February In Honolulu

Nathalie's Newsflash

“Beware:
Ignorance
Protects itself.
Ignorance
Promotes suspicion.
Suspicion
Engenders fear.
Fear quails,
Irrational and blind,
Or fear looms,
Defiant and closed.
Blind, closed,
Suspicious, afraid,
Ignorance
Protects itself,
And protected,
Ignorance grows.”
—Octavia Butler

This February, I have been inspired to participate in a 6 week course to help recognize and strive to overcome my own ignorance, rather than assuming, rationalizing, or resisting new information. I am also engaged in creating balance and joy in my work life. 

Sometimes being a lifelong learner and business owner can feel daunting, because the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. However, I've been trying to conceptualize happiness as truly enjoying a task that is infinite, and that feels intriguing and inspiring.

 How are you acknowledging and addressing areas of ignorance in your life? Also, how do you define happiness in your life, and is it time to update that definition?

Real Estate in the News

Mortgage Rate Drop Creates a Homebuying Window, but How Long Will It Last?

Mortgage rates have dropped yet again—could this spell an opportunity for homebuyers?
The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate home loan fell to 6.09% for the week ending Feb. 2, according to Freddie Mac. That’s down nearly a full percentage point from October’s 20-year high of 7.08%.
Meanwhile, the number of homes for sale is soaring, flying 71% higher for the week ending Jan. 28 compared with this same week a year earlier, according to a recent analysis by Realtor.com®.
This dip in mortgage rates, combined with plenty of homes on the market, adds up to a potential win for homebuyers.
“The less competitive market may have created chances for first-time homebuyers who are looking to become homeowners in 2023,” says Realtor.com® Chief Economist Danielle Hale in her analysis.
We’ll break down what the latest real estate statistics mean, and how homebuyers can use them to their advantage, in this latest installment of “How’s the Housing Market This Week?”

Read more at Realtor.com

Honolulu Real Estate Stats & News

New Year Sees Home Sales Fall by Half, Median Sales Prices Dip Modestly
Single-family home median sales price falls below $1 million

The new year began with closed sales of O‘ahu properties falling significantly year-over-year, with single-family homes dropping 54.0% and condos declining 50.2%. After 17 consecutive months of single-family home prices reaching $1,000,000 or more, January ended with a single-family home median sales price of $970,000, representing a 7.6% decline compared to January 2022. The condo market also saw the median sales price dip 2.9% to $495,000.

“The median sales price for a single-family home on O‘ahu fell below the $1,000,000 mark because costlier financing is placing some downward pressure on prices,” says Fran Villarmia-Kahawai, president of the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®. “Sellers are having to adjust their approach as buyer demand wanes due to elevated interest rates.”

Here is more detail about the O'ahu market in general, but please reach out to me if you want more specific information about a region or neighborhood.
Interested in a bridge loan or keeping an eye on the latest mortgage rates? Compare local lender rates throughout Hawai'i here, compiled by the Honolulu Board of Realtors and updated weekly. 

Read More from the Honolulu Board of Realtors

Black History Month
Throughout February

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. The Popolo Project is a Hawai‘i-based nonprofit redefining what it means to be Black here and showcasing events throughout February and the entire year.

Click here to learn more

Mahina 'Ōlelo Hawai'i
Hawaiian Language Month

If you have ever wanted to learn the Hawaiian Language, what better time to start than now? Here is a resource to do a deep dive on learning Hawaiian, and as well as a link to a calendar of events celebrating 'Ōlelo Hawai'i.

Click here to learn more

Kuilei Place
Market & Affordable Homes

Exceptional residences are coming to Honolulu! Designed by Kamaʻāina for the Kamaʻāina lifestyle, this new project by renowned developer Kobayashi Group promises to elevate and refine the concept of affordable homes. I'm excited about this new build and anticipate serving many owner occupant clients with their home purchases!

Learn more here

Champion Lifestyle & Local Tips

Top 5 Ways to Avoid a Tax Audit (The 2022 Edition)

If the IRS does decide to audit you, there is little you may do to stop it. You may, however, reduce the odds that you will be singled out for that extra attention in the first place.
 
While audits are rare, most Americans would probably like to avoid them altogether. The percentage of people who actually are audited is extremely small, according to the Internal Revenue Service, but the number has risen slowly since 2008. If the IRS does decide to audit you, there is little you may do to stop it. You may, however, reduce the odds that you will be singled out for that extra attention in the first place.

Learn more at TurboTax

Blue Note Hawai'i:
Judith Hill 

Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, funk goddess Judith Hill comes from a Japanese/African-American bi-racial musical family. Mother Michiko and father Robert (aka Pee Wee) met in a 1970’s funk band, and continue to perform with her. 
March 14th, 6:30pm & 9pm

Get tickets here

Hawai'i Theater Center
Video On Demand

In case you missed a show the first time around, The Hawai'i Theatre Center has made it incredibly easy to check out a performance any time, any anywhere. Check out their library of shows on demand and enjoy performances over and over again.

View shows here

HOMA Spring Art Classes & Workshops

Mark your calendars! Registration for a new session of art classes opens at 10am on Wednesday, February 8, either online or in-person at the Art School. Contributing level museum members and above can register one day early. Questions about signing up for classes online? 

Here are tips for registration.

Fresh Local Listings

Niu Valley

5633 Kanau Street

4 BD   3 BA   2313 SF   $1,618,000

Upper Pearl City

717 Hooluu Street

3 BD   1 BA   1240 SF   $1,250,000

Nuuanu

2817 Dow Street

3 BD   4 BA   2070 SF   $1,750,000

Ocean Pointe

91-2068 Kai 'Oli Street, Unit 4302

3 BD   3 BA   1105 SF   $699,000

Kailua

1109D Akipohe Street, Unit 14D

3 BD   2 BA   1367 SF   $785,000

Mahalo for reading and subscribing! How can I help you achieve your real estate goals?

Reach out to chat!

Nathalie Champion

GRI, MRP, e-Pro, PSA, CLHMS
RB-23526
nathalie@nathaliechampion.com
(808) 859-0027
COMPASS RB-23206

Rotary E-Club of Hawaii - Immediate Past President
Honolulu Board of Realtors - Diversity Committee Chair

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

© 2022 Compass. 90 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10011. All rights reserved. This email is a promotional message. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.

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