112417REM_R12

REM112417

12 West Hawaii Real Estate | November 24, 2017 West Hawaii Association of Realtors look back on achievements, outline goals The West Hawaii real estate market continues to see sustained moderate price increases, and low inventory. The year to date median residential price in North Kona is $635,000, which is an increase of 5.92% over last year. The year to date South Kohala residential median price is $565,000, an increase of 13.23% over last year. The median days on market for North Kona and South Kohala residential for the month of October was 45 days, a decrease of 21 days from the previous year. For 2017, the West Hawaii Association of Realtors (WHAR) chose the Kona Historical Society as our Charity of Choice. In September, our fundraiser golf tournament was held at the Club at Hokulia. The official announcement of the amount raised will be announced in December, and we anticipate it to be over $10,000. As our local real estate market evolves, WHAR continues to raise the bar on our advocacy for the rights of property owners. 2017 has presented numerous unique challenges, and there are still more on the way. Looking back, our highest local priority was to protect the Keauhou Aquifer from falling under the management of the state. This process has happened in the past on Maui, where the unintended consequences resulted in a near halt of new water meters for some areas. Without new water meters and new water service, new construction would grind to a halt, limiting inventory even more, and also reducing construction employment opportunities. We were successful in preventing the Keauhou Aquifer from being designated as a state management area when the Water Commission denied the petition in February. Looking forward, we are closely monitoring the possible proposed legislation from the County regarding Transient Vacation Rentals. At the same time, the state is in negotiations with Airbnb.com to streamline the process of property owners paying the Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT). We recognize that this is a complex issue. WHAR believes that the right of an owner to use and allow others to use their property is a fundamental to home ownership. If our laws prohibit short-term rentals, tourists will take their business elsewhere, resulting in fewer jobs, and less TAT and GET collected from visitors. At the National level, WHAR and the National Association of Realtors strongly oppose the current draft of the proposed Tax Reform. Homeowners pay 83% of the taxes in the nation and the proposed legislation will increase the taxes on homeowners even more. For more detailed information, visit nar.realtor/tax-reform. While we agree that Tax Reform is long overdue, we believe that incentives for home ownership creates better, more stable communities. With home ownership rates at their lowest in 50 years, and with Hawaii’s home ownership rate ranked 49th in the nation, we must ask, do we want to be a nation of renters, or a nation of homeowners? As our local real estate market evolves, WHAR continues to raise the bar on our advocacy for the rights of property owners. 2017 has presented numerous unique challenges, and there are still more on the way. OCEANFRONT SEA VILLAGE Preferred Bldg. 4—Best view in Kona with miles of ocean, town and daily sunsets. Partially furnished, 2 bedrooms/2 baths—NO STAIRS. Needs TLC–Café on site. Walk to Town–Oceanfront Pool & Spa. MLS #609523 • $450,000 SOLD $1,085,000 WHITE SANDS VILLAGE #217 Ultimate Designer upgraded 2BD/2BA condo w/good ocean views. Beautiful granite kitchen counters and tile fl oors in kitchen, living room and lanai. Beautifully furnished. NO STAIRS— ELEVATOR. 2 Tennis Courts—Easy to See. MLS #603456 • $419,000 OCEANFRONT THREE OCEANFRONT LOTS on ALII DRIVE A RARE opportunity to build 3 separate oceanfront homes–great for a family estate or compound. Park-like setting w/magnifi cent Monkey Pod & Coconut Trees & lush lawns. Adjacent to sandy swimming cove & tidal pools. No CC&R’s—No Maintenance Fees. MLS #610654 • $2,650,000 IN ESCROW HUALALAI COLONY HOME Beautiful and well-maintained single level home in Gated Tennis Community. Quality built 3BD/2BA w/Granite counter tops. Acacia wood and tile fl oors and Concrete Tile Roof. Air Conditioned and Tropically Furnished. Easy to See. MLS #609725 • $725,000 KEALAKEKUA BAY ESTATES View! View! View! Beautiful single level home in gated community just a short drive to Kealakekua Bay. Located at the top of the subdivision allows for expansive, panoramic Ocean Views. Immaculate and nearly new— quality fi nishes throughout!—3B/2B on 1 Acre. MLS #608553 • $1,075,000 IN ESCROW WHITE SANDS BEACH ESTATES Successful Vacation Rental or Large Family Home– 5B/4B–Walk to Magic Sands Beach. Spacious and Welcoming Home with large SWIMMING POOL. 4B/3B in Main home and separate/adjoining 1B/1B Guest Quarters w/kitchenette. Kitchen w/Granite Counters & Gas Stove. Large Deck w/Ocean Views. MLS #610618 • $849,000 LOWEST PRICE OCEANFRONT 808-896-1579 Serving Kona since 1985 LINDA BRADLEY Realtor/Broker RB-15020 Certifi ed Residential Specialist Linda@ElitePacifi c.com www.LindaBradley.com 3 LOTS BEACH RESORT


REM112417
To see the actual publication please follow the link above