Aloha from Kauai where we hear on the local news each night that we have “the best weather on the planet”.  The local weatherman may be a bit biased, but it has been beautiful.  The “cold” winds are gone after a very mild winter, and the hot weather has not arrived.   Last summer was the hottest on record, but not yet this time around.

Things are rather quiet here.  There is no big news regarding The Prince Golf Course, but I can tell you from personal observations that the ground crews have been very active on holes eight and nine.  The sand traps are being cleaned, and the mowers are at work. The website says opening in October, but no promises. When the Prince reopens there is supposed to be a restaurant included.

The North Shore shuttle is returning for a three month pilot program on July 15.  It will run from the airport to designated resorts, the shopping center, Ching Young Village and on to Ke’e Beach.

Hanalei Bay Resort opened Happy Talk Lounge this spring.  You will want to stop and see the upscale new look.  They are serving lunch and dinner.  Farther south behind the Coconut Market Place, Kauai’s first beach restaurant opened.  Lava Lava Beach Club advertises that it is a “put your toes in the sand” happening. It is a beautiful beach setting with a variety of menu items.

Groundbreaking has occurred for the future site of a 24/7 Urgent Care Center on the north shore.  Actual progress has started on the demolition of the Coconut Palms as plans move ahead for restoration of the site. The hotel has been closed since it was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

Visitors often ask me what is there to do on the island.  Bridge players will be glad to know a new sanctioned ACBL game is available in Lihue each Monday in addition to games in Princeville on Thursday and Saturday. One of my clients moved to Kauai after sitting behind an executive desk for years and became an avid, competitive paddler in one of the rowing clubs in Hanalei. Most newcomers wonder how they ever had time to work.

You may have noticed that Century 21 All Islands has a new branding.  We are now Fine Homes and Estates, the luxury division of C21. Our office is in the top four on Kauai and the #1 office in Princeville.

Real estate sales on island are holding steady. Total sales volume island wide is just about the same as last year. The Hanalei District, although down in volume, still represents nearly half of Kauai’s dollar market.

Single family home median prices actually increased in the Hanalei District, which encompasses most of the north shore, from about 1.1 million per unit to a little over 1.2 million. Hanalei condo prices dropped a bit. The median price of a condo in Princeville is currently $720,000; however, it is still possible to purchase an investor unit for under $400k.

Princeville, the Coconut Coast, and Poipu are designated as Visitor Destination Areas by the county which means most of the properties can be vacation rented. Many buyers use their properties and rent them out either short or long term. Some condos have covenants restricting rentals to 30 days. Princeville II, the newer phase to the east of Princeville I, has this restriction but many owners have both monthly and seasonal tenants.   Villas on the Prince where I live and Ka’iulani are  in Princeville II. Buyers purchasing in these complexes are primarily second home buyers who may consider  permanent residency. Did you know that those who do make Kauai their primary residence can file for a property tax exemption? This exemption often called a homestead exemption reduces the county assessed value of the property by $160,000. The exemption is increased to $180,000 at age 60 and to $200,000 at age 70. Property tax information and other informative items can be found on the county of Kauai website, www.kauai.gov.

Prospective buyers have questions about items such as taxes, covenants, and condo restrictions.  I have thirteen years of real estate sales experience on Kauai. I know a great deal about these issues and about the market here. I can, hopefully, help you find what you want at a good price. If you are selling, we can together price your property at a number that will sell and not linger on the market.

Call me at 808 652 2984, visit my website at www.joewilliamshawaii.com,  or e-mail me at joe@joewilliamshawaii.com. Our brand has changed but not my service.

See you on Kauai.

Mahalo,