Foreign Investors: Don’t Forget about 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchanges!

Due to the state of the currently depressed (but improving) real estate market in the United States many foreign investors from Canada, China, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico and elsewhere in the world are purchasing U.S. property for investment purposes. Sometimes these investors are buying second homes, but more often than not they are purchasing investment properties that generate income. As the U.S. real estate market continues to improve, prices will stabilize and begin to rise. This means that many of these foreign investors will look into selling their investment properties at considerable gains.

Compliments of: 

 Jennifer Keen, Senior Vice President
Direct: 808-387-4140 Jennifer.Keen@ipx1031.com

Few things are better than a barbecue on a warm, sunny day. Keep those burgers and hot dogs coming by keeping your grill in tip-top shape.

     The National Barbecue Association recommends that you always start with a clean grill. Break up tough charred food and ashes from the last barbeque session with a metal-bristle brush or a steel wool pad. If the food is still difficult to remove, consider closing the grill’s lid and cook on “high” for an additional five or 10 minutes. The grill residue will turn to ash, which is easier to clean off.

     To prevent food or ash residue in the future, lightly coat the grill grate with vegetable oil. Two things to keep in mind: always apply oils with the grill off, and never spray directly into an open flame. Another simple approach is to rub down the grates using tongs with a paper towel dipped in oil for an even application. While cooking, try to avoid using sugar- or tomato-based sauces until the last 15 to 20 minutes of grilling time; they tend to cause meats to char.

     After you’re done cooking, allow the grill to cool. Once it cools down, remove all coals and liquids accumulated from inside the grill. These remnants can affect the taste of future meals and can collect moisture and impede the airflow within your grill, causing it to rust.

Just a quick update that our office moved and we are now situated in the Gateway Center in Wailea.   I am still ready to  assist anyone wanting to buy or sell - irrespective of the price point.  Please contact me as I am ready to assist.

10 Ways To Make Your House Show Like A Model Home, In One Weekend, For Less Than $200

If you are trying to sell your home then it really pays off to go to a little extra effort to impress your buyers. There have been studies that show it takes buyers only seven seconds to decide whether or not they are going to buy a home once they set foot in a house. That it is why it so crucial to make a good impression and also why “staging” a home for sale is such a fine art.

 However not all of us have the cash on hand, or the time and energy, to do things that are really going to flip your home over to the next buyer quickly.  For instance, not everybody has the cash on hand to install a brand new flashy Jacuzzi complete with freestanding brass towel warmers and new stone tile floors. However you might have the money on hand to install designer faucets, paint the walls and replace the old iron door handles with trendy new crystal knobs.

Here are some quick and easy ways to make your home show like a model home for under $200. These are easy-to-do tips and the type of thing an interior decorator would advise you to do to help “stage" a property so it is more attractive to buyers. The goal of this “top ten list: is to give you hints on how to make your home show better than your competitor’s home on the real estate market!

1. Clear All Clutter

You can get rid of all of the junk in your home for free. Simply get rid of anything you don’t need and haul it away in your car to the nearest dump or Goodwill. This means getting rid of “stuff” in the front yard, back yard, hallway and basement. Studies have
shown that people perceive clutter as being indicative of a property that is decrepit or not worth much money. They also associate it with decay and the presence of vermin or bugs.

One thing in particular you need to get rid of is ashtrays. People consider houses that have been smoked in to be less desirable and also smelly.

You should also get rid of all junk in your yard. This includes things like broken garden hoses, old equipment and bicycles. 

Even things you are actively using should be tucked out of sight before a house showing. This means clearing your kitchen counter of appliances like George Forman Grills or blenders or anything else that takes up counter space.

Outside you should make sure that your garden hoses are coiled up,

your birdbath is clean of leaves and that you do not have sports equipment or bikes laying around your front porch.

2. Get Rid of Evidence of Pets

If you have a dog or cat send them away for the day. Hide the litter box and any evidence of it’s aroma. Make sure there are no dog feces in the front yard. This type of thing, along with its smells can convince a buyer that there are allergens, mites and pet urea in the house.  Houses with more pets are also considered to be less desirable than ones with no pets at all.

