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Kona’s housing market downturn: what you need to know

The housing market in Kona is seeing a major downturn, with condo and overall property sales down 33% from last year. The average price has also remained almost identical to October 2021 at $1 million

Condo sales are down this year, but that’s not to say they won’t pick up again. In fact the average price for condos continues its upwards trajectory with a $100k increase from last year’s highs under one million dollars!

So what to do?

So to summarize, the housing market has seen a significant shift in recent months. As prices are still up and sales volume continues decline it seems that there will be more changes happening soon!

# of Sales on The Big Island of Hawaii – November 2022

170

Residential

119

Vacant Land

30

Condos
News and Economy

November Updates

Loans

Fannie Mae is predicting price declines starting in 2023. However, they do admit they are happening now, eroding the gains from earlier in the year but still showing an increase from 2021. They expect almost 10% decline between 2023 through 2024, but if houses aren’t selling, this could increase, it is all about supply and demand.

Improvements

The Department of Land and Natural Resources will allocate $1 million to plan the demolition of the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel.

New Hotel

Reservations for 2023 are now open to stay at the newly renovated Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, which closed in 2011 due to tsunami damage. Next year, the iconic resort known for its thatched-roof bungalows will reopen its doors.

Lava

Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano in the world, began erupting late Sunday night, and the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported lava was inside Moku‘aweoweo, the volcano’s summit caldera, at about 11:30 p.m.

Vacation Rentals

With Mauna Loa erupting for the first time in nearly 40 years, Hawaii Island businesses are already expecting to see lava lovers flocking this winter season. Back in 2018 and again in 2020, bookings saw an increase when Kilauea started erupting again.

Loans

The monthly total of mortgage loans in Hawai‘i peaked in December 2020 at 7,063 loans. In October 2022, there were only 2,491.

Improvements

Hawaii is slated to get $5.6 million in new federal funding to provide high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved communities.

Interest Rates

The national average 30-year fixed mortgage APR is 7.32%, up 15 basis points over the last week. according to bankrate.com

Moving to Hawaii

From Conneticut to Hawaii!

From Connecticut to Hawaii – Shawna and Denise

Are you wondering how to move to the big island of Hawaii? Shawna and Denise have moved with their family from Connecticut to The Big Island of Hawaii and they are enjoying the island so much! It was very important for them to find a sense of community and to find a place where gay couples were welcomed. They have found their piece of paradise and they can’t be happier! They were kind enough to share how they made the transition to the big island of Hawaii and have shared amazing tips! To connect with these two beautiful ladies please visit the following link: https://deniseandshawna.com/

Property Highlight

Hualalai Farms

Beautiful property in Holualoa

Purchase Price: $1,025,000

Happy words from sellers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Maly is truly the best at her profession. She is attentive, knowledgeable,...

Posted by Discover The Big Island Real Estate on Sunday, November 27, 2022

I had the pleasure of representing the buyers and the sellers of this beautiful property located in Holualoa. Congratulations to both! ❤️

Hawaii Keiki Museum

The Hawai‘i Keiki Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that has been working with the Kona International Marketplace to open an interactive children's museum. Community members can stop by their new Gift Shop. Your support and donations are essential in making this project thrive. This is a place where kids get excited about science and I cant reccomend this place enough!

Mauna Loa Eruption

After 38 years of silence, Mauna Loa is erupting.🌋

Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the eruption began at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday in Mokuaweoweo, the summit caldera of the volcano.

Experts say the eruption appears to be mostly contained in the summit caldera.

No evacuations have been issued at this time 🙏

To follow the story:
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/11/28/mauna-loa-eruption-underway-lava-currently-contained-summit/?outputType=amp

Life is short and we all know it. If you have dreams that you are trying to accomplish, then moving quickly matters. Take that job. Move to that state. Change careers. Take the chance.
You got this! get moving. ❤️

Maly RomeroReal Estate Consultant