Gary Bland R (S) E-Pro, ABR

Rate information courtesy of Brant Holland, Western Paradise Financial, Kahului:

Each week, Bankrate.com surveys experts to gauge which way interest rates are headed on mortgages -- a vital tool if you're about to buy a home. This week, 40 percent of the panelists believe mortgage rates will fall over the next 35 to 45 days. The rest are evenly split among those who think rates will fall, and those who believe rates will remain relatively unchanged (plus or minus 2 basis points).

5 Experts were quoted on BankRate's weekly analysis.

Jim Sahnger, mortgage consultant, Palm Beach Financial Network, Stuart, Fla. feels rates will continue down because of the overall economic weakness.

Dan Green, Mobium Mortgage, author of TheMortgageReports.com, Cincinnati feels rates will go up because of decreased foreign demand for mortgage-backed securites.

Dick Lepre, senior loan officer, Residential Pacific Mortgage, San Francisco holds with lower rates.

Holden Lewis, senior reporter, Bankrate.com says rates don't have room to go down.

Greg McBride, CFA, senior financial analyst, Bankrate.com doesn't commit but says "shop around" especially for points - some are zero.

Read the Bank Rate Trend Index for more details, and contact me about buying opportunities in our beautiful home of Maui, Hawaii. Brant will be happy to update you on rates and your buying power in the Islands.

Brant Holland
Mortgage Consultant
Western Paradise Financial
brant_holland@westernparadisefinancial.com
Mobile: (808) 298-1891

Gary Bland, REALTOR
www.garybland.com
gary@garybland.com
808-385-1265

Partners with Jeff Manson
American Dream Realty
Hawaii real estate team services Maui - Kauai - Oahu - Big Island Hawaii
Hawaii real estate search of Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island

If you qualify as a 1st-time home buyer, the government is waiting to give you a tax credit on your 2009 taxes up to $7,500. Here's how it works:

The 1st time home buyer cannot have owned a home in the previous 3 years, the new purchase must be their principal residence, and you have until July 1, 2009 to buy.

The credit will be equal to 10% of the purchase price, to a maximum of $7,500. There are income limits. Quoting from Realtors posting 12.29, "Single taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income up to $75,000 and couples with MAGI up to $150,000 will qualify for full credit. Singles with MAGI up to $95,000 and couples with MAGI up to $170,000 will get a reduced amount. Those with higher incomes don't qualify."

One of the great features of this tax credit is that if the amount of tax you owe in 2009 is less than the amount of the credit, you KEEP the difference as an IRS tax refund!

In return for the tax credit, the buyer must begin to repay the amount with 2 years in increments of $500/year up to a maximum of 15 years, for the full $7,500 credit. If you sell before the credit has been repaid, the loan must be paid off. BUT, if you sell the property at a loss, the loan is forgiven.

Industry groups like NAR (the National Assn of Realtors) are urging Congress to extend the credit past June, 2009 and to all groups of buyers.

What a fantastic incentive for you to get serious about that home you've always wanted on Maui! Contact me for ideas and market opportunities.

Gary Bland, REALTOR
gary@garybland.com
www.garybland.com
808-385-1265

Partners with Jeff Manson
American Dream Realty
Hawaii MLS real estate search of Maui - Kauai - Oahu - Hawaii
Hawaii homes for sale in Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island

If you are tired of the winter weather in most of the nation, plan your trip to Maui now! Here are some of the festivities and events you could enjoy:

Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, 808-875-1234
Includes a Fireworks display, an essential part of any New Year's Eve party in Hawaii.

Jan. 5-11 - Mercedes Benz golf championship, Plantation Course, Kapalua Resort, 808-669-2440

Jan. 11 - Maui Paradise Marathon, and Half Marathon, Kalama Park, Kihei

Jan. 16 - Wendy's Pro-Am Champions Golf Tournament, Royal Kaanapali Course, 808-661-3271
Jan. 17-18 - Wendy's Champions Skins Game

Jan. 17 - Kealii Reichel with the Maui Pops Orchestra, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, 808-242-7469

Jan. 18 - Maui 15K & 5K, Lahaina, 808-344-3651

Jan. 24 - Jake Shimabukuro, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, 808-242-7469

If you decide to visit our island, be sure & let me know so I can help you enjoy your visit and explain our real estate opportunities.

Gary Bland, REALTOR
808-385-1265
www.garybland.com
gary@garybland.com

Partners with Jeff Manson
American Dream Realty
real estate in Hawaii on the following Maui - Kauai - Oahu - Hawaii Big Island
Hawaii Oahu real estate company offers Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island

Every year, from December until April, Maui's favorite wintertime visitors grace our offshore waters. As many as 10,000 humpback whales migrate from their summer feeding grounds in Alaska to the warm and sheltered waters of the Hawaiian Islands. This population - the North Pacific group - was once near extinction because of large-scale industrial whaling, down to less than 2,500 individuals.

Over 30 years ago, conservationists banded together to start whalewatching cruises, on the premise that observing these beautiful animals in their natural habitat would create support to save the whales. Even though the humpback is still listed as "endangered," the efforts of many have brought the whale group back from the brink of extinction, and their numbers have doubled in the last 10 years. While in Hawaiian waters, they mate, nurse their newborn calves, but don't eat, while giving visitors and residents a great show from one of the many cruises or vantage points on the shore. They often can be seen from the beach highway, and from many resorts and hotels, which have naturalist programs.

Thanks to Visit Maui, here are some companies that offer whale watching adventures

and to learn more about the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, visit hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.

For a beautiful video of whales off Maui, visit GoHawaii.

If you plan a visit to Maui between now and April and want information on the humpback whales, just call or email me - I'm happy to share one of our Island treasures.

Gary Bland, REALTOR
www.garybland.com
gary@garybland.com
808-385-1265

Partners with Jeff Manson
American Dream Realty
Hawaii real estate team services Maui - Kauai - Oahu - Big Island Hawaii
Hawaii real estate search of Oahu - Maui - Kauai - Big Island

Mahalo to the folks at Maui Info for this great rendition of a Maui Christmas. Be sure & check out their holiday gifts.

I thought photos would more easily explain Christmas in Maui to those readers who can't be here, or have never been here, than all the words I could write. Enjoy these reminders of the beauty of our Islands and how we celebrate the spirit of the holidays.

Gary Bland, REALTOR
gary@garybland.com
www.garybland.com
808-385-1265