Apr 13

THE ROLE OF DISTRESSED PROPERTIES

Nationally, the sales of distressed properties has remained between 23% and 32% of all existing home sales for the last fifteen months or so. In some important Maui feeder markets, that percentage has been even higher. Often, mainland buyers bring a mindset with them that reflects their home market. One should be careful of that on Maui.
 
On Maui what distressed activity there has been has been heavily concentrated at the under $300,000 segment. In the resort areas distressed properties are few and in our view in any segment they don't necessarily represent the best values for buyers.
 
If a buyer is seeking an upscale or newer property, they would remain best served by looking beyond merely the distressed universe.

Apr 13

THE MAUI REAL ESTATE COMEBACK

The first quarter results on Maui are in and the number shows explosive improvement over a year ago.
  • Single family unit sales increased 58% over a year ago
  • Condominium unit sales increased 43% over a year ago
Now this does not necessarily mean prices have bottomed although indications are we may be there. But this sort of overall activity is necessary to price stability and improvement. For sale inventories in all categories are down significantly as well. For buyers this means they will see fewer choices and for the best selection should act soon.
 

Apr 01

CASE-SHILLER JANUARY RESULTS

From Standard and Poor's March 30 press release

Apr 01

TOURISM IS BACK

Maui, for the first time since 2005 has seen back-to-back months of increasing tourism!. February visitors to Maui increased 7% over February 2009! The Western US numbers were up just under 7% and Canadian numbers were up 25%!
 
Contact us for more information.

Mar 14

THE WALKABLE COMMUNITY

How far have you walked today?
Besides the shuffle from your bed to your bathroom, or from your car to your office desk, how far have you really walked? Most people don’t spend enough time enjoying the world’s oldest cardiovascular exercise, shunning numerous opportunities to put one foot in front of the other and actually going out of their way not to walk (yeah, we know you’ve waited an extra 5 minutes for that close parking space at the mall to keep from walking an extra 20 feet).

But did you know there are those among us who actually enjoy walking and prefer living in a walkable community?

It’s true!

There are places, like the brand new Kai Ani Village in Kihei, Maui, where most of your daily needs are mere steps away and where you rarely need to use a car.

Not only are walkable communities good for your health (duh!), they are also good for the environment. Walkable communities:

• Reduce air pollution
• Reduce traffic congestion
• Conserve energy

In addition, walkable communities promote spending in local businesses, keeping local dollars local to enhance an area’s economic vitality.

When looking at new housing options, be sure to consider your new community’s walkability quotient.

Are there recreational areas within walking distance? What about shops, entertainment districts and restaurants? Are there opportunities to work near or in your new home?

And when evaluating costs, be sure to consider your reduced automobile costs – maintenance, insurance and gas – and time saved during commutes and errand runs.

Purchasing a new home in a walkable community can save your waistline, but it can also help protect the environment and add to your family’s bottom line as well.

Mar 14

A GREAT DEAL

Kai Ani Village unit 2-204 is now on the market. This Hoku unit is 886 square feet with two bedrooms and two baths. Being located on the second floor affords extra security and even more quiet than other Kai Ani Village units. Granite counters, custom cabinetry, a lanai looking up at majestic Haleakala and all the other amenities at Kai Ani Village.
 
How much? How about $329,000?
 
THAT is a bargain.

Mar 08

THE BEST PLACE IN AMERICA TO OWN A SECOND HOME!

 
Kai Ani Village sits in the heart of the best second home market in America.
 
1. Maui Consistently rated the "Best Island in the World" by travel experts, this Hawaiian beauty underwent a growth spurt during the past decade that some critics bemoaned as excessive. But the southern coast, anchored by the hamlet of Wailea, has weathered it all well.
 
Kai Ani Village sits in the center of the southern coast of Maui and lies less than two miles from Wailea. The amazing part? Prices in this brand new development are only a fraction of those in Wailea.
 
Come see us!

Mar 07

SOLID JANUARY VISITOR COUNTS

After a dismal 2009 in which total visitors coming to Maui declined by 1.4% January saw a rebound. Over 159,000 people came to Maui in January, an increase of 2.4% over January 2009. Visitors from the western US increased 5.5% and for the first time in quite a while Japanese count was also up, though Japanese represented only 3% of all visitors. The Canadian impact continues to be large, up almost 14%.
 
Increasing tourism on Maui can only be good news for the Maui real estate market.

Mar 07

ACT FAST!

The Federal Home Buyer Tax Credits  are still available as long as binding sales contracts are signed by April 30, 2010.
 
For first time home buyers that tax credit is $8000 and for repeat home buyers that credit is $6500.

Mar 04

DEAL OF THE WEEK

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