Aloha, my name is Steven Nickens, and I work with The Wailea Group, LLC in prestigious Wailea/Makena, in The Shops  at Wailea.  Maui has been my home for over 36 years, and I have been a full time Maui Realtor for the last 15 years.  Having lived on Maui for years, I know the island well.  I work out of our Wailea office, but my experience is not limited to South Maui. 

Search all Maui Real Estate Island Wide

 Hoolei Wailea Maui condo Specialist

Cell: 808-280-2208

I have lived in Haiku on the north shore for over 30 years.  Prior to real estate, I was a licensed contractor, and owned Nickens Interiors for 16 years on Maui.  So my experience over the years has been island wide, from Lahaina, Kula, Pukalani, Paia, Haiku and even Hana Maui.  Maui offers a diverse lifestyle.  Depending on your needs, this will be a hugh factor in deciding which part of Maui best suits you. If you are looking for that second home, or condo.  Knowing the inventory is important in this current market.  Currently there are some amazing buys on the market.   knowing how to negotiate the right price, and close the deal is what it's all about.  That is where my experience makes a difference.  Local knowledge is important.   

 Golfing in Makena with my son and cousin John. Did I mention that I am a better volleyball player.

                                                                  Maui's North Shore

Maui is very diverse, as you drive around the island it takes on different faces.  Driving to Hana, you get the feeling of leaving the world behind you.  With endless water falls, bridges and meandering roads with lush vegation and fruit stands. The North Shore of Maui is my home.  What I enjoy, is driving through Paia Town, which is an old plantation town.  There is always something going on, and happens to have some of Maui's great places to eat.

   Maui's  North Shore, Mana's Fishhouse               Spreckelsville Home                                Hookipa Beach Park

Homes in Haiku will vary in size from 10,000 sqft, up to 2-acres or larger.  My self I live on 2.5 acres and enjoy the lush vegtation, and being able to plant a garden and harvest tropical fruit from my own trees.  Haiku is a very popular place for those seeking more of the country life.  It is the rainy side of the island, which is the reason it is so beautiful.

 Home in Haiku with Asia and Duke

This would be a great time to show you a little of my life on Maui.

This is my best friend and my wife.  I have been blessed to be married to a wonderful woman and the mother of my four grown children.  As you can see below this is my first Grandchild, with one more on the way.

          This is Makenna, she makes us laugh and brings a lot of joy to our lives.

Living on the northshore revolves around the ocean in my family.  Both my boys are north shore surfers that charge in the surf.  Micah my oldest is a pro-surfer, part-time real estate agent, and manages Da- Kine Pro International Surf Team, and loves to charge the outer reefs on his jet ski.  Nate is a computer programer and an accomplished surfer.  Both are married to beautiful Maui girls.

                                Micah                                                                                    Nate

        As they say the apple does not fall far from the tree.  Growing up in Hermosa Beach area in L.A.  I been surfing since I was eleven.  Surfing is what brought me to Maui.  Arriving with a $100 and a surfboard at the age of 19.  The last couple years I took up windsurfing.  When the winds is up, I rig up my sailboard, then when the waves are cracking, I am out surfing Hookipa Beach Park.  I am sponcered by Da Kine windsurf team, and Goya are my go to guys for equipment. 

                Windsurfing Kanaha Beach                                                    Surfing Dumps in Makena

I also have two lovely daughters, one lives in Seal Beach, she finished school at FDIM Design School and Meili works with kids on Maui, avid horse enthusiast and hikes with Duke, her loyal dog.

                                                       Up-Country Maui

If you head Up-country Maui, you will first drive up to Makawao Town.  Makwao is an old cowboy town very funky, with great stores and restaurants.

This was Nickens Interior showroom, the old Matusi store in Makawao,  Makawao town is worth a visit for an afternoon.

Also up Country you have Olinda, Pukalani and Kula Maui.  They each have their own beauty that sets them apart.

                                   Kula Home                                                                     Olinda

Kula is an amazing place, set on the slopes of Haleakala Crater, offering stunning views.  This is also great farm land, famous for Kula onions, strawberries and ranching.  It over looks South Maui and Wailea/Makena.  Currently there are some great buys up country Maui.  Ask about signing up for email updates on all upcountry and northshore Maui real estate.

