(Maui home buyers - don't forget to sign up for these free email newsletters - just let me know if you want Kula, Makwao/Pukalani, Paia/Haiku, or South Maui Condos) Kula Real Estate Newsletter     -         November 2008Here are the Kula homes and land listings featured on the November Upcountry Realtor Caravan, just in time for your Christmas shopping.------------------------------------------------------------1.    Huge Views, Kula   $617,500.00- one level 4BD/2BA home, new flooring, huge master bedroom, wood stove, and lovely gazebo- walk to the tennis courts, Cafe 808, Morihara Store, and Waldorf School2.    Over an Acre, Kula   $735,000.00- cute 600 sf 2BD/1BA cottage with fabulous remodel and concrete drive, over an acre of land- includes two water meters, live in the cottage and ... 11/19/2008

For Rent Green Organic Living $1700 2 bedroom 1 bath Kula ocean mountain and sunset views with green living This 2nd story home has fresh paint some new carpet! Organic growing and fresh air! Green living with views to die for. The surrounding area is farm lands and has a few live stock animals. There are vegetable gardens and plenty of areas to grow and create a wonderful life style. Complete with hot house, storage and acreage. Green Organic Living Call @ 572-5050 FOR RENT 11/11/2008

I had the day off yesterday, So I headed up to Kula Maui to pick up a load of manure.  I am working on making raised beds for herbs and vegtables.  I am putting together redwood raised boxes, this will limit the up keep and keep is weed free. So I was driving up to Kula and thought I would take a few pictures along the way. My first stop was through Makawao Town. This is Polli's Mexican restaurant a local favorite. This use to be the fireplace store. Now it is a collection of gift items This is the Viewpoint Gallery. The former owner was a good friend of mine and passed away. He also was the owner of the Makwao Steak House for years. Goodies is a local favorite for womens clothing. The Matsui Store was once a retail store for Nickens Interiors. That was my business before I went into re... 10/28/2008

Okay I am sick of the news and sick of this presidential race. Is there anyone with any common sense in the gov't.  I once heard a joke that all the good people that should be running for office are either surfing or backpacking. So we deal with what we have for now.  My question is do people just stop living because Congress and Wall St. are so busy looking after their own Ass. No, as hard working honest Americans we do what we know how to do.  Put our heads down and work hard.  We also adjust in any way to get through this mess. So I am saying it's business as usual.  People have changes in their lives. They need to sell their homes and move to a different town. They might have sold a 1031 exchange property and need a replacement property, etc, etc, etc.  So the way I see it is we wo... 10/27/2008

( this is the online version of my email newsletters which are FREE if you request them.... 4 different versions available... Kula, Makawao/Pukalani, Paia/Haiku, and South Shore condos ) Kula Real Estate Newsletter     -         October 2008The October Upcountry Realtor Caravan featured 6 properties for sale in Kula Maui, ranging from $569,000 to $2,250,000.  It was a good selection, and one has already gone Pending which goes to show that well-priced properties are still getting snapped up if they are in good marketable condition.------------------------------------------------------------1.    Priced to Sell, Kula   $569,000.00- upgraded 3BD/2BA home, vaulted ceilings, wood floors, wood stove, and detached art studio- rock walls and terraces, avocados and citrus, tropical flowers on t... 10/16/2008

Market Poll: Where would you buy when the market changes? (This should be fun)   Okay the market is in serious trouble.  The housing market is tanking in some areas of the country and not as bad in others. So as a Realtor I promote Maui because this is where I live and work.  Yes I can give you all the reasons to buy here which are valid.  So what I was wondering is that the U.S. and Canada represent a vast inventory of real estate you can buy.  Here is my question for all the agents out there.  If you were going to buy a home or rental property.  Where most likely would you buy.  Let's face it next year we are going to most likely see the bottom of the housing market.    So I am thinking that next year would be a good time to buy long term investment. I would like to buy a piece of pro... 10/11/2008

   KULA Real Estate News Volume 9        Laurelee Blanchard, Realtor    (808) 298-8544 (Direct)    Laurelee@MauiResidences.com     REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT   Kula Home Sales   As of September 30, 2008, there were 35 single family home sales in Kula year-to-date, compared to 57 sales this time last year.   Total dollar volume fell 23%.   The average price was $1,257,364, compared to $1,008,514 this time last year - up 25%.   The median price for a home was $1,020,000 compared with $765,000 a year earlier - an increase of 33%.   63 homes are currently listed for sale in Kula.   View the list at www.MauiResidences.com         The following is a list of recent home sales listed in order of price.   Date Price Address Home S.F. Ohana S.F. Acres   8/21/08 $875,000 35 Waiakoa Place 1,922 900... 10/08/2008

