Hawai'i Governor David Ige

"Air Quality is Safe in the Hawaiian Islands" - Hawai'i Governor David Ige and State's Top Health Official.

HONOLULU, May 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Knowing travelers are expressing concerns about emissions from Kīlauea volcano, Hawai'i Governor David Ige and State Department of Health Director Dr. Virginia Pressler emphasized today that the air quality of the Hawaiian Islands is safe and should not dissuade them from booking vacations. Dr. Pressler commented, "The air quality for the vast majority of the Hawaiian Islands is clean and healthy. The emissions from Kīlauea volcano are a non-factor for O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i, Lāna'i and Kaua'i. The weather is beautiful and warm with cooling trade winds everywhere in Hawai'i and is exactly what travelers expect when coming here for a relaxing and fun vacation experience. This includes Hilo, Pāhoa and the Kona and Kohala coasts on the island of Hawai'i.

"The areas where precautions are required for people are in lower Puna where lava is flowing and downwind from there on the island of Hawai'i, particularly if they have respiratory problems. Because of heavy emissions of vog, as well as occasional bursts of ash plumes from the Kīlauea summit, the southeast portions of the island are also routinely experiencing concerning conditions. Those visiting areas south of Hilo should stay alert for air quality updates, especially when wind conditions change. Fortunately, when trade winds are blowing, the vog and ash routinely move in a southwesterly direction and out to sea away from the Hawaiian Islands."

Governor Ige stated, "Hawai'i's air quality is being closely monitored on a continuing basis by scientists, meteorologists and the Hawai'i State Department of Health. This team of experts says the air quality in the Hawaiian Islands is safe for residents and visitors, except in the affected areas.

"Two other topics that I want to alleviate people's concerns about are laze and the Puna Geothermal Venture plant. Laze is a natural reaction that occurs whenever lava flows into the ocean as it is doing now and has from time to time over the past 35 years. This is all part of nature's way of creating new land for life to grow. Laze is limited to the area where the lava meets the ocean and is not a danger to people who keep a safe distance away.

"At the Puna Geothermal Venture plant, the state is actively directing protective actions to reduce the risk from lava flows moving nearby. The underground wells have been sealed and secured minimizing the threat to the safety of people and communities.

"The bottom line is that there is no reason for travelers to avoid making their vacation plans in the Hawaiian Islands due to safety concerns because of Kīlauea volcano.

"Visitors will be welcomed with open arms and treated to the hospitality, aloha, warmth and natural beauty that is found everywhere in Hawai'i. The only area to avoid is lower Puna where the eruption is ongoing."

George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, echoed the governor's sentiment in welcoming visitors to Hawai'i. "We understand the concern some travelers may have about coming to Hawai'i while Kīlauea volcano is so much more active at this time. But we encourage everyone to do their research and rely on trusted federal, state and county resources that are providing truthful, accurate information about what is taking place in Hawai'i. Those who do will find that coming to Hawai'i is a smart decision to enjoy a wonderful summer vacation."

Kīlauea has been an active volcano since 1983 and is one of Hawai'i's most popular attractions. Over the years residents and visitors have been drawn to the wonder of seeing nature at work in the creation of new land via tours or visits to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Most of the park is currently closed until further notice.

For the latest update on air quality in the Hawaiian Islands, please reference the State of Hawai'i Interagency Vog Information Dashboard: http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/

For the latest tourism updates please visit the Special Alerts page of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority: http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/special-alert/

Travelers planning a trip to the Hawaiian Islands who have questions can contact the Hawai'i Tourism United States Call Center at 1-800-GOHAWAII (1-800-464-2924).

