Wailea, HI

So Maybe you don't want to sell.

This may not be the best time to sell your dream home or condo. I was talking to a man in Wailea, Maui who bought three condos in Flordia. He purchases them in 2005 and today they are worth half the price and he still can't sell them. Well don't panic, you have other options. If you are not under financial duress or your wife ran off with the towel attendant at your ocean front condo. Well maybe this is not a good time to sell. So here is my list of reasons and things to do while that market gets it act together.

1. Rent your home or condo out long term and wait the market out. There seems to be a really good rental market out there. People may not be buying but they are renting. Another point if people are renting maybe you should buy and let someone else pay your mortgage.
2. Invest in your future. So let's say you sell at a reduceeeeeeeee price. Maybe take the time to fix the homestead up and long term it will bring the value up on your property. You can look at it as putting money in the bank. That leads to my next point.
3. With construction slowing down there is more willing bodies out there to take on small jobs. When everyone is busy, prices for contractors usually charge a premium. So take advantage of the labor force when it's slow.
4. Use this down time to take on up dating that tired pink bathroom that you had to have 15 years ago. If you are a little resourceful do the demo work. Maybe a little light carpentry. If you want to buff it out hire the tile man for the finish touch that creates the WOW factor.
5. Paint is amazing. I can give my wife a can of paint and when I come home it looks like a different house at no real cost. Not to say my wife's labor is cheap, I pay in other ways.
6. Flooring can really change the feeling of your home. Installing wood floors is not rocket science. I was a contractor on Maui for 18 years. My advice is hire a good finish carpentar and grab your 16 yr old son and get to work. It's actually fun and when your finished it looks great and you have this great feeling of accomplishment.

7. give your home a Landscape makeover.

Well that's about it you get the idea. Take this time in the next couple years to get creative and resourceful. You might end up not wanting to sell. Go to Borders and pour through the magazines and borrow ideas from the experts. Well good luck and happy projects.

Steven Nickens R(S) GRI ABR

The Wailea Group LLC.

3750 Wailea Alanui, suite 5WE

Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

www.nickensmaui.com

Email: nickensmaui.com

10 Top Super Clean Beaches Rated by MSM

So this is the list of top rated clean beaches in the U.S. They are rated for their clean environment. Sewage and storm run off can contaminate the water with fecal matter from both humans and animals. So here is their list of top ten clean beaches. Being from Hawaii I just happen to notice three of them are from my home state.

1. Number one on their list is Huntington Beach California. Okay I was surfing there in June while visiting and the water did seem nice, with a deep pacific blue glow. I love that west coast salty air, seaweed aroma. So I am going to give Huntington two thumbs up.
2. Hampton Beach N.H. This is a New England favorite with tourist. It does not have the run off problems from farm activity. Haven't been there but looks like a nice place.
3. Magic Island Beach (Honolulu) I have to admit I haven't spent time on this beach. Myself I prefer the north shore or Waikiki for some fun long boarding. As far as clean beaches go I will have to check it out.
4. Ocean City, Maryland. If you like board walks and long beaches this is looking good. Once polluted it has been cleaned up and a local favorite.
5. Okay here is a big winner. It has nothing to do with as I am writing this top ten list I am looking out my office window at Wailea Beach. This is a no-brainer. Blue sparkling water with perfect weather. What more could you ask for. Oh by the way here is a link for Wailea Beach Villas where I am working today to check active ocean front properties.
6. Park Point (Duluth, MN) this is on Lake Superior. This place is protected from sewage and run off. While it is not the east or west coast it is an awesome beach.
7. Laguna Beach, Calif. This resort town is known for its world class beaches and artist community. A favorite for Southern California. I really enjoy the beaches in North County San Diego. Great beaches and coastal communities
8. Okay back to Hawaii, Salt Pond Park Kauai. It is actually an inlet and is protected by a rock reef making excellent swimming and diving.
9. Bolsa Chica State Beach, Calif. Beautiful stretch of beach. My one complaint is giving me a break on the meter fees. I had to cut my surf session because I didn't have ten dollars in quarters. Where is the love?
10. Last but not least is Poipu, Kauai; this is Hawaii's forth largest Island. In 2007 Sherman's rated this one of the top 10 beaches in the world. I happen to think Kauai has at least 10 top beaches in the world. I love Hanalei.

