BY LISA SCONTRAS

In 2005, Money magazine named Mililani as one of the best places in the country to live.

Oahu’s first master-planned community, Mililani was built from scratch after Castle & Cooke planners recognized the shrinking demand for pineapple and sugarcane had cleared the way for development of a neighborhood that had the best of everything – just the right balance of parks, open space, shopping, cafes, movie theaters, churches, great schools as well as hiking and biking trails and a sense of community.

“Mililani features everything you could want in a modern American town,” says Brenda Mahoney, Realtor at Prudential Locations. “Beautiful parks that are perfect for enjoying quality family time, tree-lined streets, well-lit sidewalks, a golf course, seven recreation centers complete with swimming pools, party facilities and a variety of classes, along with organized youth sports, cool weather and quality homes give the neighborhood a livable appeal.”

In addition to including a long list of amenities, the town’s model is aimed at providing a social connectedness among residents by design and specifically targets families. Area schools, which are highly rated for academics, are a big draw to buyers with school-aged keiki.

“In fact, being walking distance to the schools, makes living in Mililani even more appealing,” says Mahoney, who has lived in the neighborhood for 16 years. “Families are concerned not with just the house but who their children are going to grow up with and building memories of their childhood years.”

Since Mililani’s conception in 1968, 16,000 homes have been built. Part of the universal appeal is the large 5,000-square-foot-plus home sites upon which many of the single-family homes are situated. Townhomes offer large parcels as well with lots of open space, large trees and typically a garage or carport. The design concept is centered on convenience and quality of life, and homes in Mililani are available to meet a wide spectrum of budgets.

“Mililani offers many price ranges from the low $200,000s for a townhouse, from the low $400,000s for a single-family home, to executive homes priced up to $1 million plus,” says Mahoney, who has represented 9 seller- and 22 buyer-transactions there since 2009. “Recently there was an executive home that closed for more than $1 million and another one down the same street listed over $1 million that is now in escrow.”

Sales indicators in the neighborhood are strong. The average days on market – from listing date to contract acceptance date – is 29 days in the past six months, down from more

Waialua

67-226 Kaliuna Street

NEWLY BUILT LARGE CUSTOM HOME! With 4 bedrooms, including a spacious master suite with walk-in custom designed closet, the home also features a large gourmet kitchen with beautiful lighting. Quality materials throughout include travertine and cherry hardwood floors, granite counters, and vaulted open beam ceilings. The gated 7,200 square foot property, which offers mountain, sunrise, and sunset views, also includes private guest quarters and a workshop. Great location near schools, beach, and a community center.

Priced at $885,000 FS. Listed by PRUDENTIAL LOCATIONS. Contact Pamela A. Stanfield (RA), office (808) 735-4200, mobile (808) 780-7893, email pamela.stanfield@pruhawaii.com. Open House Sunday 2-5pm.

(MLS #1011772)

than 40 days in the previous four years. The months of remaining inventory, which combines supply and demand showing how long the active listings will last at the current rate of sales, is 4.6 months in Mililani, compared to 7.6 months in the overall Oahu market.

Mahoney advises sellers to take the time to stage their home before listing it. Having spent many years in new-home sales, she believes “pretty listings will sell faster and for more money.” She even offers staging advice, furniture and accessories to sellers, when needed.

“Upgrades help, but you can have a home with standard features as long as it is clean, decorated, bright and radiates a welcoming atmosphere,” she says. “Even an older home can be transformed into model-like condition.”

“Mililani offers a variety of home choices for the entry-level and first-time home buyer, move-up buyer and executive home buyer, both in the single-family and townhome choices,” says Mahoney. “The high concentration of owner occupants here helps to maintain property values.”

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