Maui Market Update 2013

Posted on October 1, 2013 by admin

We have many reasons to be thankful for big improvements happening in Maui County and our Nation!!

-Jobless claims drop to a near 6-year low, great news for the labor market.

-Unemployment in the U.S. dropped to 7.3% and a staggering 4.3% in Hawaii** this is remarkable! That makes Hawaii #3 in the Nation for Unemployment rates. #1 and #2 spots going to North Dakota and South Dakota due to the Oil Boom.

With that great information in the labor market here are some creditworthy statistics for our Maui Real Estate Market!

-U.S. Home prices increase by most in the last 7 years!

-Highest existing home sales since February 2007.

-U.S. Foreclosure activity down 8%-lowest since December 2008.

38 of the 50 states posted lower foreclosure rates in August 2013.
Maui dropped 24% from previous month.
Maui down 41% from previous year.

-DOM (Days on Market) have gone down as well.

Single-Family homes 14.4%
Condominiums 37.5%

-Comparing 2012 to 2013 and showing the large growth in our market here are some staggering numbers!!

August 2013 vs. 2012
Lahaina Single Family Homes: Units + 175% and $ Volume + 379%
Napili/Kahana Condominiums : Units + 10.5% and $ Volume + 39%

-The Residential home median price increased to $585,000. The Condo median price increased to $420,000. Land median price declined to $350,000.

For BUYERS, Low interest rates prevail; however have started to nudge up Buyers should get Pre-Approved so they can shop in confidence (fewer last minute disappointments due to non-funding loans). “Short-sales” and foreclosures are still in the marketplace, yet they can be less of a bargain than they seem, requiring more hurdles to leap and more time (often 4-6-12 months) to close, if at all. Be prepared, but BE REALISTIC. Lenders are much more stringent on requirements now for loan approval, compared to 2004-2008.

For SELLERS, Sharpen your pencil, talk to your CPA and your Realtor® to explore the hidden benefits or consequences. Make no assumptions that will sting later. To be successful, Sellers need to beat competing properties with better property condition, REALISTIC pricing, good marketing, and flexible, creative terms (Seller Second Loan, Agreement of Sale, Lease-with-option-to-buy, and Sale-with-lease-back to seller). Days on Market figures show that properties priced right will sell in a reasonable timeframe, often with multiple offers. “Priced Right” is still the determining factor. BEST Deals are selling, while significantly over-priced listings remain un-sold.

In a Nutshell….Inventory is down, Sales are Up! Prices are rising and Interest rates are slowly climbing….Game On!!

Feel free to contact me for a no-obligation consultation! You may be surprised to learn that you qualify to buy your own home.

I’m born and raised In West Maui I have vast knowledge of the area this is where I live and work!

Ciara Quam RS, Quam Properties Hawaii INC. (808) 298-7719, Ciara@quamproperties.com, www.CiaraQuam.com

Some information provided by RealtyTrac and RAM.

Maui Real Estate Market trends

Posted on July 18, 2013 by admin

The Current Maui Real estate market trends for June 2013

The Residential home median price rose to $615,000, the highest since Aug. 2008. The Condo median price increased to $390,000. Land median price rose to $469,260. Days on Market has Shrunk Residential homes = 116, Condos = 143 DOM, Land = 105 DOM. General DOM Note: this is the average DOM for the properties that SOLD. If predominantly OLD inventory sells, it will move this indicator upward, and vice versa. RAM’s Days on Market are calculated from List Date to Closing Date [not contract date], including approximately 60 days of escrow time.

Total sales for immediate past 12 months: Residential=983 (with 26% being Foreclosures or Short Sales), Condo=1,257 (14.2% Foreclosures or Short Sale), Land=193 (14% Foreclosures or Short Sale).

Current Absorption rate JUNE: Residential 6.5 months of active inventory, 6.4 months of active inventory, 23.4 months of active inventory. Definition of ‘Absorption rate’ the rate at which available homes are sold in a specific real estate market during a given time period. It is calculated by dividing the total number of available homes by the average number of sales per month. The figure shows how many months it will take to exhaust the supply of homes on the market. A high absorption rate may indicate that the supply of available homes will shrink rapidly, increasing the odds that a homeowner will sell a piece of property in a shorter period of time.

