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Welome to Home Shoppe Hawaii’s Blog on Oahu Real Estate. Besides featuring great Oahu Homes for Sale, Kailua Real Estate and homes in Honolulu, Kaneohe, Hawaii Kai and the North Shore, and Oahu Luxury Homes, Home Shoppe Hawaii’s Blog reflects our passion for Hawaii Architecture and Hawaii Interior Design.

We are fortunate here, on Oahu, to have many beautifully designed and Historically Significant Homes, for sale and otherwise. We hope to show you some of these fine Oahu homes, spotlight Hawaii Architects and Interior Designers, from time-to-time, and keep you abreast of what is happening in Oahu real estate, Kailua Real Estate, Honolulu Real EstateKaneohe Real Estate and Hawaii Kai Real Estate, and North Shore Real Estate, as well as showcasing the Hawaii Lifestyle and some of the fun Activities, Places and Events on Oahu.

~Aloha~

Oahu Real Estate Blog

Friday
Jan182013

JUST SOLD - Charming Historic Kapahulu Home in Honolulu

Home Shoppe Hawaii closed on this lovely property in Kapahulu today. Kapahulu is one of the most desired areas in Honolulu, for its relative affordability, kama’aina character, and great proximity to the beautiful Honolulu beaches of Waikiki. Kapahulu Honolulu real estate also affords its residents great views and recreational activities.

This home is 3 Bedrooms 1 Bath and 978 square feet. It is situated on a 4,625 square foot lot. The sale price was $745,000 Fee Simple.

For more information, please contact Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn at 808-721-8088.

MORE ABOUT HONOLULU REAL ESTATE IN THE KAPAHULU NEIGHBORHOOD OF HONOLULU.

 

Wednesday
Jan162013

Kaneohe Bay Properties | Wordless Wednesday

kaneohe bay recreational activitiesKaneohe Bay Properties Afford Lots of Recreational Opportunities, Kaneohe Bay Sandbar (c) Tomas del Amo.

Tuesday
Jan152013

Oahu Historic Homes Get Big Tax Breaks if Public Dedication Requirements are Met

Owners of historic homes in Honolulu and other areas of Oahu are fortunate, not only to own a piece of history, but to be eligible for a real property tax break, as well. The law in City & County of Honolulu (Oahu) currently allows owners of historic homes who apply for a Public Dedicaton Exemption to pay a flat $300 per year in property tax, often saving the homeowners thousands of dollars a year. The law that allowed reduction of the real property tax on these Honolulu historic homes was enacted in the 1980’s, under Mayor Frank Fasi, in an effort to enable owners of Oahu historic homes to have sufficient extra funds to help preserve and maintain the historic homes in the public interest. The public interest of this law is the ability of the public to view and appreciate such homes, memorializing history by providing a record of time, place and use, and to preserve the character and good repair of neighborhoods, protecting property values.

charles dickey designed home in HonoluluHistoric Charles Dickey Designed Home on Oahu

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Monday
Jan142013

Architect Designed Honolulu Home with Japanese Design and Ocean Views

This gorgeous, one-of-a-kind contemporary Japanese-style home, currently for sale on Oahu, is in the little-known Ualakaa neighborhood in Honolulu. Designed by architect Richard Bass, and built in 2006, this home won the BIA Grand Award and was featured in Honolulu Magazine. This Honolulu home features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in 3,296 square feet of living area. Situated on a 10,076 square foot lot, this Honolulu ocean view home has a stunning panomrama from Diamond Head, across downtown Honolulu, and to Punchbowl. The home has a gourmet kitchen with top of th line appliances and a dramatic curing staricase. It’s spectacular garden was designed by Crane & Sekimizu. This home is listed at $3,200,000. For more photos click below. 

Qualified buyers interested in viewing this ocean view Honolulu home, designed by Honolulu architect Richard Bass, please contact Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn at 808-721-8088.

Sunday
Jan132013

NEW Kailua Real Estate in Beachside, Immaculate Kailua Tropical Home with Pool

You’re driving down North Kalaheo Avenue in Kailua and you see a charming, tidy looking Kailua home, with a heavenly sea blue paint color and a lovely pergola walkway and beautiful landscape. You know the house. It’s 87 Kaiholu Street and it’s now for sale, listed at $1,695,000.

This Kailua beach home is a bright and cheery 3 bedroom and 3 bath tropical retreat. This Kailua real estate is special in that it is on an oversized, 13,988 square foot lot and it is just a short walk from the white sand and turquoise waters of Kailua Beach. If you are not in the mood for the beach, the backyard also, is lovely and private, and has a relaxing swimming pool and waterfall. 

The inside of this Kailua home for sale is as beautiful as the outside, with spacious living spaces and high ceilings. There is a great gourmet kitchen, with stainless steel appliances, and a lavishly tropical master suite. This home has some beautiful stained glass and a well-done beachy flair.  There is a 1 bedroom suite, with separate entrance, for guests or rental possibilities. This great Kailua property is in the beautiful Beachside neighborhood of Kailua.