RE/MAX Luxury Report

RE/MAX Luxury Report on Metro Chicago Real Estate: $1 Million-Plus Home Sales in 1st Quarter Reach New Heights, Prices Rebound

CHICAGO, April 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The market for Chicago-area homes selling at $1 million or more showed broad strength in the first quarter of 2018, according to the RE/MAX Luxury Report on Metro Chicago Real Estate, a quarterly analysis of market activity. First-quarter sales totaled 489 units, the most in that quarter since RE/MAX began tracking luxury sales in 2011 and an increase of +7.5% over the same quarter last year.

Perhaps of even greater significance was the +5.5% increase in the median sales price of $1-million-plus homes, which came in at $1.35 million. It was the second consecutive quarterly gain following four quarters in which the median price declined in comparison to the same period one year earlier.

A third encouraging result for the quarter was a continued reduction in the number of unsold homes listed for at least $1 million. Luxury listings fell -5.6% to 2,742 units, declining only -0.6% in the City of Chicago but falling -8.4% in the suburbs where the inventory had been especially high for the last few years. Even with that reduction, existing luxury listings in the suburbs still represent a 22.5-month supply of homes based on the pace of first-quarter sales. In comparison, there is an 11.8-month supply of luxury homes in Chicago.

"Demand for luxury homes is clearly on the upswing right now, but only time will tell if this is a temporary situation sparked by buyers eager to act before interest rates move higher, or if this reflects a longer-term trend that will help pare down the large number of luxury listings on the market," said Jeff LaGrange, Vice President, RE/MAX Northern Illinois Region. 

"Of particular interest going forward will be the trend in the median sales price. If it continues to advance, it will confirm that demand and supply are moving into better balance," he said. 

City of Chicago Luxury Sales

Chicago's luxury-attached-home market enjoyed an upbeat first quarter, with 140 luxury units changing hands, +16.7% more than the same period in 2017.  That compares to 120 luxury detached homes sold in the quarter, a decline of -1.6%, but still the second strongest first-quarter sales figure for luxury detached homes since RE/MAX began tracking that data in 2011.

The combined +7.4% increase in city luxury sales for the quarter came along with an uptick in average market time to 166 days, a 12-day increase. And while the inventory of luxury homes for sale in the city remained essentially stable, falling just -0.6%, that result masked an interesting split.  The inventory of luxury attached homes, spurred by new development, rose +12.9%, while the detached luxury inventory was down -14.7%, reflecting a recent slowing of new construction in that category. 

One noteworthy shift in the attached market was the emergence of the city's Near West Side as a major locus for luxury residences. During the first quarter, that area registered 25 luxury attached sales, trailing only the Near North Side, the traditional leader of the attached market, in unit volume. That is particularly striking because from 2011 through 2017, first quarter sales of luxury attached homes in the Near West Side totaled only eight units. In 2017, there were 12 luxury attached sales there during the first six months, then 33 sales in the July-December period. 

The median sales price for attached homes, which are primarily condominium apartments and townhouses, was $1.33 million during the first quarter, a gain of +4.7%. For detached homes, most of which are single-family houses, the median rose +3.9% to $1.39 million.

Suburban Luxury Sales

Suburban luxury sales, which almost exclusively involve detached homes, delivered generally positive results. Sales activity rose +7.5% to 229 units during the first quarter, and the median sales price climbed +2.4% to $1.3 million compared to the same period last year. Average market time, however, increased to 257 days from 228 days a year earlier. 

Hinsdale had the most active luxury market, with 29 sales completed, a +16% increase, while its traditional rival for the top spot, Winnetka, recorded 23 sales, a decline of -17.9%. 

Solid sales gains were seen in several other leading suburban luxury markets, including Wilmette, up +8.7% to 25 units; Lake Forest, up +84.6% to 24 units; Naperville, up +116.7% to 13 units and Glencoe, up +120% to 11 units.   

RE/MAX Northern Illinois has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989 providing a full range of residential and commercial services. With more than 2,200 sales associates and 106 offices throughout the area, RE/MAX Northern Illinois has helped thousands of families with their home buying and selling needs. For more information, visit illinoisproperty.com or download the Illinois Property mobile real estate app.