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Honolulu Named Best City to Live in the US

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Honolulu Named Best City to Live in the US

US news and world report named Honolulu Hawaii #17 is one of the top places to live in the country for 2018. You wouldn’t think our crowded little city would’ve made the list but actually, our quality of life and value added a lot to the score.

Our population is just under 1 million with an average annual salary of about $51,000. On a scale of 1 to 10, our quality of life, which includes low crime rates, affordability, job growth, etc., came in at a 6.5 with our value index coming in at 4.7. Honolulu is considered the cultural and culinary hub of the Hawaiian Islands and we are proficient with shopping centers, restaurants, and of course, miles of beaches. The only downside is our cost of living, which comes in a little bit higher than the national average. But comparing that with the year-round tropical temperatures and simply the beauty of living in Hawaii, a kind of balances it out.

With our laid-back vibe, diverse blend of cultures, and close proximity to the ocean, Honolulu is regularly defined as one of the country’s happiest places on earth. The Honolulu Metro area includes the entire southeastern half of Oahu and according to our U.S. News & World Report scorecard, our desirability came in at a solid 10. The only score that was lower is our value, based on a cost of living compared to the national average.

Our job market came in at a 7.8, quality of life came in at 6.5, and net migration came in at 5.6. Honolulu has been ranked #35 as one of the best places to live in the country and #24 is one of the best places to retire.

The median home price is about $580,000 with the median monthly rent of just under $1600. This does come in at one of the priciest and most expensive places to live and rent in the country, but again, there are so many factors offsetting the high cost of living that it’s easy to see why we made the list.

Learn More About our Island:

I need to sell my house in Hawaii and move to the mainland

How you know you’re ready to leave the rental market

What’s the best time to sell a house in Hawaii?

What buyers are looking for in a Hawaiian house

Want to move here? Just do it.

How to drop everything and move to Hawaii

 

5 Bedroom Home on Lewanuu St in Mililani

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Located at 95-702 Lewanuu St. in Mililani is a beautiful 5 bedroom and 3.5 bath home with just over 2,500 square feet. Built in 1982, this unique home would be great for a stay at home worker. There is a huge office potential here with a ground floor master bedroom and bath with separate entrance. There is also a large 2nd master bedroom with bathroom upstairs too. The home offers large separate living areas and a 2nd-floor living room or family room as well. 5 Bedroom Home on Lewanuu St in Mililani

Outside the home is a 720 SF covered Lanai perfect for entertaining. The home has a 43-panel Vivint provided PPA Solar System for reduced electric costs. This is a big perk in the Hawaiian islands as energy can be very spendy.

Homeowners’ Dues are just $37 per month and cover common area maintenance of the community.  The home boasts a 3-car garage plus additional driveway parking.

Schools assigned to this location include the Kipapa elementary, the Mililani middle school, and the Mililani high school.  The middle and high school have been recorded as some of the best on the island.

Shops and restaurants are close by and the beach is about 30 minutes. Give me a call to take a closer look at this awesome new listing!

Click on the address above to view more of the listing information and all images or check out the virtual tour here.

New Year New Cleaning Habits – How to Create a Clean House All the Time

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New Year New Cleaning Habits - How to Create a Clean House All the Time

The new year brings much motivation for improving different aspects of our lives from physical fitness and diet to organization. One aspect many people try to work on is improving their home and how efficiently it is run. Many of us could use a polishing of our daily cleaning habits.

Whether you are cleaning something incorrectly without realizing it, or you are just wanting to make the most out of your time cleaning follow these tips:

  1. Cleaning Rags

The cloths you use to clean your home matter. Don’t use just any old scrap of material to clean everything in your home. You will find that not all cleaning rags are created equal for every job. Yes, there are some jobs that you could use just any old scrap of fabric for, but some jobs are much more effective when the proper tools are used. Here is what we mean:

    • Dusting: The best cloth for dusting is a microfiber cloth. Microfiber is able to grab and hold on to dust particles. Instead of just moving dust around it is getting grabbed by the cloth and then later deposited in the trash and cleaned away in the laundry. Make sure to have plenty of these on hand and change out your cloth when it is full. Using a full cloth brings you back to ineffective dusting.
    • Carpet Spot Cleaning: when cleaning spots/spills/stains from the carpet only use a freshly laundered white cloth or plain white high-quality paper towel. You don’t want to risk the dyes from a colored cloth reacting with a cleaning solvent and transferring into your carpet.
    • Television Screens: Today’s new flat and thin televisions are not like the ones of yesterday. You can do some significant damage to your screen if you clean it with the wrong cloth. We suggest pre-moistened wipes made specifically for the task or a clean microfiber cloth.
  • Windows and Glass: You don’t want to clean your windows and mirrors with a cloth that is going to leave a bunch of tiny pieces of very visible lint in a place you want to be crystal clear. The best cleaning tool for glass is a special glass cleaning cloth or a microfiber cloth.

