"Search all active MLS Maui County real estate listings in Hawaii -- That includes property listings for the islands of Lanai and Molokai. Be sure to try our convenient new feature, Search By Map to view all Hawaii homes, condos and vacant land real estate listings for all of Maui County. We have all the Short Sale and REO (bank owned, foreclosure) listings, plus an EXCLUSIVE LIST of properties in bankruptcy (chapter 7), which we can easliy email to you on request (click here).
Once you find a property you like be sure to click on "request info" and I will get back to you with property specifics. Contact me today for all your Maui real estate needs.
My 30 years experience, combined with our dedicated team, offers you the most personal, professional service available. We specialize in all Maui, Molokai and Lanai real estate, including homes, condos, land, and commercial property. From Lahaina to Kaanapali and Kapalua, from Kihei to Wailea and Makena, from Central Maui to the North Shore, Upcountry and all the way to Hana, and from Molokai to Lanai, we'll find the perfect investment for you, as we have for hundreds of clients worldwide."
Barry at Honolua Bay, Winter 2010.
Photo courtesy of Dooma.
GREAT SHORT SALE OPPORTUNITY for first time buyers or investors! An offer is currently pending, contingent on bank's approval. This upgraded 2br/1.5ba ground level unit is in a convenient location steps to sandy beach & park, close to airport & shopping. Features include maple cabinets, marble floors & counters in kitchen; dining area with pantry, built-in desk/workstation & cabinets matching the kitchen counter and floors; wood flooring in living room & hallway; AC in living room, fans in bedrooms; crown molding througout; a nice private yard & lanai surrounded by mature Arica palms for outdoor BBQs; and a large bonus storage room in the side yard. Low maintenance fee includes basic cable, insurance, security, water, trash, and exterior maintenance. Pets OK.
Pictures: 13 more. Price: $368,000 Fee Simple District: Kihei Type: Condo Building: Maui Vista Unit: 2221 Beds: 1 Baths: 1.00
Popular Maui Vista 1br/1ba unit, fully furnished--turn key! Great location across from beautiful Charlie Young beach and close to shopping and restaurants. Features include three swimming pools, three sets of tennis courts, lots of parking and tropical landscaping. A great place to escape and enjoy life!
BEST OCEANFRONT BUY! This beautiful 1 bedroom unit offers breathtaking views of Molokai, Lanai, year-round sunsets and whales in season-right from the couch. 20 steps from a secluded sandy beach for swimming, snorkeling and surfing. Excellent vacation location between world famous Kaanapali and Kapalua resorts, close to shopping and restaurants. Sold fully furnished. Features include tile flooring and counters, extra wide lanai, pool, oceanfront BBQ, quiet low-rise setting, & popular front desk rental program. PRICED TO SELL NOW!
Pictures: 30 more. Price: $465,000 Fee Simple District: Wailuku Type: Single Family Beds: 5 Baths: 3.00
OCEANFRONT! BACK ON MARKET AT REDUCED PRICE-APPROVED BY LENDER FOR SHORT SALE AT $465,000! 10,689 sq. ft. lot with 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,384 sq. ft. living area, tile roof, stucco home with wrap around decks--for only $465,000, a price approved by lender for short sale. Enjoy fantastic views up and down the coast, ships cruising into the harbor, Halekala, the East Maui coastline, gorgeous sunrises, and Kahakuloa Rock to the north. Surf right out front. Needs tlc ; sold as is. May not conform to county records. Buyer to use due diligence.
Pictures: 25 more. Price: $950,000 Fee Simple District: Molokai Type: SF w/Det Ohana or Cottage Beds: 2 Baths: 2.50
Beautiful, unique 2 acre Molokai estate, high atop Kawela Subdivision with breathtaking oceanviews from Maui to Lanai to Kaunakakai Harbor. Enjoy year round sunsets, whales in season, and uncrowded beaches and roads--like going back 50 years in time, yet minutes to Kaunakakai & the airport (20 min. to Maui or Oahu). Quality features include custom single-level floor plan, spacious & open living/kitchen/dining rooms with high ceilings, gracious Master Suite with spa & walk in shower, den/office, huge lanai, circular concrete drive with covered carport/entry, 5KW photo voltaic solar system, observation tower, lots of covered storage and workspace under main home, nice open beam cottage, fully landscaped lot--Too many features to list, & priced way under replacement cost!! Call ahead for showings.