3. Get Rid of Evidence of Children

Get rid of strollers on the porch, inflatable kiddy pools in the back yard and any toys that may be lying around in the hallway. Get rid of baby gates and make sure there are no handprints or crayon drawings on the wall. Studies have also shown that homes that have kid’s stuff strewn about are considered to be less hygienic or valuable than those that don’t.

4. Clean Up the Front Yard and Porches

The front yard and porch are very important as that is what your buyer will first see when they approach the home. Make sure that the grass is cut and that the garden is nicely tended.

If you have to, reseed the lawn and plant a few decorative bushes. It also does not hurt to spruce up the front door with a coat of paint and replace the house number plates and the door knocker with new versions. 

It also helps a lot to get rid of dead trees or bushes that may be on the property. Many people associate that with bad luck or a lack of caring for the property.

5. Get Rid of Sunken Paving Stones

The path to your front door and the driveway are also very important. Sunken paving stones or missing rocks make your home look ratty and cheap. It is quite easy to buy new stones, level them and redo these pathways.  Curved path ways look more contemporary than ones that are at right angles.

6. Paint Rooms That Need It

If you have a wall that looks scratched up, beaten or damaged you are well advised to paint it. This can go a long way towards making a home look less shabby.  You should also make an attempt to plaster any holes or crumbled parts of walls in your home as well.  If paint is out of the question then you certainly could make a better impression by covering up flawed walls with wall paper.

7. Replace Some Fixtures

If your chandelier or light fixtures look dated, then go to some trouble to replace them. You can also make a home look more contemporary and like it is worth more money simply by making a few cosmetic changes like changing the light switch plates or electrical plates to designer versions.

8. Change the Faucets and Spouts

Sometimes you can make a kitchen or bathroom look really glamorous simply by changing out your old faucets and spouts for glamorous new ones. There are lots of different styles on the market that can instantly transform a sink into a contemporary silver masterpiece of design and many of these fixtures also cost less than $200.  Furthermore it can be quite easy to install these fixtures all by yourself.

A tall spigot on a kitchen sink can make it look suddenly very European and modern. Replacing the shower head in the bathroom with something quite snaky, long and silver with several water flow options can also help it seem more luxurious and expensive.

9. Provide Flowers and Greenery

If you have cleared all the clutter, then you should have a home that looks more simple and kind of Zen in nature. One way to augment this air of designer sophistication is to put flowers or vases of tall grasses in every room.

For instance if you have a dining room table it is quite a good idea to put a display of fruit or flowers on the center table to make it seem more glamorous or traditional. It is also quite chic to place a small display of flowers or bamboo in the bathroom.  A rose floating in a bowl of water looks nice reflected in a dresser mirror in a bedroom.

10. Provide Some Aromatherapy

It’s been proven that if an item for sale makes some kind of impression on the nose then people are also more likely to buy it. That is true for small ticket items but it is also true of big things like an entire house.

One of the tricks that professional real estate agents use is to simply bake some cookies in the over so the scent of cinnamon and vanilla fills the air as potential customers walk in the front door. This gives a place a more homey effect.

It is also nice to have aromatherapy candles burning in places like a downstairs bathroom where things might be a little dark. Soy candles are especially aromatic.

If you do not want to spend your time baking you can buy all kinds of professional scents for you home that help it seem more cozy or sophisticated.  You can even buy vanilla, cinnamon or apple pie scents that mimic the smells of baking.  Tropical scents such as pineapple and mango are also used by professional real estate agents and also the owners of clothing stores to encourage people to buy.

Of course if you do have some money to invest in preparing your home for sale, you can also hire a professional to stage your home for you. The benefits of this are usually a faster sale and more money for your property.  Many of these organizations can rent you furniture and accessories that can help make your home look better.  A home stager can also offer you an objective perspective on what exactly it is that can make your home look fresh, appealing and attractive to others.

With an eye for design and just a few hundred bucks you can usually fix up your home so that it is more appealing to buyers all by yourself. H

Compliments of Lulu Williams Coldwell Banker Island Properties   283-3783(cell)

Have you thought of purchasing a condo in this complex?   It is in Wailea and close to amenities.  Let me know and it would be my pleasure to assist you.

