Hau`oli Makahiki Hou

Hau`oli Makahiki Hou is Hawai`ian for Happy New Year and Gong Hey Fat Choy is (Mandarin) Chinese for Happy New Year.  It is the Year of the Snake and celebrations are happening all over Maui.

I am so grateful for all the blessings of 2012 and look forward to the possibilities of 2013.
For my Maui Real Estate clients some thoughts to consider:

Buyer Clients: If you have been on the fence about a Maui home, don't hesitate.  Our market is improving and economically Hawaii overall is looking positive for 2013.
There is already multiple offers for homes under 450k with aggressive bidding the first day a
home comes on the market.
It takes moving quickly on a property such as those to ensure a positive outcome.
For our markets that have higher starting pricing we are seeing a reduced inventory as well.
This makes choices fewer and patience in your search to find that perfect property.

Selling Clients: Although the market is on the upswing, there are still distressed sales dragging on comparable prices.  If you are selling, you must keep in mind that the home has to appraise if the buyers are getting a loan.  Even though it isn't a buyer's market it isn't quite a seller's market yet.
We anticipate that may be the case in the next several months but that will depend on the inventory staying low and the economy continuing it's recovery.  I was number one on Maui for most
closed transactions in 2012. If you are thinking of Selling please consider contacting me to list your home.  I will share our 100 point written marketing plan with you.

Remember if you do purchase a home on Maui it is a lifestyle with much to enjoy!

Aloha, Gina Duncan, R Broker, ABR, AHWD, BPOR, e-Pro, SFR
Mauigina@gmail.com   808-250-9858
www.fineislandproperties.com  Search the Maui MLS and More.

Buyers Market on Maui-Think Again

BUYERS MARKET ON MAUI- THINK AGAIN:

We have all been lulled into the "market is falling" and will continue to go down, shadow inventory, the bottom hasn't arrived thinking.
If you are looking for a condo under 200k in Kihei you may need to rethink that.

In today's search on MLS 0 yes I said 0 condos came up. Doesn't sound like rock bottom pricing and lots to choose from to me.

If you raise the bar to 250k you only get 7 properties. We have people with cash in hand searching on Maui right now for deals, so if you are a buyer you are competing for one of 7 condos. This means you can't underbid and chances are you will be in a competing bid situation.
Condos that have been on the market for months have been claimed now.
Be prepared to know the market prior to shopping for a home.

If you are thinking of buying a home and want to work with a professional team that will look out for your best interests, make the buying process fun/easy, and want to get you that best buy contact The Fine Island Properties Team at Keller Williams Realty Maui.

Aloha, Gina Duncan, R (S) ABR, e-Pro, SFR
www.FineIslandProperties.com
Mauigina@gmail.com
808-250-9858

Hawaii Buyers Advisory Guide

Buying Real Estate in Hawaii can be tricky but the smart buyer will use a Buyers Representative and hopefully be given a copy of the Hawaii Buyers Advisory Guide. The Fine Island Properties Team at Keller Williams Realty Maui always includes one in every Buyer Packet.

We meet with our Buyers, go over the ins/outs of buying on Maui vs. the Mainland, we go over Buyers needs and also what type of financing would be necessary to accomplish their goals. We have service providers including lenders ready to assist our Buyers in buying their Maui dream home.

We have the experience and written systems in place to make sure your buying experience is the best it can be.

For a copy of the Hawaii Buyers Advisory Guide just email:
FineIslandProperties@gmail.com and request one. Its free.

To search the Maui MLS, don't forget to click on Search the MLS tab at www.FineIslandProperties.com

Aloha, Gina

The VOG of Maui

Even though the Big Island (Hawaii) has the active volcano on days like today on Maui you would think it was Haleakala puffing away. We are coated in VOG (Volcano Ash more like Volcano Haze)

Up until the last few years Maui hadn't been so affected by the VOG, but this past year Pele is sending more VOG our way. So I tell my Maui Buyers if you have allergies, or asthma to stay indoors and drink plenty of water. VOG may also give you a headache.

It is however a small price to pay for living in paradise.

Aloha, Gina