Even though it was only a few years ago, the days of the Honolulu real estate bubble now seem like a lifetime ago.  Only a few short years ago houses were selling like hotcakes, and it was not unusual to see a bidding war break out during a Sunday open house. Sellers could name their own price, and buyers were stretching further and further to buy the home of their dreams.

How things have changed - these days it is the buyer who is in the driver's seat, and with so many unsold houses on the market prices in many markets have fallen sharply. In addition it is taking longer and longer for sellers to find a qualified buyer, putting additional stress on an already difficult housing market.

Fortunately there are some steps both sellers and buyers can take to navigate their way through these treacherous waters There is no doubt that buying or selling a home today is much more complicated, but by making the right moves you can end up on the winning end of a great deal.

Know What the Lender Knows- Know Your Credit Score It has never been more important for potential homebuyers to know where they stand in the lender's eyes.  Banks and other mortgage lenders have been burned badly by the current mortgage crisis, and many of those lenders are taking extreme measures to ensure the creditworthiness of their borrowers. Many would be homebuyers are finding that their stellar credit scores do not necessarily guarantee a great interest rate - or even a mortgage.

This means it has never been more important for would be homebuyers to check their own credit scores before getting started.  Knowing that credit score will help the buyer get the best loan at the lowest possible interest rate.

Pre-Approvals Matter in the Current Housing Market

Buyers who are able to provide proof of mortgage eligibility will definitely have an advantage in this market, particularly when it comes to suddenly hot foreclosure properties There are bargains to be had out there, but it is important for buyers to be prepared. While it is a buyer's market, keep in mind that lenders are understandably nervous. Providing proof of creditworthiness is one of the best ways to make the buying process go more smoothly.

Price Your Home to Sell in a Tough Honolulu Market

If you are planning to sell your home it is vital to set a realistic price- a price that is neither too low nor too high for the currently weak market to bear. When pricing your home it is important to keep in mind that home values have fallen dramatically in some markets Chances are your home is not worth what it once was, so set your asking price with an eye to the current market.

The good news for those planning to move up to a bigger home or downsize to a smaller one is that you may be able to get more home for your money when it is your turn to buy. The real estate crash has worked both ways- allowing buyers to get more for their money while at the same time forcing sellers to take a lower price for their properties

One of the most important steps would be sellers can take is to check the recent sales of similar properties in the neighborhood. The keyword here is "recent" ó home sales from a year ago, or even a few months ago, may no longer be valid. Comparing recent like sales and pricing your home accordingly is perhaps the best way to sell a home in this challenging real estate market.

Buying a Hawaii short sale can be a great way to get the home of your dreams for a bargain basement price, but it is important to check the property out thoroughly before taking the plunge. While short sales can be great opportunities, they can also be fraught with peril for the unwary buyer.

Comparable Sales

Comparable sales data is an indispensable part of the real estate market, whether you are talking about new construction, existing homes, foreclosures or short sales. The real estate market varies quite widely from town to town and even from neighborhood to neighborhood, and the only way you can really know what a particular property is worth is by looking at what actual buyers have been willing to pay for similar homes What the home appraised for a year ago - or even a month ago ó is not important.  The only guide to a short sale's real value is what a buyer would be willing to pay for it today.

Sometimes a short sale will be priced at an artificially low price in order to get the attention of buyers and investors The problem with this strategy is that the price is often so low that the bank will not accept it. In order to increase your odds it is best to make your offer close to the true market value of the home.  Keep in mind that these ridiculously priced short sales are bound to attract multiple offers, so it is important to make your offer accordingly.

Do Your Homework

Before considering a particular property it is important to have your agent research the amount of the outstanding mortgage, along with any additional loans that may be recorded against the property. This information is vital when it comes to purchasing a short sale. You will need to know what you are getting into before you sign the paperwork.

It is also important to investigate the track record of the listing agent.  Different listing agents will have different levels of success when it comes to negotiating short sales, so be sure that you are working with an agent you can trust. By doing your homework and understanding what the property is truly worth you will be able to craft an offer that you can live with - one that will save you a substantial amount of money while still being acceptable to the bank who holds the loan.

The town of Mililani is located in the center of Oahu and has a rich history. Until the sixties, the area was full of sugar cane fields, then was beginning to become developed by Castle and Cook as a way to meet the housing needs for the residents that were moving to the area. In addition, the town was also named the All American City in 1986 and one of the best places to live in 2007 by Money Magazine.

