As a Hawaii real estate professional, I am often asked when the best time to sell or buy a home on Oahu is. It is no secret that the Spring and Summer months are when the real estate market booms — with, statistically, the most homes being purchased and sold in the month of May. There are many reasons for this, including the warmer weather, longer days and kids being out on summer break, that lead to a spike in real estate in these months. While these ‘prime’ months are no doubt a great time to make your big move in the real estate arena, this time of year isn’t the only good time to put your Honolulu apartment on the market and even purchase one of the beautiful Kailua homes for sale you’ve been dreaming of. There are a variety of considerations that you should factor into your decision that are specific to each family, before determining when is the appropriate time to embark on the next chapter of your lives. We’re breaking down a few of the notable factors you should take into account before making this big life decision.

Finances

Thinking about where you are financially may be one of the biggest driving forces in determining when the right time for you to buy or sell is. When thinking about buying your dream piece of Oahu real estate, some of the questions you may want to ask yourself are:

Do I have the income and credit score I need to qualify for the loan I want?

Do I have a down payment saved?

Can I afford the extra costs that come with homeownership, like property taxes and maintenance?

Another thing to consider are the costs that come along with moving. You may want to take into account whether you’re just moving from one Oahu home to another, or if you’re making a cross-country trip and moving to Hawaii for the first time. According to the American Moving and Storage Association, the average cost of a move within the state is $2,300, while moving across states costs, on average, around $4,300. Buying a home is a major life decision that should carefully be thought out so that you’re not starting out the new chapter of your life on the wrong foot.

Major Life Changes

However hard you try, it’s not always possible to precisely calculate when you plan to buy an Oahu home or condo. Life often gets in the way, and sometimes plans get disjointed. But what is the right homebuying process or timeline for one family might not be the perfect one for you, which is why it’s critical to take all matters into account and think through if your family may be going through any major life changes in the near future. Some such life events include:

-A new baby: do we need more room to accommodate a growing family? (Or on the flip side, do we want to downsize for the retirement phase?)

-A new job: will I be required to move to be closer to my new job and if so, will this be my forever home or just a temporary position?

-Relocating to provide better schooling opportunities for my children

-Relocating to be closer to relatives in need

Seasonality of the Real Estate Market

As mentioned before, the Spring and Summer months are statistically when most people tend to buy and sell homes. The days are longer, the weather is generally warmer, you’ve recently been issued your tax returns, and kids are out on summer break. Due to these reasons, there is typically a flock of buyers on the hunt during these months, making it a slight seller’s market. However, the fact that sellers may have a slight advantage shouldn’t dissuade buyers from coming out during these months, as there are also numerous benefits to buying during this time. Because of the high demand, there, in turn, are also generally more homes on the market, as well. Depending on the market you’re in, buyers could actually have some bargaining power if the saturation of homes is great enough.

Generally speaking, the winter months tend to be a slight buyer’s market, as there is not as much demand during this season, giving the buyer a bit more advantage. If you are extremely flexible about when you are able to sell your property and/or buy a new Oahu home, then taking these seasonal trends into account might be key for you. However, life typically makes things a bit more complicated, so while it may be beneficial to take note of these trends, it shouldn’t be your driving force.

Local Market Trends

One of the final factors a potential seller or buyer should take into account is what the real estate market looks like in your area. Interest rates are unpredictable and are a factor you should probably not make your decision based solely on, however, can be a beneficial (or detrimental) factor in your decision, so should be considered in the process. Are interest rates at an all-time low and expected to rise in the next year? If so, it might be the time to buy Oahu real estate! Or vice versa. Interest rates may be extremely high and are predicted to improve over the next year or two, so you’ve been holding off on your home purchase dreams.

Whatever considerations you take into account, the best time to begin house hunting will be unique to each potential homebuyer. If you find that now is the best time for you or your family to buy or sell a home on Oahu, whether it be Honolulu, Lanikai or Kailua, then we’d love nothing more than to help you accomplish your real estate goals, obtaining the best profit on your home and placing you in the new home of your dreams. Please contact us today so we can discuss a plan that best fits your family.

