Lifestyle

Are you looking to ramp up the curb appeal when selling your home, or just dreaming of dining beneath the stars this summer? Here are some affordable tips for sprucing up outdoor spaces to help you meet your end goal, and get some extra enjoyment out the summer before moving. The project doesn’t have to be big or expensive to be full of appeal.

Members of the real estate industry are vigorous advocates for creating and maintaining the tax benefits of homeownership. When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled the standard deduction for taxpayers a few years ago, far fewer people itemized their expenses, missing out on deductions. However, even if you don’t itemize, there are tax benefits you’re entitled to as a homeowner.

To sell your home this spring, it may need more preparation than it would have a year or two ago. Today’s housing market has a different feel. There are more homes for sale than there were at this time last year, but inventory is still historically low.

If the love for your home has faded, you may need a shot from Cupid’s arrow. You can fall in love with your spaces again by making some simple, trendy updates sure to ignite your passion. Having been forced to spend more time in our homes, these trends are driving a desire to create both a visual and affectionate feeling that generates new energy.

Would you like to buy a new home, or first home, this year? Getting your finances into shape and a couple other key strategies will help you improve your home-buying odds. It’s a competitive market, so do everything you can to come out on top.

Last year was a robust for real estate sales for homes and condominiums. The number of single-family homes sold on Maui increased 30.1% in 2021 compared to the prior year, according to a recent report from the Realtors Association of Maui.

When the home buying process gets to the point of a serious offer, it is kind of an exciting thrill ride of ups and downs until closing. One of the big variables that can throw a monkey wrench in the works is when the appraisal comes in lower than the accepted offer. This can leave a seller feeling like they paid more for a home than it’s worth, or they must scramble to make up the difference with extra funds or the deal may fall through.

Traditionally in real estate, spring and summer are the best months to buy or sell a home, with May starting the peak of the selling season. Factors affecting the May boom include warmer temperatures, kids being out of school, and the longer days. But there are other considerations to think about, such as finances, moving costs or life changes. You should also take into account where we are in the real estate market.

Baby boomers are seeking a simpler life and an easier to take care of home. However, this means moving into a lower priced housing market traditionally sought by young families. In an already fiercely competitive market, this makes home buying difficult for everyone—boomers, and younger buyers alike.

It’s okay to begin shopping for a new home online, but at a certain point you will need to take that search into real life. Online searches can simplify some tasks but be aware of some downfalls to spending too much time internet shopping, especially in today’s market.

Whether you are selling or just curious about its value, it’s crucial to know your property’s worth—and if your real estate investment has improved during your tenure. You can get some basic information online. Drilling down that magic number can help you decide if you should sell and what you might gain from doing so.

Home prices continue to rise as we move through the summer, and that’s good news for sellers who are looking to maximize their home’s potential. If you’re on the fence about whether to list your house now or later, the question you should really ask is: will this price appreciation last?

Still on the fence about whether to sell your home or condo now? Properties on Maui are selling quickly at premium prices. Knowing what to expect will help you decide if this is the right time capitalize on your sale during this seller’s market.

Moving to a new home is an exciting time, but it is also a monumental task that can leave you feeling overwhelmed. This is especially true when downsizing. What others may see as clutter is your life lived as you remember it. We’ve put together a few simple strategies to help you get moving, and take some happy memories along with you.

It is an incredibly challenging time for home buyers right now. There is a countrywide shortage of homes for sale. So, when something appealing does come on the market, there is a lot of competition. Buyers may find themselves in a bidding war.

If you are in the market for any type of wood—from plywood or sheeting to standard 2x4s, be prepared for a massive sticker shock. U.S. lumber futures contracts for May 2021 delivery were priced at $1,645 per 1,000 board feet, about 60% higher than they were a month ago and 374% above the $347 contract price average in May 2020. This marks the fastest rise since the housing boom that followed World War II.

While a public health crisis gripped the country for the last year, the housing market for some stayed red hot. Most areas of the country remain in a solid seller’s market.

It is interesting to compare today’s market with where we were a year ago. Would we have predicted this activity in a pandemic? Maui sales activity is up in March 2021. Home sales are up 46% and condo sales up 43% from last year.

Most investors know the basic premise for success: “Buy Low and Sell High.” Seems simple, but in practice it is not. In real estate, we really don’t know the best time to buy until years past the purchase, when see if purchase prices have gone up or down.

It can be exiting to buy a new home or condo on Maui. However, if you are trying to sell a home at the same time as buying it can be stressful, especially if money from your current home’s sale is needed to put toward your next place. However, with a little planning and working with a savvy real estate agent can ease the process for both of these transactions. To keep your sanity intact, here are some tips to help you manage the process.