Towards the end of last year, the Associated Press released a survey conducted with more then 1,3 million people. The small mention was published in the Maui Weekly and revealed that, in deed, Hawaii is the Second Happiest State in the nation. This note was published right about the same time when the “most trusted travel advice”, the online Trip Advisor, stated that Kihei is one of America’s Best Value Winter Vacation Rental Getaways, putting Kihei in third position after Florida and the Grenadines.

No matter where you are, NOW is a great time to enjoy today’s Maui Photo. Sit back for a few minutes and then read “If you don’t buy a House now, you are stupid or broke“. Pretty self explanatory that article and I believe that this is correct. If you have been thinking of Maui Real Estate, specially about the South Shore of the island with Kihei, Wailea and Makena, YOU need to buy now. Or at least very soon. Get serious and start making your plans: you will be glad you did when this market rebounds to full recovery in a very short period of time.

The Sales Report for Wailea Real Estate and Makena Real Estate for December 2009 comes with no surprise: Given the time of the year when “the snow birds arrive”, combined with the opportunities of the current market situation for the South Maui Real Estate, it has been a busy month. The season is getting in full swing. Showings are starting to reflect the sales. And boy, some of these closed sales are Real Deals. See for yourself!

The month of December 2009 brought 10 closings for Wailea Condos and 4 closings for Wailea Homes. In addition, 4 of the Condos in Wailea plus 2 Homes in Wailea received offers and are now in Escrow. Here is the breakdown.

Just like a few times before this year, and with showing 3 sales, Hoolei At Wailea was the “best performer” if you will. As one of the New Developments, Hoolei At Wailea closed on 2 original / first time developer sales. These units are Hoolei At Wailea P3 and Hoolei At Wailea P1. Both of them came fully furnished and sold for $2,100,000.00 as unrelated sales. Hoolei At Wailea O4 was an equally furnished resale unit that transferred ownership for $2,025,000.00 last month.

The Palms At Wailea is second in place and reported 2 closings for December 2009. Both sales are 1 bedroom / 2 bathroom, quiet upstairs units, with almost no views and in close proximity to each other and to the entrance. Palms At Wailea 406 has a semi central AC system installed and sold for $555,000.00. The other sale was a well organized short sale that closed remarkably fast: the unit number is Palms At Wailea 302 and was noted with $500,000.00.

Following are 5 other sales for a variety of Wailea Condos. Wailea Point 604 is a front row unit on the lowest tier, boosting a nice remodel with a built out loft area. It was list for $4,900,000.00 and eventually sold for $3,500,000.00.

Kai Malu At Wailea 37A was originally purchased for almost $1,050,000.00 and now sold for $825,000.00. This unit has the upstairs master suite with the small lanai and 1,796 square feet. About two thirds of all units have this floor plan in Kai Malu At Wailea. There are little to no ocean views from this unit.

Grand Champions Villas closed on a 2 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms unit with 1,148 square feet for $415,000.00. The original asking price was $799,000.00 and unit number 13 was on the market for a total of 1027 days.

Wailea Ekolu 307 has a great ocean view location. It is a ground floor unit with  1,071 square feet and 2 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms. It was sold for $715,000.00. Wailea Ekahi 19C is a 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom unit with 792 square feet. The recorded sale for December 2009 is noted with $592,000.00.

There are 4 new escrows for Wailea Condos last month. 2 are one-bedroom units in The Palms At Wailea as well as a third one-bedroom unit in Wailea Ekahi. Kai Malu At Wailea 21B is a short sale that was available for $879,000.00. Please check my Sales Reports for further details on these new escrows.

The 4 sales of Wailea Homes are in 4 different neighborhoods. The highest sale was a single level, new construction for $2,100,000.00 on the immediate right side of the entrance gate to Wailea Golf Vistas. This home was originally meant to be the home of the owner / builder. It is of excellent quality, has a beautiful floor plan and all amenities one would expect in this price range. Street address is 4375 E Waiola Loop in Wailea Golf Vistas.

Wailea Golf Estates reported the sale of 3905 Wailea Ekolu Drive. This is a two story home with sweeping ocean views from the upstairs master bedroom. The home has been remodeled and shows beautifully but is not completely updated. At $1,850,000.00, this is a good deal in Wailea Golf Estates.

Wailea Kialoa closed a two story home on 178 Alaula Place. This cul-de-sac location has an extremely steep drive way but the home has pleasant ocean views from the living area, kitchen and upper master suite. It has been recently remodeled and was intended to be an investment. Something people would call ‘flipping’ around here. At $1,550,000.00 this was another excellent buy.

2 Wailea Homes in Wailea Pualani Estates have received accepted offers in December 2009. Both area located on the upper part of Pualoa Nani Drive and both of them have no views. 390 Pualoa Nani is located closer to the highway and was listed as a short sale for $1,000,000.00. 357 Pualoa Nani has an excellent floor plan shows in fantastic condition. A great house that was available for $1,375,000.00.

Wailea Kai sold a home at a price you can not even buy some of the Kihei Homes in today’s market. 121 Waikai Street sold for $865,000.00. It does need some help, but what a deal right across from Keawakapu Beach. There are two more homes listed below $1,000,000.00 in Wailea Kai.

No Makena Condos? No Makena Homes?  –on this list?

Not quiet right, but there is no visible action to be reported for any of the 3 Makena Condos. By numbers, the winner of it all is a single level home in the neighborhood of Black Sand Beach. Lot #7 finally received an offer last month and is in a solid escrow stating “Do Not Show”. I have shown this home a number of times and sadly did not sell it myself. I also reported about in this Maui Real Estate Blog. Though the list price has been $9,200,000.00 at the end, I am most certain that this property will be selling as an outstanding deal. Recording is scheduled for this month & I will keep you posted.

For your orientation, please visit the individual, printable Wailea Plat Maps on this site. To stay abreast, be sure to check my Maui Real Estate Sales Reports on a regular basis. I am available for a follow up conversation and for personal tours upon your visit. Please give me sufficient notice if possible. Mahalo, VW

Are you ready? 2010 is here! A brand New Year and we get to do it all over again. There are ambitious plans for this Maui Real Estate Blog to grow and undergo changes in the very near future. I will not have a list of these changes but received quiet some ideas from many of you. Thank you very much! The resort areas of Wailea and Makena in South Maui are as popular as ever during this winter season and I am back to posting on a regular basis. Without mentioning names, I want you all to know that I very much appreciate your ‘creative’ ideas in ‘finding’ me. If anybody has any further suggestions or ideas for the upcoming expansion of this website, please email me as soon as you can.

To all of you, only the Very Best Wishes for 2010: lots of Love, Health & Happiness. I strongly believe that with these Essentials, it will be easy to reach the Success and the Goals you set for this New Year. As always, keep me posted on your upcoming visits. With Lots of Aloha & warm regards from VWonMaui.