September News

Welcome

GREAT NEWS FOR HAWAII TRAVELERS!

Hawaii's pre-travel testing program is scheduled to start on October 15!

Pre-travel testing enables travelers to avoid a mandatory 14-day quarantine if they are tested no earlier than 72 hours before their flight arrives with an FDA-approved nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), performed using a nasal swab, and can show proof of negative test results from a CLIA certified laboratory.

You can find updated information & additional resources at the links below:

▪ Go Hawaii | Testing Requirements & Information
▪ State of Hawai’i Department of Transportation | Latest Information On COVID-19
▪ State of Hawai’i Department of Health | Daily News Digest & Resources
▪ County of Honolulu | COVID-19 Latest Information & Updates

The Latest

Events Calendar
Go to this link and check out the events happening in Hawaii.

For Maui Events go to: Maui Events
For Oahu Events go to: Oahu Events

To Search Maui or Oahu Listings & More
VISIT FineIslandProperties.com

Video of the Month

What's the "Real" in Real Estate with Gina Duncan, R (PB) at Fine Island Properties

If you know of anyone looking to purchase a home or sell their home please don't keep us a secret. We will treat your referrals with the experience & aloha they deserve. No Pressure, just Aloha Service.

"The Key to your Hawaii Real Estate Success"

Market Update

Fine Island Properties is really excited about Statistics! We have a great app on our homepage that will give your a 2 year history of the Maui Real Estate Market. Go ahead and try it out HERE and let us know what you think.

Whether you are buying or selling your home, keeping track of current trends in the real estate market is vital to getting a great price. Start today by checking out the latest statistics concerning Maui and Oahu's market or contacting one of Fine Island Properties experienced agents to get a free detailed market analysis. Our team of professionals can help you determine what the current changes mean for our market, and what types of options are available for you.

Latest Statistics For Maui

Latest Statistics For Oahu

Featured Properties on Maui

Kihei Shores B001
Kihei HI 96753
$378,000
Link to Listing
Virtual Tour
Contact:
Agent: Gloria Ezera R (S)
Direct: 808-280-5682

2717 Panepoo Street
Kihei HI 96753
$865,000
Link to Listing
Virtual Tour
Contact:
Agent: Gina Duncan R (PB)
Direct: 808-250-9858

Hale Kanani 1-102
Kihei HI 96753
$560,000
Link to Listing
Virtual Tour
Contact:
Agent: Gina Duncan R (PB)
Direct: 808-250-9858

Kihei Surfside 611
Kihei HI 96753
$868,000
Link to Listing
Virtual Tour
Contact:
Agent: Gina Duncan R (PB)
Direct: 808-250-9858

859 Kai Hele Ku Street
Lahaina HI 96761
$1,950,000
Link to Listing
Virtual Tour
Contact:
Agent: Donna P Ting R (B)
Direct: 808-250-9858
Office: Tri-Isle Rlty & Dev Co Inc
Co-list Agent: Tatiana K Medeiros R(BIC)
Direct: 808-280-4404
Office: Fine Island Properties, LLC

Nahiku Road
Hana HI 96713
$285,000
Link to Listing
Virtual Tour
Contact:
Agent: Maria Ginnebaugh R (S)
Direct: 808-870-1972

680 E Kuiaha Road
Haiku HI 96708
$1,299,000
Link to Listing
Virtual Tour
Contact:
Agent: Hiro Ward R (S)
Direct: 808-264-9967

Kihei Villages III 53-201
Kihei HI 96753
$360,000
Link to Listing
Virtual Tour
Contact:
Agent: Gina Duncan R (PB)
Direct: 808-250-9858

Pacific Shores B318
Kihei HI 96753
$575,000
Link to Listing
Virtual Tour
Contact:
Agent: Gloria Ezera R (S)
Direct: 808-280-5682

103 Likeke Place
Kula HI 96790
$949,000
Link to Listing
Virtual Tour
Contact:
Agent: Donna P Ting R (B)
Direct: 808-250-9858
Office: Tri-Isle Rlty & Dev Co Inc
Co-list Agent: Tatiana K Medeiros R(BIC)
Direct: 808-280-4404
Office: Fine Island Properties, LLC

Featured Properties on Oahu

Royal Capitol Plaza 1803
Honolulu HI 96813
$645,000
Link to Listing
Contact:
Agent: Mike King R (A)
Direct: 808-777-0214

View All Listings

Property Tax Rates

Mortgage News

The Cost of Waiting

The most frequent question I was asked this week was if I thought mortgage rates and home prices were going to rise, drop, or stay the same. Now no one has a crystal ball and can predict the future, but there are certain economic trends that do provide some insight of what to expect down the road.