The time has come to put your Hawaii home for sale. You most likely know that your home will increase in value due to inflation over time, leaving you with more money in your pocket than what you paid for it. But many homeowners want to put their best foot forward when selling their Honolulu condo or Kailua home, offering their property in peak condition by completing renovations and in turn increasing their resale value. So how can you increase the value of your Hawaii home for sale so that you’re able to walk away with even more of a profit? Read on to find out what home projects are going to be most advantageous in getting you a higher resale value.

A study conducted by Porch surveying 781 homeowners who have sold a home in the past 5 years found that sellers, on average, got around 7% more than their desired asking price when they did some sort of home renovation project before putting their house on the market. The project that was found to lead to the highest resale value? Construction. The data shows that those who chose to do construction on their home got an impressive 21.1% above their desired asking price when sold. Other popular renovation projects that were cited as adding value included updating multiple bedrooms or bathrooms (14% more than desired asking price), purchasing new appliances (11.5% more), kitchen renovation (8.2% more) and painting the exterior (6.2% more).

See the breakdown of the home renovation projects and just how much value they can add on the graph below, generated by Porch.

The study also surveyed 22 real estate experts, gathering their input on things such as pre-listing project recommendations and where to focus your home renovation energy and budget. According to the majority of the experts, the project that agents are most likely to suggest to clients is painting the interior of their home, as this is one of the least costly projects, yet it can still go a long way by transforming the aesthetic of any space.

If you’re willing to tackle more full-on home renovation projects, the experts recommend refreshing the kitchen or bathrooms. These are some of the rooms that buyers are attracted to first and where updates will go the farthest. It is important to keep in mind that renovation projects can get quite costly, though, so if you’re not wanting to overhaul an entire room, remember that there are smaller projects you can do to a space to still spruce it up. Replacing only the cabinets, for one, can still give your kitchen quite the facelift. Or change out some of those dingy appliances you’ve had for years to some shiny new stainless steel ones. Smaller touches like these still go a long way and are sure to add more value to your home. If you’re smart about where and how you budget your home renovation projects, your return on investment could be quite worth it.

Regardless of how big or small of home renovation you put into your home before putting it on the market, one of the most important pieces of the puzzle is pricing accurately. When it comes time to put your Hawaii home for sale, you don’t want to overprice your property for fear of driving potential buyers away. However, if you undervalue it you could be walking away with less money in your pocket than it’s actually worth. It’s a tricky situation knowing how to accurately price your Hawaii home for sale, which is why it’s imperative to have a knowledgeable real estate professional by your side through this process. Here at Hawaii Realty International, we would be honored to be that guiding hand through the process of selling or buying. If and when the time comes for you to buy or sell, we would love to be of service!

The world of real estate can be confusing to those on the outside who don’t spend every day studying the latest trends. When it comes to selling something as valuable as a home, however, it’s important to make as informed of a decision as possible because a mistake can cost you large sums of money in sale price. If you’re considering selling a home in the near future and want to know what the real Oahu real estate market is saying, it’s very simple -- the time to sell is now! We are currently in a seller’s market but there are signs that a change is not too far off. We’ve broken down a few of the top reasons as to why it may be a good idea to put your Kailua home for sale sooner rather than later.

1) The Room For Profit Remains High

At the end of the day, the goal in real estate is a pretty basic one. You want to sell your home for a healthy profit over what you paid for it and invested in improvements. The good news is if you’re a current homeowner then it is highly likely that there is a great deal of profit waiting for you if you sell your home. In the long term, there has been a great deal of growth in Oahu real estate over the past couple decades, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you’re a newer homeowner, either. The market has been strong since recovering from the latest recession which means you likely are sitting on a home worth more than you paid for it, even if you’ve only owned it a few years.

2) Mortgage Rates Are Down

At the end of 2018, interest rates were on the rise and it looked like the buying market may have been preparing to cool off, but there’s been a surprising turn of events in Oahu real estate in the new year as rates have gone back down. That means that house hunting is more appealing to potential buyers now and they can offer a higher rate while getting the same practical cost in the long run which is good news if you’re selling.

