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Realtors Flock to Hawaii Life on Maui

Posted by Matt Beall, PB on August 10th, 2010 | Tags: ,

Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point (among other books), says that “…word of mouth is something created by three very rare and special psychological types… Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen”. I think Malcolm would see a very familiar pattern playing out with Hawaii Life on Maui. In the last few months, more than 10 Realtors have sought out Hawaii Life and joined our team on Maui, bringing years of experience and a wide variety of professional designations with them. What makes more interesting is that we haven’t been recruiting. Everyone on our team has come to us because they’re just the type of ‘Mavens’ that Gladwell talks about:

Kathleen Wilson, R(S)

Kathleen Wilson, R(S) brings her dynamic spirit and powerful focus with her. She’s an REO Specialist, which gives her a keen insight into the facts about the current market from a very analytical point of view. Consistent with being an REO Listing Agent, she works harder than anyone we know… and is incredibly responsive. E-mails, texts, instant message chats, phone calls… they’re all utilized to the fullest degree. She brings with her a full-time assistant, who also happens to be a licensed commercial broker. If you want the inside scoop on upcoming foreclosures on Maui, call Kathleen. She always has REOs in the pre-marketing pipeline. In her few short months with Hawaii Life, Kathleen has already closed several transactions and continues to bring on priced-to-sell inventory.

Kevin Spaise, R(S)

Kevin Spaise, R(S) is the author and publisher of the 400-page Maui Condo Book. There isn’t a condo complex on Maui that he doesn’t know about. He’s a walking encyclopedia. Publishing and selling such an extensive resource for condominium information on Maui has also provided Kevin with powerful relationships throughout the real estate industry. Real Estate brokers and agents, title and escrow companies, appraisers and lenders have all utilized Kevin’s knowledge-base. Kevin has called Maui home for over 10 years, and has intimate knowledge of South Maui, as Kihei is home for he and his wife Sherry. He’s done an excellent job at sharing Hawaii Life’s value proposition with Sellers in South Maui, as he brings new listings to market regularly.

Ken Molina, R(S)

Ken Molina, R(S) was born and raised on Maui, and has been licensed to sell real estate for over 20 years. He’s a graduate of Maui High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He’s earned a variety of sales accolades and professional designations along the way. He’s a designated EcoBroker, a Senior Real Estate Specialist, a Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource (SFR), and also a Certified Energy Surveyor. He’s contributed excellent articles about home energy use, and his appreciation of architecture. He currently lives in Kihei’s Maui Meadows subdivision.

Rustin Singleton, R(S)

Rustin Singleton, R(S) watches Maui’s real estate market like a hawk. “He’s almost like a stock-broker” says our Director of Sales, Tobi Fisher. Rustin knows West Maui and Central Maui extremely well. He’s like a bull-dog once he’s given any assignment. As an Accredited Buyer’s Representative, Rustin excels and sifting through the inventory and finding the perfect property for his clients. His passion for his clients often leads to lifetime friendships. Rustin is married to a full-blooded native Hawaiian, who was born and raised on Maui, and who he credits with teaching him about the real “Aloha Spirit”.

Also among Maui’s new team members are Mariah Dunham, R(S) and Alex Cortez, R(S), who work as a team. Mariah serves on the fund-raising committee for Habitat for Humanity, and Alex puts his experience in the military to use in creating marketing systems for their clients.

We’re also welcoming Sage Spalding and Bob Whitmere. Sage owns a very popular outrigger canoe tour company in Wailea… (so if you ever want to see property from the water, he’s your guy) and Bob has been a Realtor since 2002 and now lives in upcountry Maui with his wife and child.

We’re pretty excited about the new team on Maui. All told, we’ve added decades of experience and numerous designations to our Maui office. And, there’s more to come! Stay tuned…

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Click on the image or here to vote

Inman News, People’s Choice Awards information and voting

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Senate Bill SB2602, HD1 (PDF), has passed through final committee review in the Hawaii State legislature and will go to Governor Lingle for her signature. In a previous conversation between Governor Lingle and the Hawaii Association of REALTORS (HAR), Governor Lingle indicated that she would support the bill. This is a proactive bill supported and lobbied for by HAR Government Affairs Committee with the support of the Hawaii Real Estate Commission. Read entire post →

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The President Makes a Move

Posted by Hawaii Life on February 24th, 2010 | Tags: , , , ,

The Hawaii Association of Realtors’ President, Tracy Stice, has joined Hawaii Life Real Estate Services as the Broker-In-Charge of Hawaii Life’s new Maui branch office, located in the former corporate headquarters of Maui Land & Pineapple in Kahului.

Tracy Stice, R Hawaii Association of Realtors President 2010 and Broker-In-Charge of Hawaii Life Real Estate Services on Maui

Hawaii Life’s commitment to education and technology appealed to Mr. Stice. In his recent interview as HAR President, he told the Hawaii Realtor Journal:

“The market is permanently changed. Sitting in offices and waiting for people to walk through the door is obsolete. You need more internet contacts and you have to constantly educate yourself to acquire new skills. Those who don’t adapt to new technologies won’t make it.”