Civil unrest on the mainland and the impact of the covid have increased the desire of mainland people to move to Hawaii. There is a marked difference in the makeup of the buyers wishing to move to Hawaii. In the past, only those looking to retire considered moving here, because Hawaii has no real economy to employ productive blue- and white-collar workers. The covid has transformed many decent paying mainland jobs into jobs where the employee can work remotely. Those people are now giving Hawaii serious consideration as their next home.

The economic reports coming from the mainland also show that we as a country, may snap out of this economic slump faster than anticipated. The Federal Reserve this week indicated that they would keep rates low for their member banks. Please don’t be mistaken that this will mean low mortgage rates for years to come. If the Feds keep the Federal Discount Rate low, it will promote inflation. Inflation erodes the value of bonds. Bond holders then need to get a higher interest rate to offset inflation. In a simple sentence: mortgage rates will go up!

There’s an economic cost for waiting, especially if the home you want to buy goes up in value every year, and so do interest rates. Please look at the simple set of graphs and information I present below. I randomly picked a modest priced home in Mililani, on Oahu, that is currently listed for sale at $675,000. The analysis is based on a couple putting just 5% down ($33,750).

As you read the analysis, you’ll see why waiting is not a wise plan. If you have questions about the analysis, or if you are a real estate agent and wish to have a custom analysis done for your listing, please let me know.

And now the week’s economic news…….

Retail Sales Improve

This week's economic data and Fed meeting had little impact on mortgage markets, and rates again held steady near record low levels.

Freddie Mac Weekly Average Mortgage Rate Survey

The biggest economic report released this week revealed that the steady recovery in consumer spending following the enormous declines in March and April due to the pandemic has continued. In August, retail sales rose a solid 0.6% from July and were 3% higher than a year ago. Since consumer spending accounts for over two-thirds of all economic activity in the US, the retail sales data is a key indicator of growth.

The headline figure for August housing starts showing a decline of 5% from July was below the consensus forecast, but a closer look at the details was much more encouraging. The weakness was entirely due to a 23% decline in multi-family units, which are very volatile from month to month. Single-family starts, which are much more relevant to people looking to buy a home, increased 4% from July. Similarly, single-family building permits, a leading indicator of future construction, rose 6% from July, while multi-family permits fell 14%. This was welcome news since a lack of inventory has held back home sales for some time.

Nothing particularly surprising emerged from Wednesday's Fed meeting. As expected, monetary policy will remain highly accommodative for a long time to help support the economy, and officials projected that they will not raise the federal funds rate from its current level near zero during the next few years. According to the statement, this will be consistent with their dual goals of maximum employment and an inflation target averaging 2% annually over the longer-term. Some investors were disappointed that officials did not provide more specific guidance on the level of future asset purchases by the Fed.

Courtesy of:

Alan Van Zee
President | NMLS #: 297154
Hawaii Mortgage Company, Inc.
Company NMS #: 232582
Phone: 808.988.6622
alan@hawaiimortgage.net • www.hawaiimortgage.net

Things To Know

Fine Island Properties has compiled some resources with great information about real estate and for your home. If you have any questions about the opportunities available for you, contact us directly for the most prompt service.

Kitchen Remodel Ideas That Pay Off
Learn More >>
Source: thespruce.com

7 Curb Appeal Mistakes to Avoid
Learn More >>
Source: hgtv.com

Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time? Here's the Trick
Learn More >>
Source: Realtor.com

Home Buyers & Sellers Guide to Real Estate in Hawaii
Learn More >>
Source: OldRepublicTitle.com

What's Happening In Our Community

Special Alerts and Notices for The Hawaiian Islands

Learn More >>

Gov. David Ige extends the eviction moratorium in coronavirus fight

Learn More >>

Statewide COVID-19 metrics improving, Hawaii officials say

Learn More >>

Mayor Caldwell unveils new ‘recovery framework’ for COVID-19 response on Oahu

Learn More >>

United Airlines to begin pre-travel COVID-19 testing pilot in San Francisco for Hawaii-bound travelers

