Big Island Hawaii Real Estate | Hawaii MLS | Homes for Sale

June 12, 2012 - National Association of Realtors

Watch for TV and radio spots from the National Association of Realtors outlining the benefits of homeownership to children, families and communities, such as the following:

http://www.realtor.org/pac.nsf/pages/movingpictures 

How's Real Estate?
By Sharon L. Morris, Broker-in-Charge
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers Member
(808) 960-7080
www.sharonmorris.com

June 11, 2012 - Hawaii Island Realtors

Thank you to the Hawaii Island Realtors for providing the following information! 

HAWAII FAMILY FINANCE PROJECT (Apply online www.hawaiifamilyfinance.org)

Serving Families Statewide to Prepare for and Achieve Homeownership!Take advantage of the following free services:

-Homebuyer & Financial Eductions Sessions

-Personalized One-on-One Counseling

-Grants of up to $12,500 toward Home Downpayment*

-Grans of up to $2,000 toward Debt Reduction*

-Grants of up to $500 toward Closing Costs

-Information on Available Family Tax Credits

*Made under the Hawaii Individual Development Account (HIDA) Program

Eligibility Requirements:

-18 years of Age or Older

-Meet the Income and Assets Requirements

-Does Not Currently Own Property or Have a Mortgage

The Hawaii Family Finance Project and the HIDA Program Grants are funded in part by the U.S. Treasury Department CDFI Fund, and supported by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, First Hawaiian Bank and Hawaii Credit Union League.

It's Easy! Sign Up Today!

To schedule a consultation with one of our Partner Providers, please contact the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement at 808-596-8155 (from Oahu); 1-800-709-2642 (toll-free statewide); or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

How's Real Estate?
By Sharon L. Morris, Broker-in-Charge
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers Member
(808) 960-7080
www.sharonmorris.com

A National Association of Realtors recent report indicated that existing-home sales rose in the month of April.  The median price of an existing home climbed 10.1 percent to $177,400 from $161,100 in April 2011, the strongest year-to-year gain since January 2006.  The median price in April reached its highest level since July 2010. 

As reported at dsnews.com

Things are looking up!  Home sales in Kona indicate strong activity—pending sales are up and there is a decrease in active listings as shown in a report by master numbers cruncher and analyst, Mike Griggs, Realtor.  Thanks, once again, Mike.  The report refers to the “pending ratio” as an indicator of Market Strength and Market Trend.  A pending ratio is a formula using the number of pending sales (accepted offers in escrow) and active listings.  A pending ratio is a current leading indicator of market demand vs. supply dynamics based on listing and pending sale MLS data.  The pending ratios for residential properties in Kona priced to $500,000 reflect a seller’s market currently, and prices greater than those listed over $501,000 would be considered a buyer’s market ratio.

For the period ending May 15, 2012, the report shows that 62% of all escrows are in the price range up to $400,000.  But for those of you who are interested in buying or selling properties in the $701,000 to $900,000 range, the good news is that currently there are 21 residences in escrow vs. 9 for the same period last year.

Continued real estate values (over the last two years the Kona residential median price range has dropped from $403,000 to $366,000), still historically low interest rates and increasing buyer confidence has made the purchase of real estate more affordable and some consider real estate now less risky than equity investments.

Yes, indeed, things are looking up and now is a great time to be active in real estate.

How's Real Estate?
By Sharon L. Morris, Broker-in-Charge
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers Member
(808) 960-7080
www.sharonmorris.com