November 2011

By Brendon DeSimone

As the holidays approach, I’m always asked the same questions:

-Should we keep our property on the real estate market or take it off?

-Do we list now, wait until after the first of the year, or hold off until spring?

In the past, conventional wisdom said you shouldn’t try to sell a home during the holidays. However, the old thinking doesn’t really apply any longer — thanks to the Internet and hectic lifestyles as well as traditional rules of supply and demand.

Whether to sell or not at the end of the year has to do with your particular situation and market. But in general, here’s some real estate advice about why you should consider listing your home during the holidays, or even in January.

Buyers are

Many people ask the question, "When is the right time to buy?". Well a recent article in the Wall Street Journal suggests that the time is now!

Take a moment to read the article and you'll find that St. Louis is one of several cities where owning your own home is now cheaper than renting.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203764804577060502694077494.html

Is owning your own home part of your New Year's resolutions? Let me know if you would like to take a closer look at available options around St. Louis!

My Favorite Honolulu Neighborhoods: Punchbowl

The Punchbowl neighborhood may well be best known for the infamous military cemetery that’s located in the center of a large volcano mountain. Considered on of the largest cemeteries in America, views from this area are spectacular including the large valley below, the beautiful surrounding mountain range and the Ocean.

Most homes in this area are single family homes, moderately priced with residents enjoying being close to downtown Honolulu, Waikiki Beach and Ala Moana.

Technically, there are two areas: Punchbow Area and Punchbowl Lower.

Hi Everyone!  Hope your Thanksgiving holiday was filled with fun, family and great food.  Now it's time to get back to work before the big holiday kicks into full swing.  

Ever wonder which buildings are FHA or VA approved.  Well, we can help.  Drop us a note and we'll provide all of the FHA/VA approved condos in St. Louis.  If your an agent, let us know and we'll share some HUD links that will prove useful in your sales efforts.  Knowing which buildings are FHA/VA approved in advance of your showings can you save you and your client valuable time and get them into the right properties the first time.  

Happy Holidays!

Gregg Sharpe

It was a surprisingly quiet week for mortgage rates with little of the daily volatility seen in recent weeks. Investors continued to watch the situation in Europe, but events there had little impact. The US economic data was roughly neutral for mortgage rates, and rates ended the week with little change.

The economic data released this week was positive for the economy, with stronger than expected economic growth and lower than expected inflation. Retail Sales, Industrial Production, Housing Starts, and Jobless Claims all exceeded their consensus forecasts. Meanwhile, Core CPI inflation was a modest 2.1% higher than one year ago. For mortgage rates, the tame inflation data was positive, while the relatively strong growth data was negative.

Investors

My Favorite Honolulu Neighborhoods: Old Pali

The neighborhood of Old Pali in Honolulu consists of roughly 280 homes and is more or less defined by its proximity to the Old Pali Highway, one of the most direct routes from Honolulu to Kailua Town and the windward side of the island. This neighborhood is popular, since it is an easy commute into downtown Honolulu.

The Pali Highway is not only an incredible drive, but near the summit, you’ll find the Pali Lookout, where the views are absolutely magnificent.

My Favorite Honolulu Neighborhoods: Manoa

Manoa Valley, home to the University of Hawaii, is a gorgeous lush green suburban neighborhood in the heart of Honolulu, close to downtown Honolulu and Ala Moana. One of the nicest areas near town, the area offers lots of charm, has a bit of a tropical feel, as well as above average rains, due to it’s higher elevation.

Manoa homes are typically older, some with classic, tudor or Victorian architecture and many are on larger lots with huge trees and lush mountain views. A few homes on the upper edges of the valley, on the hillsides, have lovely city and ocean views.

Technically, there are three areas of Manoa, Manoa Area, Manoa – Lower and Moanoa – Upper.

See Current Home Listings in the Honolulu

Allure Waikiki Condos - Renovations Completed

According to "Honolulu" magazine, "The Allure unveiled the latest multi-million dollar renovations to their luxury condo on the edge of Waikiki last night, with modern, unique touches you won't see anywhere else in Hawaii."

"The most stunning upgrade, which was done at the request of current residents, is the newly designed lobby area. It was previously a huge expanse of space, but so cavernous and impersonal that residents didn't spend time there. The new "cubes" help to section off parts of the lobby to create intimate spaces for working or lounging"

Read the rest of the story and view more photos.

Mahalo For Reading.

It's Aloha Friday Again: Waikiki's International Market Place going upscale

According to Pacific Business News, "It looks like Waikiki’s International Market Place will be going upscale with a three-level open air retail center."

"Queen Emma Land Co.’s preliminary plans for the redevelopment of the International Market Place is estimated to cost between $250 million and $300 million, marking what will be a major capital infusion into the iconic shopping mecca that sits in the heart of Hawaii’s main tourist hub."

Read the rest of the article.

Mahalo For Reading.

Kakaako Condo Project would Include Hawaii’s Tallest Building

According to "Pacific Business News" online, "The state plans to issue a request for proposals in January for a developer to build two residential towers in Honolulu’s Kakaako neighborhood, one of which would be the tallest building in Hawaii.

The plans for 690 Pohukaina call for one tower with 300 affordable for-sale units and a second tower with 500 market-priced units. The second tower would be 650 feet high, nearly 250 feet taller than the First Hawaiian Center.

The project is slated for a parcel at 690 Pohukaina St., adjacent to developer Stanford Carr’s planned Halekauwila Place project, which is scheduled to break ground next year on 204 affordable rentals.

The