See Photos Below

Qualified buyers please contact Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn at 808-721-8088 for showings. Listing courtesy of CB Pacific Properties.

Saturday
Jan122013

Diamond Head Oahu Luxury Home with Detailing of a Historic Hawaii Home 

This is a fabulous, luxury Diamond Head home, built in 2007, with beautiful features at every turn. This Honolulu real estate on Noela Drive in one of Honolulu’s best neighborhoods is one of the most gorgeous homes I have ever seen on Oahu. I first visited this Diamond Head home when it was newly built and listed for sale in July of 2007. It was impressive then, and it is impressive now.  Only now, it is listed at a more attractive price of $9,000,000 versus the $11,900,000 price tag it originally had. I am told that the new price does not even cover the land and construction costs.

This Diamond Head home is ideally located: close to the beach, shopping and more, yet is a private Oasis. This 9,770 square foot Oahu luxury home sits on a huge tropically landscaped 28,962 square foot lot, featuring stunning views of the ocean and Waikiki coastline, including Kapiolani Park.  It has a wide front porch, bringing back the gracious feeling of Hawaii in days gone by, 5 spacious bedrooms and 7 and 1/2 bathrooms, multiple dining areas, a media room, and an elevator, among its many features. The exterior has period details and a marked, very charming craftsman bungalow historic style … in an updated sense, of course, as most real craftsman bungalows are not this large. Nor would they have so many splendid modern features. It is the best of both worlds with both the historic Oahu home style and new construction. Take a look …. 

Qualified buyers interested in viewing this gorgeous Oahu luxury home in Diamond Head Oahu, please contact Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn at 808-721-8088. Listing courtesy of CB Pacific Properties.

Wednesday
Jan092013

North Shore Oahu Property | Wordless Wednesday

Sunsets are Grand with North Shore Oahu Real Estate

Friday
Jan042013

Schedule Some "Spa Days" for your Oahu Home in the New Year

Most people know that a decluttered and refreshed home for sale on Oahu will sell quicker and usually for a higher price than Oahu real estate that is not decluttered and staged. And basic staging is not that hard. It is usually well-worth the time and effort. There are numerous shows on HGTV that can show you how to stage Oahu real estate, and to do it on a budget.  I typically advise my clients who are selling Oahu real estate to at least de-clutter, and I help with staging if it is desired. 

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Thursday
Jan032013

Hawaii Modern Architecture | Experts at the Palace Series 2013

For people (like me) that love Hawaii architecture and design, this may be right up your alley.  The 27th Annual Experts at the Palace Lecture Series will be on the topic of  Hawai‘i Architectural Modernism  The free weekly lecture will run from January 31 – March 7, 2013 on Thursdays, from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Kanaina (Old Archives) Building on ‘Iolani Palace Grounds.
 
  • January 31st: Louis Fung, AIA (Fung Associates, Inc.): “The Foundation of the Modern Movement in Hawai‘i: Modernism in American Architecture”  
  • February 7th: Don Hibbard, Ph.D.:  “Evaluating Mid-Century Low-Rise Apartments in Hawai‘i”
  • February 14th: Kiersten Faulkner, AICP (Historic Hawaii Foundation): “The Unique Challenges, Threats and Opportunities Facing Modern Historic Resources”
  • February 21st: Glenn Mason, AIA (Mason Architects, Inc.): “Technical Innovation and the Emergence of New Building Materials in Mid-20th Century Architecture”
  • February 28th:  (Fung Associates, Inc.): “The Range of Modern Architectural Resources in Hawai‘i, 1939-1979”
  • March 7th: Angie Westfall, AIA (State Historic Preservation Division):  “Surveying Hawai‘i’s Mid-Century Subdivisions”

The first and last sessions look most interesting to me. I hope I can make at least some of them. Maybe see you there? 

~Aloha~

Thursday
Jan032013

Keeping Your Oahu Investment Property Secure with Home Shoppe Hawaii Oahu Property Management

electronic lockbox for your oahu investment propertyFeel Secure with Home Shoppe Hawaii Oahu Property ManagementToday, I received a call from the Honolulu police. They contacted me after they Googled a particular Kailua rental property. When they used that address, my name popped up as an Oahu real estate broker who could help with the home.  I get calls like this a lot, because I subscribe to a buyer lead referral service, but usually not from the police. 

The Honolulu police were calling because the fire alarm on this particular Kailua home was going off. It appeared to be vacant and there was an old-style lock box on the property. Seemed to the officer like a Kailua rental property that wasn’t rented at the moment and perhaps, there was a property manager.  So he found me online, though this was not a Home Shoppe Hawaii managed or listed Kailua property. I was able to look up the owner name in the tax records but I could not help beyond that.