                                         Kihei Maui Homes and Condos

South Maui, represents the Kihei Maui beach area, before you get to Wailea.  This is a very popular destination for visitors and off island owners of vacation condos and homes.  Here you have beachfront condos in North Kihei, starting in the $300K in Kauhale Makai.  In South Kihei Kihei oceanfront runs from $700K up to $1.5 Million.

            View towards Sugar Beach Condominium and Kihei Beach Condos.  Above is a unit in Sugar Beach Condominium

North Kihei offers great value to be directly on the beach.  It is also a very popular kiteboarding and windsurfing spot

                      The first two shots I took, the third is courtsey of Francisco Goya, of Goya Sailboards

You will find short sales in a few of the new projects, like Kai Makani, Hale Kanani and Hoolei Wailea Maui, at $2,195,000

Kihei also has a lot of Maui Short sales and Bank Sales, so make sure you enquire about whats available on the market.  You can go to Mauishortsaleonline.com for more information on Maui short sales in Kihei, Wailea and all Maui.

South Maui is known for its beauitful beaches, restaurants, and great shopping.  Here are a few pictures of Kihei Maui's finest beaches.  In South Kihei, you will discover great oceanfront condos at the Mana Kai, Kihei Seaside Surf, The Royal Mauian Condominium, with the of these condos offering stunning ocean views. 

         Mana Kai Condominium                   Mana Kai, beach heading into Wailea    Royal Mauian Oceanfront Condo

There are a lot of other excellent condos to consider like, kamaole Sands, Hale Kamaole, Maui Banyans, Maui Kamaole.  From my site you can search all condos on Maui.  My site is broken down in different parts of the island to make it easy to search.  You can also email me to sign up for daily email updates on selected properties. 

                   Wailea-Makena Maui, Homes & Condos

      Wailea is world re-known for its world class beaches, spectacular sunsets, world class golf courses, and luxury Resorts.

Our company at The Wailea Group, represents many of Wailea Maui's presitigious properties.  Our main office at The Shops at Wailea is the largest square foot office and showroom.  We are in the process of remodeling our show room to better display our featured listings.  Soon to open next door is the new Tai Sushi Bar, which will be a main attrations to the mall.

 Stop by our office at The Wailea Beach Villas, in the lobby for information on the Villas and Penthouse units.  This is the newest Wailea oceanfront development to date.  With elegant units, with private elevators and all quality finishes through out the the units.  Units run from 1900 sqft up to 3,000 sqft of living space.  You also have a family pool and private adult pool.  To view more information on this quailty Wailea oceanfront development go to Waileabeachvillasmaui.  To view all active listing

Hoolei Wailea Maui Town-homes was just completed last December.  Our company has represented this quailty development from the ground up to completion last year.  Having been on the sales team, I have extensive knowledge on Hoolei, and current prices and Hot Buys.  Right now there are a few terrific buys in Hoolei. HOT BUY UNIT F-4 $2,195,000

To view more additional infomation on Hoolei got to Hoolei Wailea Maui Condominiums  Hoolei is made up of 120 units, located aright across from the Grand Wailea.  There are three floor plans, rinning 2400 to 3100 sqft, elevators in each unit, private garage and all the quality finsihes you would expect.  You also have membership in the Grand Wailea Hotel.  There is also a private fitness center, Amazing salt water pool and water features. To view all units active on the market

             .  

         Papali Wailea, 24 Luxury Homes           Makena Surf Condominiums              Maluhia oceanfront Homes Wailea

In Wailea there are many other quality oceanfront condos like, Ekahi Wailea, Wailea Elua, a very popular oceanfront condominium, Polo Beach, Wailea Point.  Other non-oceanfront would include Na Hale O Makena, Kananai Wailea, Palms at Wailea, Grand Champions, Ekolu, Kai Malu another newly completed project, Wailea Fairway Villas, just to name a few.

In Wailea you also have oceanfront luxury homes in Wailea/Makena.  Prices start at $6 Million and run up to $38 Million.

      $38 Million Makena Estate                        Makena Oceanfront Land             Makena Place oceanfront homes

Call for a complete list of Wailea/ Makena oceanfront homes.  Sign up for email updates on all new oceanfront listings.  I also have a newsletter that keep you updated on all events and what's the latest Hot Buys in Wailea.

