side. Please know this, it’s not my intention to “pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.” It’s my intention to shed a glimmer of light on a dim real estate market.

The feedback I get on my blog and via e-mail in response to my real estate newsletter the “Kauai Real Estate Quarterly” leads me to believe that people appreciate having some optimistic news. In my October issue, I reported many of the same details I reported in my “Optimism..” post on Sept. 24th. Here are some comments I received from those who read my last newsletter:

"I just read your latest newsletter and I want to say that it was a pleasure to read, a fresh breath of optimism in the miasma of the latest news. . . I found it interesting and informative and I wanted to say thanks. Keep up the good work." - L. L., Wainiha, Kauai, HI

"I always love receiving your newsletter because its positive upbeat, interesting and filled with useful and unusual facts. One of the only newsletters I read cover to cover. I always refer my friends to it who are in the market for a home on Kauai or just looking for general information on the real estate market." - M. O., Kilauea, Kauai, HI

You can find the "Kauai Real Estate Quarterly" online at http://kauaihawaii-realestate.com/kauai-newsletter.html

So, once again, I’m offering some optimistic news - not based on my opinion, but on articles I've read or news I've heard.

Today’s Pacific Business News (11/5/08) reported “Kauai home sales edge upward.” According to information the publication received from Hawaii Information Services,”Sales of single-family homes on Kauai increased slightly last month..” While the article did indicate that prices in both single-family home and condominium categories fell, “there were 22 homes sold on the Garden Isle in October, three more than in the same month in 2007.” You may read the article at www.pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2008/11/03/daily31.html

Next, a consumer survey conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® member Realogy Corp. found that “nine out of 10 homeowners believe that owning a home is still the best long-term investment they can make.” This article may be found at http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2008/no_economic_recovery

And, the National Association of REALTORS also reported that "Despite troubles with the economy and difficult housing news, Americans remain surprisingly confident about the housing market. Eighty-five percent of respondents believe buying a home is a good financial decision, down 2 percent from last year. Two-thirds of Americans believe now is a good time to buy a home, up nearly 12 percent from 2007." Source: http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2008/americans_want_govt_involved_in_lending

Once again, I hope you find this information helpful and refreshing. If I can be of assistance to you, feel free to contact me. Have a great day and mahalo for your consideration.

Debra A. Jason, RA, ABR

Realtor-Associate, Accredited Buyers Representative

When paradise is calling you, call me!

Direct: (808) 826 1846, cell: (808) 635 8031

www.kauaihawaii-realestate.com

Vision Realty All Islands Kauai - on the highway in Hanalei, Lihue & Kapaa

Aloha,

It's pouring down rain today so it's a perfect opportunity to get online and give you an update on single-family homes currently on the market between Hanalei and Haena. For those of you who love Kauai's north shore, these two favorite communities (with Wainiha tucked in between) currently offer 30 single-family homes on the market.

Since my last blog post updating you on these Kauai properties, only two new listings have appeared. They are:

MLS #217088 - a single-family home in Hanalei on Kuhio Hway. Days on market = 9, asking price is $1,259,000

MLS #217160 - an oceanfront home on Alealea Road, 3 bedrooms/3.5 baths. Days on market =1, asking price is $6.5 million.

One home currently has an accepted offer on it. It's a 2 bedroom/2 bath home on Alamihi, close to the Hanalei Colony Resort. It has been on the market for 412 days. An oceanfront home on Alealea sold on Sept. 30th for $5 million after being on the market a bit more than 6 months. When it first went on the market, the asking price approx. $6,850,000.

Interested in Condos on the North Shore?

The Hanalei Colony Resort still has 3 condos on the market. Asking between $534,000 and $739,000, these 2 bedroom condos have been on the market between 132 and 139 days.

With 30 homes on the market along Kauai's famed north shore, there are many choices. Priced from $799,000 (3 bedroom/3 bath) to $15,000,000. Let me know if there is a property you'd like to know more about on Kauai.

When paradise is calling you, call me!

Debra A. Jason, RA, ABR
Realtor-Associate & Accredited Buyers Representative
Vision Realty All Islands Kauai - on the highway in Hanalei, Kapaa, and Lihue

(808) 826 1846 cell: (808) 635 8031

www.kauaihawaii-realestate.com

Here's the latest information on what's happening on the popular north shore of Kauai when it comes to single-family homes and/or condos for sale - between Hanalei and Haena.

As of today, there are 26 homes on the market between Hanalei and Haena, priced from $799,000 for 3-bedrooms/3-baths on Kuhio Hwy (MLS 209531, days on market (DOM) = 187) to $15,000,000.00 for 4-bedrooms/3-baths, oceanfront (which has been on the market 1580 days, MLS #135921).

A total of three homes are asking under $1 million in the Wainiha area (not far from the famed "Double bridges"). Most single-family homes in Hanalei and Haena are priced above $1 million.

There are 3 fee simple condos at the Hanalei Colony Resort that are still on the market. Asking $534,000, $599,000 and $739,000 (DOM = 113, 118 and 111 respectively). Known as the HCR, this is one of the rare jewels, condo wise, on the north shore. You are only steps from the ocean, even when yours is not an oceanfront unit.

For those interested in Princeville's Resort Community

If a property in the Princeville Resort Community is up your alley, then there are approx. 61 single-family homes to choose from. Two dozen of them are currently priced below one million dollars.

• The lowest priced one is $655,000 (2 bedroom/2bath MLS #213870, DOM =75).
• The highest priced home is $10,000,000 with 4 bedrooms, 7.5 baths, Hanalei Bay and Bali Hai views (MLS #186555 DOM = 654)

Condomiums in Princeville are asking anywhere from $349,000 (2 bedroom/2 bath Sandpiper, 1042 SF of living space, DOM=190) to $2,245,000 (2 bedroom/2 bath, oceanview Puu Poa, DOM=277).

If the idea of living the Kauai lifestyle - on the islands incredible north shore - is high on your list of priorities, there is a vast inventory of homes and condominiums to choose from.

There's enough bad news when you turn on your TV, open the newspaper or log on to the Internet. When you look outside your window on Kauai, the sunshine, rainbows and waterfalls can help you focus on the brighter side of life - things we can be grateful for when we wake up on Kauai each day.

Here's to better times ahead for everyone!

Mahalo.

Debra A. Jason, RA, ABR
Realtor-Associate, Accredited Buyers Representative

Vision Realty All Islands Kauai

(808) 826 1846 cell: (808) 635 8031

www.kauaihawaii-realestate.com

In August, I posted "Optimistic News..." on my blog and want to continue in this direction. So, I'm offering some more optimistic news - not based on my opinion, but on articles I've read or news I've heard.

For instance, if you watched Morning Joe on MSNBC on Sept. 17, 2008, you heard Jim Cramer, host of "Mad Money," offer his insight. I paraphrase his comments here, but you can watch the video online at msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789. Click on "Cramer: We're all communists now."

When asked about the bottom of the housing crisis, Jim said "we're almost there." He continued "How 'bout some optimism? Rates [interest] are lower and we'll begin to see foreclosure rates go down in the next 3 months." He did qualify that by adding foreclosure rates will go down vs. the number of foreclosures.

And more good news. . . Mr. Cramer explained that in the last 2 quarters of this year cancellation rates (i.e. people walking away from their deposits because they can't sell their previous home) have declined. He said those rates had been around 40 to 50%. However, in the last 2 quarters more people have been able to sell their previous homes and therefore they're not walking away from their deposits.

In closing he stated, "Good loans will go to good institutions. And, good people will make out in the end."

Thank you to Jim Cramer and those who stay on top of the statistics and report good news. I’m going to keep searching for positive comments to report on my blog, the Preferred Homebuyers Weekly Scoop, and in future newsletters. Whether you're buying, selling or just curious, I hope you found this helpful.

Have a great day!

Debra

Debra A. Jason, RA, ABR
When paradise is calling you, call me!

(808) 826 1846, cell: (808) 635 8031

www.kauaihawaii-realestate.com

Vision Realty All Islands Kauai - located on the highway in Kapaa, Hanalei & Lihue