Mr. Stice has been a licensed Realtor on Maui for more than 30 years, and his reputation as a professional and community volunteer is well known throughout Hawaii. He has served as the President of the Realtors Association of Maui, and has chaired the Hawaii Association of Realtors Political Action Committee and the Legislative Committee. In 2004, he was named Realtor Broker of the Year by the Realtors Association of Maui. Read entire post →

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Another Hawaii Life Core Value

Another Hawaii Life Core Value

1. Lucky We Live Hawaii

Let’s face it…. this is really Number One, and it always will be. At the end of the day (or year), we’re extremely grateful for the incredible quality of life that Hawaii provides.

2.  Buyer and Sellers “Get It”

We knew the real estate industry was changing, and that real estate marketing had to change as well… The brand promises of the past aren’t delivering. Fortunately, our clients and customers agree with us. In 2009, over 250 people trusted us with their real estate business. Thousands of people have Hawaii Life accounts, and thousands of people visit www.hawaiilife.com everyday.  We closed our first calendar year with over $50 million in real estate sales, a feat that would have been impressive in the hottest of markets for a brand-new company.

3.  Our Agency Policy Works

Our commitment to agency has yielded powerful results.  Over 150 sellers have trusted us to list their Hawaii properties for sale, and in 2009, Hawaii Life sellers netted (a median of) 93% of their List Price, while Buyers who hire Hawaii Life as their Exclusive Agent enjoy a significantly higher margin, and immediate access to the market’s new inventory (and often, even a ‘heads-up’ of what’s coming).

4.  The Back Of The House

We went through two website launches this year… with multiple revisions, innovations and new features that have won us awards, and garnered the attention of some of the real estate industry’s thought-leaders. We couldn’t have done it without the hard work and commitment of our ‘chefs’ in the kitchen:  Yacine Merzouk, our lead programmer; Justin Britt, our Head Web Head; Winston Welborn, our Creative Director; and Brad Haeger, our Marketing Researcher.

5. Hawaii Life Puako

Our Big Island team has taken Hawaii Life’s business model and injected it with “Solid Representation” rocket-fuel. We can’t say enough about how proud we are of Katie Minkus, BIC and her team of superstars. They are Hawaii Life’s top selling and top listing agents, and they’ve accomplished incredible success all since closing their first transaction in April of 2009.  Incredible.

6.  Hanalei North Shore Properties

In the fall of 2009, Hawaii Life was honored to be chosen by Roberta Haas and her team of Realtors from Hanalei North Shore Properties to organize a merger that immediately made Hawaii Life on Kauai’s top listing brokerages. The power and influence of having Roberta Haas and her team working with Hawaii Life is incredible, and only just begun.

7.  Unified, Statewide

Also in the fall, Hawaii Life officially became a Statewide brokerage, with Realtors in every County in Hawaii.  With Tobi Fisher as the Director of Sales on Maui, and David Buck as our Broker for the island of Oahu… Hawaii Life is poised to express our business model in the largest markets in the State. We held our first Annual Brokers’ Summit at the Outrigger Canoe Club in Waikiki… where we discussed and created Hawaii Life’s Core Values.

8.  More Brokers (than Salespeople)

Earning a Hawaii Real Estate Broker’s license is no easy feat. It requires a minimum of 3 years of full time real estate experience as a salesperson, and rigorous licensing course and State exam. At Hawaii Life, we have a unique policy where we pay for our agents education towards Realtor designations, including their courses and exam to become a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Hawaii. We believe that brokers make better agents, plain and simple. While we grew to 43 Realtors in 2009, we’re honored to announce that 4 of our agents have earned their Brokers license under our guidance:  Lucy Clark, RB; Kelly Condon, RB, David Buck, RB, and Miriam Perlmutter, RB.  As a result of their hard work… Hawaii Life now has a higher Broker to Agent ratio than any comparable firm in Hawaii (17 Brokers & 26 Salespeople).

9.  Bank-Owned Inventory, Hawaii REO Listings

As a company, we’re honored to have caught the attention of local and national asset managers who recognize the power and scope of our marketing, and have hired us to sell their bank-owned real estate. We’re not particularly thrilled about rampant foreclosures in Hawaii, but we do recognize that REO listings are often well-priced, and represent excellent opportunities for buyers who are entering the market, and who are prepared and qualified to give these homes and neighborhoods the love and care that they deserve.

10.  Luxury Hawaii Real Estate Listings

We’ve moved into the Luxury Listing market. And we’re thrilled about it. Hidden Place, Anini Vista, 180 degrees, Pueo Place are some examples… and there are more to come. Roberta Haas and her team have just listed a home in Ha’ena on Kauai for $8.7m, and Bobby Galchutt and I have to two homes on Kalihiwai Road on Kauai’s north shore starting at $6.9m.

So…. here’s to 2009!