Food security is an important issue for the Hawaiian Islands. Maui boasts a year round growing season and has large areas of the island dedicated to sugar cane and pineapple, but it still imports over 90% of its food supply. There have been calls to expand agriculture on the island and improve self sufficiency. The challenge is that agriculture can be tough to make profitable. Land and labor are both expensive. This challenge is not unique to Maui. Smaller scale farms on the mainland have struggled to generate profits for decades. Community Supported Agriculture or CSA is one avenue that farmers have been pursuing as a means to make small scale farming ventures profitable. CSAs typically operate by having consumers become members in a farm. The members pay a fee that helps under write f... 09/24/2008

September was pretty slow on Maui.  This is our slowest time of year. The tourist count is down and sales have been slow from August going through September. Talking to the escrow companies escrows are starting to pick up. This is a good sign. October also will see an increase in visitor count.  This is a time of year to get all our work out of the way.  Once the holidays season kick in it should be a descent winter season for visitor count and sales activity. Steven C. Nickens R(S) GRi ABR The Wailea Group LLC. 3750 Wailea Alanui, suite 5WE Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, 96753 www.nickensmaui.com Email: nickens@maui.net 09/23/2008

Okay I've heard this before. I am going to wait till next year when the market really tanks. I had a client from Canada come in today and say the exact same thing; I am waiting till next year.  There is going to be a turning point when it is too late.  Prices are down and we haven't seen opportunity like this in a while.  If you have been waiting for the perfect time to buy property in Maui real estate market, this is the time! I am no stock market expert but I do know real estate.  I have seen the different cycles through the last 30 years in Maui.  If you were speculating in the real estate market and got caught with a full beck in your hands you are bumming. Now if you have some cash and prices are down you are looking pretty good.  So at what point do you beat the pack and start inv... 09/21/2008

I was reading where in California home sales surge as prices plummet.  Homes under $200K are getting multiple offers. Could this be a sign that maybe the bottom of the housing market is happening at least in the lower end of the market.  In Hawaii it is still pretty slow but I was surprised to see multiple offers on a property I was working on. Lets hope for everyone that it is the bottom or close and the housing market can stabilize and get the financial market on its feet. Hawaii always follows the California so seeing a stabilizing in the market place would be great for Hawaii. Steven Nickens R(S) GRI ABR The Wailea Group LLC. 3750 Wailea, Alanui, Suite 5WE Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753 www.nickensmaui.com Eamil: nickens@maui.net   09/18/2008

Stephanie Perrault R(S) ABR The Shops at Wailea Wailea, HI 96753 Stephanie@YourMauiRealEstateTeam.com cell:808-222-1114 Toll Free 888-711-MAUI Put Your Maui Real Estate Team at Work  :)   This picture was Taken on Maui Up-country, Kula at the Lavender farm. The Ulupalakua Thing is the nickname for the Maui County Agricultural. It Make me smile to look at them. At least those lucky Lamb are enjoying a good natural life before ending in our plates. It's the way ist used to be...and the way it should be...and  for all of them.   09/01/2008

Lavender Farm on Maui - Ali'i Kula Lavender Maui Some fact about one of my favorite flower's smell! As one of the planet's most medicinal and versatile herbs Lavender has been used for centuries as a natural healer. Lavender is also a natural antiseptic and disinfectant and its uses are extremely resourceful and multifaceted. It has been dubbed an aphrodisiac as well as an awareness builder. It is extremely sensory and seductive if necessary. One of the greatest attributes Lavender holds is its instinctual benefit to soothe and relieve tension, stress, pain and pressure. It also produces one of the few essential oils that are gentle enough to apply directly to the skin. Here at AKL we have created an earth and animal friendly product line that takes full advantage of Lavenders most endo... 09/01/2008

