It seems to me that the market is getting busy again, at least over here on Maui anyway.  Yesterday I was non stop, showing properties, delivering a closing gift, and countering an offer.  I even managed so do a little last minute Christmas shopping.

The day started with a 9 am showing of this cute Haiku fixer home in the country.  Seller is asking only $375,000. which is a low price around here.  I have some friends interested, so they all came to have a look and see if it would be worthwhile.  While they were thinking about it, some other buyers had it tied up and opened escrow, as they had already started the process.  We can always make a back up offer.

My next appointment was about an hour away, in the resort area of South Kihei and Wailea.  I met some Canadians who are here for the holidays, and want to see some nice 2BD/2BA vacation condos in some of these resorts.  They've been here before and they know what they want, which always makes it a lot easier.  We saw 4 condos for sale in various complexes that were suitable for their needs.  A lot of units were unavailable for showing, with the busy tourist season right now.  We made an appointment to see one other after Christmas.  I think we have already narrowed it down, with one unit being a real standout compared to the others.

After dropping them off back at Maui Kamaole, I was able to get a quick sushi lunch at Safeway at the Piikea Shopping Center.  What luck, I also found some incredible deals on glass ornaments and other small gifts to put under the tree.  Scratch that off the list!

The next appointment wasn't until 3 pm so I had about an hour to kill.  I went to an open house of a nice Pukalani condo for sale - at The Gardens Upcountry - I love this complex.  The units are townhouse style with nice architecture and terrific views.  Check that off the list of properties to preview.

Endangered Pieces is an eclectic store on Makawao Avenue.  I stopped in to see what's new in there, and ended up across the street at his 3 Pukalani warehouses filled with interesting furnishings and art, and one of a kind pieces that have been salvaged from some of the Maui estates.  No room for anything large today, so I just bought some cute little egg shaped wooded rattle/shakers carved in Bali.

Next - my 3 pm appointment to have some firewood delivered.  I have a buyer client closing a home in Kula tomorrow and she is off island.  I'm buying her some kiawe firewood to make her first night back all toasty and warm since the house is way up in Kula where it can get cold at night.  Everything went well and that's one more thing to scratch off the list.

While driving down the hill, I stopped at a yard where they were selling Protea flowers - how perfect.  I was trying to think of one more gift to take along to the hostess, and this is just the ticket.  I bought a whole bunch of flowers for $20 bucks, and I was happy, and the seller was happy.  Yippee!

That's when I stopped at the Pukalani Superette, to pick up a few more things for dinner tonight.  Mission accomplished - and I'm driving home.  Whew, I could use a day off, and I see one on the horizon.

All this and negotiating a house sale in Paia, for another nice Canadian man who plans on living here for half the year, and living in Canada the rest of the time.  With the Canadian dollar at par, things are looking very attractive over here for Canadian investors.  I speak Canadian, having grown up in the prairie city of Saskatoon.  Today that transaction gelled and we are opening escrow.  I think this market is just right.

Happy Holidays to everyone - keep on doing what you do and you will have a great year in 2008.

Aloha from The Hunter - Georgina M. Hunter R(S)- Paia Maui HI