Pictures: 16 more. Price: $1,300,000 Fee Simple District: Kaanapali Type: Single Family Beds: 3 Baths: 2.50
BACK ON MARKET at SHORT SALE PRICE APPROVED BY LENDER--Kaanapali Golf Estates! Spectacular oceanviews! This 3 bedroom/2 1/2 bath/2 car garage custom home features a wonderful single level floorplan. The Mediterranean-inspired living/kitchen/dining and master suite all enjoy beautiful views of Lanai, Molokai, Black Rock, and year-round sunsets. Features include bamboo & travertine floors, granite countertops, central A/C, etc. Great location in exclusive Kaanapali Golf Estates, a short golf cart ride to world class beaches, golf, shops and restaurants. Sale subject to bank approval.
Pictures: 30 more. Price: $1,549,000 Fee Simple District: Napili/Kahana/Honokowai Type: Single Family Beds: 8 Baths: 6.00
PRIME WEST MAUI LOCATION with INCOME & DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL! This 2.3 acre estate between Kaanapali and Kapalua offers an excellent living and investment opportunity. Remodeled in '05, and again in '06 with over $200,000 in landscape and other improvements, this 8 bedroom, 6 bath home features ocean & island views, large 2-car garage, over 1700 s.f. covered lanais,& lots of paved parking. Perfect for a B&B, extended family, or great rental income with 4 living areas. Sep. laundry/workshop. PLUS-adjacent 1 acre allows for an oceanview cottage, barn, greenhouse &/or farm! 2nd driveway, irrigation, landscaping, & 2 water meters installed. The only lot connected to County Sewer in this unique Kahana neighborhood of 2 acre lots! Over 480' frontage on Honoapiilani Hwy. for excellent visibility-truly a rare property. Priced below replacement cost. Note: some photos taken in '05 prior to landscaping. Shown by appointment only. Listor is seller. Also listed as Vacant Land-see MLS# 342043.
Pictures: 30 more. Price: $2,300,000 Fee Simple District: Molokai Type: Single Family Beds: 3 Baths: 2.00
5.56 Oceanfront Acres! Previously the 2nd home of Don Coryell of the San Diego Chargers, this fantastic West Molokai estate offers the ultimate private getaway. The huge deck and generous living room and master bedroom windows offer unobstructed ocean, sunset, and Diamond Head views, plus whale watching in season and the evening lights of Honolulu shimmering on the horizon. Home features include low maintenance tile floors, island style open beam ceilings and roofline, large garage for secure storage, spacious covered area on the ground level for future expansion and outdoor entertainment, with heavily reinforced, smooth concrete slab and pillar foundation. Papohaku Sub. features paved roads, underground utilities, 5 to 40 acre lot sizes for privacy. Sorry, no traffic (no traffic lights!) and few tourists; like going 60 yrs. back in time to the old Hawaii!
Pictures: 3 more. Price: $63,000 Fee Simple District: Molokai Type: Vacant Land
Great starter lot in Kaunakai, Molokai. Close to the town's shops, hospital, and the wharf, where you can catch the twice daily ferry to Lahaina, Maui, or sail out to rich fishing grounds. Enjoy the Old Hawaii--like going back 50 years in time to when there was no traffic (sorry, no traffic lights!), few tourists, and no highrises...Yet only 10 minutes to the airport and 20 minute flights to Honolulu shopping or Maui's activities.
