Maui Real Estate - Lisa B. Miller R(S)

Maui's favorite pumpkin patch is now officially open! Kula Country Farms in Kula is selling their pumpkins of different varieties and sizes now through October 31 at their Upcountry produce stand. Better hurry before the pumpkins are gone!

We went yesterday and there were still many pumpkins to choose from, but when we showed up last year a few days before Halloween, they were all gone!

Kula Country Farms is located in a beautiful setting off the Kula Highway near Rice Park. The scenery is breath-taking with its bi-coastal views, lush vegetation, and beautiful gardens. They also sell beautiful Maui-grown produce, jams, and sauces, so don't forget to pick up some of their other goods, too.

Kids of all ages will enjoy seeing the horses in the adjacent field and viewing the fun pumpkin displays, as well as picking out their own pumpkins.

Also, make sure you have cash on hand since that is all they accept.

Hours are:
Tuesday - Friday: 11 am - 5pm
Saturday - Sunday: 11 am - 4pm

For details, call 878-8381

One of Maui's desirable neighborhoods in Kihei is Piilani Villages (Phases II and III). Located west of the Piilani Highway in central Kihei, this neighborhood is great for families, young couples, and retirees alike. Families enjoy the fenced yards for their children and pets to run and play, and the peace and quiet is enjoyed by all.

Sidewalks line the streets to make it walking-friendly. You'll see people out walking their dogs, jogging, pushing strollers, and children riding their bikes.

The location is great since it is within a mile of the Piilani Shopping Center where you'll find a Safeway, Blockbuster, Kihei/Wailea Medical Center, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, Borders Express, and more. It is also located near the Kihei Aquatic Center, which has 3 wonderful pools and is FREE to the community!

And of course, beach access is also nearby (about 2 miles away).

Built in 2001 through 2003, floor plans range from 2 bedroom, 2 bath one-story homes to 4 bedroom, 3 bath two-story homes. As of 10/8/09, there are 2 active listings in the neighborhood - click here to learn more about the properties.

These homes have sold in past six months in Piilani Villages II and III (4/8/09 through 10/8/09):

Once your home is listed for sale, it's important to get it ready for showings. You want to show off your home in the best condition and encourage buyers to see your home as theirs - not yours. This means sprucing up your home beyond the normal dusting, vacuuming, and picking up clothes off the floor.

Here are the most important things to do to prepare your home for showings:

• De-Clutter: Go around your rooms and store away knick-knacks or personal items that take up too much space on your shelves, counter tops, tables, fridge doors, etc. This gives the impression that your home is clean and spacious.
  

Less is definitely more, so if you're not sure if the faux plants on top of the cabinets should be taken down, do it. It may look like empty space to you, but not to the buyer.

• 2. De-Personalize: VERY important! We all love to hang pictures of our family on our fridge, walls, and shelves, but leaving these items in your home for buyers to see discourages them from envisioning your home as theirs. Instead, they will see it as your home, and therefore less inclined to submit an offer.

• 3. Clean Interior Walls: If you can re-paint the walls of your home a light, neutral color - GREAT! Lighter color walls gives the illusion that the space is bigger than it really is, but if you don't have the time, or money to hire someone to do it, then at the very least, make sure they are clean and have an even paint color. Dirty walls can be a real turn-off to buyers.

• 4. Spruce up Front Yard and Front Entrance: You don't have a second chance to make a first impression, and buyers develop their impression of your home within the first 10 seconds of seeing your home from the street. Therefore, your lawn should look healthy and well-manicured. Buyers love to see blooming flowers, so plant some, or add potted flowers if you don't have any.

Buyers usually spend a few moments at your front entrance as they wait to enter your home, so make that space is attractive as possible. Re-paint your front door, if the paint is chipping or fading. At the very least, it should be clean. Polish any door knockers, door bells, or other embellishments. Sweep out any leaves, spiderwebs, or other debris around the door and entrance. A new welcome mat is also a nice touch.

• 5. Turn on A/C: Buyers, especially on Maui, love to walk into a home to escape the outside heat. A cool home is comfortable and inviting. If you don't have an air conditioner, turn on the ceiling fans and open windows to allow a nice breeze.

• 6. Don't Be Home During a Showing: When you have an appointment for a buyer to see your home, it is best to not be home. Buyers will feel like they are intruding or invading your space if they see you there. Again, you want the buyers to see your home as THEIRS, not yours.

• 7. CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN: I am not a neat freak or a clean freak, but I notice dirt, dust, and grime in other people's homes more than my own. Buyers do, too. So clean beyond your normal routine. Better yet, hire a good cleaning crew to really tackle the job. After that one good cleaning, it'll be easier to maintain it yourself.

These are the main points. All homes are different and may require special attention to different areas. My job, as your Realtor, is to help you make sure your home is in the best showing condition. If you need to sell your home on Maui, please contact me.

I would be happy to assist you!

A tsunami watch was issued for Maui yesterday shortly after a 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Samoa islands, but was downgraded to advisory about a couple hours later.

Since it wasn't a real threat at the time, most people went about their day as usual, but lifeguards did warn beach-goers of possible surges in waves and kept the waters clear of swimmers.

For many, it was a wake up call to how real the danger of tsunamis are to the Hawaiian islands.

The last tsunami to strike Maui was April 1, 1946, and was the worst natural disaster in Hawaii's history. A total of 159 people died, 14 of those on Maui. The tsunami was caused by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in the Aleutian islands.

Tsunami warning sirens are tested every first work day of the month around 12pm. You may have heard the sirens while visiting since they can be heard all over the island.

If you hear them during any other time, then the warning is real and you must head for higher ground. If an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 or higher strikes the Big Island, warnings are immediately issued since tsunami waves can reach the Big Island and Maui in 5 to 10 minutes.

Tsunami evacuation maps and preparedness can be found online or in the phone book.

Every state is prone to some type of natural hazard. Just be safe and be prepared.

The 87th annual Maui County Fair is going this weekend, October 1-4, at the War Memorial Complex in Wailuku! This a community tradition and an event everyone looks forward to.

Enjoy the various fun rides, wonderful food, great entertainment, and fun exhibits. The fair begins with a parade on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 4:30 pm, which begins at the front entrance of Maui Community College on Ka'ahumanu Ave and ends at the entrance of Maehara Baseball Stadium.

Fair hours are:

Thursday: 5 pm to 11 pm

Friday: 5 pm to Midnight

Saturday: 10 am to Midnight

Sunday: 10 am to 11 pm

Admission

Adults: $5.00

Keiki (Children): $2.00 (5-11 yrs)

Children 4 & under: Free

Discount Ride Day & Fun Factory Day at the Fair: On Sunday, the first 2,000 people get in FREE! Also on Sunday, all 5 and 6-coupon rides rides are reduced to 4-coupons, and all 4-coupon rides are reduced to 3-coupon. Each coupon costs $1.

For more information, visit the Maui County Fair website

Hope to see you there!

Photo is of 'Dragon Coaster' from the Maui County Fair website.