Oahu Housing Market Shows Mixed Trends as Home Sales Rise and Prices Ease
Oʻahu’s housing market showed contrasting trends in September 2026, with single-family home sales increasing while the median sale price declined. The condominium market moved in the opposite direction, recording fewer sales but a modest increase in its median price.
According to the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®, the latest figures highlight how market conditions can differ depending on property type. While single-family homes continued to attract buyers, condo activity softened, giving prospective buyers and sellers different factors to consider.
September Market Snapshot
Oʻahu recorded 293 single-family home sales in September, a 6.2% increase from the 276 sales recorded in September 2025. However, the median sale price fell 3.9% year over year, from $1,155,000 to $1,110,000.
The condominium market experienced a different pattern. Condo sales declined 8.1%, from 408 transactions a year earlier to 375 in September 2026. Despite fewer sales, the median condo price increased 2.8%, rising from $508,750 to $523,000.
These figures suggest that sales volume and median prices are not necessarily moving in the same direction. A median price reflects the properties that sold during a particular period and does not automatically indicate that every property has increased or decreased in value.
Single-Family Homes Continue to Move Quickly
Although the median price for single-family homes declined, properties continued to sell faster than they did a year earlier.
The median time on market fell to 16 days in September, compared with 26 days in September 2025. This indicates that well-positioned homes continued to attract buyers despite the lower median sale price.
For sellers, this may be an encouraging sign, particularly when a property is priced in line with comparable homes and presented effectively. However, faster selling times do not guarantee that every listing will receive multiple offers or sell above its asking price.
For buyers, the combination of a lower median price and shorter market times means that preparation remains important. Reviewing financing, understanding local comparable sales, and being ready to act when a suitable property becomes available can help buyers navigate a competitive segment.
Condo Market Offers a Different Picture
Oʻahu’s condo market saw fewer completed sales in September, even as the median price increased. This suggests that a higher median price does not necessarily mean demand is strengthening across the entire segment.
Condo buyers should consider more than the purchase price. Monthly association fees, insurance costs, maintenance requirements, building reserves, and potential special assessments can all affect the overall cost of ownership.
Inventory and available choices can also vary considerably by building, neighborhood, and price range. Buyers should review the details of each property and its association rather than assuming that the wider condo market reflects the conditions of a particular building.
For sellers, accurate pricing and clear information about association finances, fees, and property maintenance may help buyers assess a condo more confidently.
Statewide Trends Differ from Oʻahu
Hawaiʻi’s statewide September figures show why island-level data matters.
Across the state, 499 single-family homes sold, down 7.9% from September 2025. The statewide median price increased 0.2% to $1,027,000.
For condominiums, statewide sales declined 6.7% to 485 transactions, while the median price rose 1.9% to $540,000.
Oʻahu’s single-family market therefore performed differently from the statewide market in terms of sales volume: sales increased on Oʻahu while declining across Hawaiʻi overall. The island’s condo sales also fell, consistent with the statewide direction.
These differences reinforce the importance of examining individual islands and property categories when assessing housing conditions.
What Buyers and Sellers Should Consider
For homebuyers, the current market may present opportunities to compare properties and evaluate pricing, particularly in segments where sales have slowed. Condo buyers should carefully review the full cost of ownership and the financial condition of the association before making an offer.
For single-family home sellers, the shorter median selling time suggests that demand remains active for some properties. However, competitive pricing and a realistic understanding of comparable sales remain important.
Both buyers and sellers should remember that market statistics describe broad trends, not the value or likely selling time of any individual property. Conditions can vary significantly by neighborhood, property condition, price range, and building.
Why Local Housing Trends Matter to Communities
Housing-market changes affect more than individual transactions. Home prices, ownership costs, property turnover, and association expenses can influence residents’ priorities and the needs of residential communities.
For homeowners’ associations and community managers, understanding local housing trends can provide useful context when discussing resident concerns and long-term planning. Condo ownership costs, in particular, can make association budgets, maintenance planning, insurance, and clear communication important considerations for current and prospective owners.
Although market statistics cannot predict the financial outlook of an individual community, staying informed helps community leaders understand the broader environment in which residents live.
Looking Ahead
Oʻahu’s September housing data presents a mixed picture. Single-family home sales increased and homes sold more quickly than a year earlier, while the median price declined. Condo sales weakened, even as their median price rose.
The coming months will help reveal whether these patterns continue and how conditions change across different neighborhoods and property types.
For now, buyers and sellers can make more informed decisions by reviewing current local data, understanding the full costs involved, and seeking professional advice when evaluating a specific property.