Kona Kohala Blog

Not a surprise really but the number of distressed properties is following mainland trends here in Hawaii, at least in west Hawaii.  Today there are a total of 396 Single Family Residences (SFR's) for sale in North Kona.  Of that number, 95 are either short sales or foreclosures.  This means that 24%, almost one in 4, of the homes for sale are distressed.

Condos in North Kona fare a little better with just 21% in the distressed category.  There's a total of 299 for sale in west Hawaii and 63 of those are distressed properties.

If rumors from bankers are to be believed that number will be increasing in the coming few months, maybe as long as the coming year.  Bank of America has said we can expect their number of foreclosures to triple by the end of the first quarter.

Where's the stimulus for the little guy?  Our financial leaders are back to getting hundred million dollar plus year end bonuses but what about the people who are two or three months behind on their mortgage?

This is really all about jobs.  Obama and the rest of the Chicago thugs, ooops, did I print that . . . oh well, are so worried about health care they're really not putting the time and energy into developing a solid jobs program that includes small and medium size business, the people that hire.  It's not just the democrats either, the republicans aren't contributing, they're too busy bad mouthing the dems.  It's time to fire each and every one of them, every senator, every congressman and woman and start over.  A bunch of rank amateurs couldn't do a worse job, who knows, they might even do a better job than what's being done now.

Tax increases have historically, never worked.  Tax cuts have historically, always worked.  The unions need to pitch in here too.  It's time to end the gravy train union bosses have put in motion to preserve their own jobs.  No more huge income for life, full medical and dental till you die and all the rest of those insane perks that are driving big business out of business.  Unless I'm mistaken, I believe that today there are more people retired and being paid near full salary and benefits at the big three automakers than are in the actual work force.  No wonder they need government money.

Once we get people back to work meaning once we make it attractive for business to do business we'll see an end to our problems.  It won't be over night but it will happen.  We need to make American products competitive, hello unions, we need old fashioned American quality and pride of workmanship and we need tax incentives.  Laying around on unemployment may sound like fun but there's nothing like a good days work to make a person feel good about themselves. 

It's also up to each of us to be qualified to do something.  This is a time for education, a time to learn a new trade or profession.  It's time to go back to school whether it's high school, junior college or whatever will give you the skills to compete in this new world.  I remember the story of the 75 year old starting college.  Someone walked up to her and said, "Are you crazy?  You're going to be almost 80 when you graduate."  The little old lady looked at the young girl and said, "I'm going to be 80 anyway you look at it."