Maui Blog - Georgina M. Hunter R(S): February 2009

Dear Diary - My Passion is My Island Home, Maui Nei.

How did I get so lucky? 

Every day I wake up on Maui, this beautiful Pacific Island.  This sub-tropical climate and Maui lifestyle suits me well.  

I love it here!

I wasn't born here.  I didn't grow up here.  But now I'm here.  I don't want to leave. 

Maui.  Hawaii.  Home.

When I drive along the rugged north shore into Paia, I always marvel at the amazing beauty of the surf pounded rocks, the weathered West Maui mountains rising above the ocean, the sugar cane fields stretching upcountry. 

I live here!  This is my commute.  How did I get so lucky?

It's just so awe inspiring here, with mountains reaching up to the clouds, lush valleys around every corner.  With all this beauty and the wonderful climate, how can you have a bad day?  Sunshine and tradewinds bless us with their bounty daily.   The waves and wind create their own kind of energy, and you can feel it.

I was bitten by the Maui bug.  I knew it the first time I set foot on this island... I'm coming back. I had to have it. 

Did I ever imagine I would still be here now, after all these years?  I hope I can spend just as many more years here, until every last drop of me is satisfied.

I can understand how Maui can get under your skin.  I know exactly how it feels to want it more than anything else. 

It's so unique yet familiar.  It's America yet it's almost a step back in time.

I get to be a Realtor on Maui.  I feel strongly about this place, and want to help others to understand the different parts of Maui.  I want people who are moving here to be passionate about Maui, and be a part of this community.  Maui is a fragile jewel that needs respect.  Maui will be good to you if you treat her right.

You'll know it when it just feels right.

Oh I have so many more things I want to say, and so many more beautiful pictures!  But there's an adventure beckoning me out there so that's all for now.   Aloha....

 Maui Hawaii Real Estate Sales Statistics January 2009

The results are in for the end of January 2009, and here's the full story from the Realtors Assn of Maui.  It's a 16 page report for those of you who love numbers, with a nice explanation of what's going on in our Maui market.

January Sales Stats

The general trend is a much lower volume of sales than normal, which is to be expected in this economic climate.

Remember, Maui's market place is much smaller than Oahu's, and our statistics are notorious for being a little erratic, as one extremely large or small sale can skew all the numbers.

In any event, if you're looking to buy or sell a home or land on Maui, you can find more information right here by contacting me...

Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro   EMAIL

808 283-0635  SEARCH MAUI IDX ACTIVE AND PENDING

Getting paid to go to the beach

Some people have all the luck... getting paid to go to the beach!  There's the pro surfers and windsurfers who have sponsors to pay for their equipment.  They win money on the contest circuit, not to mention big bucks from advertising endorsements.  Here on the north shore of Maui we get plenty of professionals who train in the water.

Then you have the lifeguards, wow what a nice job!  I had to drop in on a client who works at the beach and get his approval on a contract, since he wasn't able to get away.  Surf's up today and the beach was pretty crowded, but still beautiful.  The waves were going off.  (It was tempting to stay!)

It's great work if you can get it - but just remember to be safe in the water.

Pictures taken at HO'OKIPA BEACH PARK 

Are you looking for an oceanfront home or something close to the beach? 

PAIA HOMES FOR SALE

WAILEA HOMES FOR SALE

KIHEI RELOCATION PACKAGE

PAIA RELOCATION PACKAGE

PAIA MAUI MAP

For more info about buying on Maui, please contact your favorite Realtor ...

Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro   EMAIL

Dear Diary - In the past week I have been showing some clients a lot of homes for sale in the Wailea Maui area.  We've been to Wailea Pualani Estates, with this fabulous stand of Royal Palms pictured.  We've been to Wailea Kialoa which is just below Wailea Pualani.  We've seen everything on the market in Wailea Kai, and then some.  Then there were some more beautiful homes in Wailea Fairway Estates, Wailea Golf Vistas, and Wailea Golf Estates.  We had a couple of really intense days, seeing 6 or 7 homes each day.  That was plenty, enough to make the head spin.  They have been really great and were able to sort them all out and even requested 3 repeat showings.  Yesterday they narrowed it down to two homes, and then finally to one. YES!

We have submitted the offer on their favorite Wailea home - a large single level home with a pool and wonderful ocean views.  I think we'll be able to work out the details and come to an agreement soon, before they leave the island. 

I am really enjoying working with this retired couple, who know exactly what they want.  It's nice to work with experienced buyers who aren't scared to make an offer and get what they want.  A home in Wailea Maui is just the thing for them.

