Kevin Spaise moved to Maui ten years ago after vacationing here and falling in love with the active Maui lifestyle. In 2002, he and his wife, Sherry, founded MauiInfo.com, an informational lifestyle website and vacation rental agency specializing in beach condominiums.
In 2007, Kevin wrote and published the 400-page Maui Condo Book, the condominium reference guide used by Maui's real estate agents, brokers, title and escrow companies, appraisers, and other Real Estate professionals. His extensive research background in Maui condominium ownership made Kevin a natural choice as one of the first agents to be hired after Hawaii Life decided to expand their industry-leading services to Maui in 2010.
Posted by Kevin Spaise, RS on August 20th, 2010 |
Tags: Condos, For Sale, Hawaii, Hoolei, Kanani Wailea, Luxury, Maui, Papali, REO, Wailea
If you’ve been, than you know: there aren’t many places in the world that can top Wailea when it comes to lifestyle. The weather is incredible; South Maui’s legendary “endless summer” makes it a beach day all year round. The whales leap from the water during season (December through March), within full view of the shore. And the manicured resort lifestyle, clean, green, lush, and wonderfully maintained, underscores the fact that you have truly arrived in paradise.
Wailea caters mostly to condo living, but lately, that’s come with a twist. The newer properties, like the spectacular Ho’olei (across from the Grand Wailea), Kai Malu (inland a half mile,with great ocean views), Kanani Wailea (bordering Kihei, at the north end of Wailea), and Papali (near the Palms condos) are more like single family homes in a condo setting.
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Using quality of life as a barometer, what’s the ultimate address in Wailea?
The answer could well be Hoolei, the 30-acre luxury residential condo property directly across the street from The Grand Wailea.
Wailea’s gated Ho’olei, across the street from the Grand Wailea, is setting the standards for resort living in a residential setting.
Developed by the Quill Group, which also created the landmark property Na Hale O Makena, Ho’olei features 120 two-story townhome residences, spanning between 2,500 and 3,300 square feet, all with spectacular west-facing ocean views.
Completed in 2008, Ho’olei has defied downward market conditions and has nearly sold out (only ten developer units out of 120 remain unsold), a testament to the appeal of a true luxury resort with the inherent appeal of single family living. Indeed, the premise from the beginning has been to offer the resident, whether part- or full-time, the best of both worlds. The market has responded: Ho’olei has consistently and dramatically outsold the other five luxury properties at or near its price point — Wailea Beach Villas, Papali, Wailea Point, Polo Beach, and Makena Surf. Eight units have closed thus far in 2010, accounting for more than $17.5 million in sales.
Ho’olei is absolutely unique among a spate of gated luxury properties that have defined Wailea’s development in recent years More »
Posted by Kevin Spaise, RS on July 12th, 2010 |
Tags: Condos, For Sale, Hawaii, Kamaole Sands, Kihei, Kihei Akahi, Kihei Kai Nani, Maui, South Kihei
The Kamaole Sands: a blue chip rental property across the street from Kamaole III Beach. Perimeter units with partial ocean views begin in the low $300K’s.
Many of my clients plan to live on Maui for extended periods when they retire, and I always encourage them to think about how the prospective condo will fit once they make that move. I’m currently working with a couple who is shopping for a vacation rental condo, loves the conveniences and beaches of South Kihei, and cannot envision themselves living on Maui without at least a peek of the ocean from their lanai or living room. They have a ceiling of around $300,000. More »
Wailea Kai is the only single family development in Wailea where ownership is possible at or under $1M.
The walk-in entrance to one of Maui’s finest beaches, Keawkapu Beach, is steps from Wailea Kai’s main gate.
The gated subdivision of Wailea Kai, with its small web of cul-de-sac streets, massive community green belt, and location steps from magnificent Keawakapu Beach, offers value and opportunity for ownership that may be missing in other newer and more contemporary developments in the luxury community of Wailea on Maui’s south shore—and the market is responding.
Its access to Keawakapu Beach—unmatched by any of Wailea’s many newer communities, which arch higher up the hill—is the primary draw for most of Wailea Kai’s residents, who also appreciate its spacious park-like setting. Keawakapu Beach is among the best on the islands, with an idyllic golden shoreline that you can walk for several miles, past the Wailea resorts. There is also a diversity in its design that you won’t see in other, newer developments. More »
Posted by Kevin Spaise, RS on June 3rd, 2010 |
Tags: Condos, Deals, For Sale, Hawaii, Keonekai Villages, Kihei, Kihei Bay Surf, Maui, Maui Gardens
My picks for Kihei condos under $200,000 are a surprisingly diverse selection.
There was a time in the not-so-distant past that a budget of $200,000 in the Maui condo market might have bought you a 436 square foot studio, across from the beach—if you weren’t too picky. That same studio unit at the vacation rental friendly Kihei Bay Surf now fetches around $60K less, and buyers in this price range have a diverse selection to choose from.
Here are my picks for best buys in this price range. Note: none of these are my listings, and I’ve based my picks strictly on value.
1. Keonekai Villages, 2 bed /1.5 bath, 750 sf, $189,000 (MLS# 343416)
The unique grounds layout and landscape architecture at Keonekai Villages assures many of the units of privacy and soothing views—a rarity at under $200k. The property is located close to Kamaole III Beach, one of Maui’s best.
