January 11, 2007
The winter weather is treating us nicely on Maui with balmy skies and continuous waves. Each cycle of waves that hit the islands are created by huge low depressions in the Pacific Northwest. About the same time Hawaii receives the waves, the west coast gets the low pressure sweeping in from the NW bringing rain and snow.
December through April is the season for the highest of waves and it is these same conditions in the winter that motivate many travelers to come to Hawaii. We had another record year for tourist visits and Maui is still the # 1 destination in the world...or so say the signs overhead near the baggage claim in the airport.
Our real estate market on Maui is shifting with unit volumes sliding in housing sales down 23% and condominium sales down 39%. We expected this turnaround when interest rates were going up this past year and they have now leveled.
Maui is still No Ka Oi, "The Best" island in the world with all that it has to offer year round. There is still strong interest in buying and some have put their purchases on hold or remaining more selective. If you are moving here, I would suggest that you strongly consider coming now while the selection of homes has increased and the Sellers are negotiating while rates are still good. After all, how much difference is what you pay today going to make in 10 or 20 years of holding on to it?
Hurry over, the weather is great and the surf is up.
Love Life. Live Maui.
Fred