Sheltering-in-place
By Lisa Scontras
What’s trending in Homebuyer Preferences
Our homes are now pulling double and triple duty — as a home office, school and gym — so it makes sense that sheltering-in-place has influenced buyers’ wish lists of features, and reflects how they are using their homes today.
Utilitarian kitchens with sizable pantries, easy-to-clean surfaces, and extra (or extra large) freezers, space for a home office or homeschool classroom are premium.
Likewise, backyards and lanais with plenty of relaxing outdoor space makes being at home more bearable, even pleasant.
These COVID-inspired home features are likely to stick, even well beyond 2020
1006 KUPAU ST.
Creamy white quartz countertops give this kitchen a prized hygienic look — both functional and beautiful. Indeed this brand new Kailua home, built in 2020, includes an attached legal ADU unit, making social distancing with extended family doable and safe. This multi-generational home has three beds and one bath on the first level, four beds and two baths on the second level, and two beds and one bath in the ADU. Listed for $1,598,000 by eXp Realty.
3021 LONO PLACE
Ample storage and refrigerator/freezer space is essential to stockpile pandemic-sized food supplies, both perishable and nonperishable. This huge Frigidaire Gallery Refrigerator Freezer combo is both practical and pretty, and is part of a thoughtfully designed four-bedroom, two-bath home — plus two-bed, one-bath ADU — in Manoa, listed for $1,425,000 by Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties.
205 KAWAIHAE ST., A5
Great outdoor spaces make sheltering at home easier, and it’s become a dominant buying motive. At Gateway Peninsula in Hawaii Kai, this three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath unit (with two parking stalls) sits on a fantastic piece of marina frontage — with ocean views — complete with a large lanai and boat dock. Take a boat ride around Hawaii Kai or out to the ocean. Listed for $995,000 by Pacific International Realty.
3202 NOELA DRIVE
With so many working from home in 2020, creating a functional home office may be the biggest challenge. This in-home office space is beautifully designed, as is the entire Kahala estate at the base of Diamond Head. With gorgeous views of the Waikiki skyline, along with a pool, waterfall, fire pit and temperature-controlled wine room, this dream home is listed for $6,950,000 by Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties.
