Recently I was working with a lovely young couple for a first home purchase. After many offers and being the bridesmaid we finally got an acceptance and were the bride on a cute house and cottage fixer. It was apparent the home needed some work, but my buyers went into the offer with eyes wide open. The appraiser came back with a need to fix list incl some peeling paint in many areas of the home, roof repair and flooring. The underwriter came back with a FULL PAGE of fixes based on the … (3 comments)
maui real estate: Maui Real Estate Statistics
- 07/31/10 09:23 PM
July is coming to an end and I am very curious as to what the story will be for statistics. I am seeing more properties close and go under contract in July over June so it will be interesting to see if the stats bear that out. Our website: www.FineIslandProperties.com has Maui Real Estate statistics posted each month as soon as they are published by the Realtors Assoc of Maui. Be careful not to lump all of Maui together as we are seeing improvements in some cities and not others due to heavy outside investment in certain areas. We will be … (0 comments)
maui real estate: Its Not My Monkey
- 06/07/10 09:58 PM
Recently our Board put on a seminar by Terry Watson. Terry was a very engaging speaker and 2 main points I took away from his seminar and still incorporate were to engage more online especially with Realtor.org's tremendous educational opportunities and marketing opportunities and to remember that "It's not MY MONKEY" Terry in a very humorous way conveyed that we are REALTORS not Accountants, Lawyers, Etc. and to not let the consumer place us in the position of answering questions outside of our scope. We should refer them on and not "place the monkey on our back". I've found this … (4 comments)
SHORT SALES NEW RULES FOR INVESTOR OWNERS We are seeing banks now wanting sellers who are investor owners to contribute either by way of cash at closing or to sign a promissory note and sometimes both. I have had my last two Bank of America short sales and my last two Wells Fargo short sale negotiators ask for this. In the case of Wells Fargo the seller was unable to contribute and wasn't willing to sign a promissory note and the property was summarily foreclosed. I'm not taking either side in this matter as I think it should be … (0 comments)
maui real estate: Top Trends from Natl Assoc Home Builders & Gina's w/Hawaii Perspective
- 05/11/10 08:44 PM
The 10 Most Likely Features builders will include in 2010 according to the National Assoc of Home Builders Jan 2010 survey are:1. Walk in Closet in the Master Bedroom 2. Laundry Room 3. Insulated Floor 4. Great Room 5. Low-e Windows 6. Linen Closet 7. Programmable Thermostat 8. Energy Efficient 9. Separate Shower & Tub in Master Bedroom 10. 9 Foot Ceilings or higher on first floor Here is my take for what I see buyers wanting most in Hawaii for new and resale homes. 1. Air Conditioning 2. Upgrades in Counters and Cabinets in Kitchen and Baths 3. Flooring that … (0 comments)
maui real estate: SHOCK!! A negotiator called me to initiate short sale!
- 02/27/10 05:58 AM
I received a call the other morning and about fell out of my chair. I had a short sale that had been in with Chase for a YEAR and fell out due to lack of lender response and buyers falling by the wayside. Chase negotiator called me, introduced himself. Said he is part of new program (I think probably the HAFA) and he will be our negotiator from now until the short sale closes. Asked for "same paperwork" and said he was ordering interior BPO. Agent performed interior BPO in a few days! Negotiator told me within the week after they receive … (1 comments)
maui real estate: Sellers Disclosures for Maui Real Estate Changing
- 06/22/09 05:13 PM
In Hawaii it is mandatory (unless REO, estate property) that a Seller provide a disclosure form (HAR) to the Buyer. On our forms it lists many questions about the property from the roof, to the fencing, sewer system and more. In July 2009 Sellers that owner occupy will now have to include the past 3 months Electric bills to the Buyer. A Buyer can also verify via the Maui Elec Co., but as a Listing Agent I like this new rule. I've made it a habit to ask my sellers up front for all their utility bills so that a Buyer … (0 comments)
maui real estate: Buyers Sign HERE...
- 05/25/09 05:13 PM
If you are working with an Agent as a Buyer (first time buyer or not) or you are a Buyers Agent it is imperative to do this one thing:Have a formal sit down introductory meeting. At the first meeting you will both learn each others expectations for the relationship. Your Agent should have a Buyers packet for you or a "virtual one" (Green thinking) that you both review. The information covered should include the whole Buying Process not just a search on the MLS. The Agent should ask you what is important to you in a house, the time lines … (5 comments)
maui real estate: Integrating your Active Rain and other Social sites
- 03/26/09 08:26 PM
The beauty of social networking is starting to come alive for my business here on Maui. I am a Realtor on the beautiful island of Maui and began my social networking activities about a 1 1/2 yrs ago. My latest success was a contract offer on a Lahaina home off my Facebook site, and other Maui Realtors contacting me via my Active Rain blog posts and my Localism input for Kihei. I wained and then jumped back in with both feet recently. The best tip I can offer is to integrate your social networking sites together. Not just to your main website but mix … (7 comments)
maui real estate: Getting the Transactions to Close just as Important as Getting an Offer
- 03/24/09 08:36 AM
Everyone is talking about getting an offer these days. Unless you are an REO or Short Sale Listing offers seem few and far between. What I've learned in this shifting market is getting back to 1980's basics of making sure you cross your T's and dot your I's is just as important. In the book "Shift" Gary Keller talks about Bulletproofing the Transaction. He mentions that in addition to being an honest, ethical real estate agent a client needs you to be a real estate salesperson too. Sales skills help you to put the deal together and anticipate problems and find … (0 comments)
maui real estate: Should I re-offer on an REO after being turned down at a Similar Price?