Honua Kai Aerial shot of Hokulani & Konea tower

Inventory is down, Sales are up! Prices are rising…Interest rates are steadily rising!! It’s time to Move!Increased showings and sales, multiple offers on “well priced” listings, hesitant buyers become onlookers….The window of opportunity is quickly closing for first-time homebuyers. Well priced properties are attracting multiple offers and making for a quick sale. Inventory has declined 16% over the past 12 months in Residential and Condo classes. Which is making it a competitive market for buyers who are hesitating. Most of Maui is in a Seller’s market***

REO (Foreclosures) and Short Sales are dwindling, with any “hidden inventory” (or overhang) backlog slowly trickling onto the market. Mortgage Interest Rates are inching up slightly which may help motivate would-be Buyers to go ahead and buy IF they can qualify. Savvy Investors are buying with Cash. While general U.S. economic news looks cautiously hopeful, current World and US events will have ripple effects on cost of living, consumer confidence, Financial and Real Estate Markets. As prices rise, some “Owners” will decide to become “Sellers.”

SELLERS need to beat competing properties with better property condition, REALISTIC pricing, good marketing, and flexible, creative terms (Seller Second Loan, Agreement of Sale, Lease-with-option-to-buy, and Sale-with-lease-back to seller). Days on Market figures show that properties priced right will sell in a reasonable timeframe, often with multiple offers. “Priced Right” is still the determining factor. BEST Deals are selling, while significantly over-priced listings remain un-sold.

BUYERS Low interest rates prevail; however have started to nudge up Buyers should get Pre-Approved so they can shop in confidence (fewer last minute disappointments due to non-funding loans). “Short-sales” and foreclosures are still in the marketplace, yet they can be less of a bargain than they seem, requiring more hurdles to leap and more time (often 4-6 months) to close, if at all. Be prepared, but BE REALISTIC. Lenders are much more stringent on requirements now for loan approval,compared to 2004-2008.

***Information provided by RAM Maui, June 2013 Statistics.

There are still many different loan options for First-time home buyers contact me and I can give you 3 different well-qualified lenders that can give you many loan options to suite your life and income qualifications. If you are not able to qualify right away there are still a few home buyer clubs that can help you become creditworthy and purchase a home in 6 months to a year from now. The low point in the market is your rare chance, so check it out carefully don’t delay. The opportunity is fading quickly!

Visit my website www.CiaraQuam.com to do a market search. Contact me Ciara Quam for a market analysis and a one on one meeting to see how I can help you find your piece of paradise on Maui~

Have a beautiful day in Hawaii Nei…

Maui Real Estate Market Update

Posted on July 9, 2013 by admin

Seller’s market, Competitive, Prices on the Rise!

75 Kahana Nui Road, Kahana Ridge home Just SOLD by Ciara Quam & Rod Quam of Quam Properties Hawaii, INC. Closed at $799,000 5 bed/3bath

In the Napili/Kahana/Honokowai area of upper west Maui prices are on the rise!

Seller’s Market is a market with more buyers than sellers. The excess of demand over supply means higher prices. Currently listed properties in this area are starting at $799,000 all the way up to $9,775,000 depending on location, size and condition. With 13 pending sales in this small 5 mile radius of Napili, Kahana and Honokowai it shows a lot of interest and inclining movement in the market. 18 closed sales in the last 6 months is a growing number up from 16 closed sales this time last year.

Opukea Unit C-104 Just SOLD by Ciara Quam of Quam Properties Hawaii, INC. Closed at $425,000 for a 3 bed/2 bath

There are only 4 condos under the asking price of $750,000 with 3 bedrooms in all of West Maui.

If sellers are priced competitively they are having numerous showings and multiple offers within the first week and opening escrow shortly after. It’s a simple formula “Do you want to be IN the market or ON the market” when you are looking to list your property do your research and be smart about where you price your property! The first 30 days that your home is on the market is the most vital period, it is the pulse to your property. Properties that are well priced and in good condition are selling quickly. Properties that are priced above market and/or are not in good condition are not selling. Recently Sold properties are what buyers are willing to pay, currently for sale is your competition and properties that have expired or been cancelled are the prices buyers are not willing to pay.

PENDING SALE-Ho’onanea Townhome in Lahaina 3 bed/2.5 bath Listed at $445,000 Ciara is representing the Buyer.

Key Factor! There is no bad selling decision as long as it meets your goals. How much is enough to get you to where you want to go? It is still possible to sell in a Seller’s market and buy in a Buyer’s market. You may be able to get a lower interest rate on a higher priced property and pay the same monthly payment. Interest rates are still at historical lows.

Real Estate markets have always been cyclical. Real estate values are a historical perspective. Like riding a roller coaster. We’ve gone through the big dive and we’ve made it through the medium dip. We’re headed back, and racing through the little ups and downs before we get to the station.

Visit my website www.ciaraquam.com for a market search. Contact me for a no obligation market analysis of your condo or home! It’s a great time to sell, many eager buyers are looking to buy and with the low inventory there are not many choices for them to choose from. Don’t miss this opportunity!! Have a beautiful day