Do you look at commission rate before you decide to show a property? Over the years, I've had many different types of conversations with agents regarding the selling commission offered on listings.To be honest, on a rare occasion, I have seen some quite ridiculous commission rates offered on the MLS.  It's like "I'm sorry, is this just for gas money?"  Where's the beef?!  LOL!  I've probably seen that more so on lease listings that listings for sale.Yet at the same time, all of us see "selling side bonuses" being offered.  Many cases if there is an accepted offer by a certain date.I certainly understand the theory of providing incentives to agents to show, and eventually sell a property.But my question is:  Do agents actually "screen" properties by selling side commission before they ev... 09/24/2017

Owning a home in Kihei Maui is all about lifestyle.  You have beautiful beaches, sunny weather throughout the year, great restaurants, and shopping.  Many people like to call Kihei home.  You have a variety of options if you’re thinking about buying a home in Kihei Maui. One of my favorite communities in Kihei is Kilohana Ridge.Homes for sale in Kihei MauiKilohana Ridge is the perfect place to call home.  What is great about Kilohana Ridge, is it’s a new subdivision and within walking distance to Keawakapu Beach, one of Kihei’s most popular beach. You have quality constructed homes, one and two story homes.  I also like that it’s just a few minutes away from Wailea Resort and all that Wailea has to offer from golf, pristine beaches, shopping, and dining.Moana Estates is another communit... 09/11/2017

Monday Morning Quote to "Get 'Ya Goin'"! "My father could have been a great comedian but he did not believe that was possible for him and so he made a conservative choice. Instead he got a safe job as an accountant and  when I was 12 years old. He got let go from that safe job and our family had to do whatever we could do to survive.  I learned many great lessons form my father.  Not the least of which was that: You can’t fail at what you don’t want.  So you might as well take a chance on doing what you love". - Jim Carrey  Ralph Gorgoglione - Broker / RealtorTop 3% Realtors NationwideMetro Life Homes  / BRE #01708344Maui Life Homes / RS-78439(310) 497-9407 / (800) 591-6121  /  Fax:  (866) 470-2717Web:  metrolifehomes.net  /  Blog:  HomeChitChat.com  08/28/2017

Kihei Maui condo sales - Maui Vista resort market update for August 2017Maui Vista is located at 2191 S. Kihei Rd, Kihei HI 96753.  It's right across the street from a number of sandy beaches.  The development consists of 3 4-story buildings with elevators, with a total of 280 apartments. The units are either 1Bed/1Bath or 2Bed/2Bath.  1 bedroom units are between 584 sf - 631 sf.  2 bedroom units are between 822 sf - 875 sf.  Units come with a full kitchen including dishwasher, washer/dryer, and a small lanai.  Most of the time the listings are sold fully furnished, which is typical for a vacation rental condo on Maui.Maui Vista resort entrance, Kihei HIEach building has a pool and tennis courts. Mature landscaping provides plenty of shade for the grounds and some of the parking areas. ... 08/02/2017

Aloha Friday from Maui - have a wonderful summer weekendLooking at Keawakapu Beach in South Maui Search for oceanfront homes and land for sale on Maui right here.Thanks for reading my Maui blog...Buying or selling real estate on Maui?  That's what I do.  Let me help YOU.Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers127 Hana Hwy. #G, Paia HI 96779E-mail or call/text: 808 283-0635 07/28/2017

You might ask yourself... "Where can I find a hardware store in Kihei Maui?" Look no further than the Azeka Place Shopping Center and Ace Hardware, at 1290 S. Kihei Rd. They're in the back of the shopping center, behind the Kihei Post Office, and towards the ocean. Call them at 808 879-7060It's a perfectly good hardware store with all the usual items, including a paint center and a garden center.  You can get keys cut and window screens repaired in short order.  Customer service is friendly and smart.  Plenty of free parking of course.So save yourself a trip to Kahului and pop in to Ace Hardware in Kihei for all those basic needs when fixing up things around the house and yard.Call them at 808 879-7060If you're asking, "Where can I find a home for sale in Kihei?" then look no further...... 07/07/2017

Kihei Maui homes for sale - 111 Ho'ohale Street is a winnerThis wonderful single story home is fresh on the market, just listed for $1,250,000. See all details and 30 pictures here on the Hawaii Life website. MLS# 374724Some of the great features of 111 Ho'ohale: single level with no steps 3 beds/3 baths 11 foot high ceilings tiled floors throughout roll-in showers with grab bars solar hot water heater in ground pool 2 car garage furnished This 10 year old home really appeals to someone who wants to age in place. It's already been modified to be wheelchair friendly.  No steps and wide hallways.  Great for entertaining, with a nice shady lanai off the dining room.  Cooks will appreciate that the kitchen has so much storage space, and a pass through window to the outside.The neighborhood ... 07/04/2017

