Oprah Winfrey

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

In 2018, Oprah Winfrey purchased a scenic waterfront estate located in rural Orcas Island off the coast of Seattle. The real estate deal cost $8.3 million and was executed through an entity linked to her network. The media magnate reportedly purchased the property without visiting the home in person. After three years of ownership, the television host has decided to bid farewell to her island home as she reportedly lacks the time to maximize its usage. Recorded on Tuesday, Winfrey has officially sold her waterfront residence for $14 million in an off-market deal. Jen Cameron, vice president of Coldwell Banker Bain’s global luxury division, represented the buyer in the deal who is listed under the title of Lophodytes LLC. The billionaire public figure currently resides at her self-proclaimed Promised Land, a 70-acre ranch property located in Montecito, California. With an impressive real estate portfolio, Winfrey also owns homes in Telluride, Colorado and Maui, Hawaii.

Madroneagle Estate on Orcas Island spans 40 acres of lush landscape and features a 7,303-square-foot main house with four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. Decorative elements of the home consist of an eccentric copper and slate roof on the exterior and a luxuriously rustic cabin interior with finishes of rare, reclaimed wood. The picturesque property is perfect for entertaining as it offers a spacious living area with stone fireplace, kitchen with oversized center island and built-in pizza oven, and adjacent dining room. Other highlights of the reserved residence include a cozy library nook with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, game room, home office, wine cellar, and tasting room. Elsewhere on the estate rests a guesthouse located on a high cliff overlooking the private beach. With 2,948 square-feet, the guest space presents four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The exterior grounds of the island property highlight a sauna, pond, garden, hiking trails, and stream. The scenic estate comprises of two waterfront parcels and 3,000 feet of west-facing shoreline for spectacular sunset views.

For more on the latest in luxury real estate, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

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Diane Pool presents

Luxury Island Living - Wailea Highlands - Front row on the Wailea Blue Course with spectacular views of the ocean, Haleakala, & green pastures of Ulupalukua. This timeless contemporary home offers 4-bedroom en-suites with seamless indoor/outdoor living.

Address: 250 Noho Like Way, Wailea, Maui, HI 96753

Price: $7,500,000

Photo credit: Andrew Barrera

For more information, please contact Diane Pool at 808-276-2004 or diane@soldonmaui.net

Diane Pool is the exclusive agent representing the Maui, HI real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her listings here.

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Diane Pool presents

A Rare & Special Opportunity to Own the Very Best – a top row Bldg A - Plumeria plan seldom becomes available. Being upfront and center in your own corner of the world just doesn’t get any better! The unparalleled views and privacy are simply spectacular with panoramic views of Molokini, Kaho'olawe, Lanai and West Maui Mountains. This spacious townhouse style condo lives like a residence. Furnishings and appointments designed by Bassman Blain Home give this villa an inviting atmosphere. All 3 bedrooms feature in suite bath providing privacy within this luxurious villa. Enter from the privacy of your garage and take the elevator to the main living area where you will enjoy stunning sunsets all year round. This floor plan seamlessly blends the outdoor living enlarging the open indoor flow for the perfect Maui Lifestyle. The large gourmet kitchen and built-in BBQ easily affords the best entertaining under a large covered lanai which is ideal for island living. You’ll have front row seats to occasional fireworks displays and while you’re relaxing or taking time to reflect, watch the whales frolic in Maui’s pristine waters. “We will miss the most spectacular views of sunsets that our unit has to offer. We loved being in the heart of Wailea with all that it has to offer & all within easy walking distance.” Your private retreat offers a gated entry, large waterfall pool, spa, outdoor barbecue area and fitness facility with locker rooms and steam room. The Grand Wailea Rental Prog offers a reception, concierge, & poolside massage, open air shuttle service to & from your unit to the pool & Grand Wailea Hotel. All within walking distance to the Grand Wailea, Four Seasons, The Shops at Wailea with 5-star dining, 3 championship golf courses, tennis facilities, resort shopping, & miles of white sand beaches. Maui, It’s a Lifestyle!

Video & 3D tour at http://hoolei-maui.com/

Address: Ho’olei at Wailea, 52-3 Ho’olei Circle, Wailea, HI 96753

Price: $3,750,000

For more information, please contact Diane Pool at 808-276-2004 or diane@soldonmaui.net

Diane Pool is the exclusive agent representing the Maui, HI real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her listings here.