Pictures: 3 more. Price: $85,000 Fee Simple District: Molokai Type: Vacant Land
Great lot for your Molokai home plans. This "Double size" 12,000sf lot is close to shops & restaurants in Kaunakakai town. Potential for 2 homes! Water meter is installed. The address is 225 Makaena Place which is located at the end of Manila Place. Enjoy the Hawaiian lifestyle of gatherings with friends and family, uncrowded beaches, and great outdoor activities. No traffic here (no traffic lights!)-it's like going back 50 years in time, yet only 10 minutes to the airport or harbor, and a short flight or ferry to Oahu or Maui.
First, we're happy to announce our move to RE/MAX Resort
Realty, which was due to the changing economy and our previous Broker's
personal situations. You'll love our new main office located within the
Marriott Resort in Wailea, next to all the finest shops and
restaurants, especially the recently opened Mala Wailea restaurant,
inspired by our Chef friend Mark Ellman. The move allows us to continue
with the best real estate marketing and networking organization in the
world--RE/MAX. Thank you for hanging in there with us; we still promise
you the most professional, comprehensive service available.
Second, more good news: the Fed lowered it's forecasts for inflation in 2010 and 2011, which translates to continued lower mortgage rates. Though rates rose a bit prior to and during the first week of April to the highest since August (due to higher than expected economic data), they dropped back down to below where they ended the week before. Pending sales in February were up 8% from January, and according to the National Association of Realtor's cheif economist, that could be a sign of a "second surge of home sales this spring" across America. That's the way it feels here in Maui; tourism is way up and our sales volume has vastly improved. It doesn't hurt to see the DOW reach an 18-month high and jobless rates fall to the lowest level since December 2008!
We've attached the Realtor's Association of Maui's newsletter and sales
statistics (see links below) to keep you informed about our market here
on Maui. As I've said here before, like much of America, we experienced
what economists are calling the worst economic slowdown since WWII, and
Maui has now seen the results of the short sales and REOs (bank
owned/repossessed properties) that have plagued Mainland real estate
markets. Generally our market peaked in '05 but remained stable until
September '08 when the number of sales decreased significantly. Median
sales prices were off by only around 5% up until January of '09, but
Maui experienced a major downturn in tourism and a tenfold increase in
short sales and REOs for the rest of that year. However, this year's
sales volume is far ahead of last years (albeit at lower average sale
prices due to the above), so things are definitely looking up. Hotels
are near full and restaurants are super busy; everyone I know seems to
be doing way better business-wise, and the general feeling is that
we're on our way back to a normal market. 2009's year to date
statistics (Jan. '08 to November '08, compared to Jan. '09 to November
'09) showed that though the number of homes sold were off by 31%,
median sale price was off by only 14% (average price, also off by 14%),
and total dollar volume off by a whopping 41%. The number of condo
sales was off by only 1%, but the median sale price was off by 23%
(aveage price, off by 16%), and total dollar volume was off by 24%. The
number of land sales is still very limited and there were very few
sales in '08 or '09 so the stats are not to be considered reliable
indicators, but the number of land sales was up 3%, median sale price
up by 20% (average price off by 2%), and total dollar volume was up by
24%. In reviewing these figures keep in mind that the big decline in
sales didn't start until September of '08. Comparing '10 to '09 you'll
not see a lot of change, but the number of units in escrow has just
about doubled, indicating buyers are finally thinking we've seen the
bottom. As I've stated in the past, these new stats are now reflecting
the negative changes caused by the recession that began in September
'08, so some month-on-month stats will actually show an increase in
sales and volume, but continued lowering of average and median sale
prices. For our latest complete stats and Terry Tolman's narrative (a
good read!) click below on "July '10 Update". As Terry mentions in
his monthly overview, "the market seems to be getting it's footing
generally, as we grind out the bottom of the market", with interest
rates still at historic lows. So we're getting multiple offers on
properties that are priced to sell.