Stephanie Perrault R(S) ABR The Shops at Wailea Wailea, HI 96753 Stephanie@YourMauiRealEstateTeam.com cell:808-222-1114 Toll Free 888-711-MAUI Put Your Maui Real Estate Team at Work  :)   Beautiful breath taking view of the Ocean and South Shore of Maui was taken from the Lavender Farm located up-country in Kula. The island that we can see far away behind Maui is the Island of Lanai. This picture was taken on 8/30/08 the same day we celebrated Dany's birthday! What a great peaceful and relaxing place. Mother nature is know how to takw my breath away!  :) 09/01/2008

Stephanie Perrault R(S) ABR The Shops at Wailea Wailea, HI 96753 Stephanie@YourMauiRealEstateTeam.com cell:              808-222-1114        Toll Free               888-711-MAUI        Put Your Maui Real Estate Team at Work  :)   Great way to celebrate life on Maui!   Thank you ladies for coming! Everybody responded the same way....., we have not been laughing so hard for a long time............hehehe! It was a great afternoon! Here are some pictures from Monaco.....to prove it! Aloha! Have a great long weekend! Love ya all! 09/01/2008

(if you are already signed up for these free Kula newsletters, don't forget there are others as well; South Maui Condos; Paia/Haiku; and Makawao/Olinda/Pukalani - just let me know which ones you would like) Kula Real Estate Newsletter     -         August 2008August Upcountry Realtor Caravan was a large one - 13 properties including 4 vacant lots and some well priced residential listings.  I have noticed that there are some really good deals on vacant land in Kula lately.  Let me know if you're looking for a building lot that's priced below recent comps.------------------------------------------------------------1.    Cheap Lot, Kula,   $250,000.00- buy this quarter acre along with the adjoining home for sale, and have a half acre- no water meter, so you know what that means2.    Rural ... 08/23/2008

 Kula flowers Here is the market report for Kula Maui.  This reflects sales from January 2008 to August 17, 2008.  The Median price for Kula Maui real estate is $1,099,000. The lowest sales price is $375,000 to a high of $6,125,000 for a beautiful Kula estate.  To search kula properties check this link. www.nickensmaui.com/upcountry_props.htm  Horse country Aloha, Steven 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 Experience that makes a difference CMA Summary Report Residential - Sold    Residential Summary Statistics    High Low Average Median LP: $6,975,000 $375,000 $1,539,607 $1,099,000 SP: $6,125,000 $375,000 $1,408,330 $1,049,500     ADDRESS  Status  District  Sale/Rent  Liv-SF  DOM  LP ... 08/18/2008

   KULA Real Estate News Volume 7        Laurelee Blanchard, Realtor    (808) 298-8544 (Direct)    Laurelee@MauiResidences.com     REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT   Kula Home Sales   As of July 31, 2008, there were 31 single family home sales in Kula year-to-date, compared to 47 sales this time last year.   Total dollar volume fell 20%.   The average price was $1,301,008, compared to $1,067,443 this time last year - up 22%.   The median price for a home was $1,037,000 compared with $835,000 a year earlier - an increase of 24%.   64 homes are currently listed for sale in Kula.   View the list at: http://websearch.ramaui.com/smartframe/search.php?dbid=dbid1155592598                                                            The following is a list of recent home sales listed in order of price.... 08/07/2008

Here are the figures for Maui real estate market year to date. The Maui Report for June 2008 covers the first half of 2008.   With current trends you will find motivated sellers and opportunity to purchase your dream home.  The first half of 2008 saw fewer real estate transactions, declining 25.9% for single-family homes and 17.8% fewer condominiums compared to the same time period last year. Single-family home prices dipped 8.9% to $590,000 compared to last year. Condominium prices showed positive growth increasing 9.5% to $575,000 compared to last year primarily due to new high-end condo sales that recently closed in the Wailea area.      The majority of sales for single family homes in the first half of 2008 occurred in Wailuku, followed by Kihei and Kahului. Condominium sales were ... 08/03/2008

Kula Maui Homes Selling Kula Maui real estate needs to be on the money in this new market.   The first goal in selling your home is to price it correctly. What are recent sales in Kula  neighborhood you wish to sell? First you need to get over the fact that your house may not be worth as much as much as you think. Time has changed. The challenge in a slowing Maui market is that your particular home may only have three sales in the last six months.  So you really need an edge in this Maui market so you need to price it right. Okay you have it priced right.  You're looking at putting your Maui home on the market.  So then let's take a look at the curb appeal.  Plants are cheap so spruce up the yard a little bit.  People love to collect junk.  So it's time to throw out some old junk, have ... 08/02/2008