Nationally, 2018 was the most profitable time to sell your home in 12 years. In 2018, sellers averaged a 32.6% return on investment compared to their original purchase price.  That marks the highest gains for sellers since 2006. *  This year promises to be better for buyers.  More homes are for sale so inventory isn't as tight. Home prices are, on average, rising but at a slower and healthier pace. * And 2019 is being called the best time to buy a luxury vacation home.  According to Forbes.com, more folks are pulling money out of the stock market and buying a vacation home as a retreat.

On Maui the median price of a single-family home increased 3.5% last month to $730,000, from $705,000 in January 2018.  The number of sales however, dropped 27.6% to 63 homes sold in January from 87 homes sold during the same month last year.  

The number of condominiums on Maui sold in January rose 7.4% to 130 units sold, from 121 sold during the same month last year.  The median price of those condos was $528,450 which was an increase of 4.4% from $506,000.

Now l et's take a look at the Kaanapali Alii :

Status	Unit	Bd	Ba	List $	Sold $	Close
Active	2-602	1	2	1,100,000 LH
Active	234	1	2	1,200,000 LH
Active	2-302	1	2	1,325,000
Active	2-604	1	2	1,350,000
Active	2-404	1	2	1,495,000
Active	4-1103	1	2	1,645,000
Active	2-702	1	2	1,725,000
Active	2-1002	1	2	1,775,000
Active	1-802	1	2	1,850,000
Active	1-902	1	2	1,890,000
Active	4-1102	1	2	2,495,000
Active	4-705	2	2	1,995,000
Active	1-303	2	2	2,400,000
Active	4-204	2	2	2,550,000
Active	1-903	2	2	2,825,000
Active	1-1004	2	2	3,218,000
Active	1-1103	2	2	3,250,000
Active	3-106	2	2	4,895,000
Active	1-1006	2	2	5,200,000
Escrow	4-306	2	2	2,995,000
Sold	2-603	2	2.5	3,300,000	3,175,000	01/04/19

Figures from Realtors Association of Maui

Alaska Airlines has  just unveiled a special-edition  Captain Marvel themed plane.  The 737 aircraft is slated for cross-country routes, including flights to Hawaii. * Southwest Airlines completed their first passenger-less test flight to Hawaii this month.  While ticket sales have not been announced yet, initial routes connecting 4 Hawaii airports (Honolulu, Kahului, Lihue and Kona) to 4 in California (Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego and San Jose) are expected to begin in April.  The carrier is considering adding nonstop Vegas-to-Hawaii flights next year. * New this month ... ride share services like Uber and Lyft have been approved for the Neighbor Island Airports ... for us Kahului and Kapalua.

         

Hawaii is expected to surpass 10 million visitors this year.  Visitor spending is also expected to rise 4.2% to $19.1 billion.  Given the way visitor numbers have grown each year, arrivals to Maui alone could crack 3 million this year.  Maui has more than a quarter (26.5%) of the state's visitor accommodations units.  Hotel rooms continue to account for the largest share of visitor units with about 34.5% of the supply.  Owner vacation rentals have increased from previous years to 27.7% of the supply.  The majority of Maui's visitor units are in the Luxury and Deluxe price classes ... the bulk in the regions of Wailea and Lahaina Kaanapali-Napili-Kapalua.

As you read in the above Current Market Section, many people are moving their money from  the stock market and putting it into a vacation home.  Many vacation home owners use their property to then generate income from them when they're not in use.  But who can you trust to handle the maintenance and booking of your property?  If you try doing it yourself, you just may find it overwhelming and not worth the headache.  All I can tell you is I've placed my personal vacation rentals with   M aui Beachfront Rentals  .  I can enjoy a steady stream of income without all the hassles.  When I have guests coming in I never send them to a hotel.  Why would I, when they can enjoy a fully equipped kitchen, laundry, free parking, and all the amenities of a resort through  MBR .  Not only will they take all the hassle out of it for you, they'll cover all the bases plus extra advertising on sites like VRBO, HomeAway, Flip Key and others ... all at no additional cost.