As real estate professionals with over 40 years of experience,
we're committed to work passionately in assisting you during this
challenging real estate market. While every property and escrow is
unique, we've noted that in today's market, sellers who price their
listings at 5% below the latest sale prices are successful in finding
the currently price-oriented buyers. Most of those waiting for top
dollar are doing just that, waiting, because there is still a huge
listing inventory out there today. Ironically, many buyers are
frustrated when their offers aren't accepted, but that's because they
are often 10% (or more) below the latest sale prices. Truth is there
are incredible opportunities out there for realistic buyers due to the
wide variety and volume of listings, and the savvy seller who knows
that it's a great time to move equity from one investment to a better
one.
We hope you and yours have had a good year so far, and like us
see the light at the end of the tunnel. We're very optimistic again and
would love to tell you why, so feel free to email or call us anytime if
we can help you in any way. We appreciate the privilege of serving you
and look forward to hearing from you soon.
For the week of August 16, 2010 – Vol. 8, Issue 33
In This Issue
Last Week in Review: Fed maintains status quo while markets look for more direction.
Forecast for the Week: Economic reports to watch, plus the future of housing finance.
View: 5 financial lessons every college student should learn before heading to school. Last Week In Review
"The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving." Last week, the financial markets appeared to agree with Oliver Wendell Holmes' words by looking for some more direction from the Fed after its FOMC Meeting.
While the Fed didn't say much, they did state that Mortgage Bond holding income and proceeds would be reinvested into Treasuries. This helps the Treasury continue to pump out debt at low rates. But this relationship is a concern to the Stock market, as there is no doubt that this will lead to further problems down the road. In addition to "kicking the can," the Fed did not provide a game plan on how it could handle deflation, a Japanese type economy, or longer-term inflation. This uncertainty is something that the Stock market hates. As a result, investors pushed Stock prices significantly lower in early trading Thursday - and the cash sale proceeds from Stocks found their way into Bonds.
-------------------------- Markets Wanted More Direction from the Fed
In other news last week, the Labor Department reported that preliminary Productivity for the 2nd Quarter came in at -0.9%, which was below the 0.1% rise expected...and quite a bit lower from the 3.9% reading for the 1st Quarter. The decline in Productivity was actually the first negative reading since the 4th quarter of 2008. The slowdown in productivity is interesting, as higher productivity does many things. It keeps operating costs lower, lessens the need for hiring, and works to keep prices down. So this unexpectedly weak number, should it become a trend, may work to ease some of the deflation fears and, ironically, could help the labor markets.
Speaking of labor, last week’s Initial Jobless Claims report showed 484,000 people signing up for first-time unemployment benefits. That number was worse than expectations of 465,000 and the highest reading since February's 498,000. No matter how you slice it, this is a horrible number... and it highlights that the most important element of any real-life economic recovery is still struggling.
According to the report, Continuing Jobless Claims did fall, but that number can be deceiving since the decrease has nothing to do with an improvement in the labor market. In actuality, the decrease in Continuing Claims, which lasts for the first 26 weeks of unemployment, is due to the benefit expiring - and those individuals rolling into the Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefit category. And in that category, due to the recently passed unemployment benefits extension, those collecting Emergency Unemployment Compensation, spiked a whopping, almost incomprehensible, staggering, shocking, (fill in your own favorite descriptor here) 1.2 Million from the prior week to 4.5 Million... and yet the majority of the media overlooked the real facts or were unwilling to report them.
FUTURE EMPLOYMENT MAY BE ON THE MINDS OF TODAY’S COLLEGE STUDENTS, BUT THE MORE IMMEDIATE CONCERN SHOULD BE ON HOW TO BEST MANAGE THE FINANCIAL TESTS THEY’LL FACE WHEN THEY’RE ON THEIR OWN. CHECK OUT THE MORTGAGE MARKET GUIDE VIEW BELOW FOR 5 FINANCIAL LESSONS EVERY COLLEGE STUDENT SHOULD LEARN BEFORE HEADING TO SCHOOL.
