Kihei and Wailea Maui Properties

Maui Condo Across from Beach $172,900

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Fri, 13 May 2011 23:17:49 -0700

South Maui Condo for $172,900 - 2bd/1.5bth with 806 sq ft

For more information on this property or if you are interested in learning more about property on Maui click here: http://kiheiproperties.com/home-buyers

Across the street from Charley Young Beach in Kihei on Maui

Come join the fun and relaxation anytime you want...with your own condo or income producing vacation rental.

Maui Potential Short Sale $1,049,000

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Thu, 12 May 2011 23:41:04 -0700

Why not have it all, this great 1.5 story home features the best in finishes and location.
This newer gated Hokulani Golf Villas Home offers all the benefits of a condominium but has the privacy of a single family home. Situated within the Elleair Golf Course on the majestic slopes of Haleakala, this 3 bedroom home has an incredible spacious plan with an upstairs loft plus a den downstairs and spacious volume ceilings in the main floor living space. This home offers great ocean & golf course views plus a huge downstairs lanai as well. Gorgeous cabinets and granite counters, beautiful tile floors + a spacious 2 car garage. On property you will find an exceptional community center with a gorgeous infinity edge pool, spa, barbeques and gathering room with a complete kitchen. The one thing you will love more than

Contact me for more information on this property at 808-633-1292.

*** Resources ***

Featured Deals: http://kiheiproperties.com/maui-real-estate-for-sale/
Maui Vacation Rentals: http://kiheiproperties.com/vacation-rentals/
Maui Market Update: http://kiheiproperties.com/mauis-real-estate-sales-update/

Jeff Graves, Realtor (S)
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii
Coldwell Banker Island Properties

Maui Vacation Rental - Best Buy!

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:38:57 -0700

Maui Real Estate For Sale

Large 2 bed 2 bth 1,066 sf for just $315k

Across the street from the beach

NEW ON MARKET!!! May 6, 2011$315,000 Vacation Rental, 2bd 2bth 1,066 sq ft.

Condos this size are rare in Kihei. Even rarer is the price for a unit this size. This is a beautifully remodeled unit with a loft and large lanai. The location is just a few minutes away from shopping and a variety of restaurants.

Imagine being able to spend as much time as you like here on Maui...a couple of weeks, a couple of months. What about a place to share with your relatives and friends, wouldn't they enjoy being here? You can enjoy hanging out with o'hana, strolls on the beach, whale watching, or taking in the greatest show in the world...Maui's sunsets.

You need more information so please don't hesitate to contact me, I'll more than happy to answer questions and guide you if you chose to promote your new vacation rental.
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Contact me in a manner that is comfortable for you:

Call 808-633-1292
Email me at: MauisBestBuy@gmail.com - I will not inundate you with emails...only the info you request.

Aloha,

Jeff

Wailea News: Most Say Buying Home Makes Financial Sense

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:27:44 -0700

Nearly eight out of 10 respondents believe buying a home is a good financial decision, despite ongoing challenges with the economy and housing market. That's according to the 2010 National Housing Pulse Survey, an annual report released today by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.®

The survey, which measures how affordable housing issues affect consumers, also found job security concerns to be the highest in eight years of sampling, with 70 percent of Americans saying that job layoffs and unemployment are a big problem in their area; eight in 10 cite these issues as a barrier to homeownership.

"The real issue facing the nation's economy right now is that many Americans can't find meaningful work to support their families," said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz.
"While a job recovery is what's needed right now to get the economy and housing market back on the right track, owning a home continues to be part of the American Dream and one of the best long-term investments in your future."

Despite economic uncertainty, 68 percent of those surveyed still believe now is a good time to buy a home; while that number is down from last year (75 percent), it's up from 2008 (66 percent) and 2007 (59 percent). Lower home prices and record-low mortgage interest rates may be attracting buyers to the housing market - more than one-fourth of renters said they are thinking more about buying a home than they were a year ago. Sixty-three percent of renter respondents said that owning a home is a priority in their future, and nearly 40 percent said it was one of their highest priorities.

