Aloha Friends — as we head into summer, here’s a look at what happened across O‘ahu’s housing market in May 2026, plus what it means for buyers, sellers, and investors.
As we head into summer, O‘ahu’s housing market continues to show signs of steady activity and opportunity. Buyers are returning to the market, inventory is improving in many price ranges, and well-positioned properties are continuing to attract strong interest.
Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, investing, or simply staying informed, I believe understanding what’s happening in today’s market helps you make better decisions when the time is right.
Here’s a quick look at what happened across O‘ahu in May.
🏡 Single-Family Homes Continue to Lead the Market
The biggest story from May was the continued strength of the single-family home market.
- 255 homes sold, up 8.5% from last year
- Median sales price remained stable at $1.166M
- Homes sold in a median of just 13 days
- 35% of homes sold above asking price, up from 29% a year ago
- New listings increased 3.3%, providing more choices for buyers
These numbers tell us that demand for single-family homes remains healthy, especially for well-priced properties in desirable neighborhoods.
🏢 Condo Market Remains More Balanced
The condominium market continues to offer buyers additional opportunities and negotiating room.
- 339 condo sales, down 9.4% from last year
- Median sales price at $520,000
- Average time on market increased to 43 days
- New condo listings remained relatively stable
- Buyers continue to benefit from more available inventory and less competition than we’ve seen in recent years
For first-time buyers, downsizers, and investors, today’s condo market may offer some of the best opportunities we’ve seen in quite some time.
📈 Buyers Are Staying Active
One encouraging trend is that pending sales increased in both market segments:
- Single-family home pending sales increased 8.8%
- Condo pending sales increased 7.0%
This tells us that despite higher interest rates and affordability challenges, many buyers are still moving forward with their plans and taking advantage of the inventory available today.
In fact, properties priced at $500,000 and below accounted for 157 sales in May, showing continued demand for more attainable housing options across O‘ahu.
🏘 More Options for Local Buyers
As we recognize National Homeownership Month in June, it’s also encouraging to see programs designed to help local families achieve homeownership continue to gain traction.
The Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation recently celebrated the first homeowners who purchased through its Hale Kama‘āina Mortgage Program, which offers below-market financing to qualified local residents. Programs like these can make a meaningful difference for first-time buyers looking to establish roots here in Hawai‘i.
If you’re curious about available financing programs, down payment assistance options, or local buyer incentives, I’d be happy to point you in the right direction.
Mahalo for your continued trust and support. It’s a privilege to be part of your real estate journey.
