Meet Mari Ippolito, Who Recently Joined the Island Sotheby's International Realty Team of Global Real Estate Advisors

Island Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to announce that Mari Ippolito R(S) is one of the most recent agents to join the prestigious firm’s growing team.

Born in the Philippines and raised in California, Mari has spent the last 19 years living on Maui. She fell in love with the island's natural wonders and welcoming community, which she quickly made her home. Since then, she has delved into Maui's real estate industry, buying and selling her own investment properties. She not only brings her personal knowledge to every transaction, but also a passion for negotiation to address all of her clients' needs. 

For Mari, there's nothing better than helping a first-time buyer find the perfect home or investment property. We sat down to talk with her about why she chose to join the Island Sotheby's International Realty team:

What's your favorite part about living on Maui?

MI: The Aloha spirit — the people, culture, everyone is family, the beautiful beaches, the tropical fruit and the flowers of the island. Everyday as I go through my day I see photo opportunities and chances to capture the beautiful mountains, beaches, sunsets, moon, the sky and the island’s natural gifts. I’m thankful to live on Maui because the island takes care of me.

Why did you join the Island Sotheby's International Realty team?

MI: Island Sotheby’s International Realty is exclusive, sophisticated and caters to the high end market. The firm is a boutique company that boasts experienced agents, a robust support team and technology.

What inspired you to work in Maui real estate?  

MI: Growing up, my parents bought and sold apartment buildings in California. They taught me how the only way to get ahead in America is to own your own home and invest in real estate.

As an adult, I bought and sold eight of my own investments, including my personal home, vacation rental and long-term rental properties on Maui. I decided that if I was going to help buyers and sellers, I should go through the process myself to understand how it works from the beginning to end. Not only can I navigate the paperwork, but I also know understand how it’s a very emotional decision. I love helping first-time home buyers and investors get a great deal and find the right property on Maui.

What is your favorite part about being a real estate professional?

MI: The flexibility with my schedule so I can raise my two daughters is wonderful. Additionally, nothing beats the feeling when you can help sellers negotiate to get the most profit from the sale of their home so they can move on to the next venture in life. There’s nothing quite like guiding and advising them through the process and then eventually watch their smiles full of excitement and tears of joy when they find their home place on Maui.  

What else should clients know about you?

MI: People have said that I have a great smile and positive energy that brightens up a room, which helps to bring out those qualities in others. I am genuine, hard working and decisive. I think of others first and only want the best for everyone. And when I wish, think or talk about something, it becomes real.  

I was born in the Philippines, raised in Southern California and then moved to San Francisco, where I lived for 10 years before moving to Maui.  I’ve been on island for 19 years now and love outrigger canoe paddling and stand-up paddling. Another passion of mine is classic cars: I bought a classic 1976 Porsche 914. I also love traveling to new places and have visited 35 U.S. states, traveled around Europe and Asia. I understand Italian and speak a little, as do my children because of their dad.