THE CONVERSATION
Solving Oahu's housing crisis starts with our elected officials. A study often cited states that Hawaii will need to build 50,000 new housing units to meet the demand between 2020 and 2025. For whatever the reason, this goal is not on track.
Here are three things the government can do to help build more affordable housing.
Subsidize Mortgages
We cannot control the cost of goods and labor. However, the government has played a role in the mortgage industry. When it comes to providing affordable housing for locals, maybe the government -- federal, state, and or local -- can subsidize mortgage rates. Essentially, the government will step in to change the interest rate structure.
With interest rates doubling since 2022, I would imagine that a working class person would struggle to pay a mortgage in the high 6% range. To combat this, a subsidy program could cut the rate down to 3-4% for a fixed period of time.
Re-Thinking Affordable Housing Guidelines
I believe there are longterm untended consequences for shared equity and shared appreciation. However, I understand why these things are in place. Perhaps a possible idea is to make affordable owners sell to the same type of affordable owners.
For example, let's say a person purchased an affordable home that was subject to 100% AMI. When want that person wants to sell, maybe one solution is to force the owner to sell to another 100% AMI buyer. This creates a local market and it keeps the home within the affordable housing pool.
Increase Funding
According to Hawaii Business Magazine, the process to apply for state funding is tedious and there is also limited funds available. Also, some types of affordable housing might not quality for funding too. This needs to change.
Currently, some developers are funding projects with private equity. When this happens, developers get housing tax credits. These tax credits can be sold to and the purchaser can use them to offset his/her state and federal income tax limit.
In addition to increasing funds and simplifying the process to get funding, the government should also find new ways to reward private equity companies who commit to solving Oahu's affordable housing crisis.
TIDBITS
A homeowner association (HOA) is a legal entity created to manage common areas of a community. A HOA can consist of attached and detached single-family homes, condos, and townhomes.
In Hawaii, HOA usually refers to community associations like Gentry Waipio Community Association, Mililani Town Association, Sea Country Community Association, and Waikele Community Association.
Some of the benefits of belonging to a HOA are:
1. Protecting the value of your home. Most HOAs have rules regarding the upkeep of your home.
2. Access to community amenities. This can include basketball courts, gyms, parks, playgrounds, pools, recreation centers, and tennis courts.
3. HOAs usually have house rules. These house rules state what a homeowner can and cannot do. These rules and regulations exist so people can have peace of mind. Failure to follow the house rules could result in fines from the HOA.
HOME MAINTENANCE
Painting might seem like an easy DIY project. If you want your walls looking great, it is important you:
1. Prep the surface. This includes scraping, patching, sanding, and cleaning. This is the most tedious part about painting. Did you know the common causes of peeling paint is poor surface preparation?
2. Prime and sand. Depending on what you are painting, you might have to prime. Once the primer dries, some painters will recommend to sand again. On a side note, did you know certain materials require an oil based primer?
3. Paint. Using the proper tools and the proper paint are important. Also, high quality paint will really make a difference too.
Skipping these steps could result in the paint peeling from your wall. Yikes...
If you are looking for a professional painter, I would recommend Bryson Miyasaki of B&B Painting. You can contact Bryson at 808-798-0573 (call/text) or BNBPaintingHawaii@Gmail.com.
MAY MARKET STATS
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
$770,000 | $797,000 | $978,000 | $1,153,500 | ? |
The housing market is still cooling off due to conventional mortgages rates being in the 6% range. If the FED continues to increase the rate throughout 2023, how will Oahu's housing market react?
OPPORTUNITIES
I have four upcoming listings:
A 2-bedroom/1-bathroom/1-parking condo in Waipio Gentry.
A well maintained split level, single-family home in Foster Village.
A 3-bedroom/2-bathroom/2-parking split level condo in Kailua. The unit consists of 1,600 living SF and two spacious lanais.
A charming single-level, single-family home in Kahala.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Stay safe and healthy.
Ryan Oda
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