January is a natural reset, a moment to pause, look ahead, and make thoughtful plans. Whether a move is on your radar this year or you’re simply staying informed, clarity early on makes every decision easier.

This month’s update is designed to help you start smart, with a clear look at the Hawai‘i real estate market, practical planning insights, and local context across the islands, so you can move forward with confidence, wherever you call home.

O‘ahu Market Highlights: December 2025

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‍Oʻahu Real Estate Market Summary: 2025 in Review

As 2025 came to a close, Oʻahu’s real estate market moved into a more balanced and predictable phase after years of rapid change. Rather than a market defined by sharp swings, 2025 was a year of normalization, where supply, demand, and buyer behavior realigned into healthier patterns. Overall sales activity for both single-family homes and condos remained relatively flat year over year, reflecting stability rather than decline.

Key themes from 2025:

• A split market emerged

• Single-family homes remained supply-constrained, supporting prices even as days on market increased slightly.
• Condos saw rising inventory, giving buyers more choices and greater negotiating power.

Single-family homes

• Limited supply continued to drive demand, especially for well-priced, well-located homes.
• Bidding wars were less common, but quality listings still attracted strong interest.
• Pricing discipline mattered more than ever.

Condominiums

• Inventory increased following record-high pricing in late 2024.
• Prices softened modestly, and homes took longer to sell.
• The shift reflected a move toward balance, not weakness.

Buyers

• Benefited from more selection and improved negotiating conditions, particularly in condos.
• Focus shifted toward long-term value rather than short-term rate timing.

Sellers

• Needed to be more strategic with pricing, preparation, and marketing.
• Homes priced for “yesterday’s market” often required adjustments.

Property owners

• Single-family owners generally saw stable values and modest appreciation.
• Condo values varied more widely depending on building health, fees, and location.
• Overall equity levels across Oʻahu remained resilient.

2025 marked a transition year for Oʻahu real estate, one defined less by extremes and more by balance. The market moved away from the urgency and volatility of prior years and into a phase where informed decision-making, realistic pricing, and thoughtful strategy mattered most. While single-family homes continued to benefit from limited supply and price stability, the condo market shifted toward greater buyer choice and negotiation. For buyers, sellers, and property owners alike, 2025 reinforced a key truth: Oʻahu real estate remains fundamentally strong, but success increasingly depends on understanding today’s market, not yesterday’s headlines.

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Looking Ahead: What to Watch in 2026

Oʻahu enters 2026 from a position of greater balance and clarity. While uncertainty remains, the forces shaping the market are easier to identify, allowing buyers, sellers, and owners to plan more intentionally.

Key factors to watch in 2026:

• Inventory levels

• Single-family inventory remains tight; even small demand increases could push prices higher in select areas.
• If more homeowners list due to lifestyle or financial changes, balance could improve.
• Condo inventory remains elevated, favoring buyers.

• Condo performance

• Buyers will scrutinize maintenance fees, insurance costs, and reserve funding more closely.
• Well-managed buildings should remain competitive; others may face longer selling timelines.

• Interest rates

• Rate decreases could quickly release pent-up demand, especially for single-family homes.
• If rates stay elevated, buyers will remain selective and value-focused.

• Affordability and ownership costs

• Rising insurance, utilities, and association fees will play a larger role in decision-making.
• Total cost of ownership will matter more than headline price alone.

• Broader fundamentals

• Employment stability, migration patterns, and Oʻahu’s limited land supply continue to support long-term demand.
• These fundamentals help buffer the market, even as short-term adjustments occur.

What’s unlikely in 2026 is a return to the frantic pace of the ultra-low-interest-rate years. Instead, the market appears set for a more deliberate rhythm, where preparation, pricing strategy, and local expertise matter more than speed.

Whether buying, selling, or simply staying informed, understanding these dynamics puts you in a stronger position for the year ahead. Personalized guidance remains the best way to navigate how these trends affect your specific home or neighborhood.

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What About Our Neighboring Islands?

• Maui: Buyers are paying close attention to value, condition, and long-term livability.
• Hawai‘i Island: Interest continues across both resort and residential areas, with lifestyle driving decisions.
• Kaua‘i: Limited inventory keeps quality homes in focus, especially for buyers planning early.

This report reflects information about re-sales of existing properties only and does not include new home sales. All the MLS information is com­piled from sales reported during the cited months; this data is Known only after closing of escrow. The time delay between the signing of a sales contract and the closing of escrow is usually between one and three months. This report is provided as a service to HBR members. Note: Percentage change compares data from December 2025 to December 2024.

Thinking About Selling This Year? Start in January

January is one of the smartest months to plan, preparation guided by your savvy agent is the key to a successful sale.

Sellers who start early have more control over:

• Which updates are actually worth doing
• How to position their home for today’s buyers
• Timing their sale for optimal exposure
• Pricing strategically based on real data, not guesswork

Across the islands, homes that are thoughtfully prepared and correctly priced continue to stand out. A little planning now often leads to smoother transactions and stronger results later.

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Thinking About Buying This Year? Early Clarity Matters

If you’re considering buying in 2026, January is about information, not pressure.

Smart buyers use this time to:

• Understand neighborhoods, not just listings
• Track pricing trends across different regions
• Get financially prepared before competition increases
• Clarify lifestyle priorities, whether that’s proximity to town, ocean access, or space to grow

Starting early allows you to move with confidence when the right opportunity appears, whether that’s on O‘ahu, Maui, Hawai‘i Island, or Kaua‘i.

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Homeowner Tip: Know Your Starting Point

The smartest move many homeowners make in January is simply understanding where they stand.

A current home value review can help you:

• Plan future renovations more strategically
• Evaluate long-term equity and investment potential
• Consider rental or second-home opportunities
• Make informed decisions, even if you’re not moving anytime soon

Small insights now often lead to better options later. I can help you with a custom home value analysis to help guide care for your investment.

Read More.

January in Hawai‘i

January on O‘ahu brings a welcome shift in pace, cooler mornings, lighter crowds, and a chance to enjoy the island a little more intentionally after the holidays.

It’s a great month for:

• Morning walks and hikes like Diamond Head at sunrise, Mānoa Falls after recent rains, or a breezy loop around Koko Head District Park
• Beach days without the rush at Kahala, Kailua, or along the south shore during calmer winter mornings
• Farmers markets at KCC or Kailua for local produce and easy weekend routines
• Neighborhood time, coffee along Waialae Avenue, Kapahulu strolls, or lingering lunches in Kaimukī

With schools back in session and holiday travel winding down, January feels more grounded, a natural reset that makes it easier to plan ahead, both at home and in real estate.

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2026 Is Here! A Time For New Beginnings, Turning Dreams Into Reality.

Aloha,
The beginning of a new year offers a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and set intentions for what lies ahead. Whether it’s investing in home improvement, planning a long-awaited journey, or positioning yourself for your next real estate move, 2026 invites thoughtful decisions and inspired beginnings.

For me, this year is about clarity of vision—defining goals with purpose and executing them with intention and care.

If your plans include buying, selling, investing, or simply staying informed in an evolving market, I’m always here as a trusted resource and happy to be there for you. Mahalo for the confidence you place in me and for allowing me to serve you and your ‘ohana. My commitment remains unwavering: discreet guidance, modern strategy, and exceptional service!

Wishing you a year of prosperity, balance, and inspired living. Let's go!!

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