We have just obtained the latest tracking survey from the American Affluence Research Center ( a service we highly recommend) and as always it is full of useful information on the wealthiest 10% of Americans. Here are some key findings that apply to the Maui real estate market:

• Participants were increasingly conservative in their spending plans;
• Plans to acquire a vacation home in 2008 remained strong at over 5%;
• That implies demand for  600,000 vacation homes;
• Of those, one-third intend to build;
• For the top 1% (net worth over $6 million), almost 10% intend to purchase a vacation home in 2008; and
• Of those, half intend to build.

The implications for Maui real estate is the the top of the wealth chain will increasingly drive the market, benefiting newer and more upscale communities. Their disproportionate desire to  build indicates that the wealthy want what they want and will pay for it and are unwilling to compromise on their desires. They will not buy what they deem "OK." That means properties in perfect condition will get excellent responses and others will not.

To discuss this information in greater detail, please contact us.