Maui Real Estate Blog: November 2009

After such hearing such wonderful praises from other parents about Valley Isle Gymnastics in Kahului on Maui, I decided to sign up my 2 and a half year-old daughter for a toddler class.

And I'm very glad I did!  Although I was very interested in enrolling her in an activity over the summer, I wasn't sure if she was ready for a structured class, nor emotionally ready to engage in an activity with other children (I just pictured her standing off to the side as she just watched rather than participate).  So therefore, I wasn't ready to pay for a class that she wouldn't appreciate or enjoy.

As I've noticed her developing more and more and becoming more engaging with other children, I felt it was time to sign her up for a gymnastics class.

She is enrolled in a weekly 45 minute Discovery Class with other 2 and 3 year-olds.  The class, which also requires parent participation, focuses on basic gymnastic skills.  They get get to play on the large trampoline, low bars, various mats, and balance beams. 

The best thing about the class is her coach, Coach Rusty, since he is VERY patient and engaging with the children.  Each class has a focus and starts out with a 5 to 10 minute warm-up routine with stretching, music, and games.  After that the children are encouraged to roam and play with the various equipment with the coach's assistance of demonstrating certain techniques and movements.  The structure of the class is great for my daughter because of her limited attention span, like most 2 year-olds, and allows her to discover skills on her own, but with the help of an instructor.

It's only been her second class and she LOVES it!  She looks forward to it each week and isn't quite ready to leave when the class is over.  I highly recommend the class to other parents of 2 and 3 year-olds. 

Valley Isle Gymnastics also offers classes for other age groups ranging from 2 months to 18 years old, so definitely check it out!

Every time I visit Mana Kai, a gorgeous condominium resort located in South Maui, I instantly feel like I'm on vacation. 

The glorious ocean views, warm sun, and the white sandy beach just outside the building make me want to drop everything and just relax one of their beach chairs on the lawn and forget about what I have to do for the rest of the day.

If I were on vacation, I would definitely want to stay here.  Located in Kihei, just north of Wailea on South Kihei Road, Mana Kai is situated on one of Maui's premier beaches. 

The one and two bedroom condo units include a fully equipped kitchen and private lanai, and allow short-term vacation rentals.  This complex is perfect for someone who loves to vacation in South Maui, but would enjoy the benefit of leasing their unit to vacationers when not on the island.

Mana Kai Resort has recently been renovated and features a beautiful pool, activities desk, beauty shop, open-air dining that offers an EXCELLENT Happy Hour at Five Palms Grill, general store and gift shop, and Maui Yoga Path yoga center.

For more information about Mana Kai, or information on available condominium units for purchase, please contact me!

The First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit has officially been extended!  Just last week, the bill was approved and signed by President Obama, which is great news for first-time home owners, as well as existing home-owners.

I wrote an earlier blog on the tax credit, which was set to expire November 30, 2009, about the details and qualifications for this credit. 

The extension to the existing first-time home buyer credit is the same amount, $8,000, and expires April 30, 2010.  If a binding contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the home purchase will qualify if it closes by June 30, 2010.

Income limits, however, have been extended for sales occurring after November 6, 2009. For single taxpayers, the limit is $125,000, and for married couples filing jointly, the limit is $225,000.

For sales occurring between January 1, 2009 and November 6, 2009, the limit for single taxpayers is $75,000 and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.

There is also a credit for existing home owners, as well. 

A credit of $6,500 will be granted to existing home-owners for home purchases occuring between November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010 (or purchased by June 30, 2010 with a binding contract signed by April 30, 2010).

One of the qualification of this credit is that the owner must have owned and lived in a home for 5 consecutive years of the 8 years prior to the new purchase date.

For income limits and more qualifications for the existing home-buyer credit, please visit:

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/faq2.php#1

Photo courtesy of fotosearch

You may have heard about this inspirational story of an unbreakable bond between a U.S. Marine and a stray dog from Iraq, which aired on the Today Show a couple days ago.

If you haven't, I've included the video below. 

The story is so touching, I just had to share it.

It is a beautiful story of a stray dog, who had suffered the abuse of an Iraqi soldier, that captured the heart of a U.S. Marine, Dennis, while serving duty in Iraq.  After becoming briefly separated, the dog walked 75 miles to be reunited with the soldier.  Although it is against policy for soldiers to care for dogs while serving, Dennis was determined to keep him. 

He arranged for the dog to be flown to his home in San Diego, where Dennis would eventually meet up with him.  The cost of the dog's travel was going to amount to $5,000, but with the overwhelming help of his friends and strangers back in the U.S., his dog was able to make the trip. 

Dennis and 'Nubs' are now inseparable.

Piilani Villages II and III is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Kihei, which located in South Maui.  The nearby location to stores, restaurants, beautiful beaches, and schools cannot be beat.  Families, couples, and retirees also enjoy the peace and quiet of the area. 

The neighborhood is a popular spot for trick-or-treaters on Halloween, and this recent Halloween was no exception.  Many neighbors get in the spirit with lawn decorations, making the evening a fun and festive event!

Homes in the neighborhood range from 2 bedroom/2 bath to 4 bedroom/3.5 bath floor-plans.  If you are interested in homes for sale in the neighborhood, click here.

These are the homes that have sold with the past 6 month, 5/3/09 through 11/3/09: