SOLID JANUARY VISITOR COUNTS
After a dismal 2009 in which total visitors coming to Maui declined by 1.4% January saw a rebound. Over 159,000 people came to Maui in January, an increase of 2.4% over January 2009. Visitors from the western US increased 5.5% and for the first time in quite a while Japanese count was also up, though Japanese represented only 3% of all visitors. The Canadian impact continues to be large, up almost 14%.
ACT FAST!
The Federal Home Buyer Tax Credits are still available as long as binding sales contracts are signed by April 30, 2010.
MORTGAGE RATES
WARREN BUFFET SPEAKS
One of the highlights of the year in the financial world is invariably Warren Buffet's letter to the Shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway. It is always thoughtful, open, candid and enlightening. The recently released 2009 letter is no different. Specifically the letter talks about Clayton Homes and the housing industry generally. Here is an excerpt:
JUST ANOTHER MAUI DAY
A BIG NOTHING
After all the concern about Maui being in the path of a tsunami generated by the Chilean earthquake it turned out to be a non-event, just like in 1994.
BIG NEWS ALONG THE OCEANFRONT
While Tom and Sean have the only residential oceanfront closing along the Maui Oceanfront this year, things have really picked up in the last ten days. 4472 Makena Road, listed for $27.5 million is under contract. If that closes anywhere close to that number it will be the most expensive residential sale ever on the island of Maui. In addition a small home on Halama Street in Kihei has gone under contract. Finally, it is a condominium, but a big one. A Wailea Beach Villas Villa unit in the D building has sold for $6.8 million.
CASE SHILLER RESULTS
WELLS FARGO ON HOUSING TRENDS
Each month Wells Fargo releases a research reporon the housing market. The most recent was a week ago. Hedre are there conclusions.













