David's Real Estate Blog | Dispatches from Diamond Head
Latest real estate news and articles from David E. Buck, Realtor
Affordable Downtown Living at Executive Centre
If you're looking for an affordable lifestyle in Downtown Honolulu, Executive Centre may be the place.

Located at 1088 Bishop St. in heart of Honolulu's central business district, Executive Centre offers owners a variety of uses. You can live in them, lease them out to businesses for office use, or there's even the option to put in Aston's hotel pool for transient business executives to stay while in Honolulu for work. Prices today start at $133,000 for a 1 bedroom unit and go up to $279,000. I personally have the following two units listed for sale:
- Unit 1212 for $145,000
- Unit 2001 for $229,000
The main difference between the two are the security levels (floors 13 and above are secure) and views. Unit 2001 recently secured a long term tenant for $1550/month. I'll be withdrawing this soon, however will still be available for investors and feel free to contact me if you have interest. I also have an associate in my office that has another unit coming on market soon, so stay tuned...

Executive Centre has a great swimming pool for laps and hot tub for relaxation..
Marinafront Homes for Sale in Hawaii Kai
Hawaii Kai is one of the few places in the state of Hawaii where you can have a boat dock right out your back door.

Marinafront living in Hawaii Kai
As of today, there are 10 marinafront homes for sale in Hawaii Kai that are roughly priced between $1-2 million. Every now and then you can find a great score under $1 million like I was able to get for some clients of mine last year. During the peak of the market, there were some homes on the marina that sold between $2-2.5 million. This product and lifestyle are undervalues in my opinion. This product is a dime a dozen in southern California or Florida, however Hawaii Kai is the place for marinfront living in Hawaii. Feel free to contact me for more information on living your marinafront life in Hawaii Kai.
Napua Point - Hawaii Kai's Only Oceanfront Condo Project
Napua Point is the only oceanfront condominium project in Hawaii Kai. It is also the only condo project that is on the ocean between Kahala and Kaneohe.

There are 3 rows of townhomes within the complex and the ones on the ocean can demand almost double those that sit backed up to Kalanianaole Hwy. Since there are 18 units in the project, it seldom that there is one for sale. Today, there is one available in the middle section of buildings. Unit #9 (MLS # 1113924) can be yours for $899,000.
In addition to the tennis court and swimming pool, the big attraction to Napua Point is lifestyle. You can paddle out surfing, take out a kayak or go "reef walking" right out your back door.
Inventory Shortage of Luxury Condos and East Honolulu Homes
There's been a lot of buzz in the Realtor community about the shortage of inventory on Oahu right now. Here are some particular pockets I've noticed where demand far outpaces supply:

Luxury Condos in Kakaako
- Hawaiki Tower only has 2 available listings
- Hokua only has only has 4 available listings
- Keola Lai does not have anything available today

East Honolulu Homes
- Aina Haina only has 3 available listings
- Niu Valley only has 1 available listing
- Waialae Golf Course only has 1 available listing
If you or someone you know owns in one of these areas, now may be a good time to consider selling. Remember, low supply = higher demand = higher $
Homes and Condos Near Waialae Golf Course
If you're a member of Waialae Country Club or have a thing for owning real estate near golf courses, here are a few options for you:

There's an actual neighborhood in MLS called Waialae Golf Course that has single family homes. There, they start around the mid million dollar range and go as high as $5 mil. Another more affordable alternative from a purchase standpoint are the Kahala Beach Apartments. The downside there however is that they are leasehold and the carrying costs are NOT affordable.
If you're not a golfer, however love the rolling green looks of a golf course with ocean views as your backdrop, Waialae Iki is another alternative. If you're not partial to Kahala, here's what is available elsewhere on Oahu:
Colony Beach Penthouse For Sale

The Colony Beach is a boutique condominium building on Honolulu's Gold Coast at Diamond Head. There is only 1 unit per floor and unit #8 (which is the Penthouse level) just hit the market this week. Since luxury Diamond Head condos have been moving recently, I'd be surprised if this is around for too long.
Kahala's Gated Communities
When you think of Honolulu's most well known luxury community of Kahala, you don't think of gated communities, do you? Most of Kahala is along the beach and is a nice suburban neighborhood. Well, if you're looking for something with more privacy and security, there are 2 projects that are just Mauka (inland towards the mountain) of Kahala Mall.

Gated Enry to Kahala Pacifica
1. Kahala Pacifica offers a single family home alternative in that these units are detached with their own enclosed garages. There is also a common area pool. Unfortunately, there aren't any on the market as of today, however feel free to check with me if you would like me to drop this project on the radar for you.

Kahala View Estates Gated Entry
2. Kahala View Estates in another alternative. These units are actually attached dwellings, however they feel like a home when you are inside. In addition to a swimming pool, there's also a tennis court. Today, there's 1 listing available for $689,000.
Both projects are a great option for a second home in Kahala. You can lock up and leave, yet come back to all the great amenities Kahala has to offer. Since both projects are multi-level, they'll keep you in good shape while indoors as well :)
Hawaii Loa Ridge Home Sales
In 2011, there were 27 homes that sold on Hawaii Loa Ridge for an average of $1,764,148. Homes that sold got 95% of their final asking price and took an average of 65 Days to sell. The three highest sales were:
- 517 Moaniala Street Sold on 4/11/11 for $4,650,000
- 698 Puuikena Drive Sold on 11/8/11 for $2,500,000
- 678 Kaulana Place Sold on 5/18/11 for $2,400,000
Today there are 8 available listings for sale on Hawaii Loa Ridge, with only 2 listed under $2 million. It will be interesting to see what 2012 has in store for Oahu's premier gated community...
Kahiwelo Homes on Sale this Weekend
This weekend, there's a special home sale going on at Kahiwelo in Makakilo:

Here are the floor plans for reference:

In addition to these great developer deals, there's also some resales available at Kahiwelo. For the latest up to date information on Makakilo real estate, feel free to contact me for more information.
Ka Makana at Hoakalei Homes for Sale
I was showing some homes the other day in Hoakalei Ka Makana. There is very little inventory of resales in MLS, however there is still amount of developer inventory. Here's some of the latest price sheets:

Hala Series units are starting from $551,990 on January 20, 2012

For a list of other homes in either their Kukui, Milo, Banyan or Koa Series (over $1 Million) of homes feel free to contact me for more information.