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Posted by Kevin Spaise, RS on May 26th, 2010 |
Tags: Boardwalk, Condos, Deals, For Sale, Hawaii, Kihei, Maui, Maui Vista, Pacific Shores, Waipuilani
As the latest in a series of blogs identifying the best values in a certain area/price range, below are some excellent Kihei condo buys, all for under $400K.
1) Kihei Waipuilani 2 bed / 1.5 bath (MLS# 340323)
Drive down Kihei Road and look at the outside of Waipuilani Condos, and it really doesn’t look like much. Take the time to stroll its expansive lawn down to the ocean, however, and you’re in a hidden world—the value is instantly apparent.
This nicely redone Waipuilani unit is definitely in the running for best oceanfront Kihei buy at $399K. Short term rentals are OK.
Oceanfront value at less than $400K (fee simple)
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Some would say that the road from Kihei to Lahaina in Maui is the world’s most beautiful drive. Even if you disagree, easy access to such stunning views remind me of the reason why I moved to Maui 10 years ago….
Somehow we manage to put up with the afternoon work drive on Maui….
Rushing to an appointment to show Lahaina’s new residential condo project, Opukea, the other day, I found myself first dreading the 45 minute drive to the “other side”—then I rolled down all the windows, amped the stereo up a notch, and soon remembered why I moved here in the first place.
With my humble apologies to my former fellow city dwellers, here are a few random photos, taken on the fly out the window, of what I had to endure on the drive. More »
Posted by Kevin Spaise, RS on May 17th, 2010 |
Tags: Beachfront, Condos, Deals, For Sale, Hoolei, Kai Malu, Kanani Wailea, Maui, Papali, Short Sales, The Grand Champions, Wailea, Wailea Beach Villas, Wailea Elua Village, Wailea Point
That Wailea epitomizes tropical elegance in a way that few beach communities in the world can match may be self-evident to visitors of the luxurious South Maui resort enclave: to many, the surprise comes in the diversity of its condominium properties.
Wailea’s spectacular beaches are among the best in the world. The resort community’s abundant golf, tennis, hiking, and trails cater to an outdoor lifestyle enjoyed by its mix of part- and full-time residents.
These current listings—ranging from an 1,100 sf, 2-bedroom at the Grand Champions (MLS# 341122), listed at $489,000, to the pinnacle property at the beachfront Wailea Point (MLS# 339893), $10.5 million—embrace the vast range of lifestyle choices available to the Wailea condo owner.
Some are Surprisingly Affordable
16 condos are currently listed under $600,000, all Fee Simple. Most of them are right on one of Wailea’s spectacular golf courses. More »
Posted by Kevin Spaise, RS on May 17th, 2010 |
Tags: Beachfront, Condos, For Sale, Hale Hui Kai, Hale Pau Hana, Hawaii, Kihei, Luxury, Mana Kai, Maui, Royal Mauian, Sugar Beach Resort, Vacation Rentals
A million dollars buys a lot of condo in Wailea these days—but it won’t put you on the beach.
It will put you in a new, gated, contemporary split-level residential condo, give you a garage, and square footage (up to 2,400), but it will not make the sand your front yard.
The million dollar price point puts you beachfront in Kihei. Shown: Hale Hui Kai, where a 2 bed /2 bath is listed at $899,000.
Just a few blocks away in Kihei, the million mark invites a bevy of interesting options, some close enough to the ocean to feel the spray and hear the turtles splash. We honed in on everything $800,000 and up, and these seven are among the most compelling options. They’re grouped by location, traveling north to south: More »
Posted by Kevin Spaise, RS on May 9th, 2010 |
Tags: Condos, For Sale, Hale Pau Hana, Hawaii, Kamaole Sands, Kihei, Kihei Bay Surf, Maui, Maui Kamaole, Maui Vista, Menehune Shores, Vacation Rentals
With 182 condos currently on the market in Kihei that are vacation rental legal, sifting through them on the way to your dream investment can be a daunting task. They are not all created equal, and deciding what kind of condo makes the most sense for your circumstances is the first step in honing in on that perfect property. A strong Realtor should be a collaborative influence in that goal.
Here are six distinctly different condo properties, each with its own particular strength and appeal. (By way of disclosure, none of the featured listings are mine.)
Hale Pau Hana, beachfront on Kamaole II—the ultimate Kihei condo location?
Hale Pau Hana – Nestled right on Kamaole II Beach, arguably the best loation in Kihei (owners of the 40-unit Hale Hui Kai, a few blocks South, might disagree). Both are located beach front, right on the sand with calm, protected swimming and pristine reef steps away. One main difference: all of Hale Pau Hana’s 80 units have unobstructed, knockout ocean views, while views at the 40-unit Hale Hui Kai vary significantly.
Located on Kamaole II Beach, Hale Pau Hana is one of only four Kihei vacation properties to crack the million dollar mark at market peak (the others are Hale Hui Kai, Royal Mauian, and Mana Kai). Just as with Hale Hui Kai, listings at Hale Pau Hana are rare. This upper floor (second story) end unit (MLS# 338080) is listed at $999,000. More »
