If you are relocating to Oahu choose an experienced Realtor like John Riggins to make your move a smoothe one

Relocating to Oahu can be an overwhelming and stressful experience and having someone on your side can be key in making your transition run more smoothly.  Locating a good Realtor can make you relocation more enjoyable.  Moving to Oahu, whether for a job or for a lifestyle change, is a big move and a realtor can help not just with finding a home but with the entire process.  Here is what an experienced Realtor can do for you:

• Research and resources.  A qualified real estate broker has helped many people move and knows the neighborhoods, schools, and amenities.  Using your broker’s knowledge can help cut out a great deal of your leg work.
• Settling in.  Let your Realtor know your interests and hobbies and he will point you in the right direction, making your new home feel like home faster.
• Network.  Relocating involves more than just a new home, it involves a new life.  Your realtor can help point you to the proper channels when choosing schools, doctors, activities, etc.

John Riggins is a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network, where those who belong have to pass a series of stringent criteria.  John Riggins can put his experience and expertise to work for you when you are relocating to Oahu.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

Things are slowly improving for tourism on Oahu

Small steps forward for Oahu are being made, as tourism improves slowly but surely for the island.  While it is true that overall the recession hurt Oahu far less than many places on the mainland, the overall economy of the United States and the world has impacted tourism to Oahu and all of Hawaii.  Hotel occupancy has been improving in increments, up nearly 3% for the week ending January 23rd.

Overall room rates on Oahu are down in the 10% range, lower prices meant to attract visitors.  The lower rates appear to be working as occupancy rates continue to improve, just as lower mortgages rates and tax incentives are helping to improve Oahu real estate sales.  Slowly but surely Oahu and the rest of the country are moving forward.

Click here for an article from Pacific Business Journal about hotel occupancy in Hawaii.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

Time is limited to use the tax credit toward purchasing real estate on Oahu

The extended and expanded first time home buyer tax credit is meant to inspire the purchasing of homes, opening opportunities for many on Oahu as well as throughout the United States.  If you want to purchase real estate on Oahu in 2010 and are buying your first home, take advantage of the tax credit and put your home under contract before April 30.  Anyone taking advantage of the tax credit needs to put their new home under contract by April 30 and close by June 30.

The other bonus of the tax credit is that if you already own a home and have lived in it as your primary residence for at least five of the last eight years you can upgrade, or downgrade, into a new residence and utilize the credit for up to $6,500.  So, if you live on Oahu, keep these dates and facts in mind so that you can optimize your expenses toward new property in 2010.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

As foreclosures rise around the United States, Oahu does not remain immune.  In the Hawaiian islands Oahu has its fair share of foreclosures and they are expected to keep coming, at least for a while.  On Oahu, Ewa Beach and Kapolei will continue to see foreclosures and the time is ripe for contacting experienced brokers who can help with the purchasing of foreclosure property.

A broker who is also a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) is an ideal candidate for helping purchase distressed property on Oahu.  The process of purchasing distressed property is a lengthy and complicated one.  Contact John Riggins today for the best service and education toward foreclosure property in Ewa Beach and Kapolei, as well as elsewhere on Oahu.

Click here to read a recent article about foreclosures on Hawaii.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

Oahu real estate sales volume is looking better than much of the mainland

While home sales averaged the largest dip in 40 years across the United States, real estate sales volume on Oahu increased compared with last year.  According to the Honolulu Board of Realtors there were 265 single family home sales on Oahu compared with 194 in December of 2008.  In addition there were 349 condominium sales in December 2009 compared with 243 in December of 2008.  These numbers are impressive as sales slipped elsewhere on the mainland.

People purchasing real estate on Oahu can see the value in doing so now.  Second home owners realize that Oahu real estate prices cannot continue going down and residents of the island know that the tax credit has a shelf life that will end before the second half of 2010.

Click here to view December 2010 Oahu real estate sales data.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

Aulani is the name of the new Disney Resort in Ko Olina

The new Disney Resort in Ko Olina on Oahu has finally been given a name, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawaii.  The new resort plans to open its first phase in the Fall of 2011.  Aulani is located on 21 acres of oceanfront property in the fabulous area of Oahu known as the Ko Olina Resort.  Aulani will have 360 hotel rooms and 481 time share villas when it is complete.

Its beautiful setting and surroundings will help make the Disney Resort unique, offering an amazing setting for the Magical Kingdom to spread its wings.  Disney is all about family and fun and Ko Olina provides the spirit of Aloha, combining to make one fabulous vacation experience in paradise.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

Scholarships are available for Oahu students headed to college

Students on Oahu can get help for college from Hawaii Self Storage on Oahu.  The company offers the scholarships annually to Oahu high-school seniors.  The scholarship is for $1,000 but is renewable annually for up to $4,000 ($1,000 per year for four years of college).  To qualify for the scholarship students must be graduating seniors from a public high school on Oahu (Aiea, Pearl City, Farrington, Kaimuki, Kalani, Kapolei, Mililani, Moanalua, Radford, Waipahu, McKinley or Leilehua).  Students also must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 to continue to receive the scholarship.

Hawaii Self Storage is a company benefiting students on Oahu, committing over $200,000 toward education in the past four years, the business personifies the Aloha Spirit.  Applications for the scholarships must be filled out by February 12.

For more information on the Oahu scholarships visit Hawaii Self Storage’s website by clicking here.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

John Riggins can help you with foreclosures on Oahu

Foreclosures are on the rise on Hawaii.  December marked a distinct rise in foreclosures in the island state, affecting its real estate market in a variety of ways.  On Oahu the biggest foreclosure areas are Ewa Beach and Kapolei.

For those looking for real estate bargains on the island of Oahu the foreclosures can mean that there are bargain investment opportunities.  Oahu real estate is more affordable has it has been in years.

If you are facing foreclosure on Oahu there are ways to avoid it.  A CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) can help a home owner avoid foreclosure and therefore avoid credit damage.

John Riggins is a CDPE on Oahu and can help you if you are looking to buy foreclosure real estate or avoid entering foreclosure on Oahu.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

Real Estate bargains exist on Oahu

The upside of a bad economy is that bargains are there to be had and the Oahu real estate market is no exception.  Resort real estate is where some of the best deals can be found these days and Ko Olina Resort is no exception.  Ko Olina Resort Villas is a project where some units can be found for a discount of 50% off.

Are you looking for a bargain on the island of Oahu?  Perhaps a resort condominium or home that can be enjoyed but also used as a vacation rental to help cover costs and secure your investment.  Whether you want to find the best bang for your buck in Ko Olina Resort or elsewhere on Oahu, John Riggins can help you locate the property taht best suits your needs.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

Oahu has much to look forward to in 2010

While it is true that the island of Oahu has suffered the recession with the rest of the United States, 2009 is over and the island is looking forward for 2010.  Some positives for 2010 are:

• Tourism is improving and Mainland and Japanese visitors are expected to increase.
• There is no inflation.
• It is a buyer’s market in terms of Oahu real estate, with low interest rates, decreased home prices & the first time home buyer tax credit.
• Hawaii consumers have stronger credit compared with most of the nation.
• You can’t beat the beauty and quality of life on Oahu.

While Oahu has felt the effects of the national economy, it hit the island later than  much of the Mainland and is expected to last a shorter period of time than many places as well.  Oahu has much to be grateful for.  2010 offers a great time to invest in Oahu.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.