Kihei Maui HI condo sales - Hale Kamaole, June 2017What's been selling at the Hale Kamaole Resort in south Maui? 9 closed sales priced from $417,500 to $650,000 in the past 12 months Days on Market ranged from 61 to 344 3 sold units were 1BD/BA units: $417,500; $425,000; $447,000 average 1BD price was $586,333 and median 2BD price was $600,000 6 were 2BD/2BA units: $525,000; $525,000; $590,000; $610,000; $618,000; $650,000 average 2BD price was $586,333 and median 2BD price was $600,000 nothing REO or short sale in here What's for sale now at Hale Kamaole? 7 units are active listings, with none pending, priced from $399,000 to $475,000 Days on Market range from 68 to 548 these are all 1BD/1BA units, with 2 being ground floor and 5 on the second floor the ocean views come with the higher... 06/14/2017

What's been selling in the south Kihei Maui neighborhoods of Kilohana Ridge and Keawakapu Views?  Time for a real estate market update...What sold in the past 12 months? looking back 12 months, there were 9 closed sales priced from $875,000 to $1,400,000 lowest price sale was 35 Hoohale St. which was a short sale, sold by online auction - a 4BD/3BA single level home with no pool. highest price sale was 164 Ponana St. - a 3BD/2.5BA single level home with pool and photo voltaic panels. median sale price was $999,999 and the average sale price was $1,052,277 Days on Market ranged from 52 days to 536 days 3 homes were 3BD, 4 homes were 4BD and 2 homes had 5BD/4BA only the lowest priced sale was a short sale. None were bank owned. What's for sale now? 3 Active listings priced at: $1,225,000 ... 06/05/2017

Kihei Maui HI condo sales - Luana Kai Resort April 2017What's been selling at the oceanfront Luana Kai Resort in south Maui? 8 closed sales priced from $292,900 to $585,000 in the past 12 months Days on Market ranged from 68 to 354 3 were 1 Bd units: $292,900; $350,000; $455,000 5 were 2BD/2BA units: $440,000; $490,000; $555,000; $565,000; $585,000 all units were in buidings A and B, and of course A is directly oceanfront so those units sold for higher prices What's for sale now at Luana Kai? 5 units are active listings, with none pending, priced from $449,500 to $670,000 Days on Market range from 30 to 114 D-105 is 1BD/1BA listed for $449,500 B-103 is 2BD/2BA and listed for $488,000 B-304 is 2BD/2BA and listed for $569,000 B-301 is 3BD/3BA and listed for $549,000 C-301 is 3BD/3BA and l... 05/04/2017

One of my biggest pet peeves............ Probably my biggest pet peeve when it comes to other agents is non-communication.How many times have you sent an offer, or emailed the agent with a request for showing, or asked a quick question, etc., and the agent never gets back to you? I mean, isn't your job to get that property sold?  Are you not doing a huge disservice to your seller by not keeping the dialogue going with everyone interested in purchasing it? There are some agents in our area that really annoy me.  I'm certain their lack of communication stems from their desire to try and double-pop every listing they have.  I call it "harboring" their listings.  You send in an offer, never hear back from them, and then "poof!", they are magically in escrow with their own buyer.  It's like,... 04/30/2017

JUST SOLD!140 Uwapo Rd. #25-204Kihei, HI 96753$244,000Click Here for MLS Listing Info2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath Kihei Villages Condo.  Walk to the beach!  Just a couple of minutes walk to the shore from this great condo.  Wood floors, wood shaker style cabinets, inside washer/dryer.  Large lanai  with lush garden view.  Great central location.  Right across the street from Kenolio Park.   Ralph Gorgoglione - Broker / RealtorTop 3% Realtors NationwideMetro Life Homes  / BRE #01708344Maui Life Homes / RS-78439(310) 497-9407 / (800) 591-6121  /  Fax:  (866) 470-2717Web:  metrolifehomes.net  /  Blog:  HomeChitChat.com  04/12/2017

JUST SOLD!$255,000480 Kenolio Rd. #14-202, Kihei, Maui Another successful sale for Maui Life Homes 2-Bedroom Southpointe condo Congrats to our clients on their first Hawaii investment property! 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath, upstairs unit. Large lanai with peek-a-boo ocean view, open to grounds. Inside stacked laundry. Laminate floors. Southpointe is one of the best-maintained complexes in Kihei. Walk to the shore! Beautiful, lush grounds. Makes for excellent investment property also. Average long-term lease on these units are $1800-$2000 per month. HOA is only $345. Makes for a great cash-positive investment.   Ralph Gorgoglione - Owner / RealtorTop 3% Realtors NationwideMetro Life Homes  / BRE #01708344Maui Life Homes / RS-78439(310) 497-9407 / (800) 591-6121  /  Fax:  (866) 470-2717Web:  metro... 03/01/2017