3) The Competition Is Coming

Right now the best thing for sellers is that there are not a lot of Oahu homes for sale at a given time. As new homes come on the market they are getting scooped up in bidding wars fast, meaning the competition among sellers is low. Unfortunately, with such an appealing selling market this can’t be expected to continue forever. More and more homes will be getting listed in the months to come as more sellers realize the time is right, so acting now lets you beat the rush of competition in the Oahu real estate market.

4) Millennials Are Ready to Boost the Buyer Pool

There are few consumer groups more misunderstood than Millennials and that often leads to missed opportunities by those in sales. While it’s often reported that Millennials are not interested in a lot of the traditional rites of adulthood prior generations have been known to pursue, the reality is that the economic landscape they entered following the recession simply moved them behind schedule. Now not only are young Millennials ready to own their first homes, but older Millennials who were hit hardest by the recession are also in a position to shop, meaning an influx of new buyers are here in 2019.

5) The Next Recession Is Coming

While there are many reasons that the Oahu real estate market is so appealing to sellers right now, perhaps the strongest reason to think about selling your Kailua house is what the market is shaping to look like in the not-too-distant future. All good things must come to an end and the experts think the current strong economy is ready for a downturn sooner rather than later. While there’s no knowing exactly when it will happen, it’s widely believed that another recession will hit within a few years. If you’re not planning to stay in your current home long enough to ride out the downturn, 2019 may be the last chance you get to sell in a hot Oahu real estate market.

If you’re a local to Oahu and have been considering putting your Kailua home for sale in the next few years, then there is simply no time like the present. The market is a great one for sellers and is only likely to grow less beneficial the longer you wait to sell. As a team of dedicated Oahu real estate professionals, we would be honored to help navigate you down a pathway to profit. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss how we can help you today!

You’ve decided you’re moving to Hawaii and you’ve even started browsing some Oahu homes for sale. If you’re new to the area, the next step in your house hunting journey may be “What is the best area for me to live?” Well, we’re here to help out, as we introduce our Community Spotlight Series, where we will provide a little insight into some of the best towns Oahu and Maui have to offer, so you can feel more comfortable in the purchase of your new home in Hawaii.

The first up in our Oahu communities feature is Kailua. Kailua is a beautiful town full of natural beauty located in Windward Oahu that features the bay, mountains and wetlands. It is the fourth largest community in Hawaii, is made up of 14 constituent neighborhoods, and also happens to feature some of the best beaches in the world, which is one of the reasons this area is considered to be so desirable. Luckily, for those that have had their eye on Oahu real estate, there are plenty of beautiful Kailua homes for sale, as well as highly sought after condos in Kailua for sale.

We have gathered some information to provide a quick glimpse into some of the housing and residential statistics that a potential homebuyer may be interested in for this neighborhood. We hope you find this information helpful!

One of the spectacular homes in the Kailua community is this one of a kind property at 1020 Aoloa Pl Apt. 211A. This beautiful condo in the Windward Cove complex features bamboo flooring and is located just 5 minutes from Kailua Beach and under 10 minutes from Lanikai Beach, making this home one you don’t want to miss.

We know that trying to settle on the right Hawaii cities as you’re looking at Oahu homes for sale or condos for sale in Maui can be tricky, but here at Hawaii Realty International, we’re here to provide a helping hand and make the process of buying your new home in Hawaii as easy as possible. Please do not hesitate to give us a call!

Tax season might be over this year, but it’s never too early to start thinking about how events in your life now may affect your tax benefits for next year. Purchasing a home is arguably one of the biggest financial decisions in one’s life. It’s also one that is known to potentially come along with multiple tax breaks. We’re breaking down a few of these potential benefits, along with changes under the recent tax reform, that you should familiarize yourself with before buying a new condo in Maui or putting your Kailua home for sale.

Aside from the obvious gains of mere pride and joy that come with owning your own property, home ownership can offer multiple financial benefits, such as home tax deductions, tax credits and other breaks that shouldn’t be overlooked. If you plan to purchase a new home in Hawaii this year, it would be wise to familiarize yourself with current tax laws, as they have undergone changes in the past few years, which may affect how that house purchase benefits you.