Photo Credit: Salty Trade Media

Photo Credit: Salty Trade Media

Photo Credit: Salty Trade Media

Photo Credit: Salty Trade Media

Photo Credit: Salty Trade Media

Photo Credit: Salty Trade Media

Photo Credit: Salty Trade Media

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Photo Credit: Travis Rowan Living Maui Media

Now that Summer is close to ending, what do you see as the takeaways from the last six months?

COVID has been a game-changer and one with ebb and flow like the ocean tides. The State of Hawaii has seen strong interest from the continental United States. Internet site activity off the charts. The neighbor islands in particular, the resort communities along the Kohala Coastline on the Big Island of Hawaii and the Wailea/Makena and Kapalua/Kaanapali coastlines on Maui have enjoyed the majority of the “sight unseen facetime/zoom time" purchases.

We have seen multiple buyers fly to the Islands and quarantine in place for 14 days just to get to Hawaii with the objective of purchasing a property. I have had two buyers who have actually written offers with the contingency of being able to actually “quarantine in place” at the house they wished to buy based on what they had seen online or via virtual tours.

Recently we have seen a strong pick up of activity on the island of Oahu for larger single-family residences offering larger interior and exterior living areas, flexible floor plans, two home offices, pool/spa, and home fitness areas. Total single-family homes sold 5,000,000 or in escrow since March 2020 on Oahu total 17. Luxury residential condominium sales have slowed with the exception of the residential condominium development of Park Lane which has monopolized the sales and escrows with five sales over  $5,850,000 since March.

The takeaways are diligence, positivity, and creativity. Thinking out of the box to promote my listings and the Islands. Due to our strategic geographic location with both the US and the Pan Pacific Basin we are a prime destination. With the major shift to work at home – Why not work at home in Hawaii with our climate, lifestyle, outdoor living and being the 50th state we are positioned well. We are also seeing people who target the islands as we basically are islands in the middle of sea without the ability to drive across a border or from state to state. This has become very important to some who feel it limits the spread of COVID, political/cultural unrest and recently the issues with the fires

What activities took place on Labor Day this year around Honolulu?

Not much the Island of Oahu has been in a new lockdown due to the rise of COVID which has now started to back off due to the earlier restrictions Hawaii hopes to open its borders in October.

Photo Credit: Augie Salbossa

Is there an area from which buyers are relocating to your market?

Continental/domestic United States – in particular, California, Washington, Texas, Arizona, Utah, New York, and Chicago.

To contact Anne Perry, click on "Learn More" above.

The post Honolulu, Hawaii Real Estate Market Update, With Anne Perry appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Gracing the slopes of the West Maui Mountains, this estate serves as one of the top properties in Hawaii. Built with the classic plantation days in mind, 65 Wili Okai Way offers the best of style and modern amenities. Situated in the highly sought-after gated neighborhood of Pu'unoa—and placed perfectly on a fully manicured, fruit-bearing 5 acres of land—this 5 bedroom 5.5 bathroom estate with a separate 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom guest home exudes the quintessential Hawaiian family retreat experience. The level of detail is unparalleled, including incredible custom finishes like metal work from famed artist Larry Padilla throughout the property, including all of the fire torches and several architectural elements.

65 Wili Okai Way is conveniently located to the heart of Lahaina town, Kaanapali and Kapalua as well as the West Maui Airport for quick island-hopping adventures. 

Address: 65 Wili Okai Way, Lahaina, HI 96761

Price: $8,750,000

For more information, please contact Greg Burns at (808) 214-0302 or greg@isleluxury.com

Greg Burns is the exclusive agent representing the Maui, HI real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

Watch video:

Photo Credit: D. Parcucci

Photo Credit: D. Parcucci

Photo Credit: D. Parcucci

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Welcome to 476 Laulea Place. This home boasts sweeping oceanfront views, serving as a retreat encompassed by 1.25 acres of landscaped grounds, resting on a rare sandy beachfront parcel in Spreckelsville. Choose a life of ease and adventure on Maui's North Shore, all the while being surrounded by natural beauty in a highly sought-after, active community. Morning coffee with sandy toes...why not?! Windsurf, wing-foil, paddleboard, dive, sunbathe, picnic or stroll down your secluded beachfront by simply opening your back gate.

A private road leads you to this gated property, which includes the main residence and separate, detached guest quarters—offering absolute privacy for you, your family and closest friends. Significant property enhancements include a new roof, new fencing and an impressive investment in landscaping. Current owners have conceptual plans to go along with the sale. The guesthouse has been recently repainted.

