Spotlight on the Mahana at Kaanapali

Mahana Market Update and New Listings!

by Heidi Dollinger

 One of the most elegant properties on North Kaanapali Beach, the Mahana exudes warmth and welcoming with a relaxed Hawaiian sophistication.  Located less than five miles north of historic Lahaina town, the Mahana is tucked away down a quiet drive, convenient to markets and shopping, near Black Rock Beach, Whaler’s Village, and world-class golf courses in Kaanapali and Kapalua.

Mahana Market Update: Recent Mahana Sales

There was a new closing this week at Mahana 519, a two-bedroom south corner unit with jaw-dropping views, closed at full list price on March 4, 2019 for $1,850,000. Island Sotheby’s International Realty represented both buyer and

The Masters at Kaanapali Hillside: Market Overview

By Heidi Dollinger

For a Maui buyer who is looking for a low-density residential condominium community away from the busy resorts, the Masters offers the very best of Kaanapali Living!  You will find nearly thirty-eight acres of manicured grounds, pools, spas, and tennis courts, located on the Kaanapali Golf Course, just a mile to Kaanapali Beach, and shopping and dining at Whaler’s Village.

The Masters has several features that make it very desirable:

• Pet Friendly: The Masters is pet friendly for one pet within the guidelines of the association
• Vacation Rentable: rentals for 30 days or longer are permitted per the current house rules.
• BBQ on your Lanai: Barbecue grills are allowed on

Maui County Property Taxes: Important Dates and Appeals

Right now, property tax owners are receiving notices for the second instalment of property taxes, which are due February 20, 2019.  In March, notices of assessed valuations will be mailed and owners will have until April 9, 2019 to file an appeal.

Where on Maui can you live like you're on vacation at a world-class luxury resort 365 days a year?  Well, it just so happens, Maui has 5 condominium communities in the resorts of Kaanapali, Kapalua and Wailea that have received the recognition by Forbes or AAA as leaders in Luxury Lodging. 

These properties are desirable for many of Maui's second home Buyers who would like the amenities of a luxury hotel (hello, room service!).  For those who are looking for a part-time residence, they offer an added bonus: the ability to rent their residence through an on-site rental management program known for offering accommodations that are maintained to the exacting standards of a luxury brand.

The following Maui luxury condominium resorts have been

KAPALUA RESORT CONDOS: Market Update 2018 | Q3 

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Kapalua: Residence 1614-16 offered at $2,250,000

KAPALUA VILLAS & THE LUXURY CONDOMINIUM SECTOR

KAPALUA RESORT CONDOMINIUM: Active Listings

Maui Real Estate Market Overview and Buyer Statistics: Quarter 1 | 2018

Many Buyers and Sellers want to know where buyers of Maui County real estate call home (in this case, their legal residence).  There is often a misperception that the majority of our foreign buyers come from Asia.  While this might be true for Oahu's market (particularly Honolulu), it hasn't been the case for Maui County, which includes the islands of Molokai and Lanai.  Each year, Title Guaranty, one of Hawaii's most reputable Title and Escrow Companies, provides us with Buyer statistics.  

MAUI BUYER STATISTICS: TOP FOREIGN AND US BUYERS

So far in 2018, we see a similar pattern of where Buyers of Maui real estate originate, both from abroad and the mainland US.

Canada

Maui Property Tax Rates for 2018-2019 Fiscal Year

The Maui County Council approved the new property tax rates for the July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019 Fiscal Year.

The figures below show the rates for each year.  Traditionally, the lowest tax rate is for Homeowner, where this is their declared primary residence.  The highest tax rate remains the Time Share Classification.   This is the first year the county has added the category of Short Term Rental for those condominiums that are rented for a period of time less than 180 days.  Read More on Maui Short Term Rentals.

Maui County assesses taxes based on the tax rate multiplied by the assessed value of the property.  The county assesses values each year based on the sales in the prior fiscal year. 

What is HARPTA, the new law, and are there any exemptions?

What is HARPTA?

HARPTA is the Hawaii Real Property Tax Act.  HARPTA is a Withholding Tax on Sales of Hawaii Real Property by Nonresident Persons.  The " withholding obligation is generally imposed on the transferee/buyer when a Hawaii real property interest is acquired from a nonresident person. This withholding serves to collect Hawaii income tax that may be owed by the nonresident person."*  This is similar to the withholding in California, often referred to as CalFIRPTA, and the federal withholding tax on the disposition of real property known as FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act)." Read More in Tax Information Release No. 2017-01

Per the State of Hawaii's

I'll admit it, most of us have trouble visualizing an empty room and how to make it our own.  While we find many Maui real estate listings offered furnished if it is a resort property/second home, it can be different if the seller is selling their primary residence.  Staging can be a challenge as we have so few stagers and storage options on island.

Enter Augmented Realty. Sotheby's International Realty has just introduced the Curate by Sotheby's International Realty App which allows you to furnish an empty room in a variety of styles.  The vision is to transform the home buying experience, making it easier for both buyers and sellers alike.

iPhone users: Download Curate by Sotheby's International Realty
Android users: Download Curate

Frequently Asked Questions: What is the difference between Leasehold and Fee Simple Ownership in Hawaii

Alaeloa: a rare gem, oceanfront and ocean view cottages in Napili, Maui

Why is there leasehold property? The History of Leasehold Property in West Maui:

With the development of the Kaanapali Resort in 1961 and later the Kapalua Resort in 1978, Maui became a vacation destination. As tourism flourished and became the mainstay of our economy, local landowners partnered with developers to build Leasehold condominiums on family-owned properties or on former agricultural land.  In West Maui, many local landowners saw this as a way to retain ownership of their land and derive income from the lease rents.  Leases were typically set for 99 years,