What is the National Association of Realtors?

National Association of Realtors

Whether you are a new real estate agent, an experienced agent who is interested in advancing your career, or a buyer/seller curious about the organization, the National Association of Realtors is an important organization that not only serves the community of real estate professionals around the country but also provides significant support to consumers.

Originally established as the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges, the NAR now serves more than 1.5 million members and functions in conjunction with approximately 1,400 state and local associations. With a closer look at what the National Association of Realtors does for the real estate industry and its members, you can confidently decide…

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Strategies of Buying and Selling Simultaneously

Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time

You may have found yourself in a position where you would like to buy one property while simultaneously selling another property. While doing this does present some unique challenges, it's completely possible to pull this off with the proper strategy and some degree of flexibility. 

The reasons and strategies for wanting to buy and sell simultaneously will differ from a primary homeowner looking to relocate to an investor seeking to execute a 1031 exchange to avoid capital gains taxes. In either instance, it's important to have a sound strategy and understand what the undertaking will involve. 

Selling A Primary Residence While Buying Another

There are several different ways to do this and…

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What Are The Costs of Selling My Home or Condo on Maui? 

Cost of Selling a Home Real Estate

Maui is a wonderful place to live or own a second home, but there may come a time when you are ready to sell your home. Perhaps you are moving away from the island or excited to upgrade or downsize to a new home or condo on Maui soon.  Finances play a major role in many people’s decisions to sell. 

While your attention may initially focus on determining a realistic home sale price, there are costs of selling a home that will require your attention. The seller usually pays closing costs like real estate agent commissions, title insurance, and any pre-sale repairs. There will also likely be withholdings for HARPTA and FIRPTA to pay any applicable capital gains taxes. Understanding the costs…

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Maui is A Great Place to Be a Beer Connoisseur(Snob)

Maui Brewery and Breweries

While beer isn't my personal drink of choice, I do have to admit, I have enjoyed a few varieties of beer at the following Maui establishments. Especially Mahalo Aleworks, my personal favorite.  I live Upcountry in Pukalani and before Mahalo Aleworks came into town, we were without a community watering hole. So, thank you Mahalo Aleworks for bringing some fun, entertainment, and craftsmanship to Upcountry Maui! 

While you can grab a beer at most of the restaurants or bars anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands when you're in the mood to kick back and relax, several of these specialty Maui breweries and bars are rightfully known for their selection of craft beers, excellent ambiance, and lively…

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Discover the Best Things to Do in Lahaina, Maui

Lahaina Things to Do

Lahaina, Maui, is a charming place filled with attractions and activities to suit all interests, whether you’re a family, couple, nature lover, foodie, or solo traveler. In addition to being a great vacation destination, it’s also the perfect location for buying a second home in West Maui.

With an eclectic mix of things to do, you won’t have to worry about growing bored of Lahaina. To give you an idea, here are some of the best things to do while in the area.

Things to Do in Lahaina for Nature Lovers

1. Hike the Lahaina Pali Trail

The five-mile Lahaina Pali Trail takes you by cliffs, lava rocks, and grasslands. This is the same trail settlers used in the 1900s, and it provides amazing…

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Title and Escrow Companies on Maui Hawaii

Title and Escrow Companies Maui

Owning your own slice of heaven as a property owner in Hawaii may be in your near future. However, after you find the ideal property and negotiate a deal with the seller, the work isn't done yet and you must complete the escrow process before closing on the property. The timeline for this process varies, but it usually takes between one to two months and is outlined in the Hawaii Purchase Contract.

Buyers and sellers typically work with a title and escrow company based on the island they are buying/selling and since I work primarily on Maui, I always work with a local escrow and title company to go through this process. Given the timeline, your interactions with the title and escrow company will begin…

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What Are The Things to Do in Ka'anapali? Here Are 16 of The Very Best Activities

Ka'anapali Things to Do Maui

While Maui offers beautiful scenery and fun activities from coast to coast, Ka’anapali is one of my favorite and one of the most popular areas to visit for many reasons.   Ka’anapali is filled with recreational activities, cultural experiences, and opportunities for relaxation, and well, you get the point, there’s a lot to do and see! This makes it easy to plan the perfect day regardless of what you are in the mood for. If you’re looking for a few specific things to do and see in Ka’anapali, here are the best things to do from my experience having lived there and having spent a great deal of time in the area since moving to Maui back in 2010.

1. Enjoy a Beach Day at…

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The Important Work of the Haleakala Conservancy

Haleakala Conservancy

Maui has experienced rapid growth and development over recent decades, in many ways it has greatly benefited the island and local community, in other ways, this growth has come at a cost, especially to Maui's delicate ecosystem. Fortunately, there are several organizations that work tirelessly to protect our fragile ecosystems, preserve the native Hawaiian culture along with our archaeological sites, and maintain the vibrancy that the island offers. One of these groups is the Haleakala Conservancy. Through its work to preserve one of the most iconic and recognizable features on the island, Haleakala National Park, it also protects an important backbone of the community overall.

The mission of the…

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Tackle The Lahaina Pali Trail

Lahaina Pali Trail

While there are numerous must-see destinations and amazing experiences in West Maui that are easily accessible by road, the Lahaina Pali Trail gives you a different way to enjoy a remote, natural experience on the island. Trail conditions are arduous, so this is not suitable if you are in the mood for a leisurely stroll. The trail is five miles from point to point or 10 miles total if you go over and back.

Without a flat section to speak of, you'll be going uphill for half of the hike and downhill for the other half. You can also shorten your trek by turning around at the top and making the hike around 5 miles. As one of the most exposed and challenging trails on Maui, what should you know about the trail before you…

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The 21 Very Best Things To Do in Wailea Maui For 2024

Things to Do in Wailea Maui

When I moved to Maui in 2010, I made it my mission to explore all of the many great activities and things to do around the island. In fact, one of my first jobs on Maui before I became a Realtor, was working in the activity business selling all of the fun helicopter trips, luaus, snorkeling tours, etc. The main benefit of working in the activity business on Maui is, of course, the free adventures and getting to play tourist occasionally! 

Over several years in the activities industry, I had probably gone to about 20 luaus, been to Molokini about 10 times, been awe-inspired by every helicopter tour to Molokai and Haleakala several times, and personally experienced almost every single excursion…

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