There are other options than oceanfront.  Wailea has some beauitful gated communities, such as Wailea Higlands, Wailea Golf Vistas, Golf Estates, Maluhia, Wailea Kai, Kialoa and Pualani.  Prices will range from $1 million and up, but you can find a beautiful home to fit your price range.

So if you are looking for a home or condo in Wailea/ Makena Maui.  Give me a call, or email to set up an appointment to view properties in Wailea.  If you are looking at selling in Wailea or through out Maui.  Lets talk about the marketing of your property, and how The Wailea Group can display and market you condo or home.  I am also very savvy on the internet, and online marketing, which is a hugh advantage to getting your property out to the world.  Looking forward to hearing from you, to help you with all your real estate needs.

                             Island Plantation Home

It's time to sell your home, or condo!

It's time to sell your home or condo in Maui, you must be confident that you've got every element in place for negotiating the best terms and highest price before you even list your home. The Maui real estate market is evolving and changing daily, and you want an experienced residential pro in your corner who can help you move your home, or condo as quickly and professionally as possible.  Steven is a professional, full-time agents.  I have 36 years in Maui, with 15 years as a Maui Realtor.

Maui is one of the top destination spots on the planet.  This will always be a driving factor the will keep the Maui market stable. We have seen an increase in sales in homes and condos with prices finally finding the market correction in price.  All in all, the market will continue to level out and 2009 will bring about a much more normal course.  As report in September in the Maui News, it looks like we hit the bottom.

Now that you've decided to sell, my job is to do the best job I can of marketing your property.  When you decide to list with me, I will provide an extensive marketing plan for your property.  My company also has the largest showroom/ office at The Shops at Wailea.  We are in the process of remodeling to better represent and promote your properties.  Lastly you need a fierce negotiator. We will work hard to make your transaction as smooth and stress-free as possible. Guaranteed!

Getting Started

•1.      Find the right representative. The experience and knowledge of a dedicated real estate professional can be priceless. A good Realtor^® forms a powerful team with his/her clients to ensure a smooth, successful, stress-free sale.

•2.      Determine your needs/wants for the sale and for your new home. Selling your primary residence can be tricky because you must simultaneously think about where you would like to buy. First, weigh your priorities - selling price is certainly important, but having a quick and efficient sale can often be a fair trade-off for a slightly lower offer. Talk to your agent and make sure you are both on the same page about your personal priorities. At the same time, you should be compiling a needs/wants list for the home you will buy. Chances are good you will have to act fairly quickly when your house sells, so any preparation you can do in advance will serve you well.

•3.      Prepare your house for showing. Unprepared homes can create sales disasters. Your home will never get as much attention from potential buyers as when it is first listed, so it's essential to clear clutter, clean, make repairs, and put your home's best foot forward. Don't "open for business" until your home is ready to be seen as favorably as possible.

•4.      Get the lowdown on the Maui  market. Being realistic about your market is the key to a smooth sale. You can attempt to do it yourself and save a few thousand dollars, but there's no substitute for a professional real estate representative when it comes to local market knowledge.

•5.      List away! Lots of photos and online exposure are the key to getting a good response for your listing.  So there you go, lets get busy and get your Maui home or condo sold.

If you'd like a FREE market analysis of your neighborhood, Email me at nickens@maui.net for your free market analysis.

Relocation

So you are looking at making a move to Maui.  That can be a tricky situation, especially if you never been to Hawaii.  There is a lot to consider, schools, work, location, climate that varys dramaticly on Maui.  What does Maui have to offer?

• Maui  offers festivals, art, and culture, from Maui Arts and Cultrual Center
• A plethora of restaurants that feature cuisines from around the world
• World-class  golf courses in Kapalua, Wailea and Makena
• Some of the best beaches in the world.
• A multi-cultrual population from around the world.

Maui is always ranked #1 in Island destination. With great weather, affordable housing, some of the best climate for healthy living, expanding arts and culture, close proximity to LA, San Diego, Las Vegas, Portland, Seattle, and Canada.  You will discover endless recreational opportunities, many first-time visitors fall in love with Maui and decide to relocate here.