*Tip- remember to wash microfiber cloths without using fabric softener. This will leave a film and damage the cleaning magic of the cloth.

  1. Applying Cleaning Solvents

When you are using a cleaning solvent for almost any cleaning task you want to apply the cleaner to the cleaning tool rather than to the surface that needs to be cleaned. You actually need a lot less clean than you instinctively think.The use of too much cleaning solution leaves a buildup behind on the surface which attracts more dirt and grime leaving it dirtier.  Applying cleaner to the cleaning tool will allow for just enough to get your job done.

Related: Cleaning Tricks from Olden Days that Work (and Some that Don’t)

  1. Vacuuming

So many people are actually vacuuming wrong without even realizing it. A lot of us instinctively turn on the machine and quickly run it over the floor in whatever pattern seems comfortable until we believe we have hit every spot. The correct way to vacuum is on a regular basis once or twice a week with slow linear strokes that overlap similar to lawn mowing. The slower the vacuum is moving over the floor the more suction power you will have.

Expert Talk: Just about everything in our home is now connected wirelessly. How about a battery-powered home? – Relates

  1. Mopping

The best strategy for mopping is not to use too much cleaner and to make sure you rinse the cleaner from the floors, especially if you have wood floors. The last thing you want on your hard surface floors is cleaner build-up attracting more dirt.

  1. Deep Cleaning

This is a very important part of keeping your home in its best condition. Professional deep cleaning of carpet, upholstery, tile, grout, and natural stone will not only have your surfaces looking their best and deeply sanitized it will extend the life of your surfaces saving you money on replacement costs.

Pro Tip: “Deep cleaning at least twice a year will keep your carpet in great shape without wearing it out. We’ve seen homes where they shampoo it every week and it really takes a beating on the carpet after a few years.” – Orlando Buyer’s Agent Erika Phelan

  1. Starting in the Right Spot

Clean your home from top to bottom. It is a cliche for a reason. Start by cleaning the highest up surfaces and work your way down to cleaning the floors last. This way you are not getting surfaces dirty that have already been cleaned with falling debris. For example: when dusting, even with a microfiber cloth, some dust is going to fall to lower level surfaces like the floor. To be sure you get everything clean starting at the top.

With more efficient cleaning practices, you are on your way to a cleaner home. Why not kick off your cleaning practices with the deepest clean possible? Call me for great references in the Mililani area for deep cleanings. 

Ready to List your Oahu home? Call me today for a free home valuation

I Need to Sell My House in Hawaii and Move to the States

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Back and forth. We see it all the time. People moving here from the states and people moving back again. There are numerous reasons for both and one major one is the fact that we are close to the military base so military families and moving and relocating from Mililani quite frequently.I Need to Sell My House in Hawaii and Move to the States

This can be a stressful time – selling in one state, much less overseas technically, and buying in another or the mainland – but having an agent and a brokerage that knows exactly how to do it makes all the difference in the world.

But how? How can one agent sell and buy in two different states?

This is why we do what we do. We have connections and even licenses in other states close to the coast to provide perfect care for our clients. We want to make sure that if you’re here or there, your transaction is being taken care of.

We help you price, manage, and sell your home here on Oahu while connecting you with the right agent on the other side to find and purchase a home on the mainland. It can be stressful doing this at the same time. Buying and selling simultaneously is stressful enough, but when you either have to leave your home in Hawaii before it sells or selling it here while trying to buy there, it almost the icing on the stress-cake. We want to make that easy for you.

Give us a call. Let’s talk about your need and your situation. Everyone’s deal is different so we want to offer advice and suggestions to make the entire process much easier. We want your move and relocation to be successful and stress-free. We have excellent communication with the agent on the other end and make sure everything falls together perfectly.

Let us make your next move an easy one. Call us or leave us a comment below and we’ll get in touch with you right away. Sometimes, time is of the essence and it’s important to get the ball moving quickly and not drop it. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

 

April Events in Mililani Town 2017

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Easter is right around the corner as is the Spring Craft Fair in Mililani town.We have to major events going on this April.

April Events in Mililani Town 2017

EASTER EGG HUNT AND BUNNY

The Easter Egg Hunt. On April 8 from 8:30 AM until 11 AM in the Mililani Town Recreation Center 6 located at 95 – 1010 Konaku Street in Mililani is the annual Easter egg hunt. This event is sponsored by Hawaii State Federal Credit Union. This event is free for Mililani Town Association members and for those 12 years and under. However, tickets are required for participation. The hunts will commence at 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM, and 10:30 AM. Tickets are available at recreational center 3 and 7. There will be an Easter bunny perfect for photo opportunities, golden eggs, special prizes, games, and snacks.

SPRING FAIR

The Spring Craft Fair is also right around the corner on April 22 at the Mililani Recreation Center 5. Registration is already closed as we are full, and the event is from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM. There will be crafts, food, vendors, shopping, and lots of arts. This is free sponsored by the Menehune Water Company.

If you’re looking for something fun to do this April, be sure to check out these two events happening April 8 and April 22. Do you have an event you’d like to feature on our website. Feel free to leave us a comment below or email us at any time. Not only do we stay on top of current events in Mililani but we specialize in homes, real estate and buyers and sellers throughout Oahu.

What’s the Best Time to Sell a House in Hawaii?

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I get this question a lot, especially specializing in real estate listings and selling properties on Oahu. Homeowners often ask when is the best time of year to sell a house?What's the Best Time to Sell a House in Hawaii?

There’s been numerous studies and research done on this exact thing and it’s important to know that selling in the Hawaiian Islands is completely different than the mainland. There are better times than others to sell depending on where you live in the country. Winter is probably not going to be the best time of year when you’re in the throes of snow and ice in Michigan and Wisconsin. However, winter is one of our best times to sell a house.

December, January, and February are some of the best times to sell a house in the Hawaiian Islands according to a Smart Zip research study by Inman Select. To narrow it down even further, the study suggested that January is actually the best time to sell a house.

Remember, this is completely different than the mainland where many study show that may and June are some of the best times to sell. However, tourism has started to pick up this time of year, kids are getting out of school and that just is not enough time to look for a house.
Another good reason to sell in January and February, even in non-Hawaiian areas, is the fact that there is less competition so when you do get a buyer, they are pretty serious and will usually make an offer.

Here are five other reasons to sell in January and February before spring really hits.

#1. The demand is strong. Buyers are still out in force and because many people visit the Hawaiian Islands during the winter season, you may get a lot of potential homebuyers from the mainland.

#2. There’s less competition. As we said before, housing inventory and supply drops under the six month supply needed for a normal housing market. This means that there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers in the market. This is great news for home prices and homeowners.

#3. Closing will typically be faster. One of the biggest challenges in the housing market has been the length of time from the offer to closing. Because there is less activity in the wintertime, banks, escrow and title companies will tend to work a little bit harder to get things closed faster.

#4. It’s a great time to move. Especially in the Hawaiian Islands, moving during the winter months means that there won’t be as much traffic or tourists around and you can easily get from one home to another.

#5. Prices are increasing so if you’re moving up now is the time to do it. Prices are projected to rise about 6% over the next year to two years. If you’re moving into a higher price home you can get more home now with a lower interest rate than you could a year from now.

So if you’re ready to buy or even sell, right now is an excellent time. Prices are good, rates are low, and buyers are making offers. Call us today to find out exactly how much your Oahu home is worth.

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About Hawaii Realty Pro

Hawaii Real Estate SpecialistsOahu real estate agent Maureen Fukumoto

Maureen and her team assists sellers and buyers in coming together over the right home and right price. With up to date listings, current market conditions and local information we are your full service source for all Oahu real estate.

For decades I have been assisting home owners sell their property quickly at economically. With licensed agents and brokers we can provide the same top quality service you would get from a fully commissioned Realtor or agent. We provide access to all the marketing and advertising tools needed to list and sell your Oahu Property.