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

Buy a beachfront vacation condo on Maui this winter When the temperatures drop and the snow flies, thoughts turn to sunny climates and vacation condos on the beach. Don't let another winter go by before you buy your own little piece of paradise on Maui. It doesn't have to be expensive or too fancy. You can buy a beachfront Maui vacation condo starting around $60,000 for leasehold, and about $200,000 for fee simple.  Prices go up from there and there's something for every budget. Search condos for sale in any building on Maui by name. Napili and Lahaina are where you'll find most of these low priced Leasehold vacation condos.  This area is sunny and warm and geared towards tourism with plenty of fun things to do. Check out the Maui rentals on VRBO.com and see if you like any of the spots... 12/05/2014

Wordless Wednesday - sunset by the pool - Kaanapali Maui Hawaii You could enjoy sunsets like this every day if you owned a vacation condo on Maui. Search for Maui condos for sale right here. Find a home for sale in Kaanapali and West Maui. Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers 161 Wailea Ike Place C-103B, Wailea HI 96753 127 Hana Hwy. #G, Paia HI 96779 800 667-5028 ex 8241 direct: 808 283-0635 11/05/2014

Front Street, Lahaina - before the Halloween event Front Street in Lahaina Maui is always a fun place to be, even when it's not Halloween. There's so many interesting shops and restaurants to visit. For history buffs there's even some museums, and plenty of historical buildings and sites. The Lahaina Harbor is right there, with tour boats and fishing charters coming and going. Lots of activity here on Front St. and lots to see and do. Find out more about Lahaina town at their website where you can see the calendar of events and read the newsletters.  Find a home for sale in Lahaina and other parts of West Maui, and be part of the scene! Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers 161 Wailea Ike Place C-103B, Wailea HI 96753 127 Hana Hwy. #G, Paia HI 96779 800 667-5028 ex... 11/04/2014

There is no question, being a landlord has a certain stigma that is hard to overcome. Many people have had, or have heard of, bad experiences dealing with a disreputable landlord myself included. I'm here to tell you that not all landlords are out to make your life hard, make repairs only when legal habitability is at question, or keep you from getting your security deposit back. I've heard horror stories of some pretty awful living conditions that some landlords seemed to think were perfectly acceptable. As a landlord I take pride in providing nice rental homes for my tenants and would never leave one of my rental properties in disrepair. My thought is if you keep a property well maintained the tenants are more likely to take good care of it. As a young adult I never would have imagine... 10/02/2014

Kaanapali Maui sunset brokers open at Honua Kai A big MAHALO goes out to Old Republic Title and Escrow for hosting and organizing a sunset brokers open at the Honua Kai Resort in Kaanapali Maui last Friday. Some of us got to ride the bus over from the Shops at Wailea and back, making for a fun filled trip. Akina Aloha Tours provided the comfortable wheels. Honua Kai is the most recent new development on Kaanapali Beach, and they really went all out. Two separate buildings, the Hoku Lani and the Konea flank the "aquatic playground" or pool, as we used to call it. While we were supposed to view 7 separate luxury vacation condos for sale, some were booked up and unavailable, but the sampling we saw was worthwhile. These are really well appointed and luxurious holiday homes, with granite co... 09/29/2014

Let me ask a simple yet complex question: What's the big draw to investing in real estate? Understanding the answer or answers to that question is sure to help you stay focused in your real estate investing endeavors. Below are some reasons that either I have or have heard from my colleagues. So, Why Real Estate? Diversification: Most investors have real estate as just one portion of their overall investment portfolio. Having diversity adds a certain amount of protection from a crash in one segment of the market and not others. It also provides with better long term earning potential in a lot of cases. These investors (myself included) have divided their portfolio to include mutual funds, stocks, metals, and real estate as there investment package of choice. Freedom: To be honest, this ... 09/23/2014