Lower home prices have improved affordability. In fact, the percentage of renters who are worried that the cost of housing is getting so unaffordable that they will never be able to buy a home has decreased steadily since 2007, from 63 to 57 percent.

Despite improved affordability, 79 percent of respondents still consider having enough money for down payment and closing costs to be among of the biggest obstacles to buying a home. Another obstacle is a lack of confidence in their ability to be approved for a loan, reported by 73 percent of respondents.

The good news is that Americans are seeing more stability in the real estate market. Nearly seven out of 10 believe that home values have stabilized in their area; the same number expects home sales to remain about the same through the end of the year.

While more than half (51 percent) say foreclosures are a problem in their area, the rate of foreclosures is also seen as stabilizing; 51 percent say the rate is about the same as last year. Thirty-six percent of respondents cite the recession, loss of jobs and the poor economy as the main reason for the ongoing foreclosure problem. This has also led to a slight increase in the number of people who believe the federal government should take a more active role overseeing loans and mortgages (44 percent, up from 43 percent last year).

While nearly seven out of 10 say it's harder to sell a home in their area today than it was a year ago, it's less of a concern from last year when the number was 10 percentage points higher. This is most likely the result of lower home inventories.

The 2010 National Housing Pulse Survey is conducted by American Strategies and Myers Research & Strategic Services for NAR's Housing Opportunity Program. The telephone survey was among 1,209 adults living in the 25 most populous metropolitan statistical areas. The study has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

NAR's Housing Opportunity Program, www.realtor.org/housingopportunity, was created in 2002 to encourage local Realtor^® associations to create initiatives that help increase housing opportunities available to consumers and make affordable housing more readily available in their communities.

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It's a buyers market here on Maui...take advantage of it while you can.

Contact me for property information on rentals (long term & short term - i.e. vacation rentals (not timeshare)).

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves, Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753Source: NAR

New Home Sales Recovery Predicted for Early 2012

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 04:10:46 -0700

The Concord Group real estate strategy firm predicts that with 18 months worth of housing inventory on the market, it will take until the first quarter of 2012 for demand for new homes to equal what it was in 2000.

Concord Group calculates that new home sales in 2010 were 70 percent below peak demand in 2005 and at the lowest point since 1963.

Concord says these regions have the strongest long-term growth potential:

· Orange County, Calif.
· San Jose, Calif.
· Seattle
· Washington, D.C.

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It's a buyers market here on Maui...take advantage of it while you can.

Maui just may be more affordable than you think.

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves, Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Source: The Concord Group (10/12/2010)

Kihei Maui...live the dream

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:59:32 -0700

Charley Young Beach

Just South of Hale Kanani unit 2-306

Amazing Sunsets...

Romantic strolls and beach weddings...

Kids have fun too...

Can't you just feel the warmth...

Imagine vacationing on Maui whenever you want.

Contact me about Vacation Rental Investments...these are not timeshare units,
but condominiums that allow short term rentals to vacationers.

It's a buyers market here on Maui...take advantage of it while you can.

Maui just may be more affordable than you think.

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves, Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Wailea Maui: Economists Say Housing at Bottom

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:39:54 -0700

Nationwide economists expect housing prices to stabilize.

Beacon Economics analyzed home affordability and came away feeling optimistic.

Beacon Economics founding principal Christopher Thornberg, whose firm advises a variety of business clients, says the high level of affordability is likely to drive demand and reduce the stock of excess inventory, ultimately resulting in the need for new housing, a rise in prices, and a pickup in new construction.

"While prices may fluctuate modestly over the next several months, we believe the worst of the housing crisis is behind us," says Beacon Economics Research Manager Jordan G. Levine. "We expect prices to stabilize around current levels and likely be higher in the next 12 months."

It's a buyers market here on Maui...take advantage of it while you can.

Contact me for property information on rentals (long term & short term - i.e. vacation rentals (not timeshare)).

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves, Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Source: Beacon Economics (10/11/2010)

Maui Will Move You and Take Your Breath Away...