- 03/14/09 07:00 PM
We are finding that REO lenders will indeed look at close offers and that if you have been turned down for a purchase of an REO property it is wise to re-offer again soon. That being said we find that most times an REO Negotiator would have actually countered your offer to begin with. Even in a Short Sale we closed recently the lender countered back much higher than the buyer wanted to pay and when the buyer didn't "re-counter" the negotiator actually reached out and asked the buyer to submit another offer. The buyer ended up offering only slightly higher … (0 comments)
maui real estate: The Good news and Bad News: Depending on which way you look at it??
- 02/11/09 06:21 PM
The Good News I wanted to share with my Kihei readers is that we may be seeing the "Bottom" or at least the first Layer of the "Bottom". Several homes recently priced right went pending the first day on the market with "MULTIPLE" Offers. Yes, I did say Multiple. Isn't this a Buyers market you ask? Yes, it still can be but we are seeing movement in the low mid range home price and it seems to be catching on like wildfire. Many of our buyers were on the fence and the fence just couldn't take all the weight. Sellers don't … (2 comments)
maui real estate: Maui Not Just Sunshine and Swaying Palm Trees: We have History Too!
- 02/08/09 07:10 AM
Everyone thinks of Maui as sunny skies, blue Pacific ocean, and swaying palm trees. When they think of a home here they usually picture a cute little condo with tropical landscape, a neighborhood type residence or the luxury mansions of Wailea. But tucked away in various corners of our island are some very special and unique homes: Plantation era homes that were made for the management of the sugar/pineapple businesses. These are not your little quaint small plantation homes you would see in Wailuku. These are more formal and remind me of the colonial interiors of the East Coast. On particular … (1 comments)
maui real estate: I can Blog but can I sell Real Estate
- 02/08/09 06:56 AM
Aloha: Every since I started to Blog a few years back, I've noticed many super articles from other folks out there. Sharing of information is great but I've also seen articles written that make a person seem like an "expert" Realtor when in fact they are NEW to the business and may not have the "experience" a potential buyer or seller thinks they have. In no way am I trying to say they may or may not do a good job for a client, however I would caution buyers and sellers that while education is great, being able to share that information … (0 comments)
maui real estate: Looking for additional income to buy a home? An Ohana might be the Perfect Solution
- 12/07/08 07:57 PM
Aloha:In Hawaii we call our Mother in Law, or In Law suites Ohanas. These Ohanas can vary from a separate cottage on the property or an attached Ohana. Properties with Cottage Ohanas have to be over a certain square foot size and depending on the size will dictate the size of the Ohana. In Maui I recently worked with a buyer looking for just such property and I was pleasantly surprised at the buyers price point of under 700K how many choices there were. Many house and cottage combos were available and even more with attached Ohanas. It used to be … (0 comments)
maui real estate: Recent Survey for HI Home remodeling: Are you getting back what you pay in?
- 12/03/08 11:35 AM
The Top Ten Payback projects for year ending 2008 are in! Survey sent nationally by Hanley Wood LLC breaks down this by area. Since Maui is too small on a national scale I will share with my readers the Honolulu results. Attic remodel to a Bedroom (Here in Maui that would be a loft conversion) Cost Recouped they show as 116.9% Kitchen (midrange upgrade) shows as 122.2% In my Maui Real Estate experience this is the number one thing our buyers are looking for. Some kitchens on Maui are still horribly outdated with small tiles counters or worse formica. 9' granite … (3 comments)
maui real estate: Kuleana: Our responsibility
- 10/28/08 06:11 PM
In Hawaiian Language which I speak "small kine" to my son one of the words I use is Kuleana. When he was younger I used it in terms of homework. It is your kuleana or job. But that is not the true Hawaiian meaning. It goes deeper. Kuleana is your Responsibility or the Right thing to do. In Hawaiian thinking the right thing to do comes from your na'au or your guts. If you perform your Kuleana then you are Pono or in balance in harmony. This November 4th it is our Kuleana or responsibility to Vote. Whomever you choose is your concern, but it … (0 comments)
maui real estate: WAMU SEIZED WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY SHORT SALE?
- 09/25/08 08:08 PM
The Big Headline today was the Governments seizure of WAMU (Washington Mutual). As I have several short sales pending with WAMU this is of concern to me and I'm sure other agents. I have my Escrow officer looking into who we will be communicating with from now on due to today's event. They are tracking down if the contact will change. I found in my previous dealings with lenders such as IndyMac that the contact at the lender didn't change and the process actually improved. So even though it may seem like a bad thing for communication mid deal, it may … (7 comments)
maui real estate: Kai Malu Wailea just South of Kihei Maui
- 09/14/08 08:17 PM
KAI MALU IN WAILEA Just south of Kihei in Wailea is my favorite new home community called Kai Malu. I recently had the opportunity to show buyers this special neighborhood. Located in the Resort area of Maui in Wailea, this complex had (as of this writing) 22 listings active listings that were available, ranging from 1,149,000. to 2.25 million. Differences in pricing are based on views and ammenities. Kai Malu is a newer gated community in Wailea comprised of 75 (2) unit buildings for a total of 150 units. Duplex type condos. The community is nestled by The Blue Course in Wailea. Views of the Golf Course, Sparkling Pacific … (1 comments)
maui real estate: MAPA Annual Garden Party
- 09/14/08 07:56 PM
The list of whos who and more turned out this year for the annual MAPA Garden Party. Held at the Wailuku Estate of the Yokouchi family, this annual fund raising event features some of the "top" restaurants on Maui and a sampling of their gourmet creations. I enjoyed the Hula Grill selection but my favorite was the ginger salad from Roys and the chocolate fountain for dessert was divine. Wine sampling was also the thing to try and the variety of Riesling this year was superb. The highlight other than seeing all the beautiful garden hats the ladies wear was the … (0 comments)
WOW REO ASSET MANAGER COMES THROUGH
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