During the first week of April this year, we have seen some wet weather in Ka'anapali allowing me to capture this dramatic sunset during a pretty heavy rain downpour. This is shot from my house in Ka'anapali Golf Estates, a nice home community located on the mountain slopes of Mauna Kahalawai (West Maui Mountains) above the Ka'anapali Golf Courses and overlooking the Ka'anapali Resort including Whaler's Village, Ka'anapali Ali'i, the Whaler at Ka'anapali, and the Sheraton Hotel to north perched on the iconic "Black Rock" You can also see the gentle silhouettes of Lanai and Molokai island, the two other islands that comprise Maui County.  This winter weather is a bit ucommon during this time of the year as we move into "Spring" in Hawaii. This storm was between some light wind "Kona" wea... 04/08/2016

Napili Point oceanfront condos on the west side of Maui offer some great fee simple and leasehold units with ocean and mountain views.  The great thing is that the lease payment is so minimal until 2046 that these vacation condos are priced well.Napili Point is at 5295 Lower Honoapiilani Highway, in a very beautiful setting with easy ocean access and dramatic views.There's 115 apartments in 10 low-rise buildings on 5.3 acres.  This development was built in 1978 and has been a popular vacation destination since then. You can snorkel and swim in the calm waters of the bay, or just lounge by the pool and work on your suntan.  There's so many restaurants and activities nearby if you decide to venture out.Currently there are 7 active and pending listings for sale, and they are all leasehold,... 12/14/2015

A $465.6 million project is in the works for Olowalu, which is located south of Lahaina in West Maui. The plan is one of impressive proportions based on Maui's standards, involving a community of 1,500 small-scale mixed-use units. Because of its ambitious size, among other factors it is anticipated to take 10 years to complete. Construction is expected to begin in 2018.Full Article: New Housing Project Planned for Olowalu  11/23/2015

West Maui is an amazing place to live, and the food isn't one of the smaller reasons! Yes, the natural beauty is its finest quality, but when you consider the importance of mealtime in anyone's day, it's hard not to appreciate the amazing variety of tasty cuisine that you can find in West Maui. Eating provides us with nutrition, enjoyable flavors and a chance to come together and socialize and share our lives with each other. That's why it's nice to hear that a new Italian restaurant is coming to Kapalua.Full Article: New Italian Restaurant Planned for Kapalua Resort 11/13/2015

West Maui 2 bedroom oceanfront vacation condo picksWe've had a really hot summer with record high temperatures and little breeze.  Having quick access to the pool and the cool ocean is a priority for vacationers on Maui.So, I've been checking out some nice oceanfront and beachfront vacation condos in the Kahana, Napili, Honokowai and Kaanapali areas on the West side of Maui lately.  There are a lot of choices when it comes to oceanfront resorts, and all kinds of units in good shape and dated.  Some have air conditioning and some don't but I can tell you, at this time of year you'll be wishing they all do! What's it going to cost for a nice 2 bedroom oceanfront vacation condo? Prices start at $499,000 and you know that won't come with a great view and designer furnishings.  The view will... 09/15/2015

Olowalu Maui - vacant land for sale, mauka and makaiOlowalu Maui is a small village or region on the west side of the island, located between Maalaea and Lahaina.  Historically this was an important place, and a place of refuge for Hawaiians, a separate zone to work out disputes.  In the past century the settlement was close to the ocean, and more recently some new developments are located up on the mountain, or mauka.Currently the business here is limited to a few shops and a farmers market underneath the shady old monkey pod trees that line the Honoapiilani Highway. Big changes are in store for the Olowalu area, with more subdivisions in the works, and a pedestrian friendly village center. Right now there are some great vacant lots for sale, both waterfront in Olowalu Makai, and highe... 09/03/2015

Speechless Sunday - Oceanfront Olowalu MansionWishing you a peaceful and relaxing Sunday from this lovely oceanfront mansion on 1.3 acres in Olowalu Maui Hawaii.Listed by Maui Home and Life for a little over $12,000,000.Search Maui oceanfront real estate for sale.Contact ME for more details...Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers127 Hana Hwy. #G, Paia HI 96779direct: 808 283-0635 08/30/2015