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 02:28:31 -0700

Seven Sacred Pools near Hana.

Makena Beach also known as Big Beach

Can you imagine...

vacationing on Maui whenever you want
having a retreat for your family to enjoy
what would your friends think if you let them stay in your "place on Maui"

How cool would that be?
Maui is paradise...and owning property on Maui can be...no ka oi.

You can keep it simple with...
a turn-key vacation rental that's my specialty. (I'm not talking about timeshare here). Vacation rentals are an investment for your personal use and can generate income for you while you are not here on vacation. All aspects of property management can be handled for you.

If you or someone you know might be interested in receiving more information about purchasing-investing here on Maui call or email me and I'll send you information about vacation rental investments on Maui.

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves, Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Kihei Maui: Mortgages Hit Lowest Levels Since 1950s

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 01:09:17 -0700

Thirty-year fixed mortgages slipped to 4.27 percent this week, the lowest on records dating back to 1971, from 4.32 percent last week.

A drop in interest on 15-year loans to 3.72 percent from 3.75 percent, meanwhile, was the lowest on records dating back to 1991. Freddie Mac also reported that the five-year adjustable-rate mortgage fell to 3.47 percent from 3.52 percent last week, and the one-year ARM dropped to 3.40 percent this week from 3.48 percent.

It is still a buyer's market on Maui...learn how to take advantage of it.

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves, Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Source: Chicago Sun-Times (10/08/10)

Wailea Maui: Foreclosure Halt Creates Problems for Buyers

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 03:47:30 -0700

The fallout from the crackdown on mortgage lenders' handling of paperwork is affecting buyers' ability to close.

Distressed properties make up about a third of home sales. About half of states are particularly affected by the problem. Two factors in various states are causing numerous delays are:

1. Officials in several states - including Texas, Maryland, and Connecticut - are seeking a suspension of all foreclosures until lenders prove what they are doing is legal.
2. Title insurers are refusing to sell title insurance when they can't be sure there is a clean title.

When will the problem be resolved? Right now, it appears to be anybody's guess, but until it is resolved, buyers, sellers, and real estate practitioners will be caught in the middle.

With all that's going on, now is a great time to visit Maui...
Let me know if you are interested and I might be able to "hook you up!" in a place for $85 a night.

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves, Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Source: The New York Times, Andrew Martin and David Streitfeld (10/07/2010)

Wailea Maui: Mortgages Hit Lowest Levels Since 1950s

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 03:40:58 -0700

On Maui it's a Buyer's Market...
It is not often that Maui has a "Buyers Market", but we're in one now...but inventory is shrinking as buyers-investors have come to buy a piece of paradise while it's cheap. This Buyer's market will be changing to a Seller's market...the question is...will you buy now and pay less, or wait for the market to turn and pay more?

Can you imagine...

vacationing on Maui whenever you want
having a retreat for your family to enjoy
what would your friends think if you let them stay in your "place on Maui"

How cool would that be?
Maui is paradise...and owning property on Maui can be...no ka oi..

Keep it simple with...
a turn-key vacation rental that's my specialty. (I'm not talking about timeshare here). Vacation rental are for your personal use and when you are not here on Maui your condo could be in a rental pool generating you income.

Would you like to receive a check each month?
Some, not all, of the properties with the current prices can provide you with cash at the end of the month. Of course, much of this depends on the purchase price, your down payment amount, etc. but I'll help provide you with information so you can make an informed decision.

Call me and I'll send you a vacation rental package.

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves, Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Wailea Maui: Good News for Investors!

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:03:28 -0700

Hawaii Tourism Authority: Visitors, spending saw double-digit gains in August

Read more: Hawaii Tourism Authority: Visitors, spending saw double-digit gains in August - Pacific Business News (Honolulu) < if that link doesn't work for you try the one below.

http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2010/09/27/daily30.html

Buying on Maui is more affordable than it has been in decades!

It's a Buyer's Market...
It is not often that Maui has a "Buyers Market", but we're in one now...but inventory is shrinking as buyers-investors have come to buy a piece of paradise while it's cheap. This Buyer's market will be changing to a Seller's market...the question is...will you buy now and pay less, or wait for the market to turn and pay more?