WAILEA MAUI HOMES FOR SALE    EMAIL   GEORGINA M. HUNTER R(S) E-PRO    

Check Your Twitpic uploads - it could be someone else's picture

Have you ever loaded a picture to Twitpic.com and added a comment to go with it? 

Have you ever checked the picture and it was not your picture?  There was an imposter picture?

That happened to me twice in one day.  It stopped me in my tracks!  Where was my truck pic?  Who posted that cement truck driving on the freeway?  Did the person who posted the cement truck get my picture, or somebody else's?

To delete an unwanted picture just go to your Twitpic home page where the uploaded pictures appear.  Click the little trash can icon to the right of the wrong picture. 

What I find amazing is how many views a picture will get almost immediately!  How does that happen?

Check your links after you upload your pictures.  And if you want to see some nice images of Maui Hawaii, follow me on Twitter.com

Thanks for following me....  @mauihunter

Georgina M. Hunter REALTOR  808 283-0635  EMAIL

Makawao/Pukalani Maui Real Estate Newsletter     -     2008 Year End Report
------------------------------------------------------------

Here's a 2008 year end market report for the upcountry Maui towns of Makawao
and Pukalani.
I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter.

PUKALANI

Total properties SOLD - 44      Total value $29,908,500

Residential
40 SOLD    Total value $26,318,500.
average price and Days on Market (DOM)  $657,962   183 days
median price and DOM   $630,000    143 days

The lowest priced home was a cute "residential condo" 500 sf cottage with
incredible views, which sold for $330,000.
The highest priced home was a large house in Kula 200 (which is technically
Pukalani), on 2 acres.  It sold for $1,675,000.

Condo
2 SOLD   Total value  $1,190,000
average price and DOM    $595,000     542 days

These were both in The Gardens Upcountry, the only condo building in
Pukalani.

Land
2 SOLD   total value   $2,400,000
average price and DOM     $1,200,000     55 days

A 1/4 acre lot sold for $600,000 while a 59 acre parcel sold for $1,800,000.

MAKAWAO and OLINDA

Total properties SOLD - 39      Total value $25,426,940

Residential
35 SOLD    Total value $18,254,940
average price and DOM  $521,569   138 days
median price and DOM   $500,000    111 days

The lowest priced home was a developer's affordable housing, a 600 sf
cottage with
2BD/1BA, which sold for $241,060.
The highest priced home was in Olinda, on 2 acres.  It sold for $1,400,000.

Land
4 parcels SOLD   total value   $7,172,000
average price and DOM     $1793,125    153 days

------------------------------------------------------------

The big commercial sale of the year was the building located at the corner
of Makawao Avenue and Olinda Road, where Casanova's is.  It sold for
$2,600,000 in May of 2008.  Casanova still holds the lease until the summer
of 2011.  That's good news for the Realtors of Maui, since we like to meet
up here for our weekly Upcountry Caravans.
------------------------------------------------------------

Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro   (808) 283-0635

Jim Sanders Realty Inc.
PO Box 792050, Paia, HI  96779   (808) 579-8255  FAX: 579-9004

Looking for a home on Maui?    Call THE HUNTER... Georgie
Hunter, your Upcountry Specialist.

Search all land and residential listings on my website...  www.eastmaui.com

PUKALANI homes for sale     MAKAWAO homes for sale

------------------------------------------------------------

Aloha from Maui...   "I want to help you reach your Real Estate goals."

Mercedes-Benz comes to Maui

Janis Joplin would be proud to call Maui home now that there's a Mercedes-Benz dealership coming to Kahului.

This is the first Mercedes-Benz showroom for the Valley Isle. 

The location is at the center of town, along Hana Highway at the intersection of Hobron Lane, right across from Maui Oil, and Pacific Biodiesel.

Mercedes-Benz Maui Hawaii - the store might not be open, but the website is ready for your business.

 Rent a Mercedes 

Are you a golfer?

You might already be familiar with the Mercedes-Benz Championship Golf Tournament which plays at the Plantation Course at the Kapalua Resort each year.  it is the PGA Tour season opening event and one of the most prestigious on the PGA Tour.

Maui residents will be looking forward to this additional source for luxury cars which will be opening soon.

If you're looking for a nice garage to park your Mercedes-Benz, start your search for a Maui home right here.    WAILEA MAUI HOMES FOR SALE

Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro   EMAIL   808 283-0635      Aloha from Maui