(From the Lahaina News) Event provides key support for tutor project LAHAINA - The Aina Nalu Wine & Silent Auction Fundraiser, held on May 23 at the Aina Nalu pavilion, was a huge success, benefiting the Lahaina Complex After School Enrichment Tutor Project with a substantial donation of $22,000.Contributions toward the success of the event were comprised of financial donations, including generous donations from Aloha Realty Group and others, ticket sales and many silent auction donations from Lahaina merchants and artists.Half of the $22,000 donation will be used for each of the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school year programs. Program instructional materials and necessary supplies will be funded to continue improving the reading and math programs.This year, a portion of the funds will be used... 07/21/2015

Kaanapali Shores Bulletin – Q2 2015Issue 33, Q2 2015Presented by AlohaPotts Team of Aloha Realty Group in Lahaina, HIAloha! SUMMARY & ANALYSIS All is quiet at Kaanapali Shores. At least as far as sales are concerned. Occupancy has been great, but sales have slowed to a proverbial snail’s pace. Through the first half of 2014, Kaanapali Shores was hot with 10 sales. So far, in 2015 there have been only 5. In the second quarter there were only 2 sales and neither of those were what we think of as “standard” units that usually make up the bulk of K. Shores sales. One was a leasehold 1 bedroom, “C” floor plan. It’s a nice unit and sold for just $220,000. The other was an Aloha Suite that went for $1,350,000, a virtual steal. In the meantime, there are 26 other units for sale a Kaanapali Shor... 07/16/2015

Presented by Aloha PottsIssue 39 – Q2, 2015Aloha! from your Resident Experts! My, how things can change in just one quarter! Aina Nalu is HOT! HOT! HOT!In the 2nd quarter we had 10 closed sales, compared to 1 sale in the 1st quarter and one in the 4th quarter of 2014. Of the 19 units that were listed in the 2nd quarter, all but 4 have either sold or gone into escrow! So it appears that the market finally understands the value of aina nalu.During the quarter nine 2/2 units and one studio sold. Three 1bedroom units also went into escrow, along with two more 2/2 units. Of the 10 sales in the quarter, Aloha Realty Group represented the buyer, seller, or both parties in 7 transactions.Inventory levels went from 7 at the end of the 1st quarter to only 4 active listings at the end of the 2nd q... 07/09/2015

Honua Kai Resort - Kaanapali Beach - Maui HawaiiOceanfront luxury condos right on Kaanapali Beach.  This brand new resort is unique as the most recent new development to be built right on Kaanapali Beach, in West Maui.Two towers with commanding views of the ocean - Hoku Lani and Konea - sit side by side with Duke's Restaurant and a couple of gigantic pools in the middle.Current pricing starts at $725,000 for a studio or a 1 bedroom unit.   There are over 20 units to choose from right now.Search Maui condos for sale BY NAME at EastMaui.comWhat's been selling at Honua Kai this year? 29 closed sales in 2015r ranging in price from $739,000 - $4,600,000 1 bedroom units sold from $739,000 - $875,000. Maintenance fees about $1,000/mo 2 bedroom units sold from $1,300,000 - $1,675,000. Maint fee... 06/30/2015

The Kapalua Resort is home to seven condominium communities:  The Bay Villas, The Golf Villas, The Ridge Villas, The Ironwoods, The Coconut Grove,The Montage Residences, Kapalua Bay, and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Kapalua.  Each community has its own distinct atmosphere and sense of place.  Click on the links above to view listings and information on the each property.  Below is a summary of activity year to date for each community:The Bay VillasActive Listings: 28List Prices: $782,000 to $2,388,000Pending Sales: 1Sold 2015: 2Average Sales Price: $1,077,500The Coconut GroveActive Listings: 4List Prices: $3,745,000 to $5,395,000Pending Sales: 0Sold 2015: 0The Golf VillasActive Listings: 17List Prices: $600,000 to $1,079,000Pending Sales: 0Sold 2015: 8Average Sales Price: $762,500The Ir... 06/12/2015

The following property was foreclosed upon by their respective lien holders.the following property at 959 Punakea Loop Lahaina HI 96761 was foreclosed upon for the sum of $2,292,585.19 back to the bank. 05/04/2015