Can you imagine...

vacationing on Maui whenever you want
having a retreat for your family to enjoy
what would your friends think if you let them stay in your "place on Maui"

How cool would that be?

Maui is paradise...and owning property on Maui can be...perfect.

Keep it simple with...
a turn-key vacation rental that's my specialty. (I'm not talking about timeshare here). Vacation rental are for your personal use and when you are not here on Maui your condo could be in a rental pool generating you income.

Call me and I'll send you a vacation rental package.

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves I Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

The Amazing Itouch 4 Real Estate Video Camera

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 05:22:18 -0700

Wow they make this look so easy. Great quality. I really like the how the wide angle lens captures more of the rooms.

Checking out the price now.

Aloha,

Jeff

Via Mark Passerby - HDhat.com - 877-245-1488 (HDhat.com):

Imagine a video camera so small that it fits easily in your shirt pocket, but that's not all what if it shot 12mm ultra wide 720p HD video? What if it shot ultra stable video footage and even came wi-fi ready so that transferring video to 100's of social networking sites or an editing company could all be done from the camera while you were at the coffee shop or eating lunch? Well it's here......

Below you will find some real estate video tour samples shot using the Itouch 4 with wide angle lens and also a "How To" video which shows me actually filming the sample tour. I then went to the coffee shop and using the applications I will show below I uploaded the real estate video tour as a single clip to HDhat.com for editing. Filmed and transferred in Full HD and uploaded directly from the camera using a coffee shops wi-fi.
It truly was a simple and flawless process that is replicatable by anyone.

Many more samples will be available on HDhat.com in the new Itouch 4 Video Gallery.

So lets get started with a brief outline of what you will need to get up and running with an Itouch 4 real estate video camera.

Apple Itouch 4 - Available in 8gb, 32gb, and 64gb models.

Griffin Case with .5x flush mounted wide angle lens. This lens case allows the camera to capture an incredible field of view(11mm or 12mm equivalent). When wide angle case is not in use simply unclip and store it.

Imovie - Available in the App store for $4.99. To learn how to make quick edits right on your Itouch be sure to watch the video here.
*Tip - when beginning to film be sure to double tap screen to set camera to HD mode
*Tip - single tap on darker areas of the scene to instantly adjust exposure and brighten clip

Transfer Big Files - A free App which you can find by searching "Transfer Big Files" in the App Store. The first 100,000 customers will get a 5gb free account. This particular app works on Iphone/Ipad and Itouch and allows you over wi-fi to transfer full uncompressed HD video files to anyone anywhere! Transfer Big Files servers are ultra fast and the new version of their app is marvelous.

PixelPipe.com - Pixelpipe is a free App that allows you to set up 100+ destinations(including Dropbox and FTP) for your video to be delivered to. So for instance if you did a video market report using the front camera you could upload your video to Pixelpipe one time and the video could be delivered to dozens of sites right. All from your video camera!

So let me detail one example of how the Itouch 4 makes real estate video unbelievably simple!

In the example tour below I simply went to a real estate listing that I wanted to do a full motion real estate video tour on and opened Imovie.

I then began by recording the front pan of the home. Then stopped the recording and added that clip to the Imovie Project via tapping "Use". The beauty of course is that you can review the clip first before tapping "Use" so if you don't like what you did simply click "Retake", and nothing is saved to the Itouch memory.

Now once I clicked "Use" I then turned the device off and entered the front door of the home. I then turned the camera/Itouch 4 back on(be sure to double tap screen to enter HD mode and a single tap to adjust exposure/brightness) and tapped the camera/record and captured the entire main floor of the home. Once I was satisfied with that I clicked the "Use" and added it to the Imovie project. I continued to do this until the entire home was filmed to my liking.

Once I had completed filming all my scenes of the listing I then exported the real estate video home tour to the Itouch's camera roll in 720p HD.