Beautiful driveway in Olowalu Mauka, West Maui With my new listing in Olowalu Mauka I have been doing more market research into the West Maui real estate market.  Lots of driving around the towns on the west side... Lahaina, Kaanapali, Honokawai, Napili, etc. It's a different world over there, compared to the north shore and south shore of Maui.  Search for homes for sale in West Maui This beautiful palm tree lined driveway is also in the Olowalu Mauka subdivision, along with my new 3 acre vacant land listing. Now that's what you call curb appeal! Very inviting to drive in and see the home.  Homes in this neighborhood are selling well over $1M and you can see why. The location is choice, being out in the country, yet only about 10 minutes into the fun historic town of Lahaina, and about... 08/28/2014

Montage Residences Kapalua Bay: Record Sales for West Maui At the Montage Residences Kapalua Bay, two condominium residences recorded today for a record breaking $7,750,000 and $8,250,000.  Per the Maui MLS service, prior to this, the highest sale recorded in West Maui was $5,735,000.  This was also at the Residences in 2010, when it was branded the Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay. Originally developed with 84 luxury condominium residences and 62 fractional residences, there were 13 purchased by private individuals and 15 by Exclusive Resorts at the time of the initial offering.  The property was foreclosed on in early 2013, and has since been rebranded the Montage Kapalua Bay and sales of the remaining developer inventory have begun.  There have been 5 sales ranging from... 08/22/2014

Aloha Friday from Olowalu Fruit and Juice Stand in Olowalu Maui Stop in the shade of these big old trees in Olowalu and grab something cold and refreshing at the Olowalu Juice Stand. Sugar cane stalks can be bought to chew on, or press them for the juice. Locally grown fruits and vegetables are available and fresh as can be.  This farmers market is here every day, between Maalaea and Lahaina on the Honoapiilani Highway. Search for West Maui homes and land for sale Olowalu Mauka is a new subdivision in this area if you're looking to build a new home nearby.  It's a great location with stunning ocean views. Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers 161 Wailea Ike Place C-103B, Wailea HI 96753 127 Hana Hwy. #G, Paia HI 96779 800 667-5028 ex 8241 direct: 808 283-0635   08/15/2014

This wonderful studio is brilliant and clean. $289,000.00 Fee Simple. All new, all rebuilt, comes with warranties for all appliances.  Be cool in this Honokowai sweet & lovable condo, completely refurbished this is a turnkey condominium. This condo boasts of the a loft that feels like a bedroom, with a grand hand railing, accented tiles, new carpet. escape from the studio feeling and sleep among the clouds. The extra large bathroom has his and her sinks, new tile, new mirror and new cabinets. The open Kitchen is Shining and Spotless with new granite counter-tops, glass tile splash back, cabinets, appliances, washer-dryer, fresh paint. Take Time to Live on the 5 Acres where the grounds are immaculately maintained, two pools, community center, dry sauna, tennis courts, basket ball court a... 08/14/2014

aina nalu news       Presented by Aloha Potts       Issue 35, Q2—2014   Aloha from your resident experts!   In the first quarter there were 2 units sold – one 1 bd unit, which sold for $300,000, and one 2/1 downstairs unit, which sold for $379,000.  We were told that the 2/1 unit sale was actually the purchase of the remaining interest in a fractionalized property, which makes it unique for aina nalu.   The slower sales pace at aina nalu continues to surprise us.   After the quarter’s end, one of the 2/2 upstairs units that had been reduced to an asking price of $377,500 sold for $360,000 cash.  This sale price is lower than the last two sales for 2/2 units and the last sale for the 2/1 unit mentioned above.   Our inventory for 2 bd units has stabilized at 8 for now, with all but one b... 07/15/2014

If you got your tenant screening report back and you note that the applicant has a felony charge would you still rent to him or her? If you said "No" you may be discriminating. When we think of discrimination we usually think of intentional acts which exclude members of certain groups from employment, housing, or other opportunities. The civil rights laws, however, protect against not only intentional acts of discrimination but acts which are seemingly neutral that actually have a discriminatory impact on protected groups.Not all discrimination is illegal. For example, we choose people with good credit over those with bad credit. We reject applicants who have a previous history of evictions or nonpayment of rent. Such discrimination is legal and based on a legitimate business purpose. I... 06/29/2014