For those that want to live in an area that is well-kept and one that they are going to love living in, then they should consider this area. The town has set rules and many guidelines to make sure that the area stays one that people want to live in.

This also means that the property is kept at a high level, which means that you are going to find investments into these properties worth every penny. The area of Mililani is one that has many activities and programs for those that are living in the area. Things such as martial arts, tennis, dance, health classes, and so forth. The area also has a great golf course in place, as well as a shopping center that the residents can utilize.

In the shopping center people are going to find things such as Wal-Mart, restaurants and a movie theater. Those that move to the area are going to find that the town has many elementary schools that are going to prepare kids for Mililani Middle School and Mililani High School.

Pearl City owes its charming name to the oysters of the Pearl River. This long established large community contains many subdivisions and is comprised mostly of single-family homes. It was once a rich farming community that attracted many ethnic groups who work in the industry farming rice, sugarcane, watercress, pineapple, and other promising farm products.

Therefore, attracting many ethnic backgrounds to work at the farms. Today, several strip malls are located outside the residential zone, along the Kamehameha Highway, and offering a variety of great restaurants and fast food.

Pearl City is conveniently located nearby the Pearlridge Shopping Center, where you can find the major food and retail chain stores as well as many theatres, arcades, food courts, restaurants, and well-known anchor stores, such as Macy’s, Sears, and many other giants. An emergency clinic is also located on premises, as well as a miniature golf course.

The District Park of Pearl City offers a pool as well as other green and open recreational areas. Pearl City has a high school, a middle school, and eight elementary schools. Pearl City High School offers an acclaimed music program, which has become very popular, opening the door to its bands and concerts to play at various events that have taken place at national and international levels.

Improving the exterior looks of a home is one of the most cost effective ways to boost its value in the market - and its ultimate selling price. While curb appeal is always in important factor, it becomes even more vital when the housing market suffers a setback.  In a buyer's market, the exterior appearance of the home can make an enormous difference. Those homes that boast a beautifully landscaped front yard and a fresh coat of paint will naturally gamer more attention, and possibly higher selling prices as well. Those home sellers who allow the exterior of their homes to deteriorate d o so at their peril, and they may find themselves with a home that simply will not sell in a challenging market.

While the demand for housing will always vary, the importance of curb appeal is a constant. In good markets and bad, enhancing the curb appeal of your home can have a profound impact on its perceived value in the eyes of potential buyers  It makes sense, therefore, to take a good look at your own home and use this handy checklist to make sure all would be buyers get a positive first impression. 

Give all the windows a good thorough cleaning. Something as simple as washing all the windows inside and out can greatly enhance curb appeal. Dull or dingy windows can leave a bad first impression no matter how attractive the rest of the landscape maybe.

Rent a pressure washer and give the home a good bath.  Cleaning that dingy siding or discolored brick can give the home an instant face lift. There are plenty of rental services that can provide a pressure washer for a day or two at  a very reasonable cost. Homeowners who are pressed for time can also hire a professional pressure washing company to do the job. Either way, a good thorough cleaning can leave the home looking fresh and new.

Clean out all the gutters and keep them free of leaves and other debris. Leaves and debris left lying in the yard will definitely leave a bad impression with many buyers All it takes to keep those gutters clear and clean is a good rake and  a little bit of time. It is important for anyone with a home on the market to regularly check the gutters for debris and to keep the areas around those gutters as clean as possible. 

Don't forget the backyard. Many Hawaii homeowners take great pride in keeping their front yards immaculately trimmed, then turn around and allow the backyard to become overgrown and unsightly.  Keep in mind that much of the backyard may be visible from the road, so make sure the backyard gets its fair share of attention. 

Look carefully for weeds and other landscaping problems.  Regular weeding can keep problems at bay and prevent them from getting out of hand.

Kahana Beach Park is a scenic beach at the windward side of Maui. The mountains of the Koolau Mountain range surround it. Often, tourists will pass by Kahana Beach while they are on the way to other destinations. If you want to spend some quiet time while in Oahu, you can visit the Kahana Beach. The crescent shaped beach has a beautiful backdrop of pine trees. Sunbathing is a popular activity at the Kahana Beach. If you are visiting Kahana Beach, you should visit the natural fishpond. The fishpond water flows into the Kahana Stream. You can picnic with your friends and family members at the shore around the pond. If you want to get a clear view of the bay, you can climb up the mountains. It is fairly easy to hike the mountain. Along the way, you can stop by at the different lookouts. After you finished hiking the mountain, you can go for a swim at the ocean.