Connect to a WiFi connection.....
Next I dropped by the local coffee shop and connected to their wi-fi. I opened the web browser and filled out the HDhat "Simple" Video Tour form and submitted the properties basic info(Name,Phone,Email,MLS# and narration).

Using the "Transfer Big Files" App
Then I opened the "Transfer Big Files" App and tapped the "Media Picker" button and chose the single video clip of the home.

I then only needed to enter a few things about the file so that HDhat could match my video file to the actual property submission form I had just submitted.

So for Transfer Name I entered the properties address, then video@hdhat.com for Recipient and then finally in the Message box I entered the MLS#.

I then tapped the "Send It!" button and 24 hours later the tour is edited, completely stabilized, hosted, professionally narrated and syndicated.

Now that is real estate video made Simple!

Finished Tour Filmed with the Itouch 4

and Here is How It was Filmed

The Itouch 4 occupies a very unique place in the rapidly emerging real estate video marketing process.

Watch the HDHat site and TechSavvyAgent.com for more on the Itouch 4 and its many features that make it perfect for real estate.

HDhat.com offers affordable full service video tours as well as professional video editing options for agents who prefer to capture their own raw footage.

Mark Passerby, Founder - HDhat.com

Itouch 4 Wide Angle Lens Case
How to Film a Real Estate Video Tour

Originally posted at: The Amazing Itouch 4 Real Estate Video Camera

Wailea Maui: HUD Has Loans for Out-of-Work Borrowers

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 04:54:21 -0700

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Tuesday that it will offer $50,000 loans to unemployed borrowers who are at least three months behind in their payments, but who have a reasonable likelihood of being able to resume regular payments within two years.

The property must be the borrower's principal residence and they cannot own a second home. They must have suffered at least a 15 percent decline in income.

The loan is available in 32 states not receiving assistance through the Hardest Hit Fund, which gave 18 states more than $4 billion to devise programs to help the unemployed and underwater borrowers.

Side note...
It is not often that Maui has a "Buyers Market", but we're in one now...but inventory is shrinking as buyers-investors have come to buy a piece of paradise while it's so cheap. This Buyer's market will be changing to a Seller's market...the question is...will you buy now and pay less, or wait for the market to turn a pay more?

If you are interested in owning property on Maui - more specifically, Kihei or Wailea (areas I focus on) please contact me for a list of Maui's Best Buys!

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves I Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Source: CNNMoney.com, Tami Luhby (01/05/2010)

Wailea Maui: Mortgage Applications Rise

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 04:49:20 -0700

Applications for mortgages to purchase homes rose 2.5 percent last week compared to the previous week on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the weekly survey by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

On an unadjusted basis, purchase applications increased 9.3 percent from the previous week. Purchase applications were down 34.7 percent than the same week a year ago.

This is the highest purchase volume since the week ending May 7. "The increase in purchase activity was led by a 17.2 percent increase in FHA applications, while conventional purchase applications also increased by 3.6 percent," says Jay Brinkmann, MBA's chief economist.

"This is the second straight weekly increase in purchase applications and the highest Purchase Index level since the expiration of the home buyer tax credit program. One possible driver of last week's big increase in FHA applications was a desire by borrowers to get applications in before new FHA requirements took effect Oct. 4, which included higher credit score and down payment requirements," Brinkmann adds.

Most mortgage rates also decreased:

· 30-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 4.25 percent from 4.38 percent.
· 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 3.73 percent from 3.77 percent.
· 1-year ARMs increased to 7.11 percent from 7.04 percent.

Side note...
It is not often that Maui has a "Buyers Market", but we're in one now...but inventory is shrinking as buyers-investors have come to buy a piece of paradise while it's so cheap. This Buyer's market will be changing to a Seller's market...the question is...will you buy now and pay less, or wait for the market to turn a pay more?

If you are interested in owning property on Maui - more specifically, Kihei or Wailea (areas I focus on) please contact me for a list of Maui's Best Buys!

