Honolulu Advertiser Reports on Hawaii Foreclosure Trend.

Hawaii foreclosures 'slowly building'
By Andrew Gomes, Honolulu Advertiser, March 30, 2008
"Hawai'i mortgage delinquencies ratcheted up last year and show no indication of slowing this year as economic growth weakens, inflation remains strong and home values flatten..." <- Read full story.

NEW! Now Possible to do a §1031 "tax deferred exchange" on Vacation or 2nd Homes!

I've created a new section on my website pertaining to §1031 "tax deferred exchanges". Finally, the IRS has published guidelines for taxpayers that own vacation or 2nd homes to use if considering the possibilities of a §1031 "tax deferred exchange". This is effective as of TODAY, March 10, 2008! This could open up many new possibilities for investment into income properties, 2nd homes or vacation homes in Honolulu, a popular location for many investors' 2nd homes... <--Click for more details.

Mold in your home?

Jury's out on indoor mold, but be safe
The Honolulu Advertiser By Landis Lum Thursday, March 6, 2008
"Q. Can mold and dampness in my home cause congestion, fatigue, headaches, or other problems?

A. There are more than 10,000 pending lawsuits on this issue in the United States. There's little doubt about outdoor molds causing asthma. However, connecting indoor mold exposure to disease is complicated..." <-Read full story.

Recent News End of February to March 3, 2008

Oahu home prices dip, condos rise
Pacific Business News (Honolulu)Monday, March 3, 2008 - 2:37 PM HAST
"The median price of a single-family home on Oahu dipped below $600,000 last month for the first time in nearly three years, while the median price of a condominium tied its all-time high, the Honolulu Board of Realtors said Monday..." <-Read full story.


Waimanalo named state enterprise zone
Pacific Business News (Honolulu)Monday, March 3, 2008 - 2:46 PM HAST
"Waimanalo has been designated a state enterprise zone by Gov. Linda Lingle..." <-Read full story.


Wells Fargo tightens mortgage guidelines
Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal - by Mavis Scanlon Thursday, February 28, 2008
"In a move that could have far-reaching ramifications for home buyers in the Golden State and elsewhere, Wells Fargo & Co. is tightening its mortgage lending guidelines in more than 200 markets across the country, including more than 30 markets in California that it has labeled severely distressed or distressed..." <-Read full story.


Hawaii takes 3 spots on top 10 beach list
Pacific Business News (Honolulu)Wednesday, February 27, 2008
"Three Hawaii beaches were named to TripAdvisor's top 10 beaches in the United States by TripAdvisor travelers and editors..." <-Read full story.


Steep losses in 2007 at Fannie Mae
Pacific Business News (Honolulu)Wednesday, February 27, 2008
"Fannie Mae reported losses of more than $2 billion each in the 2007 fourth quarter and the entire year as the sluggish housing and mortgage markets hurt the company..." <-Read full story.


January's foreclosure activity up 57%, California leads nation in filings
Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal Tuesday, February 26, 2008
"Foreclosure filings in the nation -- which include default notices, auction sales notices and bank repossessions -- were up almost 57 percent year over year in January, according to an online marketplace for foreclosure properties..." <-Read full story.


Hawaii foreclosures 42nd in country
Pacific Business News (Honolulu)Wednesday, February 26, 2008
"Foreclosure activity is still growing in much of the country, but in Hawaii the rate is still one of the lowest in the nation..." <-Read full story.

News of the Week...

Oahu home prices remain stable
Pacific Business News (Honolulu) Monday, February 4, 2008 - 10:04 AM HAST
"Home prices on Oahu appear to be holding up in 2008 despite fewer sales, with the median price of a single-family home in January unchanged from 2007..." <-Read full story

Owner plans new look for Ward Centers
Pacific Business News (Honolulu) Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - 3:43 PM HAST
"The owner of Honolulu's Ward Centers wants to redevelop the area into a leafy urban neighborhood of shops and restaurants with public plazas and pedestrian-friendly streets..." <-Read full story

Waikiki center gets new name, logo
Pacific Business News (Honolulu) Thursday, February 7, 2008 - 11:03 AM HAST
"Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, which is undergoing a $115 million remodeling to change its street facade and layout, is also changing its name and logo..." <-Read full story

Hawaii hotels lose out to time shares, condos, ships
Pacific Business News (Honolulu) Friday, February 8, 2008 - 2:55 PM HAST
"The number of tourists choosing to stay in Hawaii hotels dropped in 2007, with more staying in condos, time shares and on cruise ships..." <-Read full story

Honolulu one of most secure cities to live
Pacific Business News (Honolulu) Friday, February 8, 2008 - 10:47 AM HAST
"Honolulu was ranked one of the most secure places to live in the United States in a recent report by Sperling's BestPlaces..." <-Read full story

Transit system likely won't improve traffic
The Honolulu Advertiser By Sean Hao Sunday, February 10, 2008
"It's unlikely Honolulu's planned $3.7 billion transit system will affect deteriorating peak-hour traffic conditions along the H-1 corridor, according to city projections..." <-Read full story

Waikiki renaissance has begun
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin By Nina Wu Sunday, February 10, 2008
"The Outrigger's $535 million project is exceeding its expectations with the Trump Hotel opening yet to come in 2009..." <-Read full story

Lewers Street of yesteryear gets contemporary make-over
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin By Nina Wu Sunday, February 10, 2008
"The aging Lewers Street, as old Waikikians knew it, has been transformed..." <-Read full story

Oahu's Foreclosures...

Hawaii foreclosures rise, but rank low nationally
The Honolulu Advertiser
"The number of foreclosure filings in Hawai'i tripled in December compared to a year earlier, though the foreclosure rate for the entire year remained one of the lowest nationwide..." <-Read full report.

Low Interest Rates!

Hawaii’s mortgage rates fall to 4-year low
Honolulu Star-Bulletin By Kristen Consillio

"Hawaii home buyers are seeing the lowest mortgage rates since 2004 when rates fell to a 40-year historical low..." <- Read