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Tuesday
Jan012013

Happy New Year from Home Shoppe Hawaii Oahu Real Estate

Home Shoppe Hawaii Oahu Real Estate wishes you and your family all the best in 2013! Please let us know how me can contribute to your happiness and prosperity in the new year by serving all your Oahu real estate needs!

~Aloha~


New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Waikiki 2012

 

Monday
Dec312012

Luxury Real Estate Oahu | Top 5 Most Expensive Homes Sold on Oahu in 2012

Luxury Oahu real estate sales in 2012 proved to be a pretty good.  Of the most expensive homes on Oahu that sold in 2012, all of these Oahu luxury homes were in East Oahu. Four of the five most expensive Oahu homes sold were in Honolulu and one was in Kailua. All of the most expensive Oahu homes sold were either waterfront or beachfront. We’ll cover these in ascending order:

#5. SOLD: $6,300,000 (list price $6,500,000)
3868 Pokapahu Place, Diamond Head, Honolulu, Oahu, 96816 

 

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Friday
Dec282012

Oahu Real Estate Broker Strategies for Buying Oahu Homes in a Seller's Market

It’s official!  Oahu real estate has fully recovered in 2012 and Oahu properties for sale are hotter than ever! It’s a bit hard to be a Buyer in the Oahu real estate market, when inventory is so low.  Sellers have all the leverage.  All the great properties are going fast, with multiple, often over asking price, offers. What is a Buyer of Oahu real estate to do?

First and most importantly, you can make sure you are working with a great Oahu real estate agent or Oahu real estate broker. Your Oahu real estate professional should be experienced in handling Buyers, in a Seller’s market, and should have multiple strategies to suggest, depending on the situation, that will enhance your ability to purchase some great Oahu real estate.

Here are just a few Oahu real estate buying strategies that you might consider:

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Wednesday
Dec262012

Oahu Real Estate | Wordless Wednesday

waikiki real estate and christmas tree in waikikiChristmas in Waikiki - Christmas Tree at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center

Tuesday
Dec252012

Mele Kalikimaka!! From Home Shoppe Hawaii Oahu Real Estate

Home Shoppe Hawaii wishes you and your family, wherever and however you celebrate the season, Peace, Joy and Aloha!!

Saturday
Dec222012

President Obama Arrives on Oahu to Spend Christmas with His Family

Last night President Obama and his family arrived on Oahu for the start to their Christmas holiday. As is traditonal for them, they are staying in the beautiful and picturesque beach town of Kailua, Oahu, where I also live. The President’s sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng and other family members live on Oahu, and the President was born in Honolulu.

Lanikai, Kailua Beach and Mokulua Islands by Tomas del Amo Kailua Real Estate Photographer

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Thursday
Dec202012

Kailua Luxury Real Estate | Plantation Style Waterfront Home in Kailua

One of the loveliest homes for sale in Kailua is a charming, plantation-style, new construction home in the Kaimalino neighborhood of Kailua. This Kailua home is located at 776  Mokapu Boulevard, and is waterfront, on the Kawainui Canal, just across from the street where President Obama has stayed in the past during his Christmas holiday in Kailua.

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Sunday
Dec162012

Kaneohe Street with Fabulous Christmas Lights and Kaneohe Home for Sale Too!

This year we took the Christmas trolley ride from my son’s school on a tour of several Kailua and Kaneohe streets with lots of Christmas lights and decorations. We carolled along the way to the sounds of a ukulele and songs led by the school’s music teacher. The ultimate destination was Namoku Street in Kaneohe. This is in the Pikoiloa neighborhood of Kaneohe, right next to the Windward City Shopping Center.

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Sunday
Dec162012

Luxury Real Estate Marketing Specialists on Oahu | International Luxury Home Marketing

Many people think that marketing a luxury home on Oahu is the same as marketing any home on Oahu. Not so, marketing luxury homes on Oahu requires a special approach.

The luxury home marketing specialists at Home Shoppe Hawaii have special training and knowledge necessary to best market the most unique and expensive luxury homes in Honolulu, Kailua and other areas of the island.

Did you know that most luxury home buyers are busy people, possibly in other locations, that view their potential Oahu luxury home purchase first on the Internet? It’s true. One of the most important things luxury home sellers can do to effectively market their luxury Oahu home is to have numerous, high-quality professional photos taken. That, however, is only the first, and very basic step.

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Saturday
Dec152012

How to Choose a Neighborhood When Buying Oahu Real Estate

Oahu has hundreds of neighborhoods! Which one should you choose? It’s best to narrow your home search on Oahu by identifying neighborhoods that are right for you. This helps keep your search focused and efficient. Home Shoppe Hawaii can offer you lots of neighborhood information to guide you in your search, and you can find Oahu Neighborhood Information on this website.

When evaluating Oahu Neighborhoods you should investigate the local conditions, as well as the prices. Depending on your own particular needs and tastes, some of the following factors may be more important considerations than others:

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