Memories made around the dinner table are priceless according to folks living in the Maui real estate area. Families find it simple to create field to fork meals after making a trip to one of the various farms and farmers markets dotting the island. All around the landscape fresh fruits, veggies, grass fed meats, spices and more can be obtained. Many venues come with a rich history filled with tradition which makes trips worthwhile on their own even without the shopping.

Kula Country Farms is a great place to spend the day. As a fourth generation farm, the offerings here have a solid reputation for being the very best. The farm stand is stocked daily with foods right from the fields. Fruits are fantastic and shoppers can take home jars of sweet jams and other baked goods as well as cartons of plump, juicy berries. The onsite children’s garden encourages kids to learn all about gardening and gives parents an opportunity to stroll the aisles while their offspring are occupied. Seasonal fun is also found here with residents heading on down to the Maui property for the annual pumpkin patch in autumn.

Farm to Table Freshness Is Easily Found on Maui Property

Nearby, the Upcountry Farmers Market proudly boasts of their title as the “oldest living farmers market on Maui.” A weekly spot to shop, folks can gather together at the Kulamalu Town Center on Saturdays. Baskets are filled with goods from over 45 vendors including coffee grown on the island, fragrant flowers, macadamia nuts, and organic vegetables. The catch of the day is perfect for dinner and fisherman proudly show off their bounty from Maui’s plentiful ocean waters. In the West Maui real estate region, another true gem is the Farmers’ Market of Maui in Honokowai. Held daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. this little market is a feast for vegetarian’s eyes. Family owned and operation the locale’s guests are greeted with smiles and samples ready for tasting.

Kula Country Farms, Upcountry Farmers Market and the Farmers’ Market of Maui in Honokowai are just three of many worthy markets on the island. Check out more favorite and tasty locations here and venture forth in search of fine food.

Surf’s up off the coast of Maui homes. With help from the Surf Shack residents and visitors to the island can learn to conquer the waves. From paddle boarding to surfing expert instructors offer up their knowledge to eager students.

Stand up paddleboarding is a great way to enjoy the peaceful movements of the water. Lessons are available for those 12 years and older and teach water entry, balance and proper stance as well as safety and awareness of seaside surroundings. A favorite perk for regular paddle boarders is the improvement of core strength obtained while soaking up the serenity of the ocean.

Experts Teach Mad Surfing Skills in the Kihei Real Estate Area

Locals living in a Maui home catch a wave with ease after indulging in surf lessons. Youngsters as little as five can get on board. Group lessons are designed as an introduction to the sport. First time riders and beginners benefit from the focus on fundamentals. Small class sizes insure plenty of instructor attention. Satisfaction is guaranteed with a promise of a love of surfing after lesson one or the next is free. Private lessons broaden skills and appeal to those ready to embrace the thrill of surfing wholeheartedly.

Seek out a day filled with adventure. Get the ultimate experience with the Paddle, Snorkel and Learn to Surf package. A basic surfing lessons starts the day. After a tasty lunch, cruise the water by kayak stopping in scenic spots such as Turtle Town and over other vibrant coral reefs for snorkeling. Designed for kids 8 years and older in mind, this trip is a guaranteed favorite memory of families.

Two locations in the Kihei real estate area make hitting the beach a breeze. Found in the Mana Kai Maui Resort, the Paddle and Beach Rental Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Close by Surf and Paddle Center Island Surf Building welcomes all fro 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Questions are easily answered by friendly staff members at 808.875.0006.

The lure of the ocean is strong on Maui property. Mystery surrounds life under the sea and a bit of that mystique is uncovered at the Maui Ocean Center. Located at 192 Maalaea Road in Wailuku the park is easily accessible to all on the island.

Exhibits are exemplary examples of a flourishing oceanic ecosystem and the animals contained within. The Living Reef holds one of the most expansive collection of Pacific Corals and the coral colonies within the Maui Ocean Center have thrived under dedicated hands for decades. Brimming with color, various fish and other aquatic animals delight guests observing them. Charismatic green sea turtles draw attention in the Turtle Lagoon. These Hawaiian natives are amazing to see up close, spanning four feet long and some weighing close to 300 pounds!

Wailuku Home Owners Dive Right In

Over in the Open Ocean exhibit one feels as if they are immersed under water. When meandering through a 240 degree tunnel folks spy a variety of larger than life sharks including blacktip reef sharks, hammerhead sharks and whitetip reef sharks. Stingrays and a variety of fish are also observed here. The Shark Dive Maui Program allows brave participants to dive in the water with the sharks. Participants must be at least 12 years old and certified divers. Many a bold soul living in Wailuku homes have taken the plunge by accepting this wild and daunting challenge. Enjoy an added excursion on the Maui property. Behind the scenes tours let folks delve deep into the workings of the aquarium. Marine naturalists lead the way enthusiastically imparting knowledge while guiding tourees through a sea turtle feeding. The Native Plant and Cultural tour is great for those with a green thumb seeking to know more about local flora and fauna.

Learn some of the secrets of the sea with a trip to the Maui Ocean Center. This state of the art facility does not disappoint. And, those who fall in love with the aquarium can always go back for a virtual visit through the live cam with just a click.