Address: 476 Laulea Place, Paia, HI 96779

Price: $6,875,000

For more information, please contact Greg Burns at (808) 214-0302 or greg@isleluxury.com

Greg Burns is the exclusive agent representing the Maui, HI real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

Photo Credit: D. Parcucci

Photo Credit: D. Parcucci

Photo Credit: D. Parcucci

Photo Credit: D. Parcucci

Photo Credit: D. Parcucci

Photo Credit: D. Parcucci

The post Private Oceanfront Maui Retreat, Presented By Greg Burns appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Owning a luxury oceanfront condo in Wailea is a dream come true for top-tier buyers who enjoy living close to the water. Here are a few tips on buying a condo in Wailea, one of the most sought after places in Hawaii.

1. Find a licensed lender. Unless you’re paying cash, you’ll have to secure financing for your purchase. If so, make sure to find a lender who is licensed in Hawaii. When buying a condotel, or a cross between a condo and a hotel, you will most likely be required to make a 30-percent down payment. Your real estate agent can give you a list of licensed lenders and mortgage brokers who know how the Maui market works. Keep in mind that the lending and escrow processes in Maui and the mainland are slightly different. Most notably, there are delays in completing these steps for those buying in the neighboring islands, since the final documents have to be sent to Oahu for recording purposes. This can take up to two additional days.
2. Know what form of land tenure you’re paying for. There are two kinds of land ownership in Hawaii – fee simple and leasehold.
   With fee simple, you own the property and the land it stands on. With leasehold, you own the unit, and your neighbors own theirs. As a collective, you co-own the building. However, you don’t own the land that the building stands on. Someone else, usually a corporation, owns the land, and you give them a lease payment each month. This is often the case for condo buildings. Over the lifecycle of the lease, your monthly lease payments will likely be renegotiated every five to 10 years. The lease will include terms stating when and how the lease payment amount can be renegotiated. In some cases, the new lease amount will be based on the property’s value. When property values increase, lease payment amounts usually follow suit. There are many fee simple condo buildings that used to be leasehold properties. In these cases, the individual owners or the Association of Apartment Owners (AOAO) successfully negotiated with the landowner, thus converting the building to a fee simple property.
   However, if you don’t negotiate land tenure, the lease can end and might not be renewed. With your building sitting on someone else’s land, unit owners can be evicted and without any right to compensation. This doesn’t happen often, but it is a huge possibility. Your realtor can help you discern issues concerning land tenure when buying a condo in Wailea. Exercise due diligence, and have the lease reviewed by a real estate attorney if necessary.
3. Ask about AOAO fees. Every condo building in Hawaii is required to have an AOAO, which is made up of unit owners responsible for running and maintaining the condo. As a unit owner, you have a say in the management and maintenance of the building. When it comes to AOAO fees, it’s important to know how much you’ll have to pay each month, what you get in exchange for the fees, which expenses are shouldered by the AOAO, and which costs will come out of your pocket.
   Other questions to ask include:
   • How much are the building’s operating expenses?
   • How does the AOAO set the budget?
   • Are the reserves well-funded, and how it is set?
4. All AOAOs are in charge of shared areas like the gardens, swimming pool, and the building’s exterior, including the roofs and exterior walls. When it comes to Condotels, your AOAO fees will cover cable TV, Wi-Fi, basic phone lines, and other conveniences that guests might expect. If your condo has air conditioning, you’ll want to know if electricity is covered, or if you’ll receive a separate bill each month.
5. Do research on management agreements with rental companies. If you’re buying a condo with the intention of renting it out, you need to have a good understanding of how management agreements work.
   Your condo can be managed in the following ways:
   • You can manage it yourself, especially if you live on the island or have a local contact who can respond to emergencies
   • You can work with an offsite property manager
   • You can hire an onsite company
   • You can hire an onsite company under contract the AOAO
6. You’ll find reputable rental management companies in Maui. Moreover, it’s normal for condo buildings to have onsite rental management companies. Before signing with a rental management company, find out exactly what you’ll be getting, how much they’ll charge, and if there will be additional charges that aren’t included in your contract.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

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Perched above Honolulu on 3.44 acres of land with spectacular views of Diamond Head and the city lights below, the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Spalding House or Nu‘umealani represents an unparalleled opportunity for the discerning art collector or luxury real estate buyer.  This extraordinary home would be an ideal gallery setting for a private art collection or could be restored to its former state as a grand private residence. This property’s prime location in Makiki Heights, its established infrastructure and extraordinary views bring endless opportunities for the inspired buyer.