Presented by Aloha PottsIssue 38 – Q1, 2015Aloha! from your Resident Experts! Inventory level and sales volume both increased during the first quarter. There were 15 units listed for sale during the quarter, but only 9 active listings at the end of the quarter, with 1 closed sale and 3 in escrow. So that’s an improvement, but the sale prices were still hovering around the same $360,000 closing price for a 2/2 unit. There was one upstairs 2/2 unit that closed for $360,000 at the end of the quarter, and another downstairs 2/2 closed on April 1 for the same price. At the time of this writing (April 9) there are two 2/2 units in escrow that are listed on the MLS (both in the D building) and another in escrow that is not listed in the MLS (also in the D building). This building was one of de... 04/22/2015

In order to be a highly effectivereal estate investor you have to form good habits. There are key differences in the habits of asuccessful real estate investor versus someone who is not successful. These differences by in large have to do with the investors habits. Investors who are successful have a different mind set and process then those who have tried and failed at investing in real estate. Anyone can form a habit or change current habits, habits can be good or beneficial or they can be bad and be detrimental to achieving your goals. Creating good habits will help you become more successful in real estate investing. It’s not to say that there won’t be struggles and that everything will be smooth sailing but with a concerted effort everyday these habits will create opportunities in ... 03/27/2015

The following property was foreclosed upon by the Bank of Hawaii 139-1 Puakukui Place Lahaina for the sum of $420,277.00 back to the bank. 03/24/2015

Kapalua Real Estate Market Update | March 17, 2015 The Kapalua Resort is comprised of four residential neighborhoods and seven condominium communities. There are 755 condominiums and 243 home sites in the Kapalua Resort.  It should be noted that some have been combined to create larger lots, and there are oceanfront 3 parcels that are not part of a subdivision. The following is an update on the Year to Date Market: Kapalua Market Overview CONDOMINIUMS Active Listings: 72 Condominiums.  Asking prices range from $630,000 to $5,395,000.  Total Listing Volume: $130,546,788 Pending Sales:  6 Condominiums. Asking prices range from $675,000 to $4,750,000.  Total Pending Sales Volume: $12,178,000 Sales (2015):  7 condominiums.  Sales prices ranged from $660,000 to $4,600,000.  Total Sales Volum... 03/23/2015

My blog last week on “Housing Wanted, Craigslist Addition” has inspired some topics that I hadn’t much thought about like my recent blog on letting tenants grow medical marijuana, or not. Today I’m going to discuss the need for housing for people who don’t meet property management or most landlords screening criteria. I came across two primary ways that the folks posting on Craigslist did not meet screening criteria; the first was that they did not make enough money to afford renting the property and wanted to provide labor in lieu of rent, the second were people who did not meet the criteria because they had really bad credit, foreclosure, and a criminal record.  1. Labor in Lieu of Rent There were a number of people posting in the housing wanted section of Craigslist who were hoping t... 03/04/2015

For those of you who write I know you can relate as you’ve all gotten writers block from time to time. When I get writers block I simply ask a good friend of mine from the gym for some ideas and he always delivers. In the past he’s given me the idea to write a blog on when and how to sell  and on aVeterans perspective on REI. Today when I asked him he said “well that’s easy, write a blog about the “housing wanted” section on Craigslist”. So, I promptly came home and got on Craigslist and oh my word, there are some interesting posts and some definite red flags for potential rental situations. I’ve taken some quotes from the listings there. Some are funny and some are really sad but regardless they are all situations any business owner should walk away from. I’ve put the potential red fla... 02/25/2015

Aloha Spirit Back in Sedona, there is a stunning red rock formation that is right to the west of my home.  We don't get to see the sun and moon setting but we do get a reverse sunset that makes all the rock formations to the east of our home red during sunset. It is always a breathtaking sight.  However, there is something cathartic about watching the sun or moon set at the end of the day.  It is always very special to see this little miracle of nature take place.  Watching the moonset into the ocean is another very memorable sight. It is like "chicken soup for the soul". I thought I would share some of these pics I just took while most of you were having your first cup of coffee.   I got up at 3:45 am Maui time to snap these photos and watch the moon set into the ocean.    Aloha!     T... 01/30/2015