As the events of the last few years in the real estate industry show, people forget about the tremendous financial responsibility of purchasing a home at their peril. Here are a few tips for dealing with the dollar signs so that you can take down that “for sale” sign on your new home.

Get pre-approved. Sub-primes may be history, but you’ll probably still be shown homes you can’t actually afford. By getting pre-approved as a buyer, you can save yourself the grief of looking at houses you can’t afford. You can also put yourself in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right house. Unlike pre-qualification, which is based on a cursory review of your finances, pre-approval from a lender is based on your actual income, debt and credit history. By doing a thorough analysis of your actual spending power, you’ll be less likely to get in over your head.

Choose your mortgage carefully. Used to be the emphasis when it came to mortgages was on paying them off as soon as possible. Today, the debt the average person will accumulate due to credit cards, student loans, etc. means it’s better to opt for the 30-year mortgage instead of the 15-year. This way, you have a lower monthly payment, with the option of paying an additional principal when money is good. Additionally, when picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points (a portion of the interest that you pay at closing) in exchange for a lower interest rate. If you plan to stay in the house for a long time—and given the current real estate market, you should—taking the points will save you money.

Do your homework before bidding. Before you make an offer on a home, do some research on the sales trends of similar homes in the neighborhood with sites like Zillow. Consider especially sales of similar homes in the last three months. For instance, if homes have recently sold for 5 percent less than the asking price, your opening bid should probably be about 8 to 10 percent lower than what the seller is asking.

Selling your home doesn′t just mean hiring a realtor to stick a sign out front. There are a lot of preparations you should make to ensure you get the best offer possible in the shortest time.

Repair. Just because you’ve gotten used to the cracks in the walls and the rattles in the radiators doesn’t mean a buyer will too. If you have hardwood floors that need refinishing, be sure to get it done—hardwood is a huge selling point. Buyers like to snoop around, so be sure to fix any sticky doors or drawers as well. Finally, don’t forget to address any issues with the exterior—fences, shingles, sidewalks, etc. After all, without curb appeal, some buyers may never get to see the inside.

Neutralize. You want buyers to see themselves in your home. If your living room has lime green shag, wood-paneled walls, and all your collectibles and personal photographs, this will be much harder for them to do. Try replacing any bold color choices in your floors and walls with something more neutral—beiges, tans, and whites. Repainting and reflooring will make everything look fresh and new, and help prospective buyers imagine all the possibilities.

Stage. Once your house is clean and updated, it’s time to play dress up. Home stagers can add small details and décor touches that will bring out the possibilities in the various spaces in your home: lamps, mirrors, throw rugs and pillows, flowers, decorative soaps and towels, patio furniture. Home staging can be particularly useful if your home is especially old or if the exterior looks dated. Think of it as a little mascara and rouge—if it’s done right, you notice the beauty, not the makeup.

Moving from a small town or suburb to a large city can be an intimidating proposition. Here are a few tips to help make your move as painless as possible.

Research before you move. It’s important to understand the culture you’re joining. Do research online and find out about school systems, neighborhoods, parking, weather, public transportation, and laws that are native to that area. If you can, visit a city before moving and connect with someone who’s lived there before.

Have a plan. There are a lot of steps to go through before you start packing the moving truck. Find housing before you leave, or at least know where you’ll stay while you look for a home. Never sign a lease on an apartment that you haven’t seen. If you can’t get there, find a friend or an employer to check for you. Have a job waiting for you, or if that’s not possible, know what you’ll do for money in the first few weeks of living there. Try to line up things like driver’s licenses, car insurance, renter’s insurance, and parking passes ahead of time as well.

Get involved. Meeting people in a big city can be daunting. Don’t expect the neighbors to knock your door down with a casserole when you arrive: city life is often too noisy and hectic. Take the initiative. If there are things you liked to do in your town, find ways to do those things in the city. Try new things. Volunteer. Big cities offer so many opportunities to engage other people, so find what you like.

Mind your wallet. City life is expensive. Everything costs more: food, insurance, clothes, rent. There are also a lot more ways to get ripped off, whether legally or criminally. Be careful how you spend, and know where your money is going.

Receive the Latest Local Market Stats

Curious about local real estate? So are we! Every month we review trends in our real estate market and consider the number of homes on the market in each price tier, the amount of time particular homes have been listed for sale, specific neighborhood trends, the median price and square footage of each home sold and so much more. We’d love to invite you to do the same!

Get Local Market Reports Sent Directly to You

You can sign up here to receive your own market report, delivered as often as you like! It contains current information on pending, active and just sold properties so you can see actual homes in your neighborhood. You can review your area on a larger scale, as well, by refining your search to include properties across the city or county. As you notice price and size trends, please contact us for clarification or to have any questions answered.

We can definitely fill you in on details that are not listed on the report and help you determine the best home for you. If you are wondering if now is the time to sell, please try out our INSTANT home value tool. You’ll get an estimate on the value of your property in today’s market. Either way, we hope to hear from you soon as you get to know our neighborhoods and local real estate market better.