Take a look at our December newsletter!
Kyoto, Japan
Our Year in Review
As we say farewell to 2023, I reflect on the incredible journey this year has been for our family and The Mitchell Group Real Estate Team. This past year has been one for the books, and while it had its ups and downs, we have a lot to be thankful for. KEY MOMENTS FOR
for their favorite team caught the attention of the media, and they were featured as “Super Fans” who flew all the way from Hawaii to cheer on the Rangers. HAPPY HOMES AND FAMILIES • In 2023, we assisted 20 families in successfully selling their homes, allowing them to capitalize on substantial equity gains. On average, our clients realized a remarkable $207,000 increase in the selling price
the monthly hale DECEMBER 2023
THE MITCHELL FAMILY IN 2023 AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNEY
compared to their home purchase five years prior. A significant number of these families have already utilized, or plan to use, the proceeds to acquire their next home, contributing to the ongoing creation of generational wealth. • In 2023, we saw the number of homes sold on Oahu decrease by about 25% from the previous year, primarily attributed to the rise in interest rates. Despite this decline, home values remained relatively
This past summer, we traveled to Japan and
Taiwan. This was the first time our kids ventured beyond our home country. The trip was a magical
experience with a lot of cultural exploration, awe-inspiring sights, and delicious food. We made memories that will last a lifetime. TEXAS RANGERS WORLD CHAMPS 2023 Jason and Jonah traveled to Texas to watch the Texas Rangers win the World Series. Their passion for the game and unwavering support
Tokyo, Japan
stable, largely influenced by the ongoing housing shortage on the island. Looking ahead, the anticipated interest rate cuts in 2024 are expected to stimulate an upswing in sales, potentially leading to an upward trend in home values throughout the year. As we turn the page on this remarkable chapter, we look ahead to 2024 with much excitement. The new year promises new opportunities, fresh challenges, and more moments to live, laugh, and love. Happy New Year! See you in 2024!
-Sachi Mitchell
Arlington, Texas
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What O
Ketchup, the popular tasty and tangy condiment found on tables and in refrigerators worldwide, has a surprising and somewhat peculiar history. In the 1830s, it was not just a topping for hamburgers and hot dogs; it was actually sold as medicine — yes, medicine! A Unique Origin Ketchup’s roots can be traced back to Asia, where it was called ke-tsiap (Xiamen), a sauce made from fermented fish sauce. It made its way to Europe in the 17th century, but it looked and tasted different from the ketchup we know today, as it included ingredients like mushrooms, walnuts, and oysters — no tomatoes. THE UNBELIEVABLE HISTORY OF KETCHUP FROM MIRACLE CURE TO TASTY DELIGHT
The Medicinal Claim and Tomato Connection In the 1830s, an Ohio physician named Dr. John Cook Bennett began marketing a tomato-based concoction as a medicinal elixir. Dr. Bennett claimed his tomato extract had incredible healing properties and promoted it as a cure for a wide range of ailments, including diarrhea, indigestion, jaundice, and rheumatism. During this time, tomatoes were still relatively new in American cuisine, and many people were skeptical about their edibility and safety. In fact, some believed tomatoes were poisonous, but Dr. Bennett aimed to market them as a safe and healthy miracle ingredient. His tomato preparation was a precursor to modern ketchup. The Transition to the Table Over time, the medicinal claims surrounding tomato- based ketchup faded, and people began enjoying its
MEDIAN SALES PRICES STEADY November property sales declined slightly year-over-year, with total combined sales dipping about 8% compared to November 2022. Single- family home sales declined by 6.3%, while the condo market saw an 8.8% decrease. O'AHU HOME SALES R SLUGGISH AMID THE
taste. A tomato-based ketchup started to appear in cookbooks as an ingredient in recipes and was commonly paired with eggs, meat, and fish. By the late 19th century, ketchup had become a staple in American households, and companies like Heinz began mass-producing it. Today, it’s tough to imagine ketchup as anything other than a delicious topping for our favorite foods, and while tomatoes do contain antioxidants and vitamin C, we know ketchup won’t cure a sickness. However, its transformation from fish sauce to tomato medicine to a beloved topping is a remarkable twist in culinary history! 2
Both markets saw median sales prices in November that closely resembled October 2023’s figures. Year-over-year, the median price of a single-family home dipped 4.3% to $1,100,055. Conversely, condos marked a 7.5% increase to $516,179.
SINGLE- MAR
"Market activity remains sluggish despite mortgage rates dipping slightly from the peak we saw last month," said Fran Villarmia-Kahawai, president of the Honolulu Board of Realtors. "However, pending sales data revealed that buying activity is rising in affordable price ranges for single-family homes and condos."