The water at Kahana Beach is calm and safe. You should not perform ocean recreational activities in between the period of June to September. This is because there are a lot of stinging seaweeds at the ocean. If you want to enter the water, be sure to check the local weather. You must make sure that the water is safe for the day before proceeding to perform water recreational activities. Since there is no food stall nearby, you should bring your own food and water. Kahana Beach is seldom crowded. It is a great place for observing the Hawaiian green sea turtles. You can also observe the humpback whales at the Kahana Beach. It is a good bird watching spot. You can watch various types of seabirds that are native to Hawaii at Kahana Beach. Although Kahana Beach is seldom crowded, it is one of the best surfing sites in the world.

Kahana Beach has high surfing wave during the winter season. It is a good site for people who want to learn how to sail. When the weather is calm, people would go kite surfing at Kahana Beach. Kahana Beach is located inside the Kahana Beach Park. The park is a sanctuary for all kinds of wildlife. It has a large trail system which you can follow and explore the surrounding areas. You can hunt for wild game at the Kahana Beach Park. You need to get a permit before hunting at the park.

Pupukea Beach Park is a long beach with many rocks. In the Hawaiian language, Pupukea refers to white shell. At the end of the Pupukea Beach Park, you will find two small pocket beaches. The two pocket beaches are Shark’s Cove and Three Tables. Both beaches are famous diving and snorkeling sites. During the summer, the ocean at Pupukea Beach will have calm wave. During the winter, the surfing wave can be high and dangerous. It is not recommended that you carry out swimming and snorkeling activities at the Pupukea Beach. Shark’s Cove name is derived from the outline of nearby reef that looks very much like a shark. During the summer, people often go to Shark’s Cove to carry out snorkeling activities. You should not think that Shark’s Cove is a place frequented by sharks. The sharks only come to the Shark’s Cove occasionally. At Shark’s Cove, you can observe the turtles. You should wear shoes when walking along the shore of Shark’s Cove because there are sharp rock formations.

The Three Tables beach is named after the three flat reefs. The three flat reefs are located above the beach. You can see them when the tide is low. Three Tables Beach offers a good snorkeling spot for the visitors in the summer. In the winter, the surfing wave at Three Tables Beach can be very dangerous so it is advised that you don’t swim in it. There is a beachcomber paradise in the middle of Shark Cove and Three Beaches Tables. Other natural wonders such as lava formations and blowholes can be found in between Shark Cove and Three Beaches Tables.

The Honolulu Fire Department’s Sunset Beach Fire Station is located in the center of the Pupukea Beach Park. The fire station serves as an important base for the north Oahu. The firefighters that work at this fire station will often respond to the accidents that occur at the ocean. Pupukea Beach Park covers about 90 acres of land. You can see the beach from the Kamehameha Highway. The Foodland supermarket is situated adjacent to the street. If you are hungry, you can visit this supermarket to buy some food. There is a small shop that sells surf wear nearby the beach. Pupukea Beach Park is actually a marine life conservation area. There are plenty of spots at the beach where you can carry out ocean recreational activities.

Waipio Valley is situated in the Hamakua District in the Hawaii’s Big Island. In the Hawaiian language, Waipio refers to curved water. It used to be the home to many Hawaiian kings. It served as a residence for kings up to the reign of the King ‘Umi. It is well known for the nioi tree. The nioi tree also called Eugenia reinwardti and was the site where the ancient grass palace stands. During the 18^th century, Kahekili II launched a raid on Waipio valley. During the raid, he destroyed the four sacred trees.  The floor of the valley is located about 2,000 feet above the sea level. There is a steep road on the southern side that leads to the Waipio Valley. The road is paved and can be traveled by public vehicles. Only four wheel drive vehicles can travel on the road. The road is very steep so you must be careful when driving on it. In fact, it is one of the steepest roads in the United States. The valley has a black sand beach. Many surfers often visit the black sand beach at Waipio Valley. There are a number of taro farms in the valley. There are a few waterfalls at the back of the valley.