Built originally as a residential property in 1925, the structure that is now Spalding House immediately inspires an artistic energy—its galleries once featuring the works of Deborah Butterfield, John Buck, William Wiley, and hundreds of other esteemed artists over its 30+ years as a museum. The 1,600 ft structure that housed a permanent installation of David Hockney’s L’Enfant et les sortileges is perched above the property’s sprawling lawns and tropical pathways. One could easily see this majestic former estate as the perfect home for a private collection. 

Comprised of five gallery rooms, with state-of-the-art air, humidity and security systems in place to protect the most valuable collection, this stunning building emanates its elegant history and prominence among equally superb established estates in the much sought after Makiki Heights neighborhood.  It is located a mere five-minute drive to the delights and amenities of downtown Honolulu. 

Zoned for residential use, the 5,245 sq ft main residence and gallery space is a designated Historic Property. The estate in total comprises a pool, auxiliary office spaces, a director’s residence, a gift shop, a classroom, and a studio apartment. Outside, Spalding House benefits from a stunning mature garden area with awe-inspiring vistas of Honolulu, iconic Diamond Head State Monument, and the crystal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Address: 2411 Makiki Heights Dr, Honolulu, HI 96822

Price: $15,000,000

For more information, please contact Greg Burns at (808) 214-0302 or greg@isleluxury.com

Greg Burns is the exclusive agent representing the Maui, HI real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

Photo Credit: Elite Pacific Properties

Photo Credit: Elite Pacific Properties

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With Hawaii being named one of the top places to visit in 2019 by CNN Travel and Business Insider, this tourist retreat has continued to be a sought-after tropical destination and the surge in resort home sales has skyrocketed. Whether home buyers are seeking the tropical oasis to expand their families, or are buying properties for  multigenerational living, Hawaii has proven to be a hotspot for tropical living.

Aside from an ocean view, homebuyers are seeking architecturally sleek styled homes as opposed to traditional estates seen in that past.

“Luxury home buyers are looking for something more modern in look and feel and you don’t get much of that in Hawaii, at least not in Maui. You get a more of traditional, Hawaiian contemporary homes. However, this house actually has the layout and design of a modern home. But was completed as a contemporary home in terms of all the finishes and details. That’s what we are seeing more of, the desire to have the modern feel to a home,” Mark Waite said.

Between the scenic ocean views, stable environment, and year-round temperate climate, homebuyers are faced with exceedingly positive expectations. But there is one determining factor which has tourist flocking to purchase homes in Hawaii: property taxes. “Our property taxes are really low. But, if someone is spending $5-10 million on a house, they are probably not going to be overly worried about property taxes," Waite said.

With a surge in resort home sales, new modern styled homes, and the ideal tropical destination, Hawaii has continued to prove its unprecedented appeal to tourist and future homebuyers.

Photos courtesy of Mark Waite 

The post Hawaii Realtor Mark Waite Discuss What Homebuyers Are Seeking On The Island appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

This special and unique residence offers an extraordinary and exclusive location at the end and on a cul-de-sac surrounded with lush tropical gardens.

This home offers Single Level Living with a perfect blend of Hawaiian-Asian flare for that tranquil and peaceful lifestyle.

As you enter, the main level has grand ceilings and spacious rooms giving an unmatched open-air entertaining space.

The oversized great room flows into the expansive kitchen, which then melds the indoors with the outdoors for an unmatched open-air experience.

The enormous master suite incorporates an office and sitting areas, walk-in closets and 1.5 baths. The master bath invites you into the soaking tub or a tropical outdoor shower.

The lower level also has a large master suite with outdoor shower, a cozy family room, two more spacious guest rooms with their own secondary laundry room and a wonderful outdoor patio with kitchenette.

All nestled next to a lush green-park-like lawn area and the Wailea Blue Golf Course. This home is fully furnished and ready for you to enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool, or relax in the Jacuzzi with your favorite beverage at sunset or under the stars by tiki torch light.

Maui, It’s a Lifestyle and It’s time to make Maui apart of yours!

Address: 4280 Melianani Place, Maui, HI 96753

Price: $5,500,000

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 4.5

View the listing here.

For more information, contact Nancy Callahan at 808-870-2001 or nancy@makenasales.com.

Nancy Callahan is the exclusive agent representing the Maui, Hawaii real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her listings here.

Images courtesy of Nancy Callahan

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