A significant portion of contract signings in November were for single-family homes priced in the $800,000 to $999,999 range, representing almost one-third of pending sales with 56 contract signings. In the condo market, over 75% of pending sales occurred within the $200,000 to $799,999 range, with the highest concentration in the $300,000 to $599,999 range, accounting for approximately 46% of contract signings for the month.
THEMITCHELLGROUPHAWAII.COM
Our Clients Are Saying
... CONTINUED FROM COVER Chimney Christmas Gifts Igloo Mistletoe Ornament Parka Reindeer Sleigh Snowman Wreath Yuletide TAKE A BREAK
“Jason and Sachi helped us buy our house three years ago and did such an amazing job we KNEW we wanted them to help sell our house as our time here came to an end. Jason did thorough research on the market in our area and was able to competitively price our home so it would sell quickly. Sachi was always on point, made our house look gorgeous for our potential buyers, and is great at reassuring you when you feel overwhelmed. Jason and Sachi are always in communication with you and support you throughout the entire process. I cannot recommend them enough!” –Amanda O., Hawaii In December of 2020, we helped Amanda and her family purchase their home for $711,000. In November of 2023, we were able to help them sell for $795,000 after only 9 days on market. The referral of your friends and family is the greatest compliment you can give us. Mahalo for your trust!
TASTY HOLIDAY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE Text your answers to Sachi at 808.286.7633 . The first person to text with the correct answers gets a $5 Starbucks gift card.
REMAIN HOLIDAY SEASON
INGREDIENTS
• 10 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 4 tbsp butter • 4 large eggs, separated • 2 tbsp granulated sugar • 1/2 cup heavy cream
MONTH OVER MONTH
Fewer transactions closed above the original asking price. In the single-family home market, 21% of transactions closed above the original asking price compared to 31% last year. Only 19% of condo sales closed for more than the original asking price, compared to nearly a quarter in November 2022.
DIRECTIONS
$1,100,055 MEDIAN SINGLE-FAMILY PRICE
1. In a medium heatproof bowl, add
-FAMILY RKET
chocolate and butter. Set the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water and stir until chocolate and butter are melted and blended, then remove from heat and let cool slightly. 2. In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks until thick. Then gradually add melted chocolate mixture, stirring until blended. 3. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Then gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. 4. In another bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold egg whites and then cream into the chocolate mixture.
180 CLOSED SALES
6.3%
310 CLOSED SALES MEDIAN CONDO PRICE $516 ,179
CONDO/ TOWNHOUSE MARKET
8.8%
5. Pour into individual serving dishes and chill for 3 hours or until set.
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808.824.4088
500 ALA MOANA BLVD SUITE 7-400 HONOLULU HI 96813 808.824.4088
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
THEMITCHELLGROUPHAWAII.COM THEMITCHELLGROUPHAWAII@GMAIL.COM
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Reflecting on a Wonderful 2023
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How Ketchup Transformed From Cure to Condiment What Our Customers Are Saying
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Watching the O’ahu Market Word Search 4 Spice Up Your Christmas Tree With Cardboard Gingerbread Ornaments
DIY GINGERBREAD ORNAMENTS: ADD SWEET MEMORIES TO YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE
This year, many friends and families will set up their Christmas trees and work together to decorate them with their favorite ornaments. Some ornaments even have their own special meaning or associated memory that sends the entire group down memory lane.
of cardboard before cutting it out. Then, use your white marker or pen to add "frosting" designs. We recommend adding some of those traditional gingerbread frosting loops around the edges before going in and adding details. Lastly, punch a small hole (you can just poke the pen tip through) on top of the cardboard on the ornament, feed the string through, and tie a knot at the top to make a loop. You can put the loop over a branch on your tree, and it will look like a freshly baked cookie is hanging there!
While this holiday nostalgia is wonderful, the problem is that many of these ornaments are old, from when kids were little, a married couple
just started dating, or a group of friends first met. People rarely add new decorations to the tree and create new memories to look back on in the coming years. But you and your loved ones can change that this year by making your own DIY cardboard gingerbread ornaments together!
If you want to make the ornament even more meaningful, have your kids, friends, or other family members make themselves (or you!) as cardboard gingerbread people! They can add their hair, outfits, or anything else to their ginger-person design. Having everyone's ginger selves hanging on the tree together will always remind you of the time you spent with them to create these decorations. The best part is they'll never go bad, and you can reuse them every year!
All you need for this ornament is brown cardboard (from any box lying around), a white gel pen or marker, and string. To make your "gingerbread," you first draw out the shape of your ornament(s) in pencil on a piece
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