Huli Huli Chicken & Ribs - 177 S. Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753 Look at all that smoke along the road by the beach!  Why are all the cars pulling over right here?  What's that delicious smell? Wow, if you're looking for a great roadside food stand in Kihei, check out this place along South Kihei Road on Saturdays and Wednesdays!  10:00 am to 4:30.  They go by the name of Maui Rotisserie Chicken on Yelp, but the truck says Huli Huli Chicken & Ribs. Huli Huli is Hawaiian for "turn, turn" or you know, rotisserie.The menu is really simple, which makes it easy to decide...  CHICKEN or RIBS.  With a side of 2 scoops of white rice of course, and some corn.  You can go whole hog and get a full rack of ribs for $25, or just keep it simple with the rib plate for $10.  You can't beat that!  Likewise w... 02/26/2017

Short Sales:  Really?  Today?  After all this gain in equity?I have not only facilitated my own short sales, but since 2007 I have been a certified, hired short sale facilitator and have successfully facilitated and closed many short sale transactions.  I have seen quite the spectrum of scenarios and have dealt with dozens and dozens of banks and junior lienholders.Yes, believe it or not, short sales still exist in our current market.  Not many, but there are a few out there.You may be asking "How is that possible after almost 6 years of equity gains in the market?"Well, there are a few reasons that may come into play.  The most likely one is that equity lines of credit have still been available to homeowners during this time period.  Although guidelines have been stricter and Home Equi... 02/20/2017

Kihei afternoon by the shore - Just a great way to spend some time with friends. Kihei Maui - lazy afternoon by the shoreBeaches, ocean, sunshine, sand, kids, dogs, friends, sailboats, shady trees, swimmers, picnic tables... you get the picture.  This is why people move to Maui.  How about you?Find a home for sale in Kihei Maui and this could be you!Thanks for reading my Maui blog...Buying or selling real estate on Maui?  That's what I do.  Let me help YOU.Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers127 Hana Hwy. #G, Paia HI 96779E-mail or call/text: 808 283-0635 02/06/2017

Regardless of your party affiliation, or demographic, healthcare in our country is extremely important.We all depend on it.  We put our lives and those of our families and children in the hands of the healthcare industry, and it's critical that we all have access to adequate healthcare.Please help me and tens of millions of American hold our Congress accountable for making these decisions on our behalf.  They need to share the sense of urgency and importance we all do when it comes to having adequate and affordable healthcare.Members of Congress have their own government-paid healthcare plans.  That won't change regardless of their decisions or timeliness of decisions they make about our healthcare.That needs to change.  They are American citizens just like we are, representing us and o... 01/14/2017

A little bit of history from Maui....Kihei Wharf was first built in 1899 by Henry Baldwin, to service his new Kihei Sugar Plantation in the area now known as Kihei.  The raw sugar product was shipped out to California for processing, and supplies were brought in here.  People started using the wharf for fishing, and small boats would come and go.  Plantation housing was built across from the wharf to house the workers from Japan, Portugal, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.  Pretty soon the activity attracted a Chinese merchant who opened a small general store.   Families started settling in and buying land, building homes, and the community of Kihei was born.  Kihei Wharf - a historical spot in Kihei MauiThe little wharf has long since faded away, but a rocky pier-like structure... 11/28/2016

Speechless Sunday - on the beach at Kihei Canoe Club, Kihei MauiA couple of snapshots taken at the beach in North Kihei, where they keep their paddling canoes. Such a nice setting with the palm trees and the condos in the background.Find a home for sale in Kihei Maui ~ Search Maui MLS condos for sale by name Thanks for reading my Maui blog...Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers127 Hana Hwy. #G, Paia HI 96779E-mail or call/text: 808 283-0635 10/09/2016

Oceanfront residential houses market update - Kihei Maui HawaiiWhat's been selling in the oceanfront residential real estate market in the past year?  Looking back 12 months in our MLS, here's what I find...Sold in Kihei, oceanfront: 3016 S. Kihei Rd. sold for $8,000,000 on 8/15/16.  Originally listed for $12,000,000 the previous October, once the price came down to around $9,000,000 a serious cash buyer made his move. Just a simple 2BD/1.5BA 976 sf home on a big half acre lot right on Keawakapu Beach.  Great development potential! 1520 Halama St. sold for $3,600,000 on 4/29/16.  Originally listed for $4,190,000 this 1980's residence didn't come down so far in price.  A large 4BD/3.5BA home and a detached beach cottage on a lot of .4 acres with a sandy beach out front.  What will happen... 09/25/2016