A Vacation Home in Waikiki

Many people dream of owning a vacation home in Hawaii.  My clients, Don and Dorothy Hobbs did just that - 27 years ago.  Don retired from his job with Pacific Bell in Seattle back in 1986 when he turned 60 and they came to Hawaii to purchase a condo in Waikiki.  Every year since then they have come for 6 months during the winter months and enjoyed staying in their small but comfortable 1-bdrm unit in Waikiki in a building called 444 Nahua.

Enjoying Retired Life

They have truly enjoyed living here on the island.  In the early years they were really active, playing golf, scuba diving and enjoying all that Hawaii has to offer.  In the last few years they have slowed down a bit and don't do all those activities as often as they used to but they still enjoy their regular walk along the Ala Wai Canal and cooking gourmet meals in their unit.

As a real estate agent I am often asked, "Can you find a property at a bargain price that we can turnaround quickly to make money?"

To answer this question, here is my most recent experience with flipping properties. The phone rang: a neighbor is calling about a "For Sale" sign they have seen at a property in Maili Point on the Leeward side of Oahu.

Pearl City / Aiea represents a big part of Oahu’s diverse culture, commerce and demographics.  It is a blend of long-standing, single family homes accommodating multi-generational families, as well as rising towers of concrete condos housing a new generation, who are staking their claim for a piece of paradise.

If you think just living in Hawaii is fun, you should try being a real estate agent in Hawaii. Wow, talk about your diverse types of transactions, ways to hold title, even the different ways to develop your land. It all changes here in Hawaii. Let's begin with one of my favorite ways to increase the value in your property, and that is to develop a CPR.

What is a CPR?

A Condominium Property Regime (CPR) in its simplest form is a condo. It is a way of owning a home or unit while sharing the use or access to a parcel of land. A CPR property can be a typical high-rise with lots of units or a beach-front home with only two detached units. The full definition can be found under Hawaii State Law HRS 514B.

Established in 1947, Boys and Girls Club of America’s Youth of the Year program recognizes Club members who, with the help of their Club, have met personal challenges head-on and, despite the odds, have given back to their Club and Community.  The purpose of this event is to recognize members of the Boys and Girls Club on Oahu & Kauai, who have demonstrated continued service to the Club, their community and their families.  Other criteria used to determine the Youth of the Year are academic success, strong moral character, life goals, as well as poise and public speaking ability.