: Search for Your Dream Home



Once you've made the decision to buy a home, it's time to start looking. There are so many ways to look for homes, it can be very confusing. That's why you need a CRS agent. They will use their experience and education to narrow the search to just the type of house you are looking for. They have access to the latest listings and to a network of CRS agents. They can pull up the most current list of houses that meet your personal specifications.
 

Another way to look for homes is by using the Internet. Using a system of databases and search engines, you can find listings for homes all over the country. Most major search sites have a category dedicated to real estate, but you can also use the basic search engine and try any or all of these keywords and phrases: house, home, buying a home, selling a home, real estate. These searches will lead you to information about buying and selling, listings of agents and home listings.

One thing to remember is that the latest listings may not be available on the Internet. It takes time to add listings and in hot markets, houses may sell before they even get a chance to be put online. The Internet is a great place to gather information, comparison shop and become familiar with real estate terminology. But the best place to find your dream home, is with a CRS agent

Call me Lulu Williams  R(B)   CRS

What is a CRS?

CRS - The Certified Residential Specialist

The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is the highest Designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field. The CRS Designation recognizes professional accomplishments in both experience and education. Since 1977 the Council of Residential Specialists has been conferring the CRS Designation on agents who meet its stringent requirements.

Title insurance offers protection against claims resulting from various defects (as set out in the policy) which may exist in the title to a specirfic parcel of real property effective on the issue date of the policy.

For example, a person might claim to have a deed or lease giving them ownership or the right to possess your property. Another person could claim to hold an easement giving them a right of access across  your land. Yet another person may claim that they have a lien on your property securing the repayment of a debt. That property may be an empty lot or it may hold a 50-story office tower. Title companies work with all types of real property.

WAILEA KAI – is  residential community located above Keawakapu Beach. There are 100 custom-designed, single-family homes secured by limited-access entries. A private, tree-lined park serves the community, while two pathways provide convenient  access to the beach.

 WAILEA KIALOA –  consists of 102 homes and homesites overlooking the ocean.  This is also a gated community.

 WAILEA GOLF ESTATES – is a residential community close to the Wailea Blue Golf Course. 

FAIRWAY HOMES – 31 luxury homes on 14 acres create an exclusive residential neighborhood. Custom designed, these elegant homes overlook the 13^th and 14^th fairways of the Wailea Blue Golf Course.

 WAILEA PUALANI - situated behind Wailea Kialoa subdivision, this gated community has some ocean/mountain views.

 MAKENA PLACE – is  a waterfront  community offering  privacy people  would expect from a personal residence. One of the unique and attractive features of Makena Place is that a caretaker lives and works on site.

 for specific information and listings please contact me at lulu@luluonmaui.com

Matson to boost fuel bill

The shipper is raising its surcharge to 35%, the second increase in as many months

By Alan Yonan Jr.

  Matson Navigation Co. said it will increase its fuel surcharge on goods shipped to Hawaii from the mainland to the highest level in 2 1/2 years because of rising oil prices

 The state's largest ocean shipper will boost the surcharge to 35 percent on March 27, the second increase in as many months. The surcharge is the highest since it reached 37.5 percent in August 2008 in the wake of crude oil's record ascent to $143 a barrel

 The latest 8.5-percentage-point hike is the largest increase since Matson began breaking out the fuel charge as a separate item on customers' bills in 1999. The increase is on top of a 4.75-percentage-point hike announced in January that goes into effect tomorrow

Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines and Horizon Lines Inc., have matched Matson in the past, but have yet to announce changes in their fuel surcharges

The increase in transportation costs will be passed along to consumers who are already bearing the brunt of higher production costs for many grocery items shipped to Hawaii, said Steve Smith, vice president for VIP Foodservice, a Kahului-based food wholesaler 
  Higher fuel costs are hitting businesses at every step of the supply chain, Smith said.  Everybody is going to be paying higher prices, and for consumers it's tough

Matson's latest price surge means that for a container of produce with a base shipping rate of $4,592, the surcharge will rise by $390 next month to $1,607 .The shipper sent a letter to its customers saying the escalation was the result of recent;dramatic increases in fuel costs ; caused in large part by the turmoil in the Middle East

ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

Matson Navigation Co. said it will increase its fuel surcharge on goods shipped to Hawaii from the mainland to the highest level in 2 1/2 years because of rising oil prices.