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves I Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Source: Mortgage Bankers Association (10/06/2010)

Wailea Maui: Officials ask feds to investigate foreclosures (List of States Impacted)

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:27:44 -0700

Incredible news even for the economic times we are in. This impacts people all across the United States, reaching even far into the Pacific Ocean on Maui (aka Paradise) in Wailea and Kihei.

Below you'll find a link to a short article about the investigation into the banks foreclosure practices. Below that you'll find a list of the 23 states that have been named where foreclosures may be suspended, Hawaii is included.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2010-10-01-foreclosures01_ST_N.htm

List of states impacted:

Connecticut
Florida
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Vermont
Wisconsin

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves I Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Wailea Maui: Mortgage Rate Sinks to 4.32 Percent

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:00:41 -0700

Aren't these interest rates just incredible?

Average interest on 30-year fixed mortgages fell this week to 4.32 percent, matching the lowest level on record. Interest on 15-year loans, meanwhile, declined to 3.75 percent, setting an all-time low.

Investors have been flocking to the safety of Treasury bonds since the spring, which has driven down their yields and helped to keep rates at or near the lowest levels in decades.

Source: Boston Globe (10/01/10)

Buying on Maui is more affordable than it has been in decades!

<strong>Side note...</strong>
It is not often that Maui has a "Buyers Market", but we're in one now...but inventory is shrinking as buyers-investors have come to buy a piece of paradise while it's so cheap. This Buyer's market will be changing to a Seller's market...the question is...will you buy now and pay less, or wait for the market to turn a pay more?

If you are interested in owning property on Maui - more specifically, Kihei or Wailea (areas I focus on) please contact me for a list of Maui's Best Buys!

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves I Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Wailea Maui: States With Highest, Lowest Property Taxes

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 22:29:58 -0700

Hawaii has the second lowest property tax in the country. (Kihei, Wailea, Makena, Maui, Hawaii)

Using U.S. Census data, the nonprofit Tax Foundation has uncovered where the highest property taxes in the country are paid relative to the median value of the homes. Some of the locales may surprise you.

New Jersey came in first - no surprise there - but New Hampshire, which has no state income tax and prides itself on that, had the next-highest real estate taxes as a percentage of home values.

Louisiana had the lowest median taxes compared to property values, another ho-hum finding. But the second-lowest taxes compared to values are in pricey Hawaii.

The national median for real estate taxes is 1.04 percent of a property's value. Here's the list of the top 10 states with the highest median real estate taxes as a percentage of median home value as well as the ranking of states with the lowest:

States with the highest taxes:

1. New Jersey (1.89 percent of property value)
2. New Hampshire (1.86 percent)
3. Texas (1.81 percent)
4. (tie) Wisconsin (1.76 percent)
4. (tie) Nebraska (1.76 percent)
6. Illinois (1.73 percent)
7. Connecticut (1.63 percent)
8. Michigan (1.62 percent)
9. Vermont (1.59 percent)
10. North Dakota (1.42 percent)

States with the lowest taxes:

1. Louisiana (0.18 percent)
2. Hawaii (0.26 percent)
3. Alabama (0.33 percent)
4. Delaware (0.43 percent)
5. West Virginia (0.49 percent)
6. South Carolina (0.50 percent)
7. (tie) Arkansas (0.52 percent)
7. (tie) Mississippi (0.52 percent)
9. New Mexico (0.55 percent)
10. Wyoming (0.58 percent)

If you are interested in owning property on Maui - more specifically, Kihei or Wailea (areas I focus on) please contact me for a list of Maui's Best Buys!

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves I Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Source: 2009 U.S. Census Data and Tax Foundation calculations

Maui: Thinking about relocating to Maui?

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 20:12:01 -0700

Aloooooha!

If you are thinking about relocating to Maui...you are in the right place. I made the move just over 5 years ago and love it here. However, there are some things you want to know before taking such a leap of faith...such as:

What are the differences between the South Maui, West Maui, Central Maui, Hana and Up Country?
What are the housing costs - Rent vs Purchase
What are the options for your child to get a good education?

What about food, utilities, activities, moving costs, etc.? Yes there is quite a list. It took us more than a year to make the move, and when we did it was an 8 month trial move.