As a recap, the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) underwent a significant tax reform, which Congress enacted in December 2017 and is currently scheduled to go through December 2025.  Below we have broken down a few of the tax benefits that you may receive if becoming a first-time homeowner this year, as well as changes implemented by the new TCJA that you should be aware of if buying or selling a home for the first time since January 2018.

Mortgage Interest Deduction

One of the biggest benefits of owning a home is the fact that mortgage interest expenses are deductible. Under the TCJA, homeowners can deduct the interest you pay on a loan on up to $750,000 from your income taxes. Although this limit used to be $1 million (the TCJA reduced the limit and made modifications on how a home equity line of credit could be used), this benefit should not be overlooked. This deduction could still provide you with massive returns come tax season next year. Homeowners with new loans could especially benefit from this, as interest charges on mortgages are normally higher in the beginning of the mortgage’s term.

Homeowners should keep in mind that this tax deduction limit only applies to those who itemize their personal deductions. For those that choose not to itemize deductions, the standard deduction for individuals or married couples filing individually is $12,000, if you’re the head of household it’s $18,000, and for those married filing jointly it’s $24,000. It is worth speaking with a financial advisor to determine which method of filing is ultimately most beneficial for you.

Tax-free Capital Appreciation

One benefit that is going unchanged even with the TCJA is the capital gains you receive tax-free after the sale of your home. Homes appreciate in value during the life of your ownership, so when it is time to part ways with that condo in Honolulu you’ve lived in for years to move to a home in Kailua, you can relish in the profits of your sold home without worrying about being taxed. Under the TCJA married homeowners can retain up to $500,000 in home appreciation profits from the sale of their home, or $250,000 for single filers. There is a catch, though. You have to have used your home as your primary residence for at least two years out of the five years before the sale date to qualify for this exclusion.

Property Tax Deductions

Another tax benefit from being a homeowner is the ability to be able to deduct portions of your property taxes. Although prior to the TCJA you could deduct the entirety of your property taxes, all is not lost, as you are still able to deduct up to $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately) under the new law. Under the TCJA, the deduction was changed from solely property taxes to a combination of property taxes and either state and local income taxes or sales taxes under the $10,000 limit.

While being a homeowner in 2019 offers a variety of tax benefits, with the overhaul of tax laws in the past few years, it is wise to evaluate your choices to determine what is best for you and your family. It is worth noting, as well, that many of these recent changes may end in 2025, so it’s always good to be knowledgeable about how tax changes could affect your returns. Whether looking for a new Honolulu condo or thinking of putting your Kailua home for sale, we would love to help you with whatever Oahu real estate needs you may have. Please do not hesitate to give us a call here at Hawaii Realty International!

A peaceful mind, body, and spirit is part of the aloha lifestyle. People who live in Oahu embrace a slower-paced, low-stress way of life that attracts many outsiders and keeps its locals from ever wanting to leave. Among enjoying the beautiful weather and beaches, practicing yoga is another major part of maintaining this tranquil lifestyle for many locals. Yoga allows participants of all ages and fitness levels to attain the benefits of meditation and breathing, increased flexibility, strength training, and much more.

Kailua, meaning “two seas” in the Hawaiian language, is located in Windward Oahu about 12 miles northeast of Honolulu. It is an extraordinarily beautiful place that has been said to be the best beach town in the US by many. What’s more, is that the locals strive to maintain a unique sense about their community, boasting many creatively diverse, well-respected small businesses and organizations.

One such business is Hawaii Health and Wellness. Read on to hear more about their interesting journey to how they became a Kailua community staple as I sit down with one of the owners, Martin.

Michael: Tell me a little about how Hawaii Health and Wellness was started.

Martin: It’s actually a pretty interesting story. We started as Aloha Yoga Kula about 10 years ago and have been in this same space since the beginning. Last year, we figured we could do a lot more for the community so we decided to open up a non-profit. So we are now officially operating as a non-profit organization, which is called Hawaii Health and Wellness, Inc.

Michael: What kinds of things do you provide to the community?

Martin: We, of course, provide a variety of yoga classes to the public, however, we are also trying to reach out more in the community to see how we can help. One such way is by incorporating some inclusion with senior day care centers — just helping people in general to lead more healthy lifestyles.

Michael: What kinds of yoga classes do you offer?