 

The state's largest ocean shipper will boost the surcharge to 35 percent on March 27, the second increase in as many months. The surcharge is the highest since it reached 37.5 percent in August 2008 in the wake of crude oil's record ascent to $143 a barrel.

 

The latest 8.5-percentage-point hike is the largest increase since Matson began breaking out the fuel charge as a separate item on customers' bills in 1999. The increase is on top of a 4.75-percentage-point hike announced in January that goes into effect tomorrow.

 

Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines and Horizon Lines Inc., have matched Matson in the past, but have yet to announce changes in their fuel surcharges.

 

The increase in transportation costs will be passed along to consumers who are already bearing the brunt of higher production costs for many grocery items shipped to Hawaii, said Steve Smith, vice president for VIP Foodservice, a Kahului-based food wholesaler.

 

 

FUEL COSTS RISING Matson Navigation Co. announced yesterday it was increasing its fuel surcharge. Listed here are the surcharges over the years.       March 27, 2011 35.0% Feb. 27, 2011 26.5% Sept. 12, 2010 21.75% July 18, 2010 25.5% Feb. 7, 2010 27.5% Oct. 4, 2009 24.0% July 5, 2009 28.0% June 21, 2009 20.0% May 24, 2009 16.5% Nov. 30, 2008 15.0% Nov. 16, 2008 19.5% Nov. 2, 2008 25.0% Oct. 19, 2008 27.0% Oct. 12, 2008 33.0% Sept. 21, 2008 37.50% Aug. 31, 2008 42.25% July 13, 2008 38.25% April 6, 2008 33.75% Feb. 4, 2008 31.5% Dec. 14, 2007 29.0% Aug. 19, 2007 24.0% May 27, 2007 22.5% May 6, 2007 20.75% March 11, 2007 19.5% Jan. 28, 2007 17.5% Nov. 5, 2006 18.75% Oct. 1, 2006 19.75% June 4, 2006 21.25% April 2, 2006 18.5% Jan. 1, 2006 15.0% Oct., 2, 2005 13.0% July 3, 2005 11.5% April 18, 2005 10.5% Oct. 18, 2004 9.2% June 21, 2004 8.8% May 4, 2003 8.0% March 3, 2003 7.5% Oct. 20, 2002 6.0% May 5, 2002 4.75% Nov. 25, 2001 3.25%

Higher fuel costs are hitting businesses at every step of the supply chain, Smith said. "Everybody is going to be paying higher prices, and for consumers it's tough."

 

Matson's latest price surge means that for a container of produce with a base shipping rate of $4,592, the surcharge will rise by $390 next month to $1,607.

 

The shipper sent a letter to its customers saying the escalation was the result of recent "dramatic increases in fuel costs," caused in large part by the turmoil in the Middle East.

 

"Last month, when we announced our first upward adjustment to our fuel surcharge in over a year, we hoped that fuel prices would moderate," said Dave Hoppes, Matson senior vice president, ocean services.

 

"Instead, just the opposite has occurred. Fuel prices have increased dramatically and have been exacerbated by the current unrest in the Middle East."

 

Hoppes said the price of bunker fuel oil that ships burn recently eclipsed $100 per barrel, "and are quickly approaching the historic highs last experienced in the summer of 2008."

 

Crude oil futures traded above $100 a barrel yesterday on the New York Mercantile Exchange before closing at $97.88 a barrel. That's up about 30 percent from late summer when crude was trading at $75 a barrel.

 

"We recognize that record high fuel prices are a concern for many businesses, as well as the average consumer," Hoppes said. "Unfortunately, transportation companies are especially hard hit, with fuel consumption an unavoidable and significant component of operating costs," he said.

 

Smith said rising commodity prices are also flowing through to consumers. Higher corn and soybean prices mean feed costs are going up for mainland beef and pork producers, he said. That in turn boosts the processing costs at feedlots "and then comes the ocean freight to get the products to Hawaii," he said.