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Beach Club at Mauna Lani

Beach Club at Mauna Lani

Many times when I respond to website inquiries about properties on the Kohala Coast—that sunny stretch above Kona airport on the Big Island of Hawaii–I find that the same person has asked for information about real estate for sale in more than one of the resorts. I have worked the Kohala Coast resort market for the past five years and the first thing I talk to prospective buyers about is “fit”. I want to help them (YOU!) figure out whether the ambiance, lifestyle and amenities offered at the Mauna Kea Resort, the Mauna Lani Resort, or the Waikoloa Beach Resort will be the best fit. You might find the perfect floor plan, finish and view, but if the location isn’t a fit…trust me, you won’t be happy with your purchase.

You can compare the views from a lot at Kauna’oa versus one at Ke Kailani. I can show you identical floor plans at the Mauna Lani Fairways or Waikoloa Colony Villas. But Mauna Kea people don’t buy Mauna Lani and Mauna Lani people don’t buy Waikoloa. It may not be logical, but you can’t underestimate the importance of fit and comfort. I’m five feet tall…you won’t see me in a floor length skirt!

Let’s start with Mauna Lani Resort, where I’ve been sitting open house this week at my listing at the Ka Milo community. Read entire post →

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Hawaii Life is announcing its recent partnership with Pattie Freeman and Hawaii Vacation Rentals at Puako Beach on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast. Pattie Freeman (aka “Puako Pattie”) has been in vacation rental management for decades on the Big Island, and manages some of the island’s finest vacation rental inventory.  She has built a client-base over the years who have become extended ohana. Judging just by the sheer number of visitors stopping by the office in Puako to ‘talk-story’ with Puako Pattie (not to mention the lavish gifts), it’s obvious that her clients and homeowners absolutely adore her. Read entire post →

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Carnival of Real Estate #167

Posted by Justin - Head Web Head on November 23rd, 2009 | Tags:

Carnival of Real Estate

Carnival of Real Estate

Thank you to Drew Meyers of Zillow.com for allowing Hawaii Life Real Estate Services to host the carnival of real estate this week.

Before getting to the top real estate posts for November 23, 2009 I have to point out that there were a lot submissions and many of them deserved to be included. For those that didn’t make it, I’m sorry, but I can only choose 5.

Homeowner Confidence Out of Whack – But Can you Blame Them?
Amy Bohutinsky of Zillow.com
Very interesting article that teaches us how, “homeowners’ perception of their own home’s value compares to reality.”

Home Mortgage Interest Deductions To Be Reduced
Bob Schwartz of Brokerforyou.com
Obama’s new budget plan, “includes a proposal to limit the tax rate at which high-income taxpayers can take itemized deductions to 28 percent — and the initial reserve fund would be funded in part through this provision. This provision would raise $318 billion over 10 years.”

10 Tips I Learned From My First Listing Video Shoot
Joshua Ferris over at Geekestateblog.com
Not only do I believe video is the future of real estate, I believe it’s the future of the Internet. Joshua provides some great tips learned threw his own experience shooting video for Hudson Valley real estate.

Does RPR (Realtors Property Resource) = The Death of the MLS?
Ki over at Techforagents.com
A new nationwide MLS is on everybody’s mind (OK, at lease on mine). There was also a submission regarding this over at AgentGenius.com, but at the time of the post their site was down for maintenance.

Welcome to “Flopping” the Latest Short Sale Flipping Scheme
Cindy Jones of Varealestatetalk.com
How much trouble can we get ourselves into?

Hope you enjoyed the posts. Thanks to all who submitted.

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Kukio Real Estate

Gallery of Kukio homes for sale >>

Unified” is one of our Hawaii Life Core Values, and collaboration often extends to Brokers and Realtors outside the company. Today, we’ve asked one of the preeminent Principal Brokers on the Kohala Coast, Carrie Nicholson, R(PB) with Kukio Properties, to share with us a little bit about the resort, amenities, and property available to purchase at the only private club community on the Big Island of Hawaii. Read entire post →

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The Top 10 List  is like a cross between a fantasy wish list and a forecast of the next properties to sell. Last June, our article about the Top 10 Listings generated a lot of traffic, and feedback. Everywhere from Youtube to iTunes, we all want to know what everyone else is looking at, what they’re buying, etc.

Here’s the list, just click on the link:

The Top Ten Most Popular Hawaii Real Estate Listings

For the purposes of this list, we’re only looking at properties that are either Active or Contingent (pending a sale), and have had the most traffic on our site since July. These aren’t erroneous numbers, either… since we have between 1500 and 2000 visits a day to www.hawaiilife.com. There were four listings in the Top 10 List that have either sold or since been withdrawn from the market.

Overview of Hale Maluhia, Big Island of Hawaii

Overview of Hale Maluhia, Big Island of Hawaii

All of the major Hawaiian Islands are represented, but we’ll confess that since our listing volume is heavier on Kauai and the Big Island, our shameless self-promotion has pushed a few of our listings into the Top 10.  Three listings are still in the Top 10 (mostly falling in the ‘fantasy’ category):

2500 Ana Aina Place, Waialae, Oahu $18,000,000

681070 Honokapaope Way, Waikaloa, Big Island (on the left) was listed for $24m when we last made the list, and it’s since been lowered to $17.9m

Papa’a Bay, Aliomanu-Moloa’a, Kauai $38,500,000 of course… a personal favorite, continues to make the cut.

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