Buying a Condo on Oahu in 2026: What the Numbers Actually Tell You
If you have been watching the Oahu housing market from the sidelines, here is something worth paying attention to: the condo market is shifting, and buyers are gaining ground. While single-family homes are still flying off the shelves, condos are telling a very different story in 2026 — and if you know how to read it, there is a real opportunity opening up for you right now.
The Oahu Condo Market by the Numbers: June 2026
Let's start with the facts.
According to Locations Hawaii's June 2026 market report, the Oahu condo median sales price came in at $528,000 — up 4% year-over-year. That is meaningful appreciation, and it confirms that condo values are not sliding. But here is where it gets interesting for buyers: months of remaining inventory for condos now sits at 7.3 months, compared to just 3.4 months for single-family homes.
In real estate, six months of inventory is generally considered a balanced market. At 7.3 months, the condo market is tipping toward buyer-favorable conditions in several segments. Condo sales actually rose 9% year-over-year in June 2026, according to the same Locations Hawaii report — meaning buyers are already waking up to this opportunity.
Compare that to single-family homes, where the median price hit a record high of $1,262,500 in June 2026 and the typical home sold in just 13 days. The condo market gives you 40 median days on market to ask questions, negotiate, and make a thoughtful decision. That breathing room matters.
Where the Condo Opportunity Is Right Now on Oahu
Not all Oahu condo markets are the same. Here is where buyers currently have the most leverage:
Waikiki and Ala Moana-Kakaako
Half of all available condo re-sale inventory on Oahu is concentrated in these two in-town neighborhoods, according to Locations Hawaii's end-of-2025 report. That high supply means more choices, more negotiating room, and more sellers willing to work with you. If walkability, urban energy, and proximity to the beach and restaurants matter to you, this is a market worth exploring right now.
Ewa Beach and West Oahu
Ewa is one of the strongest buyer opportunities on the island. Inventory has grown substantially, and median condo prices remain relatively lower compared to urban Honolulu. Newer communities in Ewa Beach and Kapolei also come with lower HOA fees — typically $350 to $700 per month versus $1,000 to $1,500 per month in Waikiki high-rises, per data from Island Homes Oahu. If you want a newer building, lower fees, and more space for your dollar, West Oahu deserves a serious look.
Makiki and Downtown-Nuuanu
These in-town neighborhoods have seen inventory growth and some price softening. If being close to downtown Honolulu is important to you — whether for work or lifestyle — these areas offer more options than they have in years.
Hawaii Kai and Kailua
Prices in these beloved east-side communities have held firm or ticked slightly higher, reflecting the lifestyle premium buyers are willing to pay. Inventory is tighter here, so when a well-priced unit hits the market in Hawaii Kai or Kailua, you need to move quickly and come prepared.
What to Watch Out for Before You Buy Any Oahu Condo
More inventory and softer prices are great, but buying a condo on Oahu requires a specific kind of due diligence you do not always need with a single-family home. Here are the three things I make sure every buyer looks at before we write an offer.
1. Special Assessments
Special assessments are one-time fees charged by a condo association to cover major repairs or capital improvements the reserve fund cannot handle. In older Oahu buildings — particularly those built in the 1970s and 1980s — these are becoming increasingly common. According to Island Homes Oahu, assessments of $20,000 to $50,000 or more are showing up regularly in aging high-rises. Before you fall in love with a unit, you need to review the association's reserve study and meeting minutes carefully.
2. HOA Financial Health
The HOA fee is just one number. What matters equally is how well-funded the association's reserve account is. A building with a thin reserve and a long list of deferred maintenance is a risk, regardless of how beautiful the unit looks inside. I always recommend requesting the most recent reserve study and financial statements as part of your due diligence.
3. Leasehold vs. Fee Simple
This is uniquely Hawaii. Some Oahu condos are leasehold, which means you own the unit but lease the land beneath the building from a landowner. Leasehold properties typically sell for less, but they come with significant long-term risks and can be difficult to finance. Always confirm whether a property is leasehold or fee simple before going too far in the process.
4. Mortgage Rates and What You Can Actually Afford
As of early August 2026, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in Hawaii is approximately 6.75%, according to Zillow Home Loans. At that rate, a $528,000 condo purchase with 20% down (roughly $105,600) would put your loan at $422,400, with a principal and interest payment around $2,750 per month — before HOA fees, taxes, and insurance. Run these numbers carefully and get pre-approved before you start touring.
If you want a full breakdown of what buying on Oahu actually costs, [download the free Mai Homes Buyer's Guide at maihomeshi.com/download-buyers-guide](https://maihomeshi.com/download-buyers-guide). It walks you through every cost line by line.
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Is 2026 a Good Time to Buy a Condo on Oahu?
That depends on your situation, your goals, and how long you plan to stay. But here is my honest read of the market right now.
For buyers who have been priced out of single-family homes, the condo market is offering something it has not offered in a while: time and choice. When homes sell in 13 days and condos sit for 40, you can afford to be deliberate. You can ask for repairs. You can negotiate on price or closing costs. You can walk away if the HOA documents give you pause.
The 4% year-over-year price gain on condos also tells you values are not declining. You are not catching a falling knife. You are buying into a market that is stabilizing and, in select neighborhoods, starting to strengthen again. Condo sales rising 9% in June 2026 is a signal that other buyers see this too.
The buyers who wait for rates to drop significantly may find themselves competing in a much tighter market. Inventory will not stay at 7.3 months forever.
Ready to figure out if buying a condo on Oahu makes sense for you this year?
[Schedule a free consultation with me here](https://calendar.app.google/XE5cY7bgmG7dpKi68).
We will look at your budget, your timeline, and which neighborhoods fit your life — no pressure, just clarity.
Mai Kashihara | Realtor, eXp Realty Hawaii
RS-84287 | SRES | MRP
(808) 782-0072 | mai@maihomeshi.com | maihomeshi.com
Instagram: @mai.kashihara
Sources: Locations Hawaii June 2026 Market Report; List Sotheby's International Realty Oahu Market Report June 2026; Honolulu Star-Advertiser July 7, 2026; Island Homes Oahu, Renting vs. Buying on Oahu 2026; Zillow Home Loans Hawaii Mortgage Rates, August 2026.