Learn More >>

Kaka’ako’s Newest Condo Project Releases 32 Additional Affordable Units For Sale

Learn More >>

289-unit luxury Wailea community planned

Learn More >>

State to launch new unemployment call center as claims rise

Learn More >>

Source: gohawaii.com, staradvertiser.com, liveililani.com, mauinews.com

Lifestyle

If you are searching for a home to match your lifestyle, don't hesitate to contact our team at Fine Island Properties. We'd be happy to help you find a home close to the locations that matter to you, or have a chat about our favorite places on Maui and Oahu!

Hiking on Maui & Oahu

Haleakala on Maui

Haleakala National Park spans more than 30,000 acres across the Valley Isle, and at 10,023 feet above sea level. It's multitude of trails include hikes up to the crater, through bamboo forests, past waterfalls and archeological sites. Along the way you may also get to experience some of Hawaii's native forest birds and endemic plant life.

www.nps.gov, www.fineislandproperties.com

Learn More About Hiking Haleakala

View homes for sale near Haleakala

Diamond Head on Oahu

Also known at Leahi, the Diamond Head State Monument sits on the eastern edge of Waikiki's coastline and spans 475 acres. The hike to the summit is 0.8 miles of steep paths climbing 560 feet. Along the trail you'll find remnants of history and ascend through the 225 foot tunnel to the Fire Control Station. At the summit you'll get to visit the historic navigational lighthouse, bunkers and get panoramic views of Oahu and the Pacific Ocean.

dlnr.hawaii.gov, www.fineislandproperties.com

Learn More About Hiking Diamond Head

View homes for sale near Diamond Head

Our Team Is Here To Serve You

Maui Agents

Gina Duncan
Principal Broker
RB-21124
Direct: 808-250-9858

Matt Daniells
R(B), RB-19622
Direct: 808-281-7175

Melissa Nakagawa
R(S), RS-77950
Direct: 808-283-6327

Patricia Swatzel
R(S), RS-66196
Direct: 808-344-1937

Sandy Daniells
R(S), RS-76336
Direct: 808-281-7173

Anacel Hidalgo
R(S), RS-64614
Direct: 808-214-0688

Kehau Akau
R(S), RS-77241
Direct: 808-269-4754

Maria Ginnebaugh
R(S), RS-60027
Direct: 808-870-1972

Margi Calder
R(S), RS-82203
Direct: 808-283-9835

Deborah Nunan
R(S), RS-70087
Direct: 808-357-8126

Chris Bakeman
R(BIC), RB-19188
Direct: 808-283-6126

Michael Buchanan
R(B), RB-19438
Direct: 808-344-5639

Audrey Moniz
R(B), RB-17792
Direct: 808-205-9252

Gloria Ezera
R(S), RS-78331
Direct: 808-280-5682

Hiroko Ward
R(S), RS-75023
Direct: 808-264-9967

Anita Cordero
R(S), RS-66329
Direct: 808-463-0751

Johnny Calabrese
R(S), RS-79108
Direct: 808-359-1919

Freddie Cantorna
R(S), RS-75996
Direct: 808-799-6826

Lesa Warner-Burke
R(S), RS-76795
Direct: 808-855-5515

Oahu Agents

Gina Duncan
Principal Broker
RB-21124
Direct: 808-250-9858

Mike King
R(A), RS-79882
Direct: 808-777-0214

Freddie Cantorna
R(A), RS-75996
Direct: 808-799-6826

Tatiana Medeiros
R(BIC), RB-19637
Direct: 808-280-4404

Gloria Ezera
R(A), RS-78331
Direct: 808-280-5682

Laura Nye-Robinson
R(A), RS-83277
Direct: 408-313-5426

Fine Island Properties LLC
RB-21750
https://FineIslandProperties.com
"The Key to Your Hawaii Real Estate Success"
275 W. Kaahumanu Ave Suite 189
Kahului HI 96732

Located in the Queen Kaahumanu Center
Next to the Armed Forces Recruiters Offices

Oahu Branch Office:
1164 Bishop St #616
Honolulu HI 96813

view this email in your browser