Martin: We offer classes for all age groups and levels of expertise. Anything from vinyasa yoga for the elite athlete who wants a more fast-paced class, all the way to chair yoga, which is great for the senior citizen community or those who are recovering from an injury.

Michael: Great — thank you for taking the time to talk with me today. We love what you do here in the community. Please let us know how we can find you or reach out.

Martin: Of course. You can either go to our website at www.kailuayoga.com or even call me at 808-722-3520.

Locals and visitors alike love coming to Hawaii Health and Wellness for yoga classes but continue to come back because of how their sense of community and desire to give back aligns so well with the Oahu culture. Whether having just moved to the Oahu area and are looking for a new home, or a local looking to upgrade to that perfect move-in ready home you’ve always dreamed of, if you find yourself in the market, please do not hesitate to contact us here at Hawaii Realty International. We would love to help place you in your dream home.

Whether you’re about to enter into a search for a new home, or just want to make informed decisions about the value of the home you currently live in, you may be wondering what’s my home worth? Fortunately, there are many great home value estimator tools available to help you to determine the approximated worth of your property. Our website boasts our own home value estimator, which is a great starting point in determining your home's price. It doesn’t hurt to get a second or third opinion, however, by working with an industry professional who knows the market. Although each of the options provided below uses different methods to determine their estimates, when viewed in aggregate you can get a strong estimate of a home value in Oahu or Maui.

There are also different types of home value estimators to consider, each with their own pros and cons. Many online estimates have the benefit of being available to you free of charge so that you can access many different reports and estimates for the property in question. In-person assessments, on the other hand, carry the cost of paying a professional to carry them out, but they can also provide more accurate and actionable information due to the more thorough nature. To find a home value in Hawaii, a combination of both online and in-person estimates is often your best bet, narrowing your options with online tools before relying on a pro before the sale.

The Zillow “Zestimate”

One of the two major online home value estimate tools, Zillow is considered the more seller friendly option, as it tends to have higher estimated values for the homes listed on it. Zillow uses a secret algorithm which helps to create a “Zestimate” on the value of the home. While it is not officially known what factors are used in the estimate, it is commonly accepted that a large portion of estimates comes based on prior sales data and information on other sales around the home with similar amenities.

Other Estimates

As with Zillow, there are a slew of other online value estimators available. A simple Google search for "home value estimation" leads to over 38 MILLION results. While some may be more accurate than others, they each provide the same service, more or less: comparing similar and nearby property sales via a computer-run algorithm. Factors involved include tax records, mortgage records, and sales history, and some estimators also factor in details like neighborhood popularity or search frequency.

Creating a Good Online Estimate

If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this: Never count on an online estimate for a home valuation in Oahu or Maui. By checking out multiple different sites, you can get a very rough idea of the value of the home; but the utility of such an estimate only goes so far. If you're looking to put your home on the market, feel free to take a cursory glance at the various online estimator tools available. Just remember, your home is ultimately worth exactly what a buyer will pay for it, and that depends on the work of a professional real estate appraiser and the agent responsible for getting you top dollar for your home.

The Importance of a Home Appraisal

While online estimates are fine for sating your curiosity, when ownership is trading hands, they’re not enough. Whether you’re buying or selling, house worth must be assessed by a professional in order to get a true home value. Oahu and Maui are popular real estate destinations, but you can’t make good decisions without good information. An appraisal is carried out by an unbiased professional who has no stake in a high or low value, so you can trust that the number they come back with is as accurate as possible.

If you are applying for financing for your home, it is likely that an in-person appraisal will be required by your lending agent. When you receive a mortgage, the home serves as collateral for the loan, so it’s in the lender’s best interest to make sure that you are not borrowing more than it is worth or else the bank could be out of luck in the event of default. Your appraiser will perform a visual inspection of the entire home, inside and outside, as well as note the home’s amenities. By combining this information with data on similar sales which have occurred, they come up with the most accurate possible estimated home value a Hawaii home buyer could ask for.

In real estate, there's simply no substitute for experience. We know the market, we know what sells, and we know how to price your home to maximize your profit. If you’re in the market to buy or sell your home, please do not hesitate to contact us here at Hawaii Realty International — we’d love to help in any way we can!