So there you go. If you on the west or east coast you have options. So grab your coolers and beach gear and have at it.

Later,

Steven C. Nickens R(S) GRI ABR

The Wailea Group LLC.

3750 Wailea Alanui, suite 5WE

Wailea, Maui, Hi 96753

www.nickensmaui.com

Email: nickens@maui.net

The Whalers General Store in The Shops at Wailea, Maui HI

370 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea Maui Hawaii 96753

808 891-2039

If you're staying in Wailea Maui, it's nice to know that there is a shop for all your needs right at the Shops at Wailea center. The Whalers General Store is a busy place because they sell what you need:

Beach Supplies

• towels
• sunscreen
• boogie boards
• beach toys
• sunglasses
• clothing

Food and Snacks

• macadamia nuts
• picnic supplies
• sandwiches and salads
• deli counter
• beverages
• Hawaiian coffees

The Whalers shop is on the south side of the center, right by the entrance. You can grab a sandwich and coffee and sit outside to watch the passersby while deciding which beach or activity is right for you.

Looking for a vacation condo on Maui?

When you're ready to start shopping for a home or condo in Wailea, contact a Maui REALTOR® to help you find the best property.

Aloha from Wailea - Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro - 808 283-0635

SEARCH ALL MAUI CONDOS BY NAME

WAILEA HOMES FOR SALE

Wailea, Maui condos are holding their own in this tough down market. New developments that have come on stream in the last few years have helped bouy 2008 sales through September. Although unit sales are down 10% over the same period 2007, dollar sales are up almost 22% from $265 million to $339 million! The Ho'olei luxury development across the street from the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons Resort is a major contributor to the rise in $ sales.

If we look only at sales of the more established condo complexes in Wailea we find the picture more representative of the national market conditions. Unit sales have declined from 73 (2006) to 58 (2007) to 39 (2008) and the median price has also slipped by more than 3% each year to now stand at $930,000.

With no new condo complexes coming on stream in Wailea over the next couple of years we can expect to see a plateau or decline in $ sales over this next year. Ho'olei and Papali are still under construction and will partly hold off any decline, but we will need to look to resales of Wailea Beach Villas and Kai Malu to bolster sales.

The good news for Buyers is that some great buys are available. Examples are Grand Champions 1 bed / 2 bath units dropping below $500,000, Grand Champions 2 bed / 2 bath units dropping below $600,000; Wailea Ekolu 2 bed / 2 bath unit below $800,000; 2 bed / 2 bath Palms at Wailea units under $850,000.
Buyers looking for a condo in Wailea to hold for a number of years should take advantage of inventory availability now.

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The GREEN HOUSING MARKET is growing lush and luxurious…

According to the National Association of Home Builders, even as the housing market has moderated in many parts of the country, the demand for Green Homes is exceeding the available supply, despite the fact that green home building has risen 50% since 2004.

Why the growing appeal? People are drawn to making their homes healthier, living more lightly on the planet, and experiencing the economic benefits of saving energy.

IN A NATIONAL SURVEY 78% OF CONSUMERS SAID THEY WOULD CHOOSE ONE HOME OVER ANTOTHER BASED ON IT’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND THE MAJORITY WOULD PAY MORE FOR ENERGY-SAVING FEATURES.

Maui’s First Female EcoBroker: Meghan Clair of Windermere Real Estate Wailea, can strongly assist SELLERS by making their Home stand out amongst the crowded inventory. Meghan is professionally certified to highlight the eco-aspects of their property to potential buyers, market their property on a variety of GREEN specific websites, and overall earn them top dollar for their home.

Meghan Clair can also assist BUYERS in finding homes that are healthier to occupy, more energy efficient to operate, and that are potentially more valuable in a re-sale situation in the future.

IT PAYS TO THINK GREEN, WHEN INVESTING IN MAUI REAL ESTATE!

MClair@Winderm

MClair@Winderm