If you are serious about moving to Maui...
Call or email me and I'll be more than happy to share the process we went through, challenges we overcame, how we prepared to make the move permanent.

Island life isn't for everyone...but for those who like a slower pace, small town feel and love the water you and your family will be blessed to live here...even if it's for a few years.

Aloha and a hui ho.

Jeff

Jeff Graves I Realtor®(S) I Coldwell Banker Island Properties
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Maui: The Recession Is Over

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:39:37 -0700

Maui: Still Buyers Market

The recession was over in June 2009 (really?), according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, but some real estate practitioners might find that hard to believe.

The U.S. economy shrank 4.1 percent from the fourth quarter of 2007 to the second quarter of 2009, the biggest slump since the 1930s, revised figures from the Commerce Department showed in July.

Economists didn't pretend that the recession was getting better fast. "In determining that a trough occurred in June 2009, the committee did not conclude that economic conditions since that month have been favorable or that the economy has returned to operating at normal capacity," the NBER said Monday in a statement.

What are your thoughts...I'd like to know.

It is not often that Maui has a "Buyers Market", but we're in one now...but inventory is shrinking as buyers-investors have come to buy a piece of paradise while it's so cheap. This Buyer's market will be changing to a Seller's market...the question is...will you buy now and pay less, or wait for the market to turn a pay more?

If you are interested in owning property on Maui - more specifically, Kihei or Wailea (areas I focus on) please contact me for a list of Maui's Best Buys!

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves I Realtor®(S) I Coldwell Banker Island Properties
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Source: Bloomberg, Steve Matthews (09/20/2010) and The San Francisco Chronicle, Carolyn Said (09/21/2010)

Maui: Expert Proposes Rewarding Good Borrowers

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 22:05:13 -0700

At least one mortgage financing expert thinks that the government ought to consider rewarding people who are in financially sound shape and who want to continue to pay their underwater mortgages on time.

Keith Gumbinger, a vice president at the HSH Associates mortgage-consulting firm, told Fortune magazine that he wants the federal government to issue what he calls, "value gap coverage."

It would work this way: You bought a home for $350,000 in July 2006 with 100 percent financing at 6.8 percent. Now the property is worth $280,000, but your mortgage balance is $334,000. You can't refinance because you are underwater, but willing and able to pay. In Gumbinger's scenario, you'd get a new $280,000 mortgage at 4.7 percent. The government would guarantee the remaining $54,000, on which you'd pay 4.7 percent interest to the current mortgage holder. This reduces your payments by $6,700 a year - about 25 percent. No mortgage lender has to take a write down.

Interesting idea huh?

What are your thoughts...I'd like to know.

If you are interested in owning property on Maui - more specifically, Kihei or Wailea (areas I focus on) please contact me for a list of Maui's Best Buys!

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves I Realtor®(S) I Coldwell Banker Island Properties
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Source: Fortune, Allan Sloan (09/07/2010)

Maui: Across the US Home Purchase Applications Rise 6.3%

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 21:42:51 -0700

Applications to purchase homes increased 6.3 percent last week compared to the previous week on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association weekly survey.

On an unadjusted basis, purchases rose 4 percent compared to the previous week, but were down 38.8 percent from the same week a year ago.The Refinance Index decreased 3.1 percent from the previous week.

"Purchase applications increased last week, reaching the highest level since the end of May. However, purchase activity remains well below levels seen prior to the expiration of the homebuyer tax credit, and is almost 40 percent below the level recorded one year ago," said Michael Fratantoni, MBA's vice president of research and economics.

Mortgage rates rose slightly last week:

30-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 4.5 percent from 4.43 percent.
15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 4 percent from 3.88 percent.
1-year ARMs increased to 7 percent from 6.95 percent.

If you are interested in owning property on Maui - more specifically, Kihei or Wailea (areas I focus on) please contact me for a list of Maui's Best Buys!