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In other news last week, the Labor Department reported that preliminary Productivity for the 2nd Quarter came in at -0.9%, which was below the 0.1% rise expected...and quite a bit lower from the 3.9% reading for the 1st Quarter. The decline in Productivity was actually the first negative reading since the 4th quarter of 2008. The slowdown in productivity is interesting, as higher productivity does many things. It keeps operating costs lower, lessens the need for hiring, and works to keep prices down. So this unexpectedly weak number, should it become a trend, may work to ease some of the deflation fears and, ironically, could help the labor markets.
Speaking of labor, last week’s Initial Jobless Claims report showed 484,000 people signing up for first-time unemployment benefits. That number was worse than expectations of 465,000 and the highest reading since February's 498,000. No matter how you slice it, this is a horrible number... and it highlights that the most important element of any real-life economic recovery is still struggling.
According to the report, Continuing Jobless Claims did fall, but that number can be deceiving since the decrease has nothing to do with an improvement in the labor market. In actuality, the decrease in Continuing Claims, which lasts for the first 26 weeks of unemployment, is due to the benefit expiring - and those individuals rolling into the Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefit category. And in that category, due to the recently passed unemployment benefits extension, those collecting Emergency Unemployment Compensation, spiked a whopping, almost incomprehensible, staggering, shocking, (fill in your own favorite descriptor here) 1.2 Million from the prior week to 4.5 Million... and yet the majority of the media overlooked the real facts or were unwilling to report them.
FUTURE EMPLOYMENT MAY BE ON THE MINDS OF TODAY’S COLLEGE STUDENTS, BUT THE MORE IMMEDIATE CONCERN SHOULD BE ON HOW TO BEST MANAGE THE FINANCIAL TESTS THEY’LL FACE WHEN THEY’RE ON THEIR OWN. CHECK OUT THE MORTGAGE MARKET GUIDE VIEW BELOW FOR 5 FINANCIAL LESSONS EVERY COLLEGE STUDENT SHOULD LEARN BEFORE HEADING TO SCHOOL.
Forecast for the Week
This week, we’ll see a number of reports that have the potential to move the markets. We’ll start off with a dose of manufacturing news right away Monday morning with the Empire State Index, which looks at New York State’s manufacturing sector, including how busy it is and where things are headed. On Thursday, we’ll also see the Philadelphia Fed Index, which is one of the most important regional manufacturing indices. These two reports will provide an early look at the manufacturing sector for the month of August.
Things kick into full swing on Tuesday with a number of important reports, including the Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures inflation at the wholesale level. Remember, inflation is the archenemy of Bonds and home loan rates, so it will be important to see what this report reveals. The PPI report comes just after the Consumer Price Index was released last week showing the highest headline reading in a year, so the markets will definitely be paying attention to this report. We’ll also see reports on Industrial Production and on Capacity Utilization, which is considered a telling inflation indicator.
Tuesday also brings another dose of news on the health of the housing industry with reports on the number of Housing Starts and Building Permits in July. Housing Starts for June came in below expectations and at the lowest level in 8 months. And even though Building Permits showed an uptick, it was primarily in the multi-family area rather than in the more important and widely watched single-family area, which showed the lowest permits since April 2009. I’ll be watching to see if those numbers improve for July.
Finally, the week of reports caps off on Thursday with the weekly Initial Jobless Claims report. As discussed above, last week’s report was disappointing to say the least.
In addition to those reports, the Treasury Department and White House will be hosting a "Conference on the Future of Housing Finance" next Tuesday where the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be discussed. You may recall a couple weeks ago, rumors were swirling of a major bailout to help millions of homeowners who are upside down on their mortgages - and some pointed to this conference as the venue to release such a big announcement. So I’ll be keeping a close eye on this conference and how it impacts homeowners.
Remember: Weak economic news normally causes money to flow out of Stocks and into Bonds, helping Bonds and home loan rates improve, while strong economic news normally has the opposite result.