Maui has been a great place for my wife and I raising our family.  Currently we are four generations on Maui.  From Grandma to Makenna our grand daughter loving Maui.

Forclosures on Maui

It's a fact of life these days ... due to the shaky American economy and the collapse of the housing industry, more and more homeowners are falling into foreclosure.

As with all things, there are two sides to this situation:

• If you're a homeowner who is behind on your payments, falling into trouble, or finding yourself facing foreclosure.  Sometimes, when were too close to a problem, everything looks darker than it really is. I'll be honest, we've helped a number of people in this situation, but we can't save everyone from foreclosure. You won't know, though, if you don't call us to find out. You keep hearing it - and I'm going to say it again - if you're in trouble with your mortgage, the worst thing you can possibly do is nothing.
   
• The high number of  Maui bank sales are making this red-hot buyers' market. So if you're looking to make the move up to owning your first home, this is definitely the time to do it.

Reo and Maui Bank Sales!

I've been asked a lot of question lately about the difference between purchasing bank-owned properties vs. short-sale properties. The term "bank-owned" (also known as REO or Real-Estate Owned) refers to homes that have gone back to the bank after an unsuccessful foreclosure auction. Short sales are still owned by the seller, but they owe more on their homes than they are worth in the current market.

If I were the buyer, I would much prefer to make an offer on a bank-owned home vs. a short-sale home. Why? When you make an offer on a bank-owned property, once they bank agrees to the terms and conditions, you can move forward to the closing knowing that the transaction is approved.

With a short sale, there sometimes is no "real" answer about approval until the bank and the seller come to an agreement - and many times, and in my experience, that seems to be happening more and more often, especially in the last six months or so. This means you could be just about at your anticipated closing date and lose the home because the bank and seller couldn't come to a final arrangement of financial terms.

If you're an investor or you're buying the house as a second home, that isn't such a big deal. But if you intend to move into the home, having the transaction fall apart at the last minute puts you at a serious disadvantage. Think about it ... your lease is up and your moving truck is loaded. You get the picture, and it's not pretty, for this surely would create a very stressful situation for a family. You'd have to make quick choices about where to live, and start looking for another home to purchase.

Both bank-owned homes and short sales will give you the opportunity to do a home inspection, upon which the sale is contingent. Bank-owned properties are sold in "AS IS" condition, so expect that they will make absolutely NO repairs. Also, since the seller (the bank) has never lived in the home, they have no real knowledge of what may or may not be a problem situation with the property. It's the old "buyer beware" situation. This isn't to say there aren't some great deals to be bought in the Phoenix market ... there certainly are some great buys! Just be certain to hire an ASHI-certified home inspector and find out up front what your added expenses will likely be after you close on the home. In this circumstance, no surprises is a good thing.

With many short-sale properties, the seller has no money to do any repairs, so it puts the potential cost of repairs on the buyers' shoulders. On the positive side, the seller often has lived in the home or is still living there, and has full knowledge of the home's condition. The seller can tell you if the AC has been replaced or if there've been any plumbing problems, roof issues, etc. ALWAYS have a home inspection should buy a short sale property.

In our office, we have seen a number of bank-owned properties be bid up over list price. The banks price them low, hoping to bid the sales price up. Once the word gets out to agents about an REO, they flock to the "good deals," hoping they can help their clients win the bidding war.

So sign-up for email updates on all Maui Short Sales and Bank Sales.

My commitment is to be the leading service provider, and Maui information resource for all Maui real estate. My work has been built on the highest level of integrity, and professionalism.  My commitment to be at the cutting edge of technology is essential to real estate, in this or any other market. Whether your buying, or selling your home or condo.  I would like the opportunity, to help you with your next successful Maui real estate transaction.

Aloha Nui Loa,

Steven Nickens, R(S), GRI, ABR

The Wailea Group, LLC

Cell: 808-280-2208

Email: nickens@maui.net

www.nickensmaui.com

36 years on  Maui, experience that makes a difference

Internet Specialist!

One of my past clients, and friend is Laird Hamilton, and Gabrielle Reece. Laird wanted to be able to look at Jaws from his porch, to check the surf.  This is his spot which he tows into massive waves behind a jet ski on a small board. After looking, it was through local connections that I was able to find 10 acres to build his dream home on Maui's north shore.