The passing of Dolly Parton made us reflect on what a remarkable life she lived and the lessons she leaves behind.

Dolly reminded us to dream big and work hard, but never forget where we came from. To believe in ourselves, lead with kindness, stay positive through life’s challenges, and use our success to help others.

Perhaps most importantly, she showed us that we can have different opinions and still find common ground, respect one another, and focus on the good in people.

Her extraordinary generosity, humor, authenticity, and love touched millions around the world.

Dolly showed us that true success isn’t just what we accomplish—it’s how many lives we make better along the way.

What a beautiful legacy to leave behind.

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Maui Restaurant Guide

SEE The New Restaurants

Use the Handy QR Code for all your reservations!

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A Market Showing More Movement

The Wailea and Makena real estate market is showing some encouraging signs of movement. Buyer activity has strengthened in several areas, while inventory remains sufficient to provide choices. However, in a luxury market as diverse as Wailea and Makena, the headline numbers don’t always tell the whole story.

Residential | Activity Is Picking Up

Single-family home sales have shown significant improvement in 2026. Through August, 19 homes have closed up 90% from 10 YTY.

August itself recorded two sales with a median price of $5.6 million.

While the year-to-date median price declined 23.9% to $2.9 million, sellers received an average of 95.6% of list price, compared with 92.7% last year.

Inventory increased to 29 homes, yet months of supply declined substantially from 16.1 to 9.7 months—an indication that available inventory is being absorbed more quickly.

Condominiums | Encouraging Buyer Momentum

The condo market also showed renewed activity with pending sales jumping from 5 to 11 and 6 properties closed compared with 5 YTY. Condos that sold moved considerably faster, with days on market declining from 201 to 102 days.

Inventory fell from 88 to 71 condominiums, and months of supply improved from 12.9 to 10.5 months. Year-to-date median pricing remains softer at $1.995 million, down 21%, creating potential opportunities for buyers while reinforcing the importance of strategic pricing for sellers.

Land | A Property By Property Market

The August report does not provide separate statistics for vacant land. With relatively limited land opportunities in Wailea and Makena, we believe individual properties are best evaluated based on location, views, development potential and relevant comparable sales.

Our Golden Nugget

Don’t let price headlines tell the entire story.

August’s monthly price changes are based on only two residential and six condominium sales, so a few transactions can dramatically influence the percentages.

More telling is the underlying movement: single-family sales are up substantially year-to-date, August condo pending activity strengthened and months of inventory declined in both categories.

The opportunity is on both sides of the market, but strategy matters.

The market tells a story, but every property has its own.

If you’re considering buying or selling on Maui, let’s talk about what today’s market really means for you.

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Property Taxes in the News

North Carolina, Wyoming, Florida and Oklahoma all have some kind of property-tax limit or rollback on the ballot this November, following bills passed in more than 10 states since early last year, including Iowa and Georgia recently, aimed at hemming in a growing source of frustration for many homeowners.

Lawmakers in yet more states are debating the issue. Except New York, where lawmakers are trying to figure out how to raise taxes on homeowners….. Average annual property taxes for single-family homes rose about 34% around the U.S. between 2016 and 2025, around $4,400.

Property taxes comprised 29% of total U.S. collections in 2023, making them the single largest source of state and local tax revenue. (WSJ)

LUXE-PROTECTION

One amenity in luxury housing that is bound to grow in demand is…..security. Sophisticated global gang networks have made a very lucrative business targeting wealthy homeowners whose homes are often filled with all sorts of goodies that have a high resale value…..think Birkins, some keyless cars, Rolexes, laptops, etc…..

Here are some suggestions for homeowners to help protect their homes, belongings, and physical safety…

County Adopts New Accessory Dwelling Rules To Expand Housing Opportunities

Qualifying properties in residential, rural areas may have up to three units on one lot. To increase housing opportunities for residents, the County of Maui adopted new rules that allow qualifying residentially zoned properties throughout Maui County to be eligible for up to two accessory dwellings in addition to a primary residence—a potential of three residential units on a single lot, the County Department of Planning announced.

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SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT DINNER

2026 Compass SoCal Luxury Event

We recently attended the 2026 Compass SoCal Luxury event, where we had the opportunity to connect with fellow S&E colleagues to enhance our collective goals.

It was a great experience to maintain relationships, exchange insights, and connect with others in our luxury real estate community!

“Style is about revealing who you are without saying a word.”
– Calvin Klein

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The G-Shaped Housing Market

There is lots of talk about a K-shaped economy and a K-shaped housing market referring to a solid high end with a struggling lower end.

The reality is this is definitely more of a G-shaped real estate market, the ‘G’ standing for GENERATIONAL: Yes, the volume of wealth amongst older buyers is where the vast majority of buying power lies in all things….including houses.

The average homebuyer age is 40 years old, but the median is….62! Baby boomers are around 42% of all home buyers right now. About 18%-19% of the U.S. population is 65 and older. 50 years ago, that number was roughly 10%. This means the share of older Americans has nearly doubled over the past half-century….and the US population is 60% larger too, which impacts the volume numbers….67 million people vs 21 million!

The reality is, the older you are, the longer your investments and savings compound, thereby amassing wealth. $100,000 invested at 8% over 5 years grows roughly 47%, while over 20 years it grows….466%!

Many young people decry the concentration of wealth amongst older generations without acknowledging the decades it has taken to get there….amongst a group who is working longer, saving longer, investing longer…..and living longer. Much longer.

The good news? This wealth is trickling down already with many younger buyers aided by parents and grandparents to buy a home and other things. The money being spent by older generations helps fuel the jobs of younger generations. Older generation spending generates tons of taxes too, aside from fueling consumer spending, roughly 70% of US GDP.

The argument amongst some that older, wealthier people should hand over more of their income and wealth to governments to redistribute to pay for younger generations’ needs is fraught with complications: the most efficient way to pass on this wealth is inter-generationally, not via taxation which usually eats up a large percentage of the usable capital. $1 collected by the federal government, results in approximately 60%-66% directly distributed to individual consumers and beneficiaries via social safety net programs and entitlements.

Many older generations argue that their wealth was never handed to them via family or government, so why should young generations expect this now? Inflation – and elevated inflation – has been the enemy of all, except those with hard assets, mostly older generations.

So while the K-shaped real estate market is real, its the G-shaped market that is defining most of the activity.

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Fashion Photographer Deborah Turbeville’s Longtime House in Mexico Lists for Nearly $6 Million

The historic six-bedroom property in San Miguel de Allende now operates as a boutique hotel but could be returned to a private home.

Casa No Name is a “living piece of San Miguel de Allende’s history,” according to listing agent Wesley Gleason of Engel & Völkers San Miguel, which brought the property to the market at the end of June.

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