As you can see from the chart below, Mortgage Bonds have continued to climb a staircase higher. Overall, Bonds and home loan rates ended last week where they began - which is at historically good levels.
If you or someone you know has been thinking about purchasing or refinancing a home, now is an ideal time. Even if you’re not sure what you want to do, a brief conversation can provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.
Chart: Fannie Mae 4.5% Mortgage Bond (Friday Apr 13, 2010)
The Mortgage Market View... 5 Financial Lessons for College Students:
Follow These Tips So Your Kids will Score Well When it Comes to Managing Money While Away at School
Forget tuition. Once that bill is taken care of, the biggest financial challenge you face when sending kids off to college is making sure they don’t overdraw their checking account or run up a credit-card bill they can’t pay off. Here’s how to help boost their financial GPA (and save big bucks on fees).
Open a low-cost checking account in your child’s college town, especially if his current bank doesn’t have branches there. Pay close attention to the bank pitches you’ve been getting in the mail so that you can spot the best combination of low balance requirements and low (or no) fees. With a host of new regulations squeezing bank revenues, totally free checking will be harder to come by and may come with strings attached, such as a minimum number of required debit-card transactions. For help in searching for an account, go to www.checkingfinder.com. Extra credit: Choose a bank with a network of ATMs that’s convenient to your child’s dorm or favorite hangouts. College kids are notorious for running up ATM fees by going to the closest machine, even if it’s not in their bank’s network.
Set up an overdraft strategy. Students are also prime candidates for racking up charges by overdrawing their accounts with small purchases at the drugstore or coffee shop. As a result, they’re particularly affected by new rules that prohibit banks from automatically enrolling customers in pricey overdraft-protection programs. Now you have to actively select such a program or choose a less-expensive option, such as linking your child’s checking account to a savings account - or letting him suffer the embarrassment of having his purchase declined (see Closing the Door on Overdrafts). Extra credit: Have your child sign up to get balance alerts via e-mail or text when his balance is low.
Downplay credit cards. New rules require that young people under 21 have a co-signer when they apply for a credit card. Don’t be too quick to sign, or even to make your child an authorized user on your card (see Debit vs. Credit Cards for Kids). Your student should first be responsible enough to manage a checking account. If he doesn’t overdraw his account, he may be mature enough to handle a credit card. But don’t rush it. Extra credit: Regardless of whether your child uses a debit or credit card, he shouldn’t get in the habit of picking up the check for group pizza or beer and expecting to collect from everyone else. That’s another big money pit for college students; even with the best of intentions, their buddies will never pay up.
Guard personal information. This is the Facebook generation, who will tell the world "everything but their underwear size," as a friend of mine puts it. Better they should reveal the size of their skivvies than disclose their PIN or credit-card number, even to a friend (see How to Fix Your Facebook Settings). Extra credit: Remind your kids that when they’re shopping online, they should look for secure transaction symbols, such as a lock in the lower right corner of the browser window and a Web address that begins with "https." See 5 Tips for Safe Online Shopping for more advice.
Keep track of expenses at least for the first semester. Student services should be able to estimate how much the average student will shell out for entertainment, travel, food outside the dorm and other miscellaneous expenses. But your kid may not be average. He can monitor his own transactions via online banking. PNC offers a Virtual Wallet budgeting site for students (www.pnc.com). Or you can just buy your kid some bright green Post-its on which to jot down what he spends. Even if he doesn’t tally them, they provide a visual cue that his spending is mounting up. Extra credit: Before your child leaves home, make it clear which expenses you’ll cover and which are his responsibility. Hint: He gets to pay $300 for a football season ticket.
Remember, as a general rule, weaker than expected economic data is good for rates, while positive data causes rates to rise.
Economic Calendar for the Week of April 16 - April 20
West Maui Weather A Few Clouds 70.0 F (21.0 C) DISCLAIMER: This weather reading is taken way
up in the mountains above Kapalua. It's hotter and sunnier at the beach--Sorry!
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