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves I Realtor®(S) I Coldwell Banker Island Properties
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Source: Mortgage Bankers Association (09/08/2010)

Wailea & Kihei Maui: Give Home Owners Tips to Fight Foreclosure

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:18:31 -0700

Many foreclosure notices don't result in actual foreclosures. Here are a few tips on what home owners facing foreclosure on Maui in Hawaii should do immediately:

1. Work with the time you have. Foreclosure can be a long slog here on Maui, which gives you time to come up with an alternative.

If your goal is to salvage your home, strive to get a Loan Modification with your lender...this alone may delay the foreclosure sale date.
Keep up with payments for homeowners insurance and property taxes. Otherwise, you could get hit with an uncovered casualty loss or liability suit, or tax liens.

2. Determine the foreclosure laws here on Maui in Hawaii.

What's the timeline?
Do you have "right of redemption," essentially a grace period in which you can reverse a foreclosure?
Are deficiency judgments that hold you responsible for the difference between what your home sells for and your loan's outstanding balance allowed?

I can help you answer these questions and explain a variety of options that may be available to you...no charge...no obligation.

Oh, and watch out for online foreclosure scams. Do your research to make sure they are a legitimate company. Of course, you can also contact me here in Kihei-Wailea on Maui in Hawaii.

Investors...
You can play a role in providing a solution to homeowners in distress. If you are interested in owning property on Maui - more specifically, Kihe or Wailea (areas I focus on) please contact me for a list of Maui's Best Buys!

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves I Realtor®(S) I Coldwell Banker Island Properties
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Source: NAR

Fed Officials Call for More Housing Help

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:24:07 -0700

Maui: Wailea, Kihei and Makena Real Estate Report

Federal Reserve officials attending a Fed conference reviewed the housing crisis and called for more programs to address broader issues.

Eric Rosengren, president of the Fed’s Bank of Boston, said he is in favor of a more “holistic” approach.

"My own view is that too little focus has been on community problems because the focus has been more targeted to housing and foreclosures," Rosengren said. "Rather than treating the symptom — the high REO problem — we need to better understand how to resolve the more general problems in communities that lead to higher concentrations of REOs and exacerbate the effects of high REOs."

Sandra Pianalto, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, told attendees of the conference that the Fed feels a “great sense of urgency” to get housing back on its feet.

"A healthy housing sector is critical both to the overall economy and to a sustainable economic recovery," Pianalto said.

****************

Maui: Kihei, Wailea and Makena

On Maui in Wailea and Kihei we have turn-key rentals available at phenomenal prices. In some cases you will more than cover your normal monthly expenses and still reap all the tax benefits and write offs available.

For more information and Maui's Best Buys contact me direct at 808-633-1292 or send me an email at JeffGraves@clearWire.net

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves I Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Source: Reuters News (09/02/2010)

Mortgage Rates Fall Yet Again

Jeff Graves, Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Island Properties) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:12:54 -0700

Mortgage rates have hit a new record low for the 10th time in 11 weeks as investors continue to turn to Treasury bonds as a safe haven; the shift in money is cutting yields, which mortgage rates tend to follow. Freddie Mac reports that 30-year fixed loans averaged 4.32 percent, down from 4.36 percent a week ago; and the 15-year fixed rate fell to a new low of 3.83 percent, down from 3.86 percent.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (09/03/10)

Now is a phenomenal time to buy if you are:

First-time home buyers with good credit and a small down payment
Investors (new or seasoned) looking for rentals may make more sense than flipping right now.
- It's a buyer's market
- Financing costs are down
- Prices are the lowest they've been in years
- Home Values will come back...wait it out with a quality rental on Maui

On Maui we have turn-key rentals available at phenomenal prices. In many cases you will more than cover your normal monthly expenses and still reap all the tax benefits and write offs available.

Did you know you can use a self directed IRA to purchase investment property?

For more information and Maui's Best Buys contact me direct at 808-633-1292 or send me an email at JeffGraves@clearWire.net

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeff Graves I Realtor®(S)
(808.633.1292 (Cell)
JeffGraves@ClearWire.net

Coldwell Banker Island Properties
34 Wailea Gateway Place, A-207
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753