Four years after home prices hit their peaks, CNNMoney looks at how 330 metro areas have fared.

Source: IHS Global Insight/PNC Financial Service

As of October 27, 2008 year to date, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has lost 37% of its value; the first 27 days in October accounted for an unprecented 20% of the Dow’s YTD losses. The NASDAQ is even worse, down 42% year to date. Investors have seen a staggering $8.3 trillion dollars evaporate in the stock market so far this year.

As if things weren’t bad enough, Hawaii investors trying to escape the bloodbath in the stock market by moving their investments into real estate are finding Hawaii’s real estate market a tough alternative. Real property values on Oahu so far have bucked the national trend of downward spiraling prices. This means high acquisition prices and low, or even negative, cash flows for investors. “On Oahu, investors are happy to just break even and avoid a negative monthly cash flow,” says Carlton Choy, a Broker In Charge at Premier Realty 2000.

Fortunately, it’s not all gloom and doom. Hawaii investors are turning to a safe and stable investment vehicle and are taking advantage of the downturn in California’s real estate market. Hawaii investors are finding big opportunities in Orange County, California.

There are hundreds of 2 & 3 bedroom homes in Orange County that are owned by banks that had to foreclose on the delinquent owners. These homes that sold for $300,000-$400,000 a few years ago, can be purchased today for as little as $100,000. That’s a 60%+ discount. Investors can buy these homes at 30 cents on the dollar. These homes generate anywhere from $1700-$2400 a month in rent. After all expenses, investors are experiencing positive cash flows of about $400/month per unit equating to a double digit return on investment. While double digit ROI’s and hefty positive cash flows are great, the real investment value is in its future value. It’s a reasonable assumption that these homes will return to the same value it sold for a few years ago. Where else can you invest your money today and reasonably assume that it will triple in value in the next ten years?

In contrast, owning or buying investment real estate on Oahu for the same amount of money will get you a small studio and a negative cash flow. On top of that, since Oahu has held its value, you’re paying “retail” for that property and future value is much more speculative. “I meet with investors several times a week looking to invest in Oahu real estate,” says Elliot Lau, a Broker In Charge at Premier Realty 2000. “When I show them the opportunity in OC, their initial response is that it’s too good to be true. That’s how great the opportunity is right now, and we have real numbers to support it.”

How can you tell that OC real estate is such a great opportunity right now? Follow the pros. Professional real estate investors lead the markets while amateur investors chase the markets. Right now, the pros are buying in OC. A leading indicator of real estate markets is the months of remaining inventory (MRI). It is used to gauge the type of market at any given time. 12 months ago, OC’s MRI was at 17 months; an extrememly strong buyer’s market. In less than 12 months, OC’s MRI is down to 7 months, considered to be a neutral market. Take one guess as to who’s buying all of that real estate? It is no longer a buyer’s market in Orange County. Premier Realty 2000, which has offices in Honolulu and Orange County, has helped many investors reposition their real estate holdings from Oahu to Orange County and triple their return on investment and cash flows. Investors like Paul Lam and Jared Nakamoto of Honolulu see this as a “no-brainer” and are buying as much as they can before this window of opportunity closes. “We expect that there’s about a year remaining for investors to invest in Orange County with such favorable conditions.” says Brian Laughlin, President and Principle Broker of Premier Realty 2000, heading the Orange County office. “The smart investors are seeing that Oahu real estate is not the place to be investing and that Orange County currently offers investors a rare combination of low acquisitition costs, great cash flows and tremendous appreciation potential in a safe and stable investment vehicle.”

Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

Non judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

Foreclosure in Hawaii takes one of two forms: (1) judicial foreclosure by a lawsuit much like any other lawsuit or (2) sale under a power of sale clause in the mortgage.

Preferred Method:

Judicial foreclosure is the preferred method in Hawaii . Although trust deeds are available, they are not commonly used.

Judicial Foreclosure

In a judicial foreclosure, the Circuit court may assess the amount due on a mortgage, without a jury, and render judgment for that amount and an order of foreclosure on the mortgage. The actual sale of the property will take place in the same way as normal execution sales.

Non-judicial Foreclosure

Preliminary Notices

Advertising

Out-of-court foreclosures must be published, in English once per week for three consecutive weeks. The last publication must be run no less that 14 days before the sale date.

Mailing

Mortgage creditors having a mortgaged lien against the property that another mortgage creditor intends to foreclose on under a power of sale clause may, if a written request is given to the foreclosing mortgage creditor, receive notice of the lender’s intent to foreclose. The foreclosing lender must mail the notice to the other mortgage creditors at least seven days prior to the date of the sale.

Sale

The highest bidder at the foreclosure sale buys the property.

Post-Sale Matters

A buyer at the foreclosure sale holds title subject to the existing liens. Any surplus from the sale shall be paid over to the owner of the mortgaged property.

Special Procedures

A notice of any foreclosure on a condominium apartment must be sent certified or registered mail to the association of the condominium. This notice must be sent at the time the lender begins foreclosure proceedings. This provision may not be waived.

Redemption

Redemption rights have been abolished in Hawaii

Complete Free List here .

Click below for a free list for Orange County REO Report

Orange County REO List

Click below for a list of Notice of Trustee Sales for Orange County

Orange County NTS List

Click below for a list of Notice of Defaults for San Bernardino

San Bernardino NOD List

Click below for list of foreclosures for Hawaii

Hawaii Foreclosure List

Updated List 4/8/2008 – See Updated

Updated Link Here.

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