As of June 1, 2014, there have been 20 sales in the Kapalua Resort with an average sales price of $1,979,624 and a sales volume of $39,592,499.  In the same period in 2013, there were 24 sales with an average sales price of $1,816,437 and a sales volume of $43,594,500. While the market today may appear to be slightly less robust, the sales volume and average sales price was buoyed last year by an oceanfront home sale at $9,700,000.  As the average sales price has increased without an outlying sale and fewer sales, the market does appear to be strengthening somewhat in terms of pricing. It's also noteworthy that one of Kapalua's most exciting oceanfront condominium offerings, the Montage Residences Kapalua Bay, is about to be released.  Sales at the Residences could have a significant i... 06/01/2014

The Coconut Grove Kapalua | Condos for Sale | Kapalua Real Estate Market Update There is a new listing at one of Maui’s most desirable beachfront condominium properties: The Coconut Grove on Kapalua Bay.  An oceanfront 3B/3.5B second floor villa with an elevator, Coconut Grove #30 has been listed for sale at $5,499,000 (MLS 360493).  This joins Coconut Grove #15, an oceanfront ground floor 3B/3.5B villa, listed at $4,995,000 (MLS 360303). This beachfront enclave is comprised of just 36 buildings in 9 villas, so properties are seldom available.  Currently, there is one villa pending, Coconut Grove #23, listed at $5,250,000.  At the neighboring Montage Residences Kapalua Bay, the first resale since the foreclosure is now pending at a list price of $4,600,000.  The new ownership group is p... 05/02/2014

If you were a custom home builder, what would you build for yourself?Maybe something like this home in the Summit at KaanapaliOpen House Saturday  1 - 4389 Wekiu Place, MLS 360162 - Offered at $2,195,000   In Maui, the location is about the view, catching the cooling trade winds and having easy access to great beaches and the amenities of the island.  That’s a good reason to select the exclusive Summit development, a gated community perched at the top of the Kaanapali Golf Estates. The custom home at 389 Wekiu Place has a great room, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a den, 2 lanais and a pool with a hot tub.  Custom features include:  The front double doors feature hand carved glass panels signed by the artist, Don Crossley.  A custom designed copper hand rail crafted by Larry Padilla, a true art... 04/25/2014

Presented by AlohaPotts with Aloha Realty Group Issue 34, Q1, 2014   Aloha from your resident experts! In the first quarter there were 4 units sold – 3 one bd units and one 2/2 downstairs unit facing the large pool and hot tub, which sold for $395,000. The one bedrooms sold for $269,000 - $290,000. The slower sales pace for 2 bedroom units has surprised us. Our inventory for 2 bedroom units has grown to eight 2/2 units and one 2/1 unit.  Six of the 2/2 units are upstairs. There is only one 1 bedroom condo listed, priced at a hefty $329,000.  The two bedroom units are priced between $377,500 and $439,000.   The occupancy levels appear to be excellent; it’s difficult to show the active listings because they are almost always occupied when we receive requests to show. We sometimes need to ... 04/12/2014

A new Residence has just been listed at the Montage Residences Kapalua Bay. Residence 2602, listed at $4,600,000, is the first condominium offered for resale at the Residences since 2011. Originally branded the Ritz-Carlton Residences at Kapalua Bay, the developer sales began closing in 2009 and ended in 2011.  The Residences are some of the largest condominiums offered for sale in Maui, with floorplans ranging from 2789 sq. ft. to 4055 sq. ft.   The Residences at Kapalua Bay Sales History:  There has been only one resale, 1305, which closed at $2,850,000 in 2011.  Original developer sales prices ranged from $2,800,000 to $5,735,000, the highest price paid for a condominium in West Maui.   Over the past decade there have been close to 40 condominium sales over $5,000,000 on Maui.  Sale... 04/04/2014