Waipio Valley is home to King Kamehameha I. King Kamehameha I was an important figure in Hawaii. He helped to unite the islands in Hawaii.  Waipio Valley, also known as the Valley of the Kings is important in the history of Hawaii. It is well known for the tropical beauty. The valley is about 1 mile long and 5 miles deep. The cliffs around Waipio Valley are about 2,000 feet high. A long time ago, the valley was home to the Native Hawaiians. Nowadays, there are fewer than 100 residents living at area nearby to the waterfalls. You can find Native Hawaiians living at the taro fields. The tallest waterfall on the Hawaii’s Big Island, Hiilawe Falls is located behind Waipio Valley. The Hiilawe Falls is about 1,300 feet high. If you want to see the valley, you can go to the Waipio Valley Overlook at the Hamakua Heritage Corridor drive.

You can tour the Waipio Valley by taking a guided tour. There are several types of guided tours you can participate including van and horse tour. You can explore the valley by hiking the trail. The tour guides can share with you about the historical legends at the valley.

Koko Crater Botanical Garden is located within the Koko Crater landmark. It covers an area of 200 acres. It is well known for the tuff cone plants. The Koko Crater summit is about 642 foot high. There are two craters at the Kojko Head. Since it is in the early stage of development, it is still lack of facilities such as restrooms, and drinking fountains.

While at Koko Crater Botanical Garden, you can hike the 2 miles loop trail and explore the dry land plants. The botanical garden was developed in 1958. It provides exhibitions on a range of dry land plants that are endangered. When you visit the botanical garden, you will be able to see all kinds of plants that grow in desert like surroundings. Some of the different types of plants you can observe at Koko Crater Botanical Garden include cactus, African plants, wiliwili, and Bougainvillea. The dry land plants seen at the botanical garden are from different parts of the world. There are a few plants from the Hawaii islands. The plant collections are arranged according to different geographical regions including Madagascar, Africa and Americas. You should avoid putting the plant into your mouth, as some of the plants are poisonous. You should wear a pair of sturdy walking shows so that you won’t slip.  There are many loose rocks and falling branches on the ground so you must protect your feet with a pair of sturdy shoe.

The inner slopes of the garden feature plants that grow in the crater. On the outer crater, you will find a variety of bougainvillea plants and plumeria. You can take part in the self-guided tour if you want to explore the garden. The self-guided tour will last for 1.5 hours. If you want to participate in a guided tour, you should call the visitor center at the garden. If you want to come to the garden, you can take the Kalaniana’ole Highway. The Kalaniana’ole Highway is located nearby the Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach. If you follow the Kealahou Street and follow the Koko Crater Stables sign, you will reach the Koko Crater Botanical Garden. The park is open for 7 days per week. It is closed by sunset everyday. During public holidays such as Christmas and New Year, the garden will not be opened. There is a parking lot where you can park your car. You are not required to pay any parking fee if you park at the botanical garden parking lot.

The theory is that since you're the one who wants the inspection and who, presumably, will benefit from it, it's only fair that you should pay for it. Inspections today usually run between $250 and $350.

What seems logical on the surface may not make as much sense when we probe deeper. In a very real sense the home inspection protects the seller as much, if not more, than you the buyer. Here's the reason:

In today's litigious environment, home sellers may be liable for all sorts of defects in their properties. For exam­ple, their water heater may be leaking gas. But the sellers may not even be aware of it. If the home should be sold and a fire results from the defective heater, the sellers might be held liable. However, if there's an inspection, it may uncover the problem and the sellers can correct it.

Further, once you've had a Hawaii home inspection, it is much harder to come back at the sellers to claim that there was a hidden defect in the property. You, after all, had the opportunity to hire any inspector you wanted and to do any kind of inspection work. If the inspection revealed nothing untoward, then how was the poor seller to know there was a problem?

This is not to say, of course, that a home inspection pro­tects the sellers from defects that they knew about and failed to disclose. If, for example, the sellers know that a bathroom toilet has been plugged (as evidenced by the fact that they've had plumbers come in to clear it many times), and they fail to disclose this to the buyers, and if later on, the drain line plugs again, flooding a portion of the house with sewerage, they could be on the hook for repair and cleanup costs.

It's important to remember that an inspection is differ­ent from a disclosure. An inspection's purpose is to uncover possible problems with the house. The disclosure's purpose is to let the sellers tell you of problems of which they are aware. You need both, and often you want the home inspector to verify or amplify on items that the sellers disclose. There is no charge for the disclosure and today most states require it of sellers.