Making the jump from renting to owning an Oahu home, like any other, is a big step. Many Americans are eager to take the leap into homeownership because it’s one of the factors that embodies the “American Dream”. Unfortunately, many people don’t go into this huge undertaking with the knowledge and information they need to fully understand what they’re getting themselves into. Because of this, new research shows that many new homeowners are suddenly having home buyer’s remorse. Read on to discover why certain people are feeling this way and what you can do to ensure you're happy with your Oahu home purchase. 

A recent Bankrate survey shows that 44% of all Americans have some regrets when it comes to their home purchase. What’s even more surprising is that, when broken down generationally, a whopping 63% of millennials regretted buying their home. A few of the main reasons for this included the size of the house not meeting their needs, bad location, and mortgage payments being too high. However, their biggest gripe was related to unexpected maintenance costs.

Often times, new homeowners are unfamiliar with the extent of the costs required to maintain a home, including utilities, taxes and insurance, and unexpected repairs or replacements. As any seasoned homeowner will tell you, surprises are unavoidable, so it pays to be prepared. Whether you’re a new or prospective home buyer, we’ve provided a few helpful tips to hopefully take away any unexpected costs along the way — take heed and spare yourself the trouble down the road!

What? There’s more?

So you reserved a huge chunk of your savings for that large down payment — great! But you’re not quite done yet… Be prepared for closing costs that’ll range from roughly 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price.

Maintaining your Home and your Happiness

It’s just a fact of homeownership that things are bound to break or give out, and they eventually will need repairing or replacing. It may be tough after a down payment and closing costs, but expecting the unexpected by keeping a reserve for repairs can make the difference between heartache and happiness. It's recommended to save 1% of your home's purchase price each year for upkeep costs. Take some time each month to inspect the pain points around your home and you can rest assured.

Don't Forget Those Taxes

One of the biggest mistakes millennials make is only factoring in the cost of their mortgage into their monthly budget. Property taxes and insurance can be a hidden cost that can create an extra burden if you’re not prepared. Avoid this by remembering when Property Tax is due in your area!

Don't Be Stuck in the Dark

New homeowners often times come from situations where they were living in a smaller space or renting somewhere that many of the utilities were covered for them. This leads to unexpected costs when maintaining the utilities of your home. It is good to keep in mind that you will typically be paying for electric, gas, and water, some of which may be higher than what you’re used to paying depending on if you’re upsizing or not.

Home ownership should be an amazing and rewarding experience, a dream come true for most Americans. Buying a home puts your monthly payments to work as an investment, by building your own equity instead of your landlord’s. And, as a homeowner, you have total freedom to make the choices you want and live the life you envision for yourself and your family! Just keep in mind that a prepared homeowner is a happy homeowner. While we can’t rid you of property taxes, at Hawaii Realty International we promise to find you an Oahu home that's a perfect fit for your lifestyle and your budget! Let us know how we can help.

Putting your home for sale in Oahu and want to stage your home to sell quickly? Or just looking to spruce up your Maui home a bit? There are lots of things you can do to a space to liven it up — buy new furniture, add some unique or colorful decor touches, update fixtures — but probably the one that creates the most dramatic change is adding a fresh coat of paint. For far less than the cost of a major renovation, painting your walls a new color will make your home feel modern, current, and refreshingly new. Whether you're just moving in, looking to refurbish your existing space, or trying to sell your Oahu home quickly, here are a few of the trendiest interior paint colors that are sure to transform any room in your house.

Metropolitan AF-690 from Benjamin Moore

Voted Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year for 2019, their Metropolitan AF-690 is a neutral gray that is stylish yet comforting at the same time and seemingly pairs well with everything. Shades of gray are very in right now, due to their calming nature and their ability to add an air of class and sophistication to any space. According to Benjamin Moore’s Director of Strategic Design Intelligence, Ellen O'Neill, “Metropolitan AF-690 emanates nuance, harmony and extravagant ease. Always adaptable, it softens to matte or shimmers with sheen. It's neutral. It's understated. It just is. This is color, off-duty."

This color would look great in any room of the house, from the kitchen to the bedroom. To give you even more reason to love it, this Metropolitan AF-690 was also featured on Consumer Report’s list of Hottest Interior Paint Colors of 2019. According to Consumer Report’s Paint Ratings, they recommend using either the Benjamin Moore Aura or the Benjamin Moore Regal Select, both slightly pricier options but are environmentally-friendly, and only one coat is needed to cover your walls.

Blue Tequila from Behr

To add a calming, beachy vibe to your home, a color like Behr's Blue Tequila is the perfect shade of blue-green to compliment a room. A more modern take on seafoam, this paint can add the perfect touch of color as an accent wall in any living area or bedroom, or coat your entire kitchen in it to transform your cooking area. Pair with a classic eggshell white for a quintessential beach feel, or pair with shades of taupes, browns and even orange to give a more rustic feel.  This is another color that is extremely versatile and is bound to look good in whatever capacity you use it!

Peppercorn from Sherwin-Williams

Often people shy away from darker colors, but Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn is a charcoal gray that packs a punch while retaining that neutral elegance. Darker walls make colors pop, especially if accompanied by lighter crown-molding or furniture to contrast with the bold walls. If you’re hesitant to turn your entire living room or bedroom this dark of hue, then start by playing around in the bathroom. A hall bathroom is a great place to try out bolder colors and decor choices since this isn’t a room you’re constantly using. Then, if you happen to love it, you can expand beyond to more areas of your house!

Reflecting Pool from HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

For those looking to add a pop of color to their homes, Reflecting Pool by HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams may be a perfect option. This beautiful shade of teal is bold enough to add spice to a dining room or living room, but also modern enough to give a sophisticated and elegant feel to the home. This was another color that made it onto Consumer Report’s list of Hottest Interior Paint Colors of 2019, which recommends using HGTV Home Infinity by Sherwin-Williams or the HGTV Home Showcase paint for this color, both ranking high in their Paint Ratings. Pair it with navy and a yellow hue if you’re aiming for more of a fun and playful look, or with greys and creams if you want just a pop of color. This hue would be a great option when updating a modern or mid-century modern style space.    

Ella Rose from Magnolia Home Paint

An unexpected color that you may not have thought of incorporating into your home is pink. Most people associate shades of pink with youthful, “girly” rooms. However, the right shade of pastel pink or dusty rose can add a bit of charm to any shabby chic or traditional home. Ella Rose from Magnolia Home Paint by Joanna Gaines is a beautiful pale neutral pink with accents of peach. It has a softer, sweeter touch to it that will translate to your home. It’s the perfect shade if you want a graceful and timeless color with a fresh twist.

Blueprint S470-5 from Behr

Behr’s Blueprint is a deep hue of beautiful slate blue that would compliment a bedroom, living room or kitchen. Voted as Behr’s 2019 Color of the Year, this color would especially compliment a modern or mid-century modern aesthetic home. Shades of blue are always popular, as they are calming and usually very versatile. However, this shade adds a bit more dimension to a room and can make lighter-colored furniture or cabinets really pop.

This was another color that made it onto Consumer Report’s list of Hottest Interior Paint Colors of 2019. They recommend using Behr Marquee, Behr Premium Plus Enamel, or Behr Premium Plus Ultra for this color, all ranking high in their Paint Ratings.

Magnolia Green from Magnolia Home Paint

If you want to recreate the rustic Fixer-Upper look that Joanna Gaines is so famous for creating, then Magnolia Green from Magnolia Home Paint is a perfect place to start. This gorgeous olive green color can be used as an accent or to fill an entire room. It’s extremely versatile and, although you might not initially think it at first glance, it can look amazing in any room of the house. Pair it with creams and grays to complete that enchanting farmhouse look.

I hope these colors have given you some inspiration to get you started on that renovation or home facelift you’ve been dreaming about. Whatever decor choices you make, what really matters is that you make it feel like you. If you get to the point where your current Oahu house no longer feels like home and you’re yearning for a bigger change, I’d love to help you find that perfect Hawaii property that truly is the home of your dreams.

