Prudential Locations, Hawaii's largest locally owned and operated real estate company, is making a strategic move to enhance business operations and grow its presence on the Valley Isle. Today the company opened a brand-new retail space at The Shops at Wailea, one of Maui's most luxurious premier shopping and dining destinations. The real estate firm's new Wailea office underscores its commitment to the Valley Isle.

"As the Maui real estate market continues to heat up, we feel that now is the perfect time to expand our presence in Maui. The island saw an increase in sales of 11 percent compared to just last year, and the real estate market in Wailea is especially strong, with prices nearly double what they were 10 years ago," said Scott Higashi, executive vice president of sales at Prudential Locations. "Opening this location in Wailea makes us even more accessible to our valued Maui clients. We couldn't be more pleased to expand our services."

A Wave of Giving Creates an Ocean of Caring 

Giving back to the community, where we live and work, defines the Locations Foundation, the not-for-profit arm of Prudential Locations, Hawaii’s No. 1 locally owned and operated real estate agency, with more transactions than any other company.

Last night, November 14, the Pacific Business News held the 12th Annual Business Leadership Hawaii Dinner and Awards Event and recognized the Locations Foundation as the Community Spirit Award winner from a panel of eight finalists. 

“The key to a successful volunteer effort is simple: offer employees an organized and empowering opportunity to give back to the community,” says Bill Chee, Prudential Locations CEO.

In attendance to accept the PBN Community Spirit Award were Locations Foundation donors: Jodee Farm, Locations Foundation president; Dolores Bediones (R), Stephanie Chan (R), Michael Marks (RA), Brandon Lau (R), Chad Takesue (R), James Chan (R) and Mary Tess Edu (R).

Foreign investors are pouring billions into the U.S. housing market, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Foreign buyers purchased more than $68 billion worth of U.S. residential real estate over the 12 months ending March 2013. That’s approximately 6.3 percent of the total U.S. Existing Homes Sales (EHS) market of $1.08 trillion for the same period.

International buyers frequently pay all cash with about 63 percent of reported transactions being cash purchases. How the payment is made depends of course on the buyer, country of origin and type of property they are purchasing. 

Mortgage financing for international clients can be tricky because of a lack of U.S. based credit history, lack of a Social Security number and difficulties in documenting mortgage requirements and financial profiles. However, with the right people and right documents in place, foreign investors can obtain U.S. backed financing.