Island Trust Properties

Prices down, but sales are up on the Big Island

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:17:15 +0100

Home sales on the Big Island rose in December as prices continued to drop. But the year ended on a positive note for single-family homes, which saw an 8 percent increase in sales, according to statistics from our MLS. There were 1,236...

Homebuyer Tax Credit Update

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:29:45 +0100

Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house? Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the...

UHERO Hawai'i Construction Forecast: No Bottom Yet to Construction Downturn

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:16:42 +0100

The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) has just released their latest Hawaii Construction Forecast. UHERO's Economic Information Service provides complete analysis and detailed industry-level forecasts for up to five years. The EIS is a research program of the University of Hawaii...

Could No-Doc Loans Return?

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:02:57 +0100

Bank attitudes toward risky lending is making it very difficult for the self-employed, even those with high incomes, to secure mortgages. No-doc loans are particularly hard to get, locking out people whose incomes are derived from investments or who are able to tax-shelter significant dollars. The...

Hilo Bay 4th of July Fireworks 2009

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:44:16 +0100

It rained in Hilo just up to when the fireworks started, then stopped just long enough for the show. Hilo town was so busy on the 4th of July with the Hilo Bay BBQ & Chili Cookoff, Farmer's Market, and...

New Hawaii Real Property Conveyance Tax

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:17:43 +0100

Leave it to our elected officals to further complicate the tax laws in Hawaii. Beginning July 1, 2009, the conveyance tax paid by Sellers of Hawaii real estate shall be changed once again. As recently as 2005, the conveyance tax was...

Island Trust Floor Schedule

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:31:06 +0100

Albizia: The Tree That Ate Puna

Thu, 28 May 2009 08:57:37 +0100

Albizia is a fast growing tree that is invasive (weedy) in native ohia forests in Hawaii, especially in Puna on the Big Island. as well as on land disturbed by human activities. Albizia causes ohia to die off, and makes...

Hawaii Realtors Can (Again) Help Homeowners With Short Sales

Thu, 21 May 2009 09:12:09 +0100

Hawaii homeowners can once again turn to real estate professionals to assist with short sales and foreclosure situations. Governor Lingle yesterday signed Hawaii Senate Bill SB 34 into law, which exempts licensed real estate brokers and salespersons who...

"The Surf Break Cafe" - New Hilo Restaurant

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:02:37 +0100

A new restaurant has opened in downtown Hilo. The Surf Break Cafe , located at 201 Kinoole St. (in the building at the corner of Haili St. and Kinoole), is open for breakfast and lunch daily from 6:00 am...