While you can’t really go wrong with any view around Oahu, there are certainly times and places that bring out the most picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean that will simply take your breath away. Whether a local or planning a trip to the area, these are some of the prime spots and hiking trails around Oahu that provide the most spectacular views of the ocean, beaches, and horizons that you’ve ever seen. You really can’t go wrong with any or all of the destinations on our list.

Pu’u U’alaka’a State Park

2760 Round Top Dr

Honolulu, HI 96822

The Pu’u U’alaka’a State Park is one of the most popular Oahu parks for tourists and locals alike. It allows locals to break away from the chaos of the city life and provides tourists with remarkable ocean views that they’ve probably never seen anything like. The U’alaka’a Loop Trail provides beautifully forested areas that make hiking the one mile loop a fun woodsy adventure. The lookout offers a panoramic view of southern Oahu from Diamond Head to Pearl Harbor, including Honolulu and Manoa Valley. There are also picnic tables and water fountains spread around the park for those that want to bring a snack or lunch with them and have a relaxing afternoon taking in the sun and wind of Hawaii.  

Friendship Garden

45-219 Kokokani Place St

Kaneohe, HI 96744

Located high above Kaneohe Bay on ten beautiful acres of trees, flowers, birds and solitude is Friendship Garden. If you’re a novice hiker or want to make a family day of it and bring the kids, then this is a great option for you. It'll be good exercise for those who aren't used to hiking, however for the avid hiker, it may be considered a little easier. Regardless of what experience with hiking you have, the amazing panoramic view of Kaneohe that you experience from the lookout point will impress everyone just the same.

Kalama Beach Park

248 N Kalaheo Ave

Kailua, HI 96734

More of a local hidden gem, Kalama Beach

Park is located on the beautiful 2.5-mile stretch that makes up Kailua Beach along Oahu’s windward coast. This beach is relatively

secluded and offers a great option if you want

to avoid the high-traffic touristy spots but still

want to experience the amazing views Hawaii

has to offer. With Turtle Island to your left and

the mesmerizing sunset to your right, this spot

is great to come with family and friends to just

sit and take in all of Oahu’s beauty.

Lanikai Pillbox Hike

382-498 Kaelepulu Dr

Kailua, HI 96734

The Lanikai Pillbox Hike, also popularly known as the Kaiwa Ridge Trail, offers hikers some of the best views of Oahu’s windward side. Ranked intermediate because of the steep grade of uphill climb at the beginning of the trail, this is a fun 60-90 minute hike that is great for the slightly more experienced hiker or a hike with the older kids in your family. You have the option to stop at the first or second pillbox, or even continue on further if you’re feeling adventurous. Whatever distance you go, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views of the Mokulua Islands, Kailua Beach, Lanikai Beach and its surrounding residential neighborhoods.  

Oneawa Hills

Kokokahi Pl

Kaneohe, HI 96744

If you’re looking for a bit more adventurous hike, then the Oneawa Hills trail might be for you. This moderate level hike is full of vegetation so it is recommended that you wear pants. The total trail length is a 7-mile loop, but there is also an option to do just a 3-mile loop if you want something shorter (from Friendship Garden Trail, head to The Kapaa Quarry lookout and back). There is quite of bit of incline and portions that require ropes, so this may not be the best option for a novice hiker. The views you get of the Quarry are amazing and only get better as you continue on.

     Pali Puka

Pali Lookout

Nu'uanu Pali, HI 96817

If you’re afraid of heights, I probably wouldn’t even suggest this next hike! The Pali Puka trail

is a short but exhilarating hike that is a steep climb along the narrow ridgeline of the Ko’olau

Mountains. With sheer vertical drops off the

ridges and high winds often blowing at you,

this hike is not for the faint of heart. However,

the reward is amazing. If you’re brave enough

to look up, the hike provides some of the best panoramic views of Oahu’s windward coast, since the trail is completely exposed. And once you reach the trail’s peak, you’ll see Pali Puka,

a small window in the rock face of the mountain that provides breathtaking views and a great photo op.  

Whether a native to the area or you’re first time visiting, any of these views will solidify your love for this island and make you want to live here forever. If you feel the urge to buy a piece of this gorgeous area, please don’t hesitate to